Updated September 2026
Worth doing
- Fix what a home inspector will find. Leaky taps, sticking doors, missing trim, cracked outlet covers, burnt-out bulbs. Small defects make buyers wonder what else is wrong.
- Paint. Fresh, neutral paint is one of the cheapest ways to make a home feel cared for.
- Declutter hard. Pack away a third of what's in each room, clear counters and closets, and remove personal photos. Buyers need to picture their own life there.
- Deep clean, including windows, grout and the garage.
- Curb appeal. Trim the shrubs, edge the lawn, clean the front door and add a planter. Many buyers decide whether to book a showing from the first photo.
- Service the furnace and air conditioning, and keep the receipts.
Usually not worth it
Full kitchen or bathroom renovations, new flooring throughout, or big landscaping projects rarely return what they cost before a sale. Buyers often want to choose their own finishes. If something is truly failing, like a roof at the end of its life, talk to me about whether to fix it or price for it.
A pre-listing inspection
For older homes, an inspection before you list can find problems early, so you can fix them or disclose and price for them instead of renegotiating after an offer. It costs a few hundred dollars and can save a collapsed deal.
Disclosure: get this right
In BC, filling out a Property Disclosure Statement is optional. But if you fill one out, your answers must be honest and complete. Either way, you must disclose material latent defects: serious problems a buyer couldn't find on a reasonable inspection, such as a hidden leak or a structural issue. The forms were updated in July 2025 after a court decision, so ask me for the current versions. When in doubt, disclose.
Photos, video and showings
Professional photos, a floor plan and video are standard now. Plan to be out for showings, keep the home ready on short notice, and put valuables and prescription medications away.
Your pre-listing checklist
- Book an evaluation so you know your likely price range.
- Get a mortgage payout statement from your lender.
- Gather receipts for upgrades, and your recent utility and property tax bills.
- If it's a strata, request the Form B and the latest depreciation report. See selling a strata home.
- Fix, paint, declutter and clean.
- Photos and video, then list.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to fill out a Property Disclosure Statement in BC?
No, it's optional. But anything you do disclose must be accurate, and you must always disclose known material latent defects, whether or not you use the form.
Should I renovate my kitchen before selling?
Usually not. A full renovation rarely returns its cost before a sale. Fresh paint, new hardware, good lighting and a deep clean are better value.
Is staging worth it in Vernon?
For vacant homes and homes with dated or heavy furniture, yes. For most occupied homes, decluttering and rearranging what you have gets most of the benefit.
Sources: BCREA, property disclosure; BCFSA, material latent defects guidance.