Selling Property in Singapore
Selling your property in Singapore
Here are some things to look out for.
Who are the buyers?
Who is the property aimed at? Furnishing specifications must complement and enhance the property itself -- not devalue it. If the property is likely to attract a tenant as opposed to a buyer, is the furniture durable for tenancies? Furniture can be used as a negotiation tool, allowing the property to be marketed as unfurnished and furnished, widening the target market for the most desirable tenant. Make sure that you clean out kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, cupboards and chests-of-drawers as there is no rule saying that prospective buyers are not allowed to inspect the furniture of homes that they are viewing.
Make the house presentable
If there are any holes in the walls, patch them up and paint over them. You can brighten up the look of your flat with just a paint job, especially if it looks dingy. In some cases, you may need to paint the flat or house over in neutral colours so that there's a better chance of your home appealing to the masses. A lick of paint and a few added accessories can make all the difference to the feel of a property. Keep the look of the house or flat you are selling as uncluttered as possible. By clearing away the clutter, you can make a small room look larger than it actually is. If you do not have enough space to keep all the clutter, rent a storage unit somewhere for the time being. Take into account the available space and light. For example, do not block a window with a sofa, and so cut off natural light. A dimly lit room is hardly appealing to a prospective buyer. Be prepared to invest in additional light fixtures and replace light bulbs if needed. If you are expecting visitors during the day, open the windows or pull back the curtains to let more light through. If you want to freshen up the look of your home, you may want to consider putting flowers in strategic locations around the flat or house. Flowers are generally a pleasant sight to visitors, but if you adopt this tactic, be sure to water the flowers every day and take out any blossoms that start to droop.
Define each room
Make sure that each room portrays its function and ensure each room creates a lifestyle. If you have an empty spare room it is important to try and fill it in order to showcase the room and the property to its full potential, showing buyers what the room could be used for. This is particularly important with larger houses. Ensure that each room has a focal point to give the viewer something to remember. This is particularly important in awkward shaped rooms.
Pets?
If you are still living in the house or flat you are selling and you happen to have a pet, make sure the pet is out of the house when home viewings are taking place. This is especially so in the case of home sellers who have pet dogs or cats. Some prospective buyers may not be too fond of dogs and cats or may even be afraid of or allergic to them. If you have a pet, it is likely that there is an odour and you're too used to the smell to notice it. In that case, ask someone who doesn't live with you to take a sniff and give an honest opinion. You should eliminate the smell if there is any. Do not try to cover up an odour or a smell by spraying air freshener around - you never know if a potential buyer is allergic to it. Also, prospective buyers can usually tell the difference between naturally scented air and a home that clearly smells as if it has been doused in air freshener, and some buyers may even become suspicious because of this. If there is an odour, try to locate the source of it. If it is due to leaking pipes or a clogged drain, put it right before hosting any home viewings. You should also take note that the smell of cigarettes may be considered an odour to some people so if you are a smoker, try not to smoke in the house or flat you are selling for that period of time and keep the windows open to air the rooms.
Have a professional look
If you are still living in the house or flat you are selling, put away as many personal items as possible, especially family photographs. The whole objective of presenting your home for viewing is to sell it and to do that, you need your prospective buyers to be able to imagine themselves living there. Also, if you have any favourite pieces of furniture, make sure you take them out of the house or apartment you are selling. You do not want prospective buyers thinking that it is part of the furniture that comes with the home - and if you tell them that it isn't, it may affect a potential deal. It is advisable to remove any wallpaper that you might have put up. Not all prospective home buyers have a liking for wallpaper and in any case, wallpaper often adds a personal touch to the home. Do not paint over any wallpaper you might have put up - remove it and then paint over the wall if necessary. The exterior of your home matters as much as the inside. If it is a flat you are selling, check that the front door, locks and gate are in good condition. Paint over the door or replace the doorknobs if needed. If the door is clearly not in a good condition, install a new one before anyone comes to view your home. If it is a house you are selling, check that the roof from the outside looks presentable and the house itself looks inviting. Try to be as objective as possible when viewing your house or flat from the outside and remember that you have to make it look alluring enough so that a prospective buyer will walk in. If you are selling a house with a garden, make sure that the lawn has been trimmed and is in a presentable fashion.
Try to be flexible with your home viewings
You may occasionally come across a prospective buyer who will ask to view your flat or house at an odd timing. Be as accommodating as possible. The more home viewings you entertain, the more offers you are likely to receive for the home you are selling. Home buyers are unlikely to buy a house or flat they cannot inspect. So do not tell your visitors that they cannot inspect a particular room or cabinet during home viewings. When prospective buyers come to your house or flat, do not follow them around. It is not necessary to point out any special features of your home, especially if they are accompanied by a real estate agent. It would be even better if you could leave the house or flat when visitors arrive to view your home. Just make sure you are available to answer their questions and then allow them to look around on their own. If you are still living in the house or flat, simply greet your visitors and invite them to have a look around. Do not hover in the background as they inspect your home.
