Whether you're painting your home to prepare it for sale, or simply to make it more attractive for your own enjoyment, choosing the right colour is super important! A colour isn't just a matter of taste, it's also, to a large extent, about the emotions it elicits.

If you're painting your foyer, for example, you may want it to seem warm and welcoming. So, light, warmer tones might be appropriate as that colour is often interpreted as friendly.

In your living room, you may want to create an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation. In that case, consider shades of greens or grays as those colours communicate peacefulness and calm.

Want the rec room to look vibrant and energetic? Brighter colours communicate those emotions, possibly shades of reds.

Where do you find more information about colour psychology? There are plenty of charts available online. Just Google "colour psychology charts". They can help you select just the right colour to convey the feeling you want for a room.

Of course, if all else fails, you can't go wrong with soft beiges, or light gray/beiges especially when selling your home. Neutral colours are often interpreted as reliable and buyers are able to picture their own furniture and items in a more neutral palet.

Have questions about painting and other fix-ups that will help sell your home faster and for the best price? Give me a call!  

If you have a home that is overdue for a renovation, you might be worried that it will be difficult to sell as a "fixer-upper".  In fact, you might delay listing your property for that reason.

The good news is, you don’t need to fix up everything in your home to prepare it for sale. You can be selective and choose only those projects that are most likely to help your home show well and sell quickly.

Here are some projects to consider:

• Repairs. Few things stand out more during a viewing than something in obvious need of repair. That includes minor issues, like a dripping bathroom faucet, as well as major concerns, such as the central air conditioning unit not working or the gas not on for a gas fireplace. Get these repairs done!

• Painting. Painting is one of the easiest and most affordable DIY projects you can do. Yet the impact it can have on your home is stunning. Some rooms are completely transformed by a fresh coat of paint.

• Kitchens & Bathrooms. Buyers love to see great looking kitchens and bathrooms. In fact, there are even magazines devoted just to those rooms! You don't necessarily need to do a major renovation of these spaces, but a makeover can be a good idea. Consider replacing sinks, countertops, and/or cabinet hardware.

• Floors. If the floors in any of your rooms have become worn and unsightly, look at options for refreshing them. Consider replacing carpeting, refinishing hardwood, and/or getting tiles professionally cleaned and polished.

• Outdoors. Sometimes you can compensate (a little) for a less-than-ideal interior by sprucing up the outdoor space. Explore ways to improve your deck or patio, walkways, and landscaping.

Even if your home is older, you can make it more attractive to buyers with any one of these projects.

Want more ideas for finding eager buyers for your home and getting the best price when you sell? Give me a call!

 If you're thinking ahead to your next dream home, the road you need to take to get there may seem confusing.

Do you search for listings online? Drop by Open Houses on the weekends? Call the number on For Sale signs?

Let's me break it down! Here are the specific steps you need to take to ensure you find a home that fits your wants, needs and budget.

1. Find out how much your current property will likely sell for on today’s market.

2. Arrange for financing, so you know what you can afford.

3. Select neighbourhoods you'd love to live in. (That may involve some fun exploring!)

4. Decide on the type of home you want to buy. (For example: detached, three-bedroom, close to schools, transit etc.)

5. Prioritize the property features you want most, so you can be flexible if a feature is missing from a home listed on the market that is otherwise ideal.  Your must haves vs your wants...

6. View properties on the market that closely fit your criteria, particularly new listings that may not yet be posted online. (Tip: Arrange to be immediately notified of new listings that are a good fit for you.)

7. When you find a home you want, work with a realtor to make a competitive offer designed to get the property — without overpaying.

8. Negotiate until you secure the deal. You should expect that this may involve counter-offers.

9. If the negotiation is skillfully done and all goes well, the home will be yours.

As you can see, there isn't a lot of mystery in finding your next dream home. You just need to take the steps and get the professional help you need along the way.

Looking for a real estate agent that can get you to the finish line? Call me - Leanne Drolet, Royal LePage Sterling Realty!  I'd love the opportunity to help you!