1. Amp up your curb appeal

The first thing potential homebuyers see is the front of your house, and there’s nothing more important than that first impression. You don’t have to completely renovate the front of your house or re-landscape, but freshening it up can have a big impact. Make sure to mow your front lawn, trim bushes and trees, put some pretty planters on your porch and rid your garden beds of weeds. Consider giving your front door a fresh coat of paint.

2. Clean your home’s exterior

In addition to making the landscaping look fresh, you should clean the front of your home as well. This means making sure your windows and doors are clean, and don’t forget about the siding and gutters. If your home doesn’t look well-maintained, potential homebuyers may begin to question whether important interior maintenance has been neglected.

3. Declutter your personal items

Personal items are what makes your house a home, but when it comes to selling, they can be a distraction. Try to remove some of the personal items from your home, like framed family photos or anything that could be seen as clutter. It’s okay to have a few personal touches here and there, but it’s important that potential homebuyers can picture themselves living in your house.

4. Clean every surface

Putting your home on the market is a great opportunity to give it that deep-clean you’ve been avoiding. Make sure to clean every surface in your home, from ceiling fans and light fixtures to baseboards and countertops. Every surface in your home should be dust- and grime-free before you welcome potential homebuyers.

5. Organize storage spaces

While it’s not typically one of the first things people look at when they visit your home, storage spaces are one of the most important features. Go through all of your closets, cupboards and anywhere else you store items and make sure they look organized. Even if you have ample storage space, if these spaces are disorganized they’ll look small and may put people off from making an offer.

6. Neutralize colours

As with the personal items in your home, brightly coloured rooms may not be attractive to potential homebuyers. Whether it’s a lime green bedroom or a bright pink bathroom, try to neutralize the colours in your home wherever you can. Making your home appear as much like a blank canvas as possible will allow visitors to picture themselves in your home.

7. Get rid of odours

One of the first things people notice when they walk into your home is the way it smells — or doesn’t smell. You may be used to the way your home smells, but it could be off-putting to visitors. Try to neutralize odours from your pets, and freshen your home up with scented candles, fabric sprays, fresh flowers, freshly baked cookies or an essential oil diffuser.

If you’re thinking about moving, Westwood Trails at Simcoe could be your new home! Learn more about this exciting new development from Sinclair Homes.

The post How To Prepare Your Home For Sale appeared first on Sinclair Homes.

For many retirees, this phase of life can mean moving somewhere new and exciting. If you are planning to downsize and relocate we have three tips to help you make this a success:

Consider a location that fits with your ideal lifestyle

Before moving, consider where you want to be and how you want to spend your time in retirement. We suggest asking yourself the following questions:

• Do you want to be close to family?
• Are you looking to be in a large city centre, or a smaller town?
• Do you want to have access to activities, privacy, or the best of both?
• Do you want to be surrounded by people your own age, or a mix of retirees and families?

Considering these types of questions will help you narrow down your options. Downsizing and relocating can be an emotional process, so you want to make your move rewarding.

Calculate the cost of selling and buying

Remember, even if you plan to purchase a smaller home, it does not necessarily mean it will cost less than your current place. The location of your new home will have a huge impact on price.

For example, a small apartment in a large city could cost millions, while a larger home in a smaller town could cost half the price. One of the benefits of relocating is that you can remain close to your current city but spend less on a new home. This can be especially important in retirement when you have a set income coming in.

If you are hoping to make money by selling your current home and then downsizing, make sure to ask your realtor how much it will cost to sell your home. Costs include closing fees, legal fees, moving costs, and more. Keeping these selling costs in mind, you will want to consider buying a property that the profits will cover, or at least help you come in under budget.

Review your floor plan

Whether you have decided on a new home or are in the consideration stages, we suggest that you review the floor plan. By studying the floor plan you can determine if you have the space you desire, and map out where your personal items will go. By pre-arranging your personal items and furniture, you will be able to determine what you will not need to move from your old home — this will help with a smoother cleanout of your old home and make for an easier move to your new home.

If you are considering a new build home, you will typically have the option to choose from a few floor plans and the ability to customize some design elements. When working directly with a builder, you can express particular lifestyle elements you want incorporated, like low and wide doorways, or a single-level floor plan. If you are planning to make this move your final home, make sure you get exactly what you want — you deserve it.

As one of Ontario’s leading home builders, we understand that planning for retirement is an overwhelming but exciting time. We are committed to supporting people in each new stage of life, and will create a home that is customized for your lifestyle.

The post Tips For Downsizing & Relocating In Retirement appeared first on Sinclair Homes.