If you’re thinking about refreshing your balcony decor this spring or summer, why not think beyond furnishings and accessories?

Thanks to removable materials that are designed to comply with various condo balcony regulations, you can achieve a dramatic makeover with artificial floor surfaces that look surprisingly natural.

For example, some decking packages come in workable squares made of wood- like slats that are held in position by spacers, and can be laid in a linear or checkerboard pattern. relatively easy to install, they can be cut to align with corners, railing posts or odd angles.

Best of all, they require no fasteners or adhesives, so they can be removed for exterior maintenance or other building requirements.

Say you’re trying to sell a used car. imagine that it’s a desirable make and model. the mileage is low. overall, it’s in great condition... except, that is, for the body. unfortunately, there are a few areas where the paint is scratched and there are a couple of dents and rust spots too.

Are you going to have trouble selling that car? Probably. many potential buyers will have trouble seeing past the condition of the body and appreciating the true value of the vehicle.

The same thing can happen when you’re trying to sell your home.

Everything about it could be wonderful, but if the paint on the walls is faded in spots, and there are dents, scuffs and holes, buyers may notice those things more than the other more important features of your property.

So it’s a good idea to inspect your walls to make sure they look great. There are numerous products available at your local home improvement centre for repairing gouges and holes. it’s a relatively easy do-it-yourself job.

Want more tips on how to sell your home quickly? Call today.

When you put your property up for sale, you want to make sure that potential buyers get all the information they need on the features of your home and its surrounding area. If, for example, a buyer doesn’t realize there is a great school just a couple of blocks away, he might cross your property off his shortlist. An effective way to make sure something like that doesn’t happen is to create three lists.

#1: The “I’ll miss it” list. Chances are, there are things about your home that you’re really going to miss when you move. It may be the spacious living room, ideal for entertaining or the nearby park with scenic trails, perfect for walking and biking. Whatever you’ll miss, put it on the list! Chances are, those are features that will also interest buyers.

#2: The “Just the facts” list. What are the facts about your property that a buyer needs to know in order to consider purchasing it? This may be a very long list including such items as total square footage, number of bedrooms, number of washrooms, property taxes, size of yard, and more.

#3: The “repairs and improvements” list. Buyers are interested in the state of repair of your home, and in any improvements you have made to it. On this list, include all repairs you have done during the past three years and, if possible, attach receipts. It’s especially important to include anything that has been replaced, such as a furnace or roof shingles.

Call today for a complimentary, no obligation Real Estate Check-up. We’ll review up-to-date market trends in your immediate area, the current resale value of your home, and tips on improving the value of your home.

If you’re thinking about making a move in the coming year (or you’re just mildly curious about the possibility), you could be well-served by being prepared in advance. Here are a few basic steps you can follow, in order to put yourself in a more advantageous position to respond when opportunity knocks.

1. Minimize household clutter on an ongoing basis so your home will be organized and ready to list on the market without hesitation.

2. Take care of your current real estate investment by completing necessary maintenance repairs and renovation improvements.

3. Keep up with national trends, local market conditions and available opportunities.

4. Secure a pre-approved mortgage.

You don’t have to try to figure this stuff out on your own! Even if you’re just at the “thinking about it” stage, I recommend getting the information you need now. That way, you’ll be prepared to make the best decision when you’re ready.

Call today for a complimentary, no obligation Real Estate Check-up. We’ll review up-to-date market trends in your immediate area, the current resale value of your home, and tips on improving the value of your home.

Residential sales fell 0.3 per cent short of last year’s sales, while sales in the commercial sector – farms, vacant land, businesses and multi-residential properties – were 17.2 per cent higher than the previous year, contributing to the push past last year’s sales.

Total dollar volume of all transactions was $8.344 Billion – a 13.2 per cent increase over the previous year.

“2016 continued the very hot market from the previous year,” noted RAHB CEO George O’Neill. “It was the combination of having lots of buyers for fewer listings which gave us higher sale prices and that big increase in total dollar volume.”

In the residential market, listings were down 9.1 per cent from the previous year, with the median sale price up 14 per cent and the average price up 12.4 per cent.

The median sale price in the freehold market was up 14.1 per cent, while the median for condominium properties was up 12 per cent.

The average prices for freehold and condominium were up 12.3 per cent and 11.3 per cent respectively.

Average days on market dropped significantly in the residential sector in 2016: from 34 days to 26 days in the freehold market and from 34 to 27 for condos.

