Like most homeowners, you probably don’t think of your property as just a building with rooms and a backyard.

To you, it’s much more than that. It’s a home. When you walk into your dining room, for example, you don’t merely see the table and chairs. You see memories. You recall laughter with family and friends. It’s emotional.

That’s what a home is all about.

However, buyers don’t want to buy your “home”. What they really want to buy is a property that has the potential to become their home. While you see memories of family dinners, they see room dimensions and what the dining room may look like with their furniture in it. That’s why, when you’re selling your property, you need to keep emotions at bay as much as possible. In fact, the best mindset is to think of your property as a product.

The more attractively you present that product to prospective buyers, the more likely you are to get good offers. That’s why cleaning, depersonalizing, and staging are so important. It’s also why setting a price that aligns with your home’s current market value is important. You may have put your heart and soul — and many weekends — into landscaping the backyard to make it a summer oasis.

It may, in fact, be a strong selling point of your property. But that improvement will only add to the selling price an amount that the market, not your emotions, dictates. So keep emotions out of the selling process as much as possible. Save that energy for turning your next property into your dream home.

Want more tips on selling your property for the best price possible? Call today and I'd be happy to help. 

Call Jay 778-363-0839

If you're thinking of listing your property, one thing that might be holding you back is concern about preparing your home for sale.

You may be wondering how much work there will be. Is it going to take a couple of months? A couple of weeks? A few days? That, of course, depends on the state of your property. However, regardless of how close your home is to “show time” ready, there is plenty you can do to reduce how long that preparation takes.

Consider these ideas:

• Sell stuff online. The less cluttered your home seems to buyers, the better it will show. So, make a list of items you want to sell, and then list them on one of the many local online market websites. Price items fairly and, chances are, you'll get rid of everything in a day or two.

• Have a repair day. Go through your home and make a list of everything that needs to be fixed. Then, schedule repair people to all come on the same day. Voila! In one day, all needed repairs (or, at least, most of them) are done.

• Get staging advice. Instead of guessing at what changes you need to make around your home to make it look its best, get expert staging advice. You’ll find out exactly what the experts suggest you do, and you'll save a lot of time and money. (By the way, I can provide you with that advice too.)

• Ask before making big improvements. Are you planning to convert a wood burning fireplace into a gas unit to help sell your home? Before doing any big improvements or renovations like that, talk to me. You don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on an unnecessary project.

• Hire help. You don't have to do everything on your own. Get the help you need. For example, hire a painter, a cleaner, and/or a junk removal service. Those will significantly shorten the time it takes to prepare your home for sale and save you a lot of work. Also, the costs of those professionals may be off-set by the increase in the sale price of your home.

Bottomline: Preparing your home doesn't need to be overwhelming and timeconsuming. Contact me for more ideas to help get your home ready for sale,  Call Jay 778-363-0839

Strong Start to New Year for Local Residential Real Estate Market

KELOWNA, B.C. – February 3rd, 2021. Residential real estate sales once again hit a record high in the first month of 2021 across the region from Revelstoke to Eastgate Manning Park and into the South Peace River region, reports the Association of Interior REALTORS®.

The total number of sales in January was up 60% with 796 units sold compared to January 2020’s sales of 497. In the Shuswap and Revelstoke region property sales where up 50% from 40 units in 2020 to 60 in January 2021. The South Okanagan region, stretching from Summerland to Eastgate Manning Park saw the highest increase of dollar volume with a 136% hike compared to the same time last year.

“Hikes in sale dollar volume is another impact of COVID-19 as buyers are seeking out larger spaces to improve their living conditions,” says the Association of Interior REALTORS® President Kim Heizmann, adding that “larger homes naturally also come with a larger price tag. However, we are still seeing an upward pressure on pricing driven by a shortage of inventory that is unable to meet consumer demand.”

Active residential listings for January from Revelstoke to Peachland remained on par with December 2020’s listings but remained short 37% compared to January 2020’s inventory of 2,806. In the South Okanagan region overall listings remained low as decreases were noted in all housing categories. Inventory for condominiums remains low in the South Peace River region with a 27% decrease compared to the same period last year.

“A chronic shortage of new condominium developments in areas such as the South Peace River region or Revelstoke makes it even harder for inventory to meet demand, particularly when such areas are driven by recreational property purchases,” says Heizmann.

