Life is slowly getting back to normal for many people all over the country. With all or most pandemic restrictions expected to drop this month, it’s back to the office for many of us. As life gets busier and more demands are placed on our time, some sellers may wonder if they really need to prepare at all before putting their homes on the market.
After all, property in Toronto is in high demand. Combine that demand with a severely short supply, and prices are soaring to record-highs all over the city. Given how much time and effort typically goes into preparing a home for sale, it’s easy to see why it’s tempting to take shortcuts or skip it altogether. There is little doubt that your house will sell quickly in this market, even if you list it as-is. The trouble is that you may sell it for far less than it is worth. No matter how pressed for time you are, there are small improvements you can make to help you maximize your sale.
Easiest Home Improvements for the Highest Return
Clean and Declutter: Before committing to any expensive repairs, we recommend giving your house a serious scrub-down from top to bottom. This is the most stressful and overwhelming step for many homeowners, but you don’t have to do it by yourself. Having your friends or family around can help, and you might even have fun with the process. Your friends can make it easier to decide what you should keep and what to discard. Items with sentimental value that you don’t need anymore can often find a new home with a loved one, which removes the sting of throwing it away. Even if you do nothing else, a sparkling clean house will be more attractive to potential buyers than one full of clutter.
Get a home inspection: While not required, getting an inspection before putting your house on the market can save you a lot of time and hassle. The results can guide you to what repairs you need to make and which ones you can skip. You’ll also make a better impression upon a potential buyer, who may feel more comfortable placing an offer knowing that the house is safe and suitable.
Fresh Paint: Whether you’ve lived in the house for six months or ten years, a fresh coat of paint is always a worthwhile investment. A potential buyer can unconsciously decide if they want the house within a few seconds of entering, and nothing makes a better first impression than new paint. A splash of colour instantly makes the home appear cleaner, fresher and more modern.
Upgrade Your Curb Appeal: Speaking of first impressions, you want to make sure your house looks appealing to a buyer the minute they lay eyes on it. It’s important to pay attention to the outside appearance. Do you have a green thumb? Consider planting some herbs or flowers in the garden. In any case, hose any debris off the driveway and walkway, and keep the lawn mowed.
Spruce Up the Kitchen and Bathroom: These are the two most important rooms in the house for many buyers. Luckily, you don’t have to spend much to give them a facelift. Switching out the faucets and changing the backsplash creates a fast visual makeover. Don’t forget to look at the silicone in the bathtub. If it’s peeling or discoloured, it’s best to redo it before you sell.
Staging: It really is the little things that help you add value to your house. For example, studies show that staging your home helps sell it faster. Less time on the market means less time getting your house ready for yet another showing. In addition, a properly staged home can sell for anywhere from 6% to 20% more than an as-is property.
This translates to $60,000 to $200,000 more in your bank account, which will go a long way to help you afford your next home.
Not every expensive upgrade will result in a higher sale price. Here are some other posts to help you decide which renovations to make and what you can skip:
- The Top Energy Efficient Trends Buyers Look for in a Home
- Buyers Are Going Crazy For These Home Features
- Should You Renovate Your Kitchen Before Selling Your Home?
What if You Have No Time?
There are many service providers that can take all or most of the burden off of your shoulders. For example, a professional stager might charge $600 to $800 for each room in the house. A 2000 square foot home could cost approximately $2,400 to $3,600, depending on the scope of the project. This cost is minimal when you compare it to the increased profit you can expect to earn from selling your house.
If you use a Realtor® to sell your home, you might ask about what other services they offer. Many (like us) will take care of everything for you, including:
- Cleaning
- Staging
- Minor repairs
- Furniture rentals
Even if you need to handle some of the cleaning and repairs yourself, the guidance of a professional agent can help you decide on what to focus on. Our team also offers some additional services that others do not, including:
- Pre-list home inspection
- Window cleaning
- Gardening
- Junk removal
- Moving services
Want to ensure the best possible success with the sale of your home? Here are some tips of what to do before, during and after that will help save you time and stress:
- What To Do Before Selling Your Home
- What To Do While You’re Selling Your Home
- A Checklist for What To Do After Your House is Sold
The Sidorova Inwood Team would like to invite you to the 2022 National Home Show. Canada’s largest home show offers more than 300 home specialists to provide expert advice, solutions and inspiration for decorating, renovating and landscaping your home.
We are offering 2 complimentary VIP Tickets to the upcoming show, taking place April 15th to April 24th.
Your VIP All-Access Tickets Include:
- Exclusive RE/MAX VIP entrance and Complimentary Coat Check
- Front row seating at the Celebrity Stage
- Front-of-the-Line access to the Dream Home
- Reserved RE/MAX VIP lounge
Please contact us here for more information.
