When it comes to selling your home, you might have been told to hire a stylist.
But local agents say you can do it yourself. It just takes a bit of time and effort.
Ray White Marsden’s Jett Jones said to start from where buyers see first – the outside.
“Presentation is always going to be everything, so I would recommend always making your garden and the front of your house appealing – so you Gerni, you weed and that sort of stuff,” she said.
Like Ms Jones, Mandeep Singh from Belle Property advised to improve your home’s street appeal.
Whether it is mowing the lawn, mulching gardens, trimming overgrown trees, high-pressure washing the driveway, or touching up the front door – Mr Singh agrees that “first impressions matter”.
“If buyers love it from the curb, they’re more likely to pay more inside,” he said.
Tips and tricks to improve the inside of your home don’t require as much manual labour.
“Inside the property, I’d be looking at minimalising everything as much as you can for photos so that it’s not cluttered or anything,” Ms Jones said.
“Shove it in a cupboard or something, but making sure that everything’s minimalised so then everyone can see what you’re working with.”
In addition to decluttering, which can make spaces appear bigger, Selene Bruynzeels from Ray White Beenleigh said the most important things were to “create an inviting, homely space, and open blinds and windows to let the natural light in”.
Mr Singh agreed that “light sells”, advising to replace dim light bulbs with bright white LEDs.
Again, decluttering and depersonalising were of the utmost importance.
“Remove excess furniture, family photos, fridge magnets, and personal items. The goal is to create a clean, neutral space that lets buyers visualise themselves living there,” Mr Singh said.
Next, it’s time to clean “like you’re handing it over to royalty”.
“Deep clean everything – windows, skirting boards, grout, ceiling fans,” Mr Singh said.
“A sparkling clean home feels well-maintained and cared for – buyers notice.”
If you can afford to lay down a fresh coat of paint, Mr Singh said it was one of the cheapest ways to make your home feel fresh, modern and “move-in ready”.
“Stick to light, neutral colours to make the space feel larger and brighter,” he said.
You can also fix leaking taps and loose door handles, and replace soap dispensers and hand towels.
And ensure your home is odour-free, because “buyers judge with all senses”.
“You don’t need to style the whole house — just the ‘hero’ zones that create the most emotional impact,” Mr Singh said.
“If you nail these without overspending, you will set the stage for a premium price.”
