When it comes to selling your home, making the right improvements can significantly boost your property's value and appeal. Even if you're not ready to sell just yet, it's never too early to start thinking about strategic upgrades that will pay off when the time comes.

We see it all the time—people fall in love with a new home and suddenly find themselves rushing to get everything done within a couple of weeks. Instead, consider taking a more gradual approach, making key improvements each year so you're well-prepared when the time is right.

Prioritize curb appeal: First impressions matter. A fresh coat of paint on your garage & front doors and a well-maintained exterior can attract more buyers.

Update the kitchen & bathrooms: Modernizing these spaces often yields the highest return on investment. Consider simple updates like new lights fixtures, faucets, cabinet hardware, or even a backsplash.

Enhance energy efficiency: Replacing old windows or adding insulation can make your home more appealing to buyers.

Fix minor repairs: Attend to leaky faucets, squeaky doors, or any small issues that could turn off potential buyers.

Neutralize décor: Repaint walls in neutral tones to appeal to a wider range of buyers and make the space feel fresh.

Thinking about future plans? We're here to help you every step of the way. Let's work together to prepare your home so that when you're ready to sell, you're in the best possible position. Reach out today to start the conversation!

Not ready to sell but want a change? It might be time for a renovation. But which renovation will net you the highest return when you do decide to sell?

Energy efficient renovations
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 bill. 

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

Front door replacement
This is one of the simplest ways to add value to your home. A beautiful entrance has buyers excited to find out what’s inside!

Minor kitchen remodelling
A beautiful kitchen is on the wish list of many home buyers. While some kitchens may need a
complete overhaul, even a minor kitchen renovation is often enough to increase the value of your home.

Garage door replacement
Replacing an old garage door can dramatically improve the look of your exterior and is one of the more cost effective renovations in the long term.

I’d love to show you how i can help. Give me a call anytime for a complimentary real estate consultation.

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! 

Are you thinking of selling your home this year? If so, you might be paying extra attention to housing market news covered by the regional and national media. 

While that news can be helpful information, it can sometimes say little about what’s happening in your particular neighbourhood. In fact, it’s possible for there to be a balanced market nationally or regionally, while at the same time your street may be experiencing a hot seller’s market! 

That’s why it’s important to understand what’s happening in your local “micro” housing market when you’re selling your home. 

What do you need to know about your local real estate scene? Here are a few questions to ask yourself: 
•    Is our neighbourhood a seller’s, buyer’s, or balanced market right now? 
•    If we list our home now, will there be any competing listings in our area? If so, how many? 
•    How long is the average listing in our area taking to sell? A week? A month? 
•    How much are properties like ours in the neighbourhood selling for? 
•    How desirable is our neighbourhood? How many buyers are actively looking to move here? Are there currently buyers eager to purchase a home like ours? 
•    What are the demographics of buyers looking to buy in our neighbourhood? 
•    How important is it to fixup and stage my home if I decide to sell? 

Getting these local insights will be far more helpful than the national news when you put your property on the market. So, find out what’s happening right here, in your neighbourhood. 

How do you do that? Call me today. 

When preparing your property for sale, you want to make it as attractive as possible to buyers. After all, the more buyers like what they see, the higher the probability you’ll get good offers. 

That’s why it’s advisable to clean, declutter, decorate, fix, and improve as much as possible. 

But, how far should you go with fixing and improving? For example, should you tear down the old deck and build a new one? Or, should you leave it as is? 

Should you paint the main floor? Or is it okay to leave the faded finish and few wall dents just as they are? 

Those can be difficult questions to answer because many factors come into play. 

• What is the traditional return on investment for that home improvement? (In other words, how much will you get back when you sell?) 

• To what degree will the fix or improvement help sell your home faster and/or for a higher price? 

• If you don’t make the fix or improvement, will those deficiencies be likely to dissuade buyers who would otherwise be interested in buying your property? 

• What are the current market conditions? Are there other listings in the area competing with yours? 

• How much will the fix or improvement cost? Is it affordable, given the benefits of having a listing that’s more attractive and move-in ready? 

Once you have answers to those questions, you’ll have a clearer idea of whether to fix it or leave it as is. 

I can help you get those answers. Call today. 

If you’ve been thinking about selling this year, one question that might be top-of-mind is, “Should we list now?” You may be wondering whether you should wait until the summer or fall — or even next year — in the hopes that you’ll be able to get a little more for your home.

That “now or later” question is common and can be tough to answer.  On the one hand, there might be a time in the future when the stars align and conditions are perfect for selling your property. On the other hand, those stars may never align so idyllically. 

To determine if you should sell now or later, you’ll need answers to the following questions:

• Is my home ready to sell? If we were to list in a few weeks from today, would we be able to get the property ready?

• What are the advantages of waiting until later to sell? 

• How much would we likely get for our home if we were to sell today?

• If conditions are predicted to become better later in the year, how much more could we get for our home? Is the extra money worth the risk of waiting?

• Are there other reasons for delaying listing our home?

Once you have those answers, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision regarding whether to sell now or later.  Need help? Call today.

