How to Present your Apartment for Sale

Looking to sell an apartment in Sydney? Property presentation is everything when it comes to getting your apartment sold for the best possible price in the shortest period.

To get some expert advice the Ayre Real Estate team reached out to Justine Wilson, Director of Vault Interiors. Justine is an industry expert and specialist in Sydney property styling and staging. She has featured on TV shows such as Sky News Real Estate, Your Money, Studio 10 and The Living Room and is a regular contributor to many online and print publications such as Home Beautiful, Domain.com.au and The Daily Telegraph.

Here are Justine’s top tips to easily, quickly and affordably transform your space.

How can you create a great first impression when you enter an apartment?
Establishing a focal entry point is incredibly important. By framing the entrance with potted plants or a door mat the space is immediately taken from being a property to a potential home. If you can’t make use of your external space utilise your hallway. Invest in a runner rug, with a decorative mirror or bright artwork. Dressing the table with a scented candle, ornaments and foliage gives you the opportunity to share your artistic flare. It’s essential that the environment is warm and welcoming.

-

What tricks do you find most effective to add value to an apartment with styling?
Always focus on the flow and function of your place. Store oversized furniture and clean up any clutter. This will give the feeling of added space. As space is a premium with apartment living, try to create extra zones such as a study nook or an outdoor entertaining space. Using a nice colour accent repeated in the artwork, accessories and cushions will add further cohesion, tying all the zones together visually.

-

What major differences play an important factor in styling an apartment versus a house?
Know the target buyer, speak to your agent and tailor the styling to that demographic. If it’s a downsizer’s market, go with classic furniture. If previous buyers in the building have been predominately young executives, go with a modern approach. The key is to present a lifestyle within the styling, as it helps the buyer attach to that aspirational living scenario. If in doubt opting for light, bright and compact pieces always work.

-

What styling faux pas are the most common in apartments and how can they be avoided?
Over cluttered and over-furnished properties are the biggest issues in apartments. Another common mistake is having furniture, such as a large modular sofa, that blocks the flow from living to dining or outdoor area, reducing the available space. Buyers interpret these issues as a lack of space and flow in the property.

-

How do you make your apartment stands out if there are similar properties for sale in your building or the surrounding area?
A move in ready offering is generally more in demand. Ensure your home is decluttered and that you have done all minor repair works. This includes having fresh paint and clean carpets. Don’t underestimate the importance of having great marketing photographs to grab a buyer’s attention when they are hunting online.

We hope Justine’s advice has you feeling inspired to get started on styling your own apartment. Remember the golden rules, and never underestimate the power of presentation in selling your apartment.

The team at Ayre love working with Justine to help elevate our client’s property values, whether for sale or rental. Talk to us about how we can achieve more for you.