PREPARING YOUR PROPERTY FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

The holiday season is just around the corner – only 12 weeks away! For homeowners and real estate enthusiasts alike, it's the perfect time to showcase your property's charm and warmth. Whether you're looking to sell your home or simply want to create a festive atmosphere for your family and friends, there are plenty of ways to make your property sparkle during this magical time of year.

November and December will be filled with Christmas parties, holiday planning, (work cramming), present shopping and late-night wrapping. So preparing for the festive season is really important, and October is the best month to get your checklist underway. If a holiday is on the agenda, preparing your property will protect your home in your absence, and make your return so much smoother.

1. Are your pets booked into holiday accommodation or do you have a pet sitter lined up?

2. Remember your plants. Ask a friend or neighbour to pop by and water your plants a couple times a week (and leave them with a key if there are indoor plants too). Self-watering stakes or timed reticulation are a great option too.

3. Speaking of neighbours, having a close relationship can really help! If there won’t be any cars left at your place, ask the neighbour to occasionally park their car in your driveway so that it looks occupied.

4. Clean out the fridge. As well as throwing away food that will expire while you’re gone (no-one wants a stinky fridge), give this hard-working appliance some TLC with a proper wipe over.

5. How about the kitchen pantry? While you’re sorting out the fridge, take a long hard look at your pantry too. Get rid of half empty packets, near-empty bottles and food that won’t last the distance. A quick wipe over of the shelves will make your return to the kitchen so much more pleasurable.

6. Tackle the laundry. If you’re an ironer (let’s face it, some iron, some don’t), iron the last of the items in the laundry basket and you will feel so satisfied. Or if you’re a folder, put everything away so the laundry is fresh and clear for your return (with mounds of washing!). And make sure the iron’s turned off - nothing can spoil a holiday like feeling you have left something on...

7. If you’re heading off on a weekend getaway, leave a few lamps on in the house to make it look like someone’s home. For a longer vacation, think about investing in inexpensive automatic timers that can turn your lights on and off at staggered intervals, making your house look occupied.

8. Unplug and switch off. Turn off everything at the power point.

9. Ask your neighbour to collect the mail so that it doesn’t pile up in your letterbox or have your mail redirected or held at your local post office until your return. If you still get newspapers home delivered (who does that?) remember to cancel them for the period you are away.

10. Strip the beds so you can give your mattress a much-needed airing out.

11. Think about what you will need for your return. Clean bed linen and fresh towels…

12. Make sure your house is clean and tidy for your return – vacuum, mop, wipe down surfaces and clean the bathrooms and the kitchen. You will thank yourself when you arrive home!

13. Install a motion-activated sensor or an outdoor floodlight. Burglars hate outdoor lighting.

14. Empty your bins, and put the bins out for collection (and ask that lovely neighbour of yours to bring the bins in for you).

15. Don’t close all the blinds if you normally keep them open – closing them all may work against you as it’s a signal to burglars that you are away.

16. Make sure your lawn is mowed too – a messy garden is a sign of neglect.

Happy holidays!

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