Maintaining your home - Getting it ready to sell
One of the best things you can do to encourage a buyer’s offer for your home is to make the place look (and smell!) as attractive as possible. All homes are different, but there are some general “cosmetic” points that you should concentrate on for maximum effect and minimum effort: |
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| 1. Outside the house: “Kerb appeal” is vital, so: |
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Keep the garden tidy – lawn and shrubs should look well maintained. Replace bare patches in the grass and trim the bushes. |
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Check the state of the outside paintwork. Fill in stucco cracks and paint over the marks. |
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Re-seal the joints between windows and stucco. |
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Similarly, check the pool deck for cracks and stains and remedy the problems. |
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Replace torn pool screen panels. |
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Make sure your house number is clearly on display. |
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Finally, stand at the front of your house and take a look - what needs improvement? |
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| 2. Inside: |
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Remove excess “clutter” – generally, less furniture and oddments make the house look larger. |
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Spring clean – get rid of dust, especially from fan blades, picture tops and underneath sofas. Pay special attention to the kitchen (cooker, fridge, counter tops). |
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Change the air conditioning filter – it will save on energy and keep the house cooler, as well as showing that you have been diligent if a buyer checks. |
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Clean the carpets – professionally if necessary. Replace worn or damaged carpet or vinyl if this can be done inexpensively. |
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Paint over the marks and scuffs on internal walls and woodwork. |
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Re-seal the joints around windows, baths, showers and so on. |
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Get rid of smells – either by using plug-in devices, burning a scented candle, spraying aerosols or whatever works. |
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