Getting your home ready to sell

Getting your home ready to sell

Buyers decide fast, often within the first few minutes of a viewing. You do not need to renovate to make a good first impression. Start by fixing what is broken, clearing what is cluttered and getting your paperwork in order. Most of this costs little, and all of it helps your home look cared for.

Fix the small things first

A dripping tap, a cracked tile or a door that sticks tells a buyer that the house has been neglected, and makes them wonder what else is wrong. Walk through each room with a notepad and list every small fault.

  • Repair leaks, and treat damp at the source before you paint over it.
  • Replace blown bulbs, broken switches and loose plugs.
  • Fix gates, locks, window latches and cupboard hinges.
  • Touch up scuffed walls with fresh paint, in a neutral colour.
  • Clean gutters and check the roof for obvious problems.

Be honest with yourself about defects you know about. You will have to declare them on the mandatory disclosure form, and hiding a problem can come back on you. It is often better to repair it or be ready to explain it.

Declutter and clean

Buyers need to picture their own things in the home. Pack away personal photographs, extra furniture and anything that makes rooms look small. Clear kitchen counters and bathroom surfaces. If your storage is full, buyers will think there is not enough of it, so tidy cupboards and the garage as well.

Then clean properly: windows, carpets, grout, the oven and the bath. A smell can put people off before they see anything else, so air the house and deal with damp or pets before viewings.

Outside matters as much as inside

The buyer forms an opinion at the gate. Mow the lawn, trim hedges, sweep paths and remove rubbish. Paint the front door and gate if they look tired. Make sure the house number is visible and the garden lights work. If you live in a sectional title complex, tidy your patio or balcony and check that the entrance to your unit looks clean.

Get your paperwork ready

A sale goes smoothly when you can hand over documents quickly. Gather these before you list:

  • your title deed details and a recent rates account;
  • plans, if you have them, and proof of any approved alterations;
  • compliance certificates, starting with the electrical one;
  • for sectional title, recent levy statements and the body corporate’s rules and financials;
  • for a homeowners’ association, the rules and levy details;
  • your bond account details, so you can ask the bank about settling it and the notice it requires.

Read compliance certificates you need to sell a house for what applies to you. Settle any rates or levy arrears early, because the transfer cannot be registered without the clearance certificates.

Photographs and viewings

Most buyers meet your home online first, so photographs matter. Take them in daylight, with beds made and lights on. Photograph the rooms that sell the home, such as the living area, kitchen and garden. Many agents arrange professional photographs, so ask what is included.

For viewings, make the house easy to see. Open curtains, keep the temperature comfortable, and put pets away. If you can, leave the house while buyers look around, so they feel free to ask questions and open cupboards. If load shedding or water outages affect your area, be ready to say how you cope, for example with backup power or a tank.

Know when to stop spending

Do not renovate a kitchen or bathroom just before selling unless you are sure it will pay off. Buyers have different tastes, and you may not get your money back. Spend on repairs, paint and cleaning, and leave bigger upgrades for the buyer to decide.

What to do next

This article is general information for South African readers, not legal, financial or tax advice. Rules and rates change, so check your own situation with an attorney, your bank or a tax practitioner. Our property calculators can help you work out the numbers.

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