Helpful Advice
Are you running an airbnb business or looking for new long term tenants? Here is an easy checklist for your cleaner to follow to keep your guests or tenants safe! [...]
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It already feels like summer in Vancouver, but there is plenty of time to get your home ready for sale, especially with social distancing measures in place still. Make use of your time and tune up your house! [...]
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It is important to declutter your house so it appears to have lots of storage space. Potential buyers want to feel like they can easily fit all their belongings and be well-organized. All built-in cabinets and closets are fair game for potential buyers to inspect. These areas must be clean, neat, and orderly. There are several key areas in your house where you will want to focus your time.
1. Kitchen:
– Counter tops: Remove clutter from kitchen counter tops to show an expanse of counter space. Rule of thumb suggests that you should not have more than 3 items on your counter.
– Under the sink: Remove as many items as possible from under the sink. Place any remaining items in bins or baskets to keep them orderly.
– Cabinets: Pack away anything that you have not used in the past year. Remember all those items you purchased at that Pampered Chef party? Don’t forget the fondue set and bread maker you received as a wedding gift. They can all go into storage while your house is on the market.
– Pantry: Throw away all spices that are over a year old. Box up any dry goods that can go to the Food Bank.
– Refrigerator/freezer: You may not plan to include your appliances in the sale of your house, but they can be used as a negotiating tactic…if they are in good shape. Use this opportunity to give the refrigerator and freezer a full clean. Dispose of all those old condiments and orderly replace remaining items.
2. Bathrooms:
– Counter tops: Limit yourself to only hand soap plus one additional item on the counter. No one wants to see your toothbrush when touring your house!
– Under the sink: Dispose of any unnecessary items and place those remaining in bins.
– Medicine cabinet: Potential buyers will look in your medicine cabinet. Hide anything you do not want public and place as many items as possible in the bins under the sink. You will want to lock prescription medicine away.
– Linen closet: Remove any unnecessary items and store away. Neatly fold all linens and stack by color.
3. Laundry Room: Make sure all products are neat and orderly. You want to give the impression that it is easy (and fun) to do laundry in this space.
4. Clothes Closets: Pack and store off-season clothes and shoes. Separate clothes types (eg. shirts, pants, long) and hang together by color. Remove any extra hangers.
5. Office: File away all paper and corral computer cords. Desks should be clear of all clutter with only a few items showcased on top.
6. Kid’s Stuff: While your house is on the market, kid’s toys should be put away in cabinets or bins. What will not fit should be boxed up and placed in storage. (The same goes for pet toys and products.)
Note: This is not the time to stock up on toilet paper from Costco. Replace food and toiletries only as needed. [...]
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