5 Easy Things To Do Before Showing Your Home

It is selling season and if you are selling your home you know how busy this time of year is!  Lost of Showings, Previews and Open Houses - exposure is key when selling your home!  But a last minute showing can be tricky!  Of course, you want your home to be seen but at the same time your home may not be up to par!  What do to?

 

During the week, we suggest a cleaning routine :including vacuuming as often as you can (at least the highest traffic areas, like a family room for instance), putting away clothes after each wearing (either in a hamper or back in the closet or dresser) to keep clutter under control, picking up toys and books before bed time (get the kids involved - they tidy up at school so why not at home?), wash dishes daily (if you have a chaotic schedule maybe use disposable paper plates in the short term) and wiping down surfaces like counter tops (kitchen and bath) and table tops.

To make the very best impression for buyers, try these 5 easy things.  they can be done in around 15-20 minutes, so even the very last minute showing can be a huge success!

1.  Keep the house clean.
I know easier said than done but if you tackle a bit of cleaning everyday, the house will never really get messy.  Be sure to always have the sinks and appliances clean - those two items really make an impact on buyers and it sets the tone for the rest of the house.  Stainless steel appliances? Be sure to use the right cleaners to remove finger prints and smudges. Cleaning these items alone really shouldn't take more than 3 minutes!

 


2.  Sweep the kitchen floor (and eat-in area).
Will buyers be focusing on your floor? Maybe - Maybe not....but if they step in food or sticky residue from spilled apple juice, they will notice it and it will make a bad impression. It takes minutes to do and it make the kitchen (a buyer hot spot) look and feel so much better.  A quick sweep and spot mop should take 3-5 minutes.

 

3.  Empty all trashes.
Over flowing trash is just gross and it can smell.  It take minutes to empty the cans.  Get the kids involved, send them each to a trash can and have them meet you in the garage to dump and put them back.  Again it feels clean and looks so much better.  This should take roughly 5-7 minutes.

 


4.  Make it smell good.
Removing the garbage and regular cleaning certainly help to keep the house smelling clean.  Try to keep from cooking (right before a showing) fish, grease, burnt anything can be tough to get rid of, especially in a hurry.  You can use plug-ins but opt for natural scents as florals can be overwhelming but try opening the windows - nothing beats the smell of fresh air!  another product that we love are scented flameless candles - they are battery operated, they look great and smell fantastic but DO NOT leave real lit candles in the home unattended. This should take a minute or two.

 

5.  Remove all clutter from counters and floors
Clutter is a huge distraction.  We tell our home staging clients that clutter sends a signal that the house is lacking in storage - no buyer will say "oh, they just have too much", the buyer will say "there isn't enough storage here".  Storage is an important factor for buyers. Be sure to pay special attention the the kitchen counters.  Keep extra baskets handy for toys, books, clothes and any other items that are on the floor.  Have a basket in each bedroom for a quick clean and pick up (be sure the basket can be tucked away in a closet). Depends on how much you have to do, 5 - ? minutes.







 A few extra minutes or want to add another touch Leave out some cookies or small chocolates, bottled water for a welcome touch.  It will make a memorable impression .....

Your Curb Appeal Checklist

Many home sellers tend to neglect the appearance of their frontage when in fact the “curb appeal” is as important as the main living areas in the house. Spring is finally here and now it's time to really focus on making the exterior of your home look top notch!  Just because potential buyers scope out homes online and can really focus on the home's interior (and the inside of your home has been upgraded and maintained) doesn't mean that the exterior maintenance of your home is no longer important. When buyers come in for a showing, remember that it is the first thing that will greet them and you have to make a good impression.

 

So, before hitting the panic button, here’s a quick checklist of the things that you need to cover and get done before a showing.

FOLIAGE

- Make sure walk, porches and decks are swept clean
- Make sure the lawn is manicured and maintained
-  For highly visible areas, like the front garden you may want to consider some professional landscaping or at least planting some plants and flowers; and choose plants that work with the season
- Repair any broken steps, replacing missing paving stones...
- Clip shrubs, weed flower beds and remove any dead branches




LIGHTING

- Clean exterior light bulb
- Replace burnt out light bulbs
- Make sure your lighting matches and that is compliments the look of the home
- Make sure there is sufficient lighting at the front porch and driveway
- Keep your exterior lights on after dusk, you never know who might be driving by to look at your home



DOORMAT

- Pick a doormat that will help keep from dirt transferring into your home
- Stay away from a personalized doormat, remember this isn't your home anymore....
- Find a doormat that works with the decor of your home
- Buy a new new doormat, it's not expensive

 


COLOUR

- Spruce up the front door with a new coat of paint
- When planting or updating your garden looks for some colourful options
- A bright pop of colour can make an impact be sure to choose the right colour(s)
- Use colour at the entry (interior or exterior) a little bench with a colourful pillow is warm and welcoming
- Add some planters (ideally one taller than the other) and plant some seasonal flowers and plants 






Items like a great bench with pillows and planters can come with you to your next home so don't feel like you are 'wasting' money to sell your current home ...it's worth it to sell and you will have the benefit of enjoying those items later. 

Candles - a great alternative

I love the candles!  The light they give off, the feeling, the mood they add to a room...but candles and kids do not mix!  So a great alternative that I love is battery operated candles.

There are so many options with this flameless option.  In terms of scent, size and colour.



They are available in so many locations, ranging from Wal-Mart to HomeSense to Michaels and more....

If you are hosting a party where children are welcome these are perfect for setting the mood without any potential for disaster, even if there aren't kids around these are safe and still give off the same look and feel plus the wick won't burn out.

