Selling your home doesn′t just mean hiring a REALTOR® to stick a sign out front. There are a lot of preparations you can get started on to ensure you get the best offer possible in the shortest time. I mean, who wants to drag things out over weeks of Open House’s?!

Repair.

Just because you’ve gotten used to the cracks in the walls and the rattles in the radiators doesn’t mean a buyer will too. If you have hardwood floors that need refinishing, do it!—hardwood is a huge selling point. Buyers like to snoop around, so be sure to fix any sticky doors or drawers. Finally, don’t forget to address any issues with the exterior—fences, shingles, sidewalks, etc. After all, without curb appeal, some buyers may never get to see the inside. Buyers always judge the book by its cover! Finally, make sure you have all pests and rodents removed from the property. These are huge turnoffs to the buyers!

Neutralize.

You want buyers to see themselves in your home. If your living room has lime green shag, wood-paneled walls, and all your collectibles and personal photographs, this will be much harder for them to do. Replace any bold color choices in your floors and walls with something more neutral—beiges, greys, and whites. Repainting and reflooring will make everything look fresh and new, and help prospective buyers imagine all the possibilities. First time home buyers are so overwhelmed by the process already, don’t overwhelm them with your Child’s trophy collection. Don’t go nuts! Just try and get your home into as neutral a canvas as possible.

Stage.

This one is key for DOWNSIZING your home. Once your house is clean (and I mean CLEAN, especially bathrooms and kitchen appliances) and updated, it’s time to play dress up. Home stagers add small details and décor touches that will bring out the best in your home: lamps, mirrors, throw rugs and pillows, flowers, decorative soaps and towels, patio furniture. Home staging can be particularly useful if your home is especially old or if the exterior looks dated. Think of it as a little mascara and rouge—if it’s done right, you notice the beauty, not the makeup. My most recent listing (11870 248th street, Maple Ridge) is a perfect example of staging MAGIC.

Now sit back and let me take over from here.