Make It Appealing
What are the things you can do to increase your chances of selling your home quickly and for the highest price?

First of all, it helps to understand the mindset of the typical home buyer. Most buyers have certain priorities in mind when they shop for a house. By the time they finally make an offer to purchase, they have probably visited several places which meet their basic needs.

What makes them choose one home above the others?

Brian and Myles have found that once the basic requirements have been met, choosing a home becomes an emotional decision for many buyers. They may weigh the pros and cons carefully, but in the end they'll often choose the one that "feels" right.

So how do you make your house feel like the perfect home? The trick is to communicate subconsciously by appealing to the five senses.

Try these simple steps to tip the scales in your favour:

• ensure that your home is clutter-free - remove all garbage or items that make rooms seem small or dark
• keep your pets away from prospective buyers. Some buyers are weary of homes with a large dog in the living room greeting them so make sure that you arrange to have your pets outside of the home or in a spare room or travel kennel during a showing
• try to not smoke inside your home - this may turn off buyers
• greet your visitors with the scent of fresh flowers or the aroma of freshly-baked bread or cookies
• have pleasant music playing softly in the background
• give the impression of spaciousness and airiness - remove bulky furniture, open the curtains, turn on extra lights
• display colour photos of outdoor views during different seasons near the front and back doors
• build a homey atmosphere - have family photographs tastefully arranged here and there, but don't overdo it!
• add warmth whenever possible - light a fire, turn on lamps rather than overhead lights, close curtains at night
• see to your guests' comfort - prepare a spot for coats and footwear, and arrange seating to help them with their shoes/boots depending on the season

These strategies are especially effective for realtor tours and open houses - an occasion when it's in your best interests to pull out all the stops. For private visits, be creative and do whatever you can on short notice to make your home appealing.