PREPARING TO SELL

When preparing your property to show, work your way from the outside in. It is essential  that your home possess a certain “drive-up appeal.” Remember, a potential buyer’s first  impression of your house is formed while s/he is still sitting in the car. So, first  you need to view your house from this perspective. Go stand on the opposite curb and  observe your property. Compare it to surrounding properties.

• A good power wash of the exterior can really show the home well
• Wash windows, and get rid of cob webs around doors and windows
• Get rid of any weeds growing in your garden beds
• Complete any outstanding work to the outside of the home
• Mow the lawn / shovel snow off walkways and remove any ice from steps  

• Clear any trash or clutter of surfaces such as nightstands, dressers, counters and tables
• Put away all toiletries in the bathroom
• Tidy the welcome area so there aren’t too many shoes or coats taking up space
• Don’t have too many photos on display, but leaving some up is definitely ok! 

People use all of their senses when they evaluate a property, so remember to keep their noses happy. 

• Avoid preparing aromatic foods using garlic, onions or other fragrant ingredients two days before your open house. 
• Tuck fabric softener sheets in areas where shoes and sporting equipment is stored.
• Need to dispel a smell quickly? Open up all of the interior doors in your home and cook up a batch of ready-to-bake chocolate chip cookies. Not only do they smell delish, you can leave them out on a plate for people to nibble on as they consider your property.
• While few can resist the unconditional love of a pet, many prospective buyers would prefer not to see pet hairs or smell evidence of Kitty or Poodle. If possible, try to find a place for your pet to stay for a few days and have your carpets steam-cleaned to eliminate any lingering odors. Or try to have your pet reign in one room or on one floor and give the area a thorough cleaning prior to showings. Remember also to tuck pet beds, litter boxes and food dishes out of the way.

• Handle any small odd-jobs such as leaky taps, moldy caulk around tubs, floor transitions and baseboards
• Replace any burnt out light bulbs
• Complete any projects you may have started
• Touch up paint where needed. Scan the wall top to bottom and look at door and window frames
• Consider a more neutral colour if you have brightly painted rooms
• Use a magic eraser on kitchen cupboards, door and window frames, scuffs on walls, etc.

There are a lot of home-staging consultants in business for good reason: staged homes sell faster. Why? 

Not only does it add value to your home, successful home staging enables a buyer to see themselves in your home, and not how you’re currently occupying it. Professional staging consultants accomplish this by following some simple guidelines. Showing your home so that someone else can imagine themselves living there is important. Take away about half of the items on shelves and through out your space, but leave some personality!