How to prepare your house for sale

Thinking of listing your home for sale? Set your abode (and your wallet) up for success with these expert tips on preparing your home for the market.

Before listing any home, you’d be wise to take a few simple steps to ensure your home is in the best position possible.

“Preparing your abode for sale will give it the best chance on auction day, and give you the confidence in knowing you’ve done all you could have,” says Daniel Mazzei, managing director of Mazzei Homes.

Daniel says that a few small home staging touches can go a long way in making a fantastic first impression, which is key for any new buyer considering your place as their own.

“People are often buying into a lifestyle, not just a home. So this is your chance to showcase the home at its best and leave space for buyers to imagine themselves living in it.”

Not sure where to start? Here, Daniel reveals seven easy ways to prepare your house for sale.

1. Spring clean

Sounds simple, but a spotless home will allow new buyers to focus on the potential life they could have in the space, rather than the flecks of mould on the bathroom ceiling.

“Decluttering and cleaning both inside and out is possibly the most important thing you could do,” says Daniel.

“Taking out any personal items can make the home feel more spacious and create a neutral canvas for buyers to imagine their own personalities in any space.”

While you could easily do this yourself on a Sunday morning, Daniel encourages us to consider enlisting help from the professionals, particularly if your home is on the larger side and you’re lacking the time.

“Hiring professional cleaners to steam clean any carpets and make the main areas shine (especially in the kitchen and bathroom) can alleviate some of the stress if you haven’t got much time.”

2. A fresh coat of paint

“Repainting boldly coloured walls or simply sprucing up what’s already there allows buyers to focus on the spaces themselves instead of the colour of the walls,” says Daniel.

While you may love your hot pink kitchen, sometimes sticking to neutral colours such as whites, tans and greys are the safest options when it comes to adding value and attracting interest.  

3. Open the windows

Nothing makes a room feel more spacious than oodles of natural light, says Daniel.

“Bright and light-filled rooms can work wonders for any small or narrow spaces, making them look bigger and more inviting.

“Sometimes adding a lamp or installing new lights into dim areas can make all the difference.”

4. Replace old fixtures and fittings

If you consider yourself something of the handy type, why not consider switching over some of those dated fixtures like door knobs, tapware, lampshades and handles?

“It’s not always viable to do full renovations before an auction day, but changing up the small things, such as the taps in the kitchen and bathrooms, can make an old space feel new again,” says Daniel.

5. Rearrange and repurpose

You know your home best, but sometimes a fresh perspective can help you see a whole new purpose for the rooms in your home.

“Rethinking the purpose of a room can help buyers visualise how different spaces could be used.

“It could be as simple as styling smaller bedrooms as a home office, or rearranging the furniture in the main living areas, to give buyers new ideas and realise the potential of different spaces.”