The time has come. Something in your life has changed—you got a new job, your family has grown, or you just realized you need more space—and you need to move to a new home. You are about to embark on an exciting yet stressful time of purchasing a new home.
But not so fast; before you start house shopping, you must put your current home on the market. Surely someone out there will love your home as much as you do and snap it up quickly, right?
Well, as much as your home has been great for you, we must allow potential buyers to see the home beyond the memories you have made in it. We will provide you with a few things you ought to do before putting your house on the market.
Get decluttering
Unless you’re an extreme minimalist, homes are full of stuff. Most of us don’t notice our things because we see them every day, but a potential buyer will need help to see beyond all the things. Having clutter can put someone off from buying your home. So declutter and put the stuff away until you have a new home for it. Decluttering is also beneficial for planning to move; decluttering helps lessen your load.
Take your stamp off
You may love your collection of rooster-themed kitchenware, but a buyer might not, so go through the home and put all the kitschy stuff away. Potential buyers like to see a neutral palate, a more blank slate to allow them to envision themselves in the home, and that isn’t easy to do when your collection of Funko Pops is on every surface.
Do a deep clean
Your home needs to be spotless and scent-free when folks come to look at it, so get scrubbing on every surface. If that sounds daunting and you have the means, hire a cleaning company to do it for you. Deep cleaning will also provide you with the first steps of a move-out clean, all helping prepare you for your next steps.
Organize your storage
If you’ve been putting off organizing your cupboards and closets, now is the time to do it. People will be looking in storage spaces to see how much room they have; if all your items overflowing from the Christmas bins are taking up the area, it is difficult for potential buyers to see how much space is there. Please give them a clear picture of why they should purchase your property. Put things away correctly, stack pots and pans in the kitchen, and neatly arrange clothes and shoes in the closet.
Do those repairs
If there’s some minor repair that you’ve been putting off, like fixing a leaky faucet or getting that one drawer unstuck, now is the time to do it. There are no limitations to what people will touch and notice when viewing a house, be it opening all the drawers in the kitchen or turning on every faucet. Ensuring those minor details are taken care of will provide them with an appeasing experience as they view your home.
Refresh the paint
Nothing makes a room feel fresh, like a new coat of paint. If it’s been a decade since you did any painting, chances are the colour is a little outdated. Choose a neutral colour that goes with your floors, and have yourself a painting party. It’s an inexpensive way to brighten your home, elevate it and entice buyers.
Up the curb appeal
First impressions are the most important, and you don’t want buyers to be turned off of your home before they even walk through the door. Ensure the lawn is mowed and the weeds are removed from the garden bed. Add a flower basket or two to the entryway and paint the front door a welcoming colour. Make sure any walkway is walkable and not cracked or lifted.
In conclusion
Ready to get your home on the market? We can help! The Mayne Brothers have over 40 years of combined experience in the Central Okanagan and will help you navigate the housing market.
For more information, call 250-860-0303 any time, day or night!
