Dear David,
We want to sell our home. Can you give us some of your top tips for getting it ready? – THINKING AHEAD
DEAR THINKING: Preparing a home for sale means different things to different people. If you’ve lived in your house for 25 years, your “to do” list is bound to be more involved than if you moved a couple of years ago.
Start by reducing your clutter. Most of us accumulate junk as we move through life, and this is a great time to get rid of things you no longer want, need or use. Items with functional or sentimental value can be donated or gifted. Some can be sent to landfill, though this should be a last resort.
If there are a significant number of things that must be tossed, a small dumpster can be your best friend. Clients often tell me they’ll take things to the dump themselves, but this may be unrealistic. Most people have a fair amount of junk and a small vehicle, so won’t end up saving much by making 10 or 15 round trips to the dump.
With the clutter out of the way, it’s time to look at your house through an objective lens. You may be used to that loose knob on the side door or the burned-out lightbulb in the bathroom, but for potential buyers, these things stick out like a sore thumb. I typically make a couple of trips to a client’s home to look at it from a buyer’s point of view, which helps to pinpoint anything the owners may be overlooking. A patch of peeling paint or a home renovation that’s 95-percent complete may leave the impression that a home hasn’t been cared for, even if you’ve been maintaining the big stuff. A weekend’s worth of work can make a world of difference when it comes to how your home presents.
The next step is to maximize your floor plan. Open floor space can be the key to a higher selling price, which is why I often ask clients to remove their excess furniture. Too many furniture pieces or having items too large for the space can give the impression of cramped quarters, no matter the size your home. A buyer who must walk sideways through the furnishings will feel like the space is small and cramped. You can put your excess furniture in storage if you want, but if you’re downsizing, this may be a good time to give away that extra sofa or oversized bedroom set and take the extra leaves out of the kitchen table.
Lastly, pay attention to the exterior of your home. Buyers start to form opinions from the moment they pull in your driveway. Landscaping, garden edging and sealing the driveway can be the property’s equivalent of putting on its Sunday best.
PRO TIP: Rely on your Realtor for guidance — we know what buyers focus on and what stagers can do. When it comes to selling your home, a first impression can make or lose you tens of thousands of dollars. #Advice #AskDavid #TheNegotiator
David is a top-selling Broker in Kitchener-Waterloo Region. He works personally with you when selling or buying your home. Call or text today for your free home evaluation! 519-577-1212.
