Preparing your home to sell can make a tremendous impact on how quickly you sell your home as well as how much you sell your home for. You want your home to make a great first impression to potential buyers.
If you are thinking of selling your home, consider these 10 areas:
1. Air Quality. Check for mold & midew. Avoid cooking with strong seasonings & foods with smells that linger. Remove pets & any evidence of pets during showings.
2. Curb Appeal. Take care of major and minor repairs. Sweep/shovel walkways, driveways & decks, and salt during the winter. Maintain the yard. Add flowers or winter arrangements to entrance area.
3. De-personalize. Remove personal photos & memorabilia. Pre-pack your collections and anything that might be offensive/disagreeable to buyers. Store away or organize children’s items.
4. Flooring. Consider whether carpets, tiles and/or wood flooring need to be replaced, cleaned or re-finished.
5. Furniture Placement & Lighting. Make sure furniture is placed without crowding and for ease of movement through rooms. Brighten each room (dark rooms seem smaller).
6. Home Inspection. Consider the condition and age of your fuse box/electrical panel, plumbing, furnace, roof, windows, foundation, and patio.
7. Main Selling Rooms. Make sure each room shows its purpose and gives off its intended feeling, i.e., a peaceful bedroom; spa-like ensuite; inviting foyer.
8. Paint. Using neutral colours, apply a fresh coat of paint to the walls, trims, an
d ceilings. Remove wallpaper, if out-dated. Repair holes & cracks in walls and ceilings.
9. Pre-packaging. Pre-pack all items you do not need during showings, as well as off season items. Clean each room from top to bottom, including the garage and basement.
10. Updates and Repairs. Set your timeline and budget. Check if windows, doors, trim, permanent light fixtures need to be repaired or replaced. And, don't forget to keep your home spic and span!