Home Staging
It’s a well known fact that the more a home looks like a “model home” the easier it is to sell and the higher the sale price will be. Here are some things to consider when preparing your home for sale:
- Create welcoming curb appeal – it will encourage buyers to come and see your home. Ensure walkways are clear, lawns are mowed, and the grounds are kept tidy and free of debris. Consider repainting the front door with a welcoming colour. Placing an attractive door mat at the front door is also a nice touch.
- Depersonalize all rooms so that buyers can envision themselves living in your home. Remove all personal photos and collectibles (including religious items) – if you’re in doubt, invest an hour or two and visit some new model homes to see what they look like. It’s okay to be proud of your belongings, but buyers want to buy a home, and not your stuff.
- Decluttering will make your home more appealing by having it appear spacious and organized. It also gives you a head start on packing!
- It’s wise to remove excess furniture to make rooms appear larger. Make it easy for buyers to move from room to room, without having to squeeze by large pieces of furniture.
- Removing items from the kitchen counters will create the impression of an organized space with plenty of storage. To add some color, you can place a glass bowl filled with granny smith apples on the counter.
- Kitchens and bathrooms need to sparkle. The kitchen cupboards should be clean and well organized – buyers will be checking them. In the bathrooms, put away all personal hygiene items, plungers, waste baskets and bars of soap. It’s also a good idea to hang up some nice towels– similar to what you’ll see in any hotel.
- Tidy and organize the closets to give a spacious appearance. Matching hangers are recommended. Closets that are bursting at the seams can be an indication to buyers that there is a lack of storage in the home.
- Clean, clean clean – it requires no outlay of money, just lots of elbow grease. Buyers cannot see past dirt. A clean home gives the impression of a well-kept home.
- Windows need to be clean inside and out. Open the curtains and let in as much natural light as possible.
- Ensure that anything requiring minor repair is addressed – things like torn screens, burnt out light bulbs, sticky door locks, squeaky hinges, hard to open sliding doors, etc.
- Paint- a fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive way to freshen up a space. Choose sophisticated neutral colours to create a nice backdrop and make your home appear move-in ready!
- Organize all storage areas and garage.
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