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