As we’ve been discussing through the previous articles in this series, it’s important for your buyer to feel at home when they come for a showing. Yes, they’ll want to change things here and there – likely paint a few rooms – but when they walk through your door they need to feel comfortable and at home. In this final post of the “Discovered” series you’ll find a few odds and ends to keep in mind when preparing for a showing.

Colours

- Paint colours are a personal choice. However, changing bold colours to a more neutral tone raises the probability of your buyer feeling at home. Each home is different, so this tip can’t be a blanket rule. It’s best for you to consult with your REALTOR®, designer, friends, etc. to get objective advice on your wall colours.

- You can easily add a splash of colour to your kitchen or dining room by adding a fresh bowl of fruit to the table.

- Adding colourful flowers to a coffee table or mantel is also a great accent.

Smells

- It’s an old trick, but it works. The smell of freshly baked bread or cookies is a great way to help your buyer feel welcome.

- Avoid using too many air fresheners. Aside from allergies, you may hint to your buyer that there’s a lingering odour you’re trying to cover up.

- If you smoke, don’t smoke inside – if you did in the past, there are various cleaning companies that are able to minimize the smell of smoke – however, a fresh coat of paint may be needed.

Sounds

- Light music, jazz, classical – all great choices for music to have playing when you’re expecting a showing. Keep it nice and quiet – but a bit of music adds life to a home.

Lights

- Even during the day, if you’re expecting a showing, have your lights on. Every light, every lamp – it invites people into each room and then they don’t have to go around turning on the lights for you. It rounds out your presentation.

Summing up

I’ve had a great time working on this series and I hope you’ve found it helpful for your own home.  I’d love to hear from you if you have any questions or comments. Also, if you’re in the Halifax area and are looking to list your house – give me a call. I’d be more than happy to go over my marketing plan with you.

admin | Discovered, Showings, Tips | 04 7th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

You’ve got the basics down; sweeping, vacuuming, mopping and a quick wipe-down of the counters. In most cases, these seemingly obvious chores bring you 90% of the way to a wonderfully clean house. But almost everybody can make it 90% – this article will take you the extra 10%.

The extra 10% is found in your closets, cupboards, drawers, and other storage areas. From time to time we’re all guilty of cramming our unfolded laundry in the closet, or stuffing the kids’ toys in the back room in hopes our guests don’t feel the need to browse. The problem is when your house is being shown that’s exactly what you want the buyers to do so your storage space needs to be well organized.

Your buyer will be looking through to see how many shelves are in the linen closet, how deep the kitchen cabinets are, and trying to figure out who gets which closet in the bedroom. In my experience, storage space is a make or break item for your sale. Regardless of how much a buyer loves your house, they will move on if there’s not adequate storage.

Take some time to have your storage spaces organized and inviting. One great way to do this is to start packing the lesser-used items in clearly labelled boxes in a basement storage room or attic. If it’s spring or summer, pack away your winter clothes to open up space in your closet. Have towels and blankets folded nicely in the linen closet and pack away anything that’s causing over-crowding. Buyers are going to look – so you have an opportunity to exceed their expectations.

In your main storage room, shed or garage, move all storage items/boxes to a back wall so that the buyers feel invited into the room. They’ll be able to get a feel for how big the room is instead of peering in from the doorframe. If your storage room is overcrowded, you may want to look into renting a storage unit for a few weeks while your home is on the market.

Getting your home ready for the market can be time consuming. But it’s worth it! You’ll be glad you did – and the head start with packing really pays off when it’s time to move.

“In my experience, storage space is a make or break item for your sale.”

admin | Discovered, Showings, Tips | 04 6th, 2010 | No Comments »

Each time your house is shown, there’s one goal: cause buyers to feel that they’ve just walked through the door of their new home. I’ve been on many viewings where the buyer just glances through each room, moving on to the next, and eventually moving on to the next house. But when they find a home that’s inviting and warm, they can relax, spend some time getting a good look at what they’d like to see. In this article, we’ll discuss how depersonalizing and de-cluttering are important steps to making the buyer feel at home.

De-personalize

Most of us like to warm our homes with photos of friends and family. They’re constant reminders of memorable vacations, awkward family photo day, and when the kids were small enough to fit in the kitchen sink. They mean a lot to you, but nothing to your buyer. It’s tough for a buyer to feel comfortable and at home when they’re surrounded by photos of somebody else’s life.

