Get your house auction ready
5 TIPS FOR sellers
by Domain Property Agents, October 27, 2016
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to sell your house on the open market, or you just want to add value and create a more enjoyable living space, you can achieve great results without breaking the bank.
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First impressions count
As a homeowner it can be easy to overlook a few stains on the carpet or stripping window frames, with the intention that you’ll do it later. When it comes time to sell, however, these lapses are likely to be most scrutinised by potential buyers. Small jobs and finishings, such as cleaning dirty exhaust fans and updating doorknobs and handles, are all things potential buyers notice, says Peter Bushby, president of the Real Estate Institute of Australia.
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Give your house a bath
To get your property sale-ready, Cherie Barber from Renovating for Profit says one of the simplest things you can do is a high-pressure water-clean. “Use a gurney to get all the dirt and grime off your external walls and driveway. You can hire a machine and do this yourself in half a day.” -
Cuffs match the collar
Cherie adds that for a low-cost spruce-up one of the simplest thing you can do is to replace or paint the front door and style the patio with some striking vases and succulents. “You should also consider spray-painting your fence and carport to create a consistent colour, which will make a big difference to the exterior of the property.” -
Shop at auctions and online
You’d be surprised how much you can save just by shopping around. Polish your negotiation skills and ask to seek bargains through ‘scratch and dent’ or ‘floor model’ stock. Also, if you’re heading out for some building supplies, leave the Ralph Lauren polo at home, people will try to get every penny from you if they think you’re out of your depth. -
Call in the professionals
As hard as it may be to hear, especially after binge watching The Block, some jobs should be left to the experts. Areas like electrical, structural work and anything with a safety risk attached, you should hire a professional. You may think you are saving money but botched DIY efforts can cost you dearly.