LAST MINUTE SHOWING? GET YOUR HOUSE READY FAST.
Ideally you should have a week or two before you list your property in order to stage your home and make it look its best for buyers. But, what if you listed quickly and within hours of the FOR SALE sign going up, a buyer wants to view your property? In that scenario, you need to do some quick “staging” to get your home ready. Let’s assume your property is already clean and tidy. Here are some other things you can do.
- Open the curtains, even at night. This will make each room seem brighter, more appealing and more spacious.
- Pull out some boxes or storage bins. Put away personal belongings and knick-knacks (like that bowling trophy) and other personal items to reduce clutter on shelves and counter tops.
- Clear counter tops in the kitchen and bathrooms. Put the toaster, blender and crock pot out-of-sight.
- Make sure lighting throughout the house is bright and comfortable. In darker areas, plug in a lamp.
- Clear away as much as you can in the foyer. Make that space look open, uncluttered and welcoming.
- Move cars out of the driveway. Give the buyer a convenient place to park!
- Make the beds. Fluff pillows on sofas.
- Clear away as many items as possible from the closet floors (such as shoes.)
- Open a window and air out the kitchen, especially if you just finished cooking.
- Make sure your pet is in a crate or, if possible, out for a walk. Not everyone loves pets.
These staging tips take only a few minutes each, but can make a big difference in the impression your home makes on a buyer.
February is beginning to show signs that Spring is just around the corner! Closing off the end of February with just over 500 more listings than last month, we’re starting to see a bit more inventory for Buyers to view and compare. Seasonally we’re seeing slower sales than this time last year which is to be expected with a cooler winter season and higher interest rates over last year. The BC Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its first quarter housing forecast summary and they are projecting a slight boost in the number of sales and a steady increase in the price of homes in Kamloops and across the province for 2019. BCREA has forecast that Kamloops may experience the second biggest jump in the province for 2019 in terms of the price of homes – great news for Sellers!