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Sep 14, 2023
Spring Selling Season: How to Prepare Your Home for the Market
Spring is synonymous with new beginnings. As flowers bloom and trees regain their green, many homeowners consider this the ideal time to put their property on the market. If you're one of them, ensuring your home stands out to potential buyers is crucial. Here's a guide to help you prepare: 1. Conduct a Home Review Before anything else, take a detailed walk-through of your property. This isn't just a casual stroll; it's an opportunity to view your home through a buyer's eyes. Create a room-by-room action list, noting down areas that need repairs, a fresh coat of paint, or just a bit of sprucing up. 2. Depersonalise Your Space While your family photos and personal mementos hold immense value to you, they might make it challenging for potential buyers to envision themselves in the space. Aim to present your home as a blank canvas. Store away personal items, allowing buyers to imagine building their own memories there. 3. Declutter and Organise A cluttered space can be off-putting. Remove excess furniture and items that might make rooms feel cramped. Not only does this make the space feel bigger, but it also gives you a head start on packing. Remember, less is often more when showcasing a home. 4. Get a Head Start on Packing Speaking of packing, why wait until the last minute? Begin packing non-essential items early on. This reduces stress as the moving date approaches and helps in presenting a neat, organised home to potential buyers. 5. Seek Professional Assistance Selling a home isn't a one-person job. Enlisting help can make the process smoother and more efficient. Did you know many professionals offer home organising services? These experts can provide invaluable advice on presenting your home in the best light. Talk to us today about finding someone who can help you in this area. Bonus Tip: Refresh Your Garden Spring is all about nature's beauty. A well-maintained garden can significantly enhance your property's appeal. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, and consider planting some seasonal flowers for a burst of colour. Selling your home in spring is a strategic move. With more daylight hours and the natural beauty of the season, homes often appear more inviting. However, it's essential to put in the effort to ensure your property stands out in this market. By following the above tips and seeking professional guidance, you'll be well on your way to a successful sale. Ready to Spring into Action? ? Don't let the season pass without maximising your home's potential. For more tailored advice and a comprehensive guide on preparing your property, book a consultation with our experts today.
Mar 17, 2023
How to get your home ready for sale
Putting effort into your home before placing it on the market can give it a winning edge, & ultimately push up the price and buyer interest. Remove the Clutter We all have it. But prospective buyers don’t want to see it. Rooms will look larger if there’s less stuff in them. You might need to rent a storage unit to store all but the most critical pieces of furniture and decor. Don’t go overboard; it’s better to leave some furniture so potential buyers can imagine where their furniture would go. Repairing and Painting walls This can immediately improve the look and feel of your home. It is also a good idea to paint any feature walls a more neutral colour. Ensure you have a Consistent colour scheme throughout your home. Neutral colours are more universally appealing to more buyers. Try to keep the colour scheme flowing throughout your home from the walls, through to your furniture. It makes it easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves moving into your property. Give Your Home a Heavy-Duty Clean It can make a world of difference to the look and feel when buyers come through. Get in and clean everything. Steam clean your carpets Wipe over every surface to remove dust and grime. Deep clean your kitchen and appliances. Bathrooms can really benefit from a deep clean. Use a high-pressure water cleaner to clean the outside Time to Style and Stage Hiring professionals to do this will give you the best results. Hiring professionals is not in everyone's budget. If you are doing it yourself, you need to set the scene. This will depend on your target market. If you are selling a family home in the suburbs or a inner city 2 bedroom unit, you need to style your property to suit. Don't Forget Outside One of the most important factors in presenting your house is its Street Appeal. First impressions are vital. Even before a look inside, they often drive past. Make sure you declutter in the exterior of your house, mow the lawn, clean up the gardens and touch up any exterior paint. There are lots of smaller tasks you can do to help prepare your property to look its best before you put it on the market. Preparing your home for sale: Checklist To successfully sell your home follow these six steps Declutter Deep Clean Stage Keep it tidy with quick cleans Boost your street appeal checklist Stay busy outside of the house Make sure your home has great curb appeal Power wash outside & driveway Cleanup or replace letterbox & numbers Plant fresh greenery and mulch Mow lawn and make sure it is nice & green Clean or paint your front fence Wash front windows Repaint or stain the front porch floor Clean or repaint your front door Remove all clutter Your entryway is vitally important to set the scene as buyers walk through the door. Choose sophisticated neutral colors throughout. Use appropriate furniture so that potential buyers can imagine how each room would look and feel. Do not leave any rooms empty Keep curtains & blinds open to let in as much light as possible. Have new, clean