How to Show Your Home to a Better Offer

No matter how much inherent beauty a home already has, it's never the wrong idea to make a little extra effort when it comes to a home showing. The good news is that sellers don't necessarily have to break the bank to do it. From brightening up the flower beds to adding a new coat of paint to the garage, there are more than a few cosmetic touches or home improvements that you can make to attract better offers.

Start Outdoors: Curb Appeal Is Key

Homebuyers tend to judge your home by the very first impression, and so neglected exterior and grounds will only attract home flippers or bargain hunters, so it's important to send the right message. Whitewash the siding, invest in a welcome mat, or add friendly house numbers. Buyers often make a decision within the first 30 seconds of even seeing the home, so starting from the outside and working your way in is really not up for debate.

Highlight the Key Features

Each neighbourhood is going to have its own demographic profile, so sellers should do a little research about the most likely candidates for a home (and what they're looking for.) A young family will want extra bedrooms for the kids while a retired couple may appreciate a study or home office. Canadians tend to value what's practical in a West Pointe home, which may mean converting a downstairs laundry unit to an upstairs one or making a walk-in closet the star of the master bedroom. Enhance any natural views by eliminating all curtains and blinds or by adding comfortable patio furniture or a water feature to the outdoor area.

Less Is More

A good home showing is going to leave the potential buyers feeling lighter than they were before they entered. Shopping for a home can become overwhelming quickly, so it's important to set the right impression. Consider either clearing out the place entirely or staging the home with a few pieces and a clear mission. Just a few pieces of furniture in each room or a quality dining room table can be enough. Staging is an excellent way to help potential buyers feel at home. And even though every other home seller may be doing it, it doesn't hurt to add fresh flowers to a table or to throw a cashmere blanket over a chair.

Choose Neutrality

Unless a seller is living in some type of artistic community where eclectic designs are strongly encouraged, home sellers should be opting for neutral colors whenever possible. The accessories and artwork should have their own personality of course, but the neutral tones allow homebuyers to start picturing where to put their belongings. Homebuyers have a tendency to do this without even realizing it, which can be a powerful effect when it comes time to bid. The more income a person has, the more likely they are to base their decisions on instinct rather than the bottom line.

Showing a home doesn't have to be difficult, but there should be a good degree of effort that goes into the process. Stick with these tips or ask a real estate agent more about which features will be most coveted on any particular street. Like practically anything for sale, there are subtle forces at work that determine the final price. Learning them makes it that much easier to capitalize on what you have to offer.