It’s all about the street appeal
Whether you are getting your house ready to sell, or are just house-proud, it is worth creating a great first impression, writes Natalia Didovich.
For those planning on selling up in particular, street appeal should be at the top of your todo list. And it’s not just for the days you have an open home, potential homebuyers can walk or drive past your place any time of the day, any day of the week.
Break down barriers
There is a fine line between maintaining privacy and barricading yourself in. While some locations or lifestyle choices make having a fence necessary – think kids and animals – an imposing barrier between you and the outside world can be off-putting. Break down the barrier and opt for alternatives. Consider planting some small trees and shrubs where you do want privacy but then leave some spaces where this isn’t an issue. For those who are perfectly happy with their white picket fence, keep it looking spick and span by using a waterblaster to remove dirt or mildew and give it a fresh coat of paint if it’s starting to look tired.
Make your front door pop
An eye-catching front door is the king of first impressions. A fresh coat of glossy varnish or paint is always attractive, but it’s even more so if the paint colour provides a pop – bold red, vivid green and bright yellow are favourites.
Snip, snip
You wouldn’t go to a job interview without having brushed your hair, so you should make sure hedges and trees are trimmed back in a tidy fashion to make the best of your place. Don’t just get in there with the loppers, stand in the street and take a passersby view. Embrace a little symmetry if your garden lends itself to it. It might not be your responsibility, but if you have the mower or whipper snipper out already then why not give your berm a little TLC to keep things looking trim and tidy. Feeling especially community-minded? Do the edges for good measure.
Create a Garden of Eden
Don’t worry if you haven’t got banks of flowers and imaginatively shaped topiaries. The most basic shrubs can look good with a bit of a trim. Spend an afternoon weeding the beds and laying down mulch to keep regrowth at bay. Aim for fresh, clean and green. Want to add something special? Plants or flowers with perfume are gorgeous for passersby or wafting into the house when the windows are open on a sunny day. Think jasmine, lavender, osmanthus, and gardenia. If you don’t have a big garden, work with the space you do have by using one large feature pot with a plant in the middle surrounded by a mass of ground cover. Colourful pots or planter boxes filled with herbs, perennials or succulents are also good options.
Letterbox love
A simple way to show potential buyers that your home is properly maintained is by showing your letterbox some love. Options include investing in a new one, buying some contemporary numbering or simply making sure your mailbox is clean, cobweb free and has clearly visible numbering that is securely screwed in place.
Clear the clutter
A simple decluttering of the driveway, front path and porch can work wonders. Put the kids’ bikes in the shed, invest in a deck box to easily hide your gardening tools, dog supplies and children’s toys, or put your DIY skills to the test by building a screen to shield your wheelie bins from view.
Add some outdoor lighting
Well-placed outdoor lighting can be a simple, yet stylish way to highlight your property’s key architectural and garden features. A lantern or pendant light by your front door will act as a welcoming beacon at night whereas fairy-lights wrapped around a tree will give your garden a magical touch.