Is there an area you’d love to get into that’s “hot”? In other words, an area where, as soon as a new home comes up for sale, buyers are clamouring to see it?

It can be intimidating to try to buy into a neighbourhood like that. On one hand, it’s the type of area you’d love to call home. After all, there are good reasons why it’s so popular! On the other hand, you might be discouraged by the competitiveness and prices.

If you want to live in that neighbourhood, there are a couple of things you can do that will increase your chances of success.

The first is to create a strategy. Most buyers rush to see a listing in a desirable area only when it shows up on MLS — or sometimes only when it’s advertised. You’ll have a better chance of getting into the neighbourhood if you are alerted the moment a property comes up for sale and you have pre-arranged financing. You’ll get to the head of the line and be ready to make a credible offer.

The second option is to consider targeting other neighbourhoods with similar characteristics. You may have long-dreamed of living in Prestigious Area A, yet there might be a Hidden Gem Area B that is just as good. Maybe it’s even better!

Ultimately, your goal is to find the home you want in a neighbourhood you like. The right strategy will get you there.

Contact me for more information.

You’ve found a contractor that you want to work with – make sure you do your homework before work begins! Check things like:

- Their references
- Their current jobsites
- Their standing with their trade union
- Their standing with the Better Business Bureau
- Get detailed estimates

If all goes well, you now have a contractor and your project can get underway. Keep the following in mind:

- Do not pay in full for a job upfront. The contractor may require a portion of the payment to get supplies. The remaining funds should be paid out on a schedule: second payment when an agreed-upon amount of work is completed and final payment at the completion of the job.

- Be sure to inspect the work being done periodically and before making a scheduled payment.

- Hire someone you can communicate effectively with, with whom you can have a conversation and understand each other’s expectations & requirements.

- Ask for insurance and the Workers Compensation Clearance Certificate before the job starts. Failure to get these things can leave you in a very vulnerable position should anything happen on the site, such as damage, injury, etc.

- Ensure that your contractor knows how to file for permits and is able to get them when required.

- Ask for a written contract outlining the construction schedule, the payment schedule, a precise description of the work being done. Contracts protect both you and the contractor. If they stand behind their work, they should be happy to have the guarantee that a contract provides.

All this being said, once a contractor has done good work for your in the past, I may not be as particular with getting multiple quotes, especially for smaller jobs. Make sure you value their time and try to create a longstanding win/win relationship.

The top retail store chains invest heavily in creating just the right lighting to make their products look great. Why? They know that lighting makes a measureable difference in sales.

The same is true when you sell your home. Lighting can make a big difference in the impression your home has on buyers.

There are two types of light sources, manufactured and natural. You need to consider both when staging your home for sale.

Think about the mood you want to create in each room. For example, you might want the kitchen to seem bright and alive. If yours isn’t quite like that, check whether you are using the highest wattage light bulbs suitable for your fixtures. Also, look for ways to bring in more sunshine. Switching curtains for blinds might do the trick.

In the living room, you might want a cozier feel. That can be accomplished by using lamps that cast a softer and gentler light than more imposing overhead lighting.

Pay particular attention to dimly lit rooms in your home, including nooks and crannies. Even adding small track lighting to a pantry cupboard can make the space seem brighter and more inviting. Check that lighting is adequate in the garage and walk-in closets too.

Finally, make sure all lights in your home work during viewings. Have spare bulbs available in case of a burn-out. You don’t want a buyer to try to turn on a light and discover it’s not working!

“Staging” is about setting up and decorating each room of your home so that it looks as attractive as possible to potential buyers. Studies show that a property is more likely to sell quickly and for a better price if it is effectively staged.

Even if you haven’t heard of staging before, you probably already know the basics, such as eliminating clutter and making sure everything is clean and “guest ready”. However, there are also some home staging “secrets” staging professionals use that you may not know.

Here are a few examples:

Increase horizontal surface space. Make sure desks, countertops, coffee tables, end tables, etc. are as free of items as possible. Give the impression that there’s lots of room available on horizontal surfaces.

Flowers. Fresh flowers or flowering plants placed in a couple of rooms, such as the kitchen and living room, can have a dramatic impact on how inviting that room looks. Just don’t overdo it.

Don’t be daring when you paint. You may love the idea of a bright yellow and green combination in the family room, but not everyone will share your daring sense of style. If you paint, stick to neutral colours.

