Even during slower economic times there lots of way to increase the value of your home very little or no investment.
The biggest investment is your time and seat equity.
When it comes to selling, the difference in selling well, or not at all, is in the details.
1)Clean your yard.
This is your potential buyer's first impression whether it's on the internet or at curb side.
Does the buyer get a real positive vibe? or are they looking at weekends of labour ahead? Pack up the non-seasonal items and toys, give away the construction material, store the recreational vehicles elsewhere and organize the wood pile out of sight.
2)Tame your jungle.
Can't see house? Can you see out of the house? Trim or remove overgrown trees, and hedges from windows and entry points.
Stand at the curb and check what draws your eye or dominates the front yard.
Keep your grass trim.
A buyer shouldn't need a machete to find the front door.
3)Clean and freshen the exterior.
Sweep the walkway and driveway, wash the windows and siding, and clear away cobwebs.
Have easy to read house numbers and clean the glass of your light fixtures.
Remember most viewings happen in the evening, so make your home bright, welcoming, and easy to find even after dark.
4)Make your front door sparkle.
There is tremendous anticipation and a pause at the front door while the Realtor finds the key.
Your front door sets the tone of what's to come.
Make it clean, clean, clean, and dress it up with fresh paint, great lighting, hardware, and a working doorbell.
Accessorize with a new welcome mat, kick plate and a tasteful seasonal theme.
5)Make a grand entry.
Stand at your front door and have a good look around.
Can you comfortably fit three adults without falling over shoes or bumping into a coat rack, storage bench or table? Remove obstacles and worn out area rugs.
What do you see at the doorway? Is it great long views into the home or is there something blocking the view? 6)Smell great.
Don't cover up with store bought air fresheners.
They are an immediate red flag.
Smell great because it's really clean and fresh.
Address odour problems from closets, pets, carpeting, soft furnishings and mould.
Open some windows.
Our sense of smell is directly linked to our memory.
Be remembered for smelling clean.
7)Paint It is the best investment for your time and dollar to instantly update your home.
Potential buyers love the smell of new paint.
Go to a paint manufacturer's website or a decorating store and find a current colour palette that will suit the character and orientation of your home.
They've already put great palettes together for you.
Connect rooms by painting in similar hues or tones.
Stay away from overpowering white and don't overdo boring beige.
8)Undress your windows The days of multiple layers of window dressings are passé.
Textiles also hold odours.
Keep it simple and fresh.
Remove valances, horizontal blinds, and draw back the curtains to reveal your view and let light in.
No view? Use simple sheers to obscure the less than stellar view but still let light in.
Allow for panel curtains to be hung at the sides of the window; it gives the illusion of a bigger window.
9)Create space and flow Is it easy to move around your house? Clear out and prepack your closets, remove excessive furniture that's typically used for storage or that block household traffic.
It takes up valuable real estate and makes your rooms appear smaller.
Highlight only a few of your best decorative items.
Shelves and closets shouldn't be more than two thirds full.
10)Sweat the small stuff The sale is in the details.
Have doors and windows that close easily, sinks and toilets without leaks, stains or chips, clean undamaged light switches, undamaged screens, and corners without dents or chips.
It may not seem obvious, but it's the little details that subconsciously tell potential buyers how well the property has been taken care of.
The biggest investment is your time and seat equity.
When it comes to selling, the difference in selling well, or not at all, is in the details.
1)Clean your yard.
This is your potential buyer's first impression whether it's on the internet or at curb side.
Does the buyer get a real positive vibe? or are they looking at weekends of labour ahead? Pack up the non-seasonal items and toys, give away the construction material, store the recreational vehicles elsewhere and organize the wood pile out of sight.
2)Tame your jungle.
Can't see house? Can you see out of the house? Trim or remove overgrown trees, and hedges from windows and entry points.
Stand at the curb and check what draws your eye or dominates the front yard.
Keep your grass trim.
A buyer shouldn't need a machete to find the front door.
3)Clean and freshen the exterior.
Sweep the walkway and driveway, wash the windows and siding, and clear away cobwebs.
Have easy to read house numbers and clean the glass of your light fixtures.
Remember most viewings happen in the evening, so make your home bright, welcoming, and easy to find even after dark.
4)Make your front door sparkle.
There is tremendous anticipation and a pause at the front door while the Realtor finds the key.
Your front door sets the tone of what's to come.
Make it clean, clean, clean, and dress it up with fresh paint, great lighting, hardware, and a working doorbell.
Accessorize with a new welcome mat, kick plate and a tasteful seasonal theme.
5)Make a grand entry.
Stand at your front door and have a good look around.
Can you comfortably fit three adults without falling over shoes or bumping into a coat rack, storage bench or table? Remove obstacles and worn out area rugs.
What do you see at the doorway? Is it great long views into the home or is there something blocking the view? 6)Smell great.
Don't cover up with store bought air fresheners.
They are an immediate red flag.
Smell great because it's really clean and fresh.
Address odour problems from closets, pets, carpeting, soft furnishings and mould.
Open some windows.
Our sense of smell is directly linked to our memory.
Be remembered for smelling clean.
7)Paint It is the best investment for your time and dollar to instantly update your home.
Potential buyers love the smell of new paint.
Go to a paint manufacturer's website or a decorating store and find a current colour palette that will suit the character and orientation of your home.
They've already put great palettes together for you.
Connect rooms by painting in similar hues or tones.
Stay away from overpowering white and don't overdo boring beige.
8)Undress your windows The days of multiple layers of window dressings are passé.
Textiles also hold odours.
Keep it simple and fresh.
Remove valances, horizontal blinds, and draw back the curtains to reveal your view and let light in.
No view? Use simple sheers to obscure the less than stellar view but still let light in.
Allow for panel curtains to be hung at the sides of the window; it gives the illusion of a bigger window.
9)Create space and flow Is it easy to move around your house? Clear out and prepack your closets, remove excessive furniture that's typically used for storage or that block household traffic.
It takes up valuable real estate and makes your rooms appear smaller.
Highlight only a few of your best decorative items.
Shelves and closets shouldn't be more than two thirds full.
10)Sweat the small stuff The sale is in the details.
Have doors and windows that close easily, sinks and toilets without leaks, stains or chips, clean undamaged light switches, undamaged screens, and corners without dents or chips.
It may not seem obvious, but it's the little details that subconsciously tell potential buyers how well the property has been taken care of.