STEP BY STEP: Readying your home for sale
Step by Step is the blog of Kate Kerin Interiors. In addition to following some of my clients’ projects, I examine some of the latest issues of interest in the world of interior design.
I have recently been involved in the sales process for two Sydney homes; one in leafy Castlecrag and the other in the lovely northern suburb of North Epping. Sydney’s real estate market is a crowded and bustling place, but with the right preparation you can significantly increase your property’s appeal and value for a relatively small investment. No-one wants to spend big bucks on a home they are leaving, but people often don’t notice until they are selling that there are aspects of their home that need improvement. While it’s sad to spend money on enhancements that you won’t get to enjoy for long, with careful forethought and a bit of hard work you can maximise the sale price and reap the benefits in your new home.
Strategic renovations: Enhancing your property's appeal
Before listing your home, it's essential to assess its condition and identify areas that could benefit from renovation. However, it's sensible to approach renovations strategically to ensure you maximise your investment.
Focus on high-impact areas: Prioritise renovations in key areas such as the kitchen, bathrooms, and outdoor living spaces. These areas often have a significant impact on buyers' perception of the property's value. A beautiful “master suite” (primary bedroom with ensuite and often a walk-in wardrobe) will also be a hit with buyers so if you are lucky enough to have one, invest in its presentation.
Modernise: Update older features and fixtures to appeal to contemporary tastes. This might include replacing old appliances and tapware, refreshing cabinetry or upgrading flooring materials.
Consider cosmetic enhancements: Simple cosmetic upgrades such as fresh paint, new lighting fixtures and updated door hardware can breathe new life into your home without breaking the bank.
The value of hiring an interior designer
While DIY renovations can be tempting, enlisting the expertise of an interior designer can add immense value to the selling process. Here's why:
Professional guidance: Interior designers possess a keen eye for design and market trends. They can provide valuable insights on where to allocate your renovation budget for maximum impact.
Optimised styling: A well-styled home creates an emotional connection with potential buyers, making them more likely to envision themselves living there. Interior designers excel at curating spaces that evoke a sense of warmth and sophistication.
Streamlined process: From concept development to project management, interior designers streamline the renovation process, saving you time and stress while ensuring a cohesive end result.
Saving money: An interior designer works alongside a team of trusted trades people who will do a quality job for the best price. Some designers, like Kate Kerin Interiors, also provide access to their trade discounts to minimise the cost of fittings and fixtures.
Making every cent count
When preparing your home for sale, it's essential to set a realistic budget and allocate funds wisely. Consider the potential return on investment (ROI) for each renovation or styling expense.
Research comparable properties: Analyse recent sales data for similar properties in your area to gauge the potential ROI for various renovations and upgrades.
Consult with professionals: Seek advice from real estate agents and interior designers to prioritise investments that will yield the highest returns in your suburb’s market. For instance, is there an expectation among buyers that you will have European kitchen appliances and stone benchtops? Or would your investment be better spent on getting a Feng Shui expert to advise on small changes? Should you consider re-styling a small bedroom into a work-from-home space? Each area will have different expectations from buyers.
Avoid overcapitalisation: While it's important to enhance your home's appeal, be cautious not to overspend on renovations that won't significantly increase its value relative to neighbouring properties. Every investment you make should return at least as much again in the final sale price (and don’t forget to factor in the labour or trade costs as well as purchase of items).
Avoid polarising choices: Don’t be tempted to make aesthetic choices based on your own personal style – remember, you won’t be living here for much longer! Every design choice should be appealing to the majority of buyers. There is a reason that homes styled by staging professionals all look very neutral and quite similar – buyers need to be able to imagine their own furniture, artwork and accessories in the home.
The power of styling: Transforming spaces for maximum impact
Styling your home for sale is about more than just aesthetics—it's about creating a compelling narrative that resonates with buyers. Many vendors choose to have their home professionally staged, but if you will be living in the home throughout the sale or are on a tight budget, consider these tips for effective DIY home staging:
Create a cohesive theme: Choose a cohesive design theme that complements the architectural style of your home and appeals to your target demographic. This may also mean duplicating a colour scheme through key accessories and soft furnishings.
Highlight key features: Showcase your home's unique selling points such as architectural details, panoramic views or outdoor entertaining areas through strategic styling.
Pay attention to detail: Invest in quality bed linen, bathroom accessories and other finishing touches that elevate the overall presentation of your home. These seemingly small details can make a significant impact on buyers' perception of value.
Decluttering: Simplifying spaces for maximum impact
Decluttering is essential to creating an inviting atmosphere that allows buyers to envision themselves living in your home. Consider the following decluttering strategies:
Depersonalise: Remove personal items such as family photos and memorabilia to allow buyers to imagine themselves in the space.
Minimise furniture: Create a sense of spaciousness by removing excess furniture and unnecessary clutter. Aim for a clean, minimalist aesthetic that enhances the flow of each room.
Maximise storage: Clear out wardrobes, cabinets and storage spaces to showcase ample storage potential—a coveted feature for many buyers in the Sydney market.
Ideally, you should aim to permanently get rid of as much clutter as possible through either selling or giving away items you are confident you will not need in your next home. You can read more about decluttering in my free resource 10 Tips for Decluttering to Downsize. If you aren’t sure whether you’ll need the items in your new abode (this is particularly true of excess furniture), consider hiring a storage unit to house items until you are sure if they’ll be needed again. Although this is an expense, you may be glad later on that you kept some of your excess furniture. Obviously this will not be true if you are downsizing – downsizers should aim to get rid of as much as possible!
Preparing your home for sale in the Sydney real estate market requires careful planning and strategic execution. From targeted renovations to professional styling and decluttering, every aspect plays a crucial role in maximising your property's appeal and value. By investing wisely and enlisting the expertise of professionals, you can position your home for a successful sale in one of Australia's most competitive markets. And don’t forget, help is at hand if you need it – Kate Kerin Interiors is experienced in preparing homes for sale and I’d love to chat with you about your project. Visit the home page of this website to book an in-home consultation.
Kate Kerin Interiors specialises in working with residential clients in Sydney, particularly people who are considering downsizing or other major milestone moves. Contact Kate for an initial consultation to talk about your project.
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