SPRUCING UP TO SELL

Considering selling your home? You will quickly find that marketing a property is not the way it used to be.  Nowadays, people sit at home and click away through homes for sale on the internet, looking for their next nest.

Often, one photo is enough to tell them “Yes I want to see that house”.  Your goal is to persuade potential buyers to actually visit your home and the starting point is ALWAYS the entrance. If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the front of the house is the welcoming smile.

There are improvements you can make that will give you that competitive edge. The checklist is short: make the area feel welcoming; give your garden flow; screen less desirable views; and emphasize desired views.

WELCOMING: Take a fresh look at your home from the street and ask yourself: “Is the front door visible and pleasing?” Prune trees for security and visibility; paint the front door a different colour from the house; and build up the entrance area with a landing to give the door more prominence.

If you have to walk up the driveway to get to the front door consider making a pedestrian walk.  Run steppers or a full walkway through the lawn and garden to the front door. This provides a more pleasing entry than a garage or a carport.

GARDEN FLOW: Are your plants overgrown and otherwise out of proportion? This looks like work and prospective buyers may be put off. Prune or replace these plants. Fresh mulch does work wonders to liven up a garden. This also reduces weeds and creates a low maintenance effect. Combat the choppy look of isolated garden beds by connecting them to create a graceful, flowing look. Finishing touch; potted plants are very impressive at the front entry!

LESS DESIRABLE VIEWS: With new and old varieties of tall, slim trees, it’s easy to block a poor view. A beautiful pergola, screen or well-made shed can be a more immediate solution.

DESIRED VIEWS: If your best panorama is at the front of the property, a sitting area is a definite must! No matter the size or amount of use it gets, the look is updated and inviting. If your backyard is the highlight, create an enticing peek-a-boo in the side yard plantings to let it show through, if possible.