You don't need a lot of money to make a big impression. As a matter of fact the best staging tools happen to be good old fashioned soap and water. Nothing will send a buyer running away faster than a home that is less than spic and span. Even if you keep your home clean, now is the time to scrub it down and shine it up. Don't forget the windows.....natural light sells, so the more light the better.

Fix dripping faucets and make sure obvious things requiring repair get taken care of. Make sure all the light bulbs work. Get a friend or relative to walk with you through your home and point out things that need attention. We all get used to the condition of our homes and simply don't see what needs to be done after a while. You can pay now for these repairs or pay more when less money is offered for your home.

This is also the time to deal with all those do-it-yourself projects that have been started and never finished. If you can't complete them, then get someone in who can. Unfinished projects just scream "work" at potential buyers. This unfinished business will cost you money as buyers will deduct what they think it will cost them to fix what is left to do from their offer. This is usually more than it will actually cost.

Clutter, clutter everywhere will visually make your home appear smaller. A Buyer will think that if you don't have space to store your belongings, than there can't possibly be enough room for their things. Anything you haven't used in the last year can be put into storage. Ask a friend or family member if you can temporarily store some boxes in their garage. Think of it as getting ready for your move. A word of caution, don't declutter so much that your home looks sterile. Put away most of your personal photos and pack up your collections. These type of things are particularly distracting for buyers. You want them to see themselves in your space and not be fascinated by the number of ceramic cow salt and pepper shakers you have.

After you've done a thorough cleaning and decluttering and finished off the projects you already started, you are ready to make your home stand out from the others for sale in your area.

Start off by walking across the street and turn around and have a good look at the front of your home. Does it look well maintained or does it say "fixer upper". Buyers may not even go inside your home if they have decided that it will be too much work. So get out the garden gloves and do some weeding. Water your lawn and put some nice planters by your front door to welcome the buyers. Pick out a contrasting colour that goes well with your brick or siding to paint your front door and shine up the door knob and knocker. Polish or paint the mailbox. Now go back across the street and see if your house  says "Welcome Home."

Kitchens are the heart of the home. It's where we do most of our living. If your kitchen is looking weary, a coat of paint will go a long way to freshen it up. If your cabinets are dated, consider replacing the doors and the hardware. Paint the cabinets to match the new doors. If countertops are worn or damaged, new laminate countertops are resonably priced and will immediately give an impression of cleanliness. Make sure to keep your counters clear, leaving only a few decorative items to add colour. A bowl of apples or lemons can add punch. If new appliances are not in the budget, a low cost alternative is replacing the front panels if possible. Lastly, have a look at the kitchen faucet. If it no longer shines, consider replacing it.

Bathrooms are the next most important rooms to buyers. This is where you really need to put your effort into cleaning. A fresh coat of light and neutral paint will add to the pristine feel. If you have coloured fixtures and can't afford to replace them, consider having them reglazed...preferably white. A small bathroom can appear larger if you replace a sink and cabinet with a pedestal sink. Remember to add some nice shelving or small cupboard for storage. Buy some fluffy new towels, some candles and spa bath products to put into your bathroom. Save them to put out when your home is going to be shown and use your regular things in between. Don't forget to shine up the faucet. If it doesn't sparkle...replace it. One other thing about the bathroom.....put the lid down when you are showing your home. It just looks nicer.

The Master Bedroom should look tranquil and put together. Invest in new bedding and give the room a coat of neutral paint. Choose accessories to complement your colour scheme. Throw pillows add to the look of comfort. The Master Bedroom should be neither too masculine or too feminine, it should simply be a grown up retreat.

The rest of your home should be clean and fresh looking. Paint gives you a big bang for your buck. Paint through in a light neutral tone. Add some flowers in a vase on your table and by the bed in the master bedroom and you'll be ready for your Buyer to walk through the smartly painted front door.

You certainly may not need to do all of these things but concentrating your money and effort on the curb appeal, the kitchen and bathrooms and finally the Master Bedroom can help you stand out from the competition. Your home will not only show the best, but help you to improve your Bottomline.

If you are thinking of buying or selling, give me a call I'd love to help!