Staging: Making Your Home More Saleable

Before you put your home on the market, there are some things you can do to differentiate your home among the competitors.

Of all the rooms inside your home, pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. They should look as modern, bright and fresh as possible. It is essential for them to be clean and odour free.

Since you want your home to look as spacious as possible, remove any excess or very large furniture. Make sure that table tops, dressers and closets are free of clutter. Don't use your closet to store these extra things. This area also needs to have the impression of space. Instead, put them into storage. Make sure walls and doors are free of smudges and look for anything that might indicate a maintenance problem, such as cracked windows, holes in the wall or stained ceilings.


Quick tips for showings:

1. Keep counter tops cleared
2. Replace all burned out lightbulbs
3. Open all drapes and window blinds
4. Put pets in cages or take them to a neighbour
5. No dirty dishes in the sink
6. No laundry in the washer/dryer
7. Clean or replace dirty or worn carpets

Always look at your home from the buyer's point of view. Be objective and be honest.


Get the House Ready

A house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster than its shabby neighbor, even though both are structurally well-maintained.

From experience, REALTORS® also know that a "well-polished" house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price. Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well-cared for home because if what they can see is maintained, what they can't see has probably also been maintained. In readying your house for sale, consider:

1. How much should you spend?
2. Exterior and 'curb appeal'
3. Preparing the interior

 

How Much You Should Spend

Make minor and inexpensive "polishes" and "touch-ups" to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room or hallway.


Maximizing Exterior and 'Curb Appeal'

Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money as possible) to maximize its interior appeal. Tips to enhance your home:

1. Inspect doors and windows for peeling paint.
2. Clean balcony.
3. Repair old caulking. 
4. Steam clean carpets.

Maximizing Interior Appeal

Enhance your home’s interior by:

1. Giving every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as removing all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded rooms have actually rented storage garages and moved half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look.
   
   
2. Hiring a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the apartment is on the market. This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere.
   
   
3. Removing the less frequently used, even daily used items from kitchen counters, closets, and attics, making these areas much more inviting. Since you're anticipating a move anyhow, holding a garage sale at this point is a great idea.
   
   
4. If necessary, repainting dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and linoleum.
   
   
5. Checking for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the bathroom.
   
   
6. Repairing cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
   
   
7. Replacing broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. Inspecting and repairing the plumbing, heating , cooling, and alarm systems.
   
   
8. Repairing dripping faucets and showerheads. Buying showy new towels for the bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way.

Also read our article entitled "Showing Checklists," where we outline the steps to take before you open your home for buyers to view it. If you have any questions, we're standing by to answer them.