Preparation is Key

Get the best price for your property

Appearance

Remember, the better your villa, townhouse or apartment looks, the more people will consider buying it, the more quickly you will get it sold and the higher the price you will eventually get for it.

Repairs

Address any major and minor faults in the house, things that you actually wanted to do for ages ago but never had the time to tackle:

Get rid of damp
Check that all the doors and windows open smoothly
Fix the roof
Replace dead light bulbs
Fix dripping taps
Mend loose or broken handles
Make sure that your doorbell works
Stick peeling bits of wallpaper back to the wall
Fill small cracks with a thin layer of filler and sand them down
Paint over any dirty patches on the wall

Decoration

Nowadays, many people are too busy to undertake any major revamping after having bought a house. Therefore, you will be able to attract much more interest with a nicely done-up property. Use neutral cream colours and refrain from eccentric design ideas. Play to the property’s strength. Refurbish open fireplaces or ceiling ornaments. Emphasise large windows, high ceilings and marble floors.

Outside Edge

The first thing a potential buyer will see of your house is its exterior. Follow the same approach as inside and make sure that everything is clean, tidy and in a good state of repair. This includes doing up your garden, steps, front door, elevator and whatever else there is between the street and your front door. Make sure that there is no rubbish lying around and that the neighbour’s dog has not used your front garden as a loo again. Try and ensure that swimming pools are clean and tidy.

Clean & Tidy

Doing a bit of cleaning before you show your place to others does not involve any costs, but is extremely effective. Potential buyers will feel much more comfortable in a tidy and well-groomed house, and it will look more spacious, too.

Remember, the better your villa/apartment looks, the more people will consider buying it, the more quickly you will get it sold and the higher the price you will eventually get for it.