BY FRAN SWEETMAN 10 easy ways to improve your street appeal. Doors hanging off hinges, overgrown weeds and a dead lawn all

scream neglect. In a buyer’s vocabulary, neglect equals bargain.

Follow these must do steps to make sure your property doesn’t end up

on the bargain list.

Did you know that I can help you save on costly design mistakes by

just one visit to your property?

Most of today's buyers are searching in three stages to buy their next home;

• Doing a web search

• Doing a drive by

• Making an appointment to view

In today's market most buyers are using real estate websites to start their

research. The potential buyer takes just seconds looking at the photograph

of your property before deciding if they are going to ‘click’ for more details.

Buyers are narrowing their searches by selecting fields such as suburb,

number of bedrooms and maximum price. Once the search engine

generates the properties that fill their criteria, buyers scroll through until they

see a property that appeals to them.

That was it... your only chance to stand out!

Your kerbside appeal needs to get you onto the buyer’s first stage list before

you have any chance that they will turn up for a home open. Savvy buyers

are looking at street views in google maps to see what your property looks

like without even leaving their chair!

My design and styling advice can give you a detailed hit list with

purchases and recommendations to execute the professional

transformation your home needs, to help it stand out in today’s

buyer’s market.

Follow these steps to help get you started…

1. Front door

Remove all cobwebs, repair any replace any faulty hardware and oil the

hinges. Remove old fly screen doors. Now is the time to make a memorable

impression with a freshly painted front door in a stand out colour that suits

the style of your home. If needed replace the door handle and knocker with

new ones and buy a new door mat.

2. Windows

Windows should be sparkling clean and window frames and tracks clear of

dust and cobwebs. Remove flyscreens and hose clean before replacing. If

you have timber window frames check to see if they require re-staining or

re-oiling. If you have painted timber frames these should be in good

condition with no cracked peeling paint. Sand and re-paint if required.

3. Porch or verandah

Remove all cobwebs, sweep, wash and scrub porch flooring and steps.

Replace any cracked or missing tiles or re-paint concrete with new paving

paint. If your porch is brick or limestone, pressure clean then seal with a slate

sealer if needed. If you have timber decking, nail down any popped boards

then re-oil as per manufacturer’s recommendations. If you have balustrade

railing, check for any signs of rust or loose fixings and then repair and repaint

as required. Make sure that all external lights are working and free from

cobwebs.

4. Lawns and paths

If you don’t have time to weed and feed your front lawn to get it green and

in top shape in time for your market date, you may need to invest in rolled

lawn. Lawns and verges should be free of weeds, cut every couple of weeks

during the marketing campaign and keep edges trimmed with a lawn

edger. Paths should be free from weeds, swept clean and lawns trimmed

neatly to the edge.

5. Fence

Fences should be in good repair, have no peeling paint and not be missing

any railings or posts. Bore stains should be removed or painted over. A fresh

coat of paint on timber, metal or cement rendered fences makes your

property a stand out.

6. Letterbox

Your buyer’s need to find you! Make sure that your house number is clean

and clearly visible. If required, repair, repaint or replace your letterbox

and/or house number.

7. Gardens and planting

Weed all garden beds. Don’t forget the garden beds in front of your fence

and verge. Trim back overgrown plants and hedges and maintain

throughout the marketing campaign. Remove any dead plants and

replace with new ones. Mulch garden beds with a moisture retaining black

mulch. Landscaping should enhance a property not hide it. Cut back

foliage to reveal good architectural lines and allowing more light into

internal front areas of the home.

8. Carport and garage

If you have a roller door or tilt panel door make sure that it is in good

working order. Remove any cobwebs and hose the dust off. Ensure all lights

are working. Paint the door if the paint is faded and peeling. Leave garage

door down for photography and viewings. If you have an open carport,

sweep clean and remove any toys, bikes and camping gear. Your garage

should show that your home is clean and uncluttered and has ample

storage room without needing to spill into the garage area.

9. Roof, gutters and exterior walls

Depending on the age, style and state of repair of your home, you need to

stand back and look at your roof, gutters and exterior walls. Bore stains on

front walls are the biggest turn off when buyers are looking at front

elevations. If your bricks or render are stained brown by your bore, bring in

the pressure cleaners or try bore and rust stain removing solutions. Gutters

should be clean and in a good state of repair. Roofs should be pressure

cleaned to remove any lichen.

10. Yard de-clutter

Now is the time to pack any children’s toys, trampolines, bikes and garden

tools. You may love your garden gnomes, ornaments and hanging pot

plants, but sorry to say, the time has now come for them to be packed

away or given away! Your home is now getting market ready and that

means appealing to as many buyers as possible. Your property needs to

look well kept, easy to maintain and needs to start selling to the buyer

before they step through the front door.

Remember, houses sell from the front first. If the front of your home appears

fresh and well maintained, buyer’s will assume that the rest of the home is

well maintained also.

Once the front of your property has been cleaned and manicured

now is the time to add the finishing touches.

With my colour and design advice, let me help you make your first

impression, the best impression.

Fran is a designer and property stylist available from design consultation right

through to home staging to help you get your property market ready.

If you need help with property styling, design advice, colour selections, and internal and

exterior staging contact

OXYGEN DESIGN SPACE w: www.oxygendesignspace.com

e: oxygendesignspace@gmail.com t: 0409 291 108

! © fran sweetman 2/2/2016