If you're looking to add your home to the homes for sale in Calgary, there are many tips and tricks you can easily do to ensure you show off your home's best features and qualities. We know Calgary real estate, so being your Calgary realtor, we've compiled a list of tips for home preparations that we have found to be the most important.
1. Choosing the right realtor Naturally, you may think I am going to say choose me, but of course that would be too easy. I do advise picking a realtor who has your best interests set as his or her priority. Your Calgary realtor will understand Calgary real estate, he will know your neighbourhood and area. Pick a Calgary realtor who has previously worked in your neighbourhood of choice and one who can leverage all the details in the area such as amenities, schools, and transportation. I may or may not be your chosen Calgary realtor however I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you if you are thinking of selling.
2. Pricing it right It is important to determine fair market value based on location, size, condition, finishing's, floor plan etc. Too many realtors simply look at square footage and multiply by the neighbourhood average to derive the listing price. For many, selling a home is the largest transaction of one's life therefore more thought should be put into the pricing process. Do not use your City of Calgary assessed value as they are simply based on a general mill rate (ie., multiplication factor) for the area.
3. The kitchen comes first Think of it as you’re not actually selling your house, you’re selling your kitchen – that’s how important it is. The benefits of remodelling your kitchen are endless, and the best part is that you’ll probably get 85% of your money back. It may be a few thousand dollars to replace countertops, but a prospective buyer may knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen looks dated. The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware. Use a neutral-color paint so you can present buyers with a blank canvas where they can start envisioning their own style.
4. Lights, Camera, Action Maximize the light in your home. After location, good light is one thing that every buyer states they want in a home. Take down obstructing window coverings, clean the windows inside and out, replace all light bulbs to daylight white (the photographer will thank you), and let the natural light shine in. A Calgary home with good lighting feels larger and more expansive to potential buyers. This is also true with how our home is represented in photos. It is important for a professional photographer to have consistent lighting as it means less photo processing afterwards and will show a true representation of the space and colours.
5. Declutter and De-personalize This is a very important point- the more personal stuff in your home, the less potential buyers can imagine themselves living in there. Remove family photos, personal keepsakes and remove a third of your extra items. Put things in storage, because as cliche as it may be, out of sight is truly out of mind. Home stagers are amazing at envisioning what a space can be transformed into by simply moving a few things around, adding certain colour accents and drawing focus to where it needs to be.
6. Conceal the pets Although you love animals, it doesn't mean that every potential buyer shares the same sentiment. Not everyone is a dog- or cat- lover. Buyers don't want to walk into your home and see a bowl of dog food, smell the kitty litter box or have tufts of pet hair stuck to their clothes. It will give buyers the impression that your house is not clean. Try to keep the evidence of animals at a minimum throughout the home. You may need to shampoo the carpets to remove the animal odour from your home, and thought it is time-consuming, it is a worthwhile investment.
7. Half-empty closets Storage is something every buyer is looking for and can never have enough of. Take half the stuff out of your closets then neatly organize what's left in there. Be sure to keep all your closets and cabinets clean and tidy.
8. Keep it clean Your house needs to be "show-ready" at all times. This can be difficult with 2 kids, 2 dogs and a busy schedule but you never know when a potential buyer is going to request a showing. Do your best to keep things tidy, don't leave dishes in the sink before going to work, make the beds in the morning, leave the bathrooms clean and get rid of any obvious dust built-up in the corners. If you employ the "clean as you go" method, it won't be so daunting and keeping your home clean will be rather achievable.
9. Capitalize on the first impression Lastly, buyers start judging your home the moment they step out of their Calgary realtor's car. It is important to make people feel warm, welcome and safe as they approach the house. Focus on your curb appeal, a few shrubs, flowers or feature items can go a long way. Entryways are also important. You may use it as a utility space for your coat and keys. However, when you're selling, make it welcoming by putting in a small bench and a vase of fresh-cut flowers. This may seem like an intimidating 'To-Do' list however it is important to put the effort in prior to putting your home on the market. Never assume that a potential buyer is going to look past a deficiency or clutter. My real estate services include a consultation with a home stager that can help you getting your home prepared, so let's talk if you're looking to add your home to the Calgary real estate market!
Cheers,
Mark