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!

Are you prepared for what may happen next? Do you know all the ins and outs of what comes with a rapidly changing real estate market? This is why finding the right REALTOR® for you is such a crucial step in the process. Navigating the current real estate landscape is tricky in times of uncertainty, but luckily for you, I can help calm all your concerns. Here’s how.

1. Market insights 

As your REALTOR®, I have access to data pertaining to your local & micro housing markets and have experience navigating all markets, from being in the Top 1% in Canada for well over a decade. I understand the stakes are usually high and know the importance of having the right strategy in place for the type of market you’re in. Managing showings, offers, conditions, negotiations, finances, moving companies, packing—it’s all too much! Let me help you with this.

For sellers, I can gather information on comparable homes, see what they sold for and when, and I also know what buyers are looking for in your area. With me, you get the full support of a boutique style real estate team, from pre-listing preparation and marketing to the successful sale of your home, and I will remain by your side regardless of when you plan your next move.

For buyers, I am here to work for you and get the best home for you. I can advise you on what to expect in your local market, from commute times and proximity to amenities, to noise levels and municipal regulations you may not have heard about.

All real estate markets are local—what’s happening with national and regional numbers may not be relevant for you. I will help you make sense of it all.

2. Negotiation skills

It doesn’t matter if interest rates are at 5%, 10%, or 1%—at the end of the day, my top priority is looking out for you and making sure you’re comfortable with whatever price you land on.

As your REALTOR®, I ensure that I know what you’re pre-approved for, and I understand how interest rates affect your buying power. By clearly communicating your wants, needs, and budget, I can properly advocate on your behalf. 

3. Financial guidance

Did you know I can help you before you’re pre-approved? That’s right! Reach out to me to get a handle on how your local market is reacting to the latest news from the Bank of Canada. I can also provide you with a list of lenders I’ve worked with and offer tips and tricks to help you secure a better rate.

Before doing anything, have a look at our Mortgage and Payment Calculator — https://www.philiphollett.com/buyers/calculators/ - which can provide you with an early look at your financial situation. 

4. Professionalism and sense of security

One of the biggest worries for people on the move is the uncertainty of conducting a real estate transaction. There are so many variables (not just talking about interest rates here!) to think about. From land transfer taxes and lawyer fees to dealing with complete strangers while trying to complete one of the largest financial transactions of your life—you have a lot on your plate if you’re buying or selling.

I understand this. I won’t push you into something you’re uncertain about and can help with market timing strategies to make the current interest rate situation work better for you.

5. Home buying and selling MVP

As your REALTOR®, I am your personal real estate MVP. While you’re figuring out financing, I can already get to work behind the scenes. If you’re buying, this means setting up searches for you, staying on top of houses that are hitting the market, and using my connections to find what might be coming available—hey, with interest rates dropping, anything you can do behind the scenes to get a leg up on your competition is worthwhile.

If you’re selling, I can get to work marketing your property right away, getting it ready for staging, and compiling documentation, all without disrupting your routines too much.

By now, you know interest rates impact the Canadian real estate landscape and that likely isn’t about to change anytime soon. Making the right decision at the right moment seems like a lot of pressure when you don’t know where interest rates will be on a month-to-month basis.

Thankfully, as your REALTOR®, I monitor market trends and housing data to ensure that, whether you’re buying or selling, your best interests are kept top of mind.  Reach out for more details on how we can help you plan your journey to achieving your real estate goals!

In the complex world of real estate, hiring a knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent can be a game-changer for home buyers. In this article, we'll explore the five compelling reasons why enlisting the expertise of a real estate professional is a smart decision when embarking on your home-buying journey.

To save time, money and energy.
When you contact multiple listing agents, you may need to disclose sensitive information about your budget and preferences multiple times, making it challenging to coordinate and streamline your home search efficiently. It may lead to a more disjointed and stressful home-buying experience. A dedicated buyer agent will listen to your needs and understand your goals.

To educate you on current market conditions so you don’t overpay. 
You may miss out on valuable information about other properties that could be better suited to your needs if you're only in contact with individual listing agents. As a buyer, you’ll want to know that you are paying a fair price. Your agent will educate you on current market conditions to help you understand fair market value based on comparable listings and sales of similar homes before making an offer on any given property.

To protect your interests in a realestate transaction.
In a real estate transaction, it’s important to understand that the listing agent is bound by contract to work in the best interests of his/her sellers. Your buyer agent works exclusively for you ensuring your interests come first.

To fearlessly negotiate on your behalf to achieve the best price and terms for you.
Negotiation of what is likely one of your largest purchases requires expertise, experience and skill, period. The best negotiators are masterful communicators who will not only help you decide what to offer, what to include and what not to, but also help you decide when it’s time to walk away. 

To bring calm and joy to your homebuying experience.
A great real estate professional will provide you with key market insights, sound advice and save you endless hours of time and money — all while helping reduce the stress of a large decision so you can relax and enjoy the experience! 

Need help finding your dream home? Contact us today!

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!