The benchmark price for single-family homes in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan and Shuswap/Revelstoke regions saw increases in year-over-year comparisons with the most notable increase being in 14% in the single-family category.

In the South Okanagan, where benchmark pricing is not yet available, average sales prices showed double- digit increases year-over-year, while average sale prices for condominiums in the South Peace River are rose 69% in comparison to January 2020 prices.

The Association of Interior REALTORS® was formerly formed on January 1, 2021 through the amalgamation of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board and the South Okanagan Real Estate Board.

The Association is a member-based professional organization serving approximately 1,600 REALTORS® who live and work in communities across the interior of British Columbia from Revelstoke south to the US border, east to Rock Creek, west to Eastgate Manning Park to communities in the South Peace River region.

Contact your local REALTOR® to find out more about the real estate market and how they can help you achieve your real estate goals.

For more information, please contact:
Board-wide statistical information:
Email media@interiorrealtors.com
Province-wide statistical information:
BCREA Chief Economist, Brendon Ogmundson, bogmundson@bcrea.ca

Posted: February 3, 2021

When you’re shopping for a home, you may become interested in a property for sale that someone else is also considering. In fact, there may be several other buyers entertaining the idea of making an offer. In such a competitive situation, what should you do if you really love that home?

Obviously, you’ll need to move quickly and make some fast decisions. Start by making certain the property fits within your price range. The last thing you want is to have an offer accepted and find out it is beyond your budget. That’s why it’s a good idea to arrange for financing before you go home shopping.

Next, you want to make an offer that is so enticing to the sellers that they’ll put your offer at the top of the pile, if not close to it. So, what makes an offer enticing? Obviously, price is a big factor. You want to go in at a price that’s attractive to the sellers, without overpaying. Imagine finding out later that the nearest offer to yours was $15,000 less. Ouch! Chances are your offer price will need to be at or slightly above asking. Find out what similar homes in the area recently sold for — what real estate agents call “comparables” — and use those as a guide. It’s also important that your offer contains few, if any, issues that may be concerning to the sellers.

The ideal offer will feature: • No conditions. • A closing date that’s convenient for the seller. • A deposit amount that shows you’re a serious buyer. • Acceptance of any of the buyer’s “exclusions”. (For example, they want to take the fridge and stove with them.) • Evidence you can get financing. (Many lenders offer a “Mortgage Preapproval Certificate”.)

Although a “no conditions” offer is the most attractive, including a condition on passing a professional home inspection is usually not a problem, so long as the inspection is done quickly. Avoid adding other conditions, such as “subject to financing approval” or “subject to the sale of buyer’s existing property”.

If you want to increase the likelihood that you’ll find — and, more importantly, get — your next dream home, call today.

Jay 778-363-0839

Imagine you're looking for a new home.

You have a list of all the features you want, just like you would have a grocery shopping list. However, when you explore the homes currently on the market, none meets all your criteria. What do you do? You have a few good options.

First, you can take a second look at your list. Does your new home need every single feature on it? Are there one or two features you can do without? For example, can you settle for a smaller kitchen assuming the property has everything else you want? Often, buying a home that's close to perfect is perfect enough.

Second, consider what features you might be able to add to a home later, by way of a renovation or other improvement.  If a property doesn't have a finished basement, for example, you might be able to get that done down the road. Indeed, there are probably many features you can add later to an otherwise desirable property.

Finally, consider the current level of activity in the local real estate market. Is it likely that a lot of new homes will be coming on the market soon? If so, your perfect home may come up on the market within the next few weeks. Maybe even tomorrow! In that situation, make sure you arrange to get immediate alerts for newly listed homes that meet your criteria. You'll want to jump on each new opportunity before other buyers learn of the listing.

The good news is, in most cases you should be able to find and buy a great home, with most — if not all — of the features you want.  

Give me a call I'd be happy to help you with your home search.  Jay 778-363-0839

Your front walkway is one of the first sections of real estate a buyer will set foot on when coming to see your home. So, it makes sense to make that pathway to your front door as appealing as possible.

The obvious way is to make it as clean and clear as you can. Ensure there are no obstacles in the way, such as overhanging branches, kid's toys, or potted plants. What you want is a clear, unobstructed and pleasant walk to your main entranceway.

If your walkway needs deeper cleaning, consider a powerwash. There are special detergents available that are designed specifically for stone, asphalt or cement walkways and other outdoor surfaces.

