HOW TO PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY FOR SALE IN SPAIN

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY FOR SALE IN SPAIN

The decision has been reached, it is time to sell up and move on and upwards, or at the very least move out of our current abode. Selling your house in Spain can be a daunting task, but with thought and preparation, you can easily make the process smoother and less of a chore and, dare I say it, more fun.

Here are several essential tips from the house sellers at Martin Real Estate.

1. Declutter and depersonalize: The first step is to remove personal items and excessive clutter from your home. New buyers will want to envisage themselves and their personal effects in your home, so best to present them with a blank canvass. A large metre square photo of you and your partner over the fireplace, in an enthusiastic embrace on holiday may be precious to you, but it should perhaps be stored before viewings. Consider renting a storage unit to temporarily house personal belongings or pieces of furniture not included in the sale.
2. Deep Clean: Not everyone’s favourite pass time, so either invest time or hire professionals to thoroughly clean every room, including hard-to-reach areas. Make sure there are no unpleasant odours (get a friend to help just in case you have gone nose blind) and you might want to consider consigning pets to the garden shed or send the family pack of rottweilers to holiday with your mother-in-law for a few weeks. We can become immune to pet odours, and you do not want to offend a buyer who may not be a pet fan.
3. Complete necessary repairs: Address any minor repairs required (assuming that major systems such as the pool pump, heating/air-conditioning, and appliances are functioning optimally). Fixing leaky faucets, cracked tiles, and squeaky doors can improve your home's appeal. A fresh coat of paint could easily enhance some rooms.
4. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Ensure that the outside space is tidy, with a well-maintained lawn, neatly trimmed bushes and palm trees, and flower beds free of weeds. Planting new colourful blooms can also enhance the appearance. Relatively speaking paint is cheap and a coat of paint on the front door goes a long way. If the outside looks drab or a little tired, you might want to consider, a full exterior paint job. It is the cheapest upgrade with the greatest effect.
5. Stage your home: This involves arranging furniture and décor to present the home's features effectively. You might consider a professional stager (we can recommend several) or get a classy interior designer flared friend to lend a hand or indeed do it yourself, if your talents are in this domain.
6. Collaborate with your Martin Real Estate professional to set the right price - It should be realistic and in line with the market. A well-priced home attracts more interest, gets more viewings, and can lead to a quicker sale.
7. Make sure the photos are high quality and fabulous: In today’s digital age, on-line listings are essential, and getting high quality photos of your home has never been easier with quality phones/cameras in everyone’s hands. We can take care of the photo part of your home sale as part of our standard support package. In certain circumstances we may recommend a professional photographer.
8. Market your home: An agent can assist you in developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for your property. In this digital age it is even more imperative to use an agent who is up to date with the digital marketing landscapes. An agent can get you exposure on all major property portals (Idealista, Right Move etc ), and direct targeted ads for your property through google search and social media. Selling to buyers in other countries can raise your property's price significantly. Digital marketing is our area of expertise, use our experience to maximise your return.
9. Be prepared to be flexible with viewings: The more viewings you have the better your chances of getting more interested buyers. Viewings are a necessary part of the process unfortunately. Ensure that your agent pre-screens buyers to verify their resources and interest before they visit your property. A more accessible home sells faster.
10. Review offers carefully: Review all offers with your Martin Real Estate representative and consider not just the price, but the terms and conditions of each offer. How quickly does the potential buyer plan to complete the sale? Is it a cash offer? Does a bank need to provide the buyer with finance, and are you prepared to wait and work with a mortgage dependent buyer? We have the experience and can guide you to look at all aspects of the offer and help you choose the one that is right for you.

Summary: By following the above steps and collaborating closely with your agent, being patient and accommodating with viewings, a quick sale is assured.  Let the agent manage the viewings while you visit the shops or grab a coffee. And you can always take the stress away entirely by moving in with your in-laws for a few weeks and handing the keys to Martin Real Estate and let us do the rest.

For more helpful information on selling your home and the service package benefits that we offer, check our complementary new Sellers Guide available on request.

Contact us to request a property valuation.