Home sellers have one goal—to sell their home for the most amount of money they can get. A home in move-in condition makes meeting this ideal easier.

Many of today's prospective homebuyers have busy lifestyles and are looking for properties that don't require a lot of work. Homeowners should be proactive by making needed repairs before putting their homes on the market. Inspect both inside and outside the home. Make a checklist of practical and aesthetic repairs.

We also recommend hiring a certified home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate the property. Your agent will be glad to supply you with a list of qualified inspectors for your area. A standard report will review the condition of the home's heating system, central air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement and visible structure.

If the pre-inspection results in a checklist of things to be done, let your agent look over the report with you to help prioritize the list of repairs. Your goals and local market conditions may dictate how extensive your repairs need to be. Let your budget and a real estate professional guide you.

 

Be careful about fixing up too much. Sellers sometimes do not recoup their money on major remodelling projects, and you may want to save funds for your new home. Talk to your agent or mortgage broker for “fix it up” financing options that will not harm your bottom line, or contact our in-house mortgage managers Jim Rawson (downtown office), or Heather Paterson or Gary Curtis (east Toronto office)

A home in good condition demonstrates pride of ownership. Taking the time to make small repairs to your home can go a long way in making sure that your home is presented to potential buyers in its best possible light. They also just might make the sale.

For inspiration, check out the home improvement shows on HGTV - everything from the wrecking-crew approach of Holmes on Homes and Debbie Travis' Facelift to interior design shows such as Room Service or Designer Guys.