“There was a very brisk pace to the market through the year, which again shows the strength of the seller’s market that persists,” added O’Neill. “Of course, markets differ from community to community, and the average days on market is also different in each area. For instance, the average for residential properties for Hamilton West was 27 days; in Caledonia it was 17 days and in Burlington it was 21 days. There can be wide variations from area to area.”

O’Neill also pointed out that the averages – whether they be for days on the market or sale price – should not be taken as indicators of what a particular property is worth or how long it will take to sell. “All real estate is local, and REALTORS® have the experience in local marketplaces to properly advise buyers and sellers about the sale or purchase or their home.”

You’ve probably seen signs around the area for "Open House". You may have even attended a few. These are open invitations for potential buyers to drop by on a certain day and time, to check out the property and get more information.

When you’re listing your home for sale, you might wonder whether you’ll need to have an Open House. To answer that question, you’ll need to consider the pros and cons.

Planning and hosting an open house isn’t as easy as it may seem. There’s a lot of preparation involved. In addition, you’ll likely spend hours making your property look its best and you’ll need to be away from your home for a good part of that day.

That being said, an Open House has many advantages.

• It helps showcase features of your property that may not come across well in advertisements and listing descriptions.
• It attracts potential buyers who, for any number of reasons, might not otherwise call to view the home.
• It generates a buzz and publicity about your listing.
 
By working strategically with your real estate agent to schedule and organize a successful open house, you may just get a jump start on that sale!

Property Surveyors, sometimes referred to as land Surveyors, play a vital role in the real estate world. They are the professionals who determine or confirm the exact boundaries of a property.

Will you need to deal with a Property Surveyor when selling your home? You might.

Sometimes the mortgage lender will ask for a land survey, especially if your property is older and hasn’t changed hands in many years. You might also be asked for one by the buyer if there is any confusion about the size and boundaries of your property – or if significant changes have been made to it in recent years. This is nothing to be concerned about.

A qualified Property Surveyor will do the appropriate inspection and measurements on your property and issue you the survey. (It looks a little like a blueprint.) Property Surveyors are highly trained and licensed. In Canada, Professional Surveyors Canada (PSC) represents the profession nationally, and most provinces have their own professional associations.

Before getting a new land survey, make sure you don’t already have one. Hopefully, you’ve stored the paperwork that relates to the purchase of your home. Look through it. A valid land survey might be right there.

If you have questions about land surveys, call today!

The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported 904 sales were processed through the RAHB Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System in December. Sales were 13.1 per cent higher than the same month last year and set a new high for the month of December. This was the sixth month in 2016 to see a new monthly sales record.

There were 714 properties listed in December, an increase of 3.8 per cent compared to December of last year and right on the 10-year average for new listings in the month.

“Consumers were shopping for more than Boxing Day sales this year,” said RAHB CEO George O’Neill. “December sales broke the record for December set only last year. The record sales for the month coupled with an average number of new listings means we are going into the new year with low inventory.”

“Clearly, home buyers – whether they are local or from outside our market area – are finding the Greater Hamilton-Burlington area an excellent place to invest their home-buying dollars,” added O’Neill.

Don't hesitate to contact me for information about your area or property!

If you’re thinking about making a move in the coming year (or you’re just mildly curious about the possibility), you could be well-served by being prepared in advance. Here are a few basic steps you can follow, in order to put yourself in a more advantageous position to respond when opportunity knocks.

1. minimize household clutter on an ongoing basis so your home will be organized and ready to list on the market without hesitation.

2. take care of your current real estate investment by completing necessary maintenance repairs and renovation improvements.

3. keep up with national trends, local market conditions and available opportunities.

4. secure a pre-approved mortgage.

I can help. All you have to do is give me a call. I can fill you in on what’s happening in the local market, give you some tips on home improvements and help you prepare so you can  make the best decision when you’re ready.

The more time we spend indoors, the more susceptible we are to airborne household allergens such as dust and dust mite residue, human and pet dander (i.e. dead skin), mould spores, and chemical off-gases from cooking, candles, smoking, and synthetic materials that were recently introduced into the home.

To reduce the risk of respiratory discomforts triggered by these irritants, it’s important to control indoor air quality (IAQ) by utilizing HEPA-grade filters in whole-home air circulation systems, as well as in portable air purifiers and vacuum cleaners.

In addition, frequently wiping fixtures and furniture, plus cleaning carpets, throw rugs, mats, drapery, upholstery, cushions and dust covers will make a great contribution to improved IAQ.

If your home is becoming difficult to manage, you may want to consider how downsizing might help:

1. More Financial Freedom: Presuming your next home is smaller and more affordable, you’ll have greater ability to address other monetary interests, whether it’s enjoying travel options or establishing an education fund for grandchildren.