When you hear the word “declutter” do you immediately think about all the time it would take and the aggravation it would cause to get rid of all the stuff that’s cluttering your house? Is your next instinct to close the closet doors and run for the hills? We get it, these reactions are 100% human. The question people are asking themselves is, “will the effort be worth it?” You better believe it is, and in fact experts say that it will not only improve your closet space, it will also improve your entire life.

Let’s take a look at six reasons why your life will improve when you make up your mind that now is the time to declutter.

#1 - Decluttered Living Is Peaceful Living
Reducing aggravating clutter that causes frustration will allow you to find what you need and use daily, quickly and easily.

#2 - Decluttering Reduces Stress and Increases Self-Esteem
Anxiety can rise when we open a messy closet door or take a look in our garages. Science has shown that unnecessary stress and anxiety can lead to unforeseen health issues. Life is stressful enough; our homes need to be calm and peaceful places for us to recharge.

#3 - Decluttering = Donating = A Better Life
For All One of the main reasons why our lives become over cluttered is we have been taught not to be wasteful and throw good things away. Another reason is we just do not know what to do with all that stuff. A good answer to both is donating. Developing the habit of donating not only improves your life but will improve the lives of our community members.

#4 - Positive Habits Lead to a Happier Life
Nothing makes us feel better about ourselves and our lives than breaking a negative habit and establishing positive ones. Since all aspects of improving your life is an ongoing journey, think of living in a clutter free environment in the same way. Trading out storage boxes filled with stuff you do not use for Toss and Donate boxes means you will build your positive habit of ongoing decluttering.

#5 - Clutter Free is Accident Free
It is hard to fully enjoy our home life if boxes tumble down from shelves or we stub toes walking down hallways. When clutter takes over, we find ourselves buying more boxes, adding more shelves, and storing stuff up and out into what should be living space. Don’t wait until a box falls on your head to start your decluttering habit. Put safety first!

#6 - Save Time and Money for the Fun Stuff in Life
Less stuff means more time enjoying life. We can find ourselves in the trap of spending time and money on stuff we do not need, over heading off on an adventure or participating in a family event. Less stuff also means you can get rid of your expensive storage solutions. Whether its additional storage boxes, sheds or storage units — that precious money could be used to enhance your life.

Improving our lives and the lives of our family, friends and community is a worthwhile and joyful journey. Start your journey today!

I always say this: updating your light fixtures is one of the best ways to make sure your home makes a positive first impression. Keep in mind, the light fixture must be the right proportion for the room. How does one make sure of that? Well, there are some general rules.

Rule #1: the size of your ceiling fixture should be equal to the sum of the room size.

Say what???

For example, if your dining room is 12 feet by 12 feet, the width/diameter of your fixture should be around 24 inches, to produce a good visual effect.

In a foyer with extra high ceilings, the fixture can be 2-3 inches larger to compensate for the fact that the height will make it look smaller.

Rule #2: With standard 8 or 9-foot ceilings, stick to a flush mounted fixture. If your foyer is 2-storey high, you can definitely go with a hanging chandelier… which brings me to the next topic: how high/low should you hang your light fixtures?

In a foyer, the bottom of your fixture should hang at least 8 feet above the floor or even higher if you have 2-storey ceilings or if there is a large window above the entry door. In the latter case, make sure the chandelier is vertically centered in the window so it can be seen in its entirety from the outside of your home.

In your dining room, the bottom of the chandelier should hang 30-36 inches above your table. You can play within that range, depending on how tall your chandelier is.

Don’t forget to make sure that the style of fixtures you choose remains consistent throughout and matches the overall feel of your home. A crystal chandelier might look out of place in a chalet style home.

If you plan to update your home with a significant renovation, be sure you are investing in the right upgrades. There is an assumption that the money you invest in a renovation will be fully returned to you if you sell the property. That is not always the case. 

Payback on renovations is measured three ways:

1. The value of increasing the selling price of your property
2. The value of enjoying the renovated space
3. The value of maintaining the worth of your property

To yield the highest return on your investment, make sure the quality of the materials & workmanship are consistent with other homes in the area and that the renovation blends in with the overall style and design of your home. You certainly don’t want to over-improve. 

Here are the top 5 renos with the highest return on investment:

• Kitchen

• Bathroom

• Repainting Interior / Exterior - completed in tones that will appeal to a wide-range of buyers 

• Updating De´cor - lighting and plumbing fixtures, replacing worn flooring or refinishing hardwood floors 

• Decluttering - removing all excess items to showcase the features of your home 

How much you spend on improvements should depend, in part, on how long you plan to live in your home. And if you spend thousands of dollars on a unique custom designed feature that may not appeal to most, you may not even recover a portion of your investment. So consider your selling timeline before you create a space that only you will enjoy.

The top 5 renos with highest enjoyment value are:

• Basement finishing
• Garages
• Sun rooms / Additions
• Decks / Fences
• Landscaping 
 

Most buyers don’t want to find out during their home inspection that they’ll have to spend tons of money on big-ticket items. Always better to keep your home in good condition to maximize your chance of getting top dollars when you decide to sell.  ?Replacing those big-ticket items as they near the end of their life expectancy is essential. 

