Tips for marketing your home

Tips for Marketing Your Home

The way your home is marketed can have a significant impact on its final sale price and selling timeline. At its core, marketing your home is about getting exposure and growing the largest pool of potential buyers. Here are some tips and strategies that can help you get the best results.

STAGING & PHOTOGRAPHY

A key first step for generating interest in your home from potential buyers. Staging can really enhance a home and is strongly recommended. To get the most out of Staging:

• De-clutter — cluttered homes appear smaller and are unappealing.
• De-personalize — you want buyers to envision themselves in the space.
• Make sure your home is clean. Fresh towels and well-made beds help with the presentation and the impression of buyers.
• Use staging furniture if your own furniture does not fit or complement the space.

SHOWING YOUR HOME

For great home showings:

• Clean — there’s no such thing as “too clean” in the minds of buyers.
• Eliminate all odours.
• Leave on lights, making sure all rooms are well lit.
• Keep your home at an appropriate temperature.
• Swimming pools and hot tubs should be sparkling clean.
• Open all blinds.
• Leave the premises and remove your pet from the home during showings.

WAYS TO TURN OFF BUYERS

• Dirt, grime and filth — it can’t be overstated how important it is that the house you’re selling is tidy and clean.
• Clutter — homes should be de-cluttered to remove unnecessary items.
• Smells — even odours that aren’t typically considered bad may have negative associations with buyers.
• Sellers who hang around during showings. Sellers should leave their home while it is being shown. If sellers are not able to vacate the house during showings, they should remain isolated and quiet.
• Misrepresentation — exaggerating the cost of your renovations, maintenance expenses, etc., creates mistrust in buyers.
• Poor curb appeal — sellers should take steps to present the outside of a home in its most positive light.
• Numerous personal items on display make it difficult for buyers to feel like the home could be their own. A blank canvas that sparks possibilities for buyers should be every seller’s goal.