The year 2020 has been anything but usual for Real Estate. Where we would usually expect to see a booming spring season, market sales were dampened by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, Real Estate has jumped back to where it was expected to be before the pandemic hit, with June 2020 sales only slightly lower than what was seen in June 2019. While this result may be in part due to lower mortgage rates for buyers and high demand for homes, it is also helpful that buyers, sellers, and their agents have adapted to the new practices put forth to safely conduct Real Estate transactions while minimizing exposure to the novel coronavirus. 

Now with sellers becoming more active and many buyers still out there looking for the right purchase, it is expected that an economic recovery over the second half of 2020 will result in the fall market performing similarly to what we would have expected in the spring. This means that if you put your plans to buy or sell on hold, now might be the time to put that green light back on. However, readying your house for sale will look a bit different now than it did pre-pandemic. Here are some things that you can do to make sure your home is ready to thrive in what is sure to be a very unique fall market. 

 

Last-Minute Fixes

You may have hopped on the DIY and Home Improvement bandwagon throughout the duration of the pandemic to keep yourself busy and get your home looking its best, but you should still address any little fixes that are still needing attention. Whether it is a fresh coat of paint, electrical work, or some caulking, this can add to the esthetic of your house and ensure buyers see the potential that it holds. 

 

To Open House or Not.

While the guidelines for stage 3 allow for REALTORS ® to conduct open houses, there still may be people who are uncomfortable with this idea. Buyers and sellers may still be on high alert or skeptical about the idea, especially if they are part of a more vulnerable population. To ensure everyone can see your house, continuing to offer virtual open houses and tours is a great way to showcase your space to the many potential buyers the market will see. 

 

Declutter

Decluttering is an important part of the selling process, and with donation centres and dumps now open this has become much easier to accomplish. By ridding yourself of all the items you have accumulated but do not use or need anymore, not only will you have less stuff to move once you sell, but your house will look fresh and clean to potential buyers, allowing them to better envision themselves living in your home. 

 

Deep Clean 

Cleaning may be an activity that we have all been doing more of over the past months, however, because we have been spending more time indoors than ever, a good deep clean will be essential to making your home shine. Work on cleaning each corner of the house, washing baseboards, walls, grout, and making the porcelain in your bathrooms shine. 

 

Curb Appeal

Freshen up your curb appeal by making your outdoor entry-way clear not only clear of clutter, but esthetically pleasing as well. This can be done by staining any wood rails, steps, or porches, adding in cozy decor, and keeping your garden beds and planters fresh and lively. Once more and more houses become available on the market, these simple steps will help to make sure your house stands out from others in the neighbourhood. 

 

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