towels on display Keep any kids toys to a minimum and stacked neatly Partially empty out closets and cupboards All beds need to be made and looking inviting Make sure all floors a shining clean Clean away any loose cables Ensure your cupboards and drawers are clean. Completely clean kitchen benches Set the dining table ready for dinner Pull your furniture off the walls Use pairs (of sofas, chairs, lamps) Boost Your Street Appeal Checklist Indoor Checklist Rearrange the furniture to make the rooms appear bigger Decorate to feel cosy in winter or cool in summer. Proper lighting can change the look of your home & make it look more inviting & appealing to buyers. Add table lamps & floor lamps to brighten up dark areas Make sure your home smells nice. There is nothing more off putting than unpleasant odours. Empty all garbage Use candles or fragrance diffusers Fresh flowers are always a nice touch Indoor plants are a great way to add style to a home. The right styling can give your home a winning edge, and ultimately push up the price and buyer interest. The better your property looks and feels, the more money you are likely to get and the faster it will sell. How to stage your house for sale while living in it. Want more help with decluttering or organising, then get in contact with our Organising specialist
Oct 28, 2022
Realising the potential of your property
Renovation for profit When this property came to us situated in the heart of Bicton we knew it was going to be very popular with the astute buyer. The seller was hesitant to invest in the property and was ready to move on. However, our sales agent saw there was so much potential and knew just what the property needed to make it shine. Our agents have the skill set, knowledge, and buyer insight to provide our sellers with an educated approach to selling their home to ensure it reaches their best and highest potential. By demonstrating this knowledge and experience our seller trusted in the process and was willing to make the change. With some great planning and efficient trades, we were able to turn this house into a home. Family Friendly Residence Our dedicated projects team took the time to assess the property and determine which upgrades and changes would have the greatest impact. These changes included: Painting internal and external, Kitchen splashback, Hybrid flooring, Tile removal and carpet relay, curtains & blinds. Check out the property before and afters here: And the figures: Want to find out more about this bespoke service that we offer as part of our selling process, then get in touch today. " It was an absolute pleasure buying our new home through Thomas. From the moment we met Thomas he was open with his knowledge and really made us feel informed and supported. Thomas is an agent who it is easy to tell really cares about his clients and has a passion for his job. Thomas will go above and beyond to assist all parties that he works with. He is adept at building a relationship with not only the seller, but also the buyer so that all the parties feel comfortable with the whole process. In the current market where, as a buyer it can feel overwhelming and rushed to make huge decisions, it was extremely reassuring to be dealing with Thomas who you felt you could get honest responses from. He was great at pre-empting any potential issues and his energy and enthusiasm is infectious, as well as being extremely efficient and thorough in every matter. I would highly recommend Thomas as agent to my own friends and family. Thank you Thomas for all your hard work making the purchase of our new home such a stress free and happy experience!" Find out more about Mi Casa here
Aug 30, 2022
Staging your home for sale
How to Stage a House ready for Sale (While Living In It) Staging a vacant house is easy because you have got a clean slate and can choose the style, but staging a house for sale while still living in it can prove to be more difficult. We are going to use our knowledge and expertise to help you successfully stage a house to sell while you’re still living in it. Even though staging a house for sale while living in it can be a challenge, it is worth the effort because a well-staged home is listed with a top real estate agent because it opens the potential for faster sales and higher offers. When you’re staging a house for sale, you want to showcase a clean and spacious space where buyers can visualize the property as their future home. Does Staging Help Sell Houses? Yes, staged homes sell faster because they provide a strong first impression and stand out from the other properties on the market and it allows buyers the opportunity to visualise themselves in the property. Staging can also impact the amount that buyers are willing to spend on a property. It can also greatly decrease the amount of time a home spends on the market. In addition to this, TV programs have noticeably impacted buyers’ expectations of a potential property. More buyers are expecting homes to look like homes staged on the tv shows they are bingeing on, causing more disappointment in how homes appeared. If you have a house that satisfies their expectations, you’ll be the one to get the offer! Can You Stage a Home While Living In It With Kids or Pets? Even if you have pets or children, you can still stage a home for sale while living in it. And you should! Many buyers only take seconds to decide whether they are interested in your home or not. First impressions count. Here is a guide that will provide you with the tips to confidently list a staged home while you’re still sleeping, eating, and living there. How Do I List My House While Living In It? In today’s market, many people don’t have the option to move out during the sales process so are trying to sell their house while still living in it. People moving up in