sell
with Christine Rae
Rules to follow for a quick property sale!
Don’t Get Personal
Visit each room, reminisce, and
pack sentimental items away.
Don’t look at your house from
the perspective of it being
yours; buyers aren’t interested.
Remove and store as many
personal Items as possible.
Organize
Keep all bedrooms gender
neutral including kids’ rooms
and the master bedroom!
Don’t think, “Oh they can
make the mental shift”. They
can’t! You have a three minute
opportunity to get this
house sold – why would you
jeopardize a single second?
Maintenance and Repair
When you live in your house,
you will not be able to smell
what others do, so assume
the worst and prepare. The
best option is to go with no
odour! Open windows, and
don’t use household or garden
chemical products. If you have
pets, remove them from the
property for the duration of
the sale process.
Pack and store or dispose of
two-thirds of every closet and
cupboard. It is a great time to
start deciding what you want
to keep, donate or dispose.
Organized storage space is
one of the most sought after
features for potential buyers.
Pack and store (off property)
anything that you won’t use in
the next two to three months.
Understand that staging is
about condition more than
décor. Sure, the house has
to look and feel good, but
buyers are savvy and they
will deduct from the offer
price (IF they offer) their own
perceived value for deferred
maintenance! Fix anything in
need of repair, replace fixtures
over eight years old, then clean
like your life depends on it.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are the second
most important room in the
house, so if you have money
upgrade what you can. At the
very least, in the main bath.
Change the old cabinet style
sink for a pedestal or furniture
sink. Remember storage is vital
so in the extra space gleaned,
consider installing an organized
linen closet with deep pull out
drawers.
70
Paint Colour
Go Odourless
Curb Appeal
Great curb appeal sells more
than half of all houses that go
on the market. Lighting is vital;
light up the porch, the house
numbers, and a feature of the
property such as a dramatic
tree, or the facade of the
house. - Text by Christine Rae
Kim,
Fix My House!
How can I create a timeless look in my
kitchen?
Create a functional, attractive
and unique kitchen that will
stand the test of time by
following these simple rules:
WOOD APPEAL Hardwood
is an excellent kitchen floor
choice. It provides warmth and
personality that helps to make
a kitchen cosy and inviting.
Perfect for homes with an open
concept layout, a wood floor
can connect rooms together,
flowing from one space to the
next. The appearance of wood
lends itself to most design
styles, which is why choosing
a tile that is a replica of a
wood plank has become an
affordable and popular choice.
SHAKE IT OFF Basic shakerstyle cabinetry in white, cream
or grey provides a blank canvas
for the rest of your choices. This
go-to style in neutral colours
will not be going out of style
anytime soon and matches
pretty much any design
style. Break up a wall of solid
cabinets with a few glass-front
doors or create a built-in hutch
for your crystalware and fancy
dishes.
TILE AWAY WITH ME A tile
backsplash is a very important
element in your kitchen. It ties
together your cabinets and
counter top, adding a design
element that cannot be missed.
For the most fail-proof option,
choose a marble or white
subway tile that pairs well
with a classic marble quartz
counter top. Ceramic tile is
an attractive and practical
choice as it minimizes moisture,
cleans easily and lasts forever.
A current trend is to continue
your counter top up against
the wall, creating a matching
backsplash and seamless look.
Photo by Stephani Buchman
2
staged
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE
IT COUNTS The counter top
is one of the most important
choices that you will make.
The decision should be made
based on look, functionality
and price. Though there
are many options, quartz is
stain and scratch resistant,
affordable and available in a
wide variety of neutral colours
that come close to the real
thing. Alternately, soapstone or
butcher-block counters are also
timeless and add texture to the
space.
FINISH IT RIGHT Chrome
remains my go-to finish when
I want a kitchen to feel clean,
bright and tailored. Choose
a faucet with strong lines and
pair it with a deep undermount
sink for a look that will stand
the test of time. Continue
your design theme with
hardware for your cabinets in
a matching finish. Straight lines
and bold profiles are available
in a variety of finishes that will
complement your overall look.
A well-chosen cabinet pull can
elevate inexpensive cabinetry
and add personality to the
kitchen. - Text by Kim Bartley