When it comes to houses and other kinds of property, there’s plenty you can do to sway a buyer. You have outside space which you can transform into gorgeous gardens, you can build off road parking on your plot. You can create tonnes of kerb appeal by upgrading the front of the property by painting the bricks, having rendering or another kind of covering to generally make the property look its very best. However when you’re selling a flat or apartment, you’re much more limited. Because you only own the apartment itself instead of the building, there’s a lot that’s out of your control. But there’s plenty you can still do to boost the value and attract those all important buyers.
Get It Tidy
One of the main issues people have when it comes to apartment living is finding space for all of their possessions. If a buyer sees that you are struggling for space, they will assume that they will too. Getting the place very clean, tidy and organised will create a far more welcoming appearance. It will sell buyers a kind of lifestyle, and show them how they could be living if they bought your property. Clean carpets, windows, skirting boards, anywhere that would normally get missed on a regular day of cleaning. Organise your possessions so that the flat doesn’t look cluttered or full to the brim, this could be an excuse for you to start your packing now. Box things up you wont need and put it into self storage, that way you make it easier to make your home look beautiful and give yourself less to do when it does sell as well.
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Paint it Neutral
Buyers in general love neutrals. Light neutrals like white, cream and very light grey all help maximise the space and look modern and clean without being distracting. In a smaller property like a flat or apartment this is even more important, since you absolutely have to make the most of the space and light to stop it looking cramped and dingy. Sand the walls, fill in any holes and make them look completely smooth. If they’re in bad condition, you may need to hire a plasterer to re-skim them. Give them a coat of paint and you will quickly see the space transform and open up. You could always add a clock, a piece of art or perhaps a shelf with a plant on if you feel it looks too stark. But avoid colour (especially dark colour) and pattern which can close rooms in, and anything too personal. A buyer needs to be able to come inside and imagine their own life there, with too many personal trinkets it’s distracting and difficult to do so.
Get The Right Lighting
Speaking of maximising the light with colour, your actual lighting is very important too. You need to make sure rooms are well lit, particularly if you’re going to be having viewings later in the day when it’s a bit darker. Spotlights are useful in kitchens and bathrooms, they look modern and prevent any dark corners. A couple of lamps in rooms like bedrooms and the living room help the place to look cosy and set the ambiance. Make sure main light fittings are neither too large or too small, a huge chandelier in a small flat for example could look a bit strange. But you don’t want something too small either that’s going to make the room look dull and dim. Another way to get the lighting right is to maximise natural lighting. You might need to switch up your blinds or curtains, let as much daylight in as possible during the day. Placing a large mirror opposite the windows too will reflect it back and brighten the space further.
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Give It The Edge
One thing you could do is look at other similar properties for sale to see what kind of thing is on the market, sites like http://rumahdijual.com/jakarta-utara/apartemen-pulomas allow you to look through tonnes of apartments. Once you know what kind of thing is currently out there, you know what you need to do to make yours better. Certain features will give yours the edge. Maybe it’s a new, super modern kitchen or beautiful bathroom. It could be something simple like switching up the taps, or you could have built in furniture installed. It can be difficult parting with cash for these things when you won’t be around to enjoy them, but it could mean adding thousands on to your asking price.
Finish The Odd Jobs
Any cracks, chips or unfinished jobs in your flat won’t be missed by a buyer. Even if they aren’t big problems, a buyer will assume that they are. In a house it’s bad enough, but in a smaller space any issue is going to appear like a much larger one. So get any black mould cleaned up and repainted. Any chips or cracks should be sanded and filled. Any wobbly door handles, wonky doors, loose toilet seats or anything else should be put right before you invite buyers in for a viewing. Otherwise you’re cheating yourself out of a larger asking price, you might put some buyers off altogether.
Utilise Your Balcony
If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony or any outside space at all, really make the most of this. Give it a clean and tidy, paint any railings and spruce it up with pots or hanging baskets. You could even get a small bistro set to show people that there’s space to sit outside. A balcony or outdoor space is a huge bonus when it comes to flats and apartments so you should do what you can to draw attention here.
There are some particular challenges when it comes to making a flat or apartment look its best for property viewings. But bear in mind these simple tips and you will increase your chances of it selling quicker, and for the best price possible.