Category: Home staging

The Dos and Don’ts of Home Staging

Posted on by teamrealty

The Dos and Don’ts of Home Staging

 

Staging your home involves a lot of planning and preparation. After all, you want to make sure your home is as appealing as possible to prospective buyers, both online and in person. Luckily, there are quite a few tips, tricks and best practices that can help you achieve this goal. But do be careful, as there are also things you should avoid during the staging process.

 

The Dos

 

Do – Focus on your curb appeal.

 

Your curb appeal has a substantial effect on your home staging. Not only is it potential buyers’ first impression when they browse online, but it’s also the first sight they’ll see upon arriving at a showing or an open house. This is a golden opportunity to wow them, so make sure you put some effort into planning out gardening, decor and any other prep that needs to be done before guests arrive, or photography is taken.

 

Do – Have professional photography done.

 

Not only does your home need to look nice, it also needs to be captured well. It’s important that you hire experienced professional photographers, as they’re properly educated on effective practices and precise techniques that will undoubtedly make your home shine. They’re often equipped with thousands of dollars worth of professional instruments like drones and high-resolution cameras which can achieve wonders inside and outside of your home. Lucky for you – most realtors will handle this on your behalf.

 

Do – Brighten up your home.

 

It’s important that you do what you can to brighten your home before showing it or having any photography taken. Draw back any curtains or blinds you have and make sure that your lighting appliances have fresh, bright bulbs screwed in. Also consider applying a fresh coat of paint, as the existing coat has likely faded and become dull over time.

 

The Don’ts

 

Don’t – Clutter your spaces.

 

Try to keep your spaces decluttered. This involves storing (or sometimes, discarding) much of your home decor during the staging process. If you’re having a hard time figuring out where to start, try removing one piece at a time. Keep things simple so that it’s easy for potential buyers to imagine themselves living there. Make sure any visitors have room to explore the home without moving anything out of the way.

 

Don’t – Personalize your home.

 

On a similar note to the previous point, you should always try to separate your personal touch from the decor. On the other hand, try to avoid a look that’s too dull and simplistic, as it may take away from the coziness of your home.

 

Don’t – Decorate seasonally.

 

If you choose to decorate your home seasonally, any listing photos you have done can become quickly outdated. Let’s say, for example, that you have a rough season and your home doesn’t sell right away. Potential buyers may assume that there’s something keeping others from making an offer, considering how long it’s been on the market.

 

Allow us to help you along the way!

 

If you have any other questions about home staging, feel free to reach out and ask away! We have a vast network of industry professionals to help make your real estate goals a reality.

Professional Photographers Make a Difference

Posted on by teamrealty

Professional Photographers Make a Difference

 

Browsing listing options as a buyer can be intriguing and exciting, but it can quickly become overwhelming and exhausting. There are many options to choose from, each listing with their own set of unique benefits and areas for improvement. Buyers can’t tour them all, so what will set them apart? 

 

Quality professional photography can create the ultimate first impression for those browsing the market. Not only are their cameras capable of capturing well-lit, high-resolution images of your home, but the photographers themselves are also well-equipped with advanced techniques and editing skills. This, combined with a skilled agent, can create the listing that best represents your home. In this blog, we’ll cover some of the many advantages of hiring a professional photographer.

 

Technology

 

At a base level, photographers carry high-resolution cameras that can capture crystal clear photos of your home. But beyond that, there is an ever-expanding variety of advanced technology that can give your home an edge over the other listings.

 

This technology can vary from hardware to software. With the rapid advancement of drone technology, professional photographers can often take stunning aerial photos and virtual flythroughs or tours of your home and property. This can be advantageous if your home has a large lot, beautiful green spaces, or sits in an ideal location. Drones themselves are rather expensive, but professional photographers will often put them to use if owned. In terms of software, editing tools like Adobe Photoshop can be used by photographers to add an extra layer of beauty to the photos of your home, always ensuring that the original subject is not being misrepresented.

 

Presentation

 

If you’ve used a professional photographer, it’s clear to buyers that you and your agent have put effort into your listing. Upon first impression, buyers will generally infer that your home and property are both well-maintained. If potential buyers decide to pay the home a visit, they won’t feel duped or cheated since the photos will be well-representative of the space.

 

This can be a real game changer when your listing is compared online to others where photos were taken by the seller or the agent themselves. Lack of quality photography can be a deterrent if other listings in the area are consulting the professionals for their services.

 

Technique

 

Professional photographers are often experienced having captured a variety of homes and properties. This gives them the technique required to capture the best angles and most important qualities of your home. Working together with your agent, strategy can be implemented to make sure your listing attracts as much interest as possible.

 

Reach out!

 

If you have any questions about the buying or selling processes, including who to contact for services like these, Royal LePage Team Realty will be of eager assistance. We have access to a vast network of industry professionals that can help promote your listing.

Summer Curb Appeal

Posted on by teamrealty

It’s Prime Curb Appeal Season!

 

Ottawa is a city full of natural beauty. From the outskirts to the city centre, you’re guaranteed to find green spaces and gardens full of colour around almost every corner. Now that summer is in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about your own curb appeal. It doesn’t matter whether you’re putting your home on the market, or just want to spruce up your yard for the season, we’ve summarized a few small tips and tricks that can make a big impact this year.

