Traditionally, getting your home ready for a sale was always a major production. It may seem like a lot of work, but if your house sparkles and shines, you stand the best chance of a fast sale and a fair price. At the very least, everyone wants to put their best foot forward, especially if any of the neighbours pop by to browse their property.
In this unpredictable market, prepping for your sale is more critical than ever. The demand for housing may be at an all-time high, but buyers are hesitant to pull the trigger. On the one hand, some houses sell so fast that many buyers don’t even get a chance to look at them. Others stay on the market with very little interest. What are the reasons for this? It could be the location. It could be that the house has some custom features that don’t meet the needs of the majority of buyers. And sometimes, there doesn’t seem to be any reason at all!
In any case, it has never been more critical to get your house show-ready before placing it on the market. There are no guarantees, but when buyers step up and are immediately captivated, you’re more likely to be one of those sellers who enjoys a fast sale at top dollar. What type of home upgrades should you do?
Up-to-date information and knowledge are essential when selling your home. Here is some related reading you may find helpful
- Best Practices for Selling a Home in Today’s Market
- Renovating Vs. Selling Your Home As-Is
- How to Sell Your Parents’ Home
Step 1: Prioritize and Plan
The thought of preparing your house for sale may feel like a monumental task that makes you want to pull the covers over your head until it is over. However, you can simplify and streamline the process considerably by narrowing your focus.
The first thing to realize is that extensive renovations are not always necessary. You probably don’t have to replace the roof or finish the basement if it isn’t already. Instead, it would be best to focus only on what will give you the best return on any investment you make in fixing up your home.
Any updates that make your space appear brighter, larger, and more modern are likely to pay off once the offers start coming in. Here are our top five recommendations that often yield substantial results.
Curb Appeal
You’ve undoubtedly heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Despite this sage advice, everyone does it. And buyers start judging your home the minute it pops into view. They may not even do it consciously. However, they often make a snap decision whether they love your home or not before even opening the front door.
Making the outside of your house look impeccable is your first and most important task. A well-maintained lawn free of debris and clutter, along with tasteful decor, sets the stage for a showing that stands out.
Thorough Cleaning
Once you’ve dazzled your potential buyer with your incredible outdoor decor, the effect continues once they step inside. Thorough, meticulous cleaning is perhaps the best step you can take to help visitors fall in love with your home. Think of your regular spring cleaning but on steroids.
You want to remove every speck of dirt from every nook and cranny, even the places you might typically skim over. This includes washing the walls, cleaning the baseboards, scrubbing the floors, and dusting any cobwebs out of the corners.
Have you ever considered investing in real estate? It can be one of the best ways to protect and grow your wealth during uncertain times. Here are some resources to help you decide:
- How to Generate Passive Income From Your Primary Residence
- Growing Your Wealth Through Real Estate Even in a Recession
- A Complete Guide to Real Estate Investing in Guelph
Decluttering
People only tend to realize how much stuff we collect once it’s time to sell the house. But what seems like a beloved treasure to you can be distracting to potential buyers who are trying to imagine themselves in this space.
That means every souvenir, knick-knack, children’s artwork, and other unnecessary items should be sorted into a save or discard pile. Then you can pack away everything else out of sight.
The less clutter lying around, the more your home will appeal to anyone walking through. As an added bonus, your house could even seem more airy and spacious.
Fresh Paint
Though significant upgrades are generally not needed, a simple coat of fresh paint can do wonders in getting your home show ready. If you’re handy, this is one project you might decide to tackle yourself. Otherwise, a local real estate agent can recommend a reputable contractor so you can sit back and relax as your house is transformed!
What colour should you choose? It’s important not to get caught up in your personal tastes. Instead, think about what will help you sell your house for more money. In most cases, light or neutral colours work best because they can open up a room and make your home seem larger and more modern.
Hardware Updates
A few strategic hardware updates are one way to give an outdated home a facelift. Best of all, they are usually simple enough to perform and cost very little.
New handles on cupboard doors, updated lighting fixtures, and new pulls on drawers have a subtle but unmistakable effect on anyone visiting your home. This is another project you can undertake yourself or pass on to a trusted contractor.
Staging
To make your listing stand out, you will want to stage it. This process can be simple or extensive depending on your current decor, but it helps houses sell faster and at higher prices. The idea is to design your home in a way that is impersonal yet stylish. Once completed, buyers can easily imagine the home as theirs. Many real estate services consider staging so essential that some will include this service for free. GoWylde Real Estate provides an extensive staging service at no additional charge to its clients.
Bonus Steps to Make Your House Dazzle
The upgrades above can go a long way to making your home more appealing to buyers, especially if there are competing listings in your area. What if you want to take it up a notch?
One thing to consider is to update your doorbell and thermostat to smart technology. This simple step adds a touch of modernity to your home and will definitely appeal to younger buyers or anyone interested in additional layers of security.
Whatever you decide, making your home look its best at all times is a proven way to enjoy a seamless and successful sale so you can look forward to your next step.
Are you thinking of selling your home in Guelph or the Tri-Cities? Our team can help you formulate a strategy for even the most challenging market. Reach out today at info@gowylde.ca or call 519-826-7109 for more information or to get started.
