Exterior Appeal
Work at enhancing your home’s exterior appeal before attending to its interior.
This should be your first priority as the exterior of your property is the buyers first introduction to your home. Remember first impressions count!!!
Exterior
Look over the following list of areas that may need attention when preparing the exterior of your property:
- Lawn – Keep your lawns cut, with neat edges.
- Shrubs/trees – Trim branches where necessary, especially around windows to allow natural light into the house.
- Garden beds – Make sure garden beds are neat and tidy. If appropriate plant colourful flowers to brighten up the garden.
- Paths – Keep all paths swept.
- Windows – Repair any broken windows and wash all glass.
- Eaves – Wash and remove spider webs.
- Paintwork – Attend to any flaking paint.
- Doors – Wash down your front door and its surrounds, keep entrance way tidy at all times.
- Fences – If needed straighten, repair and paint.
- Junk/rubbish – Remove all junk and rubbish eg: car parts
Interior Appeal
- Clean/remove clutter – Clean every room in your house thoroughly and remove any clutter. This has the effect of making your house look bigger.
- Carpet – Have your carpets cleaned.
- Painting – Painting chipped or dirty walls is said to give you the best return for money spent. Neutral colours are best.
- Damage – Repair any damaged plaster, tiles, wallpaper, window panes, etc.
- Floorboards – Attend to any creaky or loose floorboards.
- Doors/windows – Make sure these open and close effortlessly.
- Knobs/handles – Fix if loose, damaged or missing.
- Bench tops – Keep these clean and clear.
Show Time!
Its now time for prospective buyers to visit your house. The exterior and interior preparation is complete and your home is looking terrific. Here are some extra tips to help you prepare your home for viewing:
- Fill the house with light. Open all curtains and blinds and switch on lights.
- Make the house smell beautiful. Fresh air is good in the summer or spring.
- Alternatively, you might brew coffee, use an oil burner, or bake biscuits.
- Clean and clear all workbenches and tables.
- Put out fresh towels, tea towels, table cloths etc.
- Switch off the television and radio, although soft soothing music may be suitable.
- Make sure the house is at a comfortable temperature. In winter have the fire on.
- Put some flowers in a vase.
- Give your agent the key to the front door. Potential buyers are important visitors and should not have to enter via the back door.
- Restrain any pets.
- Make yourself scarce!
Handy Tip
Imagine you are a potential buyer. Stand across the street from your property and study it. If you drove past this house and saw a “For Sale” sign, would you be attracted to the house and want to see more?