There are a number of things that a homeowner can do to make their home more attractive to interested buyers. Every seller wants their house to close fast and to earn top-dollar. Doing so is not based on luck, it's based on clever planning and having the skills to spruce-up your house to make it as marketable and desirable as possible.
Your first task is a psychological one as you must mentally disassociate yourself with your home and begin thinking of it as a house, a product that you are responsible for selling as efficiently and effectively as possible. You must realize as quickly as possible that the house you are selling will no longer be yours. Say goodbye to every room and visualize handing over the keys and documents.
You will then want to physically de-personalize the house. You must pack-up personal photos and heirlooms. Prospective buyers will get distracted by your personal artifacts and need to be able imagine their own lives taking place in the house.. Be prepared to be part packer, mover, landscape designer, set decorator and salesman all in this one, very important task.
The next steps are actually the first steps in your packing. Start by removing any and all clutter: donate it or throw it away. Remove all of your books from your bookcases. Clean everything off of your kitchen counters. Keep all non-essential items in boxes that can be stored nearby or in a closet when not in use and the house is being shown. Much of this work will have to be done soon, anyway, and makes for a good place to start in readying your house for its new owners.
Buyers often snoop in houses, trying to see what they can uncover. Rearrange your closets and cabinets with consideration of the message you want to send a stranger about how you've cared for your house. Arrange items in cabinets and closets so that they are showroom-perfect, neatly stacked, organized, lined-up, facing a uniform direction.
For larger items, needless furniture, rent a storage unit. Remove anything that is old, tired or blocks pathways and flow. Remove side-tables and extra leaves from your dining-room table to make the room appear bigger. Leave enough pieces in each room just to showcase the room's purpose. If you plan on taking and chattel with you when you move (such as light fixtures, bathroom vanities or kitchen appliances), remove them now to avoid any confusion. Replace any items if aesthetically necessary.
One might also consider the benefits of renovating before listing a property. You don't necessarily need to hire the most talented architect in Toronto to oversee a renovation. Whoever you hire, a fresh, clean renovation can go a long way in bolstering the resale value of a property. Also consider, at this stage, making any minor repairs around the property. Be sure to replace any cracked tiles, patch holes, fix faucets, any ill-fitting doors or drawers. Think about repainting your walls with a safe, neutral color that won't leave any questions or bad memories with the viewer.
Next, make the house as clean as possible. Wash windows, pressure wash outside, remove the cobwebs from the top of your attic down to your central heating boiler. Re-caulk and grout, polish all metals, clean mirrors, empty your refrigerator, constantly vacuum and dust, wax your floors. Hang fresh towels and put out some safe, neutral flowers.
Now, visualize and scrutinize what you've done. Walk into your house and each room and try to imagine you are a home buyer. Ask yourself what you see, what you would look for. Now, do the same from the street outside an evaluate your "curb appeal.” Consider if now is the time to contact that great new deck builder in Burlington that you heard about. Make sure your lawn is mowed and any gardens are in top form. And, make sure your door number(s) are clearly visible.
With these investments, you are guaranteed to make the process of selling your home much less difficult and much more rewarding.
|