When selling your home, it's more than purchase price and location that will make or break a deal. How your home looks is also very important. We can give some advice on things you can do with your property to help it sell quicker.
Here is an article from the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board that helps homeowners prepare their home for sale.
PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
Cleaning up the homestead:
Almost all buyers are on the lookout for one thing -- a clean home. Many will walk away if a home looks uncared for, or make an offer much lower than the listing price. Ensure your home is spotless and free of clutter. The two most important rooms in a buyer's mind are the kitchen and the bathroom. Pay particular attention to these areas -- they should sparkle and shine.
Making repairs:
Some things must be repaired if there are problems. A leaky roof, electrical problems, furnaces, water heaters and plumbing all must be fixed before a sale. Other things just need attention. These can include leaky faucets, holes in window screens and any broken glass, etc. If some of your walls are too dirty to come clean, you may wish to consider a paint job. Carpets and rugs should also be clean and in good repair.
Outside and In:
Take a close look at your yard. If it’s spring or summer, prune the trees and shrubs, and keep the lawn neat. If it’s fall, rake the leaves regularly. And in the winter, make sure walks and driveways are kept clear of snow and ice.
To renovate or not to renovate:
Most renovations do not translate into an increase in selling price of more than the cost of the renovations themselves. Painting, wallpapering and modest landscape improvements usually recover their costs, but major projects such as new patios, decks or additions rarely do.
