Selling your home is an exciting time, full of new beginnings and a fair share of challenges along the way. During this time, you may feel lost, under pressure, and unsure of your next steps. Nevertheless, you’re not alone, as countless others have gone through, and will go through, the same experience.
We have compiled a list of five common mistakes people often make when selling their home, in order to help you tackle the challenges ahead. Some of the following points may jump out immediately at you as factors to be worked on, whereas some may require some more careful consideration.
- Not embracing the unique selling point of your home
Buyers love to purchase a property that provides them with a dose of something unique. Unfortunately, such unique features are often overlooked and the full potential of the property is not realised. Special features can take the form of a traditional wood-burning fireplace, an open-concept living space, ensuite bathrooms – you name it.
Consider what makes your home unique, and work to maximise the appeal of that feature. If you “Wow!” your buyer, you’ll be one step closer to closing the deal.
- Not considering the exterior of your home
First impressions count when aiming to impress your buyer. Even if your home is meticulously furnished on the inside, a disorganised garden can leave a sour taste in your buyers’ mouths. In order to create a truly positive experience, ensure that the outside spaces are well maintained.
Even if you do not have a garden, ensure that the exterior of your home is well-kept. This can even be a balcony or patio area.
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- Not keeping your home presentable
It’s common sense that a home should be cleaned and organized before you arrange a valuation. However, a common mistake is not checking for any humidity-related issues. For example, poor ventilation in a bathroom can lead to mould and mildew, which builds up and gives the room an unpleasant odour.
Ensure that your rooms are well-maintained and any mould-related issues are dealt with. This will help to save you time and money in the future.
- Not considering the future of the property
Another common mistake many sellers make when putting their property on the market is not considering the future of their home. Perhaps there is extra space in the garden for an extension. What if you were able to attain planning permission for this and use this as a bargaining chip?
As for the interior, perhaps a wall can be knocked down to expand the size of a room, or a wall can be erected to create a new one? By giving your buyers options, they’ll have more ideas about how to use the space and fit their requirements.
- Not updating an older kitchen
It’s commonly known that the kitchen is often the heart of a property. Having a bright, well-maintained and up-to-date kitchen with new appliances can make a world of difference in a buyer’s eyes.
Even if the space is on the smaller side, a modern kitchen can potentially turn into the unique selling point of the home (see point 1!).