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13<br />
Your guide to Show Homes & New Sections<br />
in the <strong>Selwyn</strong> District<br />
Dressing your property up for sale<br />
Your house is on the market and you hope to get a good<br />
price. While market performance will largely influence<br />
this, presenting your home at its best will help.<br />
First impressions count from<br />
the moment potential buyers view<br />
a property from the street to the<br />
moment they walk through the front<br />
door.<br />
Weed the garden, cut back unruly<br />
shrubs and prune trees where needed.<br />
Kill off weeds in the lawn, sprinkle<br />
grass seed over bald patches and<br />
fertilise the lawn.<br />
Indoors, tidy up. Get rid of excess<br />
or bulky furniture, toys, books, hobby<br />
items or fitness equipment and if too<br />
many photos on the wall pack these<br />
away so the home looks roomy.<br />
If there is a gap or a room needs<br />
enhancing, look at what you have. A<br />
piece of furniture might be painted up<br />
or an old leather bound book popped<br />
on the coffee table. Shelves will also<br />
add depth to a narrow space while<br />
mirrors may give the illusion of a<br />
larger space. In entryways, add an easy<br />
chair, small table, bookcase or large<br />
vase.<br />
Awkward spaces such as coved<br />
ceilings in attics or upstairs rooms<br />
might be converted into storage<br />
shelving and the room given a purpose<br />
as an office, playroom or extra<br />
bedroom so viewers can see how the<br />
room might be used.<br />
Stow possessions neatly in<br />
containers, shelving or tidily in<br />
cupboards; highlighting the storage<br />
potential within the home, ensuring<br />
it is clean and tidy for viewing at any<br />
time.<br />
Move the pets outside as not all<br />
buyers will be pet lovers while some<br />
may suffer pet allergies putting them<br />
off a house if they see a pet inside.<br />
If parts of the house look tired,<br />
consider renovating by painting<br />
walls, replacing worn carpet, or<br />
modernising the kitchen, bathroom<br />
and toilet; rooms that should sparkle.<br />
Replace tired cabinetry, or the benches<br />
and cupboard/drawer fronts then<br />
update old toilets, showers or kitchen<br />
appliances. Modernising these rooms<br />
can lift the final selling price.<br />
Use consistent and light paint<br />
colours throughout for balance and<br />
seamlessness, making the house<br />
appear more spacious. An effect that<br />
is increased when walls and curtains<br />
share the same or a similar colour.<br />
Consider the personality and<br />
purpose of a room. Bright colours<br />
lift living areas especially if large and<br />
open. However, bedrooms are suited<br />
to calmer softer colours with just a<br />
touch of bold. Layer bedding or use<br />
throws for effect along with cushions<br />
or a stuffed toy in a children’s room.<br />
With curtaining, smaller patterns or<br />
plain fabrics are the rule for smaller<br />
rooms whereas larger patterns make<br />
spacious areas cosier. If blinds or<br />
drapes are past their best, replace these<br />
even if it is only with neutral cotton<br />
curtains. The effect will be worth it.<br />
Eco-friendly features will also add<br />
value for some buyers though not<br />
universally, however earthy natural<br />
colours and features are popular.<br />
Consider who your target buyers are<br />
likely to be and what will appeal to<br />
them.<br />
Megan and Lee have<br />
a young family.<br />
So we designed them a home to grow up in.<br />
Start your own story<br />
03 348 1994 | www.peterrayhomes.co.nz
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