Tips For Preparing For Inspection

Every seller wants a quick sale and to get the best possible price.

Here are some simple steps that will help you create a property that will appeal to buyers and achieve just that.

• Try to de-clutter the house as much as possible by starting to pack things away that you are not using and clearing everything off the kitchen and bathroom bench tops.  Buyers like to imagine themselves in a house when they are looking to buy so consider ‘de-personalising’ by putting personal photos, heirlooms and artefacts away so buyers can see the real features of your home.
  
  
• Make sure your yard and garden are neat and tidy. Prune shrubs & trees, remove old and dying shrubs, keep paths clean and tidy, weed & chip bark the gardens, paint the front fence, steps and door. Stand back and objectively check the street appeal of your property.
  
  
• Attend to minor repairs. Leaking taps, sticking doors, peeling paint, loose door knobs, cracked tiles or torn curtains do not enhance the appearance of your property. Give some thought to painting walls in a soft neutral colour and replace any broken and old fittings.
  
  
• Make the house sparkle!  Wash the windows, blinds and curtains, clean the carpets, lights and ceiling fans, remove the cobwebs, pressure clean the paths. Fresh flowers or indoor plants always brighten up a home. Don’t overlook the garage.

first impressions Count

First impressions count.  You only get one very brief chance to make a good impression and it can set the tone for the rest of the property inspection.  You can create the best first impression by:

• Before inspections or an open house, make sure all the windows and doors are open to let in some fresh air.
  
  
• Although it is temping to stay, always leave the home during inspections and open homes. Buyers often find it difficult to look at a house while the seller is nearby so why not take the dog for a walk and leave the work to your agent.
  
  
• Open the curtains and blinds to let in natural light and turn on all the lights inside the house as this will make it seem much larger and brighter.
  
  
• If you have pets, ensure they are outside and remove any pet’s food bowls or bedding from the house.  Similarly for smokers, if you have any ashtrays in the house, remove them and be sure to air the house regularly.
  
  
• The bathroom and kitchen are usually the rooms that the buyers are most interested in, so make sure they are sparkling clean and tidy.
  
  
• Remember to present your cupboards in a tidy manner as buyers like to open doors and see how much storage space is provided.
  
  
• A tidy home says "Welcome" to prospective buyers. Try to keep your home neat and tidy during the period of inspections. It does not need to be a "show home” but it does need to convey that it is a comfortable home in which to live. 

Be sure to ask your agent for feedback and any comments from prospective purchasers about how the inspection or open home went.  Be prepared for some negative as well as positive feedback but remember not to take this personally. Negative comments can be very constructive and are therefore an extremely important part of selling your house.