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Kelowna News

WALKER: Five secrets to selling your home

Mark Walker is a real estate agent and the broker/owner of Kelowna’s Walker Real Estate.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED
April 01, 2017 - 3:58 PM

 


OPINION


As we head into April, the Kelowna real estate market is hot. There’s a great deal of interest from buyers, but a limited amount of inventory. In short, this makes it a seller's market.

However, just because the market is near perfect for selling right now, that doesn’t mean you should be complacent about selling your home. If you want to sell your piece of real estate fast and for top dollar, here are five secrets to success:

Mom was right, first impressions do matter

When it comes to your home, the first impression buyers will get is the exterior of the property. With this in mind, be sure to maximize your home’s curb appeal by making sure your garden is well tended - some flowers and shrubs can make a huge difference - the path to the front door is clear and the entryway is well lit. You want the buyers to feel welcome and safe.

It’s what’s in the kitchen that counts

In terms of real estate, the most important room in the house, without doubt, is the kitchen. There’s a lot of emotion tied to the kitchen. It’s where family meals are made, it’s where much entertaining is done. Make your kitchen as beautiful and inviting as you possibly can. Try to avoid clutter on the counter tops and aim for neutral colours that will enable the buyer to imagine themselves living in the space. The aroma of freshly baked bread or cookies always makes a kitchen seem more inviting.

Let there be light

Lighting is crucial. Depending on how it is used, it can make a space feel bigger or smaller than it really is.

In fact, following location, in our experience the amount of natural light tends to be one of the most important factors in the buying decision making process. Maximize the amount of light in your home by cleaning the windows, removing the drapes and increasing the wattage of your light bulbs. Let the sunshine in and you’ll have more chance of selling your property.

Pick the right agent who will price your home accurately

This seems fairly obvious, but picking the right agent is crucial to selling your home quickly and for top dollar. There are several key questions to ask before signing a contract. We also recommend interviewing multiple agents so you can be sure you’re getting the agent/brokerage that best suits your needs.

Maximize your closet space

Storage is often also an important factor for home buyers. Don’t overload your closets and storage space. Loading your closet with too many items will give the impression that your property doesn’t have enough storage capacity - even for the new owners. Half-empty closets will give your home a better chance of selling than storage spaces that are packed to the rafters. Be sure your closets and storage areas are neatly organized too.

Bonus tip: list your home for sale

Seems like a no brainer, right? However, I’m serious about this. If you’re thinking about selling - now is the time to do it. If you’ve made up your mind, don’t delay in waiting until we get further into spring or until summer rolls around, now is the time to list your home. If you don’t list, you definitely won’t sell.

If you have any questions about the Kelowna real estate market, please feel free to connect with me directly at 250-764-4344. If you’re wondering how much your Okanagan property is worth, we would be happy to provide you with a free home evaluation.

- Mark Walker is a real estate agent and the broker/owner of Kelowna’s Walker Real Estate. His company runs the website KelownaProperties.com - Kelowna’s most comprehensive real estate search tool. Mark Walker’s column appears here every two weeks.


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