Does The Outside Create A Good Impression

If you've made an assessment of the impression given by the outside of your house, you will be ready to do some work to improve your chances of a sale. Some action may be required for repairs, and some for cosmetic improvements.

Any new owner could obviously make repairs and improvements themselves, but these cost time and money, and will either put a potential buyer off buying your home or will prompt them to offer a much lower price than you wish. It is in your best interest to make your home look as attractive as possible to the buyers as soon as they arrive.

• Clear away any items that don't belong, or need to be kept, in your front garden or driveway. Garden refuse, tools, ladders, kids' and pets' toys. Avoid just piling them into the garage or garden shed. Buyers will want to look in there and they will need to look neat and organized.
  
  
• Spend a reasonable amount of time on landscaping the gardens - front and back. Keep the lawn neatly mowed and edged, and re-seed if necessary. Remove garden debris and replace with new. Trim any trees and bushes. Keep the front of your house uncluttered.
  
  
• The driveway and any walkways should be clean and damage-free. Repair any holes or cracks. Remove any oil stains or weeds.
  
  
• Clean and repair guttering, down pipes, window frames, panes and sills as well as any roof shingles or trellises.
  
  
• If you have a garden pond, ensure that it is well maintained.
  
  
• If the exterior of your house is painted, does it look clean and fresh, or tired and tatty? If the latter, repaint.
  
  
• Wallwork, railings and fencing needs to be checked over, and not just for how well it looks. Any damage to the perimeter of your property might be considered a security risk and deter a buyer.
  
  
• Repair anything that looks broken. Repaint anything showing signs of wear or which is chipped.

Making the effort to do these things will pay handsomely in increasing your chances of selling at or near the price you want. It won't always be necessary to spend money to make improvements, but it will require some of your time. A house that looks well cared for from the roadside and has a 'For Sale' sign on display will attract serious buyers.