Friday, May 28, 2010

Tip of the Week - Paint it Neutral!

One of the number one mistakes that home owners make when they go to sell is underestimating the power of colour. The paint colours of a condo or home can dramatically influence the way that buyers respond to a space. Even neglecting badly marked walls will cost you far more when the offers come in, than it would cost to do it yourself.

In our experience, at DesigntoSell.ca, a warm and inviting paint palette is always the best choice. It allows for buyers to imagine their own style in your space.

Bold colours like reds, blues and greens may go well with your decor, but the majority of buyers want neutral shades. Warm taupes', tans and light gray tones carefully chosen to complement existing flooring, cabinetry and counter tops will win every time! White is no longer a neutral colour.

"In print, white feels cold and stark.", Darren Brand, DTS Colour Expert.

Introducing an appropriate neutral tone complimented with tasteful staging is the way to attract buyer interest and to garner quick offers.

"Neutral colours also help a property look best in photographs online, which is where potential buyers first make the decision to look at a house or condo in person." - Long & Foster Estate Agent, Deb Gorham.

Potential buyers do not want to walk into a home and automatically think of the added money they will have to spend to re-paint your space. Neutral tones in a matte finish say, "I'm ready to be lived in!"

Here at DesignedtoSell.ca, we can help you pick the colours that will best suit your home. We can provide you with expert painting and staging services.

Contact us for a free estimate at 416-829-9298 or info@designedtosell.ca.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Tip of the Week - Don't Forget the Dining Table ...


Living in a downtown condo always comes with its challenges: Square footage being one of them. Since you may have limited space, you probably opted to eat at your bar counter and/or on your couch. Having an actual dining set never occurred to you.

Now you are looking to sell. What our experience is telling us is that it is essential to show a dedicated eating area , no matter how small the space. “But my place is so small, it won’t fit”, is often the response we get. Adding a simple 2 seater table with glass top, is the easiest way to add a seating area for very small spaces and it has a small footprint. For condos larger than 600 sq ft we recommend introducing a table to seat a minimum of 4 people. Sticking with glass and chrome tables, reflect light and visually take up less space than heavy wood tables.

Buyers want to know that they can have dining experiences with their friends and family and if you have 2 barstools at a counter, it limits their imagination. They will leave thinking, “We can’t fit a dining table in!” They may pass on your home even if they loved everything else about it!

So when you go to sell, make sure you look at your place from a buyer’s perspective. Show them how they can effectively use your space, especially when it comes to dining.

If you don’t want to go out and purchase a table for the purpose of selling, renting one is an economical option. DesignedtoSell.ca specializes in providing modern pieces, geared for the downtown lifestyle.


Contact us for a free estimate at 416-829-9298 or info@designedtosell.ca.