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.

These days, people are more environmentally conscious. When it comes to their homes, that often starts with being more thoughtful about heating and cooling so they’re consuming less energy. With that in mind, here are some tips for making your home more eco-friendly:

1. Install a smart thermostat. Modern thermostats come with various features that help you manage heating and cooling, so you use less energy. For example, you can program a thermostat to adjust temperature during the workday and then turn on heating or cooling an hour before you get home.

2. Take advantage of non-peak times.  Many utilities (electricity, water, etc.) offer price breaks at non-peak periods. For example, washing your clothes later in the evening might reduce your water bill. Ask your utility providers about available price-saving programs.

3. Buy energy-saving products.  A wide range of products are available to help you lower energy consumption, from shower faucets to kitchen ranges. The next time you’re shopping for an appliance or fixture, ensure it has eco-friendly features.

4. Replace worn insulation. A one-inch crack in window insulation can cause your home’s HVAC system to work harder. That’s why experts advise that you check the insulation around doors and windows once a year and repair or replace it where necessary.

5. Manage passive heat. It’s no surprise that a window letting in the sun will make a room warmer. So, take advantage of this free energy source. Let sun into rooms on cool days, so your furnace doesn’t have to come on as often. Do the opposite on hot days.

I’m well-connected in the local home industry. If you need any advice or recommendations, call today!

I recorded this video for you, about what the real estate market has done since Covid and with this year's rate increases. Click below to watch it!

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. 

Living in a decluttered home will definitely improve your life. Here are some tips on how to do it free and easy!

Start small and stay consistent
Start with one closet or area and get it completely decluttered. Chances are acknowledging your accomplishments will give you the energy to tackle your next area. In no time you will have a clutter free oasis and an improved lifestyle.

Have a sorting method
Sometimes we ruminate too much over what to keep, toss and donate. Don’t get bogged down into too much time spent wondering what you want to keep. Here is an effective rule of thumb that will help you make decisions quickly: keep the items that you have used in the last three months and items you consider heirlooms or keepsakes. Tackle each area by placing each item in your hands and ask yourself these simple questions, “Do I still use this item? Is this item an heirloom or keepsake? Is the item in usable condition? Would someone else use this item?” Keep all items you still use and value. Toss items that are unusable, soiled or broken. Donate all good condition items you do not use. Once you have mastered this sorting method, you will be shocked how easy it is to get your spaces clean and organized.

Donate
Once you have returned all your usable items, keepsakes, and heirlooms back to their storage areas, it’s time to donate. If you haven’t already, simply put all these items in sealed cardboard box or bag and label “Donation”. Some organizations like Diabetes Canada will pick up clothing & small household items donations free of charge. All you have to do is schedule a pickup. It is that easy! Improving our lives and the lives of our family, friends and community is a worthwhile and joyful journey. Start your journey 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.