Preparing your home for a winter sale can be the critical factor in whether you’re able to maximise the value of your property.
In warmer months, you can get away with ignoring poor insulation and underpowered heating. However, winter tends to focus buyers’ minds on the ability of the home to cope with the elements.
To a degree, there’s not much logic in this because you want good insulation to keep out the summer heat and retain the benefits of an air-conditioning system.
Yet, the winter weather tends to set an expectation that the home must be a haven from the wind and rain, and the colder temperatures.
If you are looking to sell before spring but are worried about how buyers will view your home in these cooler conditions, we’ve come up with a list of potential projects to help ease your concerns.
Seal the gaps – Arguably, this is the most important task to improve insulation. Cold drafts are a major turn-off for buyers. So, check around windows, doors and anywhere where pipes and vents might come into the home from the outside.
Check the roof – Insulation in the roof cavity will improve a property’s thermal performance by around 30%. While thermal batts (often known as Pink Batts) are highly durable, they have a lifespan. It’s worth checking their condition.
Heating system – Book a service today for your heating system so you can show potential buyers it is in good order. If appropriate, have it operating when they inspect the home. Systems such as ducted heating, reverse-cycle air-conditioners and split-systems are highly regarded by today’s buyers.
Mould challenge – If you have a mould issue in your home, winter is more likely to expose this problem than any other season. Consider seeking professional advice on how to remediate the issue. A builder’s inspection commissioned by a potential buyer is likely to identify the problem.
Improve ventilation – While it might be cold outside, your home should be well ventilated. This is especially important in the bathrooms and laundry. Consider installing extractor fans if you’re concerned about stale, musty smells or mould.
Drainage – Ensure no water is pooling around the sides of your home. Clear leaves and other debris from drains to ensure water runs away from the property. Puddles pooled against the building and a waterlogged garden are not attractive.
Gutters – Overflowing gutters can cause substantial structural damage. Clean them of leaf debris and prune over-hanging branches to minimise the potential for problems.