Living Stonnington: Woodards South Yarra

How to win a buyer’s heart

It’s not a mystical thing - it’s street appeal! The proven strategy of ensuring the front of your home is so appealing, it stops people in their tracks and conjures up feelings of instant attachment.

David, a dad of three children under the age of 8, recently bought a mid-century property on a large block in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs. He spied the triplefronted brick veneer on his daily walk and was immediately drawn to the neat expanse of green lawn running from the low brick fence to the portico. It reminded him of his childhood – playing under the sprinkler and throwing a ball with his older brother.

“It was a beautifully kept front garden and it reminded me of home,” he recalled. “My mum loved to garden and dad took great pride in keeping it all well maintained.”

David called the agent that afternoon and within a couple of weeks, his five-month property search was over.

When Irene retired, she decided to move from her outer suburban family home to the inner north to be closer to her adult children. She wanted a smaller home, in a quiet leafy street, that would be easy to maintain. In hindsight she laughs how those prerequisites were swept away the moment she stood outside the quaint, weatherboard Edwardian home surrounded by a cottage garden of lavender and roses. The property was by no means low maintenance, but she fell for its charm.

Essentially street appeal can be the difference between a would-be buyer inspecting your property or walking away. From garden improvements to replacing an old front door, your agent will be able to guide you through the must-do tasks before your property hits the market.

Top tasks to improve your property’s street appeal

Garden makeovers

The front garden should not only be neat and tidy, but eye-catching.

According to Australia’s gardening expert Charlie Albone a well-cared garden will impact buyers differently.

“Some will connect and love the plants, some will see areas that their children can play in, while others will see a lot of hard work.”

He said vendors should try and showcase the versatility of their garden “from spaces to entertain friends and family, to the rewards of a vegetable garden, or a beautiful lawn for the kids to play on. “

The key tasks are to: prune hedges and trees – this is particularly important if overgrown trees are limiting light into the house; mow the lawns; trim garden and path edges; high-pressure clean concrete or paved areas; and ensure there is a clear, safe pathway through to the front door.

If you have time to regenerate some tired looking beds, go with some seasonal highlights. Selling in spring? Ensure your garden captures the freshness and colour of the season with a swathe of spring bulbs such as daffodils. If you’re going to be on the market in autumn, a showy plant such as a red-leaf Japanese maple will create an eye-catching focal point. In winter, flowering magnolias can achieve the same effect.

The sight and sound of a bubbling water fountain can also add a magical touch to a garden.

Light it up

Once your property hits the market, you can expect a stream of would-be buyers driving by before deciding to inspect it. And this is where some beautiful lighting can be an advantage.

Installing solar powered lights along a garden path, or positioning lights under a beautiful tree, will illuminate both the garden and the façade of the house. And leaving the outdoor lights on at night will provide an inviting feel.

Fix those fences

If there is any sign that the front fence is ageing or unstable, it should be replaced. But if it’s simply looking tired, a coat of paint can give it a sufficient lift. Be sure to tie the fence in with the colour themes and style of the house. A quant picket fence will look out of place in a modern streetscape, as will a big brick fence that hides away a character home. If your property doesn’t have a fence, consider adding one. It can add character, a sense of security, and create a more functional front yard.