No one goes into selling their home on a whim. There are clearly preparations that must take place and plans to be made. Knowing where to start can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. You want to maximise your property’s value and secure a smooth sale, that much is clear. What can you actually do to aid this outcome, though? Here, we’ll guide you through the key steps to take before putting your house on the market, from decluttering to choosing estate agents. As storage experts, we’ve seen many different approaches to home moves, so our tips are designed to make you more prepared, organised, and confident.
Decluttering is an essential step, but you may be unsure when to do it. Prior to valuation, prior to viewings, or as part of packing up and moving? In fact, the earlier that you can have a thorough declutter the better. There are benefits to decluttering for every stage of a home sale process.
At this early stage of decluttering, focus on a room at a time and deal with all of the items that are visible as a priority.
Once your home is decluttered, it’s time to tackle the broader tasks involved in putting it on the market. This list of key steps will ensure you’re on the right track.
Small improvements can make a big difference in creating a great first impression. Make sure that you complete any aesthetic repairs. This might mean leaky taps, cracks in walls, or squeaky doors that could make the property appear neglected. Give your home a deep clean, including things like removing window smears and carpet cleaning. Concentrate on curb appeal to optimise first impressions. For example, tidy the garden, paint the front door, and ensure the exterior looks inviting.
With repairs undertaken and clutter removed, you can get on with staging your home. This means arranging furniture and decor to showcase the functionality and potential of each space. Keep it neutral, since buyers want to imagine themselves living in the property.
Have at least three estate agents value your property to get a balanced view of its worth. Choose agents based on their local knowledge, reputation, and marketing strategies.
Once you’ve chosen your agent, sign the necessary agreements and work closely with them to craft a compelling property listing.
Decide whether to have individual viewings or hold an open house. Both approaches have their merits, depending on your schedule and selling goals. Your estate agent will understand the local market and be able to advise on which approach is appropriate.
While your property is being marketed, start planning your next home. This could involve researching areas, budgeting, and viewing properties to stay ahead of the process. It’s always a delicate balance with many unknowns.
Decluttering your home need not mean a blanket discarding of your belongings. Many items can be moved into storage for the duration of the sales process. You might choose to store personal items such as family photos, heirlooms, gadgets you don’t use regularly, excess furniture, or seasonal decor. Make sure you leave versatile furniture and minimal, tasteful decor to showcase functionality and style.
Moving excess items into a storage unit is the ideal way to manage the contents of your home while you sell your property. This is especially so if you’re moving to a larger space which can accommodate more of your belongings than your current home. If you’re downsizing, you might look at longer term storage. Your storage unit will not only keep your home tidy but also simplifies your eventual move.
Not all repairs or upgrades are worth the investment, so how do you decide what to focus on? Remember that first impressions are crucial, so key aesthetics like walls and floors will be noticed. Especially since your decluttering will have made them more visible.
A good rule of thumb is to focus on fixes that enhance functionality and visual appeal without breaking the bank.
Using a storage unit during the sale process offers practical and stress-reducing benefits. This is not only for the viewing princess, but for the experience of sales and moving too.
By combining decluttering, careful planning, and professional storage, you’ll be well on your way to a successful sale with less stress. These simple steps can have a very real impact on the value of your home and the speed with which you’ll receive offers. Get your storage unit quote today to begin the process of a seamless home move with Blue Box!