Get Your Home Ready to Sell

A house that “sparkles” on the surface will sell faster than its less well-kept neighbor, even though both are structurally well maintained.

Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well cared for home because if what they can see is maintained, what they can’t see has probably also been maintained.

HOW TO IMPROVE CURB APPEAL

When people pull up to your house for the first time, what they see on the outside will create their initial impression.  Some of our favorite tips include:

• Think about keeping your lawn looking great, which includes care for hedges, trees and flowerbeds.
• As people walk towards your house, how does the walkway look?
• The front doors need to look their best.  A fresh coat of paint will go a long way.
• Flowers near the front entrance is always a good decision.
• Make sure there’s nothing hanging out of the eaves, gutters or drain pipes.  This is easily overlooked by the homeowner but immediately noticed by prospective buyers.

SMALL UPGRADES GO A LONG WAY

We encourage sellers to think of small, inexpensive upgrades as being smart investments that will help their home sell.

If owners have busy lifestyles, hiring a professional cleaning service every few weeks will be invaluable.  If the walls are strongly coloured or have very ornate wallpaper, we suggest either repainting or repapering with a neutral shade such as off-white or beige.  The same thinking can be applied to flooring, as well.  If there are cracks or holes anywhere, now is the time to get the repaired.

The kitchen is an overlooked area where changes can make a significant difference.  Switching out the cabinet hardware can revitalize the look of your drawers and cabinets.  New curtains or blinds can also freshen up the feel.  If you got an older coffee maker on display, buying a new stainless steel model will also look great.  And you get a new coffee maker as well!  The changes don’t have to be dramatic but the results will be!

STAGE IT, SELL IT, PROFIT

There are some very simple steps you can take to stage your home so that it will impress buyers.  We encourage sellers to go from room-to-room and remove any objects that aren’t necessary.  Try to see each room as if you’re seeing it for the first time.  Does it look cluttered?  Does the room need a fresh coat of paint?  Does the carpet or drapes need cleaning?  Are the windows clear and sparkling?

If there’s too much furniture in a room, it can make a room look smaller.  Removing a piece or two will make the room appear larger.  The more effort you can put into helping a potential buyer understand the space, the easier it makes the house to sell.  Imagine that showing your house to someone new is like going on a first date: What first impression do you want to make?  The easy answer is: Your best!