A clean, tidy home that’s in good condition will inspire confidence and sell more easily. Thus, preparing your home for potential visitors can make the difference between a quick sale at the right price and a drawn out selling process that requires several price drops. 

From the basement to the attic, from the front entrance to the back shed, your property must be presented in its best light. Making your home attractive, inside and out, is the key to a successful sale.

3 steps to prepare your property

	1. Declutter and clean This is pretty straightforward: do your spring cleaning!
	2. Reduce and declutter Put away as many knick-knacks, plants and personal items as possible. The goal is to avoid overfilling rooms, so visitors can clearly see their size and the space available.
	3. Repair and refresh Repair that leaky faucet, or the door that doesn’t close properly, and touch up the paint where necessary.

An intro to homestaging

Homestaging is used to make a property you want to sell more attractive, to get a better price or to sell faster. Your homestaging will be a success if it increases your property’s appeal, makes better use of the available space and showcases your property’s points of interest at their full potential.

The secret is to put yourself in the shoes of potential buyers and imagine what aspects could either appeal to them or put them off.

The kitchen

• Clean it inside-out: Make the faucet, floor and work space shine. 
• Make room: Clear the table, the island and the countertops to show the available work space.
• Store all food in cabinets.
• Adjust the lighting: Open the curtains and the lights to add life to the room.
• Make small repairs: Fix holes, and make sure that cabinets and drawers open and close well.
• Add a few decorative accessories: Put fresh flowers on the table or a bowl of fruit on the island. Hang a frame on an empty wall or add colour with some napkins. 
• Keep odours at bay: Air out all rooms before visitors arrive.

The living room and family room

• Put away all children’s toys, books and magazines that might be lying around. 
• Make room: Keep gadgets and decorations to a minimum. Make sure furniture doesn’t get in the way while walking around.
• Depersonalize: Remove family photos, religious or political symbols, and trophies. This will make it easier for visitors to imagine themselves living in the space.
• Create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere: Make use of soothing colours, lit candles, pillows or a decorative throw. 
• Showcase points of interest: Free the area in front of the fireplace, let light in by opening the curtains and utilize lighting to showcase the space.

The bedroom

• Make the beds, and put away clothing, personal items and anything else that may be lying around on dressers.
• Keep it clean: Never let dust accumulate on furniture, the carpet, curtains or the floor. 
• Opt for dimmed and soothing lighting. Add bedside lamps to fill empty space.
• Rearrange furniture: Move bulky furniture and place the bed so that it doesn’t take up too much space.

The bathroom

• Clean inside-out: The bathtub, sink, shower door, toilet and floor need to shine. 
• Store all bathroom accessories and personal objects. Clear the countertops and never leave any dirty towels lying around.
• Create appeal: Add a bath mat, a shower curtain, candles or towels that complement the decor to give the space some personality.

The outside

• Prepare the entrance: Put garbage cans behind the house, move unneeded vehicles and make sure the front door is welcoming.
  
• In summer: Clean up the yard: Mow the lawn, trim hedges, weed gardens, plant flowers and remove any objects cluttering up the property.
• In winter: Clear the entrance of snow to allow for easy access to your property. 
• If possible, don’t put up a car shelter: While they are practical, they are not attractive and they make the property less appealing.