PROPERTY
Matters with Sue Odgers of Elders Real Estate, Lambton
Are you ready for Open Inspection?
It is official: you are selling your home! Hopefully, you’ve chosen a real estate agent and they’ve gone through the marketing package and strategy with you. That means it’s up to you to roll up your sleeves and get the property gleaming. Since there are plenty of tasks that need to be attended to, it’s worth diarising these responsibilities to ensure nothing is forgotten. Get packing If you are living in the property, and particularly if you have a family, chances are that your home looks ‘lived in’. Walk around, take stock of everyone’s possessions and get started with sorting it all. Work out what can be sold, donated or disposed of. Do this first. Then, assess what can be put into storage; for example, seasonal sporting equipment, extra toys and clothes. Store these away, either in an attic space, garage or even purchased storage. The result will be a cleaner, clearer and more inviting space. Freshen up the paint job Perhaps your home isn’t crying out for a renovation, particularly if it is already a contemporary property. However, if you’re seeing scuff marks on walls, tired paintwork or even darker colours or feature walls that just no longer work, put down the drop sheets, get out the swatches and refresh your walls. Consider outsourcing this if time is of the essence or if you lack the skillset. Finish those fiddly jobs Have you got a faulty light switch, power point or broken latch that’s been bothering you? If it is irritating you, imagine how a prospective buyer who is walking through the home will feel about it. Don’t
leave it to the eleventh hour – if a minor improvement is needed, get to the hardware store, or call in the professional if it required, and check that off of your list. The great outdoors Almost every property has an outdoor space or two, even if it’s just a balcony or a strip of garden at the front. Assess your front, side and back areas and work out any cleaning, landscaping and gardening that needs to happen. These spaces can win over buyers, especially if they entice them with relaxing vibes and inspiration for outdoor entertaining. Ensure you pay attention to these whilst preparing your home. Consider a stylist Your selling agent may suggest one anyway, but if you are lacking confidence in the style of your property, its presentation or just want to maximise the appeal of your home, a stylist could be key. If you are opting for home staging, get organised and get onto appraisals and booking for this as soon as possible. Come spring, they do get busy. Keep that diary in check, have your first open date circled and get your to-do list done! This will ensure that when it comes for the world to meet your home, you are cool, calm, collected and market ready.
ANNUAL BROMELIAD SHOW
Come and see these colourful and exotic plants from the endangered forests of South America. Huge variety of plants on display and for sale!
One day only SATURDAY, 20TH OCTOBER 2018
Open: 9am to 3pm Entry: gold coin donation Everyone welcome! Henderson Park Hall, 38 Lockyer St, Adamstown HUNTER DISTRICT BROMELIAD SOCIETY INC Meeting on the third Saturday of the month at 1.30pm The Local > October 2018 > Page 39