house, downsizing, or moving to a new location often list their house for sale while still living in it. To successfully sell a house while living in it, follow these six steps: Mentally move out Declutter, declutter, declutter Deep clean Stage Keep it tidy with quick cleans Stay busy outside of the house 1. Mentally move out Even if you’re physically living on the home, if you’re listing it for sale, you need to mentally “move out.” Change your mindset from this being your home to this being someone else’s house. This is the key goal after all. By mentally perceiving your house as the next project to become someone else’s house will help you more easily: Use these key points to “move out” of your property and get it ready for sale: take pictures off the walls and shelves pack away treasured collections remove children’s artwork from the refrigerator 2. Declutter Many people think of adding things to help stage a property, but removing things (aka decluttering) is actually a key step in successfully staging. You want your home to have just enough furniture and decor for buyers to see themselves living there, putting their feet up on the couch by the fireplace, enjoying the peaceful front patio or back deck, and sleeping in the cosy bedrooms. What to do with the rest of the stuff? Pack it away in neatly stacked boxes, somewhere like the garage, or even better at friends’ houses or a storage unit. You want to be able to showcase the space, so potential buyers can envision their things and future memories in your staged space. How to involve your kids This is a big step for them too, so make sure you keep them involved in the process. Allow kids to pick a few of their favourite toys to keep out during this time your house is on the market and available for home opens. When it’s time for home opens, have a designated shelf or spot for them to put away. Allow kids to pack up special artwork for the next house and put it in a special box so they know it’s not going to be lost or left behind. After mentally moving out and physically removing a lot of your items, you should be left with a house that looks like someone lives in it and has neutral decor. Then it’s time to add the finishing touches, light sheer curtains, a fresh front door mat, and fresh flowers or plants are easy ways to freshen your house ready to sell. Next, you’ll want to make sure the house shows well in pictures and for showings by making sure it is really clean! 3. Deep clean Set aside enough time to deep clean your entire house. You can do it yourself or hire someone to do it, but make sure you get everything from dead bugs in the window sills to spider webs under the eaves. Dust Shelves, Furniture, & Surfaces Vacuum Floors, Window Sills, Rugs, and Garage Wash Windows & Mirrors Sweep Mop Wipe Down Counters Wipe Down Appliances Clean Toilets (inside & out), Mirrors, and Showers 4. Stage From our experience and knowledge, the most important rooms to be staged are the: Living Room Master Bedroom Kitchen Dining Room So if you’re limited on time and energy, make sure you focus on those four areas first. If you want to present the best property possible, here are staging guidelines to follow: Outside Make sure your home also has great curb appeal. A warm, clean, and inviting front of the house will invite more buyers to come in and want to view the rest of the house. Mow grass – including the verge Weed flower beds and lay down fresh mulch Fill in empty beds & window boxes with small shrubs & seasonal flowers (the colour is key) Freshen up the paint on window trim and front porch Sweep front porch & remove cobwebs Paint the front door and/or shutters a lively colour that coordinates with the rest of the home colours Replace your welcome mat Clean & arrange patio furniture – a couple of chairs on the front porch is always very inviting Replace cushions, if needed Pick up all pet waste Repair damaged deck boards & fencing Pressure wash the house & driveway Inside Inside, your goal is to showcase a bright, organised, and clean home, so before pictures & showings: Turn on all lights and lamps Open all blinds & curtains to let in as much natural light as possible Clean windows Open doors to bedrooms, offices, etc. Closet doors do not need to be opened, but closets should be tidy because buyers will look inside to see what space is available! Trust us, they do look. Living Areas Group furniture surrounding a coffee table and anchor with a rug Face the couch toward the focal point in the room or toward the first line of sight when walking into a room, as if to welcome guests to “come and sit for a while” Replace worn-out pillows and rugs Pack away personal items like photos and knick-knacks Remove extra furniture to showcase space Remove stacks of paper, magazines, mail, etc. Neatly stack books and simple decor on the coffee table and side tables Plants and flowers add colour and life to the room Hang light sheer curtains Bedrooms Make beds & fluff bed pillows Replace heavy drapes with sheers Clear nightstands of clutter. Pack away personal items & photos Leave or hang a few pictures with neutral tones Organize closets by colour Donate all clothes and shoes you no longer wear to showcase more closet space Kitchen Pack away rarely used small appliances and occasional crockery Go easy on buying groceries and use up items in your pantry to showcase more space Declutter countertops Before pictures and showings, tuck away soap, sponges, napkins, paper towels, and dishes Scrub counters, backsplash, and appliances Remove personal items like fridge magnets, photos, and children’s artwork Change outdated hardware for something more modern Consider giving your kitchen cabinets a facelift and brightening up your kitchen by painting your cabinets white Empty the trash often and before every showing. Funky smells