Getting Ready to Sell your Home!

When people ask me how I sell my flips so quickly regardless of what type of market we are in my  answer is very simple... I stage my homes! That's it. No big Oprah moment here folks. Sounds easy right? Wrong. You would be surprised how many people are looking to sell their home for  top dollar but are unwilling to get their home looking like a top dollar home.

The reality is if owners could separate themselves emotionally from their homes there would be  a lot more successful 'for sale by owners'. But the truth is it is very difficult to not think and react  with your heart when you are selling a home that you have lived in, raised your kids and worked  so hard to attain. That said, when you have made the commitment to sell, that is EXACTLY what  you need to do. These are 3 of the more important things you can do to ensure a quick sale for  top dollar. Sure there are many more than 3 but most people are unwilling to do my list of 25 so  these will at least get some of the bigger issues taken care of.

1. Remove 50% of everything in your home

You are moving correct? Things will need to be packed correct? Then you might as well get  them packed before getting your home on the market. In general we have way too much stuff.  So much so that we usually move just to make room for all our stuff. So do you think a potential  buyer wants to come into your home and see your home filled with stuff? Obviously not. Please do yourself a favour and walk around each room in your home and remove things. Things like extra seating, extra picture frames, little knick knacks, displays, clothes in your closets, pantry,  medicine cabinets, linen closets etc. Trust me, less is more! And the same goes for your kitchen  and bathroom counters! Keep them free and clear of clutter. Don't believe me, walk into any new  home sales centre and check out their model homes. Very minimal furniture and 'stuff' to allow  for a clean, open filled space.

2. De-personalyze it

Even my wife doesn't believe me with this one but I am telling you potential buyers do not want to  see tons of your family pictures on the wall. One or two small professional pictures are fine but huge portraits over the beds and above the fireplace are a no no. Remember, families are trying  to picture themselves in the home and it can be very distracting to see your HUGE wedding photo  from 1983. So please remove your pet cat wall or your miniature ceramic dog collection duringthe sale process!

3. Complete all small and big repairs that need to be taken care of

Holes in the wall, squeaky steps, tear in the carpet, broken kitchen cabinet door, door bell  busted, water stained ceiling from an old leak, piece of baseboard missing, light bulb burnt in the  bedroom, bathroom faucet drip, missing doorknob from a closet door...I can go on and on, but  believe me, all these little things discourage a potential buyer. The reality is these things may  only take a day or two and cost less than $1,000 to repair but in a buyers mind they believe the  cost will be thousands more. In real estate perception is EVERYTHING! Potential buyers, it  is said make up their mind on a home within the first 20-30 seconds. So everything noticeable  needs to be taken care before opening your home to the market. And in saying that, please make sure there is a fresh smell in the air when buyers come in. Leaving Timmy's hockey equipment in the closet or your cat's litter box in the laundry may not be the best scent for potential buyer.

Good luck selling!

Feel free to email me for the other 22 tips!

mikezafiris@rogers.com