Sometimes the reason for putting your home on the market is crystal clear!

For example, you might have a job relocation and need to move. Or, you might have decided to downsize because the kids have left the nest.

However, there are many other motivations to list your home that are not as obvious, and yet are still good reasons to make a move. Here are just a few examples...

• You’re bored with your home and are looking for a change.

• There’s something you’ve always wanted in a home that your current property doesn’t have, such as a wooded backyard or pool.

• You want to be closer to work, or to activities you enjoy, such as golf.

• You want to be closer to family.

• The neighbourhood is changing in a way that no longer fits the lifestyle you want.

• There’s another neighbourhood you’ve always dreamed of living in.

• Your tastes have changed and you want to live in a different type of home.

• You want to travel more, and have an easier, lock and leave lifestyle and home!

None of these reasons may make it an absolutely necessity to list your property and find a new home. Yet, they’re all worth considering, especially if moving it may make you and your family happier, and provide you with a more desirable lifestyle.

Want to talk about the possibilities? Call today. 

 Have you ever considered renting out a room to a student or renovating your basement into a self-contained rental apartment? It’s a big decision that many people ask about!

There are many pros and cons to consider. On the pro side, renting can provide you with additional income. An extra few hundred dollars a month can go a long way towards paying down your mortgage or splurging on an exotic summer vacation. Creating rentable living space in your home — for example, an “in-law suite” featuring a kitchenette and bathroom — may also increase your property’s market value.

On the con side, you’ll have more costs and responsibilities as a landlord. For example, you might need to purchase extra insurance because basic home insurance policies typically do not cover rental units, even if you’re just renting out a room. You’ll also be responsible for dealing with repairs sometimes in the middle of the night. Also, if you’re not careful about the renter you choose, you might end up with a “problem tenant”. For example, you could have a tenant who is consistently late on rent payments or simply stops paying. That can be stressful.

If you’re deciding whether or not to rent, be sure to check local laws and regulations. Many jurisdictions have very strict rules regarding renting out space in a residential property, and those rules change frequently.  Make sure you get the latest information and way all the pros and cons!

Your neighbourhood has a lot of features that can help sell your home faster!  Unfortunately, buyers don’t usually notice those features just by driving around. So, you need to make sure they get all the information they need about your neighbourhood and that's where I come in!

For example, say homes don’t go on the market often in your area. That’s an indication that the quality of life in the neighbourhood is so good that no one wants to leave! In real estate we measure the area’s “turnover rate”, and it’s handy data to have when listing your home. Demographic data can also be helpful when selling your property. If your neighbourhood has a lot of families, for example, that’s going to be appealing to buyers with kids. Even local development plans can play a role in making your home more attractive to buyers. If a new ramp to a major highway is in the works nearby, getting to work is going to be easier. That could be a big benefit to commuters.

Other types of data that can help sell your home include: • Planned local construction.

• Proposals for neighbourhood improvements. (For example, a new playground.)

• Rates at which local property values are increasing.

Any information that shows the advantages of living in your area is going to be useful when selling. By the way, this is the kind of information I put together to provide to prospective buyers when selling your home. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!

 Hopefully, this will never happen to you. But, there are circumstances – a fire, for example – when you and your family would need to exit through a window.  It pays to be prepared!

Your first step is to determine which windows are safe to use as an exit. There should be at least one on each level. The windows you select will need to provide enough space for a person to climb through (at least a 20 inch opening). Make sure everyone knows which windows are “safe exit” windows, and how to open them.

Keep in mind that windows may have screens, so ensure everyone knows how to remove those as well. For a second floor window, consider purchasing a portable escape ladder. These are compact and easily stowed in a closet or under a bed. When you need it, it hangs off the sill and expands into a ladder all the way to the ground. It’s not designed for everyday use, but it will get you and your family out!

Rehearsal is also a good idea. You want everyone to know how to get to the nearest “safe exit” window – especially in the dark.

Finally, keep your windows in a good state of repair. According to the National Fire Safety Association, windows should open easily for everyone, and should not have anything in front of them that will prevent or delay a quick exit.

Checklist for WOW-ing a Buyer during a Viewing!

Imagine you were selling your car, and a prospective buyer was on the way over to see it. What would you do? You would probably make your vehicle look as clean and shiny as possible, inside and out. The same holds true if you’re selling your home and there’s a potential buyer on the way. You want the buyer to be wow’d by your property. Here’s a handy checklist to follow:

• Clean every room. Make your entire house look as “guest ready” as possible.

• As much as is feasible given the time, reduce clutter. Consider packing some items into boxes and storing them in the basement or garage.

• Get pets out of the house. You can take them for a walk, have a neighbour watch them, or take them to a good kennel.

• Turn on all the lights, even during the day. You want each room to look bright!

• If there are any maintenance issues, such as a dripping faucet, let your Realtor know. Often, it’s best for buyers to be told rather than discover such issues themselves.

• Open all the curtains, except in those rooms where the sun will be uncomfortably strong during the viewing.

• Move your vehicles from the driveway so the buyer can park there. (That can help them imagine living there, which is what you want!)

• Make sure your foyer is especially clean and uncluttered. It’s the first “room” the buyer visits.

• Avoid cooking just before a viewing. Even if the meal is wonderful, the aroma may linger. (Some people don’t like the smell of certain dishes, such as fish.)

• Freshen up the outdoor space, walkway/garden area to the front door! Mow the lawn. Sweep the walkway.  If possible, have some fresh flowers in a pot at the front doorway!

This viewing checklist will help you prepare your home quickly, so when the buyer comes in your front door, there’s a much better chance he or she will be impressed.

If you need further tips, contact me at Leanne@Realtygal.ca

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 might naturally assume that it is most important to talk to a Realtor when you’re selling or buying a home. But there are many other circumstances in which it makes sense to give me a call. Here are a few examples.

1. When you’re in the “thinking about it” stage.... 

If you’re just thinking about selling your home, and haven’t made a firm decision yet, you might feel uncomfortable calling a Realtor. You don't need to feel this way... In fact, I welcome your call and it's truly in your best interest to gather your information before making a decisiong. I'm here for you!  We can discuss what your current property will likely sell for on today’s market, and determine the type of home you qualify to buy. That way, you’ll have some clarity and be able to make a more informed decision.

2. If you’re nervous about the selling process....

If you haven’t sold a home before, you might be concerned about what’s involved in the process. You might even worry that putting your home on the market is going to be a lot of work and create a lot of turbulence for you and your family. Fortunately, selling your home doesn’t need to be scary. In fact, a big part of my job as a Realtor is to make the process as smooth and trouble-free as possible. I have many contacts to assist to make the process as easy as possible.  So if you have concerns about selling your home, you should give me a call.

3. If you have questions... 

You likely have questions about the local real estate scene from time to time. You might have questions like: “How much did that home around the corner sell for?”; “Is now a good time to make a move, or should I wait until the market changes?”; and, “How much is my current home worth?” When you have questions like those, you don’t need to dig for answers on your own. You can give me a call. As an expert in the local market, I can give you the answers you need.