SPRING  – a time for rebirth, the end of winter gloom, and for many the opportune time to buy or sell a property. But why is there a surge in the real estate market during this season?

There are a number of reasons many decide to sell their homes in Spring. The weather is warmer, more people are willing to venture out and gardens are blooming. It’s a great time to show off your home’s outdoor features such as swimming pools and landscaping.

However, many sellers do not anticipate they will encounter the inundation of like-minded people who also want a piece of the action.

There are a few tips to ensure your property stands out; to guarantee success, you need to style your home to its best advantage.

Keep it simple

Sydney-siders love their outdoor living areas. Entertaining is a big part of the Australian way of life. But high maintenance properties are definitely out. People do not want to spend their weekends maintaining their homes, they want to enjoy them. Start by washing down your property, clearing out the gutters, remove any superfluous outdoor furniture and anything else that will take time to look after. Create a clean space where people can envisage long, lazy barbecues, family celebrations and parties.

Declutter

You’ve kept that worn chair dear old granny left for you, boxes of ‘art’ your children created on preschool and the Buddha statue you brought back from your trip to Bali. My advice, get rid of it. Most of us find it hard to let go of items that have sentimental value, but for the buyer, these pieces are clutter. Not only do they clog up your living areas, but can put buyers off. Why not start packing your house early? It needs to be done and I tell my clients they can kill two birds with one stone. If clients feel they cannot possibly part with treasured pieces, my advice is to hire storage and create space in your home. Don’t forget to tidy bookshelves and store unused items in your roof.

Styling – Art, colours and more

Furniture not only sets the tone of a home, but also gives proportion to a room. Be mindful of oversized furniture or garish pieces that can be polarising. The same goes for art – tasteful, inoffensive and classic. If the property is empty, I hire furniture to allow potential buyers to visualise living in the house as their home.

Colour trends are important to follow; neutral, unobtrusive tones appeal to the majority of people. Colours not only extend to the walls, but to the carpets, furnishing, tiles and fixtures. It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can’t do to lift a room!

Keep ahead of the trends

I’m continually searching out the latest trends, consulting with interior designers, looking at magazines and visiting homemaker stores. Tile and lighting shops are great place to see many different styles and the latest stock on display. As I have renovated properties numerous times, I know what works and enjoy the whole process of consulting and seeing the finished product.

A final tip

Ensure your house is free of any damp or mould lurking on walls, ceilings and in the garden. The ravage of a cold, wet winter can have devastating effects on a property.

THEY say you’re never fully dressed without a smile, so too a house is never quite complete without some form of art. Getting it right however, can be a little tricky and it takes a trained eye and many years experience to know what works.

When I first started out in real estate, I thought it was a great idea to visit art galleries and attend launches by local artists. It was a fabulous way to meet people – but along the way something unexpected happened. I started buying artworks and forming relationships with these wonderful artists. Before I knew, I had a vast art collection – even before owning my first property! Not only had I now accumulated some great pieces, but had expanded my knowledge on art. I’d always been passionately, but now I was armed with knowledge and a great eye for great pieces.

Every house should have some kind of art work; whether it is a canvas, photographs, sculptures, oil paintings or even outdoor art. A home is naked without this adornment. When I first inspect a property, I immediately take note of the art, or lack thereof. Be careful though, there most definitely are a few rules.

Blank walls are a no-no

Art is a necessity. No ifs or buts. If on inspection of a property I find empty walls, one of my first steps is to hire art and ensure the piece are suitable. Which leads me to the next point…

Is it suitable?

The most important rule is this: is the artwork polarising? Art is supposed to complement a room, add a certain je ne sais quoi and never offend. On more than one occasion I’ve removed artworks that really are only meant for ‘your eyes only’. Just remember, what you might think is appropriate, others might find distasteful. You don’t want to turn off potential buyers.  Size, colours, and textures should all be taken into account. Art should never stick out, but blend in to be a part of the room. Lighting, amount of space available and type of room (bedroom, living areas, hallways) all need to be taken into account. Other types of artworks that can be polarising include nudes, oversized pieces and even religious art in some cases.

Family photographs, yes or no?

Personal photographs can be both positive and negative and it largely depends on the owner preference to leave them out or put them away. Remember, many people – strangers – will be coming through your house. Do you really want your treasured family snaps on display? If you’re very private, then probably not. However, family photos can create a lovely, warm atmosphere and can also give perspective as to how a family lives in the available space.

What always works?

Without fail, black and white photos always work. They just do. They are timeless, elegant and romantic – and work in any room, any home. So, if you have a limited budget and are after value for money, black and white photos are winners. A simply framed photo of a 1930s Hollywood starlet or nature scene are infallible. Mirrors are also great additions to most rooms.

A final tip

Throw away those statues of Buddha – they belong in Bali!

Here is a list of some of my favourite artists:

Harrie Fasher 

Peter Hickey 

Peter Boggs

Guy Maestri 

David Larwill 

Simon Cooper 

Peter Kingston 

Pam Tippett 

John Olsen 

Camie Lyons