How to Prepare Your Ottawa Home for Sale

Preparing a home for sale covers six jobs, in roughly this order: decluttering, small repairs, curb appeal, staging, paperwork and pricing from recent sales.

Declutter and depersonalize

Buyers need to picture themselves living in your home. Clear the counters, tidy the closets and pack away personal photographs and extras. Less stuff makes rooms feel larger and brighter, and it makes photography easier.

Handle the small repairs

Fix leaking taps, squeaking doors, chipped paint and burnt-out bulbs. These small things signal that the home has been well looked after. For anything larger, such as a roof or a furnace, gather the records instead: service receipts and warranties reassure buyers and their inspectors.

Match curb appeal to the season

First impressions start at the street. In spring and summer, tidy the garden, edge the lawn and clean the front door. In autumn, keep leaves cleared from the walk. In winter, keep the steps and driveway clear of snow and ice, and make sure the entry is well lit. A welcoming exterior draws buyers in whatever the weather.

Stage the key rooms

You do not need to stage the whole house. Focus on the living room, the kitchen and the primary bedroom. Neutral, well-lit rooms photograph well and suit the widest range of buyers.

Gather your paperwork

Buyers and their lawyers will ask questions. Having answers ready saves time and builds confidence. Collect:

• Your property tax bill and recent utility costs.
• Renovation receipts, permits and warranties.
• A recent survey, if you have one.
• Heritage approvals, if your home is in a heritage district such as Rockcliffe Park or New Edinburgh.

Price from recent sales

Overpricing costs time. A price built on recent comparable sales gives serious buyers a reason to act early. Poonam prepares the analysis; the decision is yours.

Start with a list of what you have repaired or replaced in recent years, and where the receipts are. When it is ready, request a private valuation, or read about selling a luxury home in Ottawa if your property is at the higher end of the market.