Mortgage Blog
Getting you the mortgage you deserve
Real Estate 101: Getting Your Home Ready To Show
October 7, 2020 | Posted by: Justin Emilio
So...you decided to sell your home? This was not a decision that was taken lightly. This is a home you've grown fond of and grown in love with deeply. Countless memories were created, maybe your children took their first steps over your porch, or maybe you successfully make dinner without burning the house down.
Your home may look perfect because of all the memories you see when you enter through the door but the potential new owners have may see it differently. To get the best deal for your home, you may want to lean on a Real Estate or Mortgage Agent. No matter if you are looking to move to a bigger space or downsizing, they will be able to give you the best advice.
How then do you go about to ensure get your home ready to show after listing it?
Tip #1: Pretend You Are the Buyer
If you were walking into your home for the first time, what would you see? How would you want your new home to be? Take note of the negative aspects of your home that a buyer may notice. The hole in the wall that was made when the kids were sliding down the stairs? How about that cracked window when they were playing baseball in the backyard?
A Real Estate Professional will be able to assist you in seeing your home in a potential buyer's eyes to help you leave a good impression; first impressions last a lifetime.
Tip #2: Clean Your Home from Top to Bottom
Nobody likes a dirty home. If you walked into a home to find dirty dishes, dusty countertops, and a dirty toilet, would you be comfortable during your stay? If you do not have time to make sure your place is spotless, it may be a good idea to hire a professional cleaning company.
Your home should be sparkling and inviting. You may need to scrub the walls, floors, windows, and even wipe down your furniture. Moldy walls, cobwebs, or weird smells may not leave the best impression at the viewings. The smell of your home is not something that is top of mind but it may be smart to use good smells like fresh baked cookies to draw in your buyers and make your home seem more inviting.
Tip #3: Repair or Replace
Is there a burner on your stovetop that isn't working? Is there a crack in your sink? Do you have any burnt lightbulbs? Do your AC or heaters work? There are little things that may not seem like a big issue when you are living in your home but may give the impression that you do not properly maintain your property. It can make potential buyers wonder if there is anything hiding they cannot see right away.
It may take some time to do this but this is the attention to detail that can change a 'let's go to the next house' to a 'SOLD!'
Need some funds to help make this happen? You can tap into your home equity to bring your home to the next level! Ask me for more details.
Tip #4: Curb Appeal
What is the point of spending all that time making the inside look pretty if buyers don't even make it that far? The exterior needs to be as pristine as the inside or your potential buyers may not make it out of the driveway. Does your lawn look dried up? Did you mow your lawn? Do you have a lot of weeds? You may want to get those taken care of before inviting any buyers over.
Tip #5: Paint Your Walls
It never hurts to put a fresh coat of paint on your walls to spruce up your place. Is your wallpaper peeling off? Does that white wall not look as white as it did? Throwing on a coat of fresh paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to give your house a new lease on life.
Conclusion
If you're looking to sell your house soon, I hope you paid attention to the tips on getting your home ready. They may help get your home sell quicker or maybe even for more money! Selling a house can be a stressful experience, but it doesn't have to be. With the help of a Real Estate and Mortgage Agent, the process will be smooth, maybe even fun. It will make all the hard work will pay off once you get a higher asking price for your home.
2023
Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 25 basis points, continues quantitative tightening
Bank of Canada raises policy rate by 25 bps to 4.5%
Before you lock in your variable rate
2022
Should You Spend the Full Mortgage Amount You're Approved For?
The Pros and Cons of Fixed vs. Variable Mortgages
Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 50 basis points, continues quantitative tightening
The Bank of Canada Hiked Rates The Full 50 bps
Bank of Canada increases policy interest rate by 50 basis points, continues quantitative tightening
Job Loss and Your Mortgage Application
10 Things to Know About the Offer Process
A Six-Step, Back to Basics Financial Plan for Most Every Canadian
Canada's Inflation at 6.9% in October Supports a December Rate Hike
10 Important Questions to Ask Your Contractor
Bank of Canada Slows Pace of Rate Hikes
Bank of Canada Rate Update October 26, 2022
Best Ways to Plan for Your Down Payment
Bank of Canada Will Not Be Happy With This Inflation Report
Common Mistakes That House Flippers Make & How to Avoid Them
Understanding Mortgage Trigger Points
Canadian Inflation Slows For the Second Consecutive Month
How Mortgage Rates Affect Buying Power?
Bank Of Canada Rate Update September 7, 2022
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
Gasoline Prices Dipped, But No Time To Celebrate
How Many Homes Should You View Before Buying?