2. Less Housework and Maintenance: A smaller household means less upkeep, both inside and outside.

3. Improved Convenience: With a reduced footprint, there are fewer footsteps required to complete a normal range of day-to-day functions – especially if you move from a multi-level home to a bungalow or condo.

4. Increased Options: By carefully shopping for a home that will accommodate any future needs, you’ll have a unique opportunity to plan long- term arrangements for your senior years, potentially enabling you to remain in your own home for an extended period of time.

Thinking about downsizing? Give me a call; I will gladly help you through this process!

You’re probably going to be inundated with holiday sales this month. While those sales can be fantastic, they aren’t the only opportunities to save money. Here are some less-than-obvious ways to keep more money in your pocket.

• Review all of your subscriptions and online services that are set to auto-renew. Do you still want them? Online subscriptions can easily go unnoticed for months. Cancel those you don’t want.

• Have you received any notices of price increases? That’s common in December as companies hike rates for the new year. If you’re a long-term customer, give the company a call. You may be entitled to a loyalty discount, or at least be able to negotiate your rate.

• Do you have a loan or mortgage? Many lenders allow you to make lump-sum payments on the principal. This can save you a bundle on interest charges.

• Call your insurance company. Ask what riders you have on your policies that are not included in your basic premium. Find out if you still need all of them.

This time of year, it can be comforting to curl up beside a crackling fireplace or gather family and friends around the warmth of a wood stove. Take the necessary steps now to ensure that wood stoves and fireplaces are operating property and free of potential hazards.
 
Watch for the warning signs
Look for corrosion or rust on the outer shell of a metal chimney. Watch for bulges or corrosion of the liner as well. Loose bricks, crumbling mortar, dark stains and white powder all indicate problems with a masonry chimney. A certified heating contractor or mason should repair it immediately.
 
Check stove pipes and connections
Ensure that screws are located at every joint and that each connection is a tight, secure fit. Also, look for signs of dark staining or white powder (also referred to as leeching) at every joint. Rust is a clear sign that it is time to replace the stove pipe.
 
Check walls for excessive heat
If the wall above your fireplace or wood stove gets very hot, it could be a sign of improper chimney installation and a potential fire hazard.
 
Protect walls and floors from heat and sparks
Keep combustible objects away from your wood stove or fireplace and always use a properly fitted screen to cover the fireplace opening. Floors and walls should be protected with non-combustible shields.
 
When in doubt, call an expert!
The safest and most practical way to handle the annual maintenance of your chimney, woodstove and fireplace is to contact a WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) certified chimney sweep. It is a relatively small investment for peace of mind.
 
Stay warm and safe this winter!

Most people know the basics of preparing a home for a viewing or an open house. But, there are a number of lesser known tips — tips you often don’t hear about — that can make your home even more attractive and desirable to potential buyers.

In the kitchen, for example, it’s obvious that the stove, sink, and countertops should be spotless. But, did you know that grinding a lemon just before a viewing will help eliminate any lingering odours? You should also arrange the contents of your cabinets and refrigerator to all face forward.

In the bathrooms, make sure the toilet lids are closed. Hang matching towel sets. Moving onto the bedrooms, check that nothing is lying around. Even a shirt draped neatly over a chair can appear messy to some people. In the kids’ rooms, the toys should be “staged”, not just flung around.

If possible, move half the contents of all closets into storage. This makes a big difference in how spacious they’ll appear.

And here’s another uncommon tip. House plants look their best — brighter, more upright and alive — approximately four hours after you water them.

All these tips take just minutes to implement, but they can make a big difference in how your home shows. Studies prove that a well prepped home will often sell faster, and for a higher price, so it’s worth the effort.

Your household’s water system is a valuable asset that requires maintenance to perform well, and keep costs down.

First, check for dripping or running fixtures. Next, go to your water meter, which measures total usage including leaks. If it registers flow when no facilities are in use, you could be wasting water. To verify this, do a visual check on all supply pipes and connections. If the entire system is not accessible, listen carefully for hissing that indicates a leak or a running fixture.

Also check where fixtures connect with drain pipes (e.g. under sinks and around toilets) to ensure water isn’t seeping out. For toilets, place a coloured toilet bowl puck in the tank and wait 24 hours. If the water in the bowl becomes coloured, you have a leak.

You may also have additional units such as humidifiers, sprinklers, misters, fountains or pools that also need to be checked for leaks, calcium build-up or mould, on a seasonal basis.