Where do I start?

Getting ready to sell your house? A home is one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime, and when it’s time to sell, you’ll want to make sure that your investment is protected. So it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work!

BEFORE you put your house on the market, review this checklist of things you should do in preparation:

• Find a REALTOR that:
  • You’ll be comfortable working with
  • Understands your needs
  • Is familiar with the area and local by-laws
  • Is professional, committed to helping you through this process, and will be there for you every step of the way

  

• Consider your curb appeal:
  • Make sure potential buyers’ first impression of your home is a good one that will inspire them to want to see more
  • By investing some effort in relatively easy fixes, like planting colorful flowers and repainting your front door, the outside of your house can beckon prospective buyers to come on in. If you’re not sure how to improve your home’s curb appeal, ask your real estate agent for advice.
• Declutter living areas:
  • Do a clean sweep of counters, windowsills, tables, and all other visible areas, and then tackle behind closed doors: closets, drawers, and cupboards. Get a head start on packing for your move!
  • Donate your excess stuff or pack it up and store it off-site.
• De-personalize your space:
  • Remove any distractions so the buyers can visualize themselves and their family living in the property.
  • Remove personal items and family photos, as well as bold artwork and furniture that might make the home less appealing to the general public. The goal is to create a blank canvas on which buyers can project their own visions of living there, and loving it.

• Re-paint walls to neutral tones:
  • You might love bright, colourful accents but it could be a turn-off to potential buyers.
  • Neutral colours are safer and allow buyers to more easily envision their colour preferences.
• Touch up any scuff marks and do repairs:
  • Even if you’re not doing a full-on repainting project, pay special attention to scrubbing and then touching up baseboards, walls, and doors to make the house sparkle and look cared-for
  • Fix loose handles and do repairs before you put it on the market so that buyers can focus on the home and not the ‘to-do’ list.
  • Replace burned out light bulbs.
• Add some plants:
  • Plants create a bright and more welcoming environment. Also consider a bouquet of flowers or bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter or dining table
• Conduct a smell test:
  • Invite an unbiased third party in to try to detect any pet smells or lingering odors from your kitchen. If the smells are pervasive, prepare to do some deep cleaning rather than trying to mask them with candles or deodorizers.
  • Before all showings and open houses, make sure that you 1) take out the garbage, 2) flush toilets, and 3) clean out cat litter boxes.
• Do a thorough ‘spring’ clean:
  • Keep in mind that your home should be decluttered and cleaned before pictures are taken as those pictures are going to convey what your home looks like to potential buyers.
  • Try to keep everything tidy on a regular basis, as you never know when a buyer may schedule a last-minute tour. Remember to take special care with the bathrooms and kitchen
• Hide valuables: From art to jewelry, keep your treasures are out of sight, either locked up or stored off-site.
• Consider staging:
  • Does your house scream 1985? Home stagers will evaluate the current condition and belongings in your house and determine what elements might raise the bar. They might recommend you buy or rent some items, or they might just reorganize your knickknacks and bookshelves in a whole new way.

NOW YOU’RE READY TO SELL YOUR HOUSE!!

For more tips and advice, contact me for your copy of the Home Sellers Guide.