So you’re home is on the market and it’s Winter in Toronto, Ontario. Although of late, we’ve seen unseasonably
warm temperatures, and as we all know that can change in an instant. Here is a simple check list to maximize the presentation of your home during this frosty time of year and hence maximize your offers.
- Make sure all pathways to and around your home are cleared. In light of Toronto weather, as you know potential buyers, if their serious will not only want to walk to your house but also around it. Keeping it clean tells buyers this is a good purchase, this home has been well taken care of.
- Keep the front inviting. Some seasonal planters will create a welcoming entrance.
- If you are planning to have open houses keep a boot mat at the front door, maybe even 2 and an addition mat that can help to soak up some of the salty melting ice. This may sound excessive but believe me in Toronto this can be done without spoiling the aesthetic impression at the front door. After all, there is nothing worse then when you walk into an open house and the floor is soaked with salt and melting ice and the agent is asking you to take off your shoes (understandably) but there is no where to step without getting your socks soaked. Then when you leave you get soaked again and have to put your wet salty socks inside your shoes. Not a nice first impression.
- Keep the heat on and the gas fireplace lit. The buyers have taken off their shoes and all they can think is how cold their feet are. Why is it so cold? This can be distracting and prevent a potential buyer from warming up to what a cozy home this could be.
It’s getting darker earlier, use light timers to keep the home looking bright and cozy from the inside and out, day and night. Remember “curb appeal, curb, appeal, curb appeal..”
For more information on home staging in the Toronto area or furniture and accessory rental, contact me.
Rachel
80 – 2700 Dufferin St.
Toronto, ON M6B 4J3
416 256-0088
Good advice for your snowier/colder climate....some tips here, too, for our "wet coast" rainy season.
Hey Rachel!
I included this post in Last Week's Favorites. Have a great Sunday!
Rachel, I'm so glad I saw this on Patricia's Favorites! I like to keep a box of the "booties" by the door too. Most folks don't mind slipping them over their shoes. I find them on Ebay in the med supplies really inexpensive. Thanks for the tips, very helpful!
I am a little anal and OCD but I keep a towel to mop up the muck between boots and customers. Even if they take their shoes off at the door they do not stay on the mats! Nothing worse then wet socks!
Good list. Generally the market slows some during the winter months, but there are fewer listings as well as buyers so properties can still move, but if everything is covered with snow, people will be reluctant. You can't and shouldn't remove all snow, but clear the walks, driveway and patio. As you noted, lighting can make a big difference. Solar accent lighting along the sidewalks can make a home much more welcoming and isn't expensive. Finally, if you're having an open house, be sure to put down deicer as needed as you don't want anyone falling.
Thank you for adding this blog to your favourites Patricia and to everyone who has been contributing excellent comments.
When I reflect on the real estate agents role and their goals for an open house it is really important for the agent to make the most out of their open houses, therefore I would strongly encourage you to have a low maintenance way to keep your front entries clean for potential buyers entering the home.
As a real estate agent you time is best spent connecting with potential buyers and maybe potential new sellers who are coming in to see what the neighbouring home is selling for and what they may get for their house, if you can put a system in place that is low maintenance and clean for potential buyers, the more positively it reflects on the home and you as an agent.
Buyers and sellers always like to work with agents who are "on the ball". On that note best of luck with your open houses this season!