As an experienced real
estate salesperson, I’d like to think that I’ve seen a lot when it comes to
home sales. I’m talking the good, the bad, the ugly, and the just plain weird.
From tiny cottages to luxury mansions; from quirky design trends to homes that
are literally falling apart at the seams; I’ve seen a lot. That being said, I
still shake my head a little when I see some of the properties that
occasionally hit the market, and the way they are being marketed.
If you follow me on Twitter, you may have caught my posts
this week about a property that I viewed in Bolton. To put it bluntly, the home
showed terribly. In desperate need of repairs and serious cleaning, I wondered
how anybody would ever be able to sell it.
It got me thinking about the numerous mistakes people make when trying
to sell their homes. While there are probably too many to name, I thought it
would be a good idea to share some of the basics, especially considering we are
heading into the hottest time of year for home sales in the GTA.
The first thing, also perhaps the most important yet most
frequently overlooked, is the importance of curb appeal. Even if your home
isn’t professionally landscaped to the extreme, be sure to at least cut the
grass, pull the weeds and spruce up the overall look of your home on the
outside before you invite buyers for showings. Another basic rule? Getting rid
of the mess and the personal belongings. When staging your home for sale,
remove all family photos, nick-knacks and general clutter. Buyers want to
envision themselves living in the home, which can be hard to do when everywhere
they turn there are photos of you on family vacations, or your favourite books
and movies lying around.
If things are broken, fix them. Do you really want the
liability of a prospective buyer injuring themselves while viewing your home,
just because you neglected to take care of a simple repair? It blows my mind to
see how many owners go through the trouble of ‘staging’ their homes for sale,
when there are significant defects throughout the property in plain view.
Finally, if you are going to stage your home for sale, seek
the advice of a professional. Your idea of what is ‘stylish’ might not be the
best design choice for the masses. A professional (and
honest) Realtor can help you point out areas of your home that stand out, and
could use a little bit of extra attention.
Getting your home ready for sale? The tips above are great
starting points, but there’s so much more to consider. Feel free to call me to
find out more…I’d be happy to provide my opinion and advice at any time!
Cheers!
Stuart Sinclair
Sales Representative
The Stuart Sinclair Team
RE/Max West Realty Inc., Brokerage
Independently Owned and Operated
Office: 905-857-7653
Toll Free: 1-866-219-7770
Email: info@TheStuartSinclairTeam.com
Website: www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com
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