Less is more. Be brutally honest about the amount of furniture you have in each room – including wall hangings. Is there a desk, side table or other piece you can put away in storage? Think about ways to make each room more spacious. Space is king!

Ultimately, the best staging advice is to use your common sense. Put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer as you walk through your home. Ask yourself, “What changes will make this room even more attractive?” Want more staging tips? Call today.

If you’re thinking of selling, you probably have a myriad of questions.

- What’s my home worth?
- Should I use an agent or go at it alone?
- How do I make my home attractive to buyers?

And, of course, the big one: How do I get the most for my home?

Because selling your home is a journey, and the more informed you are about what to do and expect, the more successful your home sale will be.

Ideally, you want that journey to end with your property selling quickly and for the best price possible.

I can help get you there.

If you have any questions, just ask. I’d love to be part of your journey!

When you’re viewing a home for sale, you may get swept up by its initial appearances. Everything may look clean and beautiful, with all the features you’re looking for. Indeed, you may even be considering making a serious offer.

So, during that viewing, don’t rush. Take a close look at the important details. For example:

• Will it need any major renovations?

• If the property is old, are there items (kitchen stove, furnace, roofing shingles, etc.) that will need to be replaced soon?

• Do you like the neighbourhood and surrounding area?

• Is there anything that might bother you? (For example, a single rather than two-car garage.) • Does the closing date work for you?

• Are the size and orientation of the rooms to your liking? (You might want a spacious living room if you entertain regularly.)

There may be other details you’ll want to consider as well. Most of what you need to know can be found out during that initial visit. So, take the time to view the property carefully and ask all of your questions. Then, if you choose to jump on the opportunity quickly, you’ll be ready.

If you’re shopping for a new home, you’ll likely be looking for a property that has been well cared for by its owners. A home that is in a good state of repair and may even be “move-in ready,” can ultimately save you time and money.

A well looked after property often has the following characteristics:

• No scuffs and dents on walls that look like they’ve been there for years.
• Major appliances are in good working order.
• Caulking around the bathroom tub or shower looks solid with no cracks, breaks or yellowing from water infiltration.
• The flooring looks clean and well-maintained. (If there is carpeting, it looks like it has been regularly vacuumed.)
• Proper lighting is installed and working in all areas.
• Seals around windows look good with no sign of air infiltration.
• Exterior landscaping is well groomed.

Besides those traits, a well-maintained property will tend to make a great impression. In some cases, you’ll think, “Wow, the owner really took care of this place.” Trust that instinct. It’s probably true!

Do you ever buy products that say, “some assembly required”? If you’re like most people, that statement makes you worry that you’ll end up spending hours struggling to put the item together. In some cases, you might even decide not to buy it, just to avoid the frustration!

As a homeowner, you might have a similar concern when it comes to selling your home. You may be thinking of selling, but the process of getting your property ready and putting it on the market seems overwhelming. It may even make you hesitate.

Those listing jitters are understandable. Fortunately, there’s a cure. You simply need to get informed about the process. You need to get the facts about:

• Exactly what you need to do, to prepare your home for sale. • What your home is worth on today’s market.
• How long it will likely take to sell your property.
• How viewings and possible open houses will be handled.
• What the ideal strategy is for selling your home quickly and for the best price.

Once you have all this information, you’ll know what to expect and the selling process will be easier and less stressful. If you need help finding this information, call today.

When you’re having a garage sale, one of the toughest tasks is pricing your items. If you put a price tag on your old golf clubs that’s too high, no one will buy them. If you make the price too low, they might sell quickly, but you’ll spend the rest of the day wondering if you could have gotten more!

It’s similar to selling your home — except with your home, the stakes are much higher. You want to price your property to sell, but you don’t want to leave any money on the table.

How do you accomplish that?

Setting the right list price for your home requires a combination of skilled calculation and industry savvy.

Let’s start with the “calculation” part...

When you work with me, I’ll review recently sold properties that are similar to yours in type, size, features and location. Then, using that data, we’ll calculate a range that represents your property’s “current market value.”

For example, consider a spacious 15-year-old detached home in a nice neighbourhood. If similar homes in the area have sold for $750,000-$850,000 in the last six months, then a list price above or below that range would be in the danger zone.

But skilled calculation is only half the task.

Setting your list price also requires expertise in the local market, which comes from being on the front lines of many property transactions.

That’s why working with a good real estate salesperson is so important, when you’re deciding on the list price for your home.

Want to discuss selling your home? Call me.