OK, truth time: There’s nothing more disruptive to home life than to have your home on the market and a wave of buyers coming through, so here we have some of our best tips to show your home.

Chasing the kids around, nagging at them to pick up their clothes and toys, ensuring the dishes don’t pile up in the sink and the washing basket is tucked away, out of sight. If you have pets living in your home its even harder.

Yes, it’s stressful to have to keep the home clean all the time. But, presentation is everything when it comes down to getting the most money possible for it.

Consider the following tips to help buyers see your home for the gem that it really is.

1. Get rid of the stink

We’ve all walked into someone else’s home and smelled it – the stale cigarette odor, what they had for dinner last night or stinky sneakers at the front door. Not one of the best tips to show your home is it?

The problem, however, is that we are so used to our own homes that we typically can’t determine if they stink or not. If you have kids, pets and smokers in the house, however, it’s a safe bet that it does. Bring someone in if you need to, friend or family, get them to check out each room and give you their honest opinion if they can smell anything.

Cigarette smoke is the most difficult to get rid of, but check out our blog post, here, for some tips. If you do smoke, keep it outside from here on out.

Cooking odors tend to cling to anything upholstered, so clean and deodorize the carpets, wash the curtains, bring in a pro to dry-clean the furniture and clean the filter in the range hood.

Pet owners need to ensure that the dog is bathed frequently while the home is on the market and if your cat needs a litter box it is cleaned daily and kept out of sight.

Other tips to consider include:

  • Washing indoor rubbish bins thoroughly with hot, soapy water and make sure it is completely dry before putting back in.
  • Bathrooms can get pretty unpleasant at times. A room diffuser can make a huge difference and they are relatively inexpensive to buy.
  • Fill decorative containers with potpourri and place them randomly throughout the home. Glade plugins scented oils are a nice touch also.
  • Keep on top of the laundry, this may mean a few extra loads now and then. This smells much better than laundry baskets with sports socks and gym gear.

2. Mask the noise

Have you ever lived close to an airport or busy Main Road? The noise may have been deafening for the first month or two. Then, you got used to it. But your potential buyers will not be, yet.

Potential buyers touring your home are in the early stages of noise sensitivity and they will most definitely hear the neighbor’s annoying, yappy dog.

If noise is a problem in your neighborhood, mask it. Here are some tips to show your home at its best:

  • Set the computer up to play a sound effects loop (rainfall and babbling water are soothing).
  • Leave music playing, softly, during showings.

3. Lighten up

There’s a reason that real estate agents tell their clients to open all the curtains and turn on all the lights before showings. Light and bright rooms are far more appealing than those that are dark. Consider the following as well:

  • Use higher wattage light bulbs while the home is on the market.
  • Don’t forget the closet lights if you have them – turn those on as well.
  • If you are doing a remodel, consider a lighter colour curtain.
  • Colourful artwork can add a nice touch if positioned correctly.

4. Sell the lifestyle

Model home decorators know exactly who they are trying to appeal to and sell that potential buyer on the lifestyle the home offers.

You can do the same with some strategic staging.

  • A couple of elegant ornaments or kitchen appliances that compliment your kitchen can make it look more appealing. Be careful not to overdo it as you want the buyers to imagine themselves living in the house with their belongings. For some staging inspiration check out the link.
  • Fresh flowers throughout the home will help add colour and freshen the air. Try and stay away from lilies as these can cause allergy’s for some potential buyers.
  • Stage the kitchen and bathroom to make them more appealing. Rid the counters of clutter and glam it up with new towels and rugs.

5. Guard your privacy

Homeowners are told to be gone before home showings and open houses. Before you go, lock up valuables or take them with you. This includes jewellery, cash, high-value collectables, weapons and all prescription medications. Remember that potential buyers will want to look in wardrobes and cupboards so sometimes tucking these things away is just not enough.

Home showings are critical to the sale of your home. Doing all you can to make the home appear ready to move into will help make yours the pick of the bunch for potential buyers.


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Brent Palmer – Professional Real Estate Consultant

About the Author: The above article on 5 Best Tips to show your home was written and provided by Brent Palmer, a local leader in the field of Richmond and Nelson Real Estate sales, marketing, advanced technology for home selling, and social media. You can contact Brent Palmer here, or at 027 544 9921.

He has helped many people buy and sell homes in the Nelson, Stoke and Richmond areas for years, and would love the opportunity to help you as well.

Thinking of selling your home? I have a real passion for helping people sell their homes in our Nelson and Tasman Region, as well as the marketing, social media & advanced technology for home selling that goes along with it. I’d love to have the opportunity to sit down with you discuss how we can work together to get you the best price.

I help people buy and sell real estate in the following Nelson and Tasman  towns  & neighbourhoods: Wakefield, Brightwater, Hope, Appleby, Redwood Valley, Mapua, Stoke, Tahunanui, Atawhai and of course, Richmond and Nelson City. Connect with Brent on Facebook and pretty much everywhere else.

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