Remember when you found your current home? You walked in and got the feeling it was a great fit for you and your family. Now that you’re planning to sell your house, you need to make that same impression on the next potential buyer. Here’s how to do it.
Clean and de-clutter
Make sure your kitchen, bathrooms, and floors sparkle. Use old-fashioned elbow grease or call in professional cleaners to get the job done. Can you walk into your walk-in closet? Does your car barely fit into your garage? Start packing early and put your seasonal and personal things into storage. Make your rooms and cupboards look spacious.
Repair the little things
Put on your home inspector’s hat and walk through your house. Make a list of the items that need attention and arrange for repairs. Focus on your entry-way, drywall, paint, sticky/squeaky doors, leaky faucets, flooring and countertops.
Help buyers see themselves in your house
Remove your family photos and personal mementos. Buyers have difficulty picturing themselves in your house when your personal items are on display.
Let the light in
Bright homes often have a higher resale value. Pull back blinds and draperies to let natural light in. If you still have some dark spots, add floor or table lamps to the area.
Groom your yard
You wouldn’t go to a job interview without being well groomed, so make sure your yard is groomed for viewings. Trim your hedges and shrubs. Cut the grass. Pull weeds and cut back any greenery that covers walkways.
So you’ve found your dream home – but you’re competing with other buyers? See what Beth has to say about her strategies on how to deal with a multiple offer situation.
And if you’re interested in learning more, you can call or text at 250-498-9867 or Click here to email Beth
An Open House, or really, any appointment to view property, is an event. And, like many events, it’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement and energy. In fact, when you visit an Open House, you might even end up rubbing elbows with other buyers who are there at the same time. It can feel like a party!
In an environment like that, it’s not unusual to forget to ask important questions about the property. Here are some of the most common:
How old is the roof?
How old is the furnace, air conditioner and other HVAC equipment?
How does the price compare to similar properties in the neighbourhood? (You don’t want to make an offer that’s too high.)
What are the characteristics of the neighbourhood? (Amenities, safety, traffic, access to public transit, property turnover, etc.)
What doesn’t come with the home? (Ask specifically about kitchen appliances, gas-connected BBQs, chandeliers, window coverings.)
Are there any potential impediments to the sale? (Tenants, outstanding liens, etc.)
Are there any outstanding maintenance issues, or repairs that need to be done? (For example, cracked ceramics on the foyer floor.)
Are there any issues that impact the full use of the property? (Ask specifically about shared driveways or walkways, public “right of way” through the property, water drainage rights from neighbouring homes, etc.)
Yes, an Open House can feel like a frenzy, and if it’s a home you love, you might feel pressured to make an offer. But, it’s important to take the time to ask the right questions and consider your decision carefully. You don’t want to find out, too late, that there were questions you should have asked.
Want more tips on finding the home of your dreams?
As with any investment, it’s a good idea to always be mindful of the value of your property. Essentially, that means keeping an eye on market trends. Using available statistics, we can help identify desirable home features and trends. Staying in touch with those trends will help you understand the value of your home and the types of projects worth potential investment.
For example, millennials are emerging as the largest demographic of buyers, and they often identify “smart technology” such as newer security systems and smart appliances and fixtures as important features. Ecofriendly and energy-saving features will also increase buyer interest in today’s market, especially as electric car chargers become more common, and as climate extremes increase demand for more efficient HVAC systems. Of course, today’s buyers are still seeking long-time desirables such as upgraded kitchens and bathrooms.
So, whether you’re looking to attract a certain type of buyer, deciding whether to invest in a specific home improvement, or simply reviewing the value of your investments, let’s discuss today’s trends and how they might impact your home’s value.
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.
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.
None of these reasons makes it an absolute necessity to list your property and find a new home. Yet, they’re all worth considering, especially if moving will make you and your family happier, and provide you with a more desirable lifestyle. Want to talk about the possibilities? Call today!
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.
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.
Another bit of data that buyers can’t simply see is the local crime rate. But, most police departments keep those statistics. If your neighbourhood has a low crime rate, that’s an obvious plus to sellers.
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’s 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.
An Open House, or really, any appointment to view property, is an event. And, like many events, it’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement and energy. In fact, when you visit an Open House, you might