McClelland Minute - October 4, 2009

Tips for the Fiscally Prudent Among Us

One of the neat things about my job is being able to pick up ideas on how to get a home ready for sale cheaply without it looking like, well, cheap!

Just as in other important relationships first impressions count.  I call it the “Three Minute Rule” – approximately the time it takes a prospective buyer to walk from the curb at the street to the centre of your home, usually the kitchen / dining room.  In this short interval, many will decide if they are interested or not in looking any further. 

Uncluttered properties sell faster and for more money.  You are going to move anyway, right?  So go through the house, garage, and yard using the one third / one third / one third principle.  One third you give away, throw away, or sell at a garage sale.  Consider helping worthy community organizations like the ReStore, Salvation Army, or For the Interval.  The middle third you pack in anticipation of the move (more on this later).  The last is the clothes, dining utensils / pots, and personal items your family will need for the next three to six months.  Not only will this reduce the stress you feel at the actual time you make the transition, it makes your closets, cupboards, and rooms actually look bigger.

In preparation for our own move last year we went out and bought three dozen or so Rubbermaid containers with good tight lids.  I think they sold for about $7 a piece.  Not too big, because it might be us carrying them and not the young Turks.  These proved to be perfect for several reasons.  You could store contents without worrying about dust, moisture, or creepy crawlies.  They label easy with a marker pen.  Pick a little used room or a corner of the garage and stack them four or five high without fear of them tipping over. 

In fact, they were so useful that when we were done, friends, family, and even a client or two borrowed them.  No more running down to the store begging for cardboard boxes. They are simple to carry, hard to misuse, protective of contents, and easy to store until the next time.  Best investment we have made in a long time.

Invite your friends in - Mr. Clean, Elbow Grease, Light, and Fresh Paint.  If your home is close to move in condition when we take photos for our website virtual tours, buyers always rank it higher in their search.  You don’t have to spend a fortune.  Buy off-tint paint of acceptable color that others have returned to the hardware store because it didn’t match.  Make the home smell fresh with vanilla candles.  Wash the windows.  Take down the personal photos and put up a limited number of wall decorations.  If time permits before an open house, some sellers even bake some cookies or muffins and set them out with freshly brewed coffee for the visitors.  Downright sneaky I say.

Vern McClelland is associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster.  If you have questions or comments on this article or other real estate matters, he can be reached at 780.808.2700 or through the McClelland Group website www.mcclelland.ca

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