Home Maintenance
- Preparing your Home for Sale

First impressions are important, especially when it comes to selling. So take a look at your home with a fresh pair of eyes. You'll be surprised to find things which you hadn't noticed before, because your surroundings have become so familiar.

Look firstly for cosmetic things that quickly jump out. It could be something as simple as dirty windows that need cleaning or your home may just need a general clean-up. Depending on the age of your home and the state in which you have kept your home, this will vary. Cosmetic things can also include interior decorating components, such as colours, patterns, balance of a room, etc.

Secondly, look for items which need home maintenance work. This usually refers to fixtures and fittings around the home which may be worn, not working, or just broken. These can often be little niggling things like leaky taps, broken door handles or they can be items which may require paying a little money to get fixed, such as a broken pipe or window.

Lastly, are make-overs, complete home renovations, home improvements and/or extensions to your existing home. If you are considering any of these options, I would suggest that you get quotes for the work that you would like done and weigh these costs up against the possible sale price of your home.

Be conservative in your estimates. You can easily spend too much hoping that you will get it back in the sale price. The concern is, if you have spent a considerable amount more than what you should have on home maintenance, this will influence your decision about the sale price. Often it's a decision which pushes your expectations of the sale price beyond which is realistic. Suddenly, you are focusing on just getting that money back you spent on your home renovations, instead of focusing on a realistic sale price that you originally decided on.

General clean-up and De-clutter

Suggestions: Dusting; vacuuming; clean gutters; wash windows; buy a deodoriser; cut the grass; prune trees & shrubs; getting rid of unwanted clutter; oil hinges, etc.

Or, you can pay someone to do these things if you are strapped for time. You can often find them in your local paper, and they include people who can do your housework or general cleaning. Ask individuals or firms who cut grass if they will do pruning, remove rubbish or even do some small gardening jobs or put in some plants for you.

Inexpensive Cosmetic changes

Suggestions: Paint the walls; buy and install new curtains; plant some flowers in the garden; buy some interior design items, such as throws, cushions, candles. Buy some fresh flowers for inside your home to freshen it up. These changes are fairly easy to do yourself, don't require a professional, and are inexpensive.

Depending on your budget and time restraints, you can still hire people to do small home maintenance jobs for you. Again, try your local paper or recommendations from friends and family.
Another option for those who don't have the time or resources... why not try an interior decorating service? Ring around to source costs and also, find someone who has similar tastes and ideas when it comes to interior decorating.

Home Maintenance Items

This is where it is necessary to spend money to ensure your home is safe and in working order.

It could range from fixing leaking taps to replacing plumbing in the bathroom. You may have to install a gate or a safety fence on your pool if it is law. Try your local paper again, the yellow pages or the internet.

There are also firms who hire sub-contractors or semi-retired tradespeople who will do home maintenance jobs for you. From cutting the grass, to fixing a broken window, fixing the plumbing, installing wiring, etc. Just make sure that they only use qualified, licenced people to do electrical, plumbing, or building and renovations, otherwise if you experience any problems due to faulty workmanship, you could be footing the bill instead of the tradesperson or the firm. You don't want any problems after you've sold your home and moved on years later.

Makeovers and/or Home Renovations

Last, but definitely not the least when it comes to expense. Make sure that you get a number of quotes for what you want to have done and weigh up the cost vs benefit in regards to your estimated sale price.

Home renovations should only be done if they will add considerable value to your home. If not, then don't spend the money. You've probably heard this before, but you'd be surprised at what people will spend their money on because they think it will get a better price, such as putting in a pool. Items like pools may seem attractive to you, however, not everyone wants a pool, and...they are an expensive addition. If your buyer really wants a pool, then maybe it can be negotiated as part of the contract and sale price.

Makeovers and/or Home Renovations which can add value to your home include:

. insulation and air-conditioning
. kitchen and bathroom makeovers/renovations
. pergolas, patios
. carport, covered parking
. fencing
. painting
. carpeting and/or tiling

If you are a home owner who has had home renovations already completed or who may have done any major do-it-yourself renovations, you need to ensure that the quality and standard of workmanship is acceptable. Some home renovations require council approval, so check with your local council to see if and what may require approval. If you haven't had council approval for certain extensions and/or home renovations, these will either have to be done (approval), otherwise the extension/home renovation must be disclosed to the buyer.

Remember, don't spend money which isn't necessary. Of course, it also depends on your financial situation, the type and style of home and the area in which your home is situated. These are all factors which you will need to weigh up, when it comes to home maintenance.

When you look at your home with a fresh pair of eyes, try using the eyes of a prospective buyer and ask yourself, "if I was the buyer looking to buy this home, how would I view this house? Is it a house I would want to live in?".

Home maintenance, and a home maintenance schedule should form an essential part of your overall plan when it comes to selling your own home. It can make the difference between a 'sale' and a 'no sale'.

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