So, you’ve decided to sell your home. Congratulations! But, how can you ensure that your property stands out in the market and fetches the best price? Whether you plan to sell your home yourself or hire a real estate agent, these low-cost tips will help you maximize your returns and create a lasting impression on potential buyers.

While a particular buyer may not like your home for various reasons, a buyer’s agent is more likely to bring other buyers back to a well-presented home. In the small community of real estate agents, the word spreads quickly when a home on the market is in top-notch condition.

From the moment a potential buyer pulls up outside your property, they start forming critical opinions that can make or break a sale. They take note of factors such as the property’s condition, street appeal, and potential maintenance issues. This critical evaluation continues as they enter your home.

Research indicates that these first impressions take only 26 seconds to make, giving you a limited window of opportunity to get it right.

First Impressions Matter - Curb Appeal and More

To make a great first impression, focus on the front entrance of your home, starting with the front door. This is the entryway to your house and sets the tone for the rest of the home. Polish the door fixtures to make them gleam. If the door needs refinishing or repainting, make sure to get it done. Also, remove any cute, little plaques or shingles with your family name on them, as you want to make your house anonymous like it already belongs to the next owner. Invest in a new, plush doormat that you can take with you once you move.

Make sure the lock works easily and the key fits properly. When a homebuyer comes to visit, the agent uses the key from the lock box to unlock the door. If there is trouble working the lock while everyone else stands around waiting, it sends a negative first impression. If the lock is sticky, a shot of graphite in the keyhole can do the trick.

Next, focus on the entryway. Are there shoes or clutter in the foyer? Does the first impression of the inside of your home impress the buyer with things to come? Make sure to clear the clutter and create a welcoming space that sets the tone for the rest of the house.

Make Your Home Stand Out from the Competition

In any housing market, but especially in a buyer’s market, your home is in competition with all the other houses for sale in your neighbourhood. The way your home competes is critical to turning a prospective buyer into a buyer with an offer.

To make your home stand out, think like a buyer. Put yourself in your buyer's shoes, walk across the street from your house and walk up to the front door. Make notes of all the things that you’d want to see fixed if you were going to buy your own house.

A first impression is a lasting one, and it doesn’t take significant time or financial outlay to ensure your property’s first impression is favourable. When you get that all-important first impression right, you’re more likely to secure a second inspection, which, in turn, drastically increases the chances of selling your home swiftly. Click here for more tips and advice and contact your local Ottawa real estate agents.

Tyler McCune REALTOR® - RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group, Kanata Office

Garett McCune REALTOR® - RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group, Kanata Office