A deep cleaning isn't a major project. In most cases, the job can be done within an hour. Yet, the result can be stunning. If you're selling in the spring or summer, another way to make your walkway look better is to add flowers or other plants along the sides.

Don't overdo it. You only need a few flowers or a couple of shrubs to make a big difference. The great thing about adding a few flowers or shrubs is the impact they can have on your entire frontage making it more attractive, and adding to your home's overall curb appeal. Making your walkway look better may seem minor, but keep in mind that when buyers make their way to your front door, they're forming their first and often most important impression of your property.

The walkway plays a small but important role in making it a good one. Want more ideas for making your home show better, so it sells quicker and for a higher price? Call me.  Jay 778-363-0839

KELOWNA, B.C. – January 5, 2021. High demand drove the real estate market to finish the last month of 2020 on a high note with unexpected and exceptional sales volumes across the region from Revelstoke to Eastgate Manning Park and into the South Peace River region, reports the Association of Interior REALTORS®.

Residential sales for December in the region of Revelstoke to Peachland increased 65% compared to December 2019’s residential sales, coming in at 661. The South Okanagan region, stretching from Summerland to Eastgate Manning Park also saw an unexpected jump of 201 units sold of overall property sales compared to the previous year’s 107, while property sales in the South Peace River region was up 11% from 18 units in 2019 to 20 in December 2020.

“Last year was a very unusual year, after an initial slowdown due to stay-at home orders from the provincial government we saw a high demand in the real estate market, once orders were lifted that did not wane even in the typically slower months,” says the Association of Interior REALTORS® President Kim Heizmann, adding that “despite unusually high demand, inventory of active listings consistently remained low as buyers snapped up homes almost as soon as they were listed. Particularly in the family-sized homes category.”

Active residential listings for December from Revelstoke to Peachland fell short 35% compared to December 2019’s 2,715, while in the South Okanagan region overall listings saw a slight increase of 11% compared to the previous year’s 158 properties. The South Peace River region had a greater uptick compared to December 2019, jumping up 24% to 34 units listed.

“Shortage of supply continues to put upward pressure on pricing as inventory cannot meet the demand. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues in the coming months and into the usually busy Spring season,” says Heizmann.

The benchmark price for single-family homes in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan and Shuswap/Revelstoke regions clocked in double-digit percentage increases in year-over-year comparisons.

In the South Okanagan and the South Peace River region where benchmark pricing is not yet available, the average sales price for single-family homes surged 37% and 15% year-over-year respectively.

The Association of Interior REALTORS® was formerly formed on January 1, 2021 through the amalgamation of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board and the South Okanagan Real Estate Board.

The Association is a member-based professional organization serving approximately 1,600 REALTORS® who live and work in communities across the interior of British Columbia from Revelstoke south to the US border, east to Rock Creek, west to Eastgate Manning Park to communities in the South Peace River region.

Contact your local REALTOR® to find out more about the real estate market and how they can help you achieve your real estate goals. 

It's 2021 and many of you may be thinking about selling your property this year.   Do you dwell on the possible work and stress involved?

You're not alone. Many homeowners share the same concerns. But it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, there are plenty of ways to add some fun, anticipation, and even a sense of adventure to the selling process. Here are just a few ideas:

1. Plan fun things to do when your home is being shown. That can include walks, sports activities, or trying something you and your family have never done before.

2. Declutter for your own benefit. Instead of thinking about decluttering as a chore required for the sale, focus instead on how much more comfortable your home will be after decluttering. Studies consistently show that less clutter reduces stress and increases a sense of wellbeing.

3. Get everyone in your home anticipating the move in a positive way. Put pictures of your next home, including neighbourhood shots, on the fridge door. Sit together on the computer and explore your new neighbourhood's features and amenities.

4. Celebrate milestones in the selling process. For example, when you're finished preparing your property for sale, go out to celebrate. Make a checklist of milestones and how you'll celebrate each one.

5. Get the help you need. A big part of the stress of selling is the anticipated work involved. Remember, you don't have to do it all yourself. Much of what needs to be done can be handled by contractors and other professionals. There are many other ways to make selling your home a positive and turbulentfree experience. Give me a call if you'd like more ideas and suggestions.  Call Jay 778-363-0839

If you’re thinking about selling in the spring, don’t wait until the new year to start planning. In fact, you’ll save yourself a lot of work and get ahead of the game if you start planning now.

