Style your home before selling

Properties that have been styled solely for sale stand out against comparable properties, have a wider buyer appeal, and will stand out from the crowd in marketing, generating more buyer enquiry.

Home presentation is oriented toward the seller getting a return on their investment greater than every dollar spent, with rates of return as much as $3 to $1 spent on styling to sell.

You will also get a head start on preparing for your next move, packing things away, and begin to view your home as a product for sale.

Your stylist will help you emotionally disconnect from your home in preparation for change, which greatly reduces the stress of selling and moving.

How much difference does property styling make?

Real estate agents report that the average time on the market for homes that have been styled to sell is only 33 days compared to 90 days for non-styled homes and professionally styled properties sell for higher prices than comparable properties that are inferior in presentation.

It is often hard to view your own property through the -˜buyer’s eyes’. A qualified stylist casts -˜fresh eyes’ on your property.

The following are some of the tips we use when preparing your home for sale:

-¢ Maximise natural lighting by cleaning windows, opening curtains and blinds.

-¢ Add touches such as flowers, fluffy towels, scatter cushions, fresh soaps.

-¢ Fix and fill cracks in walls and re-paint if needed.

-¢ Attend to leaking taps, sticking doors, broken glass and bricks, door handles, re-grout old bathroom and kitchen tiles.

-¢ Steam clean carpets and rugs.

-¢ Clean the outside of the house, fix guttering, wash flyscreens, sweep paths, trim shrubs, add any plants or pots near the front door and a new front door mat.

Presentation: the property must be tidy and decluttered, and this should be maintained throughout the open inspection period.

Styling: Is the function of each room clearly defined?

Have you ensured all the unique features of your property are fully highlighted?

Would it be easy for prospective buyers to see themselves living there?

info: Alexandra McCardle is a qualified interior designer and managing director of Polished Pad and Reception Rescue with over 10 years experience in the design field. Contact [email protected] or 0408 220 662.