Congratulations! You’ve made the big decision to move. Whether you’ve found a new home or not, you now need to prepare your current home for sale. You’ll be up against dozens of other homes on the market, but there are a few things you can do to make your home more appealing to purchasers, and nail that sale.

Repairs:

Take stock of all the areas in your home that could do with some love and care. From bathrooms to the kitchen to closets, check to see if anything needs repairing. Things that you’ve become used to as a quirk in your home, may be a deal breaker for a purchaser. Could your bathtub do with a bit of caulking? Is there a cupboard that doesn’t quite close? Is there a dead light bulb you’ve never gotten around to changing? All these little imperfections are easily fixable. And could make the difference in a buyer’s decision. If you’ve been living in your home a long time, it’s also a great idea to give your interiors a fresh coat of paint.

Clean and organize:

The goal is to make your home feel open and spacious, and to achieve that you’ve got to declutter. This will also help prepare you for packing and moving into your new home. Get rid of those stacks of magazines, the piles of paper, and your old VHS collection (do you still have those??). Keep in mind that people will be opening closet doors and cabinets to assess storage – which means hiding your clutter behind closed doors isn’t an option. Consider hiring professional cleaners to do a thorough clean, and reach all those spots you forget about.

Depersonalize your home:

Buyers want to be able to visualize themselves in your home. And that’s harder to do when your personality is stamped throughout. Remove family photos from side tables, clear your fridge of magnets and reminders, and stow away your prized collection of kitschy mugs. Give your home a neutral colour palette – paint over any brightly coloured walls. Browse through display suites or look at interior design photos online for an idea of what will appeal to buyers.

Final touches:

Scent really does make a difference. And if you have pets, their smell could overpower. Make sure your home is pleasant to the nose, with spritzes of air fresheners, scented candles, or a freshly baked batch of cookies. And, yes, you should get rid of the litter box and take out the trash before your open house. Put some fresh flowers in a vase or apples in a bowl to liven up the space.

Here are some more tips you can follow to help you sell your home at a great price and in a timely manner.