A SPRING SALE!
Spring has historically been the most popular month for property owners to sell, and based on what is happening in the current market, this year is set to be no exception. The days get longer, the weather is pleasant, and flowers are in bloom, creating the ideal environment for properties to look their most appealing and for buyers to be out and about attending open homes. Undertaking preparations to get your home ready for sale during the cooler months makes outdoor projects less gruelling and will position you a step ahead of the competition as the selling season starts to heat up!
DECLUTTER & DONATE
There is a reason why they call it a ‘Spring Clean’ and putting your property on the market is extra motivation to clear out unwanted items. Potential buyers want to be able to imagine themselves living in homes they look at, which is hard to do when there are excess personal items cluttering the space. Overcrowding impacts the visual size of a room, making your property appear smaller than it is. This can impact offers from interested buyers and the final sales price achieved for your home.
HOT TIP – A bonus of clearing out your unwanted items is that you can give them a second life by either donating to charity or selling them on eBay, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.
GARDEN GROOMING
The exterior of a property is the first thing that potential buyers see, so making sure that your gardens are looking as neat and aesthetically appealing as the interior is a must. Mowing, weeding, removing dead plants, and adding a layer of mulch or bark to garden beds is an easy way to maintain your garden’s appearance. Give your fence a fresh coat of paint, add pot plants, flowers and low-maintenance shrubs to create an enticing environment that will capture buyer’s attention. If you have a front porch, patio or deck, make sure these areas are also cleaned and repaired if necessary.
HOT TIP – If you have the space, adding a highlight to your front/rear garden such as a sitting area, feature chair or porch swing can make the area seem more inviting and homely to buyers.
REPAIR & RESTORE
Nothing puts off potential buyers quite like spotting things that need repairing in a property. To achieve a premium result for your home, look at it from a buyer’s point of view and make a list of anything that they may be able to point out. Check all your windows for cracks and make sure that they all open and close properly. Damaged flooring can be a deal breaker, so if yours are worn or scratched, it is well worth polishing or replacing. Other reasonably low-cost repairs that can make a big difference to the overall appeal of your home include painting, getting carpets professionally cleaned and cleaning/painting your internal ceiling.
HOT TIP – Fixtures such as cupboard handles and light fittings can lift the overall appeal of a room for minimal cost, so make sure that these are all looking good and in working order.
STYLING SUGGESTIONS
Professionally styled homes fetch between a 7.5-12.5% higher sales price than those properties that aren’t. If you decide to take on the project yourself, opt for neutral tones that will appeal to the widest range of prospective buyers and then add a small pop of colour. Furnishings such as cushions, rugs and curtains will allow you to give your property an affordable makeover, keeping in mind the No.1 rule of ‘less is more’. Something as simple as adding indoor greenery to the kitchen, a bright throw rug in the lounge or aroma diffusers throughout the home can make a difference in the overall ambiance of your home.
HOT TOP – It can be beneficial to get an outsider’s point of view with fresh eyes, so ask a friend or relative that you trust to give you an honest opinion on your interior decorating.
