Preparing Your Home For Sale

It is important to look at your home through the eyes of the potential buyer. What needs to be done? There are many things that you can do to your home that cost relatively little, but will greatly increase your chances at a quick, relatively painless sale. You must first look at the big things like plumbing, electrical, the roof etc. Are they all in good condition? These are key elements that purchasers look for when buying a home. You also must consider the costs involved in fixing up your home. Will you recover your costs or would it end up costing you money? The Bruce Johnstone Team can help you evaluate what should be done and what should be left alone.

Curb appeal: The first impression the buyer will make is when they pull into your driveway. Have the grass and shrubs nicely trimmed or the snow cleared in the winter months. Remove clutter from your porches and walkways. Weed the garden. Clean out the eaves troughs. Paint the house or window frames, and front door. Close garage doors. Put colorful flowers in front of the house. Buy a new door mat. Make sure the doorbell works. Make your home as inviting as possible.

De-Clutter: By eliminating any clutter from your home you can create a much more spacious atmosphere. Store away unnecessary furniture and knick-knack. Tidy up the closets so that they appear larger. A stuffed closet makes even the largest closet seem small. In the kitchen, remove all appliances and clutter from your countertops.

Make your home "anonymous": Store away family photos, trophies, and personal memorabilia. You want buyers to be able to view it as their potential home. Your personal items brand the home as "yours" and can make it more difficult for the buyers to imagine it as their own.

Let the sun shine in: Either by keeping all draperies open during daylight hours or by keeping all the lights on in the evening, you can create a bright and welcoming atmosphere.

The Kitchen is the heart of the home:Put a vase of fresh flowers on the table. Replace curtains or clean existing ones. Remove appliances from counters. Create a pleasant fragrance in the kitchen (i.e. - vanilla, cinnamon).

Make the bathroom spotless: Make sure the bathtub, sink, and toilet are gleaming. Put out fresh towels and a fresh bar of soap. Install new shower curtain and mats. Use an air freshener & colorful soaps.

Bedrooms:Make sure all beds are neatly made and unnecessary furniture is removed from the bedrooms.

Make sure everything is in working order: Replace any burnt out light bulbs, broken handles, doors, ripped screens etc.

A fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference in the eyes of the buyer. In most cases, the buyer will be looking for a home that they can move right into. Neutral colours are best, as your decorating taste may not be the same as that of your buyer. This way the buyer can easily picture his or her own furniture in your home.

In the winter months, if you have a fireplace, have it lit. There is nothing more comforting than a warm fire.

Keep the home smelling fresh: Inexpensive room deodorizers placed strategically throughout the house can keep it smelling fresh, especially in key places like the bathroom.

Keep noise to a minimum: Turn televisions and radios off.

Keep yourself and your pets out of the home during showings: A buyer will feel more comfortable and will be able to get a better feel for the house if you're not there. You don't want them to feel as though they are intruding.

We never get a second chance to make a good first impression