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You’ve tidied up your garden and each room is dressed to perfection, effortlessly showing off its primary function and its unique selling points. But take a little time to consider your hallway. After all, it’s the very first area people see when they walk into your home. And first impressions really do matter.
Make sure any urgent DIY jobs are attended to. In fact, this applies all around the home, whether you need to deal with a crack in the wall or call in pest control. Your doorbell should work, first and foremost! It’s surprising how often people think a sign taped to the door instructing people to knock is sufficient when you can have a fully functioning bell for less than $10.
Clean the hall area thoroughly and touch up any paintwork – hallways are often overlooked when giving the home a makeover, and yet they are more likely to become scuffed and dirty as people enter with muddy shoes, prams, bags, and bikes. Try adding a mirror to the wall to increase the appearance of space. If the hall has little in the way of natural light, a table lamp can make all the difference. Tidy away the masses of coats that usually hang there on a day to day basis. And a few homely touches such as a vase of fresh-cut flowers or a bowl of potpourri can create a homely, lived-in feeling, making your entrance space welcoming and warm.
Be sure that the ‘Price is Right’ when putting your home on the market
Do your homework. This is one of the most important property investment tips. Check out the prices of similar properties in your area – concentrating on ones that have sold very recently, not ones that are yet to sell! Get a few agents in to value your property for you. They know the local market and are usually well aware of current trends and prices.
It’s important, though, not just to go with the highest valuation, tempting as that may seem, unless you can back it up and justify it from your own research. Some agents may inflate the price to win your business, raising your hopes only to dash them again when you have to drop your property asking price to get a sale.
Equally, you should have confidence in the worth of your property. If you have invested wisely and made clever improvements; and are convinced that your home can demonstrate its better value than other, similar properties in the area, then don’t undersell yourself. Aim never to drop your asking price out of desperation, no matter how hard your agent or a potential buyer may push. Stand your ground and hold out for a better offer – if your home is worth it, you’re entirely justified in doing so.
