HOW TO BUILD UPON YOUR HOME'S APPEAL TO POTENTIAL BUYERS! (and perhaps increase your sale price!)

Finding buyers in today's market requires more than just a low price. Many people are utilizing the method of home staging to highlight their property's best features. Even in highly desirable neighbourhoods such as Armour Heights or North York requires careful thought and planning to obtain top dollar for your home. This technique of "staging" is known to increase the odds of making a sale. In fact, many real estate professionals have used principles of this method for years. Proactive homeowners can make an impact on the length of time that their home is on the market by investing some time and a nominal amount of money.

Your home is your castle, but when you're trying to sell, you may have to make some adjustments to your living space while your home is on the market. When potential buyers view your home, they may not see all of the property's potential because they are distracted by elements of your personal style. By putting in a little effort and employing calculated decorating methods, you can enlarge the pool of potential buyers for your property.

Your home's appeal is the key issue at hand. Take several things into consideration when assessing its marketability. Be objective about the amount of clutter in your home. A home that is overloaded with personal photographs and style specific embellishments may be a turn-off for some buyers. Place most of your personal belongings in storage during the selling process. Reserve some of your most classic and neutral pieces to display in the home. Although you're trying to create a blank canvas for the buyer to visualize their own things there, you don't want to overdo it and make the property seem cold. Here the principle of "less is more" truly applies.

Too much furniture in a home is another way to make the home seem small. While your home may suit you perfectly the way it is, the objective at hand is to sell the home. Renting and storing excess furniture in a storage facility could be small investment that will put money in your pocket. Keep the basic pieces like your dining room table, couch, even a bookcase or two, but make sure the pieces are essential for your remaining time there and they are helpful in showcasing the potential of your home. Again, "less is more"!

After you have removed the bulk of unessential items in your home, look for problem areas that will detract from the appeal of your home like ruined door handles and hinges, torn screens and defective faucets. These points may appear minor to you as the homeowner, but to a buyer, details like these can effect the overall presentation. A few days of painting or decorating could add real pizzazz to a drab interior. Keep your color choices neutral, not everyone likes bright colors and you are trying to bring the features of the house out to be center stage. Remove dated accents like wallpaper borders in the kitchen or bath. If your carpet is in bad shape, it will be worth the investment to have it professionally stretched and steam cleaned. When you are ready for buyers, make absolutely certain that your home is tidy and put together. Fresh baked cookies and crisp linens could add warmth and charm to an initial impression. Little changes like these can have a dramatic impact on your capacity to sell quickly.  

For more information regarding selling your home at a top price, please contact Liz Gordon, Sutton Group Admiral Realty Inc., (416) 739-7200 or email at egordon@trebnet.com.