Tip 1. Garden of heavenly delights

Whether you are a green thumb in the garden, like to dabble in watering the lawn here or there or you are a shocker that kills everything you touch – take note – first impressions count and for prospective buyers pulling up kerbside for sneak peek it is absolutely the first thing they see. It is time to get your inner garden goddess going or if you are that bad at it, call in a few favours and hold a working bee. Nothing say’s I will help spread mulch like a free beer.

If you live on a residential block with a typical lawn and a few garden beds here’s a couple of things to do….

Fertilise – Yep get those stinky organic poop pellets out and about and water those babies in.

Fake it till you make it – a quick trip to Bunnings or your local nursery and pick up a few punnets of colour that are in season and flowering. Pop them in eye catching locations or in the base of pots.

Mulch it like it is your weekly work out – if your garden beds are big get the local landscape supplies to deliver a load of mulch that is suitable for your area. They can recommend the best type for your garden and climate. If you only have a few small garden beds, it’s easy to pick up some prepacked mulch – I like the hard wood chip as it has a reddish tinge to it.

If you live in a small property or apartment….. Indoor plants are the go. Large palms work in empty corners to soften the look of a white box, small pot plants strategically placed on the kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity. Bring the outdoors in and if you are not wanting to become a plant parent yet or not confident in keeping them alive – then get the fake ones!

Tip 2. Style baby Style!

There are a few ways to do this. The first way is outsource. I cannot recommend this enough!! As a Real Estate Agent who’s incredibly time poor and watched properties sell for over 20 years this is on the top of the list to get more money. Stylist companies come in, re-furnish your home and re-style your home in the most modern and up to date style. It is like living in a Display Home. And whilst it feels a “you can look but don’t touch” to live in most companies will work with you so you can stay on. The down side is if you spill any red wine on a white rug – you have to pay for it….. (It was my husband! And therefore, we don’t own white rugs to start with)

Second option is to just get a stylist in for a session to go around your home, tell you what to keep, what to store, what new towels to buy, they take you for a couple of hours around your own home and use your own furnishings and show you how to present.

Lastly, if you are an Instagram queen, love interior design and you are already uber fashionable go out and buy some fresh towels, an orchid, and a copy of Vogue. I am sure you have got his covered already! Oh and don't forget that bottle of wine and glasses on the outdoor setting.

I have had people pay $10,000 to $30,000 over the expected price because the house looked so good, it also shows in the photos, and you tend to get a wider audience and more interaction with the listing. 

Tip 3. Rose on the Nose.

Gone are the days of baking scones for and open home – I mean who has time for that?  But if you’re a coffee addict put on a brew and let it waft. Buy some flowers and put a couple of diffusers near the front door, in the bathrooms etc. I often keep some room spray in my open home kit and get around the house refreshing the before people arrive.

It is so important that people can imagine themselves living in your home. Smells also evoke memories and feelings. Some popular smells are Ocean or Beach, this evokes great memories of summer holidays, Coffee – of course – who does not love a good coffee in the morning, Fresh washed laundry is also a popular scent you can buy these days. My favourite at the moment is a diffuser form Glass House Mountains range called “Amalfi Coast”.

One thing to remember – do not go too strong. I have had men and women alike cringe at a strong smell and head for the nearest exits…  Chanel no.5 is off the table.

Presentation is everything so when you are getting ready to sell make sure it looks good and smells good! If you can afford a Stylist then you will get your money back and more. If you can't go the down the stylist then get online and get inspired. You've got this!