Sonia's Real Estate Blog

Selling your Sherwood Park home can be challenging, but selling your house when children are present can be much more difficult. As a mother myself, I completely understand! If you have a newborn or a young child, you are already familiar with the number of things that can be scattered throughout the house.

Some Kid-Friendly Selling Tips

1. Start Packing Early- This is one of the easiest ways to prepare your house for viewings. Start packing all the essentials right after your house goes on the market. Pack the toys that your kids can live without and stack them in the basement or out of the way. This will help you get rid of a significant amount of clutter from the indoor spaces of your home. Pack all out-of-season clothes and other clothing items that your child has grown out of. This also gives you the chance to donate them to charity or dispose of them.
2. Using Flexible Toy Storage– Invest in storage bins for the toys and games that haven’t been packed yet. Choose bins that are made out of clear plastic. This makes it easy for your children to locate their toys and put them back in once done with. You can stack these bins in your closet or on a bookshelf.
3. Packing a Getaway Bag during Home Showings- This is an excellent method that is used for last minute showings. Pack an umbrella stroller & a diaper bag with all essentials for a quick exit. Also be sure to pack a few toys, books, water and juice bottles and snacks just in case you’re outside for a longer period of time than expected. With a getaway bag ready, you can leave into time for either a walk in the park or a road trip while your house is being viewed by potential buyers.
4. Keep Your House Clean- To keep your house clean and tidy you will have to commit yourself to spend some time daily on cleaning and general maintenance. If old enough, encourage your children to help out with cleaning at the end of the day. This will also make them feel as if they are a part of the process. You could also make this a challenge or a game for them. It can help if you rotate your house cleaning routine, rather than waiting until a Saturday to do a major cleaning of one room each day.

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While it is technically still spring, many days have sure felt like summer in Sherwood Park. With the snow long gone and the community in full bloom, it’s time to start paying attention to your yards, especially if you want to sell your home for top dollar! Curb appeal is very important and potential buyers will get their first impression of the property long before they step inside the front door.

Before you get started, go outside and look at your yard and pretend you are a buyer. What does it say about your home? A meticulous, well-maintained yard will show buyers your care and attention to detail. A yard that hasn’t been kept up will make buyers wonder what else you’ve neglected.

Do a quick assessment. What do you like about your yard and home from the curb? If you have a bold front door or a unique feature in your landscaping, you want to accent those to make them stand out. But also make note of areas that need attention like weeds, bushes growing out of control or large stains on the driveway.

The great thing about spending some time and money tidying up your yards is the return on investment is huge. Pulling the weeds in your yard and giving it a fertilizer treatment can be done in a couple of hours and will cost you very little. Replacing the few rotten or cracked boards on a deck then giving it a fresh coat of stain also won’t break the bank but will give new life to your outdoor space. A quick pressure wash of the siding, driveways and decks can also go a very long way too. Remember that many buyers are looking for a low-maintenance property that has been well cared for.

There are also some very easy ways to stage your yards and garden. To liven up that big empty deck, head to one of Sherwood Park’s great greenhouses and pick up some plant potters. Invest in some patio furniture that is just the right size for your backyard. You don’t want to cram the space with furniture and many young families are looking for large, open yards for their kids.

If you’re looking for a Sherwood Park REALTOR® I’ve got plenty more tips to help you get the most money for your home. Give me a call today and let’s get started!

Warm regards,

Sonia
780-707-6015
soniatarabay@remax.net