Here are some simple things that you can do to help increase the perceived value of your home and make a great first impression to potential buyers. Put a major emphasis on the most visible areas of your home such as the kitchen, family room, living room, master bedroom, and foyer.

Exterior of Your Home

• Keep the lawn well watered and cut regularly
• Weed and edge the gardens, and keep trees, hedges and shrubs well trimmed
• Remove all clutter from the sides, back, and front of your property
• Clean the driveway and remove any stains. A coat of driveway sealer is inexpensive, and can make your driveway look almost new
• Clean out your garage, and organize it
• Power wash the exterior of your home
• Repair any broken screens
• Check the paint and touch up where required
• Repair fences and decks.
• Take a look at your walkway and patio and have any stones or interlock re-leveled if necessary
• Plant some colourful flowers in planters

The Front Entrance

• Clean the porch, front entrance, and exterior porch light
• Ensure that the doorbell is working
• Repair any damage to the front door
• If the mailbox, door handle and lock are looking old and tired, consider replacing them
• A fresh coat of paint on the front door can make a huge difference

Setting the Mood

• Make sure that your home smells fresh and clean
• Open the drapes and blinds, and turn on lights. Add extra lamps in dark rooms or corners
• Ensure that your home is at a comfortable temperature
• Light the fireplace during winter months
• Soft music in the background is a nice touch

Maximize Open Space

• Make sure that all rooms, hallways, and the stairs are clutter free
• Clear the kitchen counters and stove top
• Put away personal photos so buyers can envision themselves living in your home
• Try angling one or two pieces of furniture slightly to make a room more interesting and spacious. Consider removing some furniture from rooms that appear crowded. Always try to envision how you would react to your home if you were a potential buyer.
• Clear all closets and storage areas of unnecessary items and organize. If it is summertime, consider packing away all winter clothing. Offsite storage can be a fantastic investment in removing the clutter from your home, hence making it appear more spacious
• Look at magazines and home catalogues for little details on beautifying the home. For instance, group books, pictures and objets d’art appealingly on bookcases.
• A mirror in a nice frame strategically placed in a room can make it appear larger

Maintenance

• Repair any cracks in the walls and ceilings
• Apply a fresh coat of paint or touch up where necessary
• Ensure that all lights are in working order and replace any burned out light bulbs
• Repair leaking taps and toilets
• Tighten door knobs and latches, and if the door squeaks, oil the hinges
• Clean the furnace and filters
• Repair seals around basins and tubs, re-caulk if required
• Repair squeaking floor boards

Clean, Clean, Clean!

• Ensure that your house is kept spotlessly clean, and smells fresh. Refrain from cooking foods that leave distinctive odors, such as fish, cabbage, garlic, etc.
• Clean and freshen all bathrooms
• Clean the inside and outside of your fridge, stove, microwave, washer and dryer
• Ensure all windows are clean inside and out
• Consider hiring professionals to clean carpeting and draperies
• Eliminate all pet odors and stains

Be as objective as possible when preparing your home for sale. Bring in another pair of eyes, even if it’s not a professional stylist. The person may see problems that you have missed. We can help you with some very simple and easy tips to help your home show better. Home staging is more about psychology than anything else. Once a potential buyer gets a feeling for your house, that feeling sticks, independent of price point. Let us help you make sure we get it right.