What’s that old saying? The early bird gets the worm! In this case, by starting the process this month, you’ll be in excellent shape when you’re ready to list in the spring.

Here are just a few examples of what you can do in December to get the process started:

• Walk your property and note any maintenance issues that need attention.

• Decide which items to stow or sell to declutter your home.

• Determine what improvements you’ll need to make in order for your home to look great to buyers (i.e. painting.)

• Find out approximately how much your property will likely sell for in the spring market.

• Clarify the kind of new home you’d like to move into, including ideal neighbourhoods.

• Look into your financing options, so you’ll know the price range you’ll be shopping within.

• Connect with any professionals you may need, such as contractors, a mover, and a real estate lawyer.

• Take advantage of any December shopping deals for products you may need, such as home improvement project materials, packing supplies, etc.

As you can see, the more prepared you are this month, the more stress-free and successful the home selling process will be for you in the spring.

And one more tip: contact me to get the conversation started about selling your home in the new year. It’s coming fast!

Call Jay 778-363-0839

After experiencing a year like no other, homeowners are still entitled to ask the question they ask every year, “What’s my home worth today?”

Determining that value starts with a professional understanding of several overarching market factors, such as the general real estate climate, your regional and local activity, as well as your neighbourhood’s micro-market. The value is then fine-tuned by drilling down to specifics, such as your home’s profile of features and deficiencies.

But there are other key factors to consider when selling your home – your wants, needs, intentions and expectations for your next home. You’ll need to think about where you want to live, how much you intend to spend, and how much your selling price will affect your buying power. While this won’t change the current value of your home, you shouldn’t overlook the correlation of the buying and selling markets when considering a move.

Those conditions will contribute to the ultimate decision – whether you should sell first or buy first. If you ever want to examine your real estate options, don’t hesitate to call.  Jay 778-363-0839 Royal LePage Kelowna.

Buying a Home that Needs Some Work

When you’re shopping for a new home, you probably want the property to be as “move in ready” as possible. That way, you can... well... just move in!

However, there are a lot of fantastic properties on the market that need some work. For example, you might see a home that has everything you need, but the kitchen is long overdue for a renovation. Or, you might view a property that requires a lot of repairs and painting — tasks that, at first glance, seem overwhelming. You don’t want to just pass on a property that might be a great buy.

On the other hand, you don’t want to purchase a home, only to end up with more renovations, repairs and expenses than you anticipated. What’s the solution? Here’s an idea. When you view a home that needs work, make a note of exactly what needs to be done. Stick to the important “must have” improvements and leave “nice to have” improvements for a later time.

Chances are, you’ll identify just one or two projects — such as “paint all the walls” or “replace the countertops in the kitchen”. Once you have that list, you’ll be in a better position to determine how long the work will likely take and the approximate cost. This will give you some needed perspective on whether or not to buy the home.

If a home you’re considering needs $15,000 in work that can probably be completed within two months, that might make the property worth buying. In fact, it probably would! So, when you see an otherwise ideal home that needs some work, don’t let your imagination make that work into more than it is. Take notes and get estimates. 

Local Residential Real Estate Market Pace Remains Strong

KELOWNA, B.C. – November 3rd, 2020. Residential sales for October across the region of Revelstoke to Peachland greatly exceeded October 2019’s sales by 70%, however came in shy of September’s 1,159 sales showing a decrease of 8%, reports the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB).

New residential listings decreased from 1,269 last month to 1,057 new listings. The overall number of active listings also lagged behind September’s inventory of 3,251 coming in 14% lower for October and 24% lower than October 2019’s active listings.

“Seasonally, we normally see the market start to calm down towards the colder winter months, however that was not the case for October,” says OMREB President Kim Heizmann, adding that “this seems to be a trend across the province as demand for more living space continues to drive consumer incentives.”

“The recent increase in COVID will likely facilitate a calming pace to more normal seasonal market conditions. However, real estate transactions can still proceed in a safe and responsible manner as REALTORS® have adapted to the new normal and have found ways to continue helping clients buy and sell homes while adhering to government guidelines and safety recommendations.”

The average number of days to sell a home, always a good barometer to watch, dropped 9% from September’s 90 days to 83 days for October. It is important to note that OMREB reports on all market statistics for the entire Board region and that the indicators will vary depending on home type and sub-region.

