With December fast approaching, many of us have started thinking about our holiday decorating. For some it takes days- weeks even- to get their homes decorated for the festive season. For others, they're happy to keep things simple and add a touch of holiday cheer here and there.

No matter what your style or budget, it's a favourite past time for many families. And if you've been looking for some fun new ideas, check out how you can turn some simple ornaments available at a variety of stores into several decorative accents.

No matter your colour scheme, a homemade festive wreath is a fun project!

Create holiday ornament topiaries to dress up your home (perfect for a mantle or side table)

Decorate banisters & railings with garland swags complete with ornamanet arrangements!

What's your favourite thing about decorating for Christmas? Did you know adding festive decor can help your house appeal to buyers if you're trying to sell at this time of year? For more advice to help sell your home fast, contact us today!

To view the how- to, click here. 

Image Source: Starter Home to Dream Home

In part 3 of our series of homestaging tips, we're talking about three spaces that tend to be very personal: the bedrooms, bathrooms, and home office. All of these spaces have the ability to make a good impression with buyers, but a little attention to detail can go a long way.

De- cluttering and cleaning up these spaces is important, and don't be afraid to shy away from a few simple and budget- friendly DIY projects to freshen these spaces and make them more appealing to buyers. A fresh coat of paint and updates can convince a buyer your home is right for them, especially when it means less work when they move in. 

Show off how beautiful your bedroom is with a be that is made and looks cozy. 

Simple touches- such as fresh paint and a few modern accessories

can help make a good impression with buyers.

Bedrooms:

- Clean & de- clutter; remove items from dressers and surfaces so the mess isn't distracting to potential buyers

- Dust and make sure light fixtures don't have any burnt- out bulbs (also make sure they're all the same, ie warm or cool light)

- Allow natural light into the room & turn on lights 

- Make beds berfore a showing and remove any toys and clothes from the floor

- Make sure closets are tidy and organized to showcase storage space

- If you don't have a headboard, consider making a simple & inexpensive one (check out these DIY projects for ideas)

Even if your home is older, painting the cabinets and changing the hardware is a great cost- effective way to update

this room. Putting out fresh towels and a few decorative touches can help highlight this space.

Bathrooms:

- Clean toilet & sink; remove any stains and residue (make sure to put the toilet seat down)

- Wipe faucets and counters; make sure the mirror is streak- free

- Clean out the tub and make sure the sower curtain is clean

- Put out fresh towels to make the bathroom look tidy 

- Remove any laundry and garbage

- Light a candle or spray some air freshener to make sure the bathroom smells fresh and clean

- Ventilate the room every day to help keep it smelling fresh

Showcase a home office by keeping it tiday and organized. Help buyers picture themselves working in the space

and make it warm & welcoming.

Office:

- Put away any personal paperwork; if you have a locked filing cabinet, make sure you file any documents you don't want people to see

- Tidy the desk and remove any untidy paperwork and clutter

- Make sure bookshelves are dust- free and organized

- Turn on a desk lamp if you have one to make the room feel cozy

- Tidy and/ or hide chords that can be a tripping hazard or are untidy

No matter the age of your home, a little attention to detail can make the difference between an interested buyer and a non- interested buyer. A clean and tidy home is essential to help it appeal to buyers, but a few added touched can really make it feel like home. If you're thinking about selling, we'd love to be the realtor team to help! Contact us today to book an appointment.

Image Sources:

HomeDIt

Involving Colour

Pink Little Notebook 

In part 2 of our series of homestaging tips, we're focusing on areas of the house that families spend a lot of time and have potential to make a big impact with buyers: the kitchen, family room, & dining room.

Read on for some great tips to help set your home apart from the competition.

Make sure your kitchen is free of clutter, is tidy, & bright to show off it's full potential

Kitchen:

- No dirty cloths or towels

- Tidy the inside of drawers and cupboards where needed

- Keep counter and island surfaces clear of clutter

- Take away items from above the fridge (such as cereal boxes), microwave, cabinets, and windowsills

- Remove magnets, etc from fridge

- Clean grout of tiles using a grout cleaner or bleach

- Scrub the sink & make sure it is clean and free of dishes

Make eating areas warm & inviting:

add little touches or set the table to make it look ready for guests

Dining Area:

- Remove items that create clutter & refine what decorations you have

- If you have a table with a leaf, make the space feel more spacious by removing it and extra chairs from table

- Clean sideboards and cabinets to showcase a few pieces, not a lot of disorganized clutter

- Dust surfaces

- Consider setting the table to make it look inviting; or simply add some fresh cut flowers and candles in the centre

Sometimes a simple DIY can take a room from 'bla' to 'WOW!'

Family Room:

- Be selective with what artwork and photos you keep on walls

- Make sure pictures are level & dust- free

- Remove clutter & make sure space is tidy and appears spacious

- Especially for small spaces: remove extra furniture that can make the space feel cramped and crowded

- Make sure floors are clean; vacuum carpets, and dust/ sweep hardwood & laminate

- Add storage with a simple weekend DIY using pre- fab shelves and crown molding to really make a statement (see photo above)

We hope you find these tips helpful. If you're thinking about selling your home and need some advice to help it sell fast and for the price you're looking for, we'd love to be the real estate team to help! Contact us today to schedule a meeting and get started.

Image Sources:

Chic Coastal Living 

Traditional Home

Flea Chic