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16/07/11 Preparing your home for sale during winter O'Donoghues First National Real Estate WebsiteDate: 16 July 2011 • Dry clean, wash or clean blinds, curtains, window coverings, cushions and bedroom quilts and repair, replace or remove damaged coverings. Spot clean fabric couches and chairs • Lightly spray door hinges and locks with a lubricant like WD40 (mop up excess liquid with a tissue) so they do not squeak when opening and keys work more efficiently • Create a ‘repairs’ list of items that will need attention before you put your property on the market. Be very particular about items that are unsafe when potential purchasers are inspecting the property. You may be able to ask people you know to help you attend to these matters or you can collect some quotes from tradespeople listed in the local newspaper or recommended • Make sure that all of your lights work and the light fittings have been cleaned as most properties have lights turned on during an inspection – this includes entrance lights and back garden lights • When cleaning, in most cases you can use warm/hot water and a mild soap (no need for expensive chemical products that often leave a residue and attract dust). A strong disinfectant style bleach is suitable for bathroom tiles, sinks and many other household surfaces but be careful not to splash the product on porous surfaces (carpets) • Utilise a wooden skewer for cleaning grooves and pour strong bleach around drains to make sure the plug area is clean. You will need to have a cleaning cloth, a more abrasive style cloth (scotch brite) and synthetic brush to tackle all surfaces • Tidy up power cords, televisions and stereo equipment so that the operational components are out of sight where possible • Remove dead leaves from indoor pot plants and wash the dust off the leaves • Vacuum, dust and clean underneath beds, furniture, fridges, washing machines etc – any areas that are missed with regular cleaning • Start your packing! Put into boxes any items you know you will not be using over the coming months (and are sure you want to keep) but also any extra ‘clutter’ (like photos, priceless family heirlooms, treasures and collectables). If necessary, clean and dry them before packing and make sure you label your boxes. You may be able to ask a friend or neighbour to store your items until the property is sold • Address any persistent odours in your home (animal, mould, dust or food smells) organizing the relevant repairs and consider replacing carpets and restricting access to these areas to keep them fresh • Once your surfaces are clean, consider some painting touch ups or new paint (neutral colours) • Give away, recycle or sell items you no longer need or use (like children’s toys, computer and gym equipment, tax records over eight years old etc) • Sort out your kitchen cupboards and pantry throwing out all of the food that is well past its use by date (clean and dry the shelving) and recycle excess plastic containers • Clear your linen cupboard of old towels or sheets or extra items that have accumulated (you may choose to wash, dry and freshen items before packing them for your new home) • Start sorting out your various ‘piles’ around the home and put like with like (in other words all stationery together, all tools together, all cleaning products together) • Clean out the bathroom cabinet and first aid kit of any medicines or tablets past their expiry date • Sort out your bookshelf – again, it may be time to donate your old books and magazines to a local opportunity shop • Recycle newspapers, junk mail, used envelopes and other papers. Clear out compost bins gradually over the coming weeks • Collect all important documents, account details, contact details, computer backups etc and keep them together as many of these are required for the home selling process • Invite three local real estate agents to provide you with a market appraisal of your property • Clean your car, boat, caravan or other large outdoor items and sort out your garage, again, clearing away as much clutter as possible • Remove cobwebs and dirt from eaves, bricks, walls, gutters, lights and consider using a high pressure hose to wash weatherboards and clean out your council bins • Address any unsightly outdoor maintenance issues, particularly at the front of the property – check that your letterbox, front gate and fence, front door and stairs are all in good condition • Open your windows and coverings so that you can air out your property of any new paint, carpet or renovation smells. Add fresh plants to your home ready for open inspections See a 1.1MB image of this article as it appeared on the O'Donoghues First National Real Estate website by clicking on the link below Last update: 6th September 2011
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