Spring clean for a speedy sale
REAL ESTATE agents love spring even more than gardeners because the better weather brings out more buyers and sellers.
The challenge for vendors is to make their homes stand out with the ultimate spring clean.
Where to start? Vendors should consult a real estate agent or salesperson before committing to any improvements but generally their best strategy to view their home with the same critical eye as a buyer.
Start by improving its street appeal, as a property’s appearance can determine whether a buyer even sets foot inside the door.
So weed the garden, mow the lawns, clean the gutters, water-blast the paths, repaint the exterior, wash windows, remove spider webs from under eaves and verandas ...
Even think about planting some flowers - for only a few dollars, these will make the property look more vibrant and colourful.
Also prune trees and shrubs, reseed bare patches in the lawn and trim the edges.
Adding to the perception of a clean and tidy house will be the placement of a mat at the front door.
Inside the house, every room should not only be cleaned but also cleaned out.
Buyers will know instantly if they like the feel of a place, and having it looking spic-and-span will immediately set the right tone.
In other words, don’t just wipe window sills and dust bookshelves but get rid of the junk that’s been piling up over the years as well (particularly in the garage, which often becomes a repository for everything no longer wanted in the house).
Also steam-clean the carpet, fix loose or creaky floorboards, replace cracked tiles and/or windows, repair damaged wallpaper or plaster, check heating and air conditioning systems, put new washers in dripping taps, lubricate squeaky hinges and doors, tighten window and door fittings, wipe or prune house plants ...
If painting internal walls, choose natural, earthy colours and apply them in pale, plain shades to maximise light and space - this will make it easier for buyers to imagine how the house would look with their possessions in it.
The right lighting also can improve a home’s appeal. A lounge will look cosier with a few table lamps rather than bright ceiling lighting while task lighting will benefit kitchens.
Also air the house out several days before an open home and on the day it is to be inspected, fill it with as much natural light as possible: open curtains and blinds, and turn on lights in dark rooms.
Enhance the ambience further with a potpourri, bowls of fresh fruit and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee - or, if you prefer more natural fragrances,
Buyers will know instantly if they like the feel of a place, and having it looking spicand-span will immediately set the right tone.
vases of flowers.
Odours can be a fatal turn-off for buyers, so clean birdcages regularly and place pet bowls outside.
Also keep dogs outside during inspection, or have someone take them for a walk, as not every buyer may be as mutt-mad as you.
Dress the bathroom and kitchen with clean towels and clear the benchtops.
Keeping a house uncluttered makes its architectural strengths more apparent and knickknacks, family photographs and the like don’t distract buyers.
Try to present the house at its best but don’t mistake tidiness for sterility – have a newspaper or magazine opened on a coffee table to make your home feel as natural and comfortable as possible.
Of course, your family still has to live in your house while marketing it. So it’s important everyone makes that extra effort to keep it clean.
Try to make your children aware of the benefits of selling - buying a bigger home, moving to a better location - so they can contribute to a quick sale by keeping their bedrooms tidy.
However, there is one trap to be wary of: making your home so appealing you won’t want to sell it.