For some homeowners, the process of listing, showing and selling their home can be stressful. Fortunately, there is plenty you can do to make it much less nerve-racking—and even exciting and enjoyable. Here are some ideas:

1. Make a plan.
Decide when you’re going to show your property, search for a new home, view listings, etc. Block out these times in an agenda book or calendar. That way, you and your family can see what’s coming up.

2. Be flexible.
Few things go exactly as planned! So, it’s important to build in flexibility. For example, you may plan to see homes for sale on Saturdays, but if an opportunity comes up on a weeknight, give yourself room in your schedule to jump on it.

3. Eat well.
There are numerous studies that connect poor nutrition with increased stress. When people are selling and moving, there’s a tendency to rely on quick fixes, such as hot dogs and pizza! Try to plan more nutritious meals that will keep everyone healthy and energized.

4. Get stuff done early.
Doing things last minute, such as finding a real estate lawyer or getting rid of clutter, can quickly lead to stress and frustration. Whenever possible, get tasks done early. That way, you won’t have to worry about them.

5. Hire the right professionals.
By far, the surest way to a stress-free move is to get the right professionals working for you: everyone from contractors to mortgage brokers to movers.

By the way, a big part of what I do for clients is help make every aspect of buying, selling and moving go smoothly. Contact me to learn how I can help you.

An Open House is an event. And, like many events, it’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement and energy. In fact, when you visit an Open House, you might even end up rubbing elbows with other buyers who are there at the same time. It can feel like a party!

In an environment like that, it’s not unusual to forget to ask important questions about the property. Here are some of the most common:

• How old is the roof?
• How old is the furnace, air conditioner and other HVAC equipment?
• How does the price compare to similar properties in the neighbourhood? (You don’t want to make an offer that’s too high.)
• What are the characteristics of the neighbourhood? (Amenities, safety, traffic, access to public transit, property turnover, etc.)
• What doesn’t come with the home? (Ask specifically about kitchen appliances, gas-connected BBQs, chandeliers, window coverings.)
• Are there any potential impediments to the sale? (Tenants, outstanding liens, etc.)
• Are there any outstanding maintenance issues, or repairs that need to be done? (For example, cracked ceramics on the foyer floor.)
• Are there any issues that impact the full use of the property? (Ask specifically about shared driveways or walkways, public “right of way” through the property, water drainage rights from neighbouring homes, etc.)

Yes, an Open House can feel like a frenzy, and if it’s a home you love, you might feel pressured to make an offer. But, it’s important to take the time to ask the right questions and consider your decision carefully. You don’t want to find out, too late, that there were questions you should have asked.

Want more tips on finding the home of your dreams? Call today.

When it comes to the sale of your home, negotiation expertise and skills are essential to ensuring you achieve the highest price possible with ideal terms and conditions.

Negotiating is not an easy task and can often take years to master. That's why it is important that you have a skilled real estate professional handle this for you - someone expert in the market, skilled in negotiations and someone who is working solely in your best interests.

In most cases, an offer will be higher or lower than your asking price. Don't be concerned or offended. It's normal. In fact, the best way to think about an offer is as a starting point to a conversation. The buyer is interested. They have proposed a price. The conversation has begun!

Keep in mind...
Counter-offers are normal
Expect some back and forth. They offer. You counter. You eventually come to an agreement.

Momentum is important
Things happen fast at this stage. That's why having a good agent to represent you is vital.

Price isn't the only thing
You can negotiate on conditions, closing dates, assets or chattels included with the property. Don't get stuck on one thing.

Win-win is best
The most successful negotiations may involve compromises for both sides but both parties always feel the transaction was worth it.

Pricing a home right directly impacts your bottom line.

Setting the list price of your home is an art. Too low and you leave money on the table - perhaps thousands. Too high and you scare away buyers - perhaps forever.

To complicate this, your home is an emotional asset. It's hard to see it objectively, as a "product" for sale.

Finding the optimal price requires a combination of expertise, analysis and old-fashioned streets smarts.

The best real estate professionals have mastered the art of setting a price that maximizes exposure and price and minimizes the time it takes to sell. They combine intimate, local and national market knowledge, an exhaustive study of similar homes for sale and an analysis of past sales to arrive at the optimal list price.

It's no easy task, but it's a critical one. Pricing your home right the first time results in more showings, more offers and ultimately the highest price for your home.

If you want to get as much for your home as possible within a reasonable time frame, price it right the first time.

Ready to sell? Give me a call. I'd love to help you get the selling price your home deserves!

Most searches begin online. In fact, over 90% of buyers start their home buying process on the internet.

As you may already know, the most comprehensive website for property searches is REALTOR.ca, a Canada-wide database of all active properties for sale, also referred to as the MLS® or Multiple Listing Service. This website allows you to narrow your search to a specific area, price range, key features and even displays the properties on a map.

The internet can be very helpful for you to get a sense of what's available but keep in mind, it's not a complete picture of the market or all potential properties available. A great agent, working on your behalf, will do an in-depth needs analysis to find all the properties suitable for you, set up a time to view the homes and guide you through the selection process.

Here is what you can't see online:

1. Homes in hot markets that haven't made it online yet
These are desirable homes in great areas, at great prices that often get sold before a property listing is viewable online. The only way to know about these hidden gems is through an experienced real estate professional who consistently monitors the market.

2. Exclusive/private sales not found on MLS®
A savvy real estate profesional is on the pulse of all potential homes for sale, listed and unlisted.

3. Insight and an insider's edge
A real estate professional not only has access to more data than what is available online, but he/she brings more expertise and a wealth of knowledge so you can be confident in knowing you have a complete picture of each property you are considering.

Want help finding your dream home? Call me today!

When it comes to selling your home, the answer is a resounding YES!

Countless studies have revealed that homes that show best, sell faster and for more money.

The majority of people can't visualize how a home could potentially look. They need to see it in order to feel it and imagining themselves in it. The goal is to evoke a positive emotional response to your home - and when potential buyers can't see past paint chips, leaks, clutter and stains, the response is not a positive one. In fact, people tend to focus even more on the things they don't like than on the things they like.

Here are 3 simple rules for preparing your home to "wow" potential buyers.

1. Remove
Get rid of as much clutter as possible. Give it away, sell it at a garage sale, put it in storage or take it to the dump. Just get it out of the house. You want your home to look spacious and tidy.

2. Repair
Chipped paint, cracked tiles, squeaky hinges, leaky faucets. Fix everything you can. If you need a contractor, your agent can recommend one.

3. Renew
Clean, clean and clean again. It's that important! You want your home to look guest-ready. Organize each room so that it looks like a showcase. A fresh coat of paint can go a long way to dramatically improve the look.

Want more tips on how to get your home ready? Call me today!