For my last newsletter I’m following on from the Ultimate Preparation List sent out in November as some of you will be using the break to get ready for a summer sale, or doing your property spring/summer clean up.
Preparing Your Property For a Summer Sale Selling your home in summer is all about showcasing the exterior of your property and making the most of your garden and outdoor areas.Buyers are looking for lifestyle so help them to imagine lazy weekends, entertaining with friends or cooking up the perfect barbecue in the backyard. But before you start making any major changes such as decking, landscaping or adding a pool to your property, it is a good idea to consult your local real estate agent (me!) about how to best invest your money. We can talk about what features buyers will value over others.
Make all necessary repairs Walk around the outside of your home with the eyes of a buyer and make a list of things that need to be fixed. Start at the front of the home – is your front gate squeaky, does the front fence need repainting, is the footpath even … you get the idea. Check that your gutters are not chock full of leaves and ensure your windows are gleaming.
Make the most of your curb appeal First impressions are lasting and this phrase rings particularly true with property - starting at the curb. Many potential buyers will do a ‘drive past’ before they come in for an inspection. They will want to check if the property looks any good and worth their time, so increase your home’s curb appeal with some simple steps.
* Water blast driveways and entry pathways – you’ll be surprised by how good it looks! * Paint the fence if it is looking a bit scruffy. It can also work if you paint one feature of your home a bright colour. For example, the front door, letterbox or fence. Something to grab the eye - but not enough to dominate the view of your home. * Tidy up the front garden – keep it neat and trim, weed your garden beds, remove dead plants, keep the lawn mowed and the edges trimmed – yes, that also includes the nature strip. * Style the front garden - give your garden a simple makeover by adding defining borders to your flower beds and adding a focal point. Add a few larger plants but keep them in proportion to the size of your garden. Make the most of your back garden Kiwis 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. Repair your deck A rear deck, terrace or patio is just like an outdoor room, so don’t forget it will also need styling. Be sure to wash it down with a high pressure water hose to remove any grime. If there is damage, make the necessary repairs.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 buyer's 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 may be a good idea 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 entertaining friends.If you already have outdoor furniture, make sure it is clean and in good condition.
Enhance the entrance Spruce up the entry to your home. 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 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 plants like succulents are also good as they create a dramatic effect. Try to 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, make sure to 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 buyer's 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. Talk to me before you start. I can suggest what you focus on as every property is different. and get tips and advice on how to style your property for a successful sale.
All the very best for the Christmas and New Year break.
I will be back in January with another year of real estate thoughts, suggestions and general chatter.
Looking forward to catching up with you all again in 2023 Kind regards Bronwyn
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