When you’re shopping for a new home, you’re not just buying a property, you’re also “buying” into the neighbourhood. So, it’s a smart idea to get to know the neighbourhood before you consider purchasing a home. 

There are many ways to do that. Here are the easiest three: 

1. Check MLS. The Multiple Listing Service system provides a wealth of information about a neighbourhood, including demographics, noise levels, distance to shopping and other amenities, local schools, and more. 

2. Walk the area. You can really get a feel for a neighbourhood by walking around and exploring. So, get out of your car and stroll along the streets. Experience the look, feel, and vibe of the area firsthand. 

3. Talk to a local homeowner. Someone who knows the neighbourhood can give you insights that go beyond the data. They can give you a true sense of what it’s like to live there.

If you find you like the area, then you’re halfway to finding a house you’ll love.

When you’re shopping for a home, you may become interested in a property for sale that someone else is also considering. In fact, there may be several other buyers entertaining the idea of making an offer.

In such a competitive situation, what should you do if you really love that home?

Obviously, you’ll need to move quickly and make some fast decisions.

Start by making certain the property fits within your price range. The last thing you want is to have an offer accepted and find out it is beyond your budget. That’s why it’s a good idea to arrange for financing before you go home shopping.

Next, you want to make an offer that is so enticing to the sellers that they’ll put your offer at the top of the pile, if not close to it. So, what makes an offer enticing?

Obviously, price is a big factor. You want to go in at a price that’s attractive to the sellers. Imagine finding out later that the winning offer was only a few thousands more! Ouch!

Find out what similar homes in the area recently sold for — what real estate agents call “comparables” — and use those as a guide.

It’s also important that your offer contains few, if any, issues that may be concerning to the sellers. The ideal offer will feature:

A closing date that’s convenient for the seller.
A deposit amount that shows you’re a serious buyer.
Acceptance of any of the buyer’s “exclusions”. (For example, they want to take the fridge and stove with them.)
Evidence you can get financing. (Many lenders offer a “Mortgage Pre-approval Certificate”.)

Although a “no conditions” offer is the most attractive, avoid adding other conditions, such as “subject to the sale of buyer’s existing property”.

If you want to increase the likelihood that you’ll find — and, more importantly, get — your next dream home, call today.

Traditionally, the real estate market picks up in the spring and summer. Why? Because many people want to buy a home and get into it by September. So, if you’re thinking of selling this year, you might consider taking advantage of this demand. 

There are basically three steps you need in your “sell by September” game plan. 

1. Find out the current market value of your home. 
2. Prepare your home for buyer viewings.
3. Get the right professionals to help you. 

Let’s look at each step in a little more detail. 

Knowing your home’s current market value will help you determime your asking price. That value is calculated using a variety of methods, the most common being a review of what similar homes have sold for recently. Chances are, your home will sell at or near that value. That’s helpful information to know, especially if you’re also buying another home. 

Preparing your home is all about making it look great to buyers. When a buyer views your home, you want them to say “Wow”. It’s a little like a first date! So, you’ll want to clean, declutter and stage your home so it looks its best. 

Finally, it’s important to get the right professionals to work with you. Choosing the best real estate agent is crucial, of course, but you may also need a contractor, cleaning company, real estate lawyer, mortgage advisor and more. Using the best professionals will help ensure your sale goes smoothly and successfully. 

There’s another important component to your game plan: start now. If you want to sell your house and be in a new home by September, this is the ideal month to begin the process.  Need help finding professionals?  I can probably recommend reputable contractors & service providers from my network.

Your front walkway is one of the first sections of real estate a buyer will set foot on when coming to see your home. So, it makes sense to make that pathway to your front door as appealing as possible.

The obvious way is to make it as clean and clear as you can. Ensure there are no obstacles in the way, such as overhanging branches, kid's toys, or potted plants. What you want is a clear, unobstructed and pleasant walk to your main entranceway.

If your walkway needs deeper cleaning, consider a power wash. There are special detergents available that are designed specifically for stone, asphalt or cement walkways and other outdoor surfaces.
A deep cleaning isn't a major project. In most cases, the job can be done within an hour. Yet, the result can be stunning.

If you're selling in the spring or summer, another way to make your walkway look better is to add flowers or other plants along the sides. Don't overdo it. You only need a few flowers or a couple of shrubs to make a big difference.

The great thing about adding a few flowers or shrubs is the impact they can have on your entire frontage making it more attractive and adding to your home's overall curb appeal.

Making your walkway look better may seem minor, but keep in mind that when buyers make their way to your front door, they're forming their first and often most important impression of your property. The walkway plays a small but important role in making it a good one.

Want more ideas for making your home show better, so it sells quicker and for a higher price? Call me.

