How to Properly Prepare for Home Showings
When you show your home, you want to present it in the best possible light so buyers will be able to imagine themselves living there. Home buying decisions are often based more on feelings than logic, so try and make your home appealing to potential buyers by engaging all five senses. Here are 4 things to consider when showing your home to make it stand out from the other homes for sale in Toronto.
Clean and Clear
Before you add your home to the homes for sale listing, be sure to clean your home from top to bottom. Make sure tabletops, counters, and other flat surfaces are clear or tastefully styled with a vase of flowers or a bowl of fruit. Be sure stairs and entryways are clear and that all coats and shoes are out of sight. Don’t overlook little details like crumbs on the table or countertop, toothpaste remnants in sinks, half-full trash cans on display, and dust bunnies or cobwebs on ceiling fans or light fixtures. Do a home walkthrough and run your fingers over surfaces and open closet doors. Also, double-check bathrooms, kitchens, and closets thoroughly.
A Welcoming Place
Once your home is clean and clear of clutter, do everything you can to make your property a welcoming one. Begin with your curb appeal. Pay special attention to your front porch or stoop as well as the landscaping leading to your front door. Set a bowl of candy, cookies, or other treats near the front door with a note thanking the buyer for coming to see your home. One great way to entice potential buyers to linger and notice even more details about your home is to offer them food. Leave out some finger sandwiches, cookies, soft drinks, and bottled water for your guests.
Ambiance
Make sure the temperature is set to a comfortable level, and pay attention to the weather. If it’s a chilly or damp day, turn on the heat. Likewise, if it’s warm outside, crank up the air conditioning. Pay attention to lighting inside your home. Brighten up your home inside and out so buyers can see your home’s features clearly. Turn on all overhead lights, lamps, appliance lights, and closet lights. Open all the curtains and raise all the blinds. Leave your closet doors slightly ajar so a potential buyer can peek inside and check out all the storage space.
Create a Mood
Set the mood to emphasize your home’s best features. If the temperature outside is chilly, light a fire in the fireplace. Turn on soft music and place flowers or bowls of fruit on tables and shelves to create a welcoming ambiance. Touch can be a powerful emotional trigger, so drape soft fabrics such as velour wraps, chunky knit blankets, or silk throws over chair arms and sofa backs. Use scent sparingly. Many people are sensitive or allergic to artificial scents, so don’t burn candles or use room sprays or plug-in air fresheners. If weather permits, open the windows to let in a breeze – but be on guard for distracting outside noises, such as traffic or construction sounds.
Before you call a real estate agent in Toronto to put your home on the market, knowing how to properly prepare your home for an open house or showing can ensure your home doesn’t stay on the market long and sells for top dollar. Call Merenda Real Estate Group at (416) 240-7653 for all your home buying and selling needs.