Do you want to sell your property quickly and for the most money? We’ll give you the top 10 things that need to be done to achieve that goal.

You will no doubt agree that first impressions can make a big difference in the way potential buyers perceive your property. You want them to fall in love with YOUR home, because buying a home is an emotional decision! To do that you will have to put some effort, time and a little money into the preparation (in that order!).

Attitude. The first is the first. Living in your home is not the same as selling a property and that is the mindset you need to have if you want to be successful. Try to be objective and emotionally detached as much as possible.

Clear. There is nothing better than a spacious and clean house. And until that is done, nothing else will have the same impact. So take a tour of your property and decide what can be given away, sold, or stored; keep only the essentials.

Cleansed. The house can never be too clean. Everything should be sparkling clean, so pay attention to bathrooms, kitchen counters, appliances, windows, cobwebs anywhere, carpets, etc. Clean, clean and clean again!

Repair. Walk around and pay attention to anything that isn’t in good working order: peeling paint, cracks in walls/ceilings, doors that don’t open/close properly, missing/broken handles, missing lights, running faucets, etc. Fix it up!

Paint. Painting is the cheapest way to improve a room! At a minimum, paint major rooms (entry, living room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom) in cool, neutral colors (if needed). A Home Staging professional can help you with the choice of colors.

To update. Make sure all your furniture, lamps, and accessories look contemporary. Most of the time, you can achieve the “fresh” look without spending much. For example, changing the countertop and/or cabinet handles in the kitchen can make a world of difference without having to remodel. Changing lamps or faucets can also have a big impact on the appearance of a room. Simple things like a new bedding set, some accent pillows, and two pretty table lamps will transform a bedroom.

Depersonalize. You should keep anything that reflects your personal life and/or tastes obvious and make it look like it could be anyone’s home. Doesn’t mean “boring” when done right! For example, any religious or political symbol may be objectionable to some buyers. Pay attention to any object that could offend someone. Finally, if you have your favorite collections, keep most of them, keep only a few of the best items on display.

Switch it on. A bright house is a great house. So open all the blinds/curtains and make sure there is enough light in each room, add accessories, floor or table lamps, you can’t have too much light!

Curb appeal. Don’t forget about the outside. Visitors will notice how the house looks from the sidewalk and their perception of your property will start there.

Furniture and accessories. Last but not least, the optimization of space management and the proper placement of furniture and accessories is essential. It will give the home a warm and inviting look and feel. For example, furniture in the living room should be placed to create a conversation area that faces the focal point of the room. A painting, a vase filled with decorative branches, or a bowl of lemons will bring the mood into the room.

A professional Home Stager can help you at any stage of this journey. They know how to bring out the best features of your property and use “what you have” in new and creative ways to enhance the property and delight potential buyers.

To read more about the art of Home Staging, visit http://www.home-staging-montreal.com.