Noticed that the local Bunning’s has been busier than usual lately? With Sydney experiencing one of the driest winters on record, Cameron Nicholls suggests it may be those prepping for a spring sale.

Cameron Nicholls, principal and founder of Nicholls & Co Estate Agents, said that waiting for spring can be a good way for sellers to maximise the return on the sale of a property.

“We’re urging those who are thinking of selling to use the last weeks of winter to get their homes prepped for sale so they can hit the market from 1 September,” Mr Nicholls said.

Mr Nicholls’s top five areas of a property to improve during winter are:

1. Garage

As the garage is typically seen as a dumping ground of miscellaneous bulky items that may need to be tossed in council clean-ups, it is best to declutter the space, Mr Nicholls suggests.

“There is nothing worse than seeing cluttered space – no matter what room it’s in,” he said.

2. Garden

Any unmanaged trees should be trimmed back, and Mr Nicholls added it would not hurt to consult with a garden centre to see what plants will bloom and add a bit of colour come the first of September.

3. Façade

Updating the façade of a property with a new coat of paint in the colder seasons is a smart strategy, according to Mr Nicholls. Why? Painting in warmer weather “only makes the paint sweat while drying”.

4. Windows

The simple task of cleaning windows shouldn't be forgotten as well, for clean windows can greatly improve the look of a home.

“It also shows to potential buyers that the home has been well maintained,” Mr Nicholls explained.

5. Gutters

Gutters may be filled with leaves from autumn, so they must also be cleaned, according to Mr Nicholls, for two important reasons: first is to improve the look of the roofing; second is to ensure that water doesn't seep into the structural foundation of the house.

Mr Nicholls reminds that once the maintenance and improvement work is finished, you have to do an inspection of the whole property to make sure no imperfections have been missed. He even suggests inviting a friend or a family member to walk through your home to find the flaws.

“With the market slowing, keeping in mind that this will be very gradual, prices will still grow but at a lower rate year-on-year," Mr Nicholls added. “Now it is even more important to get your property presentation right ahead of sale, so you can reap the benefits.”