Spring has arrived, and you may be warming to the idea that now may be a good time to sell your home.
While a REALTOR® is always your best source for advice on how to make your home look its best before you list it, as well as when is the best time to do so, here are some tips to help you prepare for the big move.
Start at the curb
The exterior of your home is the first thing that a potential buyer sees, so you want this to look its best from the moment they arrive. Start by keeping your sidewalks and driveway clear of snow and ice. At the same time, pick up any trash that may have started to peek out from under melting snow. Once the snow is gone, you can do a more complete cleaning of things like your eavestroughs, as well as paint if needed.
Make sure the fence on your property isn’t falling over and the gates open easily. If you have a patio, clear the snow away so buyers can see it. Clear a path to your storage shed so they can look inside.
Create a welcoming front entrance
First impressions count. If your front door is scuffed, dirty or damaged, and the hardware is worn or not working, a buyer will start to wonder what else hasn’t been maintained in the house.
If you aren’t able to paint your front door, at least wash it down and polish the hardware. If your doorknobs haven’t been working properly, now is the time to repair or replace them. And it goes without saying that if you still have Christmas decorations out, take them down and store them away. It’s fine to utilize seasonal decor items like a spring-themed wreath, but keep these types of embellishments minimal.
Let the sunshine in
Don’t underestimate the value of sunlight. The brighter a home looks inside, the more appealing it is to buyers, even a home that needs renovating. Wash all your windows both inside and outside. Windows become very dirty over the winter, so you want to make sure they sparkle. If you can’t get to the exteriors, at least wash the interiors and clean the screens.
Showcase your foyer
When a buyer first steps inside your front door, you want them to feel like they’re home. Make sure your foyer isn’t obstructed or crowded. If you don’t have a closet at the front door, be sure to remove all your coats and boots for showings so that potential buyers can enter easily. A bright rug to catch snow and dirt, along with a nice picture on the wall are all you need. If you have a larger foyer, a bench to sit on with storage underneath and a few coat hooks will demonstrate how the space can be used efficiently.
Declutter
Potential buyers will open closets and cupboards to check the space inside. The less clutter you have crammed into those spaces, the more storage it looks like you have, so do a thorough purge. The more stuff you get rid of now, the less boxes you’ll have to move later. Less clutter also helps present your home in the best possible light, making every space feel larger.
Don’t forget the basement and the garage. Invest in storage shelving to get clutter off the floors of both. Sweep the floors. Make sure the garage door opens easily. If it’s an automatic door, make sure the opener works and the remotes are available.
Deep clean everything
The impact of a clean home cannot be emphasized enough. A home that needs renovations but is sparkling clean will interest a buyer. A run-down home that’s filthy will turn them off, unless they’re looking to buy and flip your home for profit.
Clean out your cupboards, scrub the bathtub and toilet, polish faucets and doorknobs, wash the light fixtures and make sure any burnt out bulbs are replaced. If you can’t paint your walls to refresh them, at least wash them all down to remove built-up residue, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom. Dust all surfaces. When a showing is scheduled, empty all the garbage cans so no lingering odours remain behind.
As a final touch, remember to “burp” the house. Open all the windows and doors for a few minutes to bring in that fresh spring air to replace all the stale air.
Fix what’s necessary
Just like your front door, if something isn’t working properly, you need to fix it. If a tap is dripping, change the washer. If the hinge on a cupboard door in the kitchen it wonky, replace it. This is where the importance of ongoing maintenance to your home really comes into play. If you keep on top of these kinds of small repairs all year round, you won’t be overwhelmed by them when you decide to sell.
If you aren’t a handyperson, your REALTOR® will be able to give you the names of people who can do these simple fixes for you.
Do some staging
This is as important as cleaning. Your main living areas make big impressions on potential buyers, and even simple staging amps up the positive vibe. They shouldn’t be cluttered with items that distract and obscure them. Pack away most of your personal items, especially if they’re valuable.
Refreshing the living spaces goes a long way. Rearrange and reduce the amount of furniture in a room so buyers can move freely through the space and visualize their own possessions in it, instead of being forced to see the way you live in it. Refresh the decor items. Replace the dark drapes, chunky knit throws and furry pillows of winter with lighter, brighter textiles to open up the room visually.
Remove clutter from the kitchen and bathroom countertops. Adding fresh or even faux flowers in a pop of colour freshens up a room in a big way. If the kitchen and bathroom mats are worn, replace them with new ones. This will also enhance older flooring if done right.
Bonus home showing tips
When it’s time to have an open house, or a REALTOR® is bringing a potential buyer to your home, remember to leave. It’s uncomfortable for you, the REALTOR® and the buyers if you’re hanging around the house while they’re trying to be objective about its pros and cons.
Prior to leaving, tidy up each space. Carry a box or basket from room to room and throw in any stray toys or other items and hide it in a closet or the trunk of your car. Open all the curtains and turn on all the lights.
The best way to assess what your home needs done when selling is by enlisting the help of a REALTOR®. A REALTOR® can give you insights into what buyers are looking for in your neighbourhood and what preparations may help sell your home faster — and for a better price.
By keeping these tips in mind, and with the help of a REALTOR®, selling your home this spring should feel like a breath of fresh air!