Who is the property aimed at? Furnishing specifications must complement and enhance the property itself -- not devalue it. If the property is likely to attract a tenant as opposed to a buyer, is the furniture durable for tenancies? Furniture can be used as a negotiation tool, allowing the property to be marketed as unfurnished and furnished, widening the target market for the most desirable tenant. Make sure that you clean out kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, cupboards and chests-of-drawers as there is no rule saying that prospective buyers are not allowed to inspect the furniture of homes that they are viewing.
Make the house presentable
If there are any holes in the walls, patch them up and paint over them. You can brighten up the look of your flat with just a paint job, especially if it looks dingy. In some cases, you may need to paint the flat or house over in neutral colours so that there's a better chance of your home appealing to the masses. A lick of paint and a few added accessories can make all the difference to the feel of a property. Keep the look of the house or flat you are selling as uncluttered as possible. By clearing away the clutter, you can make a small room look larger than it actually is. If you do not have enough space to keep all the clutter, rent a storage unit somewhere for the time being. Take into account the available space and light. For example, do not block a window with a sofa, and so cut off natural light. A dimly lit room is hardly appealing to a prospective buyer. Be prepared to invest in additional light fixtures and replace light bulbs if needed. If you are expecting visitors during the day, open the windows or pull back the curtains to let more light through. If you want to freshen up the look of your home, you may want to consider putting flowers in strategic locations around the flat or house. Flowers are generally a pleasant sight to visitors, but if you adopt this tactic, be sure to water the flowers every day and take out any blossoms that start to droop.
Define each room
Make sure that each room portrays its function and ensure each room creates a lifestyle. If you have an empty spare room it is important to try and fill it in order to showcase the room and the property to its full potential, showing buyers what the room could be used for. This is particularly important with larger houses. Ensure that each room has a focal point to give the viewer something to remember. This is particularly important in awkward shaped rooms.
Pets?
If you are still living in the house or flat you are selling and you happen to have a pet, make sure the pet is out of the house when home viewings are taking place. This is especially so in the case of home sellers who have pet dogs or cats. Some prospective buyers may not be too fond of dogs and cats or may even be afraid of or allergic to them. If you have a pet, it is likely that there is an odour and you're too used to the smell to notice it. In that case, ask someone who doesn't live with you to take a sniff and give an honest opinion. You should eliminate the smell if there is any. Do not try to cover up an odour or a smell by spraying air freshener around - you never know if a potential buyer is allergic to it. Also, prospective buyers can usually tell the difference between naturally scented air and a home that clearly smells as if it has been doused in air freshener, and some buyers may even become suspicious because of this. If there is an odour, try to locate the source of it. If it is due to leaking pipes or a clogged drain, put it right before hosting any home viewings. You should also take note that the smell of cigarettes may be considered an odour to some people so if you are a smoker, try not to smoke in the house or flat you are selling for that period of time and keep the windows open to air the rooms.
Have a professional look
If you are still living in the house or flat you are selling, put away as many personal items as possible, especially family photographs. The whole objective of presenting your home for viewing is to sell it and to do that, you need your prospective buyers to be able to imagine themselves living there. Also, if you have any favourite pieces of furniture, make sure you take them out of the house or apartment you are selling. You do not want prospective buyers thinking that it is part of the furniture that comes with the home - and if you tell them that it isn't, it may affect a potential deal. It is advisable to remove any wallpaper that you might have put up. Not all prospective home buyers have a liking for wallpaper and in any case, wallpaper often adds a personal touch to the home. Do not paint over any wallpaper you might have put up - remove it and then paint over the wall if necessary. The exterior of your home matters as much as the inside. If it is a flat you are selling, check that the front door, locks and gate are in good condition. Paint over the door or replace the doorknobs if needed. If the door is clearly not in a good condition, install a new one before anyone comes to view your home. If it is a house you are selling, check that the roof from the outside looks presentable and the house itself looks inviting. Try to be as objective as possible when viewing your house or flat from the outside and remember that you have to make it look alluring enough so that a prospective buyer will walk in. If you are selling a house with a garden, make sure that the lawn has been trimmed and is in a presentable fashion.
Try to be flexible with your home viewings
You may occasionally come across a prospective buyer who will ask to view your flat or house at an odd timing. Be as accommodating as possible. The more home viewings you entertain, the more offers you are likely to receive for the home you are selling. Home buyers are unlikely to buy a house or flat they cannot inspect. So do not tell your visitors that they cannot inspect a particular room or cabinet during home viewings. When prospective buyers come to your house or flat, do not follow them around. It is not necessary to point out any special features of your home, especially if they are accompanied by a real estate agent. It would be even better if you could leave the house or flat when visitors arrive to view your home. Just make sure you are available to answer their questions and then allow them to look around on their own. If you are still living in the house or flat, simply greet your visitors and invite them to have a look around. Do not hover in the background as they inspect your home.
