Quick Tips For Preparing Your House
These tips and techniques are suggested to help you prepare your property to get the best results. Prioritize your improvements based on the items that make the greatest differences to the appearance of your house and property.
Most people are turned off by even the smallest amount of uncleanliness or odour when buying a resale home.
If your house is clean (squeaky clean) you will be able to sell your house faster and net hundreds, if not thousands of dollars more. Further, if you are moving anyway, why not sell of dispose of items you don't want.
Your storage area will appear larger and be more appealing to buyers.
Odours must be eliminated especially if you have dogs, cats, or children in diapers, or are a smoker. You may not notice these odours, but buyers do. Most agents find it difficult telling their clients about odours.
If you select me to represent you and odours may not be obvious to you, please do not take offence if I must tell you about them.
It is only because I want you to succeed in selling your home sooner at the best possible price.
You Must Provide Easy Access
Top selling agents will not show your home if both the key and easy access are not readily available. Their schedules are typically busy and do not afford them time to chase down keys and reschedule appointments which are cancelled because the owner does not provide easy access. This could cost you showings and potentially the sale of your house. Remember, an agent's goal is to show and sell your home.
The best way to have your house available for showings is to have a key available in a lockbox attached to or near your front door.
For Showing Appointments:
· Turn alll the lights on if the showing is after dark, if it's a cloudy day or if any rooms in your home do not allow the sunlight in. open all drapes, shutters or other window coverings. Buyers want homes that appear bright.
· Keep all doors unlocked within the home. Buyers want to see all the rooms and if they can't, it slows down or prevents their tour from being complete.
· Leave only soft music playing, turned down low.
· Leave the premises so that purchasers can view your home without interruptions or distractions. Take a short walk with your children and pets. If that is not possible, remain in the background throughout their showing. Most importantly do not follow people through your home, people will be uncomfortable and less likely to ask questions.
Your Home Should Appear Inviting:
Paint where it's most needed, especially blemishes that require touch-ups. Worn or soiled areas should be done too. Sometimes simple touch-ups are all that is required. If repainting entire rooms, choose warm neutral colours that blend in with wallpaper, carpet, and adjoining areas. Aside from white or cream colours, ask your paint supplier which colours are popular.
Clean up clutter, garbage, and debris for appearance and safety's sake. Pay special attention to paths to and from rooms, stairs and storage spaces.
Conduct a "kitchen cleaning campaign".
The sink should always be clean and free of dirty dishes.
Countertops should be as clear as you can make them appear like there is plenty of counter space.
Wash floors, baseboards, and kitchen cupboards. Windows should be cleaned.
Make bathrooms look their best. Clean faucets, sinks, mirrors, tubs, tiles, walls, floors, and especially toilets. They should shine. Remove personal items from view. Fix leaks. repair grout or caulking.
Organize closets to show their space. Put unnecessary items elsewhere.
- Put out a "Welcome" mat with a rough textured surface. It will help minimize tracking dirt into your home. While we can ask people to remove their shoes before touring homes, unfortunately not everyone does. They expect to tour basements and adjoining covered porches. Ensure your floors are clean and warm, especially during cold months-this will help.
Eliminate unpleasant odours in all areas. Air fresheners and lemon scent cleaners give kitchens, bathrooms and closets a fresher smell. Soft scent potpourri can add a pleasant odour to living and dining rooms. Deodorizers work well in basements. Baking soda absorbs odours in cupboards and refrigerators.
Add special accents that show you care about your house and that make it most inviting. A bouquet of fresh cut flowers. The scents of cinnamon of fresh baked bread. An open cookbook or coffee table book. Don't overdo it, but think in terms of "home comfort".
Put yourself in homebuyer's shoes. Their tour of your house should give them reason to want to ask questions and return for a second viewing.
