Potential buyers can be instantly turned off by vibrant hues, personal pictures, overcrowded closets, and unpleasant odours in a home. A quick sale at a good price can be facilitated by adopting a minimalist approach, opting for neutral tones, and maintaining cleanliness.
In the age of digital connectivity, it is crucial to present your home appealingly online. As emphasised by Jacqui McCabe, Associate Director and Branch Manager of Sherry FitzGerald in Dún Laoghaire, having quality photographs is instrumental in drawing attention to your property. The goal is to allure as many potential buyers as possible to eventually visit.
Crowded rooms and intense patterns can make a space appear smaller, advises McCabe. An excessively patterned duvet, for instance, may look imposing in a photograph rather than appealing. Her advice is to use simple, white bed linen and enhance it with decorative throw pillows or blankets.
Diana Molohan, the founder of home-staging experts My Kind of Design, suggests that outstanding features may not photograph well. For example, a flashy kitchen splashback might distract from other important features such as ceiling height or room size.
Symmetry and balance grab the eye, so it’s advised to decorate rooms in such a manner. McCabe suggests having matching lamps on either side of the bed and covers for divans.
Finally, consider that most potential buyers nowadays are pressed for time and are not looking to undertake a renovation project. If you can eliminate potential negatives associated with your property, you increase your likelihood of a successful sale, says Molohan.
Eliminating outdated rugs and bringing a fresh coat of paint to rooms can create a perception for potential buyers that needed renovations aren’t as daunting as they may seem. Molohan explains that by not doing anything yourself, you risk cutting potential buyers by half as individuals generally dread getting steep quotes for work to be done and are unwilling to invest in the effort themselves.
According to a 2023 market analysis by realtor Owen Reilly, properties ready for immediate move-in sold for 10-20% over asking price. Other homes needing renovations proved more challenging to sell. By taking on some of the clean-up, you mitigate issues for possible buyers, says McCabe.
McCabe observes that years ago, skips would be commonplace outside properties post purchase regardless of condition, indicating clear-out and refurbishment work. This is no longer the case. Buyers now prefer to quickly transition and settle into their new abodes, she adds.
Things can get tricky in an executor sale, as the property being sold on behalf of an estate may not have been occupied or updated in some time – think outdated kitchens and bathrooms. Spending money to spruce up spaces or the removal of possessions can be contentious to agree upon.
Refurbishing kitchens and bathrooms can quickly drain a budget of €10,000, Molohan affirms. Her advice is to prioritise making the rest of the property look appealing. Devote time to clean and present the bathroom as best as possible and consider painting kitchen units and tiles, she suggests.
Couples may be turned off if they need to replace carpets and change colour schemes as it gives the impression of having to spend additional funds and can create the feeling the house is outside their budget, McCabe explains. Independent living additions like grab rails, stairlifts, modified bathroom seats, and shower chairs should be removed in order to allow the buyers to envision themselves living in the house.
Reflecting on an executor sale, a house that had an initial value of €950,000 after some minor adjustments, such as new paintwork and home staging, achieved a sale price of €1.05 million with only a €15,000 renovation expense.
While family photos induce feelings of warmth and happiness to you, it’s important to maintain some distance during a home sale. Molohan suggests confining family pictures to a specified area, rather than scattering them all around, which might give potential buyers a sense of intrusion or discourage them to envision the house as their own.
Surprisingly, homebuyers have been known to recognize houses owned by someone they know. Thus, creating a neutral, non-personal environment is crucial to keep all possibilities open to potential buyers.
With home improvement shows setting high standards for interiors, prospective buyers now desire a model house. McCabe asserts that presenting a simplified version of your lifestyle, which allows a wider audience to imagine living in your space, is vital in today’s market.
The clutter that everyday family life produces should be cleared out before listing the house for sale. A house filled with personal items might be perceived as small, thus turning off potential buyers.
Molohan advises treating the moving process like a six-week holiday trip and rent a storage unit for the extra belongings. This will not only help during the moving process but will also declutter the house, making it more appealing to buyers.
Things such as winter clothes, large sporting equipment, and most of the family wardrobes should be stored away until the house is sold.
Ensure you have a prepared container to stash such personal items as bathroom necessities, quirky ointments, razors and sponges, clearing your bathroom of these before anyone views your property. Display some clean towels to enhance the fresh feel.
The last sensation you want for potential viewers is the uncomfortable feeling that someone has just stepped out of the shower, a scenario Molohan describes as horrifying. Make certain to remove any dirty laundry from your home, even if it means temporarily storing your laundry basket in your car boot.
McCabe cautions that sellers can encounter difficulties if they become complacent, recalling a previous experience where a new parent had filled the house with baby equipment. Despite the seller’s assurances that buyers would see past the baby items, the house remained unsold, leading the perplexed seller to question why the house wasn’t attracting buyers. It’s important to remember that not everyone can appreciate your child’s used nappies.
Previous rental properties, in particular, may be seen as unloved. As owner-occupiers greatly outstrip investors in the current market, even when it comes to apartments, these properties need to exude a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Molohan shares another experienced instance where he dressed a city centre two-bedroom flat for sale which was then promptly snapped up, with buyers even expressing their desire to purchase the furniture. As he puts it, the furniture worked for the buyers, who decided they wanted it because of its appeal and convenience.
In case you’re offloading a holiday rental, verify that it’s vacated before any viewings. Molohan recollects an awkward incident from his past when he was selling country homes. He had accompanied potential buyers to view a manor house, only to discover a newly married couple who were still occupying the bridal suite several days after their wedding. Ensure all inhabitants have moved out before arranging viewings for rental properties.
Lastly, consider the scent of your home. Each abode has its distinctive odour, and some can immediately repel potential buyers. Be it accidents from toilet training, dog beds, tobacco smoke or lingering smell of strong incense, any potential off-putting odours could deter buyers.
“Living in your house constantly means that you become accustomed to its particular smells, much as one does with the odours of teenage children,” McCabe explains. “Anyone visiting, however, will instantly notice these smells which are unfamiliar to them.”
She recommends ventilating the property thoroughly before prospective viewers arrive. A slight spritz with an air freshener can be beneficial but it’s important not to go overboard.
Interests in pets vary greatly among individuals, adds Molohan, reminding us that effort should be made to minimise the presence of any pets in your home before viewings. “You may not notice the scent of your own pet, but rest assured, others most certainly will.”
She highlights the merit of investing in professional carpet cleaning before offering your property on the market, as it not only refreshes your carpets but effectively eliminates any lingering pet odours. The presence of pet food bags also generate a distinct smell so it’s best to dispose of them.
On the topic of canine accoutrements, she suggests temporarily storing the dog’s bed in the trunk of your car and airing the house by opening windows several hours before visitors come.
Lastly, Molohan underscores the importance of not overlooking the garden, and ensuring any pet waste has been removed prior to viewings.