Preparing Your Home to Shine: Tips to Attract Buyers in Ontario’s Market

When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything. Buyers often decide within minutes whether a property feels like home. To make your house stand out in Ontario’s competitive real estate market, it's essential to go beyond the basics and present a space that’s clean, inviting, and ready to move in.

Before listing your property, there are many small ways to improve your property's market performance. Contact DONALD BILODEAU, Licensed Realtor, for free advice on preparing your home for sale.

Here are actionable tips to improve your home’s appeal and help you secure the best offers.

Buyers are not interested in seeing personal items nor the seller's clutter. Whatever isn't useful for staging the home should be removed from the premises.

1. Declutter and Depersonalize: Let Buyers Imagine Their Future

A cluttered and overly personalized home can make it hard for buyers to envision themselves living there.

Action Plan:

• Remove excess furniture, knick-knacks, and personal items like family photos or unique décor.

• Organize closets, pantries, and storage areas to highlight available space.

• Consider renting a storage unit or using temporary storage solutions for surplus items.

Why It Works:A clean, open space feels larger and allows buyers to picture their own belongings in the home.

Buyers are very particular today. Take the time to deep clean your home and to keep it clean during the entire selling process.

2. Deep Clean and Maintain Spotless Cleanliness

A sparkling home signals that it’s been well cared for, reassuring buyers of its overall condition.

Action Plan:

• Clean all surfaces, windows, and light fixtures. Pay special attention to kitchens, bathrooms, and floors.

• Ensure appliances, especially in the kitchen, are spotless and functional.

• Keep the home pristine throughout showings, perhaps hiring professional cleaners for help.
  

Why It Works:Cleanliness creates a positive emotional response, making buyers feel comfortable and confident in your property.

It's important to finish those little projects around the house because discerning buyers often spot them during showings.

3. Fix the Little Things You’ve Ignored

Small repairs can make a big difference. Issues buyers might overlook when purchasing could become deal-breakers.

Action Plan:

• Patch holes or cracks in walls and ceilings.

• Fix leaky faucets, squeaky doors, or malfunctioning locks.

• Replace burned-out lightbulbs and repair broken tiles or baseboards.

Why It Works:These small fixes prevent buyers from questioning how well the home has been maintained.

Painting your home in neutral tones can help to attract buyers to make an offer to purchase. Paint is a relatively inexpensive item that helps update the interior of your home while also signalling to prospective buyers that your place is move-in ready.

4. Paint for a Fresh, Neutral Look

A fresh coat of paint can transform a home, making it feel clean and updated.

Action Plan:

• Paint over bold or dark colors with neutral tones like whites, grays, or beiges.

• Refresh scuffed walls, trim, and doors.

• Focus on high-traffic areas and rooms that need the most attention.

Why It Works:Neutral colors appeal to a broader audience and create a blank slate for buyers’ imagination.

Small changes can have a big impact. Older cabinetry can be spruced up with new hardware, handles, hinges, and soft close drawer rails. The minor investments make a big impression on today's buyers.

5. Replace and Refresh Hardware in Kitchens and Bathrooms

Modernizing small details can elevate the overall appearance of key rooms.

Action Plan:

• Swap outdated cabinet handles, drawer pulls, and hinges for new ones.

• Replace old faucets, showerheads, or towel bars with sleek, modern options.

• Consider installing new light fixtures to brighten the space.

Why It Works:These minor upgrades are cost-effective yet impactful, giving kitchens and bathrooms a polished look.

Often discounted to sell a property, landscaping and curb appeal makes a big impact with buyers. Sometimes just adding flowers, cutting the grass and such is enough. However, homeowners that take the time to enhance their landscaping sell quicker than those who don't.

6. Boost Curb Appeal with Landscaping

First impressions start outside. A tidy, inviting exterior makes buyers eager to see the inside.

Action Plan:

• Mow the lawn, trim hedges, and remove weeds.

• Add potted plants or flowers for a splash of color.

• Repair pathways, paint the front door, and consider adding a new welcome mat.

Why It Works:A well-maintained yard signals pride of ownership and sets the tone for the rest of the showing.

Why These Steps Matter

By tackling these projects, you’re not just improving the aesthetic appeal of your home—you’re also showing buyers that your property has been well-loved and is ready for them to move in without hassle. These simple yet effective upgrades can speed up the selling process and may even help you achieve a higher price.

Pro Tip: Working with an experienced realtor can further ensure that your home is showcased to its fullest potential. They’ll provide expert guidance and help highlight the upgrades buyers will love.

Meet Donald Bilodeau, Mr. Real Estate Toronto. Donald lives in Leslieville, is fluently bilingual in French and English, and enjoys working with sellers and buyers.

Working with Donald

Donald's real estate practice began in 2013, buying, selling and leasing residential and commercial properties across the Greater Toronto Area and the province of Ontario. Working closely with buyers, sellers, and landlords, Donald combines a decade+ of experience, attention to detail, fully bilingual service, and strategy, with a sunny, practical disposition. Clients respond very positively to his full-service approach to real estate transactions, where his clients' satisfaction matters most.

Call or Text Donald Bilodeau, Mr. Real Estate Toronto, at 416-476-3554 or send me an email at donald@donaldbilodeau.com. I want to work with you!

Subscribe for free to receive my monthly newsletter.