Top 5 renos to maintain worth:

• Replacing the roofing
• Updating the heating / cooling system
• Replacing windows & doors
• Updating electrical (panel, wiring, sockets, fixtures) 
• Repairing structural defects 


As a real estate expert, I can provide an objective perspective before you start your renos.  Reach out anytime, I'd love to help you plan your next one!

There are two trends impacting real estate photography that you should know about if you’re thinking of selling this year. 

First, more than ever before, buyers are relying on pictures to decide whether or not to schedule a viewing. They expect to be able to go online and “tour” your home via the photography. If they don’t form a good impression of your home from the pictures, they may quickly lose interest in your listing. 
Second, everyone is a photographer these days! Most people have phones with cameras, and many think they can take a decent picture. 

Unfortunately, taking a “decent picture” isn’t good enough. Your listing photos need to accomplish a lot. They must: 

• Give buyers the information they need: room sizes, layout, views, property details, etc; 

• Showcase the most enticing features of your home; 

• Communicate the functionality, spaciousness and style of each room; 

• Provide a sense of what it’s going to be like to live there ; and, much more. 

In short, listing photos need to help sell your property. When you consider that these pictures are often the first look-see buyers get of your home, you can appreciate how important they are. 

So, don’t leave listing photos to chance. There is an art and science to taking them. 

Think of it this way. If better listing photos encourage just five percent more buyers to schedule a viewing, that could result in a faster sale at a higher price. 

By the way, I’m well-versed in the best practices of taking great listing photos. Call me for more information.

If you've been house-hunting this year, you may have noticed that it's been slim pickings for listings on the MLS. 

House listings across the country have been steadily declining for 6 years and are now less than half what they were in 2015:

How did we get there? From the 1970s through to the 2010s, Canada grew by an average of 3.1 million people and built on average 1.3 million new single-family homes each decade.

But then in the 2010s, population growth surged to 4 million but new homes built fell to less than 1.1 million:

Unfortunately for prospective buyers, this shortage of single-family homes may persist until we see a substantial increase in construction activity.

If you want to discuss, reach out anytime, always happy to chat.

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.

Home insurance seems to be getting costlier every year, with basic premiums continuing to rise as more homes are exposed to added risks attributed to extreme weather events, accidents, vandalism, and outright theft.

This leaves homeowners in a difficult situation, but there are things that can be done to help ease rising costs.

First, examine your current policy and talk to your agent/broker about your coverage and premiums. You might, for example, agree to increase your deductible to decrease premiums. Meanwhile, you may also be eligible for discounts, based on client profiles such as bundled policies (e.g., auto & home), claims history, and payment punctuality.

Other discounts may be available based on steps taken to protect your home from potential damage, such as installing a backflow valve or sump pump. Or, you may qualify for lower insurance rates if you have recently improved your home’s structural integrity, such as its foundation or roof. Your policy premiums might also benefit from other investments in your home’s infrastructure, like upgrading your heating, wiring or plumbing, or installing a centralized fire and security system. You’ll need to determine whether the cost of these improvements will be offset by lower insurance premiums over a reasonable period of time.

There’s no doubt about it. Preventing mice from entering your home is much easier than evicting them once they’ve moved in. If you take just a few simple precautions, you can avoid the trip to the store to buy traps or the call to the exterminator.

Here’s what the experts recommend:

• Trim back tree branches that are within two feet of the siding or roof. Mice can jump horizontally as far as 15 inches.

• Make sure weather-stripping on doors and windows seal tightly. Mice can easily squeeze through weak spots and gaps, especially where stripping meets at a corner.

• Don’t leave open packages of any type of food — birdseed, apples, etc. — in the garage. That’s like telling the mice, “The buffet’s open!”

• Inspect the outside of your home and look for evidence of mice near walls, doors and windows. Look for mice droppings, which look like black rice.

• If you see a mouse outside your home, don’t shoo it away. Instead, watch where it goes. The mouse might show you how it’s getting in.

Taking these precautions will significantly reduce the chances of mice becoming unwanted guests in your home.

Is there a neighbourhood you drive through occasionally and think, “Wow. I’d love to live here. What a fantastic area”?

Why don’t you take that thought any further? Maybe you think getting into that neighbourhood just isn’t doable – at least, not right now.

Perhaps you’re worried about the home prices or the current lack of homes for sale in that area. Maybe there’s some other reason, such as the possibility of higher mortgage payments.

Of course, those are all valid concerns. But why not find out whether or not they would genuinely hold you back?

For example, if you’re wondering whether you can afford a home in that neighbourhood, you can find that out with a reasonable degree of certainty. You can:

• Get a current market value assessment so you know, approximately, what you’d likely get for your home.

• Find out the average selling price of homes in the target neighbourhood.

• Calculate what you’d be able to put down on a new home.

• Find out how much mortgage you’ll need and what your payments would be.

Once you’ve taken a closer look at the actual numbers, you might discover that a nice home in your desired neighbourhood is within reach.

So, get the facts you need instead of assuming you can’t get into the neighbourhood you want.
The fact might be, you can!

Call today if you’d like to explore that possibility. I can help you get the facts you need.

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!