Tips for Preparing Your Home for a Successful Home Open in Perth
A successful home open is crucial for attracting potential buyers and achieving the best possible sale price for your property in Perth's competitive real estate market. First impressions matter, and a well-prepared home can significantly influence a buyer's decision. This guide provides practical tips and advice to help you showcase your home in its best light.
1. Decluttering and Cleaning
Decluttering and cleaning are the foundational steps in preparing your home for a home open. A clean and clutter-free home appears larger, more inviting, and allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space.
Decluttering Strategies
Be Ruthless: Go through each room and identify items you no longer need, use, or love. Consider donating, selling, or discarding these items.
Storage Solutions: Invest in storage containers to organise remaining items. Utilise shelves, cupboards, and drawers effectively.
Personal Items: Remove excessive personal items such as family photos, trophies, and collections. While a few personal touches are fine, too many can distract buyers.
Clear Surfaces: Keep countertops, tables, and shelves clear of clutter. A few decorative items are acceptable, but avoid overcrowding.
Common Mistakes:
Failing to declutter thoroughly: Don't just hide clutter; remove it from the house.
Overlooking storage areas: Buyers will often look inside cupboards and wardrobes.
Cleaning Checklist
Deep Clean: Thoroughly clean every room, including dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and scrubbing bathrooms and kitchens.
Windows and Mirrors: Clean windows and mirrors to allow natural light to flood the home.
Carpets and Floors: Consider professionally cleaning carpets and floors to remove stains and odours.
Exterior Cleaning: Don't neglect the exterior of your home. Pressure wash pathways, clean gutters, and tidy up the garden.
Odour Control: Eliminate any unpleasant odours. Use air fresheners or natural solutions like baking soda to neutralise smells.
Common Mistakes:
Ignoring pet odours: Pet odours can be a major turn-off for some buyers.
Forgetting the details: Pay attention to details like light fixtures, skirting boards, and door handles.
2. Staging Your Home for Appeal
Staging involves arranging furniture and décor to create an appealing and inviting atmosphere. The goal is to showcase the home's potential and help buyers visualise themselves living there.
Furniture Arrangement
Create Flow: Arrange furniture to create a natural flow through each room. Avoid blocking doorways or creating cramped spaces.
Highlight Features: Position furniture to highlight key features of the room, such as a fireplace or large window.
Neutralise: Use neutral colours for large furniture pieces to appeal to a wider range of buyers.
Consider Renting: If your furniture is outdated or doesn't showcase the home well, consider renting furniture for the staging process. Our services can help you find staging professionals.
Common Mistakes:
Overcrowding rooms with furniture: Less is often more when staging.
Using mismatched or outdated furniture: This can detract from the home's appeal.
Decor and Accessories
Add Colour: Use pops of colour with cushions, throws, and artwork to add visual interest.
Greenery: Incorporate plants and flowers to bring life and freshness into the home.
Lighting: Ensure adequate lighting in each room. Use a combination of natural light, overhead lighting, and lamps.
Artwork: Hang artwork at eye level to create a focal point.
Common Mistakes:
Using overly personal or controversial artwork: Opt for neutral and appealing pieces.
Neglecting lighting: Poor lighting can make a home feel dark and uninviting.
3. Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere
Creating a welcoming atmosphere is essential for making potential buyers feel comfortable and at ease during the home open. A welcoming home encourages buyers to linger and imagine themselves living in the space.
Sensory Appeal
Temperature: Ensure the home is at a comfortable temperature. Adjust the thermostat to suit the weather.
Music: Play soft, background music to create a relaxing ambiance.
Scent: Use subtle scents, such as vanilla or citrus, to create a pleasant aroma. Avoid strong or overpowering fragrances.
Light: Open blinds and curtains to let in natural light. Turn on lamps and overhead lights to brighten up the space.
Common Mistakes:
Overdoing the scent: Strong fragrances can be off-putting to some buyers.
Ignoring the temperature: An uncomfortable temperature can deter buyers from lingering.
Presentation
Welcome Sign: Place a welcome sign at the entrance to greet potential buyers.
Information Sheets: Provide information sheets with details about the property, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, land size, and key features.
Refreshments: Offer light refreshments, such as water or biscuits, to make buyers feel welcome.
Common Mistakes:
Failing to provide adequate information: Buyers want to know the key details about the property.
Being intrusive: Allow buyers to explore the home at their own pace.
4. Highlighting Key Features
Every home has unique features that can attract potential buyers. Highlighting these features can help your home stand out from the competition.
Identifying Key Features
Architectural Details: Showcase unique architectural details, such as high ceilings, original fireplaces, or bay windows.
Outdoor Spaces: Emphasise outdoor spaces, such as gardens, patios, or balconies. Stage these areas with outdoor furniture and plants.
Renovations: Highlight any recent renovations or upgrades, such as a new kitchen or bathroom.
Location: Emphasise the benefits of the location, such as proximity to schools, parks, or public transport.
Common Mistakes:
Neglecting outdoor spaces: Outdoor spaces are increasingly important to buyers.
Failing to highlight recent renovations: Buyers want to know about any improvements that have been made.
Showcasing Features
Lighting: Use lighting to highlight key features. For example, use spotlights to showcase artwork or architectural details.
Signage: Place signage to draw attention to key features. For example, label a renovated kitchen as "Newly Renovated Kitchen."
Verbal Emphasis: When speaking with potential buyers, be sure to mention the key features of the home.
Common Mistakes:
Overstating the value of features: Be honest and realistic about the benefits of each feature.
Ignoring potential drawbacks: Be prepared to address any potential concerns about the property.
5. Addressing Minor Repairs
Addressing minor repairs before a home open can significantly improve the overall impression of your property. Even small issues can detract from the home's appeal and raise concerns about potential larger problems.
Identifying Repairs
Walkthrough: Conduct a thorough walkthrough of your home to identify any minor repairs that need to be addressed.
Focus Areas: Pay attention to areas such as walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, and fixtures.
Common Issues: Look for issues such as chipped paint, loose door handles, leaky faucets, and cracked tiles.
Common Mistakes:
Ignoring small issues: Even small issues can create a negative impression.
Postponing repairs: Don't wait until the last minute to address repairs.
Completing Repairs
DIY vs. Professional: Decide whether you can complete the repairs yourself or if you need to hire a professional. Perthrealestate can connect you with local tradespeople.
Prioritise: Prioritise repairs based on their impact on the overall appearance of the home.
Quality: Ensure that all repairs are completed to a high standard.
Common Mistakes:
Attempting repairs beyond your skill level: Poorly executed repairs can be worse than no repairs at all.
Using cheap materials:* Use high-quality materials to ensure that the repairs last.
By following these tips, you can prepare your Perth home for a successful home open, attract potential buyers, and maximise your sale price. Remember to focus on decluttering, cleaning, staging, creating a welcoming atmosphere, highlighting key features, and addressing minor repairs. Good luck!
If you have more questions, visit our frequently asked questions page or learn more about Perthrealestate.