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Checklist for first-time home sellers

Selling your home for the first time can be an overwhelming task. Not only is there the emotional aspect – after all, this has likely been your home for several years and holds a special place in your heart– but there’s also the practical side of it, with all the work that goes into preparing your house for market. It’s not as simple as just throwing a “for sale” sign up on the front lawn. You’ll likely also need to clean, inspect, fix and generally give the entire home a makeover, even if it’s just minimal tweaks to boost it’s appeal.


Here’s a look at just some of the things you’ll need to keep in mind.
Fix what’s broke
If there are any repairs that need to be done to your home, do them before putting them up on the market. Most

buyers don’t want a “fixer-upper” and you’re likely to make more money off the sale of a home that doesn’t need extensive repairs. Not only that, but your house will look more enticing to potential buyers; make a good impression – it’ll last in your buyers’ eyes.


Pretty up the picture
How does your house look – both inside and outside? For the interior, ensure that every inch of the house is clean, that peeling wallpaper or chipped paint are fixed, that the furniture looks attractive, that the rooms are decluttered. For the exterior, take an honest look at how your home looks from the street. Is the yard attractive? Does the front of the house look inviting? What kind of first impression will your home give to potential buyers?


Assess the safety
How’s your roof? Your chimney? Stairs? Front porch? Back deck? Wiring? Plumbing? Consider everything that could be a potential safety hazard and ensure that it meets regulatory safety standards and isn’t in need of repair. You may want to consider hiring a professional home inspector to check your house. Generally, most people only think of the buyer requesting a home inspection, but as the seller, you can also have one done ahead of time, in order to nip any problems in the bud before they’re discovered by a buyer.


This is just a very basic list of the things you’ll need to do as you prepare to sell your home. For more detailed help, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has an excellent guide to selling your home at http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/.

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