Contact your local REALTOR® to find out more about the real estate market and how they can help you achieve your real estate goals in a safe and socially-distant manner.

For additional information visit www.omreb.com

In the business world, a phrase that’s often used is ROI or Return On Investment. It refers to the regular gain (or loss) you’re getting from a particular asset relative to its cost.

When it comes to your home, the gain may be more than financial. It may include the benefit of the lifestyle it gives you. For example, a spacious backyard deck pays off in countless pleasant Saturdays with friends and family. A home’s location near convenient commuting routes means less stress getting to and from work.

Lifestyle factors are important, not only when considering where you’re living now, but also when considering where you think you’d like to live in the future. That’s why it’s a good idea to do a Lifestyle Assessment regularly.

The exercise is simple. Make a list of all the lifestyle characteristics you want in a home, as well as a neighbourhood. Think about how much room you need, the kind of neighbourhood you want to live in, your hobbies and interests, what’s important to have nearby (such as schools), and so forth.

The next step is to prioritize. Move items on your list around so that the most important lifestyle factors are at the top. Finally, review the list and check off those lifestyle factors your home is currently providing. If you’re able to check off most (ideally, all) of the items at the top of your list, you’re in pretty good shape.

Your current home is probably giving you the lifestyle you want. But if some important lifestyle factors are unchecked, it might be worth considering whether buying a new home will give you a better “Lifestyle ROI”.

If, after doing this exercise, you’re curious about how to get into your ideal home, call me.  778-363-0839

Pent-up Demand Continues to Drive Local Residential Real Estate Market

KELOWNA, B.C. – September 2nd, 2020. Residential sales for August decreased slightly to 1,034 compared to July’s 1,094 total units sold across the region of Revelstoke to Peachland yet remained up compared to this time last year by 43%, reports the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB).

New residential listings decreased 17% from last month’s 1,494 yet narrowly missed August 2019’s 1,246, totaling 1,237 new listings. The overall number of active listings dropped down 6% to 3,658 over July’s inventory of 3,890 and came in 18% lower compared  to the same month last year.

Click on link for full article...https://www.omreb.com/board-news/details/37/Pent-up-Demand-Continues-to-Drive-Local-Residential-Real-Estate-Market/

While we're all staying home through the pandemic, you might want to start on a few of these staging secrets to get your home ready for listing... even if you're not thinking of selling these are great to freshen up your home. 

According to the National Association of Realtors, staging a home prior to listing it can result in a faster and more profitable sale.¹ In fact, the Real Estate Staging Association estimates that professionally staged properties spend 73 percent less time on the market, receive more foot traffic, and typically sell for more money.²

Source: National Association of Realtors

Following are 10 tips you can use to get your home “show ready” prior to hitting the market. These easy and cost-effective ideas will help your house look its best—and help buyers visualize themselves living there. Even if you’re not currently in the market to sell, you can use these tactics to breathe new life into your existing home decor.

To get a plan customized for your particular property, give us a call to schedule a free consultation. We’d be happy to share our insider knowledge of the buyer preferences in your neighborhood … so you’ll know where to focus your time, money and energy to maximize your results.

 1. REMOVE CLUTTER

De-cluttering is typically the first thing we tell clients to do to prepare their home for sale. And according to the National Association of Realtors, a whopping 93 percent of agents agree.¹ De-cluttering is the act of removing excess “stuff” from your home to make it appear clean and spacious.

Overflowing closets and cluttered countertops can make your house feel small and cramped. In contrast, sparsely-filled closets and clear countertops will make your home appear larger and assure buyers that there will be plenty of room to store their belongings.

Don’t neglect drawers, cupboards and even your refrigerator in your de-cluttering efforts. Serious buyers will check out every nook and cranny of your home, so pack up anything you don’t use on a daily basis and store it off site. The same goes for jewelry, sensitive documents, prescription medication, firearms and other items of value. Store them in a locked safe or storage unit before opening your property to buyers.

Make sure any items that remain are clean, tidy and well organized. The good news is, when it comes time to move, a large portion of your packing will be done!

2. DEEP CLEAN AND DEODORIZE

From carpets to bathrooms to appliances, having a clean home is a MUST. If you’ve ever checked into a dirty hotel room, you can imagine how buyers can be turned off by a home that hasn’t been thoroughly cleaned.

