| Preparing your Property for the market

20 HELPFUL HINTS ON PREPARING YOUR PROPERTY FOR THE MARKET!

When preparing your home for the market the general rule is to spend as little money as possible but small improvements in presentation can have a big payback.

  1. LAWNS – Keep mowed and trimmed, possibly re-seed bare patches, fertilise and water for colour
  2. BUSHES, HEDGES and TREES – Trim and prune where necessary, especially clearing any branches reducing light into the house or blocking attractive views
  3. CLEAR or CLEAN off MOULD and LICHEN where readily accessible
  4. Clean and spot repair PAINTWORK
  5. POOLS, PONDS and SPAS must be as clean as possible with fencing in good order
  6. Remove WEEDS from gardens and drives. Sweep PATHS and DRIVES. Fix LETTERBOX
  7. Clean and clear out DRAINS and SPOUTING. Remove grass from GUTTERS
  8. Repair any broken WINDOWS. Check WINDOW FRAMES because they are an indicator as to the soundness of the entire house. PAINT them
  9. Fix GATE catches and any easily repaired defects in FENCES
  10. Remove all RUBBISH possible including old tools and parts from incomplete projects. Tidy GARAGE to create space.

After working on the exterior of your property you can turn your attention to the INTERIOR. Once again you don’t want to spend too much money.

  1. CLEAR CUPBOARDS and WARDROBES – Obtain some moving boxes and start packing all the bits and pieces you don’t need to use. You might consider a garage sale both to provide extra funds for property promotion or moving expenses and to create more space in your storage areas
  2. Repair any TILES, WALLPAPER or WINDOW PANES
  3. Fix creaking FLOORBOARDS or STAIRS
  4. Secure JEWELRY, CASH and other valuable items under lock and key. Also, secure PERSONAL items and MEDICATION
  5. DOORS and WINDOWS should open and close easily
  6. CARPETS and FLOORS – Have your carpets steam cleaned and floors polished where possible
  7. PAINTING – Repairing and improving paintwork often gives the best return for the money you might choose to spend on presentation
  8. Fix any dripping TAPS
  9. Clear BENCH tops and fix loose or damaged KNOBS and HANDLES
  10. Although OK to look lived in, a house should appear as new as possible, so ORNAMENTS, CDs, TOYS, GAMES and extra CLOTHES should be stowed away in locked china cabinets and suitcases wherever possible