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Today's market is super competitive and both real estate agents and professionals will agree that putting in the effort with smart home improvements can get your house sold faster and for a better price, attracting potential buyers . They can even make the whole sales process a lot smoother.
The truth is, many real estate professionals will tell you that small, strategic upgrades can have a huge impact on the selling process. Things like pre-sale repairs, curb appeal upgrades, and just generally getting your home in order will help draw in qualified buyers faster. Whether you're trying to attract buyers who are looking for value, or cash buyers who are in a hurry to move, getting your property ready is key to getting the best possible deal and selling your house at the right price.
This guide is here to help Durham Region homeowners make smart improvements to increase their home value, improve their home's exterior get their home ready for showings, and make it more appealing to buyers. From landscaping to lighting, repairs to photography, and decluttering to renovations - we'll go through everything you need to know to sell your house fast and get your property in order.
The Durham Region housing market has been changing over the years and what we've seen is that homes with even just a few small upgrades tend to sell faster and for a higher price than those that don't. Whether it's a first-time buyer, a cash buyer or an investor, buyers can tell when a home has been looked after or not - and it shows in the sale price.
Home improvements are important because:
They increase the value of your home
They get your home sold faster
They create a great first impression
They make your home stand out from the rest
They make the whole sales process a lot simpler
They appeal to lots of different types of buyers
They help protect you from potential legal issues down the line
They make it easier for your real estate agent to sell your home
They give buyers the confidence to make an offer
According to the National Association of REALTORS, getting your home ready for sale is one of the best ways to make the process go more smoothly. Just think about it - a nice-looking exterior can make all the difference in how long it takes to sell your home. When buyers arrive at your house for the first time - whether it's in person or online - the exterior of your home and the way it looks, alongside high quality photos, can set the tone for their whole experience.
When it comes down to it, there's nothing that will grab a buyer's attention more than curb appeal. When buyers first see your home - either in person or online - the way it looks from the street will immediately set their expectations and get them thinking about what they'll find inside.
You don't need to break the bank to make a big impact. Simple changes like:
Power washing the outside of your house, your walkways, decks and porches
Freshening up the front door with a new coat of paint
Swapping out old light fixtures for new ones
Cleaning your windows
Giving your garden a bit of a makeover with some colorful flowers and fresh mulch
Fixing up any broken pathways or steps
Adding some nice outdoor furniture to make your outdoor spaces look inviting
... can often make a huge difference in how buyers view your home.
And let's be honest, first impressions do count. If your siding is dirty, your mailbox is rusty and your walkway is cracked, buyers are going to assume that the inside is just as neglected. But if your house looks clean, well-maintained and attractive from the street, they'll walk in with a positive impression and fewer concerns that could hold up the sale later on.
Once buyers step inside, they immediately start looking around. Every room plays a part in the sale and making a few small changes can make a huge difference.
A coat of neutral paint can:
Brighten up the space
Make rooms feel bigger (even if they're not)
Give your home a modern look
Help you sell your home faster
Neutral tones like beiges, soft whites, and greys are great because they appeal to lots of different buyers without being too bland.
Swapping out old light fixtures for new ones will instantly give your home a fresh new look. And updating your door knobs, cabinet hardware, and other little details can really make your home feel more polished and put together.
You don't need to do a full renovation to make a significant impact; focusing on improving curb appeal can go a long way . Just a few minor improvements like:
Swapping out outdated bathroom fixtures
Updating your faucets
Refinishing your cabinets
Upgrading your countertops (even laminate can still look great!)
Adding some stylish throw pillows and decor
... can make a huge difference in how buyers view your home.These improvements increase your home's value while helping get it ready to sell super fast.
The truth is, no matter how beautiful a house is, buyers can’t see past clutter and mess. Removing personal stuff lets them imagine the property as their own.
Give your floors, walls, and appliances a deep clean
Take down family photos and personal odds and ends
Clear off your countertops
Get rid of any excess furniture you're not using
Tame your closets and cupboards
Make sure your garage and basement feel useable and open
Buyers want to see the house, not what's inside your home.
All by itself, this step can help sell your place fast by totally transforming the way your home feels on the inside and making buyers feel more confident about making a deal.
Home staging helps create a warm and inviting atmosphere that really draws buyers in. Whether you pay for a pro or do it yourself, the right moves can make a huge difference.
