From A Woman's Perspective: May 31st, 2025 "Small Things Add Up When Selling a Home"

Small Things Add Up When Selling a Home

Good morning, Marilyn. In past broadcasts I have shared the “Big 5 of Property Preparation” for potential home sellers. 

These are: 

1. Declutter
2. Deep Clean
3. Do repairs
4. Depersonalize
5. Delight with first impressions

Today, however, I’d like to turn our listener’s attention to the small things that can impact buyer approval of your property when it's for sale. And after all, it’s the buyer’s point of view that really matters in today’s real estate market. 

• Mismatched light bulbs
• Broken or mismatched switch plate covers
• Tarnished brass front door latches or kick plates
• Cob-webby window screens
• Mildewy bathroom caulking
• Grassy or weedy interlock
• Grimy light switches or appliance knobs
• Beat up baseboards
• Dusty cold air returns
• Visible water stains on ceiling
• Missing or broken grout in tile
• Loose handrails inside or out 

I’m calling this list “The Dirty Dozen” and while they might not seem like such a big deal individually, when they gang together they can seriously sabotage your sale. 

Every buyer is looking for the same thing: the best house at the lowest price. Small undone maintenance issues like these start to add up in the buyer’s mind, and might even force them to conclude that your home is a “fixer upper” (Da da dum!) This is the kiss of death for your asking price. IF they submit an offer, and it’s a big IF, they are going to try low-balling your price, in essence making you pay for them doing the work that you should have done, by deducting it from your sale price. 

“But can’t I just sell, ‘as is’?” I hear you ask. Yes, you can, but the asking price better be the best deal in the neighbourhood or buyers are going to move on to more convenient property options that exist all around you. In a “sold as-is” circumstance, the only lever you have is price, and you must incentivize them to take on the project that is your property. Harsh sounding, I know, but If your home doesn’t measure up to the competition, then you can’t ask the same price as the competition is asking. I wish more Realtors spoke plainly to their seller clients so that their expectations could align with market realities. Selling a home is very stressful, for sure, but you know what is even more stressful? Not selling a home that has been listed for months.

So what can you do now in preparation for your “someday sale”? Defeat the “Dirty Dozen” by staying on top of small maintenance issues. Get yourself a magic eraser and attack the scuffs on the wall slowly over time, or make a project of swapping out light bulbs so that they are all warm white, or spraying enviro-friendly cleaning vinegar on the weeds in your walk-way. If you’re feeling brave, maybe even tackle repainting the front door. Every small detail you take care of now will pay off down the road when it comes time to sell.

If you need some further guidance in how to prepare your home for sale, head on over to our website at smartrealtysolution.com and request any one of the following:

1. A pre-listing downsizing consultation: This is a free 30-minute in-person consultation where I help you set the priorities for preparing your home for sale. 
2. A copy of one of our booklets: “Best Renovations for Return on Investment,” or “Staging Secrets on a Shoestring Budget.” These guides are designed to show you exactly what home improvements will or won’t help your home sell as quickly as possible for the most amount of money.

If computers aren’t your thing, no problem! Simply call me, Sharon at 416-460-5636 and we’ll be sure to help you out. Like everything at SMART Realty Solutions, our booklets and phone calls are always free of charge or obligation.

My name is Sharon Parenteau, and these have been your SMART Realty Solutions for today. 

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