The Issue: A Clean Sweep

The back end

We spend a lot of time here explaining how important it is to make sure that your home is presented looking its best if you are planning to sell or let it. All of it is true – and especially at this time of year. Yes, the hour has gone back, the daylight hours are shorter and things are looking, well let’s say they are looking less pretty at this time of the year, and particularly outside.

Inside you can make things look good by following our previous advice on lighting things up. Once again, go round every room and check that all your lights are working and turn them all on.
Outside things are different. Leaves are falling, plants are dying or dying back and there is a good chance that everything will be wet.

First job is to pull up and get rid of anything that is not meant to survive over winter. Dead plants give an impression of neglect and decay so out with them. Second job, cut back anything that is getting straggly and out of hand. If you are not sure then ask a gardening friend or take a look online, trim and tidy is the key here.

Get rid of anything that is not meant to survive

If you, or your neighbours, have trees then your biggest problem is going to be autumnal leaves. Get that broom out and sweep them up, compost them if you can and bag them up if not. The longer you leave leaves on the ground at this time of year the more likely they are to create a mess. Remember that rotting leaves can very quickly stain paving and decking so get rid of them, even if this means a daily sweep up.

A good sweep of any decking is not a bad idea either and it might help to hold back that green blight that can strike as the weather gets wetter.

This of course applies to both the front and the back of your house, remember that kerb appeal really counts. Trees in the street can be an ongoing problem in autumn and sweeping up is the only answer, but don’t just sweep onto your neighbour’s frontage, or into the gutter where they can block the drains, bag them and get rid of them. Burning them is a bad choice too, bite the bullet and bag ’em.

Oh and while you’re at it, check any garden lighting is working – and turn it on. Show off your garden spaces no matter how small and do it with style.