Creating an outdoor ambience that will 'move' you

Last month, we talked about spring cleaning and getting your home looking its best. With summer on the way, it has never been more important for the exterior of your home to do a bit of showing off. Potential buyers and tenants will imagine themselves spending time in their future entertainment area, garden and pool, so having these in tip-top condition will encourage them to sign on the dotted line.

Creating an entertainment area that turns heads

Summertime is all about braais and get-togethers, and having an attractive entertainment area is a great way to entice would-be buyers and tenants. For starters, it's a great idea to get a décor scheme going with colours, lighting and decorative elements. While your patio furniture will go with you when you move out, the ambience will not.

When thinking of affordable ways to help your entertainment area look its best, the only limit is your imagination. From brightly coloured flower pots and eye-catching cushion covers to fairy lights and trendy-but-affordable pallet furniture, there are endless ways to transform your patio from drab to fabulous. If you haven't been using your entertainment area much during the winter months, give your furniture, your braai and the floors a thorough clean. Less is more when it comes to décor, so clear away the clutter and make the space as open as possible. 

Getting your garden gorgeous

A lot of the specifics of what needs to be done in your garden at this time of year will depend on what part of the country you are in. In summer rainfall areas, for example, good drainage is essential, and in other areas, it is important to put down a protective layer of mulch. Those in winter-rainfall areas like the Western Cape will need to be on the lookout for beetles which can destroy flowers with remarkable speed. All around the country, budding gardeners should be cutting back perennials that have finished flowering and "deadheading" their flowerbeds, which means removing dead flowers.

To keep your garden looking its best, ensure that the lawn is well mowed, the edges between grass and pathways are neat and that flowerbeds are free of weeds. Get rid of any dead branches and sweep dead leaves off the lawn - the less work that the garden appears to need when would-be buyers or tenants visit your property, the better. 

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to add a splash of colour to your garden is to plant some seedlings. To help give your seedlings a healthy start to life, water the area well the day before you plan to plant. Do the planting early in the morning or on a cloudy day, and add compost to the soil. Seedlings should be planted in your garden at the same depth as they were in the tray.

To get a lawn that's worth being 'green' with envy over, avoid the temptation to crop your grass as close to the ground as possible when mowing. While it will mean more time until you mow again, the grass can die if it is cut too close to the roots. Do your watering early in the morning - this allows the much-needed moisture to be absorbed by the roots rather than evaporated by the sun. If you're using herbicide to make weeds a thing of the past, make sure you follow the instructions carefully and never apply more weed killer than is recommended. Avoid watering or mowing the lawn for 24 hours after applying herbicide.

When it comes to dressing your lawn for success, it's important to choose the correct fertiliser. Your local nursery will be able to help with this, and your lawn's needs will be different depending on where you are and what time of year it is.

Three tips for making your swimming pool sparkle

Keeping the water in your pool circulating is the pump's job, and golden rule number one is to remember to run your pump. While running it all the time will lead to a high electricity bill, your pump should be running for about 12 hours a day during summer. If you have an automatic pool cleaner, this will do most - but not all - of the cleaning work for you. Tip number two is to try and take a brush once a week to any areas which may be difficult for your cleaner to reach. The final trick is to ensure that the chemical balance in your pool remains optimal. You can either get your own test strips and pool kits to achieve this, or you can take a water sample to your nearest pool shop.

Your pool should be seen as an extension of your entertainment area, and having a couple of deckchairs set up is a great way to stage your pool area. Having a fence put up around your pool area will help make your home more appealing to families with small children.

If you are considering selling, renting out or buying property this summer, Jawitz Properties will make the perfect property partner. Contact us today.