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How to prepare your luxury home for sale

How to prepare your luxury home for sale

There is no second chance to create a good first impression. If you have a luxury home to sell, follow these 9 specialized tips to accelerate the sale.

Having time to prepare the house you want to sell is to gain an immediate advantage in the market, even in Porto or in the Algarve, where the real estate competition is greater. And that means increasing the financial return. Appearance is everything when we're selling a luxury house, especially for demanding customers who are looking for the best apartments in Vilamoura, to the south, or new villas in Foz do Douro, to the north. That's why there are small transformations that pay off. Remember, your goal is for the potential buyer to imagine himself living in your home.

At LUXIMOS Christie's International Real Estate we have prepared ten simple steps that will help make the sale quicker and more effective.

1. The visit starts outdoors

If you have a house for sale, for example, in Quinta do Lago or Vale do Lobo, beautiful areas, but the outside area of your house is neither inviting nor attractive, you'll never get potential buyers to want to see the inside. In other words, they won't even get through the door. So, if necessary, hire a small contractor to wash the façade of the house, paint and varnish windows and doors, clean the pavements and walls, trim the garden and organize the pool. Replacing the mailbox and the welcome mat also makes a difference. Lighting the balcony and the entrance is equally important, especially as some people like to visit the house several hours a day, namely at night. Hire a professional cleaning company, which will easily leave your house shining from top to bottom.

2. Every house has its own smell

Probably none of us ever notice, but our house has a distinctive smell. It could be because we live in a villa in front of the sea, or because we have pets to walk around and choose to live in an apartment in the City Park or because we are collectors of everything in a property that is too small for that. There are a thousand reasons. That smell will be the first thing potential buyers will notice once they get in. And that cannot happen. The house must be really fresh, airy and without any family smells. There are tricks for that. Open the curtains, open the windows, put a bowl of fresh fruit or a vase of flowers. Avoid using perfumes of scented candles or disinfectants, because it will sound false and is excessive.

3. Tidy house, augmented house

Make your home look bigger by cleaning up the clutter and excess furniture. A three-bedroom apartment, for example, in Almancil, Portugal, can be very interesting if it is organized. The watchword is depersonalize: pack toys, family photos, collections, paperwork and personal objects. Clothing and shoes on display are forbidden. Religious and sports memories too. Shelves should be immaculate, as should cupboards. A demanding buyer will ask you to open everything. The idea is that he can imagine his own objects and furniture inside this house and realize the space he will have available. If necessary, arrange the sofas in a different way to create a more inviting environment. If, on the other hand, your house is already empty, it may be worth renting or borrowing some key pieces, so that the buyer can see the space better.

4. Define the purpose of each space

Buyers looking for luxury properties, such as villas in Vilamoura, or apartments in a private condominium in Porto, need to know the potential of the house to understand what luxury lifestyle they can find and provide there. An attic or a garage, provided they are thoroughly cared for, can easily be transformed into an entertainment room, a games room or even a yoga studio. Similarly, a bedroom can be transformed into an office or a library. Avoid excess carpets scattered around the house and add plants at strategic points.

5. Light up and organize your space

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What do people want most in a houseNatural light and space. Place large mirrors in front of windows, especially those with panoramic views, to create the illusion of another window and therefore more space. And create several light spots throughout the house, with ambient lighting that you can get through table lamps – but never the white-lamp ones. As for objects, they also work better in odd numbers: try placing just one decorative tray on the table. And avoid hanging all the pictures in a row. Using different sizes and heights gives a more sophisticated look. But remember that excess artwork can intimidate buyers.

6. Bet on neutral colours

As regards the colour of the walls, less is more. If you use wallpaper, remove it. It is very difficult for your taste to match that of the buyer, and the fact that it doesn’t can drive the buyer away. On the other hand, bold or warm colours will have the same effect. Imagine that you have an apartment downtown Porto. In that case, you need to enter the house and feel that the rhythm of the street slows down. Creams and whites are the safe bet for that, as they create open, quiet and clean spaces and don't cause rejection. If you've removed works of art from the walls, be sure to repaint them. If you want to use colour, use it on the sofa cushions. It's a great way to refresh the interior spaces of your home. But in bed linen, return to neutrality, always white sheets.

7. Be competitive in the neighborhood

Look at what's around you. Notice if the house you want to sell is next to plots of land in the Algarve for sale, or lots in Vale do Lobo, or new villas with equipped kitchens. Think that your house has to be the best deal in your neighbourhood. So make sure everything works. You may not have enough time to completely renovate your kitchen, but you certainly have time, if necessary, to put up new countertops, replace hardware, paint cabinets, replace incompatible appliances and redo the floor. Combined stainless steel appliances create a more sophisticated and tempting look. Use a carpet on the floor, it creates warmth and welcome in a typically-cold room.

8. The cotton test

The cotton test is always in the bathroom. Countertops, filters, mirrors, tiles, towel rails, taps and baths, everything has to be shining. And all personal toiletries, including shampoo, soap and shower gel, must disappear. If the room is big enough, make it look like a small spa. Use fresh flowers, new curtains, quality accessories and white towels. Never ever let any moisture residue withstand.

9. Minor repairs

Doing small repairs on the property may be essential, especially if it has been inhabited for a long time. Of course, the extent of repairs must be balanced, but it may be worth it. If you have to make choices, focus on the smallest things: replacing broken ceramics and tiles, changing doorknobs and power outlets, and covering up cracks in the walls. Also get rid of signs of moisture and mold. And if there is any clogging, fix it.


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