One of the best ways to sell your Ottawa home is to spend some time staging it before it hits the market. By definition, house staging is the process of decorating (or, in many instances, un-decorating) your home so that it appeals to buyers. Although you might prefer the comfortable, cluttered look of home, most people prefer to see a clean, simple palate—a place where they can envision themselves settling down and enjoying their own personalized touches.
The Ottawa Real Estate Market
Staging a home in Ottawa comes with its own challenges and tricks of the trade. Because this is a metropolitan centre, it’s common for people to look for upscale, modernized spaces with sleek metals and a minimalist design. At the same time, Ottawa is popular among families—especially as you move away from the downtown area and enter the many villages and hamlets that offer a safe, friendly environment. Although the same minimal approach is a good idea, you also have to add small, homey touches that reinforce the idea of long-term family life.
Because how you stage your home has an impact on that important first impression on potential buyers, it’s important to approach the process carefully. Some people opt to stage their homes themselves, while others rely on the advice of their Ottawa real estate agent. A third option is to hire a professional home staging company, which specializes in maximizing your space and putting a polish on your home.
Professional Staging Companies in Ottawa
There are dozens of companies in Ottawa you can turn to for home staging. Although each one comes with its own considerations and costs, most of them offer a similar lineup of services, which include:
- Painting (interior and/or exterior)
- Furniture rentals
- Space planning
- Renovations
- Walk-through décor/artwork
- Window treatments
- Accessories
- Lighting
- Landscaping
In many cases, you’ll be asked to rent a storage facility or find another way to store your personal belongings during the home staging process. Not everything you own will be moved, but the goal is to create a livable space for you and your family that also appeals to homebuyers. This might mean moving and storing personal effects, some pieces of furniture, and many of the pictures and artwork you would normally display at home.
Making the Most of Your Ottawa Real Estate Experience
Selling a house in Ottawa can be difficult, if only because it requires you to stop viewing your home as your own. You have to put your trust in a home stager and real estate agent who will not only get you the best deal, but also find a way to walk that fine line between living in a home and selling it. For more information on what you can do to help streamline your home to maximize its salability, contact our offices today. We’re always happy to discuss selling tips and locating Ottawa real estate resources.
