Are you selling a property? Then be prepared to catch potential buyers’ attention with photos of your apartment or house in your listing. Also, be prepared that they’ll want to see the property in person. Proper preparation for both these scenarios is essential. What should you arrange before the buyer’s visit and how do you get your property ready for a photo session?
When preparing your property for sale, keep in mind that you need to “spruce up” your apartment or house to make potential buyers think of one thing: that they are looking at their dream future home that they want to buy at any cost. Making sure you have the optimum arrangement in your property can actually increase its value a bit, or at the very least, it won’t make potential buyers feel like negotiating the price down or take too much time to think about it.
Capturing the perfect shot
Preparing your property for sale, or for taking photos for the listing and viewings, follows similar general rules. These are discussed in more detail in the text below, and mainly concern cleaning and creating a comfortable yet neutral atmosphere that allows the potential buyer to see the property through their own eyes.
Regarding photography, we recommend taking the photos yourself only if you have a truly high-quality camera, experience with photography, and are skilled in post-processing photos. Study how professionals take their shots. From what angles, distances, what they focus on, etc. Remember that photos are the first thing potential buyers will see and be attracted by.
However, we’d definitely suggest hiring a professional for photography, someone who specializes in property photography in the Czech Republic. They will have experience with hundreds of properties – experience you won’t easily be able to match. And in the end, remember that properties usually have a multimillion-crown value, so it’s worth investing in the presentation and making sure you have high-quality professional photos that make your property shine.
Reputable real estate agencies offer professional property photography as part of preparing a property for sale. Additionally, they’ll assist you with what’s called homestaging. But what’s that, you ask?
What is homestaging?
Simply put, homestaging involves hiring a professional designer to prepare your apartment or house to look its very best in photos (and potentially during viewings as well) so that it tempts buyers to make the purchase. Think of it as your property getting a makeover.
The designer will advise on cleaning, place attractive accessories (flowers, throws, candles, etc.), ensure there’s enough light in the apartment for photos, and more. Essentially, even a property that might not seem appealing at first glance will be transformed into a space that people will crave. You can either find homestaging specialists in the Czech Republic yourself or collaborate with them through quality real estate agencies.
Curious how a homestaging professional can enhance and photograph your apartment? Check out the transformation photos at the end of this article!
Now, let’s shift our focus to specific cases of preparing a property for sale in the Czech Republic.
Selling an Empty Apartment
If you’re selling an apartment that’s been cleared of all furniture, then first of all it’s a good idea to pay attention to the condition of the walls. Fix any cracks and repaint the walls in a neutral white colour. This appeals to most people and also makes the space appear larger and brighter. After painting, thoroughly clean and wash the windows, dust, and mop the floors. Also, focus on the bathroom and toilet – fix any silicone joints that need it, clean tile grout, polish faucets and mirrors, and remove limescale. Remember that the property must appear clean to make potential buyers feel comfortable.
It’s also worth tackling minor repairs such as cracked tiles, missing handles on kitchen cabinets, peeling linoleum, etc. Try to fix these as much as possible. But be cautious, avoid major renovations! Typically, it’s an unnecessary investment from your side – firstly, buyers often aren’t willing to fully reflect these investments in the purchase price, and secondly, every buyer has different preferences. You might not be making rennovations which are to their particular taste. It’s better if you leave significant changes to be made by the buyers themselves later on.
Are you selling an apartment with an outstanding mortgage? Then read our article on “How to sell an apartment with a mortgage“.
Selling a furnished, uninhabited apartment
The second scenario is selling an apartment that no longer has occupants but is still furnished with basic furniture. Here, you’ll have a bit more work to do. First, decide whether to keep the furniture or not. The basic rule is that if the apartment is furnished with older furniture (typically properties from an estate), it’s worth clearing out all furniture – the property will seem much more spacious, and potential buyers will have an easier time envisioning how they’d arrange it themselves. Once the apartment is cleared, proceed as we described in the previous case of an empty apartment.
Another option is that the property comes with modern furnishings. In this case, we recommend keeping the furniture and clearing out only items that are in poor condition. If the property is cluttered with furniture, consider removing some to create a sense of space. Furthermore, repaint the walls with a white color, and carry out general cleaning and repairs as we described in the case of an empty apartment.
Make sure you remove all personal items left by the previous occupant. Remember – potential buyers must be able to imagine their life, their home, in that apartment. For a cozier atmosphere, you can arrange a vase of fresh flowers on the table, light scented candles, etc. The apartment should be well-lit – so open the curtains and blinds (even though they might add coziness, light is more important in this case).
Are you dealing with the sale of a cooperative apartment share? Then don’t miss the article on “How to sell a cooperative apartment“.
Selling a furnished, occupied apartment
The third scenario in selling an apartment is when you’re selling your current home, which you still live in. Here, the situation is likely the most complex. You need to function in the apartment, yet also make sure it appeals to potential buyers. So how can you achieve that?
You’ll need to perform a thorough cleaning just like in the previous scenarios. If you can, consider repainting – as this will certainly benefit the apartment. If not, at least check the condition of the walls (peeling paint or wallpaper hanging loose doesn’t create a good impression), floors, and furniture. Try to remove as many personal items as possible (family photos, children’s drawings, fridge magnets, etc.) and souvenirs from shelves and surfaces. In the kitchen, remove appliances if possible, and tidy up the bathroom. Try to persuade children not to scatter toys around the apartment or their room before and during viewings, but of course, this may be the most difficult task of all!
Air out the apartment before visitors arrive, light a subtle scented candle or use a gentle essential oil fragrance. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee is also very pleasant and creates a homely atmosphere. Remember – even though you’re still living in the space, the apartment should be prepared for viewing to closely resemble the properties you see in catalogs or as units in newly built developments.
By the way, if you’re interested in learning about the intricacies of selling an apartment in the Czech capital, we recommend reading our article on “How to Sell an Apartment in Prague“.
Selling a family house
When selling a family house, the interior rules are the same as for an apartment – whether you’re presenting it furnished or unfurnished, occupied or unoccupied. However, a house has one (dis)advantage over an apartment – you can also influence the surroundings it’s situated in.
With an apartment, you can at best mop the common hallway and shake the doormat. With a house, you have full control over its immediate surroundings. Yes, we’re talking about the garden, which most family houses have. And before potential buyers visit, you should give it the attention it deserves.
Clear the garden of items that don’t belong or look disruptive (scattered gardening tools, construction materials, unused flower pots, etc.). Also, try to spruce things up as much as possible. Mow the grass, weed the flower beds if you have them, trim bushes, rake any fallen leaves, and clean the terrace. Essentially, you need to create an atmosphere that allows potential buyers to envision both children safely playing in the garden and summer evenings spent socialising with family and friends.
Want to know more about selling a family house? You’ll find everything you need to know in our article on “How to sell a family house“.
Are you selling a property and looking for a reliable and experienced partner? At KOTULA Prague Realtor, we’ll take care of everything for you and ensure you get the maximum possible amount for your apartment, house, or land. Contact us!
Photo: Jean-philippe WALLET, Getty Images Pro