Attending an Open Home

Attending open homes in search of your ideal property can be an exciting time, however, you may find that there are a few issues on otherwise fantastic properties that are holding you back.

Rather than discounting a property based on these issues, have a closer look – these issues may have easy and cost-efficient fixes to gain you your ideal home.

Before attending an open home inspection, it’s a good idea to write a list of your top five priorities in a property so you have a thorough understanding of your ‘must haves’, as opposed to those things that you would ‘like to have’.

When attending open homes, have this list handy and check them off. Then take a note of any issues; perhaps take photos of them, for you to evaluate your options.

Here are a few examples of issues and fixes:

Construction

Poor construction of walls or floors may seem like a huge issue, but may be easy to fix. Some walls can be demolished to open up areas of the house, and floors fixed or new floors placed over the top to gain what you are looking for.

Unappealing design

Don’t be discouraged by the ugly tiles in the perfectly sized bathroom or kitchen. Tiles can easily be replaced. Many hardware stores also have easily constructed modern flat-pack cabinetry, and many can also install custom made timber, stone or acrylic bench tops.

Storage

Take note of the storage throughout the house and evaluate whether it is enough for your needs. If there is a lack of storage consider building a shed, built-in wardrobes, or a lovely set of drawers to serve your needs.

Air Conditioning

If there isn’t any heating or cooling in the property, it is easy to install air conditioning - and it certainly adds value to the property. Also consider insulation to keep the temperature constant and to reduce your power bills.

Exterior

The backyard is often full of opportunities to add value to the property. Adding a pergola, BBQ area, paving and beautiful gardens are all value adding projects.

Finally, when attending an inspection, don’t hesitate to ask the real estate agent as many questions as you like. They are there to help you get all the information you need.

Tips for Selling your Property in Winter

Take advantage of the winter chill and make your property stand out as extra warm and cosy! Here are some great tips to make your home more appealing when selling during the winter season:

Street appeal

Freshen up your property by putting out potted flowers, or planting some new plants to brighten up the garden area. Rake up leaves, prune dead branches and leaves, and mow your lawn to help enhance your street appeal.

Winter staging

A warm fire can be a great asset in winter. If you have a fireplace, ensure it is lit during an inspection. Blankets can also be used on couches and in the bedroom to create a cosy vibe, making buyers feel good and more comfortable in your property.

Let the light in!

At inspection time, pull back the curtains and make sure all your windows are clean. This enables maximum natural light into your home.

Use lighting to your advantage

On dim winter days, you may not have as much natural light as you want. Then it’s time to turn on all your lights and lamps to banish dark corners and give your home a cosy warm glow.

Keep the heating on

When people enter your warm home from the cold outside, it will surely be noticed and noted! However, keep it a comfortable temperature – you don’t want people to feel like they are walking into a sauna.

Appeal to their sense of smell

Before the inspection, brew some coffee, bake muffins, or some cookies. The smell will be homely and inviting and buyers will linger…

Make minor repairs

No matter what time of year you plan on selling your property, you’ll need to attend to all the minor repairs such as torn fly screens, leaking taps and sticking doors, as these small things detract from the presentation of you home.