Home selling advice and tips for properties in Estepona and Marbella
Expert strategies for successful home selling
Once you have decided to sell your property in Estepona, Marbella, or anywhere on the Costa del Sol, it is important to let your real estate agent examine your property to determine what the weak points of your home might be. A professional agent should be able to point out points that need to be improved in order to make your home more attractive to prospective buyers.
Most buyers want to get into a property that is in perfect condition and if this is not the case, it may be a reason not to buy your home.
Freshen Up:
Some properties require a fresh coat of paint; make sure that if you decide to repaint you use a neutral color, as it is important to make your house attractive to different clients.
Fixing up minor repairs:
Fix things like leaky tabs, superficial cracks on the walls, damp patches, broken blinds, etc. They may seem insignificant or a vendor might consider that not fixing broken items is reflected on the price, but minor repairs add up in the mind of a potential buyer. Some buyers will not have the time or do not want to get involved with builders. You don't want to give them any reason not to put in an offer.
De-clutter:
Take all the things from your home that have your personal signature (i.e. family photos, portraits, etc.), pack them up and put them in storage. Buyers want to visualize your house being their house, the less clutter you have lying around, the more potential buyers will be able to see your home and what it offers.
Rearrange:
Make sure your furniture placement allows for easy traffic flow and shows the purpose of each room. If you have too much furniture, place it in your storage unit until you are ready to move.
Clean:
Clean every inch of your home, including terrace space, and don't forget to make your windows and floors sparkle. If you have pets, try to keep them outside your home and away from the visitors. Make sure there are no offensive odors.
Lighten up:
We live in the Costa del Sol, let the sun shine in, and turn on the lights in those dark corners, stairs or basement. Open all blinds or curtains, and make sure the home is well lit.
Access is essential:
Homes that don’t get shown don’t get sold. New developments and bank repossessions are vacant, so they can be shown anytime. Don’t make it difficult for agents to get their clients into your home – if they have to make appointments way in advance, or can only show it during a very restrictive time frame, they will likely just cross your place off the list and go show the places that are easy to get into. Allow your agent to schedule a viewing at the time of the day your property looks best.
Be realistic about pricing:
Today’s buyers are very educated about sales prices in your area. Buyers will instantly dismiss your property if they believe it's overpriced. On the other hand, pricing competitively will spark lots of interest in your home. To make your home competitive, your agent should advise you about prices of the latest properties sold in your area.
Get ready for the sale:
The moment you decide to put your property on the market is the moment you and your agent should have all copies of title deeds, tax receipts, community receipts and lawyer´s contact details. Do not wait until the last moment to get your bills paid and paperwork in order.