If you have a large home, or are short on time, you may want to invest in a professional cleaning service. And if you have carpet, we generally recommend you rent a steam cleaner or hire a company to clean your carpets for you.

In addition to cleaning, it’s equally important to neutralize odors in your home that can be off-putting to buyers, especially pet smells and cigarette smoke. If the weather allows, open your windows and let in fresh air. Empty the trash frequently, and especially before a showing. Avoid cooking any strong-smelling food such as fish or heavy spices. You may need to clean (or remove) drapes and upholstery if odors are particularly strong.

Try to keep your home in clean, show-ready condition while it’s on the market. You never know when a potential buyer will want to drop by for a viewing.

3. DEPERSONALIZE

Your family photos and personal mementos are often your most treasured possessions. For many of us, they are what make a house a home. However, buyers will have a hard time envisioning themselves living in a place if it feels like YOUR home.

Pack up any items that are personal to you and your family, such as photos, books, children’s artwork, travel souvenirs and religious items. Collectibles and excessive knickknacks can be distracting to buyers. Instead, keep your decor items minimal and generic to appeal to the largest number of buyers.

4. NEUTRALIZE YOUR COLOR PALETTE

Along those same lines, bold color choices may not appeal to all buyers. By incorporating a neutral color palette throughout your home, buyers can better visualize the addition of their own furniture and decor, which may contrast with your current color scheme.

But don’t limit yourself to white and beige. Incorporating earth tones and midtone neutrals—like mocha and “greige” (grey-beige)—can add a touch of modern sophistication to your decor.³

One of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to neutralize your home’s decor is with paint. Walls painted in dark, bold or bright colors can turn off buyers. A fresh coat of paint in a neutral color like greige (try Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter) or warm white (such as Kelly-Moore’s Rotunda White) offers a clean palette upon which buyers can visualize adding their own personal touches.⁴

If your sofa is worn, stained or has a bold pattern, consider purchasing a neutral-colored slipcover. Dated or overly busy window coverings should be taken down or replaced. Instead, bring in tasteful pops of color with throw pillows and accessories.

5. INCREASE YOUR CURB APPEAL

You only get one chance to make a first impression. According to a 2017 report by the National Association of Realtors, 44 percent of home buyers drove by a property after viewing it online but did NOT go inside for a walkthrough.⁵ That means if your curb appeal is lacking, buyers may never make it through the door.

Walk around your home and look for any neglected areas that might seem like “red flags” to buyers, such as missing roof shingles or rotted siding. Trim trees and shrubs if needed, and make sure your lawn and flower beds are well maintained. Add some colorful flowers to your front beds and/or flower boxes to brighten up your landscaping.

Make sure the exterior of your home is as clean as the interior. This can often be accomplished with a simple garden hose. But if your siding, walkway, or driveway are stained or dingy, you may want to rent a pressure washer.

Thoroughly wash windows and screens, and remove and store dark solar screens if you have them. Open shutters, curtains and blinds, which will not only make your house look more inviting from the outside, it will brighten the inside.

Consider a fresh coat of paint on your front door, trim and shutters. And small, cosmetic improvements like new house numbers, a colorful wreath and a clean front doormat can have a big impact.⁶

6. FRESHEN KITCHENS AND BATHS

Kitchens and bathrooms will show better and appear larger if all items are cleared from the countertops, except for one or two decorative pieces.⁷ You should have already packed up non-essentials during your decluttering process, and the remaining items should be neatly stored in pantries and cupboards.

If your cabinets are dingy or outdated, adding a fresh coat of paint and new hardware is an easy and inexpensive way to make them modern and bright. Consider purchasing new shower curtains, bath mats and towels for the bathrooms and new dish towels for the kitchen.

Before each showing, make sure kitchens and baths are spotless and trash cans are empty and out of sight. To add a comforting aroma, try baking cookies, or in the fall, simmer some cinnamon sticks and cloves in a pot of water before you leave the house. In the spring, try a vase of fresh cut lilacs.⁷

7. SET THE TABLE

Buyers often imagine hosting family gatherings in their new home, and the dining room plays a large role in that vision. If your dining room chairs are stained or outdated, you may want to recover them or use slipcovers. In most cases, an imperfect table can be camouflaged with a neutral and stylish tablecloth.

Be sure the table is centered underneath the chandelier and on the area rug if you’re using one. If your dining room is small, remove all other furniture and leave only four chairs.⁸

Dress up the table using nice tableware and cloth napkins or a table runner and centerpiece. For a long table, try lining up a series of small vessels down the middle.

