Your Condo World Blog

Dianne Wilson, Sales Representative
RE/MAX Advantage Realty Ltd. Brokerage
Wow! It was perfect. The home appeased all of my senses – from the first breath at the foyer the home smelled clean and fresh, I knew this was going to be a home ready to show. The light fixture in the foyer had been updated, good I thought. Just as I expected, as we moved through this home it had a warm and wonderful feel. The furniture, while plentiful and antique-style, its placement guided you through the home’s natural flow and somehow made it feel somewhat modern in some strange way. The white paint on the walls was crisp and the flooring looked brand new. Not to be let down as we got to the kitchen I turned the corner and yes, the kitchen was clean and fresh with natural flowing lines, updated cupboards and countertops to top it all off. Everything had its place, even the pictures on the wall were the perfect height. The home was functional and the ideal setting for the future house warming party. This home had been staged to perfection. SOLD within days of listing and the highest selling price ever seen in the complex!
Counter this with pink countertops, wallpaper lined drywall, dated light fixtures, and yellow tinged ceilings and mouldings were just a couple of the things we walked into on another recent listing appointment. In situations such as this, the seller has to make a decision as to list for less and hope a buyer can see the potential and endure a few more days on market or invest in some improvements which usually results in less imposition to the home owner. Today’s buyers are a little more savvy and educated as to values, so in the later situation the real estate agent must have some sense of the cost of the upgrades to price the home accordingly, as well as weigh the motivation of the seller.
Home staging occurs after the home has been de-cluttered and personal photos have been removed. That’s what most people don’t understand. If you are unwilling to part with books, newspapers, dolls, knick knacks, pictures, toys, then you may wish to consider renting a storage unit. Potential buyers need to see their furniture in that space. Real estate agents aren’t miracle workers, though I’ve been fortunate to experience a few. Store items that you can do without over the next 3 months. Aside from seasonal items, chances are if you can do without them, you may wish to consider posting them on Kijiji or place a local ad and selling them. Why not utilize that money to invest in your new home.
Always try to reach the widest audience appeal. While that clothes line in your basement may suit your needs potential buyers may see it as a hazard. While home stagers usually have a cachet of pictures, vases and furniture available for rent, try using your own pieces. Don’t be afraid to move items within your home to other rooms, try to make use of what you have, where possible. If you don’t have an end table, try a TV tray draped in some luxurious fabric.
Paint! One of the most profitable returns for your investment is paint. You would be amazed what a fresh coat of paint will do to a room. If you are not sure what colour there are a number of paint supply retailers who have consultants who are there to assist you. Don’t be afraid to ask what the local builder’s are using. They have invested in the research and know which colours sell homes better. A professional home stager can take this to the next level and match colours to suit your fabrics and decorating style. Paint will give your home a cleaner and fresher feel, provided it is done right. If you are not detail oriented and will have wall paint on your ceiling then hire a professional. And oh, that pink countertop – please spare that the paint, counter-tops are not that expensive to replace and your buyers will appreciate it. I have though witnessed first-hand that bathtubs can be given new life by re-glazing when professionally done. Painting is definitely one of the best returns you can make on your investment.
Clean! Kitchens and bathrooms are highly personal spaces that people need to envision themselves living in. Remove that stained coffee maker and crumb filled toaster from countertops. Put away your toothbrushes and clean your bathtub and shower. Don’t forget to wipe down baseboard trim of dust. Your home should not only be visually clean but should smell clean as well. One of the two biggest turn offs are pets and smoke. Clean that kitty litter and if you smoke in the garage remove those ashtrays and air it out. Don’t forget many people have allergies and are sensitive to these items. In fact some buyers will ask real estate agents to find out beforehand if this home houses pets. There’s always something to be said about the universal appeal of the scent of a vanilla candle or fresh baked bread or apple pie if you are so inclined.
First impressions are important. Take a walk outside and have a look from the street. Does your home have good curb appeal? Is your yard weed free and are your bushes neatly trimmed? Landscaping affects how your property will be viewed on the inside. If your real estate agent cannot get a good shot of your home due to overgrown cedars then it may be time to look at removing them. Many buyers perceive overgrown bushes as a security issue.
While these tasks may seem daunting, make a list and tackle them one item at a time. While you may have your own vision of your home, your real estate agent or home stager can help your prioritize which items will maximize your return and help you sell your home faster and for top dollar.