Latest NewsHow to Make the Most of Your AssetsWednesday, 21 September 2016

Spring is here, the housing market is in bloom and home owners everywhere are preparing to put their biggest assets on show.

For vendors who exhibit their properties to their greatest potential, the end results are likely to be far happier. Statistics show that good property presentation can increase the sale price by 5 to 7 per cent.

So if you are considering listing your home, snap on the rubber gloves, pack away the family photos and send your pet on vacation. Sprucing up your place for a spring sale calls for a certain amount of time and energy, though for an extra $20,000 to $40,000, it's worth the effort.

Most houses will require detailed cleaning, clearing out and fixing up and probably some painting, hiring and styling too. But where do you start?

The first thing you need to do is get rid of the clutter, you can't see what you have to work with or what needs doing unless the tapestry is clear, so take out everything you don't want or are not using. Less is more.

After you identify the excess furniture and personal clutter (did you realise what a hoarder you were?), you'll need to store it all off-site. Bunging it all in the garage or in the attic is a bit of a giveaway.

What's more, potential bidders may suspect you are hiding problems behind or beneath it all. After the house is cleared, you can begin to tackle the repair and maintenance work, fixing joinery and replacing broken tiles and window panes.

Depending on the condition of the property, it may also be worth re-sanding the floors, painting the walls or laying new carpets. Minor revamp tricks in the kitchen and bathroom, such as new doorknobs, splashbacks and counter tops, will also help to impress a prospective buyer.

If you don't want to spend much, invest in some great accessories - a gorgeous fruit platter, a vintage clock or a fabulous coffee machine. They will not only look impressive in situ, but you get to take them with you when you go.

If the whole process starts to feel overwhelming, you can always call in the professionals. Though many estate agents regard themselves as "renovation rescuers", they will often suggest enlisting the help of an interior designer to maximise the success of your selling campaign.

Lisa Hipkins, Heidi Groen and Prue Leslie, of HipHouse, are in the business of styling houses for sale. They can provide a consultation to help you get started or, if you prefer, can come in and completely overhaul your house, usually in about a day.

They will rearrange and present your house to stunning effect, hire furnishings - furniture, linen and accessories - and bring in decorators and gardeners. "There have been times," says Ms Hipkins, "when we have walked out of a property after a transformation and known we've added $40,000 to the value.

It's just refreshing and re-presenting. It's nothing unscrupulous or hiding anything; it's just opening up the house to show its best potential."

Since most sellers are likely to be blind to the appeal and the faults of their own home, it's important to have an objective viewpoint. "If you live in the house, you get used to certain aspects," says Ms Hipkins.

"You may be more concerned about a small crack rather than the overall image. A fresh pair of eyes can see the real selling points of the house and then emphasise them." Richard Armstrong, a director of The Makeover Group and author of the new book Sell Your Home for More in Any Economy - An Expert's Guide to Property Presentation, believes knowing your target market is the key.

"If you focus in on your target market, you can channel all of your enhancements to give you the best returns," he explains.

"Get advice from your agent and attend a lot of auctions in your area, of similar size and style homes to yours, to see who the bidders are. I don't know how you can dress a property for sale without knowing who would be interested in buying it. You have to give people what they want."

Showing off your home in its Sunday best may mean sending your pets to kennels, replacing your comfy super-sized sofa with something more befitting the space, or moving the entertainment centre away from the patio doors. It might not be as comfortable and homey but buyers aren't interested in how you live, they are trying to visualise how they will live.

For this reason, the experts will advise you to never sell a house unfurnished. Even if you have a bland or an empty spare room with no obvious function or use, you need to give it a purpose.

Hire in the right pieces of furniture to turn it into an office, a home gym or a child's bedroom. Whatever suits the demographic you're aiming at.

People are going to be buying the whole house so you have to look at every room,. Buyers want it presented for them. They don't want to have to think. They want to see exactly where they can place their furniture if they fall in love with the property.

To avoid breaking any hearts down the line, you should be honest about the property you are selling. The presentation of a property is crucial.

But when it comes to cosmetic improvements, you need to be careful. You don't want to be seen to be covering up faults with the home, especially major faults such as flooring or rising damp, because they will be found in the building inspection.

Even so, if you are selling a house that's ripe for renovation, you still need to show off its potential and the same sprucing tips apply. Outside, the garden should be neat and trim and any outdoor space should have an outdoor setting to create the sense of an alfresco lifestyle.

Even a small courtyard needs a chair and some big pots of colour. Inside, add further splashes of bold colour in the furnishings and accessories, especially if a room feels drab and featureless.

Bright, top-quality linen, cushions, rugs and throws can be bought or hired and will not only add interest, elegance and luxury but will also stand out in the photos - which is crucial, when you consider most people shop online.

However far you decide to go, opening the door on a clean, organised and welcoming home is sure to bring its rewards. "The golden rule is to present your house to the best of your ability and budget," says Ms Hipkins, "and you will always get a better price in the end."

What to do before you let people in the door

■ Clean, clean, then clean some more, especially windows.
■ Make cosmetic improvements. If it's broken, fix it.
■ De-clutter and store off site.
■ Think fresh: fresh air, fresh flowers, fresh fruit.
■ Ensure every room is presentable; the whole house is on sale.
■ Always have an outdoor setting.
■ Work on the front facade, bidders will drive by and drive off if it looks bad.
■ Depersonalise; you don't want buyers to feel they are invading your space.
■ Remove and replace any lampshades or fittings you're not selling with the house.
■ Downscale your stuff but retain some warmth; it shouldn't look like a furniture shop.
■ Use Wood Magic on floors, CLR on shower glass and a grout pen on tiles.
■ Steam clean all furniture, carpets and curtains, especially if you have pets.
■ Be honest, sell your house for what it is.