Preparing Your Home for Auction: Insights from The Block’s Nicole Jacobs

With the auctions on The Block 2024 upon us, we spoke to Buyer’s Advocate Nicole Jacobs, a regular on the show and property expert, about preparing a home for sale. As Nicole shared, styling a home is more than just decor—it’s about creating an emotional connection with potential buyers that can directly influence the home’s perceived value.

Having helped clients successfully purchase 14 Block properties over the last 20 years, Nicole brings invaluable insights on what makes a home stand out at auction. Here are her expert tips for making your home auction-ready and maximising value.

The importance of dressing your home for sale

When asked if styling is essential, Nicole says: “Absolutely. Unless you're an interior designer who’s already scoped it out, styling your home is crucial.” Preparing a home for sale involves creating a balanced, inviting space that helps potential buyers envision their lives there.

Nicole advises starting with decluttering but warns against making the space too sterile. “The goal is to have a home that feels like a home—warm, inviting, and ready for someone to imagine their life there.”

According to Nicole, well-executed styling not only captures attention but can also drive up bids. She recalls one memorable buyer who was so captivated by a Block property that she declared, “I’m not leaving until I’ve bought it.” This emotional connection, Nicole explains, is what inspires competitive bidding and leads to successful sales. “When buyers are emotionally invested, they see more value in the home and are often willing to pay a premium.”

Window furnishings: A small change with a big impact

Nicole points out that high-quality window furnishings are more than just decorative elements—they can significantly enhance a room's ambience and perceived value. “Window treatments are like the final stroke in a beautiful painting. They complete the room,” she shares. From soft sheers that add warmth during the day to blockouts for evening privacy, window furnishings allow homeowners to control light and create an inviting atmosphere. “For instance, in a modern home with concrete finishes, soft sheers can soften the look, while a Victorian property might benefit from shutters to retain that period style,” she adds. These finishing touches add a sense of refinement that makes a lasting impression on buyers.

Choosing base elements to create cohesion

Finding high-quality, cost-effective furnishing options can enhance value without breaking the bank. Nicole suggests that homeowners begin with a core design element like window furnishings, which can set the tone for the rest of the room. “When you choose a base element like curtains, the rest of the decor—sofa colours, rugs, and accents—can harmonise around it,” she explains. This creates a sense of cohesion that gives the room a polished, high-value look that appeals to buyers. This approach not only ties a room together but also adds an overall sense of quality to the home, making it feel well-curated.

Embrace modern trends: motorisation and smart home integration

Modern buyers are increasingly drawn to homes with smart features, and motorised window furnishings are no exception. “Imagine a buyer sitting on the couch, pressing a button, and watching the blinds close—it’s a real ‘wow’ moment,” Nicole says. Motorised blinds and curtains, particularly when combined with blockouts or sheers, add a touch of luxury and convenience. “Motorisation is more than a trend; it’s a feature that appeals to both tech-savvy and traditional buyers looking for ease and sophistication,” she explains. This can make a home feel higher-end which, in turn, boosts perceived value.

The benefits of pre-installed window furnishings for developers and new builds

Developers or house flippers sometimes skip window furnishings in new builds or renovation, assuming buyers want to make these choices themselves. However, Nicole believes pre-installed, high-quality window treatments can be a valuable selling point. “If the developers get it right, it saves buyers the hassle and creates a finished, move-in-ready look,” she notes.

This approach can create an immediate emotional connection, allowing buyers to picture themselves in the space without the additional expense or effort of installing curtains or blinds. Nicole adds, “Stylish window furnishings offer warmth and comfort, which can make the home feel more valuable from the moment buyers step in.”

Looking back on The Block: lessons from successful homes

Reflecting on her time on The Block, Nicole shares that the most successful contestants are those who consider the house as a cohesive whole, rather than as a collection of individual rooms. “Contestants like Ronnie and Georgia plan with a cohesive vision from day one, and that creates a flow buyers love,” she says.

It’s this whole-house approach that attracts potential buyers to auction day with excitement and competitive bids. “A beautifully styled home is what turns a house into someone’s dream home,” she concludes.

Nicole’s insights remind us that preparing a home for auction is an art and a strategic investment. With attention to detail in styling, window furnishings, and smart home features, you can create a lasting impression that appeals to buyers’ emotions—and ultimately, to their sense of value.