by Floris Antonides | Oct 22, 2018 | Home Improvement Tips and Advice
One of the key elements of any successful property marketing campaign is the quality of the photography.
Quality photographs can help to make a favourable first impression when buyers are searching the internet or the papers, and they can certainly help your property stand out from your competitors. So it is very important to prepare your property carefully and ensure that due care is taken when photographing your home.
Photographing your home requires experience and skill
Over the years we have found that taking the time to get the best possible photographic images can make a real difference to the results each vendor achieves. This is why our team at Ian Reid Vendor Advocates take the time to screen every property image before approving them for use.
Every property is different, but there are a few key tips that apply to every situation when photographing your home. They include:
- Use a professional. Trying to save a few dollars by taking the photos yourself or using a friend is short-sighted. This can reduce the response you get to your advertising, and therefore reduce your sale price. Always use a professional photographer who has experience with real estate work.
- Declutter. Any form of clutter tends to look twice as bad in a photograph. Before the photographer arrives, make sure you clear your kitchen benches, take all the magnets and messages off the fridge and put the kids’ toys away.
- Show the benefits. You are selling a lifestyle, not just “bricks and mortar”, so it’s worth looking at ways to emphasise that when photographing your home. Putting bubbles in the bath or having the outdoor table set up for breakfast can add to the appeal of your marketing.
- Don’t tell the whole story. You want to give buyers enough encouragement to come and see your home, but you want them wanting to know more. So, don’t show them the whole house before they get there.
- Time of day. As good as your property may look on a bright, sunny day, many homes look fantastic in twilight with all the lights on. If you decide to try photographing your home in twilight, however, make sure all the lights (inside and out) are working before the photographer arrives!
- Decoration. Last, but definitely not least, don’t forget that fresh flowers and a fruit bowl can add colour and warmth to the blandest of rooms.
If you’re looking for even more tips on how to avoid making expensive mistakes when you sell, you’ll find lots of them in our FREE booklet “Fatal Real Estate Traps Exposed”. So why not download a free copy while you’re here?
by Floris Antonides | Oct 8, 2018 | Home Improvement Tips and Advice
It is important to remember that buyers form an impression of your property from the moment they pull up in the street.
So if you put yourself in the shoes of a buyer who is inspecting your property for the first time, one of the first things the buyer will see is your driveway. Unfortunately, many sellers tend to overlook this aspect of their property as they are so used to seeing the faults in this area of their property, such as cracks and oil stains, on a daily basis.
For a simple and easy way to improve that vital first impression, here are some tips on removing oil stains from your driveway and garage floor.
Cleaning smaller oil stains
Our friends at Bunnings tell us that smaller stains, and those that have not been around long, can normally be removed with hot water, detergent and a steel brush. It may take more than one application, but a good scrub using these simple tools will often do the job.
Removing tougher oil stains
For stubborn longer-term oil stains, you’ll need a degreaser, which is a more powerful, concentrated cleaner. This liquid is designed to remove ingrained dirt, and most automotive fluids without damaging the surface.
The degreaser will have instructions on the pack, but please make sure you wear the correct protective gear, including goggles and gloves.
The normal procedure is to apply the degreaser to the stained area and leave it for a short time, (often a few minutes), then scrub it with a steel brush. The instructions will normally advise leaving the area for a further five to ten minutes, but do not allow it to dry out completely. You can then wash the area thoroughly with water…but be conscious about where you are washing the used degreaser to. The aim is to wash all your materials into the drains, not into the garden.
You may find that some further staining comes to the surface a day or two after cleaning, but this can be dealt with by repeating the above process.
Don’t forget, if you need any advice on preparing your property for sale, particularly if you are unsure about what is worth doing and what isn’t, the team at Ian Reid Vendor Advocates are always happy to help.
You can call us on 0418 504 915, and you’ll find lots of helpful tips in our FREE booklet “Fatal Real Estate Traps Exposed”.
by Floris Antonides | Sep 30, 2018 | Home Improvement Tips and Advice
For anyone considering renovations, one of the tasks that tends to raise a sense of dread more than most is the thoughts of removing wallpaper.
It’s certainly a task that has been a source of frustration and stress for many home improvers over the years.
