When ratty looks tatty – Give it the slip
We all know that home Buyers are buying the house, not the contents. However, Buyers are influenced by how the house is decorated. It gives a message about lifestyle and care and attention. If you have a couch that is beyond redemption but getting it re-upholstered would be cost prohibitive, you have three choices:
- Leave the sofa in the room as is and keep on believing that no Buyer will notice or care (but they will).
- Remove the sofa entirely and try to rearrange the furniture to fill in the gap. As everyone living near a university knows, old sofas are abandoned at the end of term. If you have one of those sofas, no amount of beautification will work – Give it up. Please be responsible and at least have it removed.
- Look for slip covers that will change the appearance instantly. Covers are available in many price points. The Old Chelsea Slip Cover Company in Chelsea, Quebec has built a wonderful reputation for quality work. If the sofa has a nice design, it may be worth the money to put on neutral slip covers and update your home before putting it on the market.
How a house is staged with good pieces will influence how a Buyer will value the home.
Photo credit: i think i found it @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/themacinator/4015348619/
Zingers #87 – Six litres of water
Not every low-flow toilet is able to handle waste. If you have to replace one of the water guzzling old toilets that actually functioned and wonder what will work, look for a dual flow tank, talk to the sales people and/or go on the internet to find evaluations of toilets using 6 litres that will leave you ……
Flushed with Success.
Ottawa Neighbourhood MLS® Sales 2009 – Blackburn Hamlet
Blackburn Hamlet MLS® Areas 2310, 2302, 2303
Residential 57 Units
Detached 38 Units; Average Price Sold $345,328, Average DOM – 29
Row 15 Units; Average Price Sold $246,633, Average DOM – 35
Semi Detached 4 Units; Average Price Sold $233,550, Average DOM – 13
Condos 49 Units (mostly row unit style)Average Price Sold $178,825, Average DOM – 19
Photo credit: Adrice Smitton
Selling and Decluttering – The Inside of the Fridge
As you get closer to putting your house on the market, take some time to declutter the inside of the fridge. We all seem to keep condiments that have expired sometimes 2 – 3 years ago. There may be onions that are sprouting in the crisper and leaking sauce bottles at the back of the top shelf. In most cases, the fridge is left in the house. Buyers will want to know the condition of the fridge and will open the door to inspect the contents/capacity/condition of the appliance.
- Start by taking everything out of the fridge.
- As you remove each item, check for expiry dates and toss those items that are long past their best before dates.
- Line up the remainder on the counter. You want your fridge to look spacious. Think about getting rid of those items that you bought and have only used once and may never use again. Even if they are still ‘perfectly good’, they are taking up real estate in the fridge. Maybe you have a friend or neighbour who would love to have these items. If you have three bottle of ketchup, eliminate those that are the oldest.
- Empty the freezer at the same time and put the food that is still good in a cooler. Start defrosting the fridge (if it is old and builds up frost). If not, turn down the temperature in the freezer area so that you can wipe it clean and then reset the temperature before returning your frozen food to the unit. Do not over pack the freezer as it will look too small for Buyers.
- Wipe down every surface. Use a non-abrasive sponge and a little baking soda. If you must, a bit of dish soap with no scent is also fine. Make sure that you clean in every nook and cranny. If anything smells – old cheese, special curries, etc. remove them.
- Your crisper drawers need to be removed and washed. Only return those fruits and vegetables that are in good shape and not left to rot.
- For fun, take before and after pictures (for your own satisfaction). It will show you progress and give you a sense of accomplishment.
If you are moving with a company, it is unlikely that they will allow perishable foods. When cleaning your fridge start to think of what you need to consume now, toss or give away before you pack to leave.
This is a fussy job that should not be overlooked because Buyers will be looking inside the fridge.
Photo credit: Onion – May 3 @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabricio/3534037525/
Zingers #86 – Bathroom carpeting
Is there carpeting in your bathroom? Look at replacing it with tiles. A bathroom is not large. Tiling will take a bit of time in the confined space but the tiles will not cost a fortune. Buyers want to see clean, hygenic flooring. If it is already tiled, clean the grout and replace tiles that are broken or chipped.
Are you floored?
Ottawa Neighbourhood MLS® Sales 2009 – Elmvale Acres
Elmvale Acres MLS® Areas 3701 through 3705
Residential 133 Units
Detached 118 Units; Average Price Sold $303,616, Average DOM – 23
Row 5 Units; Average Price Sold $371,200, Average DOM – 26
Semi Detached 10 Units; Average Price Sold $243,250, Average DOM – 46
Condos 27 Units
Average Price Sold $175,259, Average DOM – 33
Multiple Family 1 Unit
Photo credit: Adrice Smitton
What has been swept under the rug?
The expression “to sweep under the rug” means to hide something in the hopes that no one will notice. For some Sellers what is being hidden under an area rug is a damaged hardwood floor. Maybe there are stains, maybe the wood is cracked, maybe the last sanding on the hardwood took off the veneer and there are spots where no hardwood exists. Another problem that happens in all homes with area rugs on hardwood is sun damage. The wood under the rug, not exposed to the sun, will remain a true colour. The wood exposed is likely a lot lighter in colour. When Buyers are looking at homes with seemingly wonderful hardwood floors, be sure to check under the area rug to get an indication of the true nature of the floors or write in a condition in the offer to have the floors refinished if there are problems.
I love this room in the “Beach House”. See the great area rug. If this was on the market, I would like to know if the condition of the wood under the rug is as wonderful as that seen at the edges. When buying a house, get as much information before making an offer as is possible.
Photo credit: Beach House Living Room @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerryanndame/3776968872/
Zingers #85 – Toilet tank and seat cover
What? If you have them and use them, store them away until after you move. I know that in summer the tank “sweats” but during the sale just towel off the humidity. If the toilet seat is covered, buyers will think “granny decorating” and wonder what else has not been updated.
Don’t flush away your move.
Ottawa Neighbourhood MLS® Sales 2009 – Alta Vista
Alta Vista MLS® Areas 3601 through 3609
Residential 258 Units
Detached 207 Units; Average Price Sold $421,090, Average DOM – 34
Row 41 Units; Average Price Sold $327,960, Average DOM – 29
Semi Detached 10 Units; Average Price Sold $285,788, Average DOM – 63
Condos 73 Units – Average Price Sold $270,982, Average DOM – 54
Multiple Family 2 Units
Photo credit: Adrice Smitton
What a waste!
Everyone has garbage. What you do with your garbage when your house is on the market is an issue. It is obvious that the household garbage should be emptied into the trash cans outside each morning before leaving for work. Even empty, large garbage cans are an eyesore. It amazes me how many people think that leaving a huge trash / garbage can in the middle of the kitchen is okay. Now, as we get closer to having to green bin the kitchen waste, there is an increased opportunity for some type of offending sight or smell.
Don’t we all think that the garbage is under the sink? Even if you need an industrial size garbage can for your large family, during the house marketing period, get in the habit of using only the bin under the sink.
Remove your large bin. It will make your kitchen look bigger and cleaner.
Photo credit: Close @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellysue/986904611/sizes/o/
Welcome
My name is Valerie Zinger. I am a Home Organizer. I look forward to helping you simplify your home and your life.
Phone: 613-859-7759 Click here to contact Valerie by Email at:
ValerieZinger@gmail.com-
