Though buyers are often reminded not to judge a book by its cover when viewing homes, the décor and style throughout your property can have a serious impact on your ability to sell. After all, if your home is naturally warm, welcoming and beautifully-designed, then it will be much easier for your buyers to imagine themselves living there.
On the other hand, if your house could do with a lick of paint, or you find yourself constantly living with an avalanche of clutter, all your buyer will be able to visualise is how much work it’s going to take to get your property into shape. Decorating your apartment to sell is one of the easiest ways to get off the real estate market as quickly as possible. With that in mind, here are our top five tips for an attractive home.
Make an Unforgettable First Impression
The way you welcome a buyer into your home during your first open house session can make or break your chances of a sale. A clean door, a bright entryway and fresh flowers around the hallway make your property seem instantly more inviting. If people have to step over toys to make their way into your home, or instantly notice scuff marks on your floor, then they’re naturally going to start looking for other signs that something’s wrong with your apartment. Make your first impression a good one with:
- Fresh paint in the hallway
- A welcoming rug by the front door
- Fresh flowers to get rid of any unwanted odours
Show off the Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a home when making a sale. Prospective buyers will want to imagine themselves chatting with friends over a coffee, or baking on a Saturday afternoon. If you’re going to delight your viewers, make sure that you:
- Replace any old or out of data appliances
- Re-paint the walls
- Clear clutter from kitchen benches
- Re-paint doors and replace handles
- Brush and mop the floors
Let There be Light
One thing that every buyer wants in a new home is plenty of light and space. The good news is that even if your apartment isn’t huge, you can still make it appear bigger, with a few simple tricks. Open all of your blinds and curtains as wide as possible when people come to visit so that plenty of natural light can flow into the space. Consider opening the windows if it helps to let some fresh air in too!
Get rid of any clutter that might make your spaces look smaller than they are and remember to take advantage of mirrors wherever you can. A carefully placed mirror on a wall directs light around the room and makes it seem more spacious.
Stick with Neutral Colours
It’s tempting to show off your wild side when you’re decorating your apartment, but while you might love bright red walls and green throw rugs, your buyers might not. The easiest way to protect yourself from a long and drawn-out sale is to stick with neutral colours wherever you can. Replace any loud statement walls with a fresh lick of paint and bundle any outlandish decorations into storage until you can retrieve them for your new house.
While neutral colours may not seem very exciting, they make it easier for your buyers to visualise what they want to do with the space if they buy your apartment.
Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches
Family photos and paintings from your kids on your refrigerator can make it a little harder for your buyers to imagine themselves in your home, so it’s best to move these personal decorations to one side. However, that doesn’t mean that your property should be bland and lifeless.
Grab some comfy cushions and place them on the bed in your master bedroom. Add some fluffy towels to the bathroom, and a delightfully scented candle. What’s more, don’t forget to place around with pieces of artwork in your rooms too. A few finishing touches can transform the entire look of your home!
