To-Do’s as a Homeowner to Sell Faster and for More

As a Homeowner, you can play an important part in the timely sale of your property. When you take the following steps, you will help your Peter de Graaf Real Estate Team Sales Associate sell your home faster and at the highest possible price.

Make the Most of that First Impression A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted – or at least freshly scrubbed – front door. If it’s autumn, rake the leaves. If it’s winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.

Invest a Few Hours for Future Dividends Here’s your chance to clean up in real estate. Clean up in the living room, the bathroom and the kitchen. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecorations. Fresh wallpaper adds charm and value to your property. Prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look, “with a little work.”

Check Faucets & Bulbs Dripping water rattles the nerves. Discoloured sinks suggest faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs leave prospects in the dark. Always opt for warm lighting by using frosted bulbs. Don’t let little problems detract from what’s right with your home.

Don’t Shut Out a Sale If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect’s mind. Don’t try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way towards a closing.

Think Safety Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: rollerskates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.

Make Room for Space Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They’re looking for storage space too. Make sure your basement, storage areas and closets are clean and free of unnecessary items.

Consider Your Closets The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now’s the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.

Make Your Bathrooms Sparkle Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best white towels, mats and shower curtains.

Create Dream Bedrooms Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Neutral bedspreads, throw cushions and cleared surfaces are a must!

Open Up in the Daytime Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.

Lighten Up at Night Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights – both inside and outside – when showing your home in the evening. Lights add colour and warmth, making prospects feel welcome.

Avoid Crowd Scenes Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they’re likely to hurry through. Keep the company present to a minimum.

Watch Your Pets Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you’re showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. So do everybody a favour: Keep Kitty and Spot outside, or at least out of the way.

Think Volume Rock-and-Roll will never die. But it might kill a real estate transaction. When it’s time to show your home, it’s time to turn down the stereo or T.V. Go Out Prospects want to view your home without feeling like they are being watched over, so please try to go out for all showings.

Don’t Apologize No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings. If a prospect volunteers a derogatory comment about your home’s appearance, let your experienced Team VanDinther Sales Associate handle the situation.

Stay Positive Sometimes sellers get anxious if they don’t get an offer right away. But if you are a believer of “energy” you know that worrying does not help. In fact, it does the opposite, so RELAX… we’ve got this!

Looking to Leave or Sell Things… Make a List When prospects come to view your home, don’t distract them with offers to sell those furnishings you no longer need. You may lose the biggest sale of all.

Defer to Experience When prospects want to talk price, terms or other real estate matters, let them speak to an expert – your Team VanDinther Sales Associate.

Can’t Sell What We Can’t Show Help your agent. Our Appointment Centre will handle all the showing requests quickly and efficiently. Please try to say YES as much as possible!