With the spring coming and housing sales activity on the rise, many individuals will be preparing their homes for sale. There are many things that home sellers can do to make their home more appealing to the prospective buyers. Many of these projects are inexpensive, they just take time. In order to ensure your home is in the best possible condition, start with a few simple items.
The first step would be to de-clutter your home. De-cluttering involves getting rid of things that you no longer use or that make the house look crowded. Personal items such as family photos, should also be removed from the home as they detract from the marketability of your property. Potential buyers will focus on the pictures instead on the house itself. Many individuals feel overwhelmed when even thinking about where to start, as they have accumulated a variety of items throughout the years. Coming up with a daily list of items to put away or throw away will make the job more manageable. If possible these items should be stored off site at a relative’s garage or rented storage. It is best not to store it in the garage as potential buyers will want to take a look there as well.
Secondly make sure your house is clean, that means that there are no stains on the carpets. All floors, couches and walls should be clean and the home should feel fresh and airy. Special attention should be paid to the bathrooms and kitchen. Make sure to organize your kitchen cupboards and closets as most buyers will look in there as well. (Muir, 2009)
Fix the small items. One should repair leaks, water damage and loose or cracked tiles. If you are not able to do it yourself, it is best to hire a professional. If needed a fresh coat of paint will make a great impression. Make sure your windows are clean and the curtains are pushed back to allow natural light. Ensure great curb appeal, mow your lawn, and weed your garden in the summer and spring and make sure your side walk is always shovelled in the winter. (Kuchment, 2004)
Consider hiring a staging professional to help you make your home more appealing to buyers. Staging professionals are familiar with the latest design trends and will offer you advice on how to increase your home’s potential. In the initial consultation most home stagers will do a one or two-hour walk through your home, and come up with a recommendation list. These may include moving or repositioning artwork and furniture, packing away knickknacks, changing the lighting or painting the back fence. Then you have the option of completing these items yourself or hiring the stager to finish the job. Some home stagers will also bring rented furniture and decorations if necessary. Home staging is not just about getting you a better price but it is also about getting the home sold fast. (Bauer, 2003)
Completing all of these items will help to make your home more attractive to buyers and get you the best possible price for your property.

Written by: Eva Wolicki, REALTOR® - Realty Executives Polaris (Edmonton) evasells@realtyexecutives.com

Laura Muir. How to stage your home like a pro, Chatelaine. (English edition). Toronto: May 2009. Vol. 82, Iss. 5; pg. 168, 2 pgs. Retrieved from Pro Quest database on Feb 9, 2010

Anna Kuchment. Primped to Sell, Newsweek. New York: Jul 12, 2004. Vol. 144, Iss. 2; pg. 69. Retrieved from Pro Quest database on Feb 10, 2010

Gabrielle Bauer. Selling Up, MoneySense. Toronto: Nov 2003. Vol. 5, Iss. 5; pg. 13. Retrieved from Pro Quest database on Feb 10, 2010