Property Talk

With the property market being a lot tighter in its cycle at the moment, the preparation and presentation of a home becomes critical and can make a significant difference in the price achieved. A myth that is often perpetuated is that it is best for a seller to leave a home untouched as the next purchaser is likely to do major work in any event and will therefore not appreciated anything you may do to improve the property prior to presenting it to the market. This is completely incorrect and possibly the worst advise a seller could get. The fact is that every home has to be staged to a greater or lesser degree to make it show ready. Here are four secrets to a seller's success:

1. Improve the outside of the property first. The sense of arrival and the first impressions a prospective buyer gets when either driving up to the property or having parked, walks towards the front door, is important and leaves a lasting impression. A good first impression may go a long way to cover over a range of smaller faults inside the home. Improve landscaping, insert new white glossy pot plants with fresh healthy looking plants (no old concrete planters or pots). Water features must be 100% clean and in perfect working order. If there are areas of distressed grass, remove and replace with new or replace with a synthetic-turf type grass. Wooden decks should be sanded and repainted or oiled. Old grey faded decks and rotten slats are a major turn-off to a buyer regardless of how agreeable these may seem to you. The outside of the home and especially the 10m radius around your front door sets the tone for the experience the buyer will have.

2. Interior staging is all about presenting a home as fresh, light and bursting with brightness. Repeat after me, "Dark is bad, Light is good". Old heavy curtains and faded block-out lining should be removed. Rather have no curtains than heavy dated curtains. Roller blinds should be professionally cleaned to ensure they do not reveal dead geckos or other nasty surprises. Sellers with old bulky furniture should consider removing these items as they tend to distract from other aspects of the architecture or home design that could be missed. Remove all personal effects. Faded family photographs, scuffed magazines or books, items of clothing or clutter in a garage are major distractors. Clear out everything. It's therapeutic.

3. Cleanliness is key. Repaint everything - walls, doors, skirtings, cornices, ceilings. This is one of the greatest secrets I can reveal to you. Repainting is the most effective way to lift a property. If you have old faded and yellow aluminum light fittings - replace them with new and be sure to have new LED lighting.

Spend the money. Once you have, appoint an experienced agent or team of your choice who knows how to present the home at its very best and close a transaction.