When it comes time to sell your house in Thailand, you may be competing with many homeowners who are also selling similar properties. If there are two homes in a similar area selling for similar prices, how do you think a real estate agent will decide which to focus on?
The agent will most likely choose the home that makes the best first impression, which will then increase the chances of him or her making the sale. If you want to sell your home faster and for a better price, it is worth the time and money to invest in sprucing up your home and add that “curb appeal.”
Top five tips on getting your house or villa noticed by buyers, agents (and neighbors):
Power Wash (or re-paint)
If you were trying to sell your car, would you leave it in your driveway covered in dust and mud? No; in fact you’d probably take it to the car wash. Selling a house should follow the same logic, but surprisingly is not something that many home-sellers think of. A dirty house will appear grungy and worn: not attractive qualities for a person looking to spend loads of money on a new place to live. All it usually takes is a good power washing. If it requires more than that though, do not underestimate the value of a fresh coat of paint. Paint can literally make a house appear 10 years newer than it actually is.
Strategically Plant Trees
Planting some trees in the front of the house can really enhance the overall look and feel of a house. Many people, but especially foreigners in Thailand may value privacy in their home and trees are an elegant and sustainable way to provide that. You can use trees to cover the edges of the home, which may in turn make the entire thing seem bigger or wider. Not to mention that more shade on the actual home can help drastically lower your energy bills by making your air con work less—this could be a big selling feature to people who are sick and tired of forking over thousands of baht to pay for their electricity.
Create an Outdoor Sitting Area
One of the main reasons many foreigners move to Thailand is for the weather. Having a seating area, even if it’s small or down-to-earth looking will help potential buyers imagine how they can enjoy the outdoors within the comforts of their future home. It’s a small investment but a powerful one to add permanent outdoor seating with a pretty stone bench under a tree, or nice wooden bench swing. Once you add it, you’ll wish you had it all along!
Powered Lights Around the Walkway
Just because the sun goes down, that does not mean passerby won’t see the For Sale sign out front. Never underestimate the power of a beautifully lit property at night. It can add a charming or even luxurious effect to the house. The best part is that it doesn’t cost a lot and does not take much effort to install. Just pick up some solar-powered lamps that will illuminate as soon as night falls. All you have to do is stick them into the ground so they stay put and you’ve got yourself a beautiful façade 24/7.
Beautify the Lawn
If you have a lawn and there are any dry or brown patches, it is in your favor to make the (inexpensive) effort to re-seed and water it. You want your lawn to look as shiny and new as possible; picture perfect without needing an airbrush. If you don’t have a lawn, you can still add colorful flowers along the walkway or even in window boxes.
Need more tips on getting your home ready for a sale? Check out this related blog: Tips on Selling or Renting Your Home Online Faster