Time to spring into action

We're just weeks away from spring, a highly anticipated resurgence in the number of homes coming on to the market and the whole real estate cycle starting over.

Not that winter has been that soft. Yes the number of properties listed for sale dipped compared to summer/autumn -- as you'd expect for the time of year -- but it has been busy out there as buyers from all over scrabbled for slim pickings across Auckland and beyond.

Nevertheless, properties that were priced right and looked good sold fast.

Plenty of people with an eye on selling their home before the year is out will no doubt be preparing to get their house in order -- to present it in the best possible light to buyers.

If you are one of these people, then now is the perfect time go around your home with a critical eye and a notepad to jot down a to-do list.

What may be acceptable to you may be a deal-breaker for a prospective buyer looking at paying top dollar for your home.

From experience there are two types of home-buyer: those who are prepared to move in and start decorating, and those who are not.

If your home is presented to buyers in as perfect a condition as possible you have doubled your market. So what do you need to look at?

• Tired looking paintwork (repaint).

• Grimy and tired blinds and drapes (clean or replace).

• Grubby carpet (clean or replace).

• Cluttered rooms (declutter).

• Dirty windows (clean both sides).

• Scruffy decking (clean and tidy).

• The front door (paint it).

Truth is, most of what you need to do to get your property up to a presentable standard will require little more than some elbow grease and a tin of paint.

That means cleaning everything you can, hiring a carpet cleaner and sticking the clutter in storage.

With a bit of planning you could schedule to give each room a makeover -- one weekend, one room (and don't move on to the next room until the last one is completed). Once the inside is looking fantastic, look at the gardens and garage.

Getting your home ready for sale is not hard. Putting effort in now will not only help you get the best price, it will help make your home more desirable than the tired-looking one down the road.