The checklist for buying and selling that makes a house a home

It’s easy to get swept up imagining your life in a perfectly styled home. A home open for inspection will be presented in its best possible condition, and this is a good thing – it allows you to see the home’s potential and envision what could be done with the property.

From the first viewing of the marketing photos you’ll start to get an idea of whether it’s the right home for you, but you need to give the home a thorough inspection to really be sure.

“There are a lot of other senses buyers can use when walking through a home,” LJ Hooker Dickson director Stephen Bunday says.

“Photos can distort and make rooms look bigger, smaller, darker or lighter. Buyers are looking for natural light to the living areas, particularly at this time of year. They’re looking for wear and tear as well; photos can smooth over that sort of thing, they just don’t show what the natural eye can see.”

Independent Property Group Belconnen agent Matthew Wykes says the first thing buyers are looking for is simply that the house is right for them.

“What I tend to find with a lot of live-in owners is they’re always looking for that click, they’re looking for a home, not a house,” Mr Wykes says.

Mr Bunday says follow-up visits will usually confirm the smaller details.

“I think people initially walk into a house and like it based on feel – ‘It felt right’, they’ll say,” Mr Bunday says.

“The second or third time they will pick up some of the other things they didn’t notice.”

Peter Blackshaw Manuka agent Mario Sanfrancesco says buyers should be looking at the overall condition of the property and any obvious maintenance issues.

“It’s wise to read through the inspection reports and question any problems that are evident in the report,” Mr Sanfrancesco says.

If you’re looking for a renovation project, maintenance is going to be less of an issue, but if you want to move straight in and enjoy the home, Luton Properties Kippax director Ben Oostermeyer says buyers should look for any damage to the property.

“What I say to vendors is that maintenance items should be taken care of – external and internal paint, the sealing of bathrooms and a good thorough clean inside and out,” Mr Oostermeyer says.

“Gardens generally need tidying and a fresh layer of mulch.”

Buyers should be on the lookout for flooring issues, water leaks in the ceiling and around wet areas. Mr Oostermeyer says swelling and staining on walls and the floor are telltale signs of damage.

From the painting, to the doors, the plumbing and the lighting, it can be easy to lose track of what to inspect and it helps to have a checklist.

“There are lots of small details that can be overlooked,” Mr Bunday says.

“People sometimes forget to check the heating and the cooling and they’re fairly obvious things.”

Real Estate Institute of the ACT president Frank Pompeani says buyers should look under the house and check garaging and site access for parking. The inspection, he says, should also extend beyond the house.

“Look at the vicinity to bus stops and all those amenities that make family living that little bit easier,” Mr Pompeani says.

Besides the styling of a home there are a number of things a vendor can do to make it more appealing to buyers.

“It is important that it has a fresh smell throughout,” Mr Sanfranceso says.

“The vendor should keep the home at the right temperature during inspections and create natural light throughout. A professional agent will be able to assist with all of these items.”

Tips for sellers:

• Make a good first impression: First impressions are lasting, according to REIACT’s Frank Pompeani. The front garden should be tidy and the entry foyer inviting.
• Appeal to all senses: Whether it’s a freshly baked cake or some jazz music in the background, appealing to the senses will help create a welcoming ambience, LJ Hooker’s Stephen Bunday says.
• Keep it clean: Unmade beds, dirty bathrooms and evidence of pets such as food bowls and kitty litter trays should be the first things to go, Peter Blackshaw’s Mario Sanfrancesco says.
• Let in the light: Independent Property Group’s Matthew Wykes advises sellers to open the curtains and turn on all the lights before an inspection.
• Eliminate clutter: “It comes down to the tiny little things,” Mr Wykes says. “Magnets on the fridge can make things look cluttered.”
• Be safety-conscious: Luton’s Ben Oostermeyer says the side gates should be locked before an open home so potential buyers can only enter and exit through the agent. Valuable items should also be kept out of reach.

Case study: Hard work all done on Lyneham property

Jenny Heald had already extended and renovated her Lyneham home, so when it came time to put it on the market, there was very little she needed to do.

She has lived in the three-bedroom house for 14 years and in that time she has opened up the living areas and transformed a desolate backyard into a beautiful permaculture garden.

“There was just a Hills Hoist and grass at the back,” Heald says.

“The garden’s been completely done, all the trees have been planted, lots of vegetables have been grown out there and there’s lots of herbs.”

Heald has held two open homes over the past week and has already had 57 groups through.

“I did a bit of preparation in advance, some tidying up in the garden, I painted a couple of walls and decluttered,” she says. “It was not too hard a process because the house started off in pretty good nick. I did things like clean all the windows and I spent a bit of time getting things in shipshape.”

Set on a quiet street within a short stroll from Lyneham shops, Heald says it has been a great place to live.

No. 4 Dyson Street, Lyneham will be open this Saturday from 11am-11.30am and auctioned on Wednesday, July 15. Phone LJ Hooker Dickson agents Stephen Bunday and Nic Salter-Harding on 0416 014 431 or 0412 600 085. Price guide $700,000+. EER 2.5. 

Feature property

33 Nardoo Crescent, O’Connor
Price guide: $1.9 million +

This builder’s own home was constructed in 2014 to the highest standard and no expense has been spared in the details.

The architect-designed residence includes luxurious features throughout, evident from the moment you step inside the magnificent foyer. You are greeted by a two-storey-high ceiling, expansive windows and designer pendant lighting.

Up the stairs is a formal lounge room which doubles as a theatre room and is complete with projector and built-in speaker system. Large double-glazed windows frame views of the pool and allow plenty of natural light to flood the room.

The kitchen is the centrepiece of the home and features a granite island bench with an adjoining timber feature bench and integrated Miele and Bosch appliances. The butler’s pantry offers plenty of extra space and includes a built-in coffee machine.

There are five generously sized bedrooms and the master suite is a segregated retreat with a large dressing room and opulent en suite.

The long list of inclusions continues with an impressive wine cellar boasting fingerprint entrance security, display cabinets and the capacity for more than 1100 bottles.

A covered outdoor entertaining area features its own kitchen and looks over the solar-heated pool and spa, while a large open deck on the other side of the home overlooks the landscaped backyard.

Set in one of O’Connor’s finest streets, this home is situated in a highly sought-after location on the edge of the city.

33 Nardoo Crescent, O’Connor, is open by appointment and is for sale by negotiation. Phone Independent Property Group Belconnen agents Matthew Wykes and Matthew Peden on 0401 012 334 or 0419 000 079