However, if you follow a few simple steps, this job needn’t be a cause for concern. Here’s an outline to removing wallpaper in an easy-to-follow process.
Preparation is important
Once you remove all furniture from the room, put a protective covering over the floors and use masking tape and plastic to create a “gutter” from the skirting boards to catch falling water. Check to see if the faceplates of light switches and power points have been placed over the paper. If so, you may need to remove them.
Rip into the removal
The first step is to try using a putty knife to get behind the top corners of the wallpaper, then pull steadily at 45 degrees. In many cases newer wallpaper will come off in whole sheets, but older paper will tend to come off in pieces.
Using hot water
Hot water and a sponge or mop are handy tools when it comes to peeling the remaining paper and backing materials. Be sure to wear gloves and, if your walls are plasterboard don’t leave them wet for too long.
Removing backing materials
A flexible metal scraper with round corners can be used to remove the persistent backing and adhesives. If there is any paste left after scraping, use the water and sponge again. It is important to leave the walls clean as new paint or paper won’t adhere to old paste.
Make a smooth finish
You need to remember that the smoother the bare wall, the smoother your new finish will be. So fill any holes and sand the surface using a sanding block and fine sandpaper. It is also wise to prime the entire wall before applying any new finishes.
If all else fails
If removing wallpaper is proving particularly tough, chemical strippers can break down the paste but please take care. You can also try an electric steamer if the paper is stuck fast.
Allowing enough time
Last, but not least, experienced renovators will tell you that removing wallpaper is best done as a 2-person/2-day job. If you do all the removal work on day one, you can focus on sanding and finishing the surface on day two.
Keep in mind that if you are considering removing wallpaper as part of your efforts to prepare your property for sale, we would strongly recommend talking to one of the team at Ian Reid Vendor Advocates before you start. You may find that this type of task is unnecessary, depending on your buyer and the market in your area.
You will also find lots of helpful tips on how to avoid making expensive mistakes when you sell in our FREE booklet “Fatal Real Estate Traps Exposed”. So why not download a free copy while you’re here?
by Floris Antonides | Sep 17, 2018 | Home Improvement Tips and Advice
One of the most common tasks undertaken by home owners when they start preparing for a Spring sale is to make sure that their front garden makes a great first impression on buyers.
However, whilst most sellers understand the value of getting their garden “looking good”, they often overlook that the best gardens appeal to more than just one sense. So, whilst visual appeal is important, it is worth giving some thought to the sound of a water feature or wind charms, the feel of velvety leaves and, in particular, the perfume of scented plants.
Perfume can be a powerful attraction
Never underestimate the impact that seasonal scents can have on those who visit your property. Ask any couple that have been together for a long time…Scents can be a key element of many memories in a way that very few other stimuli can, whether it is a memory of your first meeting, a reminder of early childhood or a wedding bouquet. Floral scents are also very effective even when the sun has disappeared, and you can’t see the flowers.
Scents to enhance a Spring sale
With the Spring property market just beginning to build some momentum, the time is right to consider adding some the power of fragrance to your property inspections.
Some of the scents most commonly associated with Spring in Melbourne come from plants like Daphne, whilst this is also the time of year when bulbs such as Jonquils (pictured) and Freesias are making their presence felt all over Melbourne. Other options for springtime fragrances include flowering shrubs like the traditional Lilac, (although these can be a little challenging to grow for some people), Gardenias and Lavender.
Whilst many homeowners may be reluctant to plant a tall-growing species purely for sale purposes, plants like Frangipani (in frost-free areas), the Chinaberry (or Cape Lilac as it is sometimes known), or some of the more fragrant flowering cherries can also enhance a Spring sale.
Getting the right advice when you sell
Preparing your property to make the most positive impact on buyers is just one of the many ways that the team at Ian Reid Vendor Advocates can assist you when you’re considering selling your home. If you would to read through our booklet “Fatal Real Estate Traps Exposed”, you can download a free copy while you’re here. Alternatively, you might prefer to give Floris Antonides a call on0418 504 915 when it’s convenient.
by Floris Antonides | Aug 6, 2018 | Home Improvement Tips and Advice
When preparing a property for sale, some home owners make the mistake of assuming that “doing what everyone else does” will be enough to impress prospective purchasers.
