A buyer's first impression of your property can start them down the road to an offer or lead to a dead end. If your property looks well cared for, buyers' assume that what they cannot see has also been well maintained.

But if your property has a number of even minor cosmetic flaws (such as, peeling paint, cracked plaster, or missing knobs and handles), buyers will presume that your house may also have less visible structural problems. You don't have to spend a fortune to make your property more appealing to prospective buyers.

Your agent can help you identify those features that will increase your property's buyer appeal without costing a fortune.

Getting Organised to Sell: At What Cost?

The less you have to spend in getting your property ready for the market the better. Major improvements (such as a new roof, new cement work or a redesigned kitchen) rarely recoup their cost from a buyer. You are much better off making less expensive, minor cosmetic improvements to your house. These could include simple fixes such as repainting certain rooms, having carpeting or hardwood floors professionally cleaned, or trimming shrubs and edging the lawn.

Your agent knows what buyers' in your neighborhood value and can advise you on what improvements are most cost effective for your property. They'll be glad to share this knowledge with you, so don't hesitate to ask.

Property Repair, Refurbishment & Renovation

If your property lacks immediate visual appeal, it's likely to keep many prospective buyers from ever coming in to look around. Yet with a little time and a little money you may improve your property's exterior appeal and increase buyer walk-throughs by:

• Cutting, edging, and regularly watering the lawn;
  
• Trimming hedges, weeding lawns and flowerbeds, and pruning trees regularly;
  
• Repairing any cracks in the foundation, steps, paths, walls and patios;
  
• Repairing peeling paint on doors and windows;
  
• Cleaning and aligning gutters;
  
• Inspecting and cleaning the chimney;
  
• Repairing and replacing loose or damaged roof tiles;
  
• Repairing and repainting loose double glazing and cavity wall;
  
• In winter, keeping paths neatly cleared of snow and ice;
  
• In summer, putting some hanging baskets or plant pots by the front door
  
• Re-sealing an asphalt driveway;
  
• Keeping your garage door closed;
  
• Storing any unsightly car renovations or belongings etc elsewhere while the house is on the market
  
• Applying a fresh coat of paint to the front door.
  
  

Making Interior Improvements

While immediate external appeal can get a buyer's attention, it's the interior of your property that will make or break a sale. So take a minute and look at the rooms in your property as if you were a prospective buyer and note any defects. Here are a few repairs and quick fixes that can get you closer to making the sale:

• Cleaning every room in the house and removing all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter.
  
• Removing the less frequently used, even daily used items from kitchen counters, closets, and attics, making these areas much more inviting.
  
• If necessary, repainting dingy, soiled or strongly coloured walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and linoleum.
  
• Checking for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and cellar.
  
• Repairing cracks, holes or damage to plaster, plasterboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
  
• Replacing broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork.
  
• Inspecting and repairing the plumbing, heating and alarm systems.
  
• Repairing dripping taps and showerheads.
  
• Buying showy new towels for the bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way.
  
• Sprucing up a kitchen in need of more major redesigning by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.