It’s getting finally warm! Â
You’ve decided to put your place on the market…and so have lot of other people. You want your place to show better than any other properties around you.Â
You have to be the best in show!
1.Get rid of clutter!
Nobody wants to see your personal stuff. Collectibles, magazines, bills on the table, pictures, magnets on the fridge…. clutter will distract a buyer’s view and give a bad impression. So put it all in boxes and store them or hide them. Bonus: now you’ve already started packing!Â
2.Get out your paintbrushes!
Look around. You will see scuffs, chips and streaks. You might think it’s not a big deal, but think about it like this: your neighbor is selling the same exact unit as yours in the same building with the same price. His unit has fresh paint and yours doesn’t. Guess whose unit is going to sell first? Paint is cheap. You just have to do little exercise. Open your windows, get some fresh spring air and let’s paint!  If one of your kid’s rooms is painted a bright, pastel color or has a mural, paint over it with nice, fresh, warm color that welcomes potential buyers. Buyers don’t like personalized walls even if they have kids. Always use neutral colors- buyers want to picture themselves living there.Â
3.Look at your kitchen and bath
Ok this one is very important. You’re going to need to spend some time here. A clean and solid-looking kitchen and bath will give buyers a great impression. Get rid of as much stuff as possible on the kitchen counter and hide your toaster, pots and pans. Now it looks like you have a lot more counter space. Clean your stove inside and out. Make sure the sink is always clear and the dishes are straight. If you have a lot of dishes, cups and mugs taking up too much space in the cabinets, just put them in a box and pack them away.  Scrub and clean the bathrooms. Get rid of all those extra shampoo bottles you don’t use and leave the one you do use.  If you see any mildew, GET RID OF IT! Replace the worn-out bar soap sitting on the sink with liquid soap dispenser. Get nice, clean towels. And PLEASE don’t forget to put the toilet seat down. Always : )Â
4.Repairs
Improvement and repairs are two different things, so don’t go crazy. If your dishwasher is not working, your windows have cracks, and the faucets are leaking, you should repair them. If you don’t have granite countertops, hardwood floors or stainless-steel appliances, talk to your realtor and see if it’s even a good idea to invest in such improvements. Depending on what the competition has with their prices, you might make money, but you could also lose it if you invest too much! Â Â
5.Final touches
So, you put all the clutter away and everything feels fresh and clean! It’s time for finishing touches.  Get some scented candles. It’s always nice to walk into a room with a fresh smell rather than the food you cooked last night. Get some flowers for the table. Real flowers. Check your light bulbs to see if they need to be replaced. And don’t forget to make your bed! Finally, get a second opinion from your realtor to see if anything else needs to be done. Â
You are ready to open the door and let potential buyers in. I hope you get a lot of “WOWs” from people who walk into your home and get it sold fast!Â
Jimmy Tai