Here are some handy hints to prepare your home for sale

Before:

• It is certainly a great opportunity for a spring clean

• Some minor maintenance or repairs may be needed

• Check areas around that may require attention, particularly painting and cleaning. Also, check for and repair any cracked windows, loose or missing door knobs, sticking doors and any fixture that maybe loose, faulty or does not function correctly. Tiled areas of bathrooms, laundry, etc. are particularly important

• Maintain gardens and mow lawns, cut back trees or shrubs, particularly if they restrict sunlight into any rooms

• Keep swimming pools clean and filter system operating if you have one

• Too much furniture in a room could give the appearance of the room being small. Remove or relocate where necessary

• Tidy up your garage, out buildings and storage areas

• Cars, caravans, boats, trailers, etc. sometimes crowd driveways and restrict access. Relocate if necessary. If cars are to be moved, please park them down the street during an inspection

• Please leave our sales consultant alone on the property as much as possible, do resist the temptation to assist him/her to show your home, unless specifically requested to demonstrate a particular feature of your home

• Have the TV and/or a radio turned off or playing softly during an inspection

• Store away any loose clothing, newspapers, dishes, etc. in their places. Do ensure that all cabinets/cupboards and benches are displayed to their best advantage

• Have your children occupied with some quiet activities during inspections

• Ensure that curtains and blinds are open, sunlight is very important. Having to turn on lights may lead to the perception of a very dark home

• Try to avoid cooking prior to any inspection as much as possible