Ready to sell in the new year?
Generally speaking, summer sales are all about showcasing the exterior of your property and making the most of your garden and outdoor areas, even your balcony. Before you start making any repairs/changes it is a good idea to ask your agent what they think you should focus on. They are highly experienced in selling and know what features buyers value over others. Here is deep dive into preparing the outside of your home and our step by step infographic on what else you need to focus on. Preparing the outside of your home Make all necessary repairs. Walk around the outside of your home with the eyes of a buyer and make a list of the things that need to be fixed. Start at the front of the home, does the gate need to be repaired, does the front fence need to be repainted, are there any issues with the path, is the front door in good condition, how are the windows, gutters? You get the idea. Make the most of your curb appeal Many potential buyers do a ‘drive past’ a property before they come in for an inspection – they are seeing if the property looks any good and worth their time. This means that first impressions are critical and this starts at the curb. Here are some simple jobs to help enhance your curb appeal: Make the most of your back garden Aussies love being outside and one of the key benefits of selling in Summer is you can promote your outside area as another entire living space. This creates a whole new room in the eyes of a buyer and a major selling feature in summer. If you are lucky enough to have a back garden spend a few hours weeding the garden beds, keep the lawn mowed, trim any bushes and trees and plant flowering plants in the garden beds. Repair your deck If you have a deck – wash it down or water blast it to remove any grime. If there is damage, make any necessary repairs – drive any protruding nails flush with the surface of the board or replace them with deck screws. Repair or replace boards that are badly deteriorated and sand any rough spots to stop splinters. Once it’s dried apply a sealer or stain the deck – you’ll be surprised how great it looks…and your buyers will love it. Maximise your courtyard space If you have a courtyard it is important to maximise this space. A trick of the landscaping trade is to create a focal point like a water feature, statue or urn. This should be placed at the furthest point from the entrance so your buyers' vision is drawn a distance, giving a sense of space. If you have time before the sale, you can also give an illusion of space by paving the entire area with large pavers (500x500mm) to make the area look wider and less busy. Don't use any dark colours in your courtyard structures as these reduce the perception of space. Add some Outdoor Furniture If you don’t have an outdoor setting it my be a good idea is to hire some nice outdoor furniture for the sale. A table and chairs, a BBQ or an outdoor lounge setting looks great and helps people envision themselves sitting back with a glass of wine or a beer entertaining friends. If you already have outdoor furniture make sure it is clean and in good condition. Enhance the entrance Spruce up the entryway and the front door. Add a welcome mat, make sure the front door is clean or consider painting it if it is looking a bit tired. If you have sufficient space, place a range of matching terracotta pots with plants against the wall near your entrance. For the average sized doorway use the pots up to a metre high. If your home is an older style, aged classic cone shaped pots with a rolled rim containing colourful flowers, like geraniums, will give a traditional welcome feeling. For more modern homes tall angular pots that taper downwards are very popular. Architectural plans like succulents are also good as they create a dramatic effect. Try and keep everything symmetrical. If you are using pots and plants to add interest, put one either side of the entrance or you might like to hang two matching lanterns for a warm glow. The trick is to keep it simple and not clutter the space. Keeping your home cool and light filled Whilst summer is the time to make the most of your outdoor areas, Internally it's about finding a balance between light and keeping the property cool. It's about getting the balance of light and temperature If you have air conditioning, turn it on. If you can create cross ventilation breezes that is even better and if you have fans use them too. Your aim here is to make your home comfortable and cool, but not all closed up with the air conditioning on so high that the potential buyers teeth are chattering. Styling to sell Whilst summer selling lets you show off the outside features of your home, spending time styling the whole property is essential to a successful sale. To help you get ready for your upcoming sale here is our easy to follow Styling to Sell infographic that walks you through the eight steps to successful styling to sell. Of course you agent is the best person to talk to here so make sure you ask them what they suggest you focus on as every property is different. Preparing your property for a Summer sale
