Costa del Sol Property Blog

Every property seller wants their home to sell fast a possible, and achieve the maximum price in the current market. This is will be self-evident to anyone reading this. But this does not simply happen. Most vendors need to do some careful and use the critical eye of their estate agent to improve the image of their property. With a little preparation you will see a large increase in the interest in your property, even in a depressed market. Of course if you price yourself way out of the market, there is little you can do but drop the price. Anyway here are a few easy suggestions that will help it increase its appeal.

Steps to take:

Disassociate yourself with your property.

Remember this is no longer your house, but a product you are trying to sell. No different from a car or piece of furniture.

Let go of any emotions you have over the property. Work on the assumption that you will be selling shortly and moving out.

De-Personalise.

Remove all those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Property buyers will not be able to see past your personal objects and you want them to focus on the property itself. You want the buyers thinking “I can see myself living here” not about who currently lives in the property.

De-Clutter!

People (including myself) have an amazing ability to hoard. Most of the items in questions tend to be junk, so work on the assumption that if you have not used it in a year you do not need it.

If you don’t need it, why not donate it or sell it?
Tidy up all books from bookcases.
Pack up those knickknacks.
Keep kitchen counters bare.
Put essential items used daily in a small box or draw, anything too large keep in a nearby closet when not in use.
Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway it will make it a lot easier.

Rearrange closets, cabinets and wardrobes.

Buyers will open closets, cabinets, etc.. when looking around your property. Remember you want them to imaging themselves living in the property. So having them full of clutter will not give them a clear idea of the space. And imaging what they will think if objects fall out! If the wardrobes and so forth are tidy and organised you create an image of care. Now imagine what buyers believe about you if they see everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. Although such organisation can be viewed as ‘over the top’ by some, these are all minor details you tend to find in show houses.

Alphabetize spice jars.
Neatly stack dishes.
Turn coffee cup handles facing the same way.
Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction.
Line up shoes.

Less is more.

Almost all properties show better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and leave room to move around. Buyers need to know clearly what you use the room for, but also have to be able to see the other possibilities.

If property is sold furnished.

Many properties tend to be sold furnished. So if you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. If the Grandfather clock in the lounge once belonged to your great grandmother, remove it. If the buyers never see it, they will not want it! Try to minimise any potential points of contention.

Minor Repairs.

Replace/fix cracked tiles, wall, etc…
Patch holes in walls.
Fix leaky faucets.
Fix doors that don’t close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
Consider painting your walls neutral colours or at least light and warm colours, especially if you have grown accustomed to strong colours.
Replace burned-out light bulbs.
If you’ve considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!

As good as new!

Wash windows inside and out.
Clean out cobwebs.
Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
Clean out the refrigerator.
Vacuum/mop daily.
Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
Bleach dingy grout in bathrooms, etc….
Replace worn rugs, cushions, etc…
Hang up fresh towels.
Smells invoke memories. Make sure they are good memories!

First impression.

No matter how well you prepare the inside, the buyer will see the outside first. If you have a house or villa, broom and mop regularly outside. Keep plants/grass tidy and alive. If you have an apartment, you will have less control over first impressions. Make the best of what you have. Clean door, polished door knob, clean/tidy welcome matt, etc… all make a difference.

Also it is worth remembering that no matter how much we try it is hard to be objective about our own property. Personal feeling and bias will always play a part. Ask a friend to ‘pretend’ view your property and point out positives and negatives. If possible ask the agent to critique your property.

Good luck
Andrew Bellés