If you’re preparing your house for sale, there are a few things you should do to maximise your sale price. Some of them you should get the pros in for, but some you could outsource with Jobba!

Here are 10 jobs to do before getting you whare on the market.

1. Declutter and Clean: The first thing you should do is to declutter and clean your house. You want potential buyers to see the house in its best possible light and to be able to imagine themselves living in it. Start by removing any personal items and unnecessary clutter, then do a deep clean including all surfaces and floors, and make sure there are no weird smells hanging around!
   Getting it done: If you’ve got items that need dropping at the op-shop or the dump, or if you want a hand cleaning you could post both of these jobs on Jobba! Removing gear from your house might cost you about $25-30 a trip (plus dump fees), and cleaning is generally about $25 an hour. For a deep clean of a 4 bedroom house, allow 4-5 hours.
   
2. Repaint, or do a few touch ups: A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your house and make it look new and fresh. If you’re repainting, neutral colours are calming and create a blank canvas that allows potential buyers to imagine their own style. Don’t want to do a full repaint? Touch up any scuff marks or chips in the paint that might draw the eye, paying special attention to skirtings, doorframes, corners, and anything at eye level.
   Getting it done: If you want a full repaint you probably want to call in the pros, but if you’re just doing touch ups you could definitely post it on Jobba and get someone to come in and give you a hand! For this kind of work, you might want to offer someone $25-30 an hour, if you’re supplying all the materials.
   
3. Add Curb Appeal: The first impression your house makes on potential buyers is the outside. Keeping the lawn trimmed, planting flowers, and adding some outdoor lighting can help to make a great first impression. Stand on the street and have a good look at your house – does your front door or mailbox need a repaint, and are the address numbers visible?
   Getting it done: You can definitely post these kind of jobs on Jobba! Lawn mowing might cost you about $40 a time depending on the size of your lawn, and getting some one to help do some planting and general sweeping/outdoor tidying could be around $25 an hour.
   
4. Upgrade Flooring: Flooring can have a big impact on the sale value of your house. If your house is carpeted, consider getting it rug doctored, and if you’ve got old wooden floors with dark varnish you could consider getting them sanded and re-finished to modernise the look and feel.
   Getting it done: If you’re getting anything refinished or replaced you’ll need to get the pros in – shop around for a good rate, or you could ask your listing agent if they have anyone they recommend. Some agents will have tradies they use frequently to get houses ready for sale, so they can often get good rates.
   
5. Update Lighting: Lighting can make a big difference in the look and feel of your house. Replace outdated light fixtures with new ones that are more energy-efficient and modern.
   Getting it done: If you’re rewiring anything you’ll need to call in an electrician. But if you’re just replacing light shades or light switch covers, you can DIY or get someone on Jobba to help you out!
   
6. Fix Minor Repairs: Minor repairs can make a big difference in the sale value of your house. If potential buyers see bits and bobs that are broken, often they’ll start wondering about what else might need maintaining or fixing. People will often overestimate the cost of fixing these kinds of things and adjust their offer accordingly. Sometimes even just the inconvenience of having to do the maintenance themselves can be enough to put people off – especially in a buyers market. Fix leaky faucets, broken tiles, loose doorknobs, and sticking window latches.
   Getting it done: If you’re not sure how to go about these tasks yourself, you could post them on Jobba. If you need someone to bring their own tools, you could offer about $35 an hour. Make sure your listing contains all of the things that need doing so you can get someone in who has the right skills.
   
7. Stage Your House: Finally, consider staging your house to appeal to potential buyers and help them imagine what it’s like to live there. Remove excess furniture and personal items, and arrange what’s left to create an inviting space. Add some decorative touches such as fresh flowers or artwork.
   Getting it done: Your listing agent will be able to advise you on whether to get the pros in to do this – there are some awesome staging companies out there who can add value to your home by adding some finishing touches. Or if your home is currently vacant, they’ll be able to create a lived-in feel by adding furniture and furnishings.

Increasing the sale value of your house, especially in a buyers market, can require some effort and investment. But by following these tips, you can make your house more appealing to potential buyers and increase your chances of selling it quicker and for a higher price.

If you’re in a hurry to get your house prepped, or you’re short on time, consider outsourcing the odd jobs that need doing by posting them on https://www.jobba.co.nz