Selling

Street appeal is so important. Tidy the front yard, put fresh mulch on the gardens and add a new latch to the gate so it opens easy. Give the fence a fresh coat of paint, wash the house and pavers or concrete to get rid of any oil stains.

Potential buyers will be greeted at the front door, so it needs to be clean with a homely touch, such as twin pot plants or a nice door mat... or why not both?

De-cluttering is a must. It will make the whole house feel large and reduce distractions. Take all appliances off the kitchen bench tops, replace them with some fresh fruit in a bowl.

If the temperature is right, open up all your windows, French doors and curtains, creating light and breezes. Put the lights on, even in the daytime, especially in the kitchen areas and bathrooms. Lamps are particularly effective in darker areas.

Present the house as if you’re about to have friends over. Set your table, it doesn’t have to be a formal setting, casual is better. Put a jug of water and nice glasses out or a loaf of bread on a nice platter with napkins. If you have a deck or courtyard, focus your efforts there rather than the formal dining area that isn’t regularly used.

Music works extremely well as buyers can freely look and talk about the house without feeling like they’re being watched. There are a number of compilation CDs that you can use to set the mood. You want the experience to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible for buyers.