Preparing Your Property To Sell

Your lawn should be freshly mowed and watered.. If there are brown spots, try to remedy this well in advance of putting the property on the market. If you decide to use fertilizer, you’ll want to allow enough time for it to take effect. Rake up any leaves or grass cuttings. 

You might want to consider sprucing it up by adding greenery. Mature trees are expensive, you likely won’t see a return on your investment unless they are hiding something unattractive and immature trees don’t tend to significantly improve the immediate appearance of your home. Overgrown shrubs should be trimmed to a height below windows. 

Planting a few flowers is an easy way to add colour and vibrancy.  If you don’t have an area in which to plant flowers, consider purchasing a few pots or hanging baskets.

When you view your property from the street, does it appear weathered or faded? If so; weather and budget dependant, it may be time to treat it to a fresh coat of paint. This is usually a sound investment; new paint can do wonders to increase a property's perceived value and appeal.  The new colour should fit in with surrounding houses and complement the style and structure of your house.

You may want to have the roof inspected by a reliable roofer so you’ll know how many years you can expect it to last.  If it's very old and or leaking it should be replaced or repaired prior to listing.  Budgets don’t always allow for this so we may have to factor that into the value. If there are un-repaired leaks, you’ll have to disclose this detail to the homebuyers on the Property Disclosure Statement that is required to be filled out if you currently live in the property.  Most Buyers will have a professional building inspection done that should reveal unknown damage.  

The front door and surrounding area should look welcoming, as this will be the buyer’s first up-close impression as they enter the property. Consider a fresh coat of paint and clean the door fixtures and mailbox if needed. Keep the entryway swept and make sure there’s a door mat for people to wipe their shoes on; they’ll be asked to remove their shoes once they enter. Ensure the lock works smoothly and the key fits properly so the REALTOR® can easily open the door. 

All of these little things will contribute to the overall effect of a well cared-for and welcoming property. 

Preparing your home for sale begins with creating a neutral, spacious environment that allows buyers to envision themselves living there. Over time, every home reflects the personalities and memories of its owners. While meaningful to you, highly personal items, such as family photos, distracting collections/hobbies and excessive religious items, can distract buyers and limit their ability to form an emotional connection to the property. Remove these items early in the process. Pack them carefully and store them off-site if possible. Avoid relocating too many items to closets, basements, attics, or garages, as these areas will also be viewed by prospective buyers.

Removing clutter is essential to presenting your home at its best. Years of accumulated belongings can make spaces feel smaller and less functional. Approach this step objectively, or let us assist you as we can offer an impartial perspective.

Evaluate shelves, countertops, drawers, closets, storage areas, and the garage for unnecessary items to either pack and store or donate. While parting with belongings can be difficult, reducing excess will make your home appear larger, cleaner and more inviting. It also streamlines your eventual move.

The following section outlines specific strategies for addressing each area of your home.

Prospective buyers have a great appreciation for a clean and tidy kitchen.  It’s best to eliminate the type of clutter that can often accumulate here.   

The counters should be as clear as possible, so try to find a home for kettles, toasters, coffee pots, etc.  You may want to remove some seldom-used items to improve the impression of spaciousness. Try to eliminate stored items on top of cabinets as it indicates a lack of storage space.

Homebuyers may want to check the function of some drawers and cabinets so it’s best to have the insides ready for inspection by organizing and eliminating unwanted items.  

If you, like many people, have a “junk drawer,” try to clear this out and organize the contents. Remember to put any small valuables in a safe out of site place. 

Cleaning supplies may have to be stored under your sink, if so, try to have them organized as buyers may want to check the type of plumbing lines etc.  This area is often in need of paint or cleaning so try to freshen it to look its best.

Ample, clean, bright, lighting is very important to showcase your tidy kitchen. 

Go through your closets and reduce the contents if they are overcrowded.  Consider boxing out of season items until you move.  Buyers will hope to be as organized as you are!

If the property is overly full of furniture you may want to consider storing some of it off site also.  Buyers and Realtors congregate together in each area of your property to make sure there is room for that to happen is very important.  We’ll be happy to help you with these decisions.  

Aside from cleaning, carpet and flooring can be very challenging items to address.  If you plan to replace carpeting, we suggest you choose neutral colours and textures.  We’re happy to offer advice and suggest trusted service providers.  We’re happy to guide you on the best course of action.

Walls and ceilings should enhance the sense of space, light, and overall condition of the home. These surfaces act as a backdrop for every showing, and any imperfections such as scuffs, outdated colors, patchwork repairs, or water marks can immediately draw unwanted attention. Depending on timing, budget and ability, sellers may consider repainting in soft, neutral tones to create a cohesive, move-in-ready appearance. Minor repairs, including filling nail holes, smoothing uneven surfaces and addressing hairline cracks, can significantly elevate presentation at minimal cost. Clean, bright ceilings are equally important, as stains, cracks or discoloration may raise concerns about maintenance and the cost to repair.

Ideally, interior doors should open and close smoothly without squeaks, sticking or visible damage. Windows should be spotless inside and out, allowing maximum natural light to fill the space; bright rooms consistently feel larger and more inviting to buyers.

Begin by airing out the house. We often become accustomed to the scents in our own spaces. Smell is the first memory response and can either trigger a pleasant or unpleasant memory for buyers.  We promise to give you our honest opinion about odours and offer solutions if needed.  

If the property carries the odour of smoke there are options available to neutralize and minimize the smell.

As pet owners you may have become used to their particular smell. Without the use of harmful scented products you can minimize odours by bathing them more regularly and washing their bedding and toys more often.  Be sure to use odour absorbing litter.  

Check window tracks, washer gaskets and high moisture areas of your home. Often mold and mildew can be eliminated by cleaning with a mold controlling spray. If you have a high content of mold and or mildew professional remediation may be necessary.  We’re happy to advise you on this topic.

H2O tank   if a hot water tank is beyond its warrantied life expectancy, buyers will likely require it be replaced in order to obtain home insurance.  Ideally, leaky taps, faucets, sinks, toilets and plumbing pipes should be repaired prior to listing.  We have trusted professionals that we can recommend for these jobs.

As buyers view the property, they’ll have a great appreciation for well lit spaces so they can take it all in, therefore, we recommend that you check to be sure all light fixtures are working and there aren’t any burnt out light bulbs.  If your current fixtures are too weak for the space, you may want to consider adding to it with higher wattage fixtures or perhaps table or floor lamps

The suggestions above are simply a starting point to help you think about preparing your home for sale. We understand that every seller’s circumstances are different, and not everyone will choose to invest additional time, energy, or money into these recommendations. There are absolutely no expectations—our goal is to meet you where you are and create a strategy that works best for you.