Weโre still in a sellerโs market, but that doesnโt mean your home is guaranteed to easily sell.1 If you want to maximize your sale price, itโs still important to prepare your home before putting it on the market.
Start by connecting with your real estate agent as soon as possible. Having the eyes and ears of an insightful real estate professional on your side can help you boost your homeโs appeal to buyers. Whatโs more, beginning the preparation process early allows you to tackle repairs and upgrades that can increase your propertyโs value.
Use the checklist below to figure out what other tasks you should complete in the months leading up to listing your home. While everyoneโs situation is unique, these guidelines will help you make sure youโre ready to sell when the time is right. Of course, you can always call us if youโre not sure where to start or what to tackle first. We can help customize a plan that works for you.
AS SOON AS YOU THINK OF SELLING
Some home sellers want to plan their future move far in advance, while others will be required to pack up on very short notice. Whatever your circumstances, these first steps will help assure youโll be ahead of the listing game.
- Contact Your Real Estate Agent
We go the extra mile when it comes to servicing our clients, and that includes a series of complimentary, pre-listing consultations to help you prepare your home for the market.
Some sellers make the mistake of waiting until they are ready to list their home to contact a real estate agent. But weโve found that the earlier weโre brought into the process, the better the result. That often means a faster saleโand more money in your pocket after closing.
We know what buyers want in todayโs market, and we can help devise a plan to maximize your propertyโs appeal. We can also connect you with our trusted network of contractors, vendors, and service professionals, so youโll be sure to get the VIP treatment. This network of support can alleviate stress and help ensure you get everything done in the weeks or months leading up to listing.
- Address Major Issues and Upgrades
In most cases, you wonโt need to make any major renovations before you list. But if youโre selling an older home, or if you have any doubt about its condition, itโs best to get us involved as soon as possible so we can help you assess any necessary repairs.
In some instances, we may recommend a pre-listing inspection. Although it’s less common in a seller’s market, a pre-listing inspection can help you avoid potential surprises down the road. We can discuss the pros and cons during our initial meeting.
This is the time to address major structural, systems, or cosmetic issues that could hurt the sale of your home down the line. For example, problems with the frame, foundation, or roof are likely to be flagged on an inspection report. Issues with the HVAC system, electrical wiring, or plumbing may cause the home to be unsafe. And sometimes outdated or unpopular design features can limit a homeโs sales potential.
Remember, when youโre dealing with major repairs or renovations, itโs best to give yourself as much time as possible. Given rampant labour and material shortages, starting right away can help you avoid costly delays.2 Contact us so we can guide you on the updates that are worth your time and investment.
1 MONTH (OR MORE) BEFORE YOU LIST
Once any large-scale renovations have been addressed, you can turn your attention to the more minor updates that still play a major role in how buyers perceive your home.
- Make Minor Repairs
Look for any unaddressed maintenance or repair issues, such as water spots, pest activity, and rotten siding. This is the time to take care of those small annoyances like squeaky hinges, sticking doors, and leaky faucets, too.
Many of these issues can be handled by going the DIY route and using a few simple tools. Tackle the ones you can and be sure to call a professional for the ones youโre not comfortable doing yourself. We can refer you to local service providers who can help.
Remember that itโs easy to overlook these small issues because you live with them. When you work with us, you get a fresh set of eyes on your homeโso you donโt miss any important repairs that could make a big difference to buyers.
- Refresh Your Design
This is a great time to think about some simple design updates that can make a significant impression on buyers. For example, a fresh coat of paint is an easy and affordable way to spruce up your home. A recent survey of Canadian agents found that paint and landscaping were two upgrades that offered the highest return on investment.3
HGTV landscape designer Carson Arthur agrees. According to Arthur, landscaping is the best place to invest your money and has the potential to increase your homeโs value by up to 7%.4 If weather permits, lay fresh sod where needed, plant colourful flowers, and add some new mulch to your beds.
Even just repositioning your furniture can make a huge difference to buyers. A survey published by the International Association of Staging Professionals found that staged homes often sell faster and for more than their list price.5 We can refer you to a local stager or offer our insights and suggestions if you prefer the DIY route.
- Declutter and Depersonalize
Doing a little bit of decluttering every day is a lot easier than trying to take care of it all at once right before your home hits the market. A simple strategy is to do this one room at a time, working your way through each space whenever you have a bit of free time.
Start by donating or discarding items that you no longer want or need. Then pack up any seasonal items, family photos, and personal collections you can live without for the next few weeks. Bonus: This will give you a head start on packing for your move!
1 WEEK BEFORE YOU GO TO MARKET
With just one week before your home is available for sale, all major items should be crossed off your to-do list. Now itโs time to focus on the small details that will really make your home shine. Here are a few key areas to focus on during this last week.
- Check-In With Your Agent
Weโll connect again to make sure weโre aligned on the listing price, marketing plan, and any remaining prep. We will be there every step of the way, ensuring youโre fully prepared to maximize the sale of your home.
- Tidy Your Exterior
Youโve already done the major landscapingโnow itโs time to tackle the last few details. Make sure your lawn is freshly mowed, hedges are trimmed, and flower beds are weeded.
In addition, now is the time to clean your homeโs exterior if you havenโt already. Power wash your siding, empty the gutters, and wash all your windows and screens.
- Deep Clean Your Interior
Your house should be deep cleaned before listing, including a thorough deodorizing of the homeโs interior and steam cleaning for all carpets. Consider hiring a professional cleaning company to ensure the space smells and looks as fresh as possible.
In addition to cleaning, take some time to tidy up. Buyers will look inside your closets, pantries, and cabinets, so make sure they are neat and organized. Small appliances and toiletries should be cleared off the countertops.
DAY OF SHOWING
Now youโre all set to go and there are just a few small things you need to handle on the day of showings or open houses. Do a final walk-through and take care of these finishing touches to give potential buyers the best possible impression.
- Pre-Showing Prep
Happy and comfortable buyers are more likely to submit offers! Make them feel at home by adjusting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature. Open any blinds and curtains throughout the house, and turn on all lights so buyers can see all the potential in your home.
Then tidy up by vacuuming and sweeping floors, emptying (or hiding) trash cans, and wiping down countertops. In the bathrooms, close toilet lids and hang clean hand towels.
Donโt forget to secure jewelry, sensitive documents, prescription medications, and any other items of value in a safe or store them off-site.
Finally, itโs best to have pets out of the house during showings. If possible, you should also remove evidence of pets (litter box, dog beds, etc.), which can be a turn-off for some buyers.
DONโT WAIT TO PREP YOUR HOME FOR SELLING
If you want to get top dollar for your home, donโt put it on the market before itโs ready. The right preparation can make all the difference when it comes to maximizing the offers you get. The upgrades and changes you need to make will depend upon your homeโs condition, so donโt wait to speak with an agent.
Call our team if youโre thinking about selling your home, even if youโre not sure when. Itโs never too early to seek the guidance of your real estate agent and start preparing your home to sell.
Sources:
- RBC –
https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/a-turning-point-more-sellers-enter-canadas-housing-market-in-february/ - ConstructConnect –
https://canada.constructconnect.com/canadata/forecaster/economic/2021/07/labour-shortages-high-material-costs-strong-demand-more-pressure-on-house-prices - RE/MAX –
https://blog.remax.ca/canadian-real-estate-renovation-trends/ - National Post –
https://nationalpost.com/life/homes/curb-appeal-in-the-business-of-home-ownership-a-little-landscaping-can-go-a-long-way - International Association of Staging Professionals –
https://d3oaxt0bwkjnjn.cloudfront.net/documents/home-staging-industry-statistics-2020-min.pdf
