BASIC TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME

As a homeowner, you can play an important part in the timely sale of your property. When you take the following steps, you'll help your RE/MAX Sales Associate sell your home faster, and at the best possible price.

• Make the Most of that First Impression     A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted - or at least freshly scrubbed - front door. If it's autumn, rake the leaves. If it's winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.

• Invest a Few Hours for Future Dividends     Here's your chance to clean up in real estate. Clean up in the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration. Fresh wallpaper adds charm and value to your property. Prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look, "with a little work."

• Check Faucets and Bulbs     Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolours sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs leave prospects in the dark. Don't let little problems detract from what's right with your home.

• Don't Shut Out a Sale     If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect's mind. Don't try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.

• Brighten rooms     Shades of white account for 50 percent of paint sales, and for good reason:  It’s refreshing, restful and all furnishings look good with that color.

• Rearrange Living Room Furniture     Begin by pulling the sofa into the center of the room, facing a fireplace or picture window.

• Reevaluate Uses of Rooms     A rarely used guest bedroom or dining room can be converted into a home office.

• Use Standing Screens to Mask Problem Areas     Tri-fold screens are one way to hide eyesores (like home office equipment).

• Fill an Empty Corner    Place a large potted tree in the corner with a canister light that sits on the floor.

• Create Intriguing Centerpieces     If collectibles or framed family photos are spread throughout a room, group them together.

• Refurbish Cabinets     Strip and refinish old, dark wood.  Add new handles or knobs.  Replace doors with glass fronts or consider removing them.

• Get Rid of Heavy Drapes     Replace them with fabrics that blend with the surrounding walls.  Add tiebacks on each side.

• Apply Self-Adhesive Wallpaper Borders     Use them to brighten up a child’s room or a bathroom.

• Cover a Wall with Mirror Tiles     This is ideal for bathrooms, entries, and other small, dark rooms that lack impact.

• Think Safety     Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.

• Make Room for Space     Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They're looking for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.

• Consider Your Closets     The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now's the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.

• Make Your Bathrooms Sparkle     Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats and shower curtains.

• Create Dream Bedrooms     Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Colourful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.

• Open up in the Daytime     Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.

• Lighten up at Night     Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights - both inside and outside - when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.

• Avoid Crowd Scenes     Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they're likely to hurry through. Keep the company present to a minimum.

• Watch Your Pets     Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you're showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. So do everybody a favour: Keep Kitty and Spot outside, or at least out of the way.

• Think Volume     Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might kill a real estate transaction. When it's time to show your home, it's time to turn down the stereo or TV... and play the classics!

• Relax     Be friendly, but don't try to force conversation. Prospects want to view your home with a minimum of distraction.

• Don't Apologize     No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings. If a prospect volunteers a derogatory comment about your home's appearance, let your experienced RE/MAX Associate handle the situation.

• Keep a Low Profile     Nobody knows your home as well as you do. But RE/MAX Sales Associates know buyers - what they need and what they want. Your RE/MAX Associate will have an easier time articulating the virtues of your home if you stay in the background.

• Don't Turn Your Home into a Second-Hand Store     When prospects come to view your home, don't distract them with offers to sell those furnishings you no longer need. You may lose the biggest sale of all.

• Defer to Experience     When prospects want to talk price, terms, or other real estate matters, let them speak to an expert - your RE/MAX Sales Associate.

• What Home Renovations Give the Best Return    According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, the following renovations provide the best return to a homeowner who subsequently sells their property. 

Description of Upgrade

% Return

  Kitchen Upgrade:

  Bathroom Upgrade:

  Finished Basement:

  Addition of a Family Room:

  Addition of a Separate Living Unit:

  Interior Paint in Neutral Colors:

  Exterior Paint:

  New Furnace and Heating System:

  Landscaping:

  Energy Efficient Features:

RE/MAX Renovation Report

Gary & Candi Grant ... in Touch with the Heartbeat of Real Estate©

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