Your home is likely the most valuable thing you own, so it makes sense to put some time into preparations when selling it to ensure you get as much money as possible out of the deal. 

To sell your home quickly and easily, remember these 10 tips.

1 Choose the right estate agent

Choosing the right estate agent is just as important as choosing the right home. Ask friends, family, or other people who you trust with whom they would recommend. Estate agents should be able to talk about their experience in the area, what houses have sold, and what houses are currently on the market. They should also know about local property market trends and what mortgages are available if you need financing.

2 Price it correctly

The price of your home is one of the most important considerations when selling. You’ll want to price it competitively with similar properties in the area to get the most money. To do this, you will need to know what other homes in your neighbourhood are priced at and how much they are going for. You can find this information by looking up listings on websites like Rightmove or Zoopla. 

3 Have brilliant kerb appeal

Make sure your property is well-maintained, clean and tidy. Keep the exterior in good shape by weeding, trimming hedges, and cutting grass. Sweep up the leaves in autumn to keep it looking fresh.

4 Make each room as irresistible as possible

Number one on the list is to make your best room the most impressive room in the house. For example, this might be the living room or the bedroom. Nonetheless, you want this room to be a show-stopper. Make it as clean and uncluttered as possible, invest in some new furniture if necessary, and maybe paint that drab wallpaper with something bright and cheerful. Get rid of anything that doesn’t make your home look like a place where people would want to live.

You should also consider a home inspection before putting it on the market – this will ensure that there are no serious problems that need addressing before you put it on sale. 

5 Repair any broken features in your home

Buyers often look for homes that require few repairs, and no one wants a deal to fall apart because the home inspector found an issue the buyers can’t stomach. A little prevention can spare you from the pain of watching a buyer walk away.

Here are some of the most important things you should consider repairing before selling your home.

1. Kitchen and Bathrooms

The kitchen and bathrooms of a home have the most mechanical systems, such as plumbing and electrical. That means they also have the highest likelihood of damage.

2. Walls and ceilings

Repair nail holes and minor dings and dents in the drywall. If you see discolouration, such as water damage that’s been repaired, repaint the walls. Painting is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to refresh a room. 

3. Flooring

From laminate to carpet, everything should be in good condition. Replace any chipped or cracked floor tiles or refinish scratched or dented hardwood. Replace torn carpeting, or have it steam-cleaned, especially if you have pets.

4. Water heater

Your water heater should be in good working order and not leak. All pipes should be insulated.

5. Exterior doors

Major dings or dents are a no-no. Hardware like door handles should be in good condition, weatherstripping should be intact, and most homeowners can fix those issues themselves.

6. Roof

The roof shouldn’t have any broken or missing tiles, shingles or ridge caps, as these components protect your home from water damage. Replace any problem spots immediately. Cracks, bubbles, and blisters in the sealant are also common. Fix any damage to the underlayment, which is the layer underneath the roof shingles or tiles. Interior water damage can mean a roof leak, so if you see any, call a professional.

7. Drainage

Drainage should slope away from the foundation. If water collects by the foundation when it rains, you may need to have a contractor come in to fix any drainage problems.

8. Foundation

Your foundation, stem wall and retaining wall should be structurally sound. Hire a contractor to give you a professional opinion if you see any indicators of an unstable foundation, such as sagging floors, horizontal cracks in the foundation, and horizontal or vertical cracks along any walls, interior or exterior.

9. Fencing

Wooden fences shouldn’t have rotting boards. The gate on all fences should open smoothly. Rust or chipped paint needs fixing, but you could do it yourself. Scrub the fence with a rust converter and a wire brush, then prime and paint over the affected areas.

6 Declutter

Go room by room, getting rid of anything that doesn’t belong there or doesn’t add value to the property. Look at unused items that might be taking up space, such as old clothes, toys, kitchenware, storage containers, and magazines. Decluttering will make your home feel larger and more inviting!

7 Work with a professional stager if needed

If you have decided to sell your home but are not sure how to prepare it to make it as appealing as possible, there is a team of professionals that can do the work for you. A stager will go through your house, declutter and rearrange the furniture in different arrangements, paint the walls a fresh new colour, replace the window treatments, add new plants around the room and hang artwork on the walls. With their help, when people walk through your property, they will see what you have done with your space and be impressed by how beautiful it looks.

8 Take awesome photos

Ideally, your estate agent should be using a professional photographer, but If you need to take the photos yourself, get creative with angles and include objects in the images that tell a story of your home. Don’t forget to include shots of the outside of your home too.

9 Be flexible for viewings

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is to set their house up as a fortress, making it seem like an invitation-only event. You want to be flexible about when people come to see your home. The more people who walk through your home, the better chance you have of getting a higher offer.

10 Knowing when the best time to sell is

Selling your house at the right time of year can also be very lucrative if you know what you’re doing and get in early enough. If you’re thinking about selling, make sure you have spoken to several local estate agents and asked them about current local property market trends and when is the best time for you to put your property onto the market.