Preparing your home for sale

Are you thinking of selling your home? Minor improvements can add value to your home and need not require a large renovation bill. After I do a preliminary inspection of your home, I will be able to tell you what types of improvements make the most sense. Here are a few ideas that can help to sell your home faster, at the best possible price.

Make the Exterior of Your Home Inviting

Keeping your lawns and gardens well maintained improves the chances that potential buyers will want to look at your home. Repair or replace damaged siding, shingles, eaves troughs, and windows. And take the time to remove clutter from your porch and clean your front door to make your home inviting.

Cleaning and Painting

Most prospective buyers are turned off by even the smallest amount of dirt. Sellers can lose money if they do not clean adequately. On the other hand, if your home is squeaky clean, you will be able to sell it for perhaps thousands of dollars more. It is often said that painting is the best way to improve your home for the least amount of money. You should paint if your home has scuffed, exposed or faded wood, or chips. And fresh wallpaper can add charm and value to your property. You should also clean your fireplace and steam clean your carpets. And if your carpets are worn, extremely dirty, outdated, or an unusual colour, you may need to seriously consider replacing them.

Kitchen & Bathroom

Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Replace worn or outdated counter tops and cracked light-switch plates. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. Cabinets or closet doors that stick are easy to repair, and doing this is well worth the effort. Repair dripping facets and showerheads. Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolours sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. For added allure, display your best towels, mats, and shower curtains.

Organizing to Create Space

Rooms that are too cluttered will give the impression that they’re much smaller than their true size. Try to create a feeling of spaciousness when conducting your clean up. One way to do this is by getting rid of excess furniture. If you’re planning on moving, why not get rid of old junk now so that your home will appear larger. And remember that prospective buyers are looking for more than just a comfortable living space. They’re looking for storage space too. The better organized a closet is, the larger it appears. Now’s the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity. And remember to remove any items (like chandeliers) that won't be included in the sale of the home.

Give Your Home a Fresh Scent

Most people are also turned off by even the smallest odour when buying a resale home. Odours must be eliminated, and especially if you have animals or smoke. You may not notice the smell, but prospective buyers will. You can freshen your kitchen by sending a lemon through your blender or garborator. Odours in your fridge can be reduced with a box of baking soda. When you have cleaned and removed odours, you can give your home a fresh scent by putting fresh flowers to the living room and spraying the bathrooms with lavender.

What to Do on Showing Day

Pull back your curtains and drapes and the let the sun shine in so that prospective buyers can see how bright and cheery your home is. If you’re showing your home in the evening, turn on all your lights – both inside and outside – to add colour and warmth, and make prospective buyers feel welcome.

Think of prospective buyers as your guests and prepare your home’s interior accordingly. Ensure that every room is tidy and well aired. Don't keep money, jewelry, and small valuables in plain sight. Turn down the stereo or TV. And add special accents like fresh flowers and candles to make your house appear comfortable and inviting.

As a courtesy, sellers often leave while I conduct showings so that buyers can view the home with a minimum of distraction. If you are at home during your showing, it is best to keep the company present to a minimum. And keep dogs, cats, and other pets outside – or at least out of the way. Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they’re more likely to hurry through.