Mississauga Real Estate BLOG

52% of buyers said the kitchen had the most significant impact on their purchasing decision - effective staging will address this!

In today’s Mississauga real estate market the staging of homes prior to going on the market is quickly becoming a hot button. If you are considering selling your home here are some facts that may be helpful in determining whether to “stage” or “not stage”!

• 58% of buyers made a decision to buy after seeing 10 properties—effective staging keeps your house on the list of must-see properties.
• 54% of sellers are willing to spend more than $2000 to get their house ready for sale and of those, 25% were willing to pay over $5000—working with the right staging consultant maximizes your return on investment.
• 63% of buyers were willing to pay more money for a house that is move-in ready.
• 86% of those surveyed said storage space is important to potential buyers—effective staging maximizes space and spaciousness.
• Top three interior features for selling were freshly painted walls, organized storage space and current flooring—effective staging will address all three.
• 52% of buyers said the kitchen had the most significant impact on their purchasing decision.
• 79% of buyers indicated they would be willing to pay a premium for a home with an updated kitchen.
• Men (41%) are more likely to place a premium on updated décor than women (30%).
• 77% of people view homes first on the Internet.
• 75% of buyers who searched on the Internet went on to view or drive by the homes.
• 40% of paint sold is as a result of incorrect color choice—CSPTM have Staging Safe ColourTM palette specifically chosen for successful staging.
• When deciding to view a house, 78% of objective elements are generally pre-determined before viewing: they are location and size—both things are outside of a seller’s control.
• Elements that create 72% of the first impression inside the home are within the control of the seller—well-trained staging consultants know how to show these to their best advantage.
• Moderately priced home improvements, ranging from $80–$2800, made in preparation for sale, yielded the highest returns when a house was sold.
• Homes that were staged sold in 13.8 days.
• Homes that were not staged sold in 30.9 days.
• The staged homes realized on average a 6.4% increase over the list price.
• 87% of people said that home presentation makes a difference in most sales.

So if you’re looking to sell your home in Mississauga, Etobicoke or West Toronto area definitely consider home staging as part of your selling strategy and don’t hesitate to contact the top Mississauga Realtor Cynthia Shaw.

Be sure to visit my website for more information about the factors the influence the sale price of a home.

We all struggle with home decorating and how to perk up our homes in the winter months. But it is not practical to paint your room every season. So you may want to decorate a bright yellow or orange room for winter. Accent the room with rich colors like eggplant, chocolate brown or burgundy. Bring these colors into accessories such as throw pillows and candles. Changing accessories easily and inexpensively transitions your home into the different seasons.

Also consider the colors of snow and ice for a modern winter room. White, silver and turquoise create a sleek winter design. Accent the room with mirrors, tree branches and crystals for an enchanted forest theme

It may be surprising to know, but the top 3 fixes to a home to get it ready for sale, and get top dollar on your return, are also the least expensive!

1. Declutter your home – Rent a storage space on a short term basis and start the decluttering process now. Sparse is good, not only does it give a potential buyer a feeling of spaciousness and calmness. It also allows a potential buyer to feel they can live in the home because you have made the home anonymous (removing personal photos, knick knacks). Make sure the kitchen and bathroom counters are free of any unnecessary items and personal affects and don’t forget the inside of cupboards and closets. Have you ever looked at pictures of homes for sale that are really appealing. Take a closer look and you will realize the homes with most appeal have no clutter!
2. Cleanliness – This can not be overstated! Buyers will pay thousands of dollars more when a home is sparkling clean, (not just surface clean). If it takes a week, go through room by room and clean every corner or hire a professional. Bathrooms and kitchens are especially important. Re-caulking to remove mildew around tubs and showers is vital. You don’t want potential buyers to get an icky feeling in the most important rooms in the house!
3. Paint – there is nothing better than a fresh coat of paint in a wonderful current colour. If you are not handy and precise do not attempt to paint yourself. Drips of paint and splashes are a turn off. It is important to get the advice of a professional on what are the best colours are for your home and which colours will appeal to the masses. (As a service to my clients I provide a free consultation with a decorator to help chose colours and make other simple suggestions in your home)

Don’t delay. Get started now. The market is hot and it is definitely a sellers market. Who would have thought the middle of the summer would be this strong.