Top 10 Things to Avoid when Selling
Selling a premium Lake of Bays cottage shouldn’t feel like auditioning for a reality TV clean-up show. Yet even the most sophisticated owners can unknowingly sabotage viewings with a few classic missteps. Let’s whistle through the top ten traps to avoid.
1.) Clutter – the Silent Space Thief
Overflowing boot racks, teetering magazine piles, and that exercise bike doubling as a clothes hanger all whisper the same thing to buyers: “There isn’t enough room.” Pare it back. Think boutique-hotel minimalism, not post-cottage-weekend chaos. Your square footage (and sanity) will thank you.
2.) Personal Décor – Pink Elephants in the Room
Your love of pink pachyderms is delightfully unique, but fuchsia walls and elephant statues at every turn can leave buyers wondering if they’ve wandered into a themed safari park. Neutralise the palette and let buyers picture their personality, not yours, stampeding through the space.
3.) Unfixed Damages – The Suspicion Sparkers
A water stain the size of Lake Muskoka, a torn screen waving in the breeze, or a window that’s lost its seal are tiny red flags flapping furiously in a buyer’s mind. Sort them before the first viewing or be prepared for price-slashing negotiations later.4.) Dirty Floors & Carpets – Wallet Alarms
Nothing hollers “hidden expense” louder than dingy grout or a carpet wearing last summer’s red-wine mishap. Professional cleaning is cheaper than a price reduction—and far kinder to your knees than frantic scrubbing the night before a showing.5.) Personal Photos – Holiday Distractions
Yes, your Amalfi Coast yacht selfie is envy-inducing, but buyers should be admiring the coffered ceiling, not your cannoli-eating technique. Pack away personal snaps so attention stays on the property’s features, not your travel itinerary.6.) Pet Odours – Eau de Fido
We adore Buddy and Molly, but a whiff of wet-dog or litter-box can trigger visions of chewed skirting boards and deep-cleaning bills. A thorough deodorising session (plus a discreet pet-sit during viewings) keeps noses—and offers—in top form.7.) Overpowering Scents – The Candied Cover-Up
Attempting to mask pet aromas with industrial-strength air fresheners only produces a suspicious pot-pourri of “What are you hiding?”. Aim for crisp and subtle: open windows, a gentle citrus diffuser, or freshly baked bread if you must channel Nigella.8.) Outdated & Broken Fixtures – Time-Warp Tokens
That swirly brass bathroom light fitting was the height of glamour in 2014, but trends—and LED bulbs—move on. Swap out dated or faulty fixtures for sleek modern alternatives. It’s the interior equivalent of upgrading from BlackBerry to iPhone.9.) Excess Furniture – Square-Footage Squeeze
A grand piano, two sofas, and Aunt June’s armoire might fit (just) in your great room, but buyers need breathing space to envision their own layout. Edit ruthlessly. Storage units exist for a reason.10.) Political & Religious Items – Neutral Territory Only
Placards, campaign posters, or shrine-like collections can polarise faster than a Twitter debate. Remove anything that might distract or divide. You’re selling a lifestyle, not an ideology.Ready to sidestep these pitfalls and secure top value?
Send me a text. I’ll bring the market intel, the staging tips, and perhaps a freshly brewed coffee—minus the pink elephants, I promise.