You have probably heard the saying “first impressions last a lifetime,” and when it comes to selling your home there is no exception to this rule. Whether you are selling your condo, a townhome or a detached home, what buyers see in the first few minutes when they arrive can be the difference between them visualizing themselves living in the home with their family or not being interested whatsoever.
First impressions are an important aspect to prepare for when getting your home ready for sale. There are several items you will want to tackle to get the best result.
Consider a Home Inspection
Depending on how long you have owned the home and how familiar you are with some of the intricacies of your property, (electrical system, age of roof, age of utility items etc) you may want to start with getting a qualified home inspector to inspect your home in advance of the sale.
This can help to identify items that you may need to address that you may not be aware of. Things like a leaking roof or outdated electrical or mold in the attic might be items you will want to address in advance, so they don’t come up during the sale.
Even if you opt not repair items an inspection brings up you will at least be aware of defects that prospective buyers may take issue with so there are fewer surprises. Don’t know any qualified home inspectors? We have a great list of excellent Home Inspectors we can connect with you.
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Exterior – Curb Appeal
When prospective buyers arrive at a home they are considering purchasing, the first few things they see when they pull into the driveway can have a big impact on their decision to purchase or pass.
If the exterior of the home looks uncared for or has poor exterior maintenance and landscaping when they arrive, they may feel that the home itself may not have been appropriately maintained. Depending on the time of year you plan to sell your home, there are numerous things you will want to do to ensure your home projects as much curb appeal as possible to avoid any negative bias.
Landscaping
- Power wash patios, siding, decks and walkways to remove black residue.
- Touch up any exterior areas that require paint.
- If snow has melted, ensure that gardens have fresh mulch and add flowers if seasonally possible.
- Ensure the lawn has been weeded, edged and mowed and the grass is green. If there are hedges or shrubs, ensure that they have been trimmed and that all dead tree limbs or other exterior yard debris has been removed.
- If you are selling in winter months, ensure that the driveway and all walkways are clear of any snow. In autumn, ensure there are no leaves.
Home Exterior
- Repair any exterior damage to roof shingles.
- Clear troughs and downspouts from debris.
- Repair or replace torn door screens.
- Ensure that the doorbell works and that all the exterior lights are functional.
- Replace exterior bulbs if necessary.
Interior – Put Your Best Foot Forward
Prepping the interior of a home doesn’t have to break the bank or your back. Most of the items that should be addressed before you sell are not always the most expensive. The overall goal should always be to ensure that the home has a bright & warm ambiance with clean and open spaces that help make it feel as large as possible.
- Paint! If the walls in your home haven’t had paint in the last 5 years, consider a fresh coat of paint in a light colour to brighten up interior spaces.
- Ensure all windows have been cleaned.
- Carpets steam cleaned and de-odourised.
- Polish any hardwood floors.
- Wash all the trim.
- Declutter all rooms, remove personal items, and limit the number of items in the closet.
- Consider a storage pod if necessary to store items temporarily.
- Kitchen – Ensure all kitchen appliances have been cleaned and de-greased. Clean the cabinets and remove clutter from countertops to increase counter space.
- Washrooms – Re-caulk bathtub & shower if necessary. Consider new shower curtains and fix any leaky faucets.
Hoping to sell your home for the most money possible? Click here to read my Top 5 Tips For Selling Your West Toronto Home.
Renovations
Certain renovations can help increase the overall appeal of a home. While some renovations provide more value than others, it is important to consider cost vs value. Home renovations that provide the greatest return on investment are usually;
- Interior & Exterior Painting
- Bathroom Upgrades
- Kitchen Upgrades
Depending on the price range of the home and the target market some buyers may prefer to do some of their own renovations to suit their taste so it is always advisable to consult with a realtor to determine if any major renovations will be worth the cost & effort.
Consult A Realtor
We would be remiss if we didn’t start with the obvious best step to help with getting your home prepared to shine! Hire a great Real Estate Agent!
Working with a professional agent or team like us that understands what buyers look for when viewing property is the single best place to start before you prepare your home for sale.
A top performing agent will optimize your home sale in 3 key ways:
1. Prepare the most important items that will bring value to your home sale.
2. You will save time and effort focusing on the items that matter vs trying to guess what you think you “should” do vs doing things that won’t help sell the home and cost you money.
3. Provide you with a Rolodex of phone numbers of tradespeople from contractors, landscapers, handymen, painters, home inspectors and many more trusted contacts that can help with some of the home preparation items we have covered.
Selling your home? Call (416-884-8027) or email (team@amblerhomes.com) today for a free seller’s consultation or for more information about how we can help!
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