Latest / Your Local Real Estate Expert - The Schultz Realty Podcast / EP08: Small Changes, Big Results: Prep Your Home for the Best Price
Transcript
- This podcast is brought to you by Podpro Australia. Hi, I'm Sarah Schultz and welcome to your local real estate expert, the Schultz Realty Podcast. As the award winning number one agent and agency for Mount Warren Park, Bar Scrub and Windaroo, I've been helping buyers find their dream homes and exceeding sellers expectations on price and service in our area for over 10 years. Known as the property matchmaker, I'm I'm here to share stats, facts, and insights to make your real estate journey in the local area seamless and successful. The way you live in your home and the way you sell your home are two very different things. When it comes to selling, creating the right first impression can be the difference between an average result and a great one. Hi, I'm Sarah Schultz and welcome back to your local real estate expert, the Schultz Realty. Podcast. Today I'm sharing my top tips to get your home ready for sale. These are the strategies that I've used time and time again to help sellers achieve the absolute best price for their property without breaking the bank. Selling a home can feel like a big task, but with the right approach, it's simple and achievable. The goal is to create a space where buyers can walk in and think, this is it. I can see myself living here. I love it. That emotional connection where they have to have it. So how do you do it? It all starts with decluttering. This one step alone will make the biggest difference in how your home looks, feels, and photographs. Pack away anything you don't use everyday, like ornaments, family photos, kids artwork, or extra appliances like toasters and kettles. Think of it as getting a head start on packing for your next home, or what you would expect to see in an Airbnb. Use boxes or storage tubs and tuck them neatly into your garage, or better yet, consider renting a small storage unit to keep everything out of sight. I promise, it is worth it. When buyers walk in, they want to see spacious, open rooms where they can imagine their own furniture and their own belongings. and potentially their kids. In the kitchen, clear every surface. If you've got bits and pieces like cereal boxes, kitchen appliances, or those random piles of mail that you build up on the bench top, pack them away. Clear your fridge of photos and stickers. If you're still using those items daily, start getting into the habit of tucking them neatly into the cupboards so you don't have to scramble before every inspection and pack away some stuff in the cupboards and put that in a box in the garage. Bathrooms are the same. Keep only the essentials on display. Put everything else into the cupboards. Adding a set of fresh, fluffy towels and a stylish soap dispenser instantly makes a bathroom feel clean, inviting and high end. Here's my tip. The more boxes you pack now, the more you're telling the universe you're ready to go. And it has another benefit. You're also getting ahead of the game for when the time does come to pack for real. Once the clutter is gone, the next step is deep cleaning. And when I say clean, I don't mean your usual tidy up. I mean the kind of clean that makes everything sparkle. Wipe down those skirting boards you never clean, clean those windows inside and out. You never get to clean and get rid of those marks on the doors and light switches. Check for any areas where there's mould or dust or cobwebs in the corners. Make sure the bathrooms and kitchens are shining. It sounds like a big job, I know, and it is. But, this kind of clean sets your home apart and creates a feeling of care and quality. Hire a cleaner. You don't have to do it if you don't want to. Buyers notice these things though. So if you're not a fan of cleaning or you just don't have the time, this is a great opportunity to hire that professional cleaner for that one deep clean. For a few hundred dollars, they can make your home look incredible. And honestly, it's worth every cent not to do it. Once you've done this, add the finishing touch with the subtle fragrances throughout the home. Light a few candles, use a plug in diffuser or place small bowls of fresh citrus in the kitchen. A neutral scent, something soft and clean like linen or light botanicals can instantly make your home feel welcoming and fresh. Once your home is clean and clutter free, it's time to focus on the presentation. This is where you pare back each room to the essentials. Bedrooms should feel like a restful retreat. So just your bed, a pair of bedside tables, maybe some lamps on those tables, and maybe a small piece of artwork on the wall. Add neutral linens, or you can make them bright, and have a set of pillowcases to make the space feel crisp and new. It doesn't have to be expensive, remember Kmart's around the corner. You can find beautiful, affordable options at Big W, Kmart, that look amazing in photos. In the living area, less is more. Keep it simple with your lounge suite, a coffee table, with one or two tasteful decorations and a few stylish cushions to add a pop of colour. If you have tiled floors, a rug can add warmth and help to find the space. Kitchens and bathrooms are all about clean, empty surfaces. Once everything is packed away, add one or two finishing touches like a Fresh tea towel in the kitchen or a stylish soap dish in the bathroom. Even small repairs can make a big difference. So patch up those cracks in the wall, repaint scuff marks and replace any brown light bulbs. Light white is the way to go. Walk through your home with fresh eyes and see it for the first time. Think about what a buyer might notice. A little touch up here, a little touch up there, and it'll be move in ready. If you're working on a budget, one of the most cost effective ways to freshen up your home is also outside. Add a fresh cone of paint to the front door, tidy up the gardens, add some mulch, make that landscaping pop, that curb appeal. It's a small investment that pays big dividends. The outside of your home is where your buyers first see the house, so it is the first impression. So don't overlook this. Clean the driveway and pathways if you have time. Wash down the garage door. Trim the hedges and bushes. If you've got kids toys out or like extra clutter in the yard, consider using a large outdoor storage box or put them in your garden shed. It's a quick and easy way to tidy everything up while keeping it accessible. If you have outdoor spaces like a patio or deck, set them up with furniture to show how the space can be used. Buyers want to imagine themselves relaxing or entertaining outdoors, so highlight these areas for full potential. All these steps might sound like a lot, but once you get started, I promise it will feel amazing. Not only will your home look incredible for buyers, but you might even find yourself wishing you'd done it sooner and you don't want to leave. Preparing a home for sale doesn't have to be overwhelming. Decluttering, deep cleaning, presenting each room beautifully and boosting that curb appeal are all steps will help buyers connect with your home emotionally and imagine it as their own. If you're about to list your home and need tailored advice, I would love to help. Visit www. schultzrealty. com. au or give me a call. Together we'll get your home looking its absolute best and ready to achieve that fantastic result. Selling your home is about creating a space buyers connect with emotionally. And I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Thank you for tuning in with me, your local real estate expert, the Schultz Realty Podcast. I'm proud to serve Mount Warren Park, Bars Scrub and Windaroo as a knowledgeable, caring and reliable resource for all your real estate needs. Whether you're buying, selling, or just exploring your options, I'm here to help you exceed expectations and make that perfect match. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an update. and share it with another local who might find it helpful. Until next time, take care and remember, the perfect property is just around the corner.