Preparing Your Home To Sell

A show day is an excellent opportunity to help sell your property faster. Read our list of tips to make the most of this opportunity:

First impressions last. The first impression for the buyer is the garden and the outside appearance of your home.

• Mow the lawn and ensure that garden tools and hose pipes are neatly packed away.
• Ensure that your swimming pool is clean and sparkling and that all water features are operating.
• Spend a little time to ensure that exterior walls, woodwork and gutters are in good repair.
• Make your braai and entertainment areas attractive.
• Make sure your front door invites visitors in.

• Make it as bright and light as you can. Switch on the lights if necessary and open all the curtains to ensure ample light in all the rooms.
• Make sure that bathrooms are clean, towels hung up neatly and all products packed away.
• Baths, basins, toilets, taps and showers must be shiny.
• Kitchen, stove and oven must be sparkling clean and all dishes and washing packed away.
• Pick up all toys and pack away any items which make the rooms feel cluttered.
• Pack away any clothes lying and hanging around.
• In summer, open doors and windows as far as possible and allow light and fresh air to circulate.
• In winter, make your home warm, cosy and inviting.
• Make sure that visitors can view all the outbuildings.
• Put fresh flowers in a vase on a prominent spot.
• Play classical music to create a pleasant atmosphere.
• If possible, try housing pets elsewhere for the day.
• Do not hang about and make sure that family and friends are away during show times – it allows prospective buyers to be at ease, unobserved, comfortable and free to voice their feelings.
• Lock away all valuables.