Mandana Tehrani - You've Found a Home

The living room or family room is often a focal point for buyers who come to see your listing. They’ll look around and imagine relaxing evenings, family get-togethers, and holidays celebrated in that room. So it’s important to ensure it looks its best.

Here are professional staging tips for doing just that:

1. Neutralize the palette. Consider repainting walls in shades of beige, grey, or off-white. These hues will appeal to a broader range of buyers and allow them to visualize their own décor in the space. These colours will also make the room look bigger.
2. Strategic Furniture Placement. Position furniture away from walls, if possible, to create a cozy, conversational setting. Keep pathways clear to ensure easy movement and make the space feel more open.
3. Invest in Key Pieces. A few standout items can elevate the entire look. Perhaps it’s a chic coffee table, an elegant sofa, or a statement rug. And remember – you get to take these with you when you sell.
4. Add Textural Elements. Incorporate soft throws, plush pillows, or a tactile rug. These elements create a cozy atmosphere that can make potential buyers feel right at home.
5. Minimize Electronics. While many family rooms are centred around the TV, when staging, it’s advisable to downplay its dominance. Consider a tasteful cabinet or decorative screen to partially hide large electronics.
6. Greenery and Fresh Flowers. Potted plants, succulents, or a vase of fresh flowers can add vibrancy and a sense of freshness.
   1. Accessorize Thoughtfully. Less is more when it comes to accessories. A few well-chosen pieces – like a decorative bowl, coffee table, books, or elegant candlesticks – can provide the finishing touches without overwhelming the space.

Although weekends are a prime time to schedule viewings, many buyers will prefer to see your property on a weekday evening. Buyers might, for example, be interested in your listing but be out of town on the weekend. If you don’t accommodate their request for a weekday evening appointment, you might lose that opportunity.

So, when it comes to scheduling viewing appointments, being flexible and accommodating is always advised.

But, what if you’re going to be away during the week or have another reason why you can’t show your home Monday to Friday?

There are a few options you can consider.

One is to use a Lock Box. This is a secure box that contains a front door key. (You may have seen these when shopping for a home yourself.) Only your real estate agent has access. If a different agent wants to show a client your home, they’ll need to make an appointment and get access from your agent.

A Lock Box can ease any security concerns you have about showing your home while away.

Another option is to not schedule weekday appointments but be VERY accommodating during the weekend. That means allowing a potential buyer to see your property Sunday at 7:00 PM. It’s essentially a trade-off, but it can work.

Finally, if you don’t want appointments during the week because you have such a busy household — kids in school, evening work shifts, etc. — consider making just one weekday available. For example, offer showings on Wednesdays from 5:00-7:30 PM. That might be a slight inconvenience, but it will have been worth it if an interested buyer sees your property and makes a good offer.

Bottom line: Do what you can to make it as easy as possible for buyers to see your home.

Want more tips on selling your home faster and for top dollar? Call me.

Many seemingly small things can be a big turn-off to prospective buyers. So, it’s wise to identify and fix these issues when you list. Here are a few examples.

1. Outdated or Neglected Exterior: Chipping paint, a tired-looking façade, or uninspired landscaping will impact a buyer's all-important first impression. The solution? Fresh paint, power washing, landscape trimming, or even adding new plants. 
2. Old or Damaged Appliances: Outdated or broken appliances will get noticed by prospective buyers. The solution? Repair and thoroughly clean them. It might also make sense to invest in new appliances. If you go that route, buy energy-efficient models that look great and they will become a selling point. 
3. Unpleasant Odours: We become so acclimated to smells in our home that we often no longer notice them. But buyers will! Odours from pets, smoking, perfumes, and exotic cooking are especially detracting to buyers. The solution? Reduce odours by avoiding scent-producing activities (such as cooking) prior to viewing appointments.
4. Overly Personalized Interior: Buyers want to envision themselves living in the home, not you. The solution: Eliminate as many personal items as possible. Make the style and décor attractive but neutral. 
5. Old or Poorly Maintained HVAC Equipment: Buyers often ask for the age of furnaces, water heaters, and air conditioning units. They’re concerned about potential maintenance issues. The solution? Get older equipment inspected by a professional. Then have that documentation available to buyers.

As you can see, investing in a few repairs and upgrades can make a big difference in how quickly your home sells – and for how much.