1. Spring clean

Start with a complete spring clean to get your house ready for the sale. Clean glass doors and windows from the outside and inside. Remove cobwebs and give everything a good dusting and vacuum. Wash curtains and dust blinds, lighting, and other fixtures. Clean and polish door knobs, mirrors, switches, taps, and fittings.

Have your carpets professionally steam cleaned. Wipe down cupboards and all exterior and interior surfaces like closet doors as well as shelves and drawers. Pay particular attention to kitchens and bathrooms, and have your tiles and grouting cleaned by experts if necessary.

2. Increase curb appeal

First impressions count when it comes to buyers’ opinions, so increase curb appeal and make your exteriors stand out. Tidy up your front and back garden by clearing away any clutter from your front yard. Use a pressure washer to hose down driveways and garden pathways, and make sure you remove any oil stains. Rake away dead leaves, prune dead winter growth, and do a thorough weeding. Have your roof and gutters cleaned by professionals. Remove any large bushes and trim away tree branches to clear the exterior view for prospective buyers.

Trim your lawn edges for a clean and orderly look. Fix dead, bald, or yellowing lawn patches by seeding and fertilising these spots. Adding small improvements like mulch can make a big difference while reducing the need for ongoing weeding. Get rid of any shabby-looking outdoor items like rusting deck chairs and creaking swing sets.

Consider repainting fences, exterior walls, and the letterbox. For a pop of colour, add flowers and green shrubbery to your front garden. Don’t forget to fertilize your lawn and garden beds for vibrant springtime growth. Make an impact by introducing statement pots and plants to your entrance. Remember to keep up with watering to keep your lawn, flowers and trees looking their best.

3. Remove personal items

Take the opportunity to declutter your house by throwing away or donating anything you’re not using. • Remove as many personal effects from your property as possible. Decluttering makes your interiors and storage spaces look more spacious, and depersonalizing your home provides potential buyers with a blank canvas to imagine the house as theirs. Remove family photos, souvenirs, and accolades.
Consider putting oversized, worn-looking, or clashing furniture pieces into storage.

Anything you leave, like clothing hanging in your closet and plates in cupboards, should be in good condition and tidily arranged.

​​​​​​​4. Accessorise the interior

Staging your property allows you to target specific demographics and possibly achieve a better price. • An experienced real estate advocate is your best adviser when it comes to staging. He/she can pinpoint the special features and guide you on how to highlight these with staging.

So what exactly does staging involve? You could rent furniture, artwork, and additional accessories to accentuate your property’s top features. These can be used to repurpose rooms – such as turning an extra bedroom into a nursery or a home office – depending on your target demographic.

You can add basic touches yourself, such as updating old towels, rugs, and linen with new ones. Draw back the blinds to let in natural light and add fresh bouquets. During inspections, the advocate might recommend added elements like relaxing music and pleasing aromas with baking cookies and freshly brewed coffee.

​​​​​​​5. Do any necessary repairs and maintenance

Take an objective look at your interiors and note any flaws, defects, or damage. Repair leaky taps, loose doorknobs, and faulty light switches. Give damaged walls a fresh coat of paint, and consider having carpet stains removed by professionals.

​​​​​​​If you have timber flooring, think about having them restrained.

6. Work with an advocate

At Bayside Real Estate Advocates, we will work closely with you at every step of your sale, ensuring you’re staging and preparing your property correctly. He/she can check you’re working off an accurate value for your home and assist with your contracts and paperwork.

Spring is a busy time for both buyers and sellers, and an advocate can help make your property stand out and successfully project manage your sale. In addition, you could have the full confidence that it’s truly the right time to sell if you have the help of an experienced advocate who knows the market.