If you’re thinking about selling your home in 2025, you can use some time on the Christmas break to prepare your home for market and review your finances, so your ready in the new year. Here are some tips to help you get started.

• Declutter/tidy. Buyers want to see themselves in the space. Generally extra boxes/piles on the floor should be addressed. By streamlining the number of photos or artwork on walls, you’ll see areas that might need cleaning, repair, or a fresh coat of paint. Tidy under vanities, front hall closets, closets in bedrooms, buyers do look in these.
• Right-size. Let go of excessive furniture that doesn’t serve a specific purpose.
• Make room for storage. Create open areas so buyers can see where they can add shelving, cupboards, or bookshelves.
• Build. Home improvements can help sell your property but if you plan to sell within the year, make the improvements that are required to help sell the home, not major renovations that will require more dollars. For example, if carpet is worn/stained and can’t be refreshened with a professional cleaning, than new carpeting may be required. Good time to get a quote.
• Clean. Sparkling kitchens and bathrooms appeal to buyers. Clean and apply fresh grout for backsplash tiles & tub tile surrounds if required. Carefully caulk around the perimeters. Good time to clean appliances after holiday cooking and don’t forget the hood fan and behind appliances.
• Regular maintenance. Furnace filter changed, HRV filter changed, Humidifier cleaned, Gas Fireplace cleaned, Address leaky faucets/toilets running, Sticking front door lock/handle

If you are starting to feel overwhelmed and not sure where to start, give us a call, we can help prioritze and make suggestions. Taking one room at a time is a good way to get going.

With a clean, open home you’ll be ready to paint, stage, and show your house when you decide to put it on the market.

Getting a comparative market valuation is also a good next step, that will assist in budgeting for your next home purchase and making a decision on whether to rent or buy. The benefits of knowing the probable selling price allow you to consider how to price the home and what a reasonable offer would be. But even if your plans to move are far down the road, it’s still a good idea to know what your home is worth today. That information enables you to plan ahead and make better decisions for your next home purchase, whether you need to consider selling and buying a home at the same time, budgeting and timing of your move.

As experienced realtors^®  in Ottawa, we are here to answer all your questions! We will inform you about the present market, the value of your property and help you prepare your home to get top dollar!