York Region Real Estate Board (YRREB)

Text Box: Have you created a buying mood? Arrange to be absent during showings. Take children and pets with you. Open drapes and blinds. Turn on lights. Turn on air conditioning. Soft instrumental music. Fresh flowers. Sweet baking aromas. Turn on fireplace if gas. (Instruct sales representative to turn off after showing.) Put ceiling fans on low. Clean, clean, and clean. Make your home sparkle and shine. Clean bathrooms. Shine the chrome. Clean walls, floors, and windows. Clean refrigerator, stove, oven. Clean exterior of furnace. Have the maintenance posted. Ensure beds are made. An unmade bed creates a negative image. Dishes are cleared and clean. Neat closets / cupboards can make a difference. Place excess items into storage containers. Store in storage area in basement. Have a garage sale or give to charity, family excess items that are no longer being used. Put excess laundry in the dryer not the floor. Fix or replace broken blinds, torn drapes. Use light colours. If you have pets ensure their domains / litter trays are regularly cleaned.

Text Box: Clean up after your pet on a daily base. Odour from spices, smokers, pets, perfume, basements, etceteras, can put potential buyers off from inspecting your home. Suggest inserting a disposable dander, pollen, charcoal filter in your furnace monthly. Turn your furnace setting to fan. Let the air circulate throughout your home. If you have a musty basement, consider a de-humidifier. Is your home attractive from the street? Cut lawns, trim shrubs. Shovel snow from driveways and all sidewalks. Consider fertilizing lawn. Weed and edge gardens. Clear lawn of toys and leaves. Bird feeders create a pleasant mood. Plant flowers near the walking areas. Example: Patio, front door. What is the first impression at the door? Clean front door and windows. Touch up paint if required. Clean and tidy foyer and porch. Ensure doorbell works. Replace door hardware if required. Repair fences. Does your home appear well maintained? Replace burned-out light bulbs. Clean or replace wall switch plates. Tighten doorknobs, cupboard latches. Correct carpet bumps, loose tile, sticking doors. Professionally clean carpets. Repair cracked plaster, chipped paint. Repair leaky taps and toilets Check caulking around tub and basin. Fix any broken windows. Think of yourself as the buyer. Does your home give the impression of space? Clear kitchen counters Clear halls and stairs of clutter Organize and clean closets Store unnecessary furniture Clear out basement, attic, garage The Showing It is better if no one is in the home for a while. Buyers tend to feel uncomfortable with the owner present. It usually prevents the buyer from asking questions. If you must stay home, stay in one area. Work in the garage or shed in the back yards. Turn the television off. If you have an intercom put on an easy listening instrumental station. Turn the intercom stations on low. If you do not have an intercom, put on a soft instrumental easy listening CD. Ensure it repeats. NEVER follow the sales representative around the house during a showing. NEVER offer any information. NEVER answer any questions the potential buyer may have. This is the job of the real estate professional.

© 2005 York Region Real Estate Board All rights reserved.

Text Box: Many cosmetic changes can be made with minimal time and expense. Yet, they can influence how quickly your property sells and at what price. Buyers will be comparing your property to competing properties. The following are a few practical tips to help your property stand out above the rest. CLEAN Presenting a clean home to a buyer shows them the home has been valued and well cared for. REPAIR Making certain repairs will present your property in a more positive light to prospective buyers, and can also add to its value. If you think the repair is too expensive or too much trouble to fix chances are potential buyers will too. GET RID OF THE CLUTTER By removing clutter you will make your property feel larger, brighter and more open to a buyer’s personality. If your property is uncluttered and neutral, prospective buyers can explore it comfortably and envision it with their own personal touches.

Text Box: First impressions are often the ONLY impressions

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