If you are looking at selling your home, then summer is the perfect time. Traditionally, spring heralds the start of the “selling season” in real estate. This means more homes are on the market. But there is a combination of things that work for your home to sell faster, like the location, the price and obviously how it looks.
Mike Greeff, CEO of Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate gives us tips on how you can make your home the best in the market and make that sale.
He offers the following tips:
For the outdoors
• First impressions are vital, so a new coat of paint is essential. Opt for neutral tones to maximise on universal appeal.
• An attractive garden always gets a potential buyer through the front door. In our drought situation, buyers are looking for easy-to-maintain, water-wise layouts so desirable trends include: replacing dry lawn with pebbles or stepping stones, planting indigenous plants, grouping water-wise, indigenous potted plants, and filling spaces with garden furniture and decks.
• Don’t let your garden be an afterthought. Budget for it and allow some time or you’ll find yourself spending a fortune at the nursery in the rush up to a show day.
• If you have a pool, ensure it has a good cover.
• Boreholes, wellpoints, rain tanks and grey water systems are definitely selling points for a home in any season, but particularly during summer.
• Optimise your braai area by making it a focal point with a table and comfy chairs and a collection of attractive potted plants. Consider purchasing an umbrella if shade is required.
• Entrance appeal matters; Give your front door a new varnish, polish door handles. Place a pair of attractive potted plants on either side of the doorway and spice up the pathway.
• Splash out on a fresh new doormat.
For interiors
• Capture attention from the moment potential buyer’s step through the door by creating a welcoming reception area. A strikingly framed mirror, an arrangement of fresh flowers, an attractive piece of furniture are all great options. It should also smell good, so sprinkle a few drops of aromatherapy oil: lavender, geranium, vanilla, cinnamon or orange blossom.
• A clutter-free living area makes it easier for buyers to imagine their own furniture in the room. Remove a piece or two of furniture from cramped rooms – this helps to create the illusion of space.
• Even in the summer, a functioning fireplace adds tremendous emotional appeal, so lay fresh firewood or pine cones in the grate to prompt potential buyers to visualise a cosy scene.
• On show day, switch on all lights and open curtains. Replace old light fittings and never leave naked bulbs on display – they create a depressing aura of neglect.
• Convert any extra rooms to bedrooms – this adds perceived value. Upgrade bedding with crisp white linens.
• Steam clean carpets and curtains to freshen up and remove any musty or pet odours. Bathrooms are areas requiring careful attention, as buyers are often swayed by their reaction to the bathrooms in a home. So make sure your bathroom is fresh and meticulous.
