How to prepare your lifestyle property for sale to achieve top dollar

It all starts with choosing the right lifestyle agent. Always choose an agent who specialises in your local area and who truly understands the individual requirements, features and subtleties such as council limitations, fertiliser requirements etc in your town as well as your property's unique selling points.

1) First impressions count

Buying a lifestyle property is the ultimate kiwi dream for most buyers, so it's absolutely vital that your property ticks all the boxes and creates a memorable first impression. 

From the letterbox to the tidy grounds and facade of your home - it all counts.  A good gate, boundary fence and driveway is the most powerful first impression and can be expensive to fix so ensure you keep these well maintained and tidy.

2) Does the property have significant income potential?

Small business owners may be looking for the right piece of land to cater for their growing business venture.  If your land has the potential to be used as pastoral or horticultural land and is well-located it could be very desirable to this potential buyer.

3) Is the home looking its best?

Lifestyle lots might draw their unique charm from the land around the home, but like any residential property, buyers will still be looking for appeal both inside and outside the home.

Ensure that your home is well maintained and freshly painted. The inside should be clean and tidy but still feel like a lived-in, cosy home. If your home has unique features, make sure you emphasise these with furnishings, lighting and decor. Focus on the kitchen and bathroom areas and ensure these are gleaming and well maintained.

4) Trees can add value

Trees can add an aesthetically pleasing outlook to any property, and when placed correctly on a lifestyle block - they can add monetary value to the property and create boundaries and added privacy from the road.

Trees arching over the driveway can be beautiful and create a grand entrance to your property.  Strategically placed trees in wet and muddy areas can also reduce the amount of water and make the area more usable and visually appealing.  Everyone loves fruit trees so a manageable orchard on your land can potentially add value to your property come sale time.

5) How are the internet/power/water utilities here?

At the time of writing, the vast majority of rural addresses in New Zealand have access to fibre internet—but not everyone. About 20 per cent of those outside of the major city centres don’t have access, which gives you another bargaining chip if you are one of those who do. You’d be surprised how much of a difference a simple fibre connection can make to your sale price.