| The housing market is a chaotic, competitive | | | | 5. Clean like crazy. Get down on all fours and |
| place, so how can you give yourself the edge | | | | clean every nook and cranny of your house. This |
| over all the rest? To sell a house, here are ten | | | | is also good maintenance, and helps present the |
| handy tips to get your house noticed: | | | | house properly. |
| 1. Odd jobs. Finishing off all those little chores and | | | | 6. Floors. Often overlooked, but floors are easily |
| repairs. This can add a lot of value in terms of | | | | noticeable if dirty. Flooring can be a significant cost |
| appearance, and removes the sales resistance | | | | to buyers, and giving the impression that they |
| created by obvious work needing to be done on | | | | need to do a full cleanup is often a significant |
| the house. | | | | negative sales point. |
| 2. Declutter. Open up your house by creating | | | | 7. Set the stage. Make your house like a film set |
| some space. There are plenty of good reasons | | | | getting ready to shoot a scene. This is all sales |
| for decluttering: | | | | presentation. The perfect house with a perfect |
| - Creating living space. This emphasizes the real | | | | setting is the best, most effective presentation. |
| interior dimensions, therefore showing the house | | | | It's easy to do, and not expensive. |
| off at its real size, not the reduced space created | | | | 8. Trim the edges and tidy up the garden. Sort |
| by a lot of furniture, etc. | | | | out the garden and lawns to look welcoming to |
| - Simplify your situation when moving out. The | | | | potential buyers. A weed mat will remove the |
| decluttering will make your move a lot easier, and | | | | weeds in a week, with no digging required, just |
| reduces the bulk of things to be moved. That can | | | | rake them up. Bark mulch will cover up the bare |
| save you a lot of money in moving costs, too. | | | | patches and look good. |
| 3. Create a blank canvas. This is a major selling | | | | 9. Have your property professionally |
| point. Take away your personality from the | | | | inspected. This is extremely important. The buyer |
| house so potential buyers can see their own in its | | | | will use a building inspector, so you need to be |
| place. The idea is the "display home" effect, | | | | fully aware of any possible issues well before sale |
| creating a lot of space for imagination for the | | | | time. |
| buyers. | | | | 10. Pets. The family pet can also send the |
| 4. Painting. A simple lick of paint will help you get | | | | message that this is someone else's home. Take |
| used to the change, too. You'll have noticed at | | | | them out of the house when people are viewing. |
| auctions that the less well-presented houses get a | | | | Important: Remember to check out your home |
| lot less enthusiasm from bidders, and obvious | | | | and contents insurance. When the big day comes, |
| concerns about extra costs in the maintenance | | | | you'll need to be fully in the picture about your |
| areas. | | | | policy for your new home. |