When selling your home it’s important not to over capitalise on renovations that won’t return their value in a higher sales price. At Vendor Advocacy Australia, we are firm believers in doing the simple things and doing them well. Presentation is a major selling factor, as it shapes the buyer’s impression of your home.
Here is a list of simple tasks that could net you a high return for a very low cost:
1) Get rid of the mess
It’s very easy to become comfortable in our own homes, after all, that’s what they’re for. But comfort can often lead to complacency and small housekeeping tasks can slip under the radar. There are some very simple ways to improve your property at little-to-no-cost and with some elbow grease.
Decluttering is a great start. While you may feel that your home is just right the way it is, you’re upgrading or downsizing for a reason. If you’re choosing to sell to find a bigger home, chances are you’ve outgrown the one you’re in. If you’re considering a smaller dwelling, it’s likely the young ones are out of the nest but you still have a lifetime’s worth of memories in your home.
While these objects are precious to you, they can make your home feel cramped. It can also make it harder for potential purchasers to picture themselves in your house, as it is filled with images and objects they can’t relate to.
Getting rid of some of your excess possessions could be a good start and a cathartic process, but for the items you wish to move to your new home, find a place to keep them with family or a storage facility during your marketing campaign.
2) Home maintenance
One of our favourite tips for selling your house is to do a bit of yard work. Minor maintenance such as mowing the lawns, pulling weeds and clearing gutters can make a drastic improvement. Remember first impressions count! When people inspect a house they’re considering purchasing, an apparent lack of maintenance can give them the impression that the home is not well looked-after.
You might want to go one step further and increase the street appeal of your home by freshening up the place with a coat of paint and a new letter box. These items may cost a bit more, but if they get buyers out of their cars and through your door – you increase your chances of negotiating a great sale.
3) Enhance your living space
Modern living in Australian homes demands a bit of flexibility. As a nation we have tended more towards open-plan living and indoor/outdoor flow. It enhances the way we spend time with family and entertain our guests.
If you are considering renovations, creating more living space could be the way to go. You can do this by building a deck for an alfresco area, or knocking out non-structural internal walls to open spaces up.
However, for the budget-conscious and those looking for a quicker turnaround, similar effects can be achieved in much simpler ways. Instead of building an alfresco entertainment area, you can neaten up your lawn and add outdoor furniture. While it’s not the patio you may envision, it gives buyers an idea of the potential of the space.
Inside the home you could consider removing doors and frames to make archways if you can’t remove walls. Otherwise, you could opt for barn-style doors on rollers, which take up less room and add character to a living area.
09/24/2024 
