When the decision to sell is made, most property sellers would like to get the property on the market within 4-8 weeks. It means they only have a few weeks to prepare the property for photography and then buyer inspections.  Preparing a property for sale can be an intensive project. There can be many tasks on the to-do list if you want to make it perfect. However, given the timeframe and budget, it is more practical to focus on the most important areas. 

Here is a shortlist of tasks that will improve the value of your property in a matter of weeks.

  1. Declutter and clean. Most of the time, the way to present the property is different from how we live. Space is an essential element of a pleasant inspection for buyers. Removing lots of clutter shows the space of the room. Buyers feel more relaxed in a bigger space.  If there is bulky furniture, try to replace it with a small light one or simply remove it. Putting away personal belongings helps buyers envision themselves in your home.  Cleaning the house both inside and outside, even hidden areas such as under the sink, makes the house look well-cared for. This gives the buyer a subliminal impression that the home has been well-maintained and there should be no hidden problems. It simply makes buyers feel more comfortable.
  2. Make simple repairs and replacements. You may not have the time and budget to do a thorough renovation. However, little things like simply replacing the dated doorknobs, fixing the leaky faucet, patching the walls, giving the windows or doors a fresh coat of paint, and replacing the dark dated wall clock with a bright new one will provide buyers with a refreshing feeling of the property. It helps buyers build confidence about the property value.
  3. Style the property. Styling is another instant facelift that can give your property a fresh look. You can hire a stylist to take care of this for you, or hire furniture and accessories and do it yourself. It is important to style the property to suit only the target market.  A neural and soft colour scheme appeals to most buyers. Consider repainting the wall if the colour is not neutral.
  4. Refresh the garden and boost the curb appeal. Most properties in Australia have an outdoor area. It could be worth spending a bit of time on some gardening or getting your deck polished. Planting some flowers can be a simple strategy to add some colour to a property. Trim your shrubs, weed your flower beds, fix any peeling paint and keep the walkway clear. Just adding a row of potted plants along the walkway or a cheerful wreath to your front door can make a big difference.
  5. Light, music, and smell. Let in as much natural light as possible. Make sure all the lights work. Play some classical music or light jazz during open for inspections. Make sure the house have plenty of fresh air and smell nice when buyers walk in.