Are you considering making a move in 2017? The start of Spring is now just a couple of weeks away, which means many home owners in our area of Melbourne will be making decisions about whether they plan to take advantage of the peak selling season to make their next move in the property market. If you are one of them, here’s a few tips on how to prepare your property for the Spring market: De-cluttering is vital Nothing hides the available space in your property more than clutter, so be ruthless in removing all those bits and pieces that you’ve accumulated over time. As the temperature starts to move upward, this can include opening up your home to allow as much airflow as possible. The cold won’t last forever The later in the year it gets, the more your buyers will be considering your property’s outdoor living zones. Be sure the garden looks attractive, usable and easy to maintain, so re-mulch, re-lay lawns and plant flowering plants…and don’t forget that your front garden is likely to be the buyer’s first impression. Ensure that your decks or paved entertaining areas are clean and inviting. How welcoming is your entrance? As we touched on above, first impressions matter. Check to see if your front door needs repainting, your door furniture needs a polish or the hinges are squeaking. Remove the signs of Winter Every Winter the debris from surrounding trees tend to collect in our guttering, creating blockages as well as potential fire hazards in Summer. Not only is this a bad look for buyers, it can raise an issue if your buyer asks for a building inspection. It’s wise to attend to your gutters before they become a problem. Don’t overlook the season Presenting your home for sale in Spring/Summer is best done with colours that reflect the season. Avoid dark, heavy decorations and look for bright and cheery colours. Airflow is always important in this area too. The value of fresh air Most homes become a bit musty over Winter, but don’t try to mask household odors with air fresheners as they can be obvious to visitors…they may even cause an allergic reaction in some people! Try placing vases of fresh flowers prior to inspections or make use of fresh fruit or freshly baked biscuits on the kitchen bench. The key message to remember is that if you are considering taking advantage of the opportunities that this year’s early Spring market looks set to provide, the time for action is right now. So give us a call on 9422 1822 this week to ensure you don’t miss the best of the coming Spring market. Cheers, Con Constantinou & Frank Romeo Barry Plant Epping & Thomastown