Vancouver is lucky in that the spring often brings many gorgeous sunny and warm days. Remember though, it can also bring long periods of rain and cloud. So, how do you best show your home when the weather fluctuates as much as the recent real estate market? Here are some tips.
Many of the sunny spring days can be quite humid. In Vancouver central air conditioners with dehumidifiers are extremely rare, especially in condos. Keeping in mind that one of your goals is to keep the buyer in your home as long as possible to increase the likelihood of a sale, invest in a low-end dehumidifier to keep the home comfortable. Place fans in each room to circulate the air and help avoid any stale scents associated with humidity.
If you are facing north, you will tend to get more blue light then direct yellow sunlight. Try putting up off-white curtains to filter out some of the blue spectrum and get more of a warm yellow glow in your home. Use “daylight” full spectrum light bulbs and a lot of ambient lighting to create a warm and bright feel. Ensure that all dark corners are illuminated.
On the rainier days, ensure that your home is warm and cozy inside. Take advantage of the fact that most people will be indoors on days like this and show them that being in your home is just where they want to be. Light candles in the fireplace to give a warm cozy glow. Simmer some cinnamon on the stove to give the scent of fresh baking (much easier then actually baking a pie). Have soft music playing and fill a candle-lit tub adding a few flower petals to float around in it.
The outside of your home should be well manicured come rain or shine. Your gutters should be cleaned out from any winter foliage that has fallen so that the water is not spilling over the edges. Fresh shrubs and flowers should be planted around the gardens and the lawn should be well manicured. All outside lights should be functioning properly with new bulbs and the shades clean from dust and dirt.
The way in which you stage your home in spring will vary as much as the weather. Keep your home showing its best at all times to help ensure a sale.
– Ryan DeLuca is a realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, and host of The Real Estate Minute on Novus TV; rdeluca@sothebysrealty.ca.
