How Do I Prepare My Home For Sale?
For most Canadians, purchasing a home is the largest investment of their lives. So, when it comes to selling your home, it is understandable that the process will require some effort on your part. Preparing your home to be sold is an important process, it helps buyers see the potential in your property and ultimately helps them visualize their future there. If you are able to achieve both of these, you should start receiving offers in no time.
However, preparing your home for sale is easier said than done. To help you prepare your home for sale, we have put together a list of tips that will help expedite the process.
1. Build a Team of Professionals
As mentioned above, selling or buying a home is a big financial decision. Most people only go through this process a handful of times. Assembling a team of professionals to help you navigate this process has many benefits. At the center of your team, you need to partner with a real estate agent that you trust. Your agent is experienced with helping prepare homes for sale, and they can easily point out areas of concern that require attention.
2. Declutter Your Home
Taking the time to clean up and organize your home has two main benefits when it comes to selling your home. 1) An organized space seems more spacious and allows for people to easily move through the room. 2) It allows for potential buyers to visualize themselves and their personal items in the home versus being distracted by what you have laying around. Removing any unneeded furniture and personal items from your home will help achieve this decluttered state. Look at renting a storage unit to keep your items safe, versus just sticking them in the garage or basement.
3. Make a Great First Impressions
The first thing a potential home buyer will notice when looking at your home is your home’s exterior aesthetics and cub appeal. If a potential buyer is not impressed with your home’s exterior, it may detract from the home’s interior. Power washing your driveway and the exterior of your home will remove any built-up dirt and grime. Cleaning up your garden and lawn will help show pride of ownership, and putting out some potted plants around the front door and walkway will provide a welcoming ambiance. Once the exterior has made a great first impression, the focus shifts inside, where good light and a thoughtful layout become essential to securing a buyer’s interest.
4. A Fresh Coat of Paint
Painting your home in a neutral tone is a good way to showcase your home while eliminating any biases based on design and style. A fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive project that will help cover any marks and scuffs on your walls, while providing potential home buyers with a blank canvas to work with.
5. Repair Any Minor Issues
Over time you may learn to live with small issues in your home or even ignore small repairs. However, these small deficiencies can be a deal breaker for potential buyers. Repair any dripping faucets and toilets, lubricate all door hinges, and replace all burned out light bulbs. These may seem like small tasks, but they highlight that your home was taken care of. Making the purchase of your home, a turn key experience.
These are just a few of the important steps needed to prepare your home for sale. Your real estate agent will evaluate your home with you and help point out any adjustments that need to be made to ensure your home sells quickly and for top dollar.
