Spring market a chance to flourish
Spring is often the busiest time of the year for real estate and for good reason. For homeowners, it’s a chance to present homes at their freshest and brightest, with new gardens and blue skies that hint at better things to come. For buyers, it’s a chance to lock in a property before Christmas and holidays begin.
Harcourts Vision real estate agent Cheryl Wright says sellers typically spend a lot of time improving the inside of their house.
However, with spring listings in particular, homeowners should be careful not to neglect the exterior, because there is potential to profit from kerb appeal, she says.
‘‘Many buyers decide within seconds of seeing the exterior of a home whether the property is for them. Those houses that look their best on the day have a much better chance of selling or reaching a higher price,’’ she says.
Starting with the entranceway is a good idea as it is one of the first things buyers see.
Dressing up the front door with a new coat of paint or adding a bold street number that suits the property’s style is one way to create an inviting atmosphere, as are flowers by the door and a new door mat.
Cracked or crooked garden paths should also get some attention. By dealing with these, homeowners can turn what might be an eyesore into an attractive accent to the property.
Moss or mildew that has grown over paths in winter should be cleared away, as this can give an impression of home care buyers respond well to.
It is a similar story with fences. If they look faded or dated, adding a bit of paint or staining to help them ‘‘pop’’ is a nice way to wrap up the feel of the property.
Cheryl Wright says she has many more tips to help a home sparkle, although spring is still something of a catch-22 for sellers because with the new season come a multitude of other sellers who bring heightened competition to the market.
She says that while listings in Christchurch have been relatively subdued over winter, appraisals by Harcourts Vision indicate spring could be much busier. This makes it important for a property to stand out.
As one of Harcourts Vision’s top sales agents, Cheryl Wright has numerous ‘‘gold awards’’ to back her record.
However, it is the personal nature of her work that makes it so rewarding, she says. This is especially true when helping people who might have found it difficult to come to the decision to sell.
‘‘I get enormous satisfaction from helping people through this process and seeing them relaxed and happy at the other end.
‘‘Quite a few of my clients have actually become good friends over the years.’’
Buyers can also benefit by getting in touch by being able to access her wide network of contacts, because many of the best properties don’t last long.
To speak to Cheryl Wright about selling or buying a property, or if you just need some advice on getting your home ready for the market, contact her at Harcourts Vision on
03 359 4370.