Do yourself a favour by getting a few moving boxes and start packing! You’re moving anyway, so now is the perfect time to get a head start. For larger photos on the wall, feel free to replace them with some charming art pieces. Not only does this help the buyer feel less intrusive, it can also accent your home with extra splashes of colour. Nowadays, most home decorating stores have a variety of affordable prints and paintings. It’s well worth your time checking it out.

De-clutter

Clutter is an offensive word. For the most part, it cannot be defined by you, the homeowner, but rather the prospective buyer viewing your home. Most of us don’t feel we live in clutter, but in the context of a showing certain items are perceived as such, and it doesn’t help toward the sale of your home. For example, if you’re an avid rock collector and love having your collection on display, or have souvenirs from your world travels proudly placed on your mantel, you certainly wouldn’t define these items as clutter. However, the buyer would rather imagine what their antique doll collection will look like. You have the opportunity to be the one that sets the stage for their imagination.

To get the best results, put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and try to see what they see. Have your Realtor® or a friend walk through your home to give you a fresh perspective on how a buyer will feel about your presentation. Pack away any clutter items and keep surfaces as clear as possible. That being said, having a few items tastefully placed on surfaces like a mantel or coffee table is a fantastic touch; just make sure they don’t overwhelm.

Popular clutter locations:

- Fireplace mantel
- Coffee/end tables
- Window sills
- Magazine baskets
- Home office
- Dressers
- Kitchen counters
- Fridges

Final Thoughts

Selling your home can be an emotional time; it’s tough to see your belongings packed away, but exciting to think of where you’re headed next. The best advice I can give is to find time to reminisce, but also remain energized and objective about selling your home. Those who are able to see through buyers’ eyes and prepare well for showings have great success in selling their home!

admin | Discovered, Showings, Tips | 04 6th, 2010 | No Comments »

The exterior of your house garners a lot of attention. For people driving by, it could be the only component of your house they see. On MLS® and other web sites it’s typically the main photo used; and for promotional material (regardless of how stunning your kitchen may be) the exterior shot is going to be your home’s main identity. Like it or not, it’s the cover by which the book is judged.

Through my experience I’ve learned that it’s generally difficult for a prospective buyer to make an offer if they’ve been stung by a poor first impression. The good news is you can make instant improvements by simply implementing the following practical ideas.

Prospective buyers will be taking time to walk around your property to get a feel for the layout and surroundings. You want them to be impressed by the entire presentation so keeping a tidy exterior is a must.

Tidiness

Go the extra mile and maintain a freshly mowed lawn with bright, inviting gardens. Pay close attention to the corners and edges around your foundation or trees. You can easily add brightness to the presentation by planting colourful flowers in your garden or flower pots. Also, giving your garden a new layer of soil and weeding out unwanted growth accents your attention to detail.

You may find that your decking and/or siding are gathering some unwanted dirt. Having these sprayed with a power-washer should do the trick! If it’s winter, keep the deck clear of any snow. This invites buyers to step out and get a feel for the layout and space.

Driveway/Walkway

In the winter, you can make a solid first impression by simply keeping the driveway and walkways clear of snow and salted. For the rest of the year, if your driveway and walkways are paved, grab a broom and sweep away any dirt, rocks or leaves. It’s a small detail, but adds a lot to your presentation.  If you have a gravel driveway, take note of how consistent the gravel is – it may be helpful to have some extra gravel added.

Touch-ups

Overtime, the paint on the exterior of your house may peel or chip. Although it happens to everybody, peeling paint can be viewed as a sign of neglect. Taking the time to do the necessary touch-ups to the paint on your house, garage, shed or deck will not go unnoticed.

Final Thoughts

Buyers will be meticulous when viewing your home. After all, an investment in real estate is likely the largest investment any of us will make. Taking time to assess your property and going the extra mile with the ideas in this article will make for a wonderful first impression. If you’re in the Halifax area and would like an extra set of eyes, I’d be more than happy to help. Feel free to contact me by phone: (902) 209-5251 or email: aaron@reddoorrealty.ca

admin | Discovered, Showings, Tips | 04 6th, 2010 | 1 Comment »