Imagine you've found the perfect home. You love it. You've made an offer that's been accepted. So far so good!  You've wisely made the offer conditional on a professional home inspection. The only catch?  What happens if that home inspection reveals a major issue?

First, you should know that, depending on the age of the property, a home inspection will typically turn up at least a few areas of concern. The inspector might find loose insulation in the attic that is thinning out or roofing shingles that will need replacing in two or three years. Issues like those are not usually deal-breakers.

However, if the home inspector finds a major issue — such as old wiring that's worn and presents a safety concern — then you're facing a potentially high cost of repair should the deal go through. In a situation like that, as your real estate agent, I can address the issue with the seller, usually through the seller's agent. The seller often agrees to get the repair done at his own expense or, have some or all of the estimated repair cost deducted from the sale price.

Will the deal be in jeopardy? Usually not. In most cases, if you have a real estate agent like me working in your best interests, we can work it out to your satisfaction!

For some people, the thought of listing their home for sale is very stressful! They worry about all the things they have to do — and all the things that might go wrong.  It's sometimes very overwhelming... Luckily, it doesn't have to be that way. Here are some tips for making your home sale go smoothly:

Give yourself time to prepare. If you're thinking of selling six months from now, start preparing your property now. Ask for assistance!  Ask family or close friends to assist if need be.

Do any necessary staging, and get it looking its best before listing your home. Avoid doing these tasks at the last minute.  Set the right price.

Pricing your property too high will likely result in few, if any, buyers coming to see it. You might end up having to lower your price later, causing your home to linger even longer on the market. That's stress you don't need!

Have a flexible viewing schedule. If you make it too difficult for buyers to see your property, they might lose interest or simply choose to buy another home. Be as flexible as possible when a buyer wants to view your property. Plan get-away activities. When a buyer comes for a scheduled viewing, it's best to leave your home. Plan some fun activities for your family while the showing is happening. Think: playground, shopping, cycling, the zoo, etc.

Accept the ups and downs. Prospective buyers might say they love your home and plan to make an offer, and then we don't hear from them again! It happens! Sometimes buyers book appointments to view your home then cancel!  Accept the inevitable ups and downs of selling your home.

Get help with repairs. You'll probably have things that need to be fixed around the home, like a dripping faucet that needs repair or a room that needs painting. If possible, hire a professional to do some of that work.

Finally, work with a great real estate agent. That will make the biggest difference in ensuring your move goes smoothly and stress-free.

I have many professionals that I can refer if you need help!  If you're looking for a real estate agent that is willing to provide advice and recommendations if need be and have stagers, cleaners & repair people available, please call me as I'd love to help you or someone you know!

If you're working with a landscaping contractor, you want to develop a good working relationship with that professional, so you can avoid delays, stress and other issues. After all, the last thing you want is a tree planted in the wrong spot because of a misunderstanding!

The same holds true when working with a real estate agent. Whether you're buying, selling, or both, you want the process to go smoothly and successfully. Creating an ideal working relationship with your agent is an important step toward making that happen.

How do you do that you ask? First, ask your agent to go over the process with you. If you're selling your home, you want to understand the steps the agent is going to take. That way, there will be fewer surprises. In particular, you’ll want to discuss how viewings will be handled. You'll need to come to an agreement as to when your home will be available for viewings, how short-notice viewings will be handled, and whether or not "lockbox access" will be needed.

Don't be afraid to ask questions!  No question is dumb!  You don't want to have unanswered questions or concerns between you and your agent.Also, know that misunderstandings and mistakes can happen in any relationship with a professional. So if an issue does comes up, discuss it right away. Don't let it fester.  

Finally, remember that your agent should be a professional like me, with expertise in buying and selling in this market and with experience!

When I make a recommendation regarding pricing, prepping your home, viewings, etc. remember that I am working in your best interest. I want to sell your property, quickly and for the best possible price!

Looking for an agent that has your best interest in mind? Contact me today! 

Buyers are using the internet to search for properties more than ever before!  In fact, they can even go and see a “virtual” tour of a home using their smartphone or desktop computer.

So, you might be wondering if the old fashioned Open House still works these days? Well, the answer is yes!  If Open Houses didn’t work, no one would be doing them! No matter how good the internet gets, it can’t compete with a buyer being able to visit a property in person, walk through the rooms, stand in the backyard and imagine him or herself BBQ-ing with the family, stroll the area, and meeting neighbours at neighboourhood pot lucks!  An Open House makes it easy for buyers to do just that. It’s an open invitation for them to come by at a specific date and time, to see the property and chat with the REALTOR®. It’s a casual environment, which many buyers prefer. Some buyers, in fact, are more comfortable going to an Open House before scheduling a private viewing.

Will you need an Open House to sell your home? That depends on a lot of factors...but mostly how serious the Buyer is.  If a Buyer is really serious about buying a home they will already have been in contact with their REALTOR® and will set up a time to view your home!  

When I work with clients, I put together a marketing plan designed to sell the property quickly and for the best price possible.  Depending on yours and other circumstances, that may or may not include an Open House however I always ensure your home gets maximum exposure!

If you have questions about what would be involved in a quick and successful sale of your home, contact me. I’d be happy to chat and answer your questions.  

Leanne 

You’ve no doubt noticed the occasional news report about a product being recalled for safety reasons. For example, a car model with a brake problem, or a children’s toy that, under some circumstances, may cause injury.

You may not know that these news reports are merely the tip of the iceberg.  For each product recall you hear about in the media, there are dozens that get little, if any, publicity.

That means there may be products in your home that have been recalled — and you don’t even know about it. It’s a scary thought.

How do you find out about recalled products that may affect you? Here are two tips.

1. Always complete the registration that comes with many products.  This is typically done by mailing in a registration card or filling out an online form. When you register, you’ll be alerted by the manufacturer if the product is recalled for any reason.

2. Both Canada and the United States have agencies that list recalled products on their websites. In Canada it’s the Healthy Canadians website at www.healthycanadians.gc.ca. In the United States it’s the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.CPSP.gov. It’s a good habit to check these sites every season.

If you discover that a product in your home has been recalled, contact the manufacturer immediately. Never assume that the reason for the recall won’t apply to you.

There are many hidden sources of moisture in your home that can lead to serious problems, such as mould. To keep moisture levels in check, consider these tips:

• Bathrooms are an obvious source of moisture build-up. Contractor and TV personality Mike Holmes recommends keeping the fan going for at least a half hour after a shower.

• Check regularly for water infiltration around window and door sills, as well as other intakes into the home, such as dryer vents and cable wiring.

• Determine the humidity level in your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it should be 30-60%. (Keep in mind that humidity may vary greatly from room to room.)

• Regularly inspect caulking around sinks, tubs and showers. Even a tiny break can cause water to leak gradually into the wall or floor, causing damage you may not notice for months.

• Clean up wet spills as soon as possible. On hardwood floors especially, water can seep through and become trapped.

• Repair leaking faucets, toilets and pipes immediately. A drip can quickly become a shower.

Being mindful of moisture today can help you avoid potentially high repair bills later on! 

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home and you would like a Realtor that will look out for you, call Leanne today!