DON’T WAIT TILL YOU SELL TO REDECORATE
Getting your place looking good can help it sell – but why wait for the open home? Makeover early, and you’ll get to enjoy it for longer, writes
Life can be chaotic in the weeks leading up to selling a property, as you frantically declutter and spruce up your space, hoping to create a buyer’s dream home.
But what if you got your place in order well before that time?
Not only could you set yourself up to make a tidy profit down the line, but you might just get to enjoy the years left in your current digs a whole lot more.
Create your dream space
When homes are styled for sale, they’re often selling a dream life, so consider what plans you had for your spaces when you first moved in.
Was there a room you wanted to make a creative studio or a feature you wanted to highlight?
‘‘What else could your junk room be if you styled it?’’ asks professional organiser Amy Revell, host of The Art of
Decluttering podcast. ‘‘Could it be a study or a playroom or a yoga room or home gym?
‘‘Sometimes I’ll ask my clients, ‘When you bought this house, what were the things you loved about it, and what are you doing with it now?’ I suggest they start using the space for [the reason] they bought it – and loved it – for.’’
Justine Wilson, director of Vault Interiors, urges homeowners to challenge their default furniture placement to see if there are space-opening opportunities.
‘‘You can refresh your home quite quickly by removing some items, doing the room in a slightly different way or swapping the sofa position to create new flow and circulation,’’ Wilson says.
Do a staggered declutter
If your house was on the market, you’d give your wardrobes and linen cupboard a big clear-out so that potential buyers could sense the storage opportunities.
‘‘It can be overwhelming to consider decluttering the whole house, so you might just do a deep dive on the linen cupboard and enjoy that,’’ Revell says.
‘‘Then the next month you might do the laundry and you’ll find you have a linen cupboard and laundry that not only look like you could sell them, but that are practical in the meantime.’’
Lighten and brighten
A pot of paint can work wonders on a tired or outdated space.
‘‘Whether that’s looking at painting kitchen or bathroom cabinetry, repainting the walls or doing some feature walls, a fresh coat of paint will inject a fresh, pretty feel,’’ Wilson says.
Laying new flooring is another typical before-sale task that could be done sooner so you can enjoy the benefits.
‘‘Floating floorboards or vinyl floorboards can quite often be installed over old tiles or existing timber boards and [be quite durable] with families and pets,’’ Wilson says.
‘‘New area rugs in the living room or under the master bed can revive things or cover stained carpet.’’
At the same time, consider whether you can brighten dark nooks by letting in more natural light or adding some lamps.
‘‘If it’s summer, put sheers up instead of heavy drapes, or consider installing inexpensive roller blinds – light has a big impact for sellers, but also for you living there,’’ Wilson says.
Bring in some greenery
Well-styled real estate always features indoor plants, so pick up some pots to bring the outside world in. Dominic Hooghuis, horticulturalist and co-founder of The Plant Runner, suggests Ficus elastica, devil’s ivy or a giant bird of paradise if you want a plant that looks great now and will last the distance.
‘‘Ficus elastica – rubber tree – is tolerant of a wide range of conditions and its large, fleshier leaves look lush and are less likely to reflect occasional neglect. Place in a bright room, out of direct sunlight for best results,’’ he says.
‘‘A giant bird of paradise is a statement plant that thrives in bright spaces and is great for empty corners, and devil’s ivy is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to look after and will reward you with regular growth.’’
Weed, edge and mulch
If you want to bring your garden up to ‘‘sellable’’ condition, then killing the weeds, installing some neat edging and laying down fresh mulch will do wonders.
‘‘Steel edging lasts a long time and steps up the level of quality,’’ Hooghuis says. ‘‘It really cleans up your garden and makes the plants pop.’’
Patch up your lawn
If your lawn is looking less than lush, lay out some instant turf or do some repair work.
‘‘To top-dress your lawn, mix some compost and half a packet of seed in your wheelbarrow then spread it across your lawn, rake it in then water it in,’’ Hooghuis suggests.
‘‘Keep it damp and it will really green up. Do this at least a month before photos for inspections.’’