How to prepare your home and garden for a sweet Spring sale
We South Africans are definitely a warm weather bunch so we’re all delighted that spring has finally sprung! And with the lovely spring weather, the property market stirs, gearing up for its most important annual selling season – summer. With it, the warm weather brings active sellers and buyers alike back into the market, eager to conclude a successful purchase or sale.
As a seller, however, before you take that leap of faith and show your home, it is essential to ensure that you adequately prepare both your home and your garden for the sale. The degree to which your home is inviting and appealing to potential buyers could be the difference in making the sale – or not. If your home reflects your pride in it, it will undoubtedly be noticed by potential buyers.
Here are some tips on how to prepare your home and garden for a spring – or summer sale:
Home
Make sure the windows shine and the floors gleam
Every window in the house (inside and outside) should be sparkling clean to let as much natural light in as possible. Thoroughly wash all glass surfaces including mirrors. Open every window to allow fresh air to circulate. Clean your floors thoroughly too. If you have carpeted areas, consider hiring professional carpet cleaners – they can work magic on a grubby carpet or rug. Give hardwood floors a once-over with wooden floor polish so that they gleam.
Clean drapes, curtains and blinds
It’s also advisable to give all your window coverings a good clean. Dry clean drapes and curtains and clean blinds in a soapy bathtub.
Wipe down cupboards and shelves
Storage. We all want more of it. To get the storage areas of your home into ship-shape, thoroughly clean and tidy your cupboards and shelves.
Give the home a good touch-up
An experienced buyer will scrutinise your home, looking for signs of damage to ceilings, walls, skirtings and cornices, which could be a red flag pointing to previous damage such as a burst geyser. Repair, repaint, restore or replace any past damage.
Brighten up the home with fresh flowers
Fresh-cut flowers make visitors to the house feel welcome and bring the outside in by evoking the feeling of spring and new beginnings. Natural scents from fragrant spring flowers like Jasmine and Hyacinths will perfume your home. Place pretty bright coloured plants like pansies and petunias in pots or planters at your entrance for a welcoming pop of pretty floral colour.
Refresh your decor
Replace towels, linens, throws and scatter cushions for an instant and refreshing lift.
Garden
If you’re fortunate to own a garden, it is equally important to neaten the garden and make appear well maintained. Here are some of the tasks you may want to consider doing to better showcase your garden:
Curb appeal
Ever heard the term curb appeal? This is what we’re talking about. As buyers arrive to view your property, they should see a well-maintained entrance from the street leading to your home. Place an outdoor mat at your front door to welcome buyers to the property.
Neaten up the garden
Tidy your garden. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges and sweep up dead, leaves and garden debris. Ensure that there aren’t any overgrown trees or bushes blocking windows or paths.
Tidy the garage and/or garden shed
Spruce up these areas with a lick of varnish or paint. In a garage, make sure that all the lighting is working, replace globes where required and ensure that the garage doors open and close properly.
One last check and you’re good to go!
Finally, give your property one last look over – admire your hard work – and you are good to show!
Leadhome Properties is your valued partner when selling your home at our low fixed fee or buying your new dream home – or both! We make the process of selling and buying property transparent and seamless. We provide you with invaluable professional advice, market insights and support along your property journey.
For more valuable selling tips, please read our guides.
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