do not help homes sell! Bathrooms Store daily items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap out of sight Put down toilet seats and lids Hang a simple, plain white shower curtain Keep a white hand towel and throw rug to put out before showings (not for kids to use!) Tidy up open shelves Put a fresh, small bouquet of flowers in a vase on the vanity 5. Keep your house clean & tidy Once you get your home show-ready, little things each day can help you keep it that way…or close. We know living with kids and pets can make this challenging, but being intentional and vigilant about a few simple routines will help your home stay looking staged even while you’re still living in it. Daily Routines: Make beds every morning Clean shower when you’re showering Wash dishes after every meal or run the dishwasher every evening Wipe down counters and bathroom vanities after use Schedule robot vacuum daily (or manually vacuum daily if you don’t have one) Tidy up morning and evening putting everything back in its staging place Involve kids in the clean-up as much as possible to share household chores. Explain the importance of a neat home for your family’s quest of selling the house! Empty litter boxes and pick up dog waste in the yard daily Use silicone bibs with a catch-all scoop for babies/toddlers to minimize food on the floor Open windows when the weather allows to let out unpleasant smells and let in fresh air 6. Get out of the house The more time you spend in the house, the more you, your kids, and your pets will undo the hard work of keeping it show-ready. What Should You NOT Do When Staging a House Don’t stage alone! Our agents love helping you get the most out of your home, so don’t be afraid to ask us for help. We’re eager to help you achieve your goals and we are pros in knowing what sells (and what doesn’t). Don’t empty everything out of the house. A well-staged home typically sells better than a completely empty home. Don’t take it personally! If you’re working with a real estate agent, your home sale is our job. Please don’t be offended if we offer to help stage or suggest things be removed, repaired, or replaced. Living in a home and staging a home for sale are two different things. Your goal is to sell your home quickly and for top dollar. Following our proven methods will greatly increase the likelihood of your success. Home Staging Before and After Here are pictures from recent home staging before and after by our Mi Casa Property Agents.
Oct 24, 2018
Declutter your home for sale
img {object-fit: contain!important;} 9 Tips to Decluttering your home for sale Presenting your home in it's best light starts with setting the scene and tone for your prospective buyers. While we enjoy living in our homes and they are more often than not clean and tidy, it is important to take a step back and look at your home for a buyers point of view. This may mean you need to declutter some zones in your home. Here are some tips to help you on this journey: Take the time to review - Grab a pen and paper and walk through your house listing the rooms as you go and making notes about what you feel needs to be removed in each room. Look at it from and outsiders point of view. Creating a room by room action list will help you to be productive and efficient when you start actioning the tasks. Depersonalize - While it is lovely for you to be able to see photos of your friends and family on walls and sideboards, you want your buyer to imagine themselves in the house. By depersonalizing the home also means they will spend less time looking at your photos and more time enjoying the home and what it can offer. Assess the zones - Is the way you use your house, how it is intended? While you may be using a landing as a kids play area, would it be better displayed as a reading nook, or additional sitting area. Remove excess furniture - You may need all the book shelves for your book collection, but the extra furniture has the rick of making the space feel smaller and more cramped than it is. By removing the additional pieces means that the room has the opportunity to feel lighter and larger. Kitchen cull - clear your benchtops, declutter the cupboards and clear off the top of the fridge. Kitchens are the heart of the home and it is important for your future buyer to be able to see that is is a enjoyable and easy to use space. Now is the time to pack away all those special items, extra crockery sets and items that only get used on a raining day (and maybe even get rid of a few pieces in the process). Pack away - get a head start on your packing. As you have done in the kitchen, start packing away items that you won't need in the near future (don't forget to declutter as you go). Halve the beach towels in the linen cupboards, pack away all the camping gear and put all the kids artworks safely in a box. If you've got a friend or family member with some spare space, then start storing your boxes there, otherwise one side of your garage could be used to start housing the boxes. Give the sense of space - Make sure you always leave at least half a shelf spare in a cupboard, this gives a sense of space and will make the buyer see that there is room for more things. Outdoors - throw away the broken pots, hoses and kids toys. Put all the pool toys in a outdoor box, or even pack them away. Enlist some help - Getting a professional organiser in to help you declutter and get your home ready has the potential to save you time and money. We hope this will help to get you thinking about what needs to be done in your home to help declutter and get your home ready for sale. If you want some more tips and tricks, please speak to one of experienced during your FREE appraisal or for further information contact one of our recommended professional organisers here. Book your FREE appraisal.