First impressions count, particularly in a competitive market where a number of properties often compete for the same air. With so many active buyers currently out in force trying to find their dream home in a sea of newly listed properties, it’s important for your newly listed home to get off to a flying start with attractive street appeal.

As your front garden will be the first thing buyers will see when they inspect your home for the first time, consider the following tips to help set up your front garden for maximum appeal:

• Declutter your front yard and make it tidy by putting away the hose, toys and garden gnomes and ornaments (at least while your home is on the market). Take any junk to the tip, and if you have trailer, caravan or boat, ask a friend or family member to mind them.
• Check if the windows and sills need a repaint and ensure your drains and gutters are cleaned and cleared so that your hopes aren’t washed away by a sudden downpour and blocked gutters during an open for inspection.
• Make your garden glow by mowing your lawn regularly during the sales campaign and applying mulch on flowerbeds to cover unsightly weeds.
• Keep plants away from the windows as they can reduce the amount of natural light that floods into your home. Plus, they can create a straggly, overgrown look, which isn’t very appealing.
• If your garden lacks a focal point, consider planting a feature tree like an evergreen or something that will be in flower during the time you are selling.
• There’s real value in privacy, so consider planting bushes or use screening to create an element of seclusion and arouse curiosity among buyers.
• Add brilliant bursts of colour with flowering annuals. Painting your front door a bright, primary colour is also one of the cheapest and easiest ways to add colour. Plus, it’s also very on-trend and leaves a lasting impression.
• Pressure wash your garden path and driveway. Check for surface chips and cracks and get any damaged repaired. If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can hire one from a hardware store.
• Install new, modern lighting at the front door and on the porch. Your agent will turn them on during inspections.
• Buyers are always impressed by home security, automated gates and modern front door locking mechanisms.

Our offices enjoyed a fantastic end to June and a solid start to July with a number of sales this week (listed below):

• 10 Sunray Court, Donvale sold for $1,260,000
• 55 Mincha Avenue, Templestowe Lower sold for $1,125,000
• 5A Hakea Street, Templestowe sold for $1,070,000
• 2/103 Foote Street, Templestowe Lower sold for $850,000
• 4 Anthlin Court, Templestowe sold!
• 135 Swanston Street, Templestowe Lower sold!
• 15 Trist Street, Watsonia North sold!
• 5-7 Hawkes Road, North Warrandyte sold!

Currently under offer and will be sold soon:

• 351 Lower Plenty Road, Viewbank
• 348 St Georges Road, Thornbury
• 1 Mallard Close, Doncaster East
• 59 Banks Road, Eltham North
• 1/491 Mitcham Road, Mitcham

If you’d like more advice on creating kerbside appeal for your home, contact one of our sales agents today to arrange an obligation-free chat.

Spiro Drossos

Director – Barry Plant Manningham, Eltham, Whitehorse and Ivanhoe