If you’re going to be out-of-town but need to sell your home, you might be concerned about listing your property while you’re away. After all, you won’t be around to show your property, schedule viewings, consider offers, etc.

While it’s ideal that you be close to home when you’re selling, there’s no reason why you can’t list your property, even if you’re going to be out-of-town.

When it comes to communications and document sharing, technology is a wonderful thing! While you’re away, you can utilize phone, email, file sharing apps (such as Dropbox), e-signing apps (such as DocuSign) and, online meeting apps (such as Zoom).

For viewing appointments, a secure lock box (with your key inside) can be installed so buyers can be shown your property and viewings can be confirmed right from the palm of your/our hands.

Even services such as staging, painting, repair work, and cleaning can be done while you’re away. We're here to help you arrange them.

Sure, the selling process can become a little more challenging if you’re going to be out-of-town, but certainly not impossible. In fact, we have sold homes under these circumstances more than once.

So, if you’re thinking of selling but worried about being away, give me a call. I’ll show you how we make it work.

Here are six home improvements that are not only attractive to homebuyers today but that will yield the highest return when you are ready to sell.

1. Energy Efficient Upgrades. Upgrading your insulation or replacing your doors and windows with more energy efficient equivalents are some of the most valuable renovations you can do. Not only can they add value to your home but will also decrease your monthly utility bills.

2. Kitchen / Bathroom Remodels. A beautiful kitchen and updated bathroom are on the wish list of many homebuyers. While some kitchens and bathrooms may need a complete overhaul, even minor renovations such as new countertops and taps can be enough to increase the value of your home.

3. Fresh Coat of Paint. There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to liven up a home. A fresh coat of paint in a neutral tone, both inside and outside, is the most inexpensive way to update your home and ensure you attract more buyers.

4. Exterior Improvements. Replacing an old garage door, upgrading your front door, adding low maintenance landscaping, removing old awnings or adding a deck are all high-ROI renovations in the long term.

5. Finished Basement. Finished basements add useable space for things like a home gym, entertainment/bar area, game room or kids’ playroom. Be sure to use water resistant materials, test and repair any water damage while finishing your basement.

6. Home Office. With the current trend toward work-at-home schedules, converting a spare room to a functioning home office will be attractive to many homebuyers today.

For a complimentary consult on how to improve your home’s value, please reach out anytime!

When you’re shopping for a new home, you probably want the property to be as “move in ready” as possible. That way, you can... well... just move in!

However, there might be quite a few fantastic properties on the market that need some work. For example, you might see a home that has everything you need, but the kitchen is long overdue for a renovation. Or, you might view a property that requires a lot of repairs and painting — tasks that, at first glance, seem overwhelming.

You don’t want to just pass on a property that might be a great buy for you just because it needs work. On the other hand, you don’t want to purchase a home, only to end up with more renovations, repairs and expenses than you anticipated.

What’s the solution? Here’s an idea.

When you view a home that needs work, make a note of exactly what needs to be done. Stick to the important “must have” improvements and leave “nice to have” improvements for a later time. Chances are, you’ll identify just one or two projects — such as “paint all the walls” or “replace the countertops in the kitchen”.

Once you have that list, you’ll be in a better position to determine how long the work will likely take and the approximate cost. This will give you some needed perspective on whether or not to buy the home.

If a home you’re considering needs $15,000 in work that can probably be completed within two months, that might make the property worth buying. In fact, it probably would!

So, when you see an otherwise ideal home that needs some work, don’t let your imagination make that work into more than it is. Take notes and get estimates.

Depending on where you’re looking, you may be shopping for a home or property in an area where the market is highly competitive, which is just about everywhere now! The good news is, there is plenty you can do to increase your chances of getting the home you love – and can afford.

1. Know exactly what you want. Get crystal clear on the type of home you’re looking for, including size, location, old, new, #bedrooms, garage, parking, etc. This will help narrow your focus on listings that are a good fit.

2. Get your financing pre-approved. In a competitive market, getting your financing pre-approved will give you an advantage at offer time. So don’t leave this to the last minute, do this now.

3. Be prepared to act fast. When the market is busy, good listings don’t last long. You don’t want to miss out! When you see a listing you like, review everything available online first, then schedule a viewing right away if you feel it could be the one.

4. Know your “no-regrets” price. Great homes in a seller’s market will often get multiple offers and sell over asking price. Ask yourself this – what is the highest amount you are willing to pay for this property with no regrets? Losing out on a home for an amount you would have been comfortable with is disappointing. Be sure to run any numbers by your bank / lender / mortgage broker.

5. Consider writing a letter or doing a video telling the sellers how much you love their house. Homeowners are emotionally attached to their homes. They take great pride in every room, every upgrade and feature and want their home to go to someone who will love it just as much as they do.

For more information or to book your complimentary consult, contact me today. Or click here to see my availability so we can avoid the back and forth of finding a time to chat!