8. REARRANGE FURNITURE

Start in your living room and think about what you want to emphasize (and de-emphasize) about the space. For example, do you have a beautiful fireplace or a stunning view? If so, arrange the furniture with that focal point in mind. Use a symmetrical seating arrangement to create a cozy conversation area adjacent to the focal point.

If the room is small, consider removing some of the furniture to make it feel larger, especially oversized pieces. That includes oversized television sets, unless it’s a designated media room. Pulling furniture away from the wall can make the room feel more spacious, and placing your largest furniture piece in the far-left corner (as opposed to near the entry) can create the illusion of a larger space.⁹

For small bedrooms, remove all the furniture except the bed, bedside tables and a dresser. If it’s a large room, add one or two chairs and a table to create a seating area. Place lamps on the bedside tables and seating area if you have one.¹⁰

Make sure each space in your home has a clearly defined purpose. For example, if you’ve been using an extra bedroom as a catch-all storage space, stage it as a guest room or office instead. Turn an awkward alcove into a workstation or a reading corner. Help buyers imagine how they could use the space themselves.³

9. LIGHTEN UP

Lighting can have a drastic impact on the look and feel of a home. Few buyers seek out a dark house; most prefer one that’s light and bright. Make sure windows are clean, and open curtains and blinds to let in the maximum amount of daylight.

Each room should have three types of lighting: ambient (general or overhead), task (such as a reading lamp or under-cabinet light), and accent (such as a floor or table lamp). Aim for a goal of 100 total watts per 50 square feet.¹¹ If your mounted light fixtures are dated, replacing them with something more modern is an easy and inexpensive upgrade that can have a big impact.

Strategically placed landscape lighting can add a dramatic effect to your home’s exterior. Welcome evening visitors with a lighted walkway, or use a spotlight to accentuate trees or other landscaping features. Solar lights require no wiring; simply place them in a sunny spot and they will turn on automatically at dusk.

10. HIGHLIGHT YOUR BACKYARD’S BEST FEATURES

While your home’s interior often takes center stage, don’t forget about staging your home’s outdoor areas to help buyers imagine how they could utilize the space.

Even a small patio can become a selling feature with the addition of a cafe table and chairs. Add a tray of plates and coffee cups to help buyers envision a peaceful breakfast on the back porch. Place chairs and wine glasses around an outdoor firepit or hang a hammock with a book in your favorite shady spot.³ These small, simple additions can help buyers visualize the possibilities your backyard has to offer.

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

If you’re in the market to sell your home, this list provides a great starting point for your preparations. But nothing beats the trained eye and expertise of a real estate agent. Before you do any work, we recommend consulting a professional for advice about your particular property.

We offer free, no-commitment seller consultations and will walk through your home with you to help you assess which projects and upgrades are worth your time and money, and which ones you can skip.

As local market experts, we are intimately familiar with buyer preferences in your area. We’ll run a comparative market analysis to find out how your home compares to others currently on the market, as well as those that have recently sold. Then we’ll tailor a custom plan to suit your particular property, budget and needs.

Please call or message Jay 778-363-0839  today with questions or to schedule a free consultation!

Sources:

1. National Association of Realtors –
   https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/migration_files/reports/2017/2017-profile-of-home-staging-07-06-2017.pdf
2. Real Estate Staging Association –
   http://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=304550&module_id=164548
3. Houzz –
   https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2661221/list/sell-your-home-fast-21-staging-tips
4. HGTV –
   https://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/10-curb-appeal-tips-from-the-pros-pictures
5. National Association of Realtors –
   https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/reports/2017/2017-home-buyer-and-seller-generational-trends-03-07-2017.pdf
6. The Spruce –
   https://www.thespruce.com/must-try-neutral-paint-colors-797983
7. HouseLogic –
   https://www.houselogic.com/sell/preparing-your-home-to-sell/home-staging-checklist/
8. StageMyOwnHome.com –
   http://www.stagemyownhome.com/staging-the-dining-room.html
9. Realtor.com –
   https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/small-living-room-staging-tricks/
10. SFGATE –
    http://homeguides.sfgate.com/stage-master-bedroom-34573.html
11. HGTV –
    https://www.hgtv.com/shows/designed-to-sell/15-secrets-of-home-staging-pictures