Dress your property for success
First impressions are lasting impressions... We would like to share some simple presentation tips with you, which may help to present your property to its best advantage. It is often the little things that can make the biggest impact, so these are just a few practical ways in which you can make an instant, positive impression, which will go a long way towards making a successful sale:
In the garden...
The interior of your home...
Mow the lawns regularly Trim all the edges Weed garden beds Sweep paths and the driveway Store toys and garden tools out of sight Add some colour by planting flowering annuals Trim any trees or shrubs covering windows Put away garden hose and tools Repair, straighten or repaint fences or gates Ensure your letterbox is in good condition and street number is visible Mulch the gardens so it is less maintenance over the marketing period Ensure your pets are removed or secured so they wont annoy or pose a threat to any visitors Check outside lighting Re-gravel driveway if necessary
Remove all excess furniture and de-clutter Clear clutter off kitchen benches– sometimes just a toaster, kettle and knife block looks fantastic Remove all items from the fridge (photos, magnets) If your cabinets or benchtops are old, consider resurfacing them Steam clean the carpets Replace any faulty light globes Attend to all repairs such as dripping taps, cracked windows or creaking doors Clean bathrooms and toilet regularly Ensure all tiling and grouting is in good condition Get rid of any mould or mildew Clean flyscreens and fireplaces Clean mirrors, exhaust fans and range hoods Remove pet bowls, beds, toys and litter trays Brighten up your home with fresh flowers and fruit Organise storage areas Wash and polish all woodwork Consider repolishing floorboards Clean all curtains and consider removing netting curtains for the marketing period Remove excess toys from childrens rooms Clean oven Fill in any cracks and consider repainting rooms a neutral colour
The exterior of your home... Invest in a new doormat Dust and wash the front door Freshen exterior paintwork Repair broken windows Clean out gutters and downpipes Dust and wash window sills Remove cobwebs Clean windows, inside and out Consider potted plants at the entrance If you have a pool make sure it is sparkling clean Open garden umbrellas and clean outdoor settings Remove empty pots Look at the area– are you proud of it? If not jazz it up!
Once the spring clean is done... Keep things fresh– keep rooms ventilated, get rid of any smells with candles or oil– incense can affect buyers with breathing difficulty Keep things clean– regular cleaning is vital, but try not to use strong smelling cleaners on open days
Tips for opens and home inspections Open all curtains to ensure there is plenty of natural light Turn lamps on to create a welcoming atmosphere, even in the day Create a comfortable atmosphere inside, warm in Winter and cool in Sumer. Open fires are particularly appealing in Winter Limit your cooking to plain foods, so odours don't linger (no cabbage, garlic or onions!) On the other hand freshly baked choc-chip cookies are fine– Feel free to leave a plate out on the table– but don't expect them to be there when you get home! Please leave the TV remote in an easily accessible location Make all the beds Put clean and matching towels in the bathrooms Leave all lights in the house on Do a quick vacuum of the whole house– be sure to catch any cobwebs in the corners of rooms
Take out the garbage Keep pets out of the house Add a bowl of fresh fruit to the kitchen for colour and remove any dead flowers Take in the washing Take yourself out for coffee while the property is being presented!
Sandra Berry Real Estate Shop 1/24 Mt Barker Road, Hahndorf SA 5245 (08) 8388 1133 - RLA 208561
“The Best Move You’ll Make”