 

Yard Maintenance

 

A well-kept yard is typically a sign of a well-kept home. Trim back any overgrown plants or trees to help create a neater, more polished look. If you want to add a bit of colour to your yard, consider planting some annual flowers alongside your perennials. These will add a bright and cheerful touch to your garden that’s sure to impress. Also make sure your lawn is in tip-top shape by mowing regularly, pulling weeds and watering as needed. Consider installing a sprinkler system if your budget permits, this will help you save time and ensure your lawn stays healthy and green all summer long. If this sounds like too much maintenance for you, consider hiring a professional or creating a more low maintenance yard.

 

Home Exterior

 

The exterior surfaces of your home take up a lot of visual space on your property. Given that these surfaces can accumulate quite a lot of dirt and grime, it can cause gradual discolouration. One of the simplest ways to fix this is by pressure washing your siding. Doing this will immediately make your property look brighter and cleaner. If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can rent one from most hardware stores. Be sure not to be too close or use too high pressure as this can damage certain kinds of siding. (Please make sure you’re aware of any safety considerations before you begin). Consider repainting the front door and adding complementary potted plants to your front porch, as it can give a splash of strong colour to the public-facing side of your home. Also check to make sure that your home is well illuminated in the evening hours for optimal curb appeal.

 

Driveway

 

Your driveway is one of the first things people see and feel when they pull up to your home, so it’s important to make sure it’s in good condition. Start by giving both your driveway and walkways a good pressure washing. This will help remove any dirt or grime buildup. Once that’s been done, fill in any cracks or holes that may have developed over the winter. If you have an asphalt driveway, you may want to consider resealing it. This will help protect your driveway from the elements, and can prevent future cracking and damage.

 

Now, go make your home look its best!

By following these tips, you can give your home a quick summer facelift that will make a noticeable difference for your curb appeal. If you’re exploring the Ottawa real estate market and  would like more information regarding our services, please reach out! We’d be happy to help.

Selling Your Home in the Fall

Posted on by teamrealty

As is with the turn of every season, the arrival of fall marks new beginnings for many. School starts for kids of all ages, parents are returning to work, summer vacations have ended, and a drop in temperature has many homeowners beginning to think about what needs to be done before old man winter coats the city in a blanket of snow. If selling your home is still on your to list, now is the time to put that plan into action. 

Fall is a close second to spring in Ottawa’s hot Real Estate market. With comfortable temperatures expected throughout the season and the beautiful changing colours providing a backdrop that works as natural curb appeal, this lively market is not slowing down any time soon. It is time now to take advantage of your position as a seller and make the most off your investment. Here are some tips to get your home SOLD in this vibrant market. 

Enhance Your Curb Appeal

Fall is a wonderful time of year for experiencing nature’s beauty, and if you are planning to sell your home, this is something you can take advantage of. The leaves will change color and fall from the trees, giving us an opportunity to enjoy their various shades all over again! To make your home feel more like autumn we suggest incorporating seasonal décor items such as pumpkins or squash so they’re not forgotten when summer blooms fade away. Bring your cozy decor outside, lining your conversation set under your covered porch with chunky blankets and add a touch of seasonal floral arrangements, such as chrysanthemums for a little extra flare. 

Don’t Slack On The Yard Work

One of the best things you can do to maintain a clean and tidy yard is keeping it clutter free and well groomed. Mowing your grass regularly and raking dead leaves will keep debris from buildup on beds, sidewalks, or driveways. Also take this time to weed your gardens and do your regular garden maintenance, whether it be laying a new layer of mulch or trimming back and doing fall pruning. All of these tasks will ensure the outside of your house looks as well taken care of as the inside is, instilling a sense of confidence among buyers. 

Incorporating Fall Indoors

For the perfect autumn home, focus on fall colours and decor. Fall brings on cooler temperatures, so it’s time to change your home décor from vibrant hues into more subdued tones like oranges and reds, as well as lighter creams and neutrals to make you feel cozy at first glance. Incorporate pumpkins and gourds in your centrepieces and add plaid, textured, and plush linens to both your living area and dining room. Having a well decorated and staged home is an attractive feature and consistent part of the selling process. 

Keep it Bright

The shorter days and cooler temperatures are a great time to make sure your home is always shining! Humans are naturally attracted to light and airy spaces. Make sure your house is bright for all showings by opening up curtains and cleaning your windows both inside and out. Additionally, making sure you turn on as many lights as possible and checking that all the bulbs and switches in your house are in working order. If there are any problems with lighting, add decorative accent lamps to brighten any dull or forgotten corners in your home that should be showcased well. Ensuring your home is well lit allows for buyers to feel more welcomed and comfortable in your home. 

Maintain Comfortable Temperatures

Fall weather can be unpredictable, so make sure your home is set to a comfortable temperature and not too hot or cold. If you have any worries about the condition of your furnace, ensure you have it serviced immediately. A furnace should be serviced annually to ensure it is well maintained and in working order. The last thing you would want is to have it kick the bucket on the day of your first Open House. 

Every season has its own set of advantages and challenges when it comes to buying and selling Real Estate, and fall is no exception. Fortunately, with careful planning you can optimize on the season’s pleasantries to market your home for a great sale before winter comes. Make sure you talk to your Royal LePage TEAM Realty Full-Service REALTOR ® about staging your home and getting quality photos done for your listing. The time to sell is now, and our team of knowledgeable professionals are ready to help you through every step of the way.