How to get your home auction-ready, according to a real estate agent
Louise Lupton has worked in residential sales for over nine years and currently works with Marshall White, so she knows what makes houses sell. With Louise’s help and advice, we’ve compiled a guide for anyone getting ready to sell their home to take some of the mystery and stress out of the process.
Tip #1: Now’s the time for a deep clean
This advice might seem a little obvious, but be prepared to clean your home more thoroughly than ever before. Preparing to sell is all about showing your house at its best and most appealing, so it’s important that everything looks tidy and well taken care of. We asked Louise what cleaning tasks should be at the top of your list, and she said, “Make sure your windows are sparkling, and if carpets are stained or marked, get them professionally steam cleaned.”
Don’t forget about the little jobs we all tend to neglect, either. Treat it like a spring clean and consult our handy room-by-room checklist to keep yourself on track.
Tip #2: Be prepared to declutter
Before you start cleaning, do a major declutter of every single room. Homes are more appealing to buyers when they can be viewed as somewhat of a blank canvas.
Keep decorative elements to a minimum – try just one item per surface – and pack away any personal belongings like photos, trophies and knick knacks. Store everything in boxes or suitcases that you can take to your new home.
This is also a great chance to assess what you actually want to take with you into your next space. For help with the process, check out our guide to different decluttering strategies here.
Tip #3: Give your home a makeover
Styling or staging is one of the most important steps in getting your home auction-ready. The key is to strike a delicate balance between creating a welcoming space that feels liveable and a sense of blank canvas neutrality that allows buyers to easily imagine all the ways they can make it their own.
Consider the amount of furniture in each room and take out an armchair or cabinet if necessary to make your home feel as spacious as possible. The right balance of furniture can create a sense of potential – showing anyone viewing your home how they could make the space work for themselves.
When decorating, try to keep things minimal and use consistent, neutral tones. Opt for fewer decorations with style but not too much personality, such as simple vases with fresh flowers and a cushion or two on the couch. When it comes to things like towels and bed linen that your family still has to use, consider buying new, neutral-toned sets you can swap them out for right before inspections to create a cleaner finish.
Tip #4: Know when to ask for help
The old adage ‘you’ve got to spend money to make money’ is particularly apt before an auction, as a clean and well-prepared home has a higher chance of selling.
Louise recommends hiring professional window cleaners to get your windows spotless, as well as carpet cleaners to deal with stained and worn floors. If your carpet is new (or you just take exceptionally good care of it), you can always clean it yourself with a carpet shampooer like the Bissell PowerBrush CleanView®.
Your real estate agent is another incredibly valuable asset, so make sure you’re working with someone you trust. They know better than anyone what buyers are looking for, and can offer a lot of actionable advice on how to improve your home for sale.
Tip #5: Think about curb appeal
First impressions matter, so think about the first thing anyone will see when they arrive at your property for an inspection. Louise stresses the importance of garden maintenance on top of a clean interior for well-rounded appeal.
Ensure your front yard is neat and maintained by mowing and removing any weeds. Plant flowers or arrange outdoor potted plants by the door as an easy way to brighten up your home’s exterior. The driveway and any footpaths should also be well maintained and easy to navigate.
Tip #6: Remember that buyer experience isn’t just visual
Creating a welcoming and appealing home interior isn’t just about décor. Think about the experience you want potential buyers to have as they inspect your house, and the many ways you can make it feel clean, fresh and comfortable.
A home that smells nice will seem cleaner and more welcoming, so make sure to put away anything like pet food or litter that creates strong, lingering smells. A steam cleaner like the Wertheim Pro Multi Steamer is an easy way to eliminate household odours without leaving chemical scents behind.
Another consideration is the temperature of your home. Pop on the heater or air conditioner to create a comfortable temperature that’s a nice reprieve from the weather outside. When you’ve finished arranging your home for inspection, get a friend to walk through to see if there are any smells, bits of clutter or other details you’ve missed.
Tip #7: Once it’s clean, keep it clean
To avoid having to deep clean multiple times a week in preparation for inspections, you’ve got to get good at keeping things clean. The first step is to limit messy activities during the sale period – hold off on making splatter-heavy meals or letting the kids play with paint, for example.
A stick vacuum is a great tool to have on hand for quick clean ups. A 2-in-1 model like the Wertheim Evolution or i-Vac Ultra Light Plus that converts to a hand vacuum will allow you to efficiently deal with messes as they occur, wherever they are in the house.
Anything that needs to be removed or put in a cupboard for the sake of tidiness should be kept in a box or basket that’s easy to pick up and move around.
Tip #8: Don’t let the process overwhelm you
This might be easier said than done, but keeping your stress levels down is vital to the selling process. Start jobs like decluttering, deep cleaning and rearranging furniture early so you don’t end up having to rush and cut corners right before the auction. Set achievable goals and use your time wisely.
“Make a list and do one thing at a time,” Louise suggests. “I see so many people get overwhelmed with what they have to do. Just breathe and slowly work your way through the list. You will get there.”
Louise Lupton works at Marshall White Mt Eliza. You can also find her on Instagram.