Imagine you’re shopping for a new car and you have a specific budget in mind. Do you think you’ll consider vehicles that fall below that price range? Probably not. In fact, they might not even come up in your searches. 

On the other hand, would you consider buying a car that’s priced above your budget? You might, as long as it’s not too much more expensive and has features that make the purchase worthwhile. 

As you can see from that simple example, the list price plays an important role in major purchases, including homes. 

That’s why you want to be strategic about setting the list price of your property when you sell. 

Just like that car, pricing your property significantly lower than its actual market value can be troublesome. Sure, a temptingly low price might bring in more buyers looking for homes in that price range, but it also might send the wrong message to the marketplace about your home. 

Also, if the list price is well below market value, your listing might not come up on the radar screens of some buyers because they’re seeking homes at a higher price bracket.

On the other hand, if you set the list price too high, many otherwise qualified buyers won’t even bother to see it. They’ll wonder why your home is so much more expensive than comparable properties that have sold recently in your neighbourhood. 

Ideally, you want a list price that’s going to send this message to the market: “Here’s a property that’s in your price range, has some wonderful features, and is worth seeing.” 

Setting the right price can be tricky, but when you do, it will help bring in the right type of buyers. 

Want more advice on selling your home? Call today. 

Where do buyers form the most lasting impression of a home for sale that they visit? On the main floor! 
When buyers view a property, they often spend a lot of time on the main floor, thinking and imagining. They visualize cooking in the kitchen, having family dinners in the dining room, and entertaining guests in the living room. They even mentally calculate how their furniture will fit! 

So, making the main floor look great to buyers is crucial when selling your property. How do you do that? 
An effective technique is to walk your main floor the way a buyer would. Start at your front entrance. Stand there for a moment and look around. Get a sense of the impression a buyer is likely to get from that perspective. 

Next, walk to the kitchen area, because that’s where buyers often venture next. Again, linger a while and look around. Does the kitchen look clean and seem as spacious as possible (given its size)? 
Finally, check out the other rooms on the main floor, including the washroom, if there is one. Gauge how you feel and the impression you form as you visit these spaces. 

Once you’ve done that mock tour, write down ideas that jumped out at you for improvements. Those may include uncluttering some areas, rearranging the furniture, adding or taking away items, etc. 
This is a simple but powerful technique for improving how your main floor looks to buyers. 

Call today for more staging ideas that will make your home sell faster and for a good price. 

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home today, no doubt you’re wondering one of two things: Is this a good time to buy? Or, is this a good time to sell? 

While it’s important to note that real estate prices and market conditions are influenced by a variety of factors including location, type, condition, interest rates, consumer confidence, unemployment rates, deficits, population growth and affordability – the most used predictor is the law of supply and demand.

Here are 3 types of real estate markets that use the principles of supply and demand to predict success for buyers or sellers.

1.   A Buyer’s Market.  A buyer’s market is when there are more homes for sale (supply) than there are buyers (demand) for them. In this type of market, buyers have the advantage with more inventory to choose from, prices remain stable or sometime soften with sellers more open to negotiating.

2.   A Seller’s Market.  A seller’s market is when there are more buyers (demand) than there are current homes for sale (supply). In a strong seller’s market, sellers are in the driver’s seat. Prices strengthen or increase; homes sell quicker, and, in some cases, sellers get multiple offers.

3.   A balanced market is when there are equal number of buyers and sellers in the market. Homes sell in a reasonable time frame and prices remain stable. This is a healthy real estate market, one that is good for both buyers and sellers.

For more information on what market type we’re in right now, just reach out; I’m always happy to help!

There are numerous reasons why you might need to sell early in the year. Perhaps you even need to sell this month! Whatever your reasons, preparation is key. Make the right moves now and your sale is likely to go smoothly and successfully. 

Follow these tips: 

1.    Make a list of what needs to be done around the property to prepare it for listing. That includes decluttering, cleaning, getting needed repairs done, and so forth. 

2.    Schedule those tasks. On a calendar or planner, block out ample time to do everything on your list. Give yourself a time buffer because things can often take longer to do than expected. 

3.    Get help.  You don’t need to do everything yourself.  Consider hiring a painter, contractor, cleaning service, and other professionals. Outsourcing can reduce a lot of the stress of selling while ensuring your property is prepared in time. 

4.    Dispose of unwanted items that may  have accumulated over the years in the garage, basement, and closets. You can have a yard sale, sell stuff online, donate items to charity, or take them to your local recycling centre. 

5.    Free up your schedule during the period you expect your property to be on the market. You want your home to be accessible for showings as often as possible, giving prospective buyers a lot of flexibility when scheduling. 

The idea is to get your property as “sales-ready” as possible — as early in the year as possible. That way, when it comes time to list your home, you won’t have to scramble to get it ready. The hard work will be done and you’ll be able to focus on selling your property quickly and for the best price. 

Want more tips on preparing your home for sale? Call today. 

When you have a buyer coming to view your property, you want to make the best impression possible. So, you do the usual things. You clean, tidy and declutter. However, some details are easy to forget. For example: 

1. Is there a mat by the front door for shoes, umbrellas, etc.? 

2. Did you air out the home as much as possible to get rid of any lingering odours from a pet, recent cooking, etc.? 

3. Did you empty trash bins? 

4. Is the buyer (or his or her agent) aware of any doors that may have special locking mechanisms? If so, leave a note with instructions. For example, “To open the patio door, pull up the deadbolt lock at the bottom.” 

