We all know that the exterior of our homes can get a bit neglected through the wet winter months. But spring is here with summer not too far around the corner, so it is the perfect time to get outside and take care of overdue maintenance. It is also an opportunity to add some value to your property by choosing the right refurbishment projects.

Need some inspiration? Check out these ideas below.

Clean and protect your exterior cladding

No matter the material used to clad your home, it is going to need maintenance at some point. From a water blast clean on bricks, to a fresh coat of paint for protection on weatherboards, this is an essential task if you plan on selling up soon.

Important for a timber exterior is to use the right paint to ensure it has an enduring shield against environmental conditions, otherwise it can compromise the weather tightness of your home.

Overall, a good clean and tidy up of cladding (and don’t forget the roof, if possible), will help to increase the value of your home in an aesthetic way. Consider a spruce up of all the joinery as well, and a fresh colour for the front door.  

If you’re on the ladder - why not empty out the gutter while you’re up there. Built up leaves, sticks and other matter can all get caught in drainpipes and cause unhelpful overflows. This is particularly important if you’re on tank water - as you don’t want this going into your drinking resource!  

Check for any leaks, rot or damage

Following on from the above - it is a good idea to do a close inspection of your home’s exterior to check for any leaks, rot or damage. Of course it is always better to uncover potential areas of damage before they blow out into something a lot bigger, and much more costly.

After plenty of rain this winter, it can certainly produce a whole lot of issues when it comes to drainage, areas of the property which are particularly exposed, and potentially anywhere in which animals have been looking for shelter.

Create an outdoor patio

Onto more enjoyable thoughts - could your home do with an outdoor entertaining space? If so, there are plenty of ways to create lovely patio to use this summer, and of course it will also add extra value to your property if you look to sell next year.

If you have a relatively flat section, then it could be pretty straight-forward doing it yourself. You could use pavers, or even lay concrete - just make sure you have a chat to someone at your local outdoor retailer. They can help you choose which materials would be best for your project, as well as advise you on the other things needed to finish the job.  

Add some lighting for security

Outdoor lighting is great for ambiance, security and safety. So why not invest in some solar power lights to display around pathways, and at the front door. This will make returning home in the dark a little bit easier (navigating your way to the front door) and can also deter any unsavoury people from venturing onto your property.

What DIY can you do?

One thing you should always consider is your own capabilities when it comes to property maintenance. Us Kiwis have a very do-it-yourself attitude, but we need to be careful that we don’t embark on a particular task or job and either injure ourselves (or others), or make an absolute meal out of it that we have to call in a professional to fix our mistakes.

Note: Check out our article on DIY you shouldn’t do yourself.  

Prepare the garden beds

There is nothing like tidying up the garden beds to make a house look ready for summer. Remove all the weeds that have grown over winter, and plant some bright flowers to give the property a real refreshed look. Potted colour is an easy go-to - it’s already in bloom - or speak to your local garden centre for advice on what could be good to put in the garden to last over the hot summer months.

A house with a well-maintained section is definitely a winner in the eyes of potential buyers, so do the exterior of your home a favour by investing in a bit of elbow grease this summer.

--------

Ready to put your house on the market? Download our FREE guide with everything you need to know about ensuring you’re ready for the FOR SALE sign.