Prepping Your Home For Sale
If you’re like many of us, during the last few years you’ve either thought about selling, or have taken the leap and actually sold your home. With a hot market and changing job and lifestyle requirements, a lot of people were ready to take advantage and make a move for a variety of reasons.
But as you likely already know, the housing market has started to change. Homes are staying on the MLS longer, lineups and bidding wars are less frequent and prices have levelled out. Gone are the days where you can put your house up for sale as is and expect to command top dollar. Nowadays you need to properly prepare your home for sale so that it presents well to potential buyers.
Here are my top tips to help your home stand out in the current market.
DE-CLUTTER AND DE-PERSONALIZE
Since you likely don’t want to move things you no longer use, need or want to your new home, now is the perfect time to de-clutter as it will also serve to create the illusion of more space in your current home.
Any potential new owners can’t picture themselves living in your house if your personal mementos are everywhere. Make sure you go through each room and de-personalize as much as possible.
CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN
It can’t be said enough, a thorough clean is crucial! Get into the nooks and crannies (home buyers can be nosy!) and be sure your home is spotless before any open houses or showings. If you don’t want the pressure of trying to keep your house constantly clean, plan to spend a few nights away and have your realtor pack showings in during that time.
STAGE
While potential buyers don’t want to see your personal stuff everywhere, they do want to see some things. An empty house simply doesn’t show as well since most people don’t have the vision to picture what furniture would work in the space and an empty home doesn’t feel warm and inviting. Home buyers are often emotional and make decisions about homes they like based on feeling, so getting professional staging done is a solid investment that will give you a great ROI.
PAY ATTENTION TO HOW THE HOUSE SMELLS, NOT JUST HOW IT LOOKS
Often overlooked but a simple thing to fix, get some diffusers with light scents to mask odours and infuse a pleasant smell into the home without being overwhelming. A subtle change that can make a big impact!
HIGHLIGHT FLEXIBILITY OF SPACES
The past few years have created an increase in the desire for home offices, home gyms, etc. so be sure to showcase the different ways the rooms in your home could be used through placement of furniture and use of various accessories.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE OUTSIDE
Curb appeal is key! First impressions matter when it comes to your home too! Don’t ignore the outside. Make sure your lawns and gardens have been weeded, watered and tended to, make any repairs, wash windows and siding and touch-up paint as needed.
Do all of this and you’ll be saving yourself a lot of time and stress in the long run when your beautiful home shows in its best light and can be sold to the right person for the right price and you can move on to your next housing adventure!
