Top 10 Things you can do to sell your home for top price

1.Keep clutter to a minimum. Remove all un-necessary items and furniture in order to make the space look as large as possible. All surfaces should be clear, except for a few decorative items.

2. Depersonalize. A potential homebuyer needs to picture herself in your rooms, any quirky decorating or pictures of the kids hurts the illusion. Remove all family photos and, if necessary, paint brightly coloured walls a more neutral shade.


3. Make sure everything in the house is in top condition. No torn screens, cracked plaster or burnt out pot lights. You may have gotten used to seeing them, so tour your house with a critical eye (or ask someone else to), and repair anything that needs it.


4. A tidy kitchen.  Kitchen counters should be clear and clutter-free. A single bowl or vase holding cooking utensils is okay, but that's about it. Store small appliances in cupboards.

5. Be aware of scale in the house when it comes to furnishings. You might have a giant sofa that you love, but if it makes the room look small, it has to go. Aim for small groupings of furniture (ideally more than one in a room, especially a large one), with plenty of space around them.

6. Kitchen decor. If your kitchen doesn't have a backsplash, this is a weekend job that a reasonably handy person can tackle for little money. Invest in some gorgeous tiles (since you're doing such a small area, it shouldn't cost too much) or consider glass mosaics, mirror tile, or plain tile interspersed with a few fancy ones.

7. Spotlessly clean home. Hire a professional cleaning company to get at all the little nooks and crannies, down to the last detail. This rule should apply to the whole house, and especially kitchens and bathrooms.

8. Fix up the bathroom. In the bathroom an ugly builder's mirror can be replaced with a pretty framed mirror for under $100. For a little more, you can buy an antique or higher-end model from a housewares boutique. Switch out the lighting for a nice chandelier or some attractive new sconces and the bathroom will look as if it's been renovated.


9. The exterior of your home should look as polished as the interior. This means neatly trimmed bushes, mulched flowerbeds and fresh seasonal arrangements in urns by the front door.

10. A great smell makes a house memorable. Make sure to get rid of any unpleasant odors (ie: pets, mildew, etc)  If you don’t have a strong sense of smell, check with a friend to see how your home smells to them. Baking cookies has become a cliché, maybe buy a room spray with a fragrance you love and spray the house sparingly before each showing. Top of Form

Credit to www.Canadianliving.com for some of these home staging ideas.