Richardson and Wrench

17 Outside First impressions count • The street appeal of your home creates a crucial first impression for buyers. Making the front of the house look special should be a priority, as favourable first impressions can help win over buyers, and make selling the rest of the property that much easier. • Stand across the road and cast a buyer’s critical eye over the street presentation of your property, including the nature strip. • Attend to paths and driveways – weed, pressure clean, lay fresh gravel if necessary. Minor repairs pay off • Check the condition of external walls, awnings, woodwork and gutters, and clean or paint where necessary. • Repair broken gates, fences, doors and fly screens. • Window cleaning, inside and out, gives an overall impression of being ‘squeaky clean’. Prepare your garden to look its best • Plant seasonal flowers to give the garden life and colour. • Keep lawns mown and garden beds weed-free and tidy. • Prune back any overhanging branches, especially those close to windows, to enhance natural light inside the home. • Dress up outdoor areas with furniture or pot plants. Outdoor furniture can help buyers imagine the lifestyle that goes with a house. If you don’t have decent outdoor furniture, borrow, buy or hire some. • If you have a pool, keep it clean so it looks inviting. Clear away any pool accessories and equipment.