I have some extra large cream coloured flameless pillar candles in my family room and they give me the look without the worry.  I use them often (entertaining or just relaxing at home) and it really adds a softness to the space.  the scented ones are nice, too.

These are also a great option for an open house.  If you are selling your home and want that extra touch to set your home apart and want to create an inviting atmosphere for potential buyers - talk to your real estate agent about using flameless candles and don't forget about using the right scent to make an inviting home.

A splash of colour!

Spring is right around the corner and if you have been in any clothing stores or boutiques you have likely noticed all of the saturated and bright colours, which are perfect to break the winter blahs. If injecting colour is an effective way to update and energize your wardrobe, why not do the same for your home? Here are 4 very budget-friendly ways to do just that.

1 -- Group like-coloured objects. Look around your home and find various objects in a single hue. A vase, books, small decor items and perhaps a picture frame, create a small grouping (odd numbers are best such as 3 or 5 items) and display it in a visible area such as the console table in your front hall or a bookcase in your living room. An easy, fast, colourful art instillation which can make a big impact.

2 -- Paint your lamp shades. Make use of your leftover paints and create a funky and fun lamp shade. Paint a paper lamp shade, apply two coats of colour with a sponge brush; the whole process takes less than an hour, including drying time. For even more impact, use painters tape to create a bold geometric pattern or create fresh, crisp stripes. This adds a unique touch and visual impact in any room.

3 -- Decant your soaps. Make your bathrooms look more like a boutique or exclusive apothecary and less like a pharmacy, show off those jewel toned "potions" in clear vessels. Clear plastic vessels can be found at most dollar stores or even grocery stores. Many clear plastic pieces are looking more and more like glass, which adds a sparkle to a small space like a bathroom.

4 -- Add pop to your kitchen. The kitchen is the hot spot when entertaining so make it pop! There are many accessories available in kitchen stores and department stores that can add a fun and funky feel to the kitchen. My sister just moved into a new condo and as a house warming gift I purchased a bright lime green pepper mill. It is both functional, decorative and it was cost effective (less than $20). Another cheap, easy and colourful trick is to take a footed glass vase and fill it with bright neon straws . They are perfect for morning smoothies or summer cocktails - and they deliver a splash of welcome colour to the kitchen counter top.

Open House Tips and Tricks

Well it's almost spring and the market will be heating up! If you are selling your home you will notice throughout the city open house signs everywhere. You have a beautiful home in a great neighbourhood but how can you make your home stand out from all of the others? Here are some simple tips and tricks to have a successful open house.

1 -- Aromatherapy. Make your house smell inviting to your guests. You can use scented candles and sprays but some people are allergic and/or feel uncomfortable leaving lit candles unattended. Some great alternatives to creating a welcoming atmosphere - you can bake cookies (the pre-made cookie dough is easy to clean and achieves the same outcome), who doesn't like the smell of homemade goodies? Or, if you can't bake, chop up some apples and put them in a casserole dish with some water, cinnamon and sugar. Place the casserole dish in the oven and keep it at a low heat. You do not want to over-scent the home so just use one of these ideas to create that warm and cozy feeling in your home.

2 -- Light and fresh air. Open all the blinds and curtains so the house is full of natural light. This is also a great tip if you have a spectacular view such as a beautiful park or maybe even a great panorama of the city. If it's a nice day open the windows to let fresh air into the house. Wash all windows, especially those where the light will show dirt and streaks. Unlock all the doors and windows so people don't have to struggle with a lock they aren't familiar with. Something as small as a difficult lock could deter a prospective buyer.

3 -- Selling features. If you have ever toured a show home, builders often have feature sheets to bring attention to certain details in the home. Why not do the same?Place small sticky notes on things that are unique or may be an incentive to buy your home (i.e. trash compactor, tile imported from Italy, large-capacity washer and dryer included). Make sure your realtor is aware of these features but if there is a rush of people walking through the home, your realtor may not have enough time to connect face-to-face with everyone, these sticky notes will help bring focus to selling features of your most precious asset, your home.

4 -- A sign-in book. Hopefully your realtor will have one but it doesn't hurt to be prepared. A sign-in book can give you an idea of how many people have toured your home, it is also an opportunity for potential buyers to offer comments and it is also a great method for you and your realtor to gather some information and contact them later for feedback on your home. Make sure it is placed in a visible area such as the kitchen island.

5 -- Signage. Make sure your signage is clean and visible - so brush off the snow or make sure if it has fallen down, you put it back up. Have a topper attached to your lawn sign a few days before the open house ( on Wednesday or Thursday). The day of the open house, make sure to place your a-frame signs in high traffic areas, directing potential buyers to your open house. Put the a-frames out in the morning so people who are out and about notice the signs and hopefully plan to stop by later that day.

6 -- Check the calendar. Plan your open house around the lives of your potential prospects. Look to the calendar and the sports schedules to make sure that your planned open house will not conflict with your prospective buyer's other interests and activities. For example, an open house on Superbowl Sunday is a sure way to not have any traffic through your open house.

7 -- Temperature control. Make sure the house is not too hot or too cold. Either temperature can make an uncomfortable setting and make potential purchasers head for the door. If your open house is during the winter, have the fireplace on. It warms up the house, sets an inviting atmosphere and draws attention to a wonderful selling feature. If your open house is in the summer, have the A/C on so the house is less humid and again draws attention to the A/C unit in the home.

8 -- Be prepared. Make sure your a-frames are out and directing people in the proper direction. Arrive early to the home. Sweep or shovel the front walkway. Put your cookies or apples and cinnamon in the oven and turn it on. Open the curtains and blinds. Turn on all of the lights. Set up your sign-in book and get ready for a successful open house!