If you’re thinking of selling your home this year, you might be asking yourself, “Now or later?” Here are three factors to consider that can make your choice easier:

1. Market conditions.
If the market is such that it benefits you to sell now, that’s a factor that is tough to ignore.

For instance, in a seller’s market, you can expect to sell for a good price. Keep in mind that you may also need to pay top dollar to get into your next home if your new neighbourhood is also experiencing a seller’s market. So, the advantage from the selling price and disadvantage from the purchase price may cancel each other out.

2. Certainty.
If you need to sell, and it’s just a matter of when, selling now has a big advantage: certainty. You know what the market is doing; you know what your current situation is; and, you know what you can afford.

The longer you wait, the more uncertain things become. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wait. There may be other reasons for delaying your listing, such as personal circumstances, employment changes, etc.

3. Lifestyle.
A home is more than a financial investment. It’s at the core of your lifestyle.

You may be in a situation where you’re tired of where you live and want to move. Or, you may be eyeing a neighbourhood you’d love to get into, and don’t want to wait any longer to go for it. There could be other lifestyle factors as well.

Ultimately, if you feel “ready” to move, even if you’re also feeling some trepidation (which is normal), it might make sense to list now.

Imagine you view three properties for sale. Each one has at least one desirable feature and is generally the kind of home you’re seeking. However, each property also has something that nags at you.

When you get home, guess what you’re most likely to remember about those properties? Will you remember the desirable features and the “right fit” characteristics?

Unfortunately, no. Chances are, what you’ll recall are the negatives.

According to neuroscientists, our brains are hard-wired to remember and be influenced by negatives more than positives. When it comes to shopping for a home, that phenomenon can rob you of some good opportunities.

A simple way around this is to write down what you like about a home you’re viewing. You can do this on your smartphone. By jotting down what you like about a property, you’re letting your notes remember for you instead of you relying on your memory. That will ultimately help you make the right decision about whether or not to make an offer.

If you’re thinking about selling in the spring, don’t wait until the spring to start planning. In fact, you’ll save yourself a lot of work and get ahead of the game if you start planning now.

What’s that old saying? The early bird gets the worm! In this case, by starting the process this month, you’ll be in excellent shape when you’re ready to list in the spring.

Here are just a few examples of what you can do in January to get the process started:

• Walk your property and note any maintenance issues that need attention.

• Decide which items to stow or sell to declutter your home.

• Determine what improvements you’ll need to make in order for your home to look great to buyers (i.e. painting, updating light fixtures)

• Find out approximately how much your property will likely sell for in the spring market.

• Clarify the kind of new home you’d like to move into, including ideal neighbourhoods.

• Look into your financing options, so you’ll know the price range you’ll be shopping within.

• Connect with any professionals you may need, such as contractors, a mover, and a real estate lawyer.

As you can see, the more prepared you are this month, the more stress-free and successful the home selling process will be for you in the spring.

And one more tip: contact me to get the conversation started about selling your home in the spring. It’s coming fast!

There’s no doubt about it. The more “move in” ready your property is, the more attractive it will be to buyers. That’s because buyers will be able to imagine living in the home without having to make any major repairs or improvements — at least for the short term.

But, does that mean you need to get every big issue dealt with before you sell? Not necessarily.

Say, for example, your flooring needs replacing soon. Some will say sure, that may influence the interest-level some buyers have in your property, yet, homes sell every day with these kinds of issues.

What it comes down to is cost-versus-benefit. Painting, for example, costs little (compared to other types of improvements), yet can make a big difference in how your home appears. So, the benefit is high compared to the cost.

On the other hand, redoing your kitchen is an expensive undertaking. Although you’re likely to add value to your home as a result of the renovation, you might not get your entire investment back when you sell.

So, consider each improvement your thinking of making based on its cost, how much more you’ll get for your home, and how much more quickly you anticipate your property will sell.

If you’re like many people, you’ve spent more time in your home this year than, perhaps, you ever thought you would! In fact, you might have even gained a greater appreciation for how important it is to have the features, style and atmosphere you want in a home.

That’s why, as you set your personal and career goals for 2021, you might also want to consider setting a few “home” goals.

Ask yourself: What do I want in a home? What features are important to me? How do I want my home to look and feel?

Then, set some goals around making that happen.

For example, if you worked from home this year, one goal might be to set up a more comfortable and productive workspace. Perhaps you’ll want to create a fully-equipped home office.

Another goal might be to finally get that home improvement project that you’ve been putting off done.

Of course, you might find that your current property can’t be improved to fit the vision of your “dream home”. In that case, a good “home” goal might be to pay attention to the market and see what’s available.

The point is to make note of your “home” goals so you can achieve them. As goal setting experts often say, when you write down an objective, you double your chances of reaching it.