Preparing your home for sale
16 proven steps to maximise your result.
Free guide: download your copy
Download PDFThe better it looks, the higher the offers.
Making your house look its best before going to market is one of the smartest moves a vendor can make. A potential buyer's perception of your home's value can shift significantly with minor alterations, and that translates directly to your sale price.
This guide covers the considerations we walk through with every vendor. Not all will be required. Our recommendations always take into account your budget, timeframe and willingness.
We have a network of reliable contacts for every job, and can handle all quotes and coordination. We also have a facility to hold all costs until settlement, so there's no out-of-pocket expense upfront.
The 16 steps
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01
Building & Pest Inspection
We get these on most properties prior to launch. It helps avoid surprises and focuses our efforts. The last thing we want is to discover an issue once we're on the market or under contract.
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02
First Impressions
Buyers often drive past before deciding to attend. The perception of value starts before they reach the front door. Fences, driveways, paths and stairs all matter more than you think.
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03
Kitchens
This room is vital to get right. Pay special attention to grout, benchtops, ovens and cabinetry. A deep and thorough clean can transform a buyer's perception instantly.
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04
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are essential from both a building and pest point of view and an aesthetic one. We have a moisture-testing device to check waterproofing before any buyer raises it.
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05
Outdoor Areas
Landscaping can be your wow factor or a pitfall. We have simple ways to make gardens look great for photos and inspections. The general rule: make it look low-maintenance.
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06
Living Areas
Make living rooms cosy and inviting. Decluttering creates a sense of calm where buyers can easily envision themselves at home, and makes rooms feel larger and better stored.
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07
Lighting
Good quality lighting is vital. Updating with modern downlighting changes a house for the better. Older homes especially suffer from poor lighting, and there are affordable fixes we can help with.
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08
Flooring
Flooring can define the perceived age of a home. Whether cleaning, polishing, or replacing, we can get quotes and advise on what option will provide the best return on investment.
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09
Paint
Painting is the single best way to update a home. Whether a full internal and external repaint or targeted touch-ups to high-traffic areas, it directly affects buyer perception.
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10
Timberwork
Rotten, damaged or worn timberwork is a red flag for buyers and inspectors. The fixes are often far easier than they appear, and ignoring them can cost you significantly at negotiation.
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11
Touch Ups
Those small details attended to before the open home make a real difference. Eagle-eyed buyers will find anything they can. We have trades who can handle any job, however big or small.
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12
Declutter & Depersonalise
Buyers need to feel at home, not in someone else's. Family photos make buyers feel like they're intruding. Too much clutter makes the home feel less liveable and short on storage.
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13
Staging
It's often worth getting a quote. Our stylists advise on whether they can use your existing furniture and what should be removed. They specialise in making homes look right for sale, on all budgets.
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14
House & Window Clean
A professional house and window clean just before photos can transform the entire feel of a property. Both are non-negotiable as part of our pre-launch process.
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15
Owner's Manual
A full download of everything useful you know about the house, especially renovations and improvements. If buyers don't know about the work you've done, they can't give credit for it in their offer.
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16
Requirements
Legal requirements at time of sale including smoke alarm compliance, pool safety certificates, Form 2 Seller Disclosure, and body corporate disclosure statements. We'll walk you through exactly what applies to your property.
What's required at sale
Smoke Alarms
2022 Queensland legislation places requirements on every sold property. An electrician can advise and certify compliance. We can refer you to someone reliable.
Pool Safety Certificate
If your property has a pool, a valid pool safety certificate is required within 2 years of the sale. We can coordinate this as part of your pre-sale preparation.
Body Corporate Disclosure
Required for all strata and community title properties. This must be current and accurate at the time of contract. We'll ensure this is in order before going to market.
Form 2: Seller Disclosure
Queensland sellers must provide a Form 2 Seller Disclosure Statement to the buyer before a contract is signed. It discloses known facts about the property: encumbrances, outstanding charges and any relevant notices. Getting it wrong can give the buyer the right to terminate. We'll make sure it's prepared accurately and on time.
Ready to take the next step?
Preparing your home for sale affects both the price you achieve and the time it takes. If you're being told not to bother, it may cost you in the long run.
With all of these items, we get quotes and make smart decisions based on what will or won't add value. We also hold all costs to settlement through our finance facility. No upfront expense required.