Did you know that Mount Gambier was identified as one of 20 regional centres to share in a government investment program for regional renewal? This means that right now is a great time to think about selling your home to secure a good sale price.

Before your home goes on the market, you need to consider ways that you can present it so that it stands out from the competition, without spending too much.

Here are some ideas for making your home attract buyers in a hot seller’s market.

Refreshing the interior

Give the walls a fresh coat of paint in a neutral colour. This will immediately freshen up the look of your home and hide any imperfections. When repainting, remember to stick to the 3-colour rule. Ideally, you want to paint the walls and ceiling in white or similar and add colour accents with furnishings such as carpet and window coverings.

Refresh the kitchen. If your kitchen cupboards and benchtops are looking a little worse for wear, consider updating them. You don’t have to replace the entire kitchen, but cupboard doors can be repainted or replaced and the same goes for benchtops.

Replace small hardware items. Consider replacing the door handles with some new ones. Also, have a close look at the taps in the bathroom. These items are inexpensive to replace and can give the room a whole new look.

Choose the perfect time to sell

Did you know that winter is actually a good time to sell? You’ll have far less competition from other sellers and more interested and cashed-up buyers. This is because only people who are seriously looking at buying will venture out to come and see your home when it’s cold and miserable outside.

To encourage a sale, make sure your home is nice and cosy. Have the heating on and use warm fabrics such as wool, velvet and faux fur in throw rugs and cushion covers. This increases the feeling of cosiness in your home and will entice buyers to stay a little longer to have a really good look around.

Don’t forget about kerb appeal

Many potential buyers will do a drive-by before they make an appointment to view your home. Remember that you only have around three seconds to make a good first impression. Here are a few tips to give you home kerb appeal.

• Make sure the lawn is neat and trimmed, including the edges.
• Give all your shrubs and trees a clean up so they look neat and tidy.
• Ensure that the exterior of your house is clean and cobweb-free. If there’s some peeling paint, consider giving this a touch up. Don’t forget about windows. They should be clean and sparkling.
• Add a touch of class and eye appeal by painting your front door in a bright colour, and a few pots of brightly coloured flowers placed strategically near the front entrance.
• Make sure that the driveway and paths are swept and free from leaves and debris.
• If your letterbox has seen better days, consider replacing it.

All of these things are minor improvements that you can easily do yourself or get a professional in if you’re not confident or lack adequate time, and we can put you in touch with trusted tradespeople. You could even consider consulting a professional stylist to give your home that magazine appeal.

Talk to us!

We often get asked “how do I make my house stand out?” If you’re thinking about selling your home but don’t know what improvements won’t cut into your final sales price too much, give us a call. We have a strong understanding of the local Mount Gambier market and can give you plenty of tips to make your home stand out from the competition.