Prepare your home for sale
Attack the chores list. By presenting your home at its best, you can attract big offers. Let your realtor point out things you may not notice and which may detract from your home. Be sure to address all the little imperfections that could give a potential buyer a reason to walk away. Print out a copy of our Is Your Home Ready? – a checklist for a thorough tour of your home.

Get rid of clutter
The house will feel bigger and more inviting.

Clear out closets

Remove bulky, unused furniture

Purge your belongings – toss, donate, or sell unwanted and unused items

Clean everything
Cleaning is the most cost effective way to attract buyers. Sparkling floors, windows, walls, doors, and baseboards go a long way to impress visitors. Be extra tidy in bathrooms and the kitchen. Once it’s clean, keep it clean. Be prepared for the last minute visitors. Repair as much as you can. Leaky faucets, ceiling cracks, and torn screens detract from your home’s value.

Depersonalize your home
Take away your personal memorabilia:

Family portraits

Trophies

Posters

Anything that is too much about you

Removing your influence makes it easier for buyers to envision themselves living in this space. Neutralize strong colours and wild wallpaper. Painting your home in neutral colours will enhance a room’s size and make it look more inviting. Besides cleaning, painting is the next most cost-effective way to increase your home’s appeal.

Add some beautifying touches
You don’t have to spend a fortune, but consider affordable touches:

Replace old, tattered curtains

Replace focal pictures with mirrors for a more spacious feel

New houseplants are attractive

Trim and prune your outside space

Plant new flowers

Don’t get carried away, though. Ask whether your improvement project will make your home more desirable and whether the improvement costs will increase its value.

Let your realtor market your home

They are experts

They have a variety of tools and methods to showcase your property to potential buyers

The “For Sale” sign
This sign continues to be one of the most effective ways to advertise your home for sale.

Traditional media
Your realtor may choose a variety of the following:

Newspaper classified ads

Ads in real estate publications

Property listings on cable TV

Neighborhood mailers

The power of the internet
If you decide to list your home on an MLS system, you can also advertise it on www.realtor.ca – Canada’s most popular research tool for residential real estate. Over 85% of Canadians start their home search on the internet. Realtors are also expert networkers and are part of an extensive community of professionals helping sellers and buyers to connect.

Have an open house for realtors
This is an efficient way to attract realtors to see your home and keep it in mind for their potential buyers. Have an open house for everybody Many buyers want to get a feel for the neighborhood before they commit to working with a realtor. Open houses for the public allow passersby to visit your house and decide if it’s a potential space for their next home.

Lock away valuables
Most people are honest and courteous, but don’t invite temptation. Lock away jewelry, cameras, and other small valuables. You can also ask your realtor to record each visitor’s name and phone number for added security.

Attend to any hazards
Look for trip hazards, broken equipment or furniture. Avoid cooking foods with strong aromas. Nobody wants a house with odours.

The best way to help:

Don’t be there; people can’t envision living in your space if you are present

Use a “lock box” so that your realtor has access to your home. A "lock box" is a small, secure box that's affixed to your front doorknob. It's a mini

safe with a key to your house inside.

Be patient. Hopefully, you will get the great offer soon.