5. Are there any kids’ toys on the floor that might accidently get damaged or be a tripping hazard

6. Did you make arrangements for pets? If you must leave a pet home during the viewing, leave a note with any necessary instructions, such as, “Please don’t let the cat out.”

The better your home shows to buyers, the more likely you are to get an offer.

Imagine you’re viewing a home for sale. You venture to the basement, check out the furnace room, and notice the water heater. Is it owned or rented? As a potential buyer, you’d want to know. 

Now imagine a property you’re viewing has a brand-new gas fireplace. Nice! Is it under warranty? Is that warranty transferrable to you if you buy the home? Again, you’d want to know. 

So, when you’re selling, it’s important to pull together all the necessary records you will need in order to answer these types of buyer questions. After all, if a particular warranty transfers to the new owner, that’s a selling point. 

Take the time to find receipts, warranty certificates, and other documents related to: 

• Renovations (such as a bathroom makeover) 

• Major repairs or replacements (such as a new air conditioner) 

• Service prepayments (such as a lawncare service paid annually) 

• Purchases of major appliances and other items 

Keep in mind that you may have purchased extended warranties or maintenance agreements at the time of purchase. Those may transfer to the new owner. 

Also note that some guarantees or service agreements transfer automatically while others require the new owner to initiate that transfer. 

These documents could potentially add a few more benefits to buying your home. So, it’s worth the time it takes to dig them out! 

If you want to sell an item quickly—say, a couch—you can post it online, stick a super-low price tag on it and, chances are, it will be gone by the end of the day. 

So it’s understandable that some people think the same thing applies when selling a home. Indeed, if you need to sell your property quickly, you might assume that setting a low listing price is the best way to make that happen. 

But that isn’t necessarily true. 

The fact is, the list price is only one of many factors that determine how quickly your home will sell—and for how much. 

For example, if your home is in high demand at the moment—given its characteristics, neighbourhood, move-in readiness, and overall desirability— then it may sell quickly at its current market value or even a little higher. 

On the other hand, if the market is more of a buyer’s market, setting a list price that will attract qualified buyers to your home, and away from comparable listings, may be important. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to low- ball the price. 

Keep in mind there are many other things that can help get your property sold quickly, such as how skillfully your listing is promoted and marketed, how well your home shows to buyers, and how flexible you are with your closing date. 

After your home has been cleaned from top to bottom, it’s natural to want it to stay that way. Don’t you wish you could just wave a magic wand and the place would clean itself? Unfortunately, even Harry Potter can’t manage that! 

However, when you’re preparing your property for sale, you really do need to keep it clean and ready for showings. There are several ways you can make doing that a bit easier. 

Try these tips:  

• The one-minute rule. If a cleaning or tidying task takes you less than a minute, consider doing it right away. For example, keeping the foyer clear of clutter. 

• One room a day. After you’ve cleaned and tidied your home, maintain it by focusing on just one room a day. That’s manageable for most people. 

• Prioritize the floors. If you can keep the floors clean, everything else will tend to fall into place. Consider a routine where you do a quick sweep or vacuum of the floors each evening. 

• Declutter as much as possible. Clutter is the enemy of cleaning! When a room is free of clutter, it’s easier to keep it clean, tidy and looking great. 

• Get extras. Buy an extra mop or broom so other household members can help with the cleaning. Also, be sure to stock up on cleaning supplies so you don’t run short just before a viewing appointment. 

• Hire a cleaning service. Having a professional cleaning service come once a week—or twice a week when you’re showing your property frequently—can take a lot off your shoulders. Think of it as an investment in selling your home. 

Keeping your home looking “guest-ready” makes your home show better and gets more buyers interested. But, the task doesn’t need to be daunting. Try these tips to make it easier! 

Like most homeowners, you probably don’t think of your property as just a building with rooms and a backyard. To you, it’s much more than that. It’s a home.

When you walk into your dining room, for example, you don’t merely see the table and chairs. You see memories. You recall laughter with family and friends. It’s emotional.

That’s what a home is all about.

However, buyers don’t want to buy your “home”. What they really want to buy is a property that has the potential to become their home.

While you see memories of family dinners, they see room dimensions and what the dining room may look like with their furniture in it.

That’s why, when you’re selling your property, you need to keep emotions at bay as much as possible.
In fact, the best mindset is to think of your property as a product. The more attractively you present that product to prospective buyers, the more likely you are to get good offers.

That’s why cleaning, depersonalizing, and staging are so important.

It’s also why setting a price that aligns with your home’s current market value is important. You may have put your heart and soul — and many weekends — into landscaping the backyard to make it a summer oasis. It may, in fact, be a strong selling point of your property. But that improvement will only add to the selling price an amount that the market, not your emotions, dictates.

So keep emotions out of the selling process as much as possible. Save that energy for turning your next property into your dream home.

Want more tips on selling your property for the best price possible? Call today.