Getting your home ready to sell can take some work, but it’s worth it to help maximize your opportunity for the best offers possible. Sell it, toss it, donate it. If you haven’t used it in the last six months, it’s got to go. Buyers believe the way they view the home is how they’re going to live in it, so make sure it’s looking as ready as possible!

It’s important to not get overwhelmed by the process. It’s easy to go down a rabbit hole of downsizing and decluttering when you’re looking to list. Your closets and garage do not have to be perfect. Focus on your main living areas and ensure those spaces look fresh and bright.

Remember: renovations aren’t mandatory when preparing your home to sell

Before you go and spend thousands of dollars on updating your kitchen or bathroom for purely aesthetic reasons when trying to sell your home, check in with your REALTOR® to see if that’s necessary. Everyone thinks you need a new kitchen or bathroom to sell a home and that’s not the case. Many buyers love a house that hasn’t been updated as long as it’s been cared for and clean. A clean home goes a long way!

What to do in the kitchen before listing your home

Even though you may not have to fully renovate your kitchen before selling, you still should make sure it’s in tip-top shape for any walkthroughs or open houses. Keeping the space bright, clean, and organized is crucial.

To get your kitchen ready for selling, clear all surfaces—for photos and showings you want the countertops to be clutter free. Having everything put away shows potential buyers you have enough storage for all of your kitchen appliances and knick knacks.

No one likes cooking or baking in the chaos of a dirty, unorganized kitchen. You’ll have buyers open cupboards to check to see how much storage is available, so try to make sure what they find isn’t off putting. Ensure there are no cooking odours from the day before, and that garbages and recycling bins are empty.

Ask yourself these questions about the kitchen:

• Refrigerator spotless inside and out? 

• Is it organized? Spoiled food discarded? 

• Frost removed in the freezer? Light bulbs working? (Buyers look!) 

• Oven and  stove top clean? Burner trays cleaned? 

• Sinks clean? Faucets working properly and leak-free?

• Garbage disposal in good working condition? 

• Dishwasher clean and stain-free?  

Is your bathroom ready for prospective home buyers to see?

Similar to kitchens, it’s essential for bathrooms to look and smell clean. Shelves should be organized and highlight the amount of space that’s available. New towels should be put out and garbage bins emptied. Make the buyers feel welcome with a scented candle or plug in, but make sure it’s not too strong—that can be off putting as well. The main thing is getting the clutter off the counters just like your kitchen.

Ask yourself these questions about the bathroom:

• Fresh soap on display?

• Sinks spotlessly clean, faucets working properly?

• Tub and shower surfaces clean? 

• Towels stain-free and hanging neatly?

• Shower curtains clean and in good repair? 

• Toilet extra clean and working properly? 

• Medicine cabinet cleaned out? 

Preparing your living room, dining room, and bedrooms before your home hits the market

Your living areas—including living rooms, dens, dining rooms, studies, and bedrooms—need to be inviting to potential buyers, and not overloaded with personal items that detract from the space itself. Sometimes that means finding inexpensive items to replace what you currently have. Staging the furniture to use the space efficiently is key as well. Think of how photos would look.

For bedrooms they need to feel comfortable and relaxing, not chaotic. It’s best to put away most of the family photos, jewelry boxes, etc.—anything that sits on top of a night table or dresser. And, the bed must be made. All of this is an effort to show the person who owns the home is really looking after it and they are on top of things. This impression is carried through to all other aspects of the home, like cleaning, maintenance, and overall care.

Ask yourself these questions about the living room, dining room, and bedrooms:

• Everything thoroughly vacuumed/dusted? 

• Excess furniture removed?

• Remaining furniture clean and in good repair? 

• Wood and other surfaces clean and polished?

• Bookshelves neat, organized and clutter-free?

• Children’s games/toys stored neatly? 

• Fragile items removed and stored? 

• Smaller valuables removed/locked away? 

• Window coverings open for views and sunlight?

• Mirrors clean and in good repair? 

• Fireplace clean, logs/kindling stacked neatly?

What to do with your home’s yard before listing

Outside your home is also important when it comes to selling. Your front yard needs to make a great first impression, and any other yard space should make it easy for potential buyers to envision how relaxing it would be to enjoy. Make sure no kids’ toys are left on the lawn and all landscaping lights are working. Make sure your gate latches are working and functional. First impressions are everything and the exterior of the home is your first impression.

Cut your grass, maintain weeds, remove any debris from the yard. You want people to be able to imagine throwing a ball in the yard and being able to use it in whatever way they may have in mind. You don’t want them to envision how much work they would have to put into it.

Ask yourself these questions about the yard:

• Driveways and sidewalks clear of snow and ice? 

• Lawns freshly mowed/edged? 

• Large bare spots repaired? 

• Trees pruned, hedges trimmed? 

• Flower beds weeded and tidy; dead plants replaced?

• Junk and scrap removed? 

• Lawn furniture clean, organized, and in good repair? 

• Bicycles, children’s toys stored neatly?

• Firewood organized and neatly stacked? 

• Dog runs secure, yard free of “doggy deposits”?

What people often overlook before putting their home up for sale

Cleaning your windows is a big one. Wiping down light switches and baseboards goes a long way, as well. When those things are clean it gives the buyer confidence that other, perhaps more important things, are taken care of. If you have dark bedding, consider replacing it with a lighter colour—it brightens the room and photographs so nicely. 

At the end of the day, Eileen will help ensure your home is in the best shape possible before listing, but there are some things you can start doing in advance to help move the process along.