However, as anyone in marketing will tell you, this is not a strategy that will necessarily help you stand out from the crowd in the minds of the buyers. Every sellers wants their home to be the first property that buyers think of after a long day of house-hunting.
A highlight will help you stand out from the crowd
One way to do this without having to spend a great deal of money is to create “a highlight” within the home that helps make your home more memorable. In the past, we’ve seen some sellers achieve this with the use of a feature wall or two, often with a bright, contrasting paint colour. In other cases, some renovators have used a feature wallpaper service to create a mural, often personalising them with the use of a personal photo of a favourite scene. As you can see in the photo, this approach can produce a truly memorable result in a variety of settings from living areas to bedrooms.
Colour can help you stand out from the crowd
Even the use of smaller colour highlights in unexpected places can be effective. Something as simple as a brightly coloured toilet cistern or door, or an unexpected feature light fitting, can make a difference. Of course, as we’ve mentioned in other posts, floor-to-ceiling mirrors can add space and light to what might otherwise be an unappealingly small room.
Another idea is to consider ways that will sell a particular lifestyle benefit of your home. For example, if you have a memorable outdoor entertaining area, is it worth thinking about having bi-fold doors installed to emphasise this area and “sell the sizzle’ while buyers are still inside the home?
In the end, decisions like these come down to understanding exactly who your buyers will be, and why they will find your property appealing. Before you spend any money at all, make sure you talk to someone who knows the market and the buyers well. One option is to have an experienced Property Stylist visit to offer their advice, so feel free to call our Customer Service team to arrange this.
Of course, if you would like a free copy of our booklet “Fatal Real Estate Traps Exposed”, which will help you avoid making all sorts of expensive mistakes when you sell, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
by Floris Antonides | Jul 23, 2018 | Home Improvement Tips and Advice
Anyone who has watched one of the Reality TV programs that seem to have taken over our viewing habits in recent years will be aware of the role of the Property Stylist. Here at Floris Antonides Vendor Advocates, we often recommend their service, and regularly see the difference that a good Property Stylist can make to a sale, particularly is a competitive market where standing out from other sellers can make a huge difference to the price you achieve. But have you ever wondered what tips these stylists would give when selling their own home? We chatted to a couple that we know to see what they would say, and here’s the results…
Tip 1: Don’t leave it too late
Once you make the decision to sell, it’s never too early to start getting your property ready to make an impact. There will always be jobs that have to be done close to your launch date, so do as much as you can as early as you can…particularly if there are jobs you can do that will enhance your remaining time in the home.
Tip 2: Be prepared to spend in order to profit
We are currently in a market where making a great first impression can make a huge difference to the number and strength of buyer interest, which in turn impacts on your eventual sale price. So be careful not to skimp on your preparations, as trying to save a few pennies can end up costing you quite a few dollars. Work out what you will need to spend to get your property looking its best, then use that information as a factor in deciding when you should sell.
Tip 3: Get objective advice from an expert
Unfortunately, those who live in a property are usually the last person to see its faults. That’s why it is so important to ask an honest and objective advisor to look at your property through the eyes of a buyer. Your Advocate can help with this, as can a well-selected agent plus, of course, an experience Property Stylist.
Tip 4: Styling for sale is different
Many home owners make the mistake of assuming that the general public, and buyers in particular, will have the same styling tastes as themselves. That’s not always the case! This is another reason why experienced, independent advice is so valuable, from the positioning of furniture and deciding how much to ‘declutter’, to choosing neutral paint colours to allow feature items to stand out. Even choosing ‘the right white’ can be important.
Tip 5: The power of the flower
Last, but certainly not least, don’t underestimate the impact that well placed and selected flowers can have to the overall ambience your property provides. A professional Property Stylist can advise you on the relative pros and cons of fresh vs fake flowers and can recommend appropriate sources of either.
As with all things related to taking the uncertainty out of your property dealings, our team is always happy to provide you with advice that can save you a great deal of money when you sell. So whether you would like us to arrange a visit from an experienced Property Stylist, or you would like a free copy of our booklet “Fatal Real Estate Traps Exposed”, give us a call today!
