5 tips to prepare your house for sale

Preparing your home for sale sounds daunting. So, we've asked Melbourne property stylist, Georgia K from Designs to Inspire, to share the 5 most important tips to help you get the most from your sale.

1. Declutter and depersonalise

Have you dreamt of living in a magazine worthy home with it's perfectly pulled together look? If you have paperwork and books spilling over on the dining table and bills stuffed into drawers, now's the time to declutter!

Pack the piles of toys, donate or recycle unwanted items and only let the best of your furniture be on display. Your home needs to look like a neat freak lives here, permanently.

Consider sourcing storage as there are some great deals available. By doing so, your home will instantly feel more spacious and open for buyers to walk around comfortably.

Remember, your prospective buyers want to live in your house, not with you. Remove all family photos to allow them to imagine the home as their own. Eliminate all smells from pets and air the home regularly. Consider a home fragrance to appeal to all senses.

Before and After Decluttering & Styling - Images by Designs to Inspire

2. Fix and refresh

No one wants to buy a home that reminds them of the work they need to do. Whether, it's the time to fix minor cracks in the wall, repaint or garden. Unless the home is being sold as a knockdown and rebuild, then it's time to engage the right handy people or visit your nearest hardware and paint store.

Paint is the easiest and most cost-effective way to give your home a quick fresh makeover. Internally, we recommend neutral walls to lighten the space.

Your kitchen or bathroom tiles can benefit from new grout. If the tiles are loud or outdated, a coat of paint can totally transform them. Ensure you use the right primers and paints suitable for wet areas. Bathtubs and shower bases can also be spray painted and made to look new.

Don't overlook the smaller finishing touches. Replacing hardware such as handles and tapware gives an instant lift.

For more information, learn how to paint over tiles and a bath.

Before and After Painting - Images by Designs to Inspire

3. Clean, clean and clean again

Ensure your house is clean, and we don't mean just a surface clean. Bathroom tiles need a good scrub, shower screens should be streak free, grout needs to be pristine, and the floor needs to sparkle. This includes window cleaning, inside and out which can often be overlooked, yet brings more sought after light into a home.

Prospective buyers will be opening your pantry and linen cupboard doors. Organise the contents, clean the shelves and when it doubt, remove what you don't need to display the extra storage room.

4. Curb appeal

First impressions count. Increase the appeal of your home with a tidy and manicured garden. Weeding and mulching give an instant lift to your garden and will help you to maintain it more easily.

Ensure new turf has time to take to provide an established feel to your garden.

Paint old concrete driveways in a slate grey and your front patio for a stylish look.

5. Light and bright

Everyone desires a light-filled home.

Draw back curtains and remove unnecessary or dated blinds to bring in as much light as possible to make a home more inviting.

Replace dated light fittings with energy efficient LED downlights. Use floor and table lamps for ambient lighting to create more intimate spaces.

When in doubt, seek help!!!

Selling a home can be a stressful time, so why not leave it to the experts? They have the experience and resources to get it right the first time. You can avoid the 5 most common mistakes when DIY styling your home and achieve a faster and higher sales price.

If you would like a free no-obligation quotation, please contact Designs to Inspire on 1300 83 762 or to find out more, visit www.designstoinspire.com.au