Preparing an Apartment for Sale: What Really Pays Off

Before selling, investments are usually either too small or misplaced. The difference between these two scenarios is measured in weeks on the market and in the percentage of the achieved price.

What they have in common is that they are cheap, fast, and change the first impression — and the first impression of a listing is formed in a matter of seconds.

• Thorough cleaning, including windows, grout and joinery.
• A fresh coat of white paint on the walls.
• Removing excess furniture and personal items.
• Replacing worn handles, switches and sockets.
• Brighter and warmer light fittings in darker rooms.
• Repairing everything that visibly leaks, squeaks or does not close.

Large and expensive adaptations rarely match the buyer's taste, and the buyer usually factors in their own renovation anyway.

• Replacing the whole kitchen just before advertising.
• Knocking down walls and changing the layout.
• Expensive floor coverings throughout the apartment.
• A distinct, personal style that narrows the pool of interested buyers.

The exception is a condition that puts a buyer off at first sight — a dilapidated bathroom or faulty installations. There the investment is worth it, but in a neutral execution.

Photos decide whether a viewing happens at all. Shoot during the day, with the lights on and the blinds up, from clear worktops and with no personal items in the frame.

For the viewing itself, air the space, set the heating or cooling to a comfortable temperature and prepare a folder with the documentation. A buyer who sees the title deed and energy certificate on the spot negotiates more calmly.