And a few blunders to avoid!
Here are some tips on what you should (and should not) do to get your home sold quickly!
Top priority is cleanliness
Have you got a little mold building up in the shower? Soap scum on the glass shower door? Dust bunnies in the living room? Clean, clean, clean before you put your house on the market. That means deep cleaning: you’d be surprised where buyers might peek.
Every little thing will be picked apart and noticed, but buyers pay particular attention to high activity areas, like bathrooms and kitchens, that need to be spotless to pass muster.
That said, beware of your home smelling overwhelmingly of cleaning products, or worse, fake scent. It can lead buyers to thinking you’re covering something up! Bake cookies before open houses if you want a homey smell that doesn’t overpower.
Check your floors
Flooring is one of those things that buyers ALWAYS notice, particularly if it’s in bad shape. Sanding and refinishing hardwood floors can go a long way to improving their views of it, and if you’ve got broadloom, make sure it’s steam cleaned. If there are any ‘problem’ areas, the strategic use of area rugs will make all the difference.
Declutter but don’t depersonalize
Yes, you want to declutter so that there is a sense of space and elegance, as well as flow, throughout your home. However, taking away all sense of the home being lived in makes it hard for a buyer to picture themselves in it. So while you do need to take out the extra furniture, accents and general clutter, you don’t want to completely depersonalize the space.
Pictures of family should be kept to a minimum, and this is great time to put away your 300 piece collection of Funko Pop dolls. You can leave one or two on a shelf, to show your whimsical side but that’s it! It’s a fine balance but houses devoid of any personality don’t necessarily sell faster.
TIP: Bookcases that are overstuffed make it seem like there isn’t enough storage for all your books – which might be the case but you don’t need to share that with buyers. Remove and store about 20% of your collection, so that there is room on the shelves for a piece of art of a knick knack or two, with books remaining tidy and upright, not stuffed in any which way.
Paint can be your friend
Speaking of depersonalization, though you may love your flower spray bath tiles, they might make your bathroom seem dated. Since bathroom renovations are a ‘red flag’ to buyers, as they can be costly, creating neutral tile backgrounds is an option that will help you.
You can paint ceramic tiles, but those that get exposed to water, as opposed to the ones over the vanity, might not stand up well to the process. However, it’s a much lower cost option than replacing the tiles.
Other areas of the house that can benefit from a coat of paint or stain?
- Dated kitchen cabinets (inside and out)
- High traffic areas where the walls have been scuffed and left with traces of fingerprints that aren’t coming off any other way!
- An aging back deck or front porch railing.
- Any room where the colours are simply ‘too much’, such as a child’s bedroom after their purple with pink flowers phase has passed!
High quality accents only
Artwork and accent pillows can add that pop of colour that an otherwise neutral space could use, but be sure to only use pieces that are high quality and in good condition. Your favourite nubby pillow from your university days should go into storage until the sale is all done!
If you’re borrowing some art to spruce up your home, pick a colour scheme and a style and stick to it. Cheesy art a la cheap motel is NOT going to help!
Closets matter
Storage space is the single biggest issue that many people have and they are looking for it in a home. Whatever storage space you have, including closets, walk in or otherwise, pantries and built in shelving, clean it up! Buyers will look into closets and if it’s a jumbled mess, it will give the impression of lack of space.
Got a junk room? Get rid of it!
Extra rooms that seem to have no purpose other than to collect stuff in put off buyers. It gives an impression of disorganization and actually makes the whole house feel like it has less storage than it probably does. Clean it up and give the room a purpose: whether it’s a home office or home gym, if it has a clear style, buyers will see the advantage of the extra space.
Bedrooms as an oasis
Particularly if you’re selling a family home, making the master bedroom in particular feel like an oasis is a great pull. Parents like knowing that there’s a place they can get away! The bedding should be fresh and crisp, with either deep warm shades (particularly in winter) or crisp and bright whites. If there is an ensuite bathroom, make it spa like with neutral colours, white towels and an orchid or other greenery that scream fresh and relaxing
Small spaces can look bigger
Take away the clutter and add mirrors. These will always give the impression of more space, with the reflection of light either from windows or internal lighting. You don’t want the place to look like a 70s disco hall, but creating that sense of space with mirrors can go a long way to making a smaller extra room seem like the perfect space for den, library or office.
Remove signs of pets… including your pets!
Moving your cat or dog out for the duration of your staging and showing is a great idea if you can manage it—if they can stay at ‘grandma’s’ for a while, all the better. If not, make sure there are no lingering odours and hide ALL of their accessories for showings, including toys, dishes and litter boxes.
Don’t neglect curb appeal and backyard patios
Back decks that have seen better days can be sanded and stained relatively easily, breathing new life into the space, when you also add some nice patio furniture. The point is for visitors to be able to visualize themselves using the space, so make it easier for them to imagine backyard parties in their future.
At the front, the curb appeal is the first impression that your home provides. If a buyer loves it on sight, they’re more likely to love the rest. This includes the porch, which needs to be clutter free and spruced up with nice furniture and potted plants.
When you’re all done staging, walk around your home with as ‘independent’ an eye as you can muster and ask yourself: would I buy this home if I walked into it? Now ask a few friends to do it too (and be ready for honest answers!) This will help you put the finishing touches on so you can get to a quick sale, for the right price!