In Durham Region, homes that are staged sell way faster and often fetch a better price - thanks to the added competition and better negotiating skills from your realtor.
Move your furniture around to highlight what the room is for
Add some plants for a pop of color
Put throw pillows on your sofa and bed
Use area rugs to define different spaces
Let natural light in whenever possible
Brighten things up with lamps and soft lighting
Staging helps buyers imagine living in the space, and that always boosts interest and speeds up the selling process.
Fixing things before you sell is super important for a smooth real estate transaction and to avoid any deal-breakers. A lot of sellers skip this step and end up losing deals, getting lower offers, or even facing lawsuits later.
Fix any holes in your drywall
Fix leaky faucets and toilets
Update your electrical switches
Replace any cracked tiles
Fix any broken doors and trim
Make sure your HVAC system is working properly
Update any broken light fixtures
Hiring a handyman to do these repairs can make the whole process way easier and ensure your home is sale-ready.
Real estate pros always recommend fixing things before listing, because it builds trust with buyers and reduces all the drama that comes with negotiating.
While you could sell your home on your own, working with a real estate agent usually means you'll get the best deal. Agents know their stuff and can help you navigate the home-selling process. They use recent sales data to help you set a fair price and give you tips on how to make your home more attractive to buyers.
Help you set a price that makes sense
Give you staging advice
Recommend repairs
Handle all the negotiations
Promote your home in a way that gets you results
Take care of all the paperwork
Help you avoid any legal problems
Use pro photos and virtual tours to make your home shine online
Write a listing description that really sells your home
Use the MLS to market your home to the right people
Connect you with buyers who are a good fit
Present offers and negotiate on your behalf
Agents are life-savers when it comes to selling your home.
These days, buyers start their search online, so it's no surprise that visuals, particularly professional photography, are everything when it comes to selling your home.
Bright and clear photos that really showcase your home
Accurate color to give buyers a true sense of what to expect
Better framing to make your home look bigger
A better sense of the space and how it flows
Curb appeal that really pops
A stronger sense of potential from buyers
With pro photos, your agent can create online listings and virtual tours that really draw buyers in and sell your home faster.
Pricing your home just right is key to getting the best deal. If you price it too high, including an unreasonable asking price buyers will lose interest. If you price it too low, you'll leave money on the table.
What's happening in the local market
Recent sales of similar homes in the area
Your home's condition and any upgrades
Any pre-sale repairs you've done
How your home looks from the outside
Where your home is in Durham Region
The condition of your home's roof and walls
Your agent can help you figure out the best price based on all these factors.
Both have their own pros and cons:
Cash buyers:
Fast closing
Less risk of deals falling through
Great for sellers who need a quick sale
Traditional buyers:
Often willing to pay more
More competition for your home
Easier for agents to negotiate
Cash buyers and cash offers can be big advantages when speed is what matters.
A successful sale all comes down to how well your agent, photography team and marketing plan showcase your home.
Pro photos that really show off your home
Virtual tours that give buyers a feel for the space
A listing description that really sells your home
Social media promotion that gets the word out
Email blasts to get buyers excited
Realtor network sharing to get the word out to other agents
A yard sign that grabs attention* Open Houses
Local real estate listings get a whole lot of views thanks to the local real estate board.
Each step is a brick in the path that draws in more buyers in no time.
Buyers, it turns out, are just as interested in a smooth, stress-free home shopping experience as you are in selling your place quickly.
Turn on some lights in the living room
Pull back the curtains and let the sunshine in
Get your home spick and span, inside and out
Offer a quick printed rundown of all the good stuff about your place
Make a big show of all the improvements you've made
Throw in a home inspection report to really seal the deal
That first impression can make all the difference when it comes time to make an offer - and that means selling your home a whole lot faster.
Selling a house in the Durham Region - a market that's competitive to say the least - requires a bit of prep, a whole lot of strategy and a solid grasp of what buyers are looking for. When you pair well-chosen home improvements with some much-needed curb appeal, staging and pro-level guidance, you're well on your way to a serious bump in market value and a whole lot of new phone calls from prospective buyers - including cash buyers, traditional buyers and everyone in between.
With some solid investment in pre-listing repairs, a top-drawer marketing plan and some healthy doses of old-fashioned negotiation savvy from your agent, you can sit pretty while the buyers come to you. The little things really do add up, and when you put it all together, your house is the kind of place that makes buyers go weak at the knees.
