Recently, we’ve seen another drop in interest rates as announced by the Bank of Canada. When this happens, it usually indicates the home sale market is on its way to heating up again. If you’re selling your home in the next 6 – 8 months, it may be time to start preparing your property for sale.
The Vancouver home market is very competitive, so you will want to ensure your home will stand out for all the right reasons. This will not only give you an edge in getting offers but, will also help you get top dollar for your home.
Here are our top 7 tips to prepare your home for sale.
Declutter
A cluttered space will negatively impact how potential buyers feel about your home from the moment they walk in. Instead of seeing the beauty of your home, their eyes will be immediately drawn to cluttered areas and they will not be able to focus on what’s important.
Organize
A well-organized home shows you have taken care of the house and will allow prospective buyers to see the home’s potential. Little things like shoe racks, wall-mounted hooks, and permanent shelving units can be used to tidy up and organize normally unorganized spaces such as entrances and living rooms. When organizing your home for sale, think of the new home you are moving to and how non-permanent solutions (like shoe racks and bins) can be used in your new home as well.
Clean the cobwebs
Make sure to pay attention to the little details. Dust on baseboards, cobwebs in the corners and cluttered closets may stand out to anyone seeing your home for the first time. As the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a good first impression!
Clear out Closets
While you don’t want to show an empty home, you don’t want buyers to feel like the walls are closing in on them. Stuffed closets will give the impression that there isn’t sufficient storage space. Remove any out-of-season clothing, shoes, and decor (like Christmas decorations). Pare down excess linens, cleaning products, and kitchen appliances that aren’t regularly used.
Staging
Furniture that is too large, or too much furniture will make your home seem much smaller. While there are companies who can professionally stage your home with furniture and decor, it can be an added cost you may not be willing to spend. The good news is, that you can stage your home with items you already have. Look at each room and think of the goal for the room. How many people would you like to accommodate and what feeling do you want to have when you walk into the room? Try moving (and removing) existing furniture and even taking furniture from other rooms to bring in a different vibe. Neutral colours often work best when staging, and remember that while you may love your eclectic style, it may not appeal to the masses.
Flip through home design websites magazines, or even social media to give you ideas of what style is popular.
Depersonalize
Your home shouldn’t be void of personality, but you do need to remove personalized items. Family photos, children’s artwork and toys should be stored out of sight. By doing this, the buyers can visualize their belongings in the space, instead of focussing on yours.
Use artwork, potted plants and floral arrangements to fill the empty spaces left by removing personalized items.
Touch-ups
Similar to how a cluttered space may turn off a potential buyer, details such as chipped paint, cracked tiles, or a yellowed shower curtain can have the same effect. Walk around your home and notice the little things that could use a touch-up or refresh. For example, in the bathroom, clearing out the bottles from the shower, putting away any items you keep on the counter, and getting a new shower liner can make a huge difference.
Still need help? Our team has years of decluttering and organizing experience and would be happy to help prepare your home for sale. We want to help take away your stress while ensuring your home will be ready to impress potential buyers. Contact us today for a free phone consultation to find out how we can bring harmony to your property sale.
