The Vendor Diaries, Entry 2: Getting the house exterior in shape

If you caught Entry 1, you'll know we spent serious time on the section and garden across our four rental sales. Once the outside is sorted, your eye naturally moves to the house itself — and there's plenty you can do without spending a fortune.

We did all of this ourselves, across four properties, in buyers' markets. Every one of those properties sold faster and for better results than they would have untouched.

Already read Entry 1? If your section and garden are sorted, you're in the right place. If not, start there — the outside of the house and the section need to work together.

What we did to the house exterior

1. Paint the exterior — or at least the trim

A full repaint is the single biggest exterior transformation you can make. If budget is tight, at minimum paint the trim, fascia boards, and window frames. Fresh white trim against tired weatherboards still lifts the whole house. We repainted two of our four properties fully and it made an enormous difference to the photography and open homes.

2. Repair or replace rotting weatherboards

Rotten weatherboards will come up in the building report. If you know they're there, deal with them before listing — either by repairing and painting over, or replacing. A building inspector flagging rot is a negotiating lever for buyers. Remove that lever.

3. Clean or replace the gutters and downpipes

We covered this in Entry 1 but it's worth repeating: clean gutters, no sagging, downpipes that are attached and draining correctly. It's a small thing that signals the property has been maintained. A building inspector will check this on the first walk around.

4. Paint the front door a statement colour

This is the one place we'd encourage you to be bold. A deep teal, a classic red, a forest green — a well-chosen front door colour becomes a selling feature. It looks great in photos, it's memorable, and it costs almost nothing. We did this on three of our four properties and it was always commented on at open homes.

5. Replace the door hardware

While you're doing the front door, replace the handle, knocker, and any locks that look tired. Brushed brass or matte black hardware is inexpensive and looks sharp. It's a detail that photographs well and feels good when buyers try the door at an open home.

6. Clean every window — inside and out

Dirty windows read as neglect. Clean every pane inside and out before photography and before every open home. It's one of those things that buyers don't consciously notice when it's done, but definitely notice when it isn't.

7. Check and repair window frames

Cracked or peeling window frames are a red flag for moisture and maintenance. Fill, sand, and paint any that need it. If there's rot, it needs to be properly repaired — filler on rotting timber is not a solution and a building inspector will find it.

8. Water blast the driveway and paths again

You may have done this for the section, but do it again closer to listing date. Concrete driveways get dirty fast. A clean driveway is part of the first impression — it's in the exterior photo and buyers walk up it at every open home.

9. Ask about ListNow if the prep costs are adding up

Painting, repairs, and water blasting add up — and not everyone has the cash sitting there before a sale. ListNow covers pre-listing costs up to $50,000, repaid at settlement or within six months. We've used it with vendors to get the prep done properly rather than cutting corners. Ask us about it.

10. Fix the garage door if there is one

A garage door that sticks, scrapes, or rattles is annoying at an open home and raises questions about maintenance. If it's electric, make sure it works smoothly. If the panels are dented or the paint is peeling, sort it. Garages are a selling feature — don't let the door undermine it.

11. Exterior lighting for twilight opens

Twilight open homes are powerful — the house looks warm and inviting when it's lit up from inside and outside. Make sure every exterior light fitting works, has a good bulb in it, and is clean. If your property lacks exterior lighting, two or three solar path lights can make a difference for almost nothing.

The takeaway: The exterior of the house is what sells the photo, and the photo is what gets people through the door. Everything we did was about making the house look maintained, cared for, and worth the price. Buyers are looking for reasons to walk away — don't give them any on the outside.

Previously: Entry 1: Gardens and outdoor Next in the series: Entry 3: Inside the house

Selling in Wellington? We've been doing this for 17 years across Ngaio, Johnsonville, Karori, Newlands, Khandallah, Paparangi, Woodridge, Grenada Village and beyond. No junior agents, no fuss. Find out what your home's worth or call us on 027 518 0008.