Staging your home for Ottawa Real Estate
The market is hotter than it’s been in a very long time and first impressions matter. Prospective buyers can instantly decide whether your house can be their home from the moment they scroll through the photos and even more so when they walk through the front door.
To make sure you get top dollar for your home, we’ve put together some tips to stage your home for the Ottawa Real Estate.
Curb appeal
It all starts with the moment buyers pull up to the curb and some small updates can go a long way.
Clean up flower beds and fill empty spaces with small shrubs, flowers, and/or greenery
Pressure wash your siding and windows to remove dirt and grime
Paint the front door and/or shutters to add a pop of colour
Replace old house numbers, lighting, and welcome mat
Focus your efforts on the rooms that will woo buyers first. This likely won’t come as a surprise, but these are the rooms that have the most influence on potential buyers:
Living room
Master bedroom
Dining room
Kitchen
De-personalize
Part of why people choose to stage their home is to allow others to envision the space as their own with a fairly neutral canvas, without sacrificing style and charm.
Start by removing any personal photos and kids artwork (framed and those on the fridge)
Put away clothes so that it is out of sight
Clear bathroom and kitchen counters of personal items
Keep toys in a tidy area
Want to make your space look bigger? Declutter. You’ll instantly make it look more desirable just by pairing things down to the basics. Not to mention that this step will save you time when you begin packing!
Store out-of-season clothes
Pair down your décor
Put away papers, games, and other things you don’t need on a daily basis
Tidy the garage to give things a home
Clean it good
Regardless of when you plan to sell, a good clean will go a long way. If you don’t have enough time to do this yourself, consider hiring a local company to help you out. Don’t forget to fix any knix you might find too, but focus on:
Kitchen counters, cupboards, and inside your appliances (for real)
Bathroom cabinets and countertop
Baseboards, floors, and carpets
Blinds
One of the biggest mistakes is having furniture that is too big for the space you have. You’ll want your rooms to be open and walkable to allow buyers to visualize their furniture in the space.
Consider storing large furniture or swapping it out for smaller pieces
Create welcoming and conversational areas
Clear hallways
Reposition sofas and chairs into cozy conversational groups
Final touches
Consider all your senses (or most of them at least) when you’re putting on the final touches before your open house.
Add some fresh flowers
Keep scents neutral or bake cookies
Put away last minute things like jackets and toys
Open windows (weather permitting, of course)