Property24 Media Coverage http://press.property24.com/rss-article.q Keep up to date with the latest Media Coverage On Property24 DIY Made Easy: Give Your Home a Facelift http://press.property24.com/article/341/diy-home-facelift http://press.property24.com/article/341/ Article Property24 2008-09-03T08:52:58+00:00 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:52:58 +0000 If you’re thinking about putting your property on the market or you’d simply like to transform your surroundings, all you need to do is spend a little time on DIY projects. Read these tips on how to give your home a facelift with minimal effort.

]]> Are you thinking about putting your property on the market? Or do you simply need to liven up your home? Fortunately you don’t have to spend your holiday savings on alterations or bring in teams of men to transform your home into a palace.

With minimal effort (and a few weekend afternoons donated to the cause) you can give your home a fantastic facelift. Spend a little time and less money, and you can improve both looks and value.

Get That Paintbrush Out
 
A simple splash of paint can do wonders for a home. Whether it’s a new shade to liven up a room or to refurbish drab surfaces in desperate need of tender loving care - a whip around with a paintbrush is an easy way to make improvements.

Look for areas in need of a fresh coat, then sand down them down and paint or varnish. Pay special attention to window frames, door frames, skirting boards and cupboards. A great way to instantly rejuvenate any room is to repaint ceilings.

Bathrooms and kitchens are prime real estate for moisture, mildew and stains. Sugar soap, diluted bleach (or vinegar) and a paint job are the tools you’ll need to tackle these tasks.
 
Superior Exterior
 
Whether you have a lush garden with a pristine lawn, water features and an active bird community, or just a couple of pot plants on your doorstep – the exterior of your home can easily be rejuvenated with a few afternoons spent on basic DIY activities. 
With a high pressure hose and a trusty ladder you can restore your roof tiles to their former glory and put the sparkle back into your exterior. High pressure hoses can be hired by the hour and can also be put to good use on pavements, fences and even the inside of your shower.
 
Beef Up Security
 
You don’t need to fortify your home with a moat or patrol guards - keep your home safe and sound by blocking possible security gaps.
Fit motion detection lights along paths of entry as well as in the garden – a relatively inexpensive operation that will give you piece of mind and potential burglars an unwelcome greeting.
 
Ensure that burglar bars are fitted with tamper-proof uni-directional screws, available from all hardware stores, to ensure that your home can’t be accessed with a tool as simple as a screwdriver.
If you already have an alarm system in place, it may be a good idea to perform the safety checks to ensure that your system is up and running as it should be. Contact your service provider to enquire about routine procedures.
 
General Maintenance
 
There are many odd jobs that you can check off your list with ease that would improve the overall charm of your home. Spend some time filling the cracks in and around your home, removing residual putty from window panes and flushing out gutter pipes - your home will soon sparkle from top to toe.
 
With the addition of a skylight, a dimly-lit room can be livened up with natural light that will both brighten and warm the room – very useful for rooms that see little sun, such as kitchens, corridors and studies.
 
Apart from Saturday DIY jobs, calling in a professional to tackle a few trickier tasks is also important to the appeal and value of your home. An electrician, pest control specialist and plumber can assess your home and could save you money in the future - and remember to ask for certification if you’re looking to sell your home.
 
More About Property24
 
If you’re looking to buy, sell or rent, Property24 is the largest online portal of houses, farms and commercial properties in South Africa. Featuring daily additions from thousands of estate agents; browse through the largest collection of up to date property listings in the country, in one easy to access destination.

 

]]> How To Appeal To Holiday Renters http://press.property24.com/article/340/appeal-to-holiday-renters http://press.property24.com/article/340/ Article Property24 2008-09-03T06:28:45+00:00 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:28:45 +0000 Do you have an additional home or a holiday property that you’d like to rent out in order make the most of your investment? Be sure to read this article which is packed with tips on what you can do in order to promote your investment to holiday makers.

]]> How To Make Money From Your Investment

Do you have a holiday home or additional property that could be put to good use to earn you a bit of extra money? With a little effort and without costing you much time or hard earned cash you could soon be making an extra income from an otherwise dormant investment.

Touching up your home, promoting it well and generally adding to the appeal for long or short term guests can guarantee that your holiday home or additional property is making profit for you while you are not using it.
 
Here are some ideas to get you motivated and well on your way to appealing to holiday renters:
 
Advertise Your Property at Home and Abroad

Be sure to advertise your holiday accommodation wherever possible, from the notice board at the local grocery store to the many online classified adverts which are visible across the globe.

You have the power of cheap global advertising at your fingertips; by advertising online you can attract both locals looking for a weekend getaway and international visitors looking for a mid-term oasis abroad.
 
Make Your Guests Feel At Home

Compiling a welcoming information document about your home and the surrounding area can both entice visitors and ensure that they feel at home upon arrival rather than out of place.

Are there regular events, celebrations, clubs or other activities in and around the area of your holiday home that may interest potential visitors? A surfing school within walking distance from your front door, or a cheese and crackers festival in a neighbouring town could be the angle you need to spark an interest and secure a booking.
 
You can also offer an incentive to attract visitors - perhaps provide tickets to a local occasion with a booking, or promote your home for use during a specific event in the area. Tie in with one of these special interest activities and you may increase your chances of finding tenants.
 
Thinking Seasonal

Do you only use your holiday home once or twice a year, leaving it empty for the majority of the year to gather dust? By promoting your home at the same time every year, you’re likely to have guests by referral as well as repeat visitors.

By forming a group with friends who also have holiday homes in your area, you might be able to draw groups of travellers like families and special interest or tour groups looking for accommodation for lots of people.
Still not finding the interest in your property you were hoping for? Think about reducing the rental price, or offer reduced rates for extended periods. It may be just what you need to attract holidaymakers.
 
Reinvent your Holiday Home

Give your home an edge with simple renovations and repairs. From constructing an undercover braai and entertainment area or putting in a plunge pool or jacuzzi, to treating your home to a new paint job or an afternoon removing the weeds from the garden – big or small, a change will be good for you holiday home.

Enjoy Your Own Holiday Home

Your holiday home doesn’t have to be the only fixed asset you make money from. Many big city dwellers rent out their homes during the busy season and retreat to their holiday homes or other destinations for some solitude from the crowds. It’s a great way to get out on your own holiday, without breaking the bank.

Now that you have some food for thought on how to increase the appeal of your house to holiday makers and earn extra income from your getaway home, it’s up to you to make the change and advertise your home to make the most of its potential.
 
More About Property24

Property24 is not only South Africa’s biggest online property portal, but also the most visited online property resource in the country. With personalised, countrywide property listings available at the click of a button, it’s the easiest way for homebuyers, sellers, owners, landlords and tenants to access a country-wide, yet international market.

 

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