“Perhaps consider giving the whole house a face lift with a fresh new paint job inside and outside the home,” Spiro said.
“The tip here is to make sure you stick to neutral colors, both internally and externally and this will ensure your home has a light, clean and bright look.”
‘Clean and Tidy’ is the name of the game, even if a house is a little traditional and outdated, it will still make an impact if presented properly.
“A real spring clean is always a good idea and that means cleaning carpets, windows, curtains and blinds and polishing floors, silverware and glassware around the house,” Spiro said.
“Make sure clutter is gone to maximize use of the space available. Get rid of everything you don’t need. Be minimalistic in your approach. If it’s not essential for day-to-day living, toss it out or put it into storage.”
An area which is often neglected, or forgotten, is the garden. It is critical to get the balance right between a well-presented garden and not being seen as extravagant.
“If you have a lush, green garden, but no water or waste management devices you may turn people off,” Spiro said.
“Paved areas and courtyards, drought-tolerant plants, native flora and potted spring flowers and shrubs are now more sought after by buyers.”
Another garden tip is to rake the yard and keep it clean of any debris. Trim back bushes so that windows and paths are not impeded and let in lots of sunlight into your home.
“Windows that allow sunlight to stream inside makes the home much more inviting and visually appealing,” Spiro Deligiannis said.
There are a few home-staging tips that can also produce some great results. Introduce color and fragrance indoors with some strategically placed vases, complete with fresh-smelling flowers.
Another decorator favorite is to accent bathrooms, sofas and beds with inexpensive items such as colorful towels, throws and pillows. And for real impact, consider setting out some tasty snacks such as individually wrapped treats in colorful cellophane or pretty ribbons.
A well-presented home will attract greater numbers of potential buyers and increase competition, translating to possibly as much as a five to 10 per cent increase in the selling price.
Nana’s Home
What is it about these homes that despite being so dated and dreary makes them so incredibly appealing?! One of the fun things about selling real estate is the opportunity to see a broad range of property and one of my favourites definitely has to be nana's home.
These are the solid, well-maintained homes of the inner ring suburbs, notable for their gerberas in immaculately kept gardens. They don’t have full wall plasmas, stone bench tops or deep rear decks, wardrobes are a furniture item, the carpet has come and gone from fashionable design mags at least once since it was laid, and the free-standing oven sits in that little dented tin protrusion off the back of the kitchen.
Maybe it's just nostalgia or that smell of Nana's cooking that embedded itself in my brain three plus decades ago. Maybe it's the simplicity of their construction. Whatever the reason I love these homes.
They're humble, honest and do exactly the job they're asked to do. Shelter, security, a place for sibling dust-ups and neighbourhood cricket tournaments, a bedroom window to climb out of when you're supposed to be napping, a dining table where Sunday roasts are a sacred ritual. No stainless steel appliances, one bathroom for everyone, a laundry under the house. In a time when many of us are looking for a simpler lifestyle they're a great reminder of how few possessions you need yet still have a magical place for a family to call home.
Of course I'd still want to pop in a new split system air conditioner. Nana was tougher than me on a winter morning!
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