Looking to buy your first home in BC? Here are programs that can help you with that goal
Breaking Your Mortgage Without Breaking The Bank - How Mortgage Penalties Are Calculated
5 Things to Consider When Building Your Own Home
Canadian Inflation Surged to 8.1% in June
Bank Of Canada Rate Update July 13, 2022
Tips for Buying Rental Investment Properties
Inflation, Interest Rates & Locking In
5 Negotiation Secrets Smart Buyers Use to Get Better Deals
Bank Of Canada Rate Update June 1, 2022
Another Jumbo Rate Hike, Signalling More To Come
Dreaming of a Home Away From Home?
Reverse Mortgages and What to Know
How a Mortgage Pre-Approval Can Protect You from Rising Rates
Purchase + Improvements Mortgages
How is a Private Mortgage Different Than a Traditional Bank Mortgage
Have You Had Your Mortgage Check-Up?
Purchase Plus Home Improvements?
Home-Buying 101: A Guide to Purchasing Your First Home
Bank Of Canada Rate Update April 13, 2022
From tax breaks to homebuyer incentives, how the 2022 federal budget affects Canadians’ wallets
5 Benefits of an Investment Property
Preparing for the Spring Market
Refinancing: What You Should Know
Tips for Picking the Right Home to Flip
Bank of Canada Starts Hiking Rates, Signalling More To Come
The Difference Between Bank of Canada Rate and Prime Rate
Bank Of Canada Rate Update March 2, 2022
Can Housing Upgrades Affect Your Insurance?
What to Look for During a Home Tour??
Rent to Own Homes vs. Mortgage: How Do They Work?
Improving Your Financial Direction
Bank Of Canada Rate Update January 26, 2022
Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Broker in BC
How Much of A Mortgage Can You Afford?
2021
Prequalification and Pre-Approval—What is the Difference? Home Buying in BC
Bank Of Canada Rate Update December 9, 2021
Mortgages for the Self-Employed
What to do if You Are Denied a Mortgage
How to Know if it's Time to Refinance
Bank Of Canada Rate Update Oct 27, 2021
Five Great Benefits of Owning an Investment Property
What Is Home Equity and How Can I Build It?
Why Invest in a Home Inspection
Low Credit is Spooky! Get Better Credit With The 5 C’s
How to Handle a Low-Ball Offer in Real Estate | Home Selling Advice
5 Approval Roadblocks You Should Know
How to Talk to Your Kids about Finances
Bank Of Canada Rate Update Sept 8, 2021
What are credit scores and how are they important?
Getting a Mortgage as a Student
What Happens if You Lose Your Job Before Closing?
How a Funding Condition Can Secure Purchasers From Financial and Legal Penalties in BC
Bank Of Canada Rate Update July 14, 2021
Risks of Putting Down a Firm Offer with a Pre-Approval BC
Low Rates in BC Helping Buyers Pay Off Their Mortgages at Record Pace
Buying Land To Build A Home in BC
Bank Of Canada Rate Update June 9, 2021
Your House-Closing Timeline: A Step-By-Step Guide | BC
What Are the Next Steps After Your Offer Was Rejected? In BC
Investing In An Apartment Complex
2021 Mortgage Stress Test - Latest Updates
Things To Look Out For When Viewing A Property
April 2021-Bank of Canada Releases Results from Consultations on Inflation and Monetary Policy
Buying A Home As A Senior Citizen | BC
Top 10 Considerations When Moving to a New Area
Multi-Family Lending: What You Need To Know About Hard Money Loans
Why Borrowers May Choose a Private Mortgage
How to Handle a Mortgage After a Separation or Divorce
How Good vs Bad Debt Impacts Your Household
Benefits of Investing in Multi-Family Real Estate
2020
Top 3 Biggest Home Seller Mistakes
3 Tips on How to Better Your Credit Score
Cons of For Sale By Owner (FSBO)
Real Estate 101: Getting Your Home Ready To Show
Tips for Real Estate Investors
Reverse Mortgages – Impact on Heirs
Advice for First-Time Home Sellers
Top 3 Home Improvement Ideas to Increase the Value of Your Home
5 Things NOT To Do When Selling Your House
Home Inspections, How They Can Benefit Home Buyers and Sellers
Useful Tips for Buying and Selling A Home During Covid-19
When Is Mortgage Refinancing a Bad Idea?
Is it a Good Time to Become a First-Time Home Buyer?
5 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes To Avoid
5 Smart Ways to Use a Home Equity Line of Credit
What should you consider when refinancing your mortgage?
6 Signs a Home Will Likely Increase In Value
6 Persistent Real Estate Myths You Really Need to Ignore
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
New Stress Test On Insured Mortgages
Real Estate 101: Essential Tips for First-Time Home Buyers
10 Essential Tips for Taking Out Your First Mortgage
Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?
Should You Spend the Full Mortgage Amount You're Approved For?
Take Advantage of Low Interest Rates – Refinance Your Mortgage Today!
2019
Strategies to Dig Yourself Out of the Debt Hole
Why You Need an Emergency Fund And How to Get One