Written by Lisa Sly   |   Posted on   |   371 views

THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD DO

First and foremost, you want to make sure that your house is thoroughly cleaned by vacuuming all carpet, mopping all the floors and cleaning all countertops, baseboards and windows. It is also important to make sure all your appliances and bathroom areas are clean as well. This gives the appearance that your home has been well maintained.

Clear off your dining room and kitchen tables and give them a good polish. Don’t add too many distracting place-settings or decorations. Keep it simple and make sure the chairs are all straight and spaced evenly around the table.

I’ve seen many houses and their pictures over the years—things like groceries on counters, unmade beds, garbage and other things that should not be in real estate photos or videos. Getting the best photos possible is an integral part of an effective marketing plan for selling homes. Your home needs to look as incredible as it actually is.

START CLEARING OUT THE CLUTTER

Not sure where to begin? Start by clearing off all surfaces: countertops, shelves, tables and other areas where things are collected.

The idea is to let the potential buyer see how much space there is for their belongings.

KNICK-KNACKS

You may have an amazing collection of knick-knacks, but now is a great time to start packing those for your eventual move. Random papers, magazines, excessive picture frames on the mantle should all be packed away with only minimal decor left on display.

We do this to minimize the amount of distraction in the room so that buyers can focus more on the size of the space rather than the amount of all the stuff that may be crammed in there.

KITCHEN SPACE

In the kitchen, it’s important to completely clear all countertops and remove all magnets, papers, photos or anything else you may have on the outside of your refrigerator.

Hide any garbage or recycle cans you may have out in your pantry or closet. Make sure your sink and dishwasher are clear of any dishes.

You should also remove the pile of random containers and packages on top of the refrigerator.

If possible, remove as many small appliances from the kitchen counters too. The idea is to show off how much counter space you’ve got.

There’s a bonus too. The more stuff you pack away now, the less you’ll have to pack later. Packing away unnecessary kitchen appliances and other things from your counters, will definitely make your home look amazing in pictures and ready to sell.

MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK LIKE A LUXURY HOTEL

When it comes to marketing your home for sale, think about the photos you’ve seen of luxury hotel rooms. The spaces are clear, tidy and completely open. If your home doesn’t look like that, what can you do to get it there?

BEDROOMS

In the bedrooms, all clothes, shoes, jackets and toys should be put away in the closets or dressers. Remove all personal items from the nightstands and dressers, including lotions, perfume bottles or other accessories.

Try making your bed with nice smooth sheets & comforters. Remember to pull up at the top, and down at the sides of the blankets to ensure everything is smoothed out.

Fluff up the pillows and display them evenly at the top of the bed. If you have a cozy throw pillow for the foot of your bed, lay it out neatly.

There should be no laundry scattered in the room, and closets should be very tidy to showcase all the available space. This would be a good time to start sorting out your clothes for donating.

If you’re hiding items under the bed, they may be visible in photos, so try to find another space for these. One of the best easiest things to do is to get a few moving boxes, place all the unnecessary items in there, and move the box to the basement.

LIVING SPACES

In the living room remove any stacks of magazines, books, papers or mail that may be around. If you have a fireplace, de-clutter the mantle and make sure the area is free of your personal items.

Remove excessive throw blankets from the couch and give those cushions a good fluff.

It’s also a great time to pare down the pets’ and kids’ toys that may be left out. Nice baskets are a good storage solution for these items, and if they can be neatly stacked somewhere that is less distracting, that’s even better.

GIVE IT ALL A GOOD CLEANING

The bottom line is that you should make sure your home is clean and tidy—not only for the marketing photos videos, but also for the buyers that will be booking showings to see your home in person.

Make sure the following is covered:

  • Wipe down all surfaces and clean the mirrors so they’re streak free.
  • Vacuum and mop the floors of every room.
  • Take out any garbage or recycling in the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms.
  • Put away any dishes in the sink, dishwasher or counters.
  • Clean toilets, showers and tubs so they’re shiny and fresh.

Read one of our previous articles titled Staging Tips For Selling Your Home During Spring & Autumn for specific tips on staging your home during the Autumn and Spring months.

Following these tips will help buyers see all the beauty and amazing features your home has to offer. You want them to see your home, not your belongings. So go ahead and start packing. Following the advice laid out above will make your home’s first impression a lasting impression.

*All information provided by the Brantford Regional Real Estate Association (BRREA) and ITSO for the highest sales volume and highest number of completed transactions since January 1, 2015. All Brantford MLS® House Listings come from the various systems operated by Real Estate Boards and Associations across Canada. The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used underlicense. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service®, and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.

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