With the limited number of properties available at the moment, there has never been a better time to sell your home. Unfortunately, the stamp duty holiday has finished. However, homes are in short supply and if you are thinking of selling, there’s no time like the present. If the idea of preparing your home for sale is a daunting task, we have curated the ultimate guide so you can prepare your home for selling with ease.

Declutter, depersonalise and fix up your home

When selling anything, you want to advertise your product in the best way possible. By showcasing your house in the best light, you can create an aspirational home that will lead potential buyers to put an offer forward.

Although it may seem redundant to invest in the house you want to sell, doing so can lead to more offers. If you have any areas that may seem outdated, simple tricks such as updating fittings in the kitchen, painting over scuffs and ‘dressing’ your property will improve your overall value and give you more options. It is always better to have multiple offers for your irresistible home than have to settle for one.

Remove any clutter and attempt to keep your house neutral in both colour and feel. If you have a to-do list of jobs your home needs, prioritise completing it as soon as possible. Ensure that you reduce smells before you show your home (such as cooking and pet smells), and you will have buyers lining up to purchase.

Showcase your space

Showcase your property by creating focal points of interest. Not only will this highlight the space you have, but it will also distract from any issues that you haven’t yet had time to fix. Highlight the cosy corner space that could become a delightful reading nook and it may just become the main feature that leads to an offer.

This can also be said for storage space. Your buyer may be purchasing for a variety of reasons, such as a need for a bigger home, or because they are planning to start a family. Take the time to explain your storage solutions and how you have organised your home. This extra attention could be the thing that leads them to purchase.

Boost the curb appeal

As tempting as it is to focus on only the internal design of your home, effort should be made to ensure that the outside looks as good as possible. Buyers may be reluctant to purchase a home that needs serious attention, and fixing any external issues will make your property attractive.

First impressions matter, so ensure that those who come to your home for a viewing fall in love with the property from the moment they set eyes on it.

Check the legalities for selling your home

If you have entered into purchasing your home with someone else that you no longer live with, you may not be able to sell your home without their approval. Selling your home can take 2-3 months, but if you have entered into joint property ownership, you need to ensure that all owners have given their full permission for the home to be sold or may end up waiting a long time for the sale to go through.

On top of this, you must ensure that your property has passed several checks, and has documentation such as an Energy Performance Certificate. It is best to do this in the early stages of selling your property, to avoid problems later down the road when it is time to sell.

Ensure your property is suitable for mortgage purposes

If you have recently converted any part of your property, you need to ensure that it is approved for mortgage purposes. If you have not done so, you will have problems when it comes to the sale. One way to ensure this is to get a Professional Consultants Certificate (PCC) for your property. This process is incredibly fast and cost-effective and is accepted by the majority of mortgage lenders. If you have any questions about Professional Consultants Certificates, you can find out more about them here.

Now you’re ready to sell your home

Once you have followed all of these steps, you should be able to begin selling your home. We hope that this checklist has helped you to understand the process, and has made you feel prepared for the sale. Good luck!