In today’s ever-evolving real estate landscape, where buyers have high expectations and want to be wowed when they view a property, ensuring that your home stands out is essential to maximizing your sale. Whether you’re selling your home in a changing market, facing discerning buyers who have more choices, or simply not feeling pressured to sell quickly, the importance of nailing that all-important first impression cannot be overstated.  

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the strategies and techniques, beyond decluttering and organizing that can help your home shine, in person and online. From enhancing your home’s curb appeal to optimizing its online presence, we’ll delve into the key steps that will make your home truly memorable. 

1) Elevate your curb appeal

First impressions are often formed the moment a potential buyer sets eyes on your property. Enhancing your home’s curb appeal is the first step towards making a positive impression. Here are some key aspects to consider: 

Spruce up the landscaping:  Landscaping plays a crucial role in creating an inviting atmosphere. If you don’t want to invest in professional landscaping services, there are plenty of do-it-yourself tasks, such as trimming overgrown bushes, removing dead shrubs, adding some seasonal plans and fresh bark chips.   

Tackle exterior repairs & painting: Addressing any visible exterior issues, such as crumbling pathways, peeling paint or damaged siding, is essential. A fresh coat of paint can work wonders in revitalizing your home’s facade and making it look well-maintained. 

Install a new modern front door: The front door is a focal point of your home’s exterior. If your door is outdated or showing signs of wear, consider investing in a new one. A modern front door can instantly elevate your home’s overall look. 

Add seasonal porch plants: Embrace the changing seasons by decorating your porch with seasonal plants. In the fall, vibrant mums can add a pop of colour, while ferns in the spring bring a fresh, lively feel to your home’s entrance. 

What’s your next step after your house sells? Below, you’ll find some ideas that may intrigue you:

• How to Upsize Your Home When Interest Rates Are High
• A Buyer’s Guide To New Build Homes in Etobicoke
• How to Choose the Right West End Toronto Neighbourhood for You

2) Revive your home with fresh paint

Whether your house is older and needs a refresh or relatively new but has signs of wear, a fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into its appearance. Dark interior walls can make a space feel small and dark, while lighter interiors can change the way the light feels in the room, making it feel larger and brighter. Freshening up a home with trendy neutral wall paint or adding a little personality with feature walls in an all-neutral home, is essential and will make an impactful first impression. Not only will this affect the way a property looks, but buyers also love the smell of a freshly painted house. 

Although the cost of painting has increased over the years, it’s an incredibly impactful investment that always pays off with a higher price point and shorter days on market.  

3) Enhance the flow of light in your home

Natural light can instantly change the way you feel about a home. ⁠As the days grow shorter, soon we will all be craving that warm and bright feeling of natural sunlight. ⁠Sadly, not all homes are blessed with an abundance of natural light. Sometimes the original design simply doesn’t allow for it, and adding more windows can be a major undertaking. Buyers often list abundant natural light as a top priority, so help them see this by maximizing the available light in your space. 

Swap or remove the window coverings:  You can make the size of a window seem larger by hanging your curtain rod at the top of the ceiling this emphasizes the size. Minimal window coverings or sheers will allow the maximum amount of light to shine in, making the most of ⁠what light you do have.⁠ 

Reflect the light with mirrors: Accent mirrors are not only a way to add some style to your home, but they can really enhance and even truly increase the light in a space. 

Update your light fixtures: If your home lacks natural light, supplement with artificial light from new modern light fixtures. Adding new light fixtures can enhance the light in the daytime and keep a space comfy and well-lit into the evening. This includes new ceiling lights as well as lamps and sconces. The specific hue of the lightbulb or pots can dramatically impact the feeling of light in the home. ⁠We personally love a bright white, between 3000-3500 ⁠lumens. ⁠ 

4) Bid farewell to old rugs and carpets

The condition of your flooring can significantly impact a buyer’s perception of your home. If you have area rugs that have seen better days due to daily wear and tear, it’s best to remove them during showings. Older wall-to-wall carpets, in most cases, should be replaced or removed. Walking into a room with old, dingy carpet will be a major turn-off for most buyers. 

5) Embrace trendy home staging

When it comes to selling your home, partnering with a seasoned real estate team who has access to a  professional home stager can make all the difference. To ensure you won’t be disappointed, ask to view samples of their work in photos or video.

Trendy décor will attract the right type of buyer to your home. A buyer that will instantly fall in love and aggressively compete and pay a high price for your house. The best part about using a professional home stager is their guidance with all the items listed above. A home stagers’ job is to present the full package and help you make your home shine! 

6) Don’t forget the deep cleaning

When your house is on the market, a pristine interior is critical in making a favorable impression. Consider hiring professional cleaners to ensure that every corner of your home is spotless. This includes window sills, walls, window & door trim and even hard-to-reach areas. 

7) Optimize your online marketing

In today’s digital age, your home’s online appearance is just as important as its physical presentation. The goal of online marketing whether it relates to real estate or not is to show your product or service to more people in a convenient way. This is crucial for real estate because many buyers often wait for the perfect home to come to market and using various forms of social media and paid advertising will introduce your property to many more buyers while they hang out online.  

Here’s how you can ensure that your house beats the competition online and keeps potential buyers focused on your property: 

High quality photography: Professional photography is the only way to showcase your home in the best possible light. High-quality photos are the first thing that potential buyers see, and they can make a significant difference in attracting interest. 

Professional listing copy: Well-crafted copy will enable a potential buyer to envision a life in this home, in ways that photos and specs alone cannot. A buyer can fall in love with a home just by reading about it.  Enticing copy increases the value of a home in a buyer’s mind, as they’ve already pictured themselves having coffee on the terrace, or cocktails in the garden. 

Looking for even more secrets to a successful sale? Read more in the posts below:

• Things To Do Right Now If You Want To Sell Your House This Fall
• Selling Your Home In The Age Of Online Marketing
• How Long Does It Take To Sell A House In Toronto?

Individual property website: In today’s age of online marketing, a website dedicated to your home is a must. This is where all of the above comes together in a beautiful, professional website featuring all the information a potential buyer could ever want or need. This website should be professional and easy to navigate, and designed strategically to convert potential buyers into confirmed appointments.

Layers of online exposure: Showcasing your home on various online platforms and social media will reach more people and attract more buyers. Engage with potential buyers through engaging content and respond promptly to inquiries. Leveraging the power of social media platforms will further enable you to maximize your home sale.  

Finally, seeking professional guidance, such as our NESTED home preparation plan, can provide invaluable insights and assistance throughout the selling process. Selling your home in a shifting real estate market requires a strategic approach to ensure that your property stands out in a crowded field. With these strategies and resources at your disposal, you can confidently navigate the challenges of a changing real estate market and successfully sell .

Do you have questions about selling a house in Toronto? Reach out to us today at hello@getnested.ca or call 416-909-1602 and we are happy to help!

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