Home for Sale? Six Tips to Add Value and Appeal

You’ve decided to move to a new home. But first, you need to get through the potentially lengthy process of selling your home. What can you do to make it stand out to prospective buyers as they go from home to home themselves? It is undoubtedly difficult to make your home appealing to strangers viewing it with a critical eye. 
 
If you are currently in this scenario, here is a great list to follow to help you go from a “For Sale” sign to a “Sold” sign! 
 
Here is a helpful first tip: if you live in a condominium corporation, always make sure your board or community management company approves any changes. 
 

Make the best first impression: 

We have all heard the expression, “you never have a second chance to make a first impression.” Unfortunately, this does apply when selling your home, too, especially with new technology nowadays. Potential homebuyers have the opportunity to view homes without even having set foot in them. There are 360-degree virtual tours, even for the exterior of the house. At the very early stages, make sure your property looks appealing and neat. 
 

Curb appeal:

Before anything else, prospective homebuyers will immediately see the outside of your home as they drive by. To make your curb appeal shine, look around and be objective with your thoughts. Would your exterior appeal to you as a buyer? Is it inviting and attractive? Would a clean paint job be a good idea before pictures are taken? These are all very valid questions to think about because even the slightest detail could leave the potential homebuyer thinking, “let’s move on.” Simple and inexpensive items to replace outside include your mailbox, any dim lights, and house numbers. To put it simply, never overlook curb appeal!
 

Get rid of clutter:

Interior or exterior clutter can quickly turn off a potential homebuyer because it takes away from any other view of your home. You can have a fresh paint job or new renovations, but if there are boxes of old clothes and knick-knacks, it will overshadow your hard work. When they enter your home, it will also be difficult for them to envision their furniture space and make a large room look smaller. Before putting the “for sale” sign up, collect any old items and donate them to charity or recycle them. If you still want to keep what makes up this clutter, rent a temporary storage space. 
 
For the outside, maintain privacy areas and keep shrubs or plants their neatest. After doing this, put your gardening tools and supplies away from sight. 
 

Accessorize:

Do not be afraid to accessorize your home for that extra touch. Remember, you are trying to sell your home, so by paying attention to the little details, you can be sure homebuyers will pick up on them. This can be as small as having a freshly painted door with matching colours and neatly arranged flowers around the house. Make your home feel like a place full of care - it will present a clearer picture for your homebuyers as they envision themselves living there. Keep in mind not to go overboard in accessorizing that it gets to look like clutter!
 

Refresh your home’s interiors using these simple steps:

To give your interior a facelift, many ideas will be sure to provide you with extra appeal. Whether your flooring is carpet or hardwood, you can still go from drab to fab in an instant. With carpet flooring, remove any stains around the house and ensure that every area of the home is vacuumed and steam cleaned. With hardwood floors, you can refinish the surfaces and repaint them as well. Doing this increases the property value as well. Lastly, don’t forget about going for the LED lighting.
 

Say no to odours:

Lingering smells can drive potential buyers from your home, so you must take action to eliminate them. A good cleaning is the first step to a fresh scent. Wipe down surfaces, sweep hardwood floors, and vacuum the carpets. Any carpets or rugs that have been soiled by pets, spills or food should be removed or replaced. Invigorate the environment by opening the windows, weather permitting, and letting air flow in. Just before a showing, light a scented candle, bake some bread or make a fresh pot of coffee. This will create a comfortable and welcoming effect that will encourage buyers to feel like they’re already “home.” 
 
Yes, it takes some work to make your home look its best, but your efforts can reap substantial rewards. For more on adding value and appeal in a condominium, read here. Contact FirstService Residential Sales and Leasing for more proven advice to help you prepare your home for sale.