Preparing To Sell Your HomeTips to prepare your home to go on the market Salmon Arm

When it comes to getting ready to put your home on the market, there are a few inexpensive things you can do that will help your home stand out above the rest of the residences on the market. A small makeover can really make a very big difference when it comes to a home's 'Wow!' appeal, which could help it sell for more money and more quickly.

First Impressions Are Everything

  • If the front door is beat up with peeling paint, it's a great idea to replace it. Or scrub it down and give it a good coat of paint if you don't want the expense of replacing it.
  • Consider pet or food smells in your home and do your best to make them pleasant. Febreze is your friend here!
  • Sweep up your front entrance and get rid of dirt and dust bunnies on the porch and in the foyer of your house.
  • Spiders love to get in our homes here in the Shuswap. Buyers don't like to see them though! Best to clean up all spider webs and evidence of their presence.

Take Care Of The Outside

  • Go and get some flower pots for the front entrance of your home (this gives the home a cared-for feel), and paint the outside, especially if it hasn't been done in the past 6-10 years. Also feel free to add some new hardware to the front door if you haven't replaced it.

Key Interior Updates

  • Decide on a nice neutral color and repaint the walls, especially ones that currently have bold, standout colors.
  • If money is no worry, replacing the kitchens and bathrooms will go a long way to helping the home sell quickly.
  • If you're on a budget, get new carpet, paint the interior walls and get a new front door.
  • It's a pain, but if your home has wallpaper, take the time, put in the elbow grease and take it down! Then add a nice, fesh coat of paint. Wallpaper appeals to a very small number of people.

Simple Repairs Can Make a Difference

  • Try to make all the small fixes you can, so when a buyer notices something that's not working properly, they aren't seeing dollars flying out the window. Make sure you tighten or fix any loose door knobs, broken light switches and other minor defects - they will take away from the value of the home and savvy buyers always inevitably over-inflate the real costs to make these repairs.

Reduce The Clutter

  • Get rid of any and all unnecessary items from your closets and garage. If spaces appear large and clutter-free, it's a huge selling feature.
  • Take down any family portraits, kids' trophies and other sentimental items while trying to ensure your cupboards and closets are no more than about 50% full.
  • Then go around the house and reduce any other clutter you see in any of the rooms and areas, especially common areas of the home.
  • Just think, anything you pack up, sell to otherwise get rid of will be less you will have to pack when you actually move!

Be Safety Conscious

  • Keep stairways and hallway floors clear so people looking at the home aren't susceptible to stepping on a random toy and getting hurt.
  • Don't overload electrical outlets with too many devices or small appliances.

Clean, Clean And Then Clean Some More

  • Thoroughly clean all appliances, bathrooms and windows (both interior and exterior).
  • Ensure all carpets are steam cleaned and the hardwood floors are gleaming.
  • Glue back any peeling wallpaper - if you insist on keeping the wallpaper, that is!
  • Take out the garbage - no one likes a smelly home, especially during a showing.
  • In the winter, ensure your driveways and walkways are clear of snow and ice.

Nice, Clean Bathrooms Sell Homes

  • Replace or repair bathtub and shower caulking.
  • Remove mildew stains from tubs and shower tile by scrubbing it out with bleach or a reputable bathroom cleaner.
  • Display clean, fresh towels.
  • Get a lightly scented room freshener and spray in bathrooms.

Ensure Bedrooms Are Neatly Arranged

  • Get rid of any extra furniture.
  • Get and display clean, modern and attractive bedspreads.
  • If you have curtains, consider getting them washed or dry cleaned.

No Controversy

  • If you have any material on your walls or in your home that might be offensive, remove it. It's not necessary and these items might put off potential buyers. Besides, not everyone shares the same views.

Make A Bedroom A Bedroom, Not Something Else

  • A bedroom should look like a bedroom, not an office, hobby center or home gym. So if you have weights lying around or a treadmill or your sewing projects scattered about, get them out of sight.

It's Not Easy, but Ensure the Bedrooms & Kitchen are Staged

  • Remove clutter and personal items from counters and nightstands, roll up the rugs and put away the laundry hamper.
  • A good tip to get those cabinets looking spiffy is to give them a buff with car wax. Don't forget to clean under the sinks.
  • Invest in new white bed linens and neutral-colored towels.

Organize the Utility Room and Garage

  • Invest some time in clearing the inevitable garage clutter: Hang up bicycles and roll up the garden hose and give the garage floor a good sweep.
  • Consider renting a storage locker if you have tons of stuff in the garage.

Systems in Your Home

  • When it comes to things like the air conditioner, water heater, furnace and electric systems, if these are more than 8 years old, it will have a negative impact on a buyer since they will probably need to be replaced within 2-5 years.

Ready To Show: Make Your Home As Bright As Possible

  • Before a showing, open any curtains or blinds.
  • For evening showings, make sure all the lights are turned on.

Now that you've decluttered, cleaned and staged everything, here are some tips for when it comes time to show your home to a prospective buyer.

Rule #1: Three really is a crowd

Get out of the house for showings. If you are there, a buyer won't feel comfortable looking at specific details and asking the right questions. Moreover, the REALTOR® knows what the buyer is looking for, and he or she is better able to emphasize the key selling points if you, the homeowner, aren't along for the showing.

Rule #2: Take the dog and pets with you

When you have a showing, take the dog with you. If you have a cat, put it outside or take it with you as well. Then get all pet beds, litter boxes and feeding dishes out of the way. Deodorize pet item if they need it.

If you're looking to sell your Salmon Arm or Shuswap home, Contact Royal LePage Access today!