All the World's A Stage!

Selling a home, as many of us know, can be a quite a daunting experience. We may have spent many years making a house or condo into our very own home sweet home, but when it comes to selling a property, too much 'personality' can spell disaster.

Conventional wisdom tells us that most buyers, when seeking a new nest, are looking for what amounts to a blank canvas – somewhere where they can make their mark, and personalize according their own tastes. It can be very difficult imagining one's own furniture, treasured possessions and colour schemes when viewing a home that is cluttered, or brightly decorated. The old adage 'you only get one chance to make a first impression' is as pertinent when preparing your home for sale, as in any situation. After all, the majority of home buyers will form an opinion the minute they enter the home, or even as they pull up outside.

There are lots of ideas about how to improve your chances of finding a suitable buyer. Established favourites such as brewing fresh coffee or baking bread, to imbrue the property with a 'homey' feel certainly seem to help, but there are numerous other key areas that are worthy of serious consideration.

We hear a lot about 'curb-appeal'. This is, essentially, how your property appears from the outside. By making sure that the home looks tidy and well maintained, you will help make it seem welcoming and looked after. If you have a yard, ensure that the lawn is cut and that hedges or bushes are neatly trimmed. A few brightly coloured flowering plants will provide a cheery welcome. If necessary, give the front door a new lick of paint, and give the windows a good clean.

Once potential buyers enter the home, they will want to be met with a clean and tidy interior. If you have enjoyed having lime green walls and purple ceilings, now is the time to wave that fun colour-scheme goodbye. Neutral tones are recommended; whites, creams or soft colours will make the rooms brighter, and allow buyers to picture themselves in the space. Ensure that carpets and furniture are clean. If you are a pet owner, consider the fact that not everyone enjoys being greeted by enthusiastic dogs or cats. Keep animals at bay, and just as importantly, make sure that litter boxes, food bowls and the like are clean or altogether absent during viewings.

A few well-places flowers and aromatic candles may add to the appeal of your home. It may seem obvious, but make sure that dirty dishes, unmade beds or wet towels on the bathroom floor are dealt with; sellers who ignore these vital tips are surprised when their house or condo is still on the market after several months!

You may have loved your home and have shared many happy memories within its walls, but now it is time to move on, and it is important to detach yourself, emotionally, from the property. Sometimes, with all the many things to consider when preparing a property for sale, staging your home may seem like the last thing you need to be worrying about. But, in many markets, it is believed that staged homes not only sell faster, but also garner a better price than those that are not.

If you feel uncomfortable de-cluttering and de-personalizing your home, you may wish to seek expert help. Certified staging professionals will be happy to assist and offer advice, improving your chances of a successful sale. Ask your real estate agent about recommended home stagers in your area, and put your home ahead of the competition!

A Vancouver real estate team that cares about making a difference in their clients' lives, the agents at North Shore Realty are experts in marketing, home staging, and residential construction. With the most up-to-date search tools on their site, buyers can quickly view all Vancouver condos for sale at NorthShoreRealty.ca.