Residential Guidebook Residential Guidebook 2014 (Subscribers) | Page 28

STAGING It’s all about the show (house) When showing your house to prospective buyers, make sure all is in tip top condition A sk yourself; would you be more inclined to buy a brand new, sparkling car or a dirty second hand version with stains on the seats? Most people would choose the first option, as far as their pockets allowed. It’s the same situation when it comes to a home. Neglecting to prepare properly for a show house can severely hamper a home owner’s chances of selling it. It’s worth putting your best foot forward Home owners can be forgiven for seeing a Show House as a big inconvenience; generally you have to vacate the property between 14:00 and 17:00 on a Sunday afternoon so that strangers can walk through your home. While that is true there is plenty of evidence to suggest that opening your home for a Show Day is worth it. “In my experience most buyers will only make the decision to purchase once they’ve physically walked around the property, envisioning themselves in 26 Residential Handbook 2013 it. Of course it’s much easier to do so when in a pleasant environment. Finish the renovations first A building site is not very attractive and many prospective buyers might struggle to imagine the finished product, as opposed to what they’re currently seeing. They could also worry that the work will be completed in time. Try to have all renovations completed before putting a house on the market. Camouflage the cat If you have pets, especially cats the smart move would be to remove as much of their hair from the furniture as possible; as so many people are allergic to the animals. People tend to be less allergic to dogs but, their smells can still be off putting so vacuum, wash the floors and light a scented candle or two. It’s really advisable that people with large and/ or aggressive dogs make sure that they’re either removed from the property or properly secured www.reimag.co.za