Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa Real Estate Investor Magazine - Dec/Jan 2018 | Page 34

IMPROVING Drawing Buyers and Tenants in Essential Improvements to the Exterior of Your Investment Property BY MONIQUE DU TOIT F irst impressions last a lifetime - and nowhere is that more true than when it comes to a house. When reno- vating to sell or rent out, the exterior of the home needs to be kept in mind. The good news is, this doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Below, we highlight some of the most important points. The exterior of the home undoubtedly sees the most wear- and-tear. Yes, even more than the kids’ bedrooms. As a result, routine maintenance is essential. As a landlord, you’ll need to ensure that waterproofing and painting is up to date - not only to keep your tenants happy, but to protect your investment. Ensure the roof is in good condition, repairing tiles or sheets as needed. While not structural, the maintenance of the garden is just as essential. Take a look at the state of existing plants, and eval- uate how they affect the appearance of your property from the street. Depending on the specific property, you may want to con- sider removing large trees that could be blocking light to the home. In other instances, it might be wise to remove sections of a large lawn and replace it with low maintenance alterna- tives. As Charlene Nolte-Joubert from law firm Henkes Nolte- Joubert explains: “It’s best to start from the outside-in – have a look at the curb appeal of the property. If the home looks untidy from the outside, a negative impression has already been set, and it only takes mowing the lawn or raking leaves, turning over soil beds and sprinkling some fresh mulch to in- stantly make a better impression.  Depending on the season, find some colourful seedlings to plant in pots or in the beds to brighten up the garden.” Another important consideration, especially in the Western Cape at the moment, is getting rid of or reducing the size of a pool. There are several ways to do this, and speaking to an expert about your options can greatly add to the sustainability of your garden. Exterior features like windows and the front door are also important when trying to sell or rent out a property. Inexpen- sive and quick solutions like a lick of paint or varnish can go a long way in making your property look more polished and put-together. While none of these fixes need to be expensive, it’s import- Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of RE/ MAX offers a few tips for creating a water-wise garden. Not only is this an essential aspect of a home in drought-stricken areas, the accompanying money-saving will be attractive to prospective buyers or tenants. Select the right plants Indigenous plants are normally the best option as they consume very little water and require minimal maintenance.  Certain bedding plants can consume a lot of water, however, adding mulching to the garden bed and water retention granules to the soil will reduce the need for watering substantially. Group plants together This means that only certain areas of the garden will require more fre- quent watering. Use these areas as a feature, rather than the norm. Once the plants are established, the need for excessive watering will be greatly reduced. Reduce lawn areas Assess how much lawn is really required for things like entertaining, and consider reducing these areas as much as possible. Add hardscaping features such as paved foot- paths. Only place water features in shaded areas to reduce evaporation. Lawn maintenance Be sure not to cut the lawn too short during growing season. Sprinklers should only water areas that need it, and timers should be set to early mornings or late afternoons. ant to have a clear plan when it comes to renovating the exte- rior of your property. Focus on your target market and ensure your renovations are in line with their needs. SOURCES OOBA, RE/MAX For tips on getting your property in tip-top shape when selling, take a look at our expert advice on page 12 32 DECEMBER 2017/JANUARY 2018 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine