Open houses and showings are a critical part of selling your home. Even if you have stunning photos and colourful, elaborate descriptions of your home's best features on the MLS®, almost every interested buyer will want to tour the home before making an offer. Showcasing your home during viewings requires some careful preparation. The goal is to appeal to the widest range of qualified buyers and to provide a welcoming and aspirational experience to every buyer who visits. Here are some tips from a top-selling Realtor® to prepare your property for showings and position your home to be the next sale in your neighbourhood.
Realtor® Recommendations To Prepare Your Home For Viewings
Declutter
This is definitely the first step in preparing your home for sale. Aim to remove 20-40 percent of your belongings from the space. Remove most personal effects such as children’s artwork from the fridge and consider paring down the gallery wall of family photos. Remove extra shoes and coats from the front entryway. Put away all countertop appliances in the kitchen. Stow away personal cosmetics, toiletries, and medications in the bathroom. Organize the pantry and the linen closets. Too much “stuff” and clutter can make your home seem smaller and lacking in storage.
Deep Clean
Once you have removed a good volume of your belongings, roll up your sleeves, and go in for a deep clean. Wash windows inside and out. Wipe baseboards, windowsills, and door jambs. Clean out the fridge, wipe out the microwave, and scrub the stove. Remove hard water stains from glass shower doors. Dust ceiling fan blades. When you pay attention to every surface in your home, buyers will have the impression that your home has been well cared for.
Touch Ups And Repairs
This is the time to finally check off all the items on your neglected to-do list. Tighten the hinge on the kitchen cupboard door that always hangs a little askew. Repair the window screen that your family pet scratched at. Replace your furnace filters. Touch up the paint where you nicked it moving out your old couch and the scratch on your hardwood floors from dragging a bookshelf long ago. As with your deep clean, the goal is to give the impression that your home maintenance has always been a priority.
Staging
Some buyers will opt to stage their home for sale. This can be an effective strategy to achieve a quick sale and top dollar if you have already moved out and your home is empty, if your furnishings are outdated, or if your home decor style is… eclectic! Keep in mind that staging can be an unnecessary expense based on your target buyer, market conditions, and your goals for sale. Your Realtor® is the best resource to determine if home staging is worth it for you. Learn more about the benefits of staging by reading Staging Your Home: Is It Worth It?
Curb Appeal
As you declutter, clean, and repair, don’t forget about the importance of a great first impression. The exterior of your home is the first thing buyers will see and curb appeal can set the tone for the whole viewing experience. Consider hiring a company for a comprehensive pressure wash on the exterior of your home. This can help rinse away dirt and grime that accumulates and makes your siding look old or damaged. Complete seasonal maintenance: cut and water the grass, rake the leaves, shovel the snow. Make sure typical yard clutter like gardening tools, bikes and toys, recycling and compost bins are cleared away or stowed appropriately. Straighten out your patio furniture and add a few colourful throw pillows. Decorative planters on your porch and a beautiful door wreath are great touches to welcome buyers in.
Set The Mood
On the days you have showings scheduled, set the mood by paying close attention to the feeling guests will have as they enter and tour your home. Open curtains and blinds to flood your space with natural light and turn on lamps and overhead fixtures to illuminate dark corners and create a cozy glow. Set your thermostat to neutralize the outdoor weather: cool for summer, warm for winter. If you are worried you have become “nose blind” to your family’s unique scent, light a mild-scented candle or boil a pot of water with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and an orange slice on the stovetop.
Clear Out
It can be hard letting strangers into your home with free rein to open your closets and drawers and maybe even your fridge and medicine cabinet! It can feel like a real invasion of privacy. But it is very important to clear out before an open house or showing. Being present can be uncomfortable for the buyer and for you. The buyer wants to feel free to tour the home and inspect every nook and cranny, and the seller does not want to hear critiques about the paint colour or bathroom tile they chose. This is when working with an experienced and trusted Realtor® can really make a difference. Your Realtor® can be present for showings on your behalf or screen other agents and their buyers to ensure your home is safe and secure, even if you aren't there.
Follow Up
This is another important duty for your Realtor®. After every showing a follow-up call or email with the potential buyer and their agent can provide useful feedback on their viewing experience and give your Realtor® the opportunity to explore the buyer’s level of interest and even begin the process of soliciting an offer.
Careful Preparation And Partner With An Experienced Realtor®
The work needed to prepare your home for showings is a necessary evil! The tasks can seem daunting, but following this insightful advice from an experienced Realtor® can help you showcase your property in the best light and position your home for a quicker sale at an optimal price.
The expert team of Realtors® and real estate specialists at The Tanya Eklund Group have the insight and experience to price your home competitively and market it effectively to help you achieve top dollar. Leverage our network and in-depth knowledge of the Calgary real estate market to ensure that you are able to sell your home quickly for the best possible price. Connect with our team by calling (403) 863-7434 or through our contact form.
