5 Things to Do to Get Your House Sale Ready

Find the Right Realtor

Find the Right Realtor

Although you don’t require a real estate agent to sell your home, working with one can help make the process of selling your home easier. Licensed realtors are equipped with knowledge about the home buying and selling process, can provide market insights, negotiate on your behalf and manage the paperwork.

Real estate agents work on commission so they will earn a percentage of the sale price of your home, anywhere between 2% to 6%.

Quick Tip

Commission rates are negotiable so don’t be afraid to ask a potential realtor if they can offer a discounted rate.

Your home is likely one of your most valuable assets so finding the right realtor to help you sell your home is important. Meeting a few realtors before making a decision is a good idea. Here are a few things to consider when deciding if a realtor is right for your needs.

• Is the realtor familiar with your area or neighbourhood? Different areas may need a different strategy or approach to make for a successful sale and someone familiar with your area will have that insight.
• What does the realtor offer their clients? The housing market can be competitive, and you want to ensure you’re working with someone who will put in their best effort to get your home sold for the best price. Ask about their marketing strategy and how they will promote your home to buyers.
• What is their sales history? You can request information like sales volume, average selling price and the number of homes sold during a specific period to get an idea of the realtor’s abilities.
• Do they specialize in a specific kind of property? Selling a high-rise condo in the city may require a different approach than selling a detached home in the suburbs.

Take Care of Any Necessary Repairs

Take Care of Any Necessary Repairs

Most buyers will include a home inspection in the condition of sale when they are purchasing a home, so taking care of repairs beforehand can help ensure your home passes the inspection and that you don’t lose out on a sale. You’ll want to make sure all the major features and home systems are in good working condition before listing. Here’s a list to get started:

• Furnace and Air Conditioning
• Plumbing
• Roof
• Insulation
• Electrical
• Appliances

Declutter, De-personalize and Deep Clean

Declutter, De-personalize and Deep Clean

Over the years, making your home a space you love and enjoy has probably been your priority. As you shift into the mindset of selling your home, it’s important to think about how you can make your space most appealing to potential buyers.

Declutter: Excess furniture and clutter can make a home seem smaller than it is. Remove or rearrange items to improve the flow of the room and enhance its features. Closets and cabinets filled to capacity will give the impression that your home lacks storage so remove items and organize what is remaining.

Quick Tip

Save time and pack ahead. While you’re decluttering your home, pack away any items you won’t need over the next few months and put them in storage until you’re ready to move into your next place.

De-personalize: Photos and mementos throughout your home may hold special meaning to you, but when listing your house for sale you want every potential homeowner to feel like they could be living in your space. Pack away things like family photos or magnets and swap them for more neutral, understated items or nothing at all.

Deep Clean: A thoroughly cleaned home will leave a lasting impression and demonstrate that the home is well-cared for. Clean all surfaces like walls, baseboards and windows and make sure there are no lingering scents, from foods or pets.

Home staging is a method that incorporates decorating, cleaning and rearranging or replacing furniture to enhance a home’s appeal to buyers. The difference between home staging and simply decluttering is that home staging aims to appeal to a buyer’s emotions through strategically placed décor, art, and furniture and highlights a home’s best attributes and functionality. It can also give a home an overall sense of cohesiveness. Some realtors may include staging in their services – it’s worth asking about!

Increase Curb Appeal

Increase Curb Appeal

A buyer’s first impression of your home starts before they walk through the door. Making sure your home has great curb appeal is a key factor in getting it ready to sell. You don’t need extensive landscaping to make a positive change but simply power washing exterior areas and making sure the lawn or garden is well-maintained will make a difference.

Consider Quick Renovations

Consider Quick Renovations

If you’re staying in your home, major renovations to suit your taste and needs are a great decision! But, if you’re looking to sell, quick updates focused on a more general aesthetic appeal will be more beneficial than a complete overhaul. Some options include painting kitchen cabinets and replacing hardware for a contemporary look or updating lighting for better visibility. A fresh coat of paint in a neutral tone can also help brighten your space.