megram - Index

megram - Guide To Spring Fun In Ottawa's West End - Index

Lose the personal baggage
Our “stuff” is very personal. It can define who we are and what we like.
Potential buyers cannot imagine themselves living in your home when all they
see are your possessions. That is one reason why you don’t want many items or
collections on display in your home when you are trying to sell it. Be sure to pack
the majority of it up, throw it out, or give it away. Decluttering makes a space
seem larger, brighter, and more spacious — a big plus for just about anyone looking
for a new home. (An added bonus — you’ll have less to do after the sold sign
is on the lawn).
Give them their personal space
Decluttering should be going on behind your closed doors as well.
Cupboards or closets filled to the brim tell potential homeowners that there isn’t
enough storage space in your home. Don’t forget to purge your storage room
and garage of unnecessary items as well.
It’s okay to get fresh
Many people will say their house is clean, but just like a home’s decor, the
definition of clean can be a personal one. When you have your home on the
market, you want to make sure that it’s absolutely spotless. It should look like no
one has ever used the bathrooms (toilet lids down, please) and that the kitchen
is only gently used.
Love and money is in the air
Don’t overlook the power of smell. We get used to the smells in our own
home — good and bad — but for newcomers some odours can hit them at the
door and negatively influence their tour of the rest of the house. Don’t just try
to mask a bad odour with perfume-like air fresheners. Some people are allergic
to such strong smells and others are just turned off by them. Instead, air out
rooms, clean and deodorize carpets and upholstery, and take the pets away during
showings. And be sure to ask an unbiased friend for their first reaction to
your home’s smells. At the end of the day, honesty can mean more money in
your pocket.
Remember, a little effort can go a long way in the real estate market. Be
sure to stage your house to attract the most number of potential buyers. Then
you will be sure to find that special someone who is willing to make a serious
commitment.
Heather Cameron operates an Ottawa-based business that offers professional organizing,
home staging, and interior decorating/redecorating services. If you have a question for
Heather, email editorial@sympatico.ca
Hints for the
Home Seller
White is not always right. White
walls can come across as cold or
that someone didn’t care enough
about the house to paint it before
moving out again. Choose neutral
but warm colours to give potential
buyers a warm welcome.
We spend a lot of time decorating
our rooms but often neglect our
hallways. Don’t forget that they
should be cleared of clutter and
freshly painted to feel as inviting and
attractive as the rest of the house.
Remove family photos. You want
potential buyers picturing themselves
in your home, not your
family.
Remind yourself that selling your
home is very different from living
in your home. You decorate to suit
your style when you live in a home;
you neutralize your home to suit
the masses when you are selling.
One caution: Some people paint
rooms a sterile white and declutter
a room nearly to the point of
empty. The idea is to depersonalize,
not impersonalize, a room.
While the buyer should not be able
to imagine you watching television
— in your fuzzy slippers and worn
bathrobe — they should be able to
imagine themselves doing so.
Ottawa Page 11 Due West/Due East Magazine • Spring 2008