Selling your home is an exciting experience that should be full of optimism about the future and the next chapter in your life.
Putting your home on the market is never a small decision, and you’ll no doubt appreciate that your efforts to spruce up your property pay you back with a higher sales price.
Or, to put it another way: homes that are unkempt or dirty attract lower bids to the tune of thousands of dollars.
Keeping your home ship shape during a sales campaign is only part of the journey. Other simple tasks are also required, such as ensuring your front and back yards look their best.
These areas are commonly overlooked, even though buyers often prioritize outdoor living and entertaining, especially in the summer.
Cleaning footpaths and driveways is an essential first task. You should also wash down your deck, as this facet of a home often ignites buyer interest.
These are some of the tasks you should undertake outside as you prepare for the influx of prospective buyers:
Quick declutter
Ensure you have space to stow tools and mowers. If you’ve got broken pots, rusty tools or even broken furniture, get rid of them. Find a place to hide the kids’ toys, footballs and other items that tend to lurk in gardens.
Pick up debris
Pick up leaves and twigs from the paths and lawn, and pay special attention to this task after windy days and storms.
Neat lawn
Keep the lawn mowed and water it regularly in the early mornings when selling in summer. Sprinkle phosphate over the grass if you think it needs to green up a little.
Furniture facelift
If you have weathered outdoor furniture, replace it. Perhaps you can sell the old table and chairs on eBay or give them away.
Under pressure
Hire a pressure hose or borrow your neighbor’s, and give your pavers and deck a thorough clean. Take care with the hose, as the shaft of water is powerful. Make sure you remove all the moss that will have gathered in the cold and wet of winter and spring.
Re-stain strategy
Give yourself time to re-stain any timbers that look weathered. Depending on the size of the task, you’ll need at least two days of dry weather to ensure the stain dries flawlessly.