Preparing House for Showings: Realtor-Approved Tips
When your home goes on the market, it’s essential that the first impressions are good ones. This is because buyers tend to love a home within the first few minutes of entering the house, sometimes even earlier, when viewing the home online. This is why preparing the home for viewings is one of the most critical steps involved in the home-selling process.
A well-presented home will attract more buyers, sell faster, and often for a higher price.
Following these tips below will ensure that you prepare your home perfectly if you are planning to sell it through the Edmonton real estate market.
- Declutter and Depersonalize Each Room
Before the first showing, it’s time to walk through the house with the eyes of a buyer. What exactly do you see? Too much personality and clutter will distract buyers and make a room look smaller.
Begin the task of packing the items you no longer wish to take with you and remove any personal photographs and keepsakes. Begin to pack any items that you do not use on a daily basis. This will be a good time to sort through the items you are packing and remove anything you no longer want.
The idea is to achieve a neutral and attractive environment that will enable the buyer to imagine his or her own things there. Less is more when it comes to showing-ready homes.
- Deep Clean Until It Sparkles
Cleanliness conveys care. An impeccably clean home shows that the homeowner has taken good care of the property.
Prioritize the high-impact areas first:
- Clean kitchen countertops, sinks, and appliances until they are sparkling clean.
- Bathrooms must be thoroughly cleaned, no streaks, spots, or soap residue.
- Wash the windows to allow more light into the room.
- Dust the ceiling fans, baseboard, vents, and blinds
- Vacuum the carpets, mop the floors, and polish the hardwood floors
If you have the budget, consider hiring a professional deep clean before putting your home on the market. The difference that clean air and sparkling surfaces make cannot be photographed.
- Stage for Flow and Function
Staging is not merely decorating but also emphasizing the positive aspects of your home and creating a connection that evokes emotions. Position the furniture to highlight the open spaces and the sunlight.
Realtor-approved staging tips:
- Remove bulky and extra furniture to make rooms look larger.
- Neutral colors should be used for pillows, throws, and decoration.
- Add small details such as flowers, a blanket, and a candle for warmth.
- Remember the lighting, open the blinds and the lights to achieve a bright and light appearance.
Professional home stagers know ways to completely change a house, but even DIY home staging tricks could help buyers imagine living there.
- Emphasis on curb appeal
The exterior of your home is the first impression that a buyer will see before even entering the home. An attractive and well-manicured entry way of the home represents pride of ownership.
Simple curb appeal enhancements involve:
- Lawn mowing and hedge trimming.
- Power washing sidewalks and driveways.
- Painting or cleaning the front door.
- Potted plants and seasonal flowers near the entrance.
- Retrofitting exterior lighting for a welcome evening effect.
In the Edmonton climate, even such basic maintenance work as clearing the sidewalk of snow and debris doesn’t go unnoticed and goes a long way towards achieving the first impression of a well-kept property.
- Let the Light In
Light and airy spaces always appear bigger and more appealing. Before every viewing, open all the blinds and curtains to allow as much natural light into the room as possible. Turning on all the lights, even during the day, will also help eliminate dark spots.
Think about changing your light bulbs to warm white LED light. Lighting changes the ambiance and makes the buyer feel comfortable while viewing the home.
- Eliminate odors and Add Fresh Scents
Smells are very potent factors in buyer reception. Refrain from using perfume, cooking aromas, and smells of pet ownership. Go for a scent that is light and clean.
Realtor recommended home freshness tips:
- Bake cookies and/or use vanilla candles prior to the show.
- Bowls of baking soda or activated charcoal can be placed throughout the RV to absorb the smells.
- Windows should be left open for a few minutes before the buyers arrive.
An aroma of freshness carries a tremendous subconscious effect and induces buyers to feel calm.
- Maintain “Show-Ready” Condition at All Times
The showings may be scheduled with little notice, sometimes within one hour’s notice. Maintaining a clean and organized home eliminates the stress of last-minute showings.
Start these daily practices:
- Make the beds daily.
- Take a moment (about 10 minutes) to tidily organize things before going
- Store all toiletries and personal items away after use.
- Rinse the dishes and put the laundry away.
It’s a little extra work, but a clean and showroom-ready house will often sell quickly and for a premium price.
- Absence During Viewings
The buyers also require a sense of freedom to go around and talk openly about the property. You will want to be out of the house during the viewing. This will give your realtor a chance to interact with the buyers and field any questions that they might have.
Your representative also gets important feedback that will help you polish your presentation if required.
Conclusion
It takes time and work to get your house ready for viewings, but it is one of the most effective ways of ensuring you get the highest prices and the shortest time on the market. Cleanliness, brightness, and staging are what turn browsers into buyers.
If you are considering the sale of your Edmonton home, Team Sethi is here to walk you through the entire process, from pre-listing preparation through expert marketing that brings you qualified buyers efficiently.
