Practical Property Presentation

So you’ve taken the plunge and decided to put your property on the market.

Must you now begin the daunting task of property presentation to attract potential buyers? Well, the answer is yes, but it needn’t be as onerous as you think – or indeed, as many agents make it.

Property Presentation – Home Staging

Most selling agents will have you strip out your home, re-decorate, and stage with hired furniture, but is this costly exercise really necessary? We frequently find that it isn’t.

Like so many things in life, it’s horses for courses – one solution rarely fits all property objectives. The decision on how far to go in beautifying your property depends on a number of variables.

Styling, of course can be beneficial in property presentation for a number of reasons, so first let’s explore the benefits:

• Many property stylists will offer a consultation to help you view your home objectively and suggest layout changes that will enhance your available space. This can make your property appear more spacious and emphasise its best features. You can then choose to act on their advice yourself, or hire them to style the whole space, hiring furniture and décor items as required.
• A professional stylist will have an armoury of tricks up their sleeve to ensure your property feels warm and welcoming without being too personal.
• They are able to look at your property more objectively and present your home (or advise you how to present your home) in a manner that de-personalises the space. This allows prospective buyers to envision themselves living in, and using the space, which requires all distractions associated with the current owners’ lifestyle be removed.
• Property presentation styling can help to ensure rooms are multidimensional in use, for the widest possible appeal.
• Having your property styled will allow it to really shine in your marketing photography.

But styling is not always the answer:

• If the condition and current décor of your property is already well presented, and utilising the space optimally, you may just need a tidy and de-clutter to allow your prospects to envision their lifestyle in your home.
• Consider the location and comparable properties for sale in the area – no use investing thousands of dollars on staging if that’s not where the market’s at. You can still check out the competition and make sure your own property is presented to a higher standard without it costing the earth.
• If you are selling your property as a development opportunity, and potential buyers are likely to be interested in the land only with plans to knock down and rebuild, then styling isn’t likely to bring any reward. 

Property Presentation – Renovation and Maintenance

It’s easy to get carried away, when preparing your home for sale. Many people will tell you that kitchens and bathrooms sell properties, and you might feel yours are a little tired or dated, but always have a chat with your agent before you dive into a costly renovation. It’s worth noting that while renovations will add some value to your home, you are unlikely to recuperate, let alone profit from the cost and efforts of your improvements.

Renovating to improve and enjoy your home is one thing, but renovation just to sell is unlikely to yield what you might hope.

It’s also wise to consider that buyers may want to put their own stamp on your property, by installing a new kitchen and bathrooms. They won’t be keen to rip out something brand new, so if your endeavours are not to their tastes, you could have lost yourself a strong buyer.

The best way to go is to look at the overall property presentation of your home and identify the ‘must-do’s regarding repairs and maintenance. Damaged, damp, or peeling walls will raise concerns regarding the general structural integrity of your property.

Depending on when you last decorated, a coat of paint might be in order, to make everything look bright and clean.

Remember that when you live in a property every day, there are things you just don’t see anymore. Take a look at your home with fresh eyes and make a list of things that would concern you as a potential buyer. Your agent and/or property stylist will be helpful in giving you an objective view on this as well.

Kerb Appeal

Don’t miss your chance to create the right first impression. Be sure to remove any cobwebs, evict that pile of shoes by the front door, clean all windows, entrance door and surrounds, clean and clear your pathway and tidy your gardens. If you have a garage or car port, clear the space of your clutter for the duration of your marketing campaign. Your home needs to look cared for from the very beginning.

Maintenance and Decluttering

Pay attention to those little details, like a broken mailbox, wonky door handle, doorbell that doesn’t work – any small thing that could make people question the general condition of your property.

As you are likely going to move, you may as well start the arduous process of packing up your belongings early and putting them into storage. That way you can kill two birds with one stone and will be able to present a clutter-free home to your prospective buyers, which will make your home appear much more spacious.

And don’t be tempted to just cram it all into storage cupboards – people will look inside and the impression they will leave with is that your home is too small or doesn’t have enough storage. More than most situations, less is absolutely more.

It’s also a good idea to remove any family photos, and anything that is very personal to you, as this may prevent your buyers form forming their own attachment to your home. They need to be able to see it as ‘theirs’.

Cleaning

This should go without saying, but your property needs to look sparkling clean and pristine for every open home. Buyers do not look past mess and grime, even subliminally, they will leave with a feeling of discomfort toward your home. Throw open the windows to help remove any less than pleasant odours. You can light scented candles or use diffusers, but be careful they’re not too overpowering, and don’t use them to mask smells – make sure offensive odours are removed first.

It’s a good idea to get professional cleaners in to do a deep clean before your campaign kicks off, then keep on top of it from there.

Details

Before each open home, check everything is clean and clutter-free, empty rubbish bins, open windows and blinds, switch on lights, and put on the air con or heating if it’s a particularly warm or cold day.

A good agent is going to guide you through this whole process, to ensure your home is presented optimally without spending excessively.

For more information on what sells a home, check out our previous article…

https://whitehaus-realestate.com.au/2022/05/what-sells-a-home-whitehaus-real-estate/

And for details of our trusted partners, from cleaners to decorators, gardeners to conveyancers, scoot to the end of this article https://whitehaus-realestate.com.au/2021/12/list-now-launch-later/

Finally, if you are thinking of selling, we have a couple of sweet deals that will help you get your home market-ready. https://whitehaus-realestate.com.au/6459-2/