SELLING YOUR HOME, TIME TO GET TO WORK!

Though cosmetic issues are not necessarily a sign of a badly maintained home, Buyers sometimes place a lot of emphasis on a property’s presentation. First time Buyers can be especially concerned with making such a big purchase and they want everything to be – or at least, to look – perfect. Your home’s exterior is the first thing potential Buyers are going to see, and if is dilapidated, it may turn them off before they even see the inside. First impressions, also known as “curb appeal”, definitely count for a lot.

Here are some things you can do to improve the look of your home’s exterior:


Trim the shrubs.



Mow the lawn.



Remove dead tree limbs and other yard debris.



Brighten up the garden with fresh shrubs or flowers.



Remove clutter from stray toys and gardening equipment.



Touch up peeling paint on doors, siding, and trim.



Repair and/or paint any fencing ...

The Result of Overpricing

Many Sellers believe that it is okay if they price their home high initially, they can always lower it later. Is this a wise strategy? Often, when a home is priced too high, it experiences little activity. Although the Seller may gradually lower the price closer to market value, by that time it has most likely been for sale for too long, and some buyers will be wary and may even reject the property.

Occasionally, the price may be dropped to below market value because the Seller has run out of time. When this happens, the property sells for less than it is worth.

Getting to Know Your Market

A comparative market analysis prepared by your realtor, is an indicator of what today’s Buyers are willing to pay for a similar type or comparable home. The purpose of the report is to compare the market activity of homes similar to yours, usually in your immediate neighbourhood. Those that have recently sold represent what Buyers are prepared to pay. ...

LOCAL REALTORS, WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Once you have decided that the time is right for you to buy a property, you will want to choose a real estate agent to work with. More so in recent years, the question comes up: why should I use a real estate agent at all? With the surge in for sale by owner (FSBO) websites and the explosion of websites geared to helping buyers find the properties and research neighborhoods, some people consider doing the job themselves. The fact remains that you might find your ideal home on the internet but it is still essential to have an advocate who will help you with every step, from screening potential properties to negotiating the best possible deal for you and handling the dozens of complicated transactional details. The great news is that Buyer Representatives are compensated by the seller, so using a Realtor does not require the Buyer to pay any out of pocket fees. We will put all of our time and effort into helping you reach your real estate goals and we ...

THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHILE VIEWING

One of the hardest things to do when looking for a home is to remain objective because it’s easy to fall in love with a home’s appearance, but it is also important to look beyond the outer layer, because sometimes appearances can be deceiving.

Here are some things to look for when viewing a home:


General upkeep – is the home dirty or cluttered and are the lawns uncut? If the owner has not bothered to keep the house looking clean and attractive, what problems could be lurking below the surface?



Water leaks – water rots wood, destroys foundations and leads to mold and mildew just to start. Re-shingling a house or repairing a cracked foundation can be very expensive. Look for stains, bulges and other signs of damage on ceilings and walls, loose crumbling grout around bathroom & kitchen tiles could mean leaking water. It takes an expert eye to find many water leaks so please feel free to bring a professional wite ...

THE HOME LISTING PROCESS
Once you have decided to list your property for sale, you can count on an agent to:

Put your home on the market in a timely manner. My team is highly organized and prepared to work intensively for you to meet your timelines.
Take care of all the paperwork and organize all the details, from staggers to professional photographers and floor plans.
Advise you about your legal rights, sale options, and obligations.
Check in with you frequently to advise you on what is happening behind the scenes, provide feedback from showings and keep you updated on what is being done on an ongoing basis to actively market your property.
Negotiate offers to get you the best price and the best terms.

Real estate never stops, homes can be sold over the Christmas holidays and even in traditionally slower months, like August. Though spring and fall are the most active seasons for real estate, in the summer and winter there are usually fewer homes for sale to accommodate the ...