Top 10 Real Estate Pre-Sale Tips - Tip 1

Non-uniform fence color creates confusion about the land boundaries from the street.

Uniform fence color ensures that buyers can appreciate the land boundaries from the street.

Hopefully you read our last blog post ‘The 1 Month Rule’ and, having decided to put your property on the market have prepared a plan for preparing your property for its grand entrance onto the real estate market. Remember, making a big impact at the time of listing provides the best chance of a quick sale at a high price.

Over the next 10 weeks we will cover in a bit more detail our ‘Top 10’ Pre-Sale Tips and explain why we think they are so important. This week it’s all about internal & external painting & color choice.

Once again, as with the ‘1 Month Rule’, this topic is all about taking care of the little things that together, will make a big difference to how long your property takes to sell and ultimately the price you are able to achieve.

Use this month to:

Give your property a uniform external look – Stand across the street from your house (or even take a photo) and take an objective look. Are the house and fence uniform and/or complimentary in color? Now take a closer look - does the paintwork on the fence look worn or faded in areas?  Is the house paint in good condition? 

• Address these points for greatest impact:

1. Make sure that the full length of any boundary fence is the same color/finish so as to emphasize the true dimension of the land. This is especially true for the front fence.
2. Flaking & blistered paintwork should be addressed as they imply that the property has not been cared for – true or not! A total repaint may not be necessary, get advice on touching up certain areas if need be.
3. Paintwork in good condition will come up looking brand new with the benefit of a pressure wash. This is a very inexpensive way of giving your property a real lift.

Give your property a neutral internal look – The objective here is to appeal to the broadest number of buyers. Choosing a neutral color palette for walls & trims not only maximizes the feeling of space, but also makes it easier for prospective purchasers to visualize their own furnishings fitting in.

• Address these points for greatest impact:

1. It’s time to address those unfinished projects – now is the time to paint that section of skirting board you replaced 3 years ago…
2. Paint out any feature walls & remove any wallpaper borders. No exceptions!
3. Assess the condition of plaster surfaces, repair cracks and repaint where necessary.
4. Consider painting timber paneling, skirtings, architraves and doors. This will be a relatively inexpensive exercise and will completely update the look of a room.
5. Internal wall color choices should be confined to beige, white or cream only.
6. Where internal paintwork is in good condition, you will again be amazed at the differed a wash will make. A bottle of Sugar Soap and a few hours of your time will make these areas look as though they have just been painted. Just don’t forget to wash doors and skirting boards etc. while you’re at it!

Get some help – Not sure where to start? Seek professional advice – your Real Estate Agent can make recommendations and of course, 3 Pea’s Property Styling is on hand to assist. Once you know what needs to be done you can proceed with getting the relevant trades to complete the work (or 3 Pea’s Property Styling can arrange this for you). Alternatively, round up a bunch of family & friends and spend a few hours ticking these jobs off. This type of preparation need not cost the earth, maybe just the promise of a BBQ & a few drinks at the end of a productive day! 

We would love the opportunity to assist you prepare for the sale of your property. For more information regarding 3 Pea’s Property Styling services and past projects please go to the website, www.the3peas.com.au or contact me directly on 0438 344 282 or at jo@the3peas.com.au.