If you’re planning to sell or rent your property, make sure you avoid the following property sale mistakes to ensure you attract the most buyers and renters and get the best price for your property.

1. POOR EXTERIOR PAINT CHOICE:

Don’t try and sell a highlighter green house. Consider re-painting your property using a conservative colour scheme. This will allow it to appeal to a wider audience. Look for a good quality exterior paint, which makes your house look as new as possible and avoid this classic property sale mistake.

2. THE OVERGROWN GARDEN:

An overgrown yard or garden suggests that your whole property has been badly maintained and will make a bad first impression – an obvious but all-too-common property sale mistake.

3. TOO MUCH MESS AND CLUTTER

Buyers want to see and buy your house – not your things! Even houses that are decorated well can have too much clutter when it’s time to sell. The bigger your house seems, the more attractive it will be. Buyers want to feel the house or apartment has space and will accept their furniture and their sense of style. So be prepared to de-clutter, move furniture or make your decorations more neutral.

4. THE SHADOW SELLER:

Make sure you give your agent and their buyers plenty of space and privacy while viewing your home, and certainly don’t follow them around the house. Buyers want to imagine living in your house, and that’s really hard to do while you and your family is waiting outside or inside.

5. LACK OF STORAGE:

Buyers look for plenty of storage in any property. So, avoid leaving any overstuffed wardrobes and cupboards in the house because this will show the prospective buyer that there isn’t enough room in the house for all of your things – or their things! A final tip, use mirrors in small rooms to help the space appear bigger!

6. DIRTY AND SMELLY DIGS:

Quite simply: Your house needs to be cleaner than it’s ever been while it’s for sale. When making the decision to sell your property, get help from family, friends – or professional cleaners if need be. Pay special attention to bathrooms, kitchens, general living areas and backyards. No dishes or messy kitchens.

Odours that commonly turn clients off also include the smell of cigarettes, pet odors or unpleasant food smells. Consider freshening the air by opening windows, deodorize areas frequented by pets, smoke outdoors and avoid cooking cabbage, fish or other strong smelling foods. Another top tip is to brew some coffee or bake some bread before a home inspection. These smells are very appealing and will leave a fantastic impression on buyers!

7. DON’T LIST POA – OR NO SALE PRICE:

At Realestate.com.kh, we have found that potential buyers generally read the home’s description and expect to see a listed price. As such, we strongly recommend that you include a price on any listing. If a home features a long list of unique details but lacks a sales price, buyers tend to think the home is very expensive or potentially overpriced. Make it easy for someone to investigate your home further by providing as many details as possible – including a list price.

8. NOBODY LIKES A RELUCTANT SELLER:

It is not unusual for an individual or a family to become attached to a home. However, once you make the decision to sell, you must keep the objective of a sale in the forefront of your mind. Try your best to keep emotions in check. Step back, and allow your real estate agent the freedom to perform their job.

9. IS IT COLD IN HERE? OR IS IT JUST YOU?

Despite Cambodia’s hot climate, resist the urge to keep your house or apartments super cold. What may feel comfortable to you, may be very uncomfortable for someone inspecting your house.

A special mention for men that might live alone: generally males like a slightly cooler temperature than women. However, often females will inspect homes. This is a common property sale mistake which might only occur to the fairer sex – but now there is no excuse, man!

10. LOUSY AGENT:

Given that real estate is an unregulated profession in Cambodia, Realestate.com.kh recommends that you undertake thorough research before choosing an agent to sell your home. You can start you research on our Realestate.com.kh Real Estate Agent Directory Page.