If you’ve decided to either put your house on the market or rent out your property, don’t be surprised if you come across a bunch of ‘picky’ people that have a (negative) thing or two to say about your home. Even if you see your house as the perfect property for the average buyer or renter, bear in mind that every secondhand home could use a few improvements to make it more attractive.
From obvious house repairs such as ripped carpeting, to new additions that enhance the aesthetic appeal; the goal is to wow potential buyers/renters so that you have the upper hand when it comes to negotiations. What’s more, it really helps to have a group of interested parties to pick from as opposed to settling for the first person that makes you an offer.
With that, let’s get right to our top tips on how to impress buyers and renters with your property.
Make a Good First Impression
Before anyone gets a tour of the inside, the outside of your house is the first thing they will see. Home exteriors largely contribute to the first impression people have of your home and hence, it’s important to make them as nice and presentable as possible. Regardless of whether you live in an apartment or a bungalow, the first glimpse of your house as people approach it should be one that they remember (for the right reasons).
If a fresh coat of paint doesn’t suit your budget, consider washing your outdoor walls to brighten them up. You can also beautify the space outside the front door with some potted plants and artwork. Speaking of the front door, perhaps, a fresh coat of paint may be in order here. Remember, the goal is to make a good, lasting first impression by giving people little to nothing negative to say about your home exteriors!
Create a Warm and Inviting Entryway
The entryway of your home also contributes to the first impression made on potential buyers or renters. More often than not, the expectations people have when viewing a property on the market, are pretty high. As they walk inside, the goal is to ensure that your home lives up to these expectations by creating a homely and inviting entryway that sets the tone for the rest of your interiors. So, if your hallway has gotten shabby over the years, it’s time you gave it a little spruce up!
First things first; the entryway of your home interiors shouldn’t be cluttered or look cramped up. This means clearing the entire pathway and choosing appropriate lighting so that it doesn’t appear too dull. Only a minimal amount of decoration and, perhaps, a shoe rack or coatrack, is advised for an entryway; anything more than that risks ‘cluttering’ up the area. Remember, no one should feel claustrophobic when they walk into your house, but rather, have a thing or two to catch their attention in the form of artwork or decorative mirrors. The latter creates the illusion of a more spacious and airy entryway so it’s definitely worth considering!
Make the Kitchen & Bathrooms Stand Out
When it comes to residential property for sale or rent, bathrooms and kitchens are key selling points. While living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms can be decorated in an entirely different way by the new owners, it’s the kitchen and bathrooms that are going to stay more or less the same way. Here are a few tips you can use to help your bathroom(s) and kitchen look more attractive:
Kitchen:
- Repaint/varnish/polish your kitchen cabinets
- Keep counters buffed and free of clutter
- Highlight additional storage spaces
- Brighten up the room with as much natural and/or artificial light as possible
- Keep the floor clean and stain-free
- Wash the backsplash tiles thoroughly
Bathroom:
- Have a colour theme that extends to bathroom components, wall tiles, and accessories
- Clean and clear the window sill; add a small plant pot if possible
- Replace old, shabby fixtures if necessary
- Keep your floor, sink and toilet bowl stain-free
- Clean tile grout
- Remove dirty laundry, clothes hamper, or used towels (if any)
- Take down the shower curtain to make the room look larger
Once you have your kitchen and bathrooms looking their best, you can rest assured that the biggest selling points have done their job!
Rearrange Furniture to Maximise Space
Even if it’s not the most ideal setting for your personal preference, it’s wise to move things around to create more space for buyers/renters to walk around freely. Of course, this can be a temporary arrangement just until you’ve found the right buyer/renter. It’s important to remember that most people want a home that is spacious and airy; fortunately, this is something that can be achieved by simply changing the layout of your furniture.
It’s also a good idea to remove excess pieces of furniture to give prospective buyers or renters an idea of how big a room is. Things like side tables, corner stands, and floor lamps can be moved into the garage as you prepare the house for a showing.
Repaint the Interiors
This article would be incomplete without mentioning the importance of having perfectly painted walls to help make your home interiors look more expensive and attractive. The overall quality of wall paint (including the colour and texture) plays a big role in the resale value of your property as most potential buyers/renters are not going to jump at the chance to purchase or rent your house if the walls look shabby. On the other hand, clean, freshly painted walls that boast modern elegance are definitely a huge selling point.
If a paint job fits into your budget, we highly recommend it! However, it’s important to get it right the first time around with regards to picking a colour theme that truly brings out the best of your home interiors. Look for colour tones that will enhance the design of the room while also complementing existing furniture and interior décor. It may sound like a bunch of challenging decisions to make, however, the key is to think simple and choose neutral colours that the new occupants can easily match with their own furniture and decoration.
If you’ve been having a hard time to impress potential buyers or renters with your home, it’s time to incorporate the tips above and prepare for a flock of interested parties to show up at your doorstep!
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