HOT PROPERTY

Sellers do not have to run themselves ragged attending to EVERY detail when preparing their house for sale.
However, it is wise to identify your home’s weaknesses and correct them where you can. Here is a calendar of possible jobs to be done leading up to the sale of your home. Tick off each task as it is accomplished.

THE MONTH BEFORE
 Repair fences/letter box
 Paint the front gate
 Plant something appealing at the front entrance
 Fix wobbly door handles
 Ensure all doors and windows open easily
 Repair, clean or store fly screens
 Oil squeaky hinges
 Fix noisy pipes
 Fill and repaint minor cracks in walls and ceilings
 Clean ceiling fans and bathroom exhaust covers
 Change washers on leaky household and garden taps
 Have house inspected by building and pest inspector
 Consider the advantages of hiring a professional stylist
 Install queen bed in spare bedroom if space permits
 Hang mirrors where space and light are lean
 Resurface bath and regrout tiles if necessary.
 Replace cracked glass and moisture affected mirrors
 Replace stained carpets
 Polish floorboards
 Tidy and clean inside cupboards – remove clutter
 Freshly paint front steps, front door, decks and garden furniture
 Use grass seed to fill bald patches in lawn. Regrass if necessary.
 Check roofing.
 Replace leaking gutters.
 Repair cracked brickwork
 Cure any damp in the house
 Check wiring – safety switch installed?
 Install smoke alarms
 Repaint or replace old kitchen cupboards
 Put up new window treatments to hide ugly views
 Touch up marks on walls and skirting boards – keep these clean
 Repaint outside if necessary
 Check pool fencing and gates are to council standards
 Check council approvals for renovations, additions etc

THE WEEK BEFORE
 Replace straggly potted plants with attractive new ones
 Put rugs over floor flaws
 Add bedside lamps for atmosphere (working)
 Clear gutters and downpipes
 Clear drains of litter
 Add interest to entry foyer
 Get rid of surplus furniture and store that well worn favourite old chair
 Highlight desirable features – eg fireplaces
 Make sure ‘pathways’ through the house are clear
 Remove cobwebs from house exterior
 Weed garden beds.
 Prune garden – not too harshly
 Add mulch to garden beds
 Clean the pool thoroughly
 Get rid of any bathroom mould
 Have carpets cleaned
 Replace all blown light bulbs – inside and out
 Hide all knick-knacks
 Pack away family photos
 Clean all windows
 Clean duvets and bedcovers

ON THE DAY
 Arrange fresh flowers
 Take pets to friend’s house
 Clean and put away pets’ feed bowls
 Remove traces of your private life eg clothes off the line
 Thoroughly clear kitchen benchtops
 Put away all small appliances
 Sweep paths and verandahs
 Put children’s bikes away
 Mow the lawn and trim path edges
 Place fresh, new fluffy towels in the bathrooms
 Check for marks on walls and around light switches
 Check that the kitchen, bathrooms, and toilets are spotless
 Open all windows and doors for two hours prior to air the house
 Draw back curtains and raise blinds
 Light a fire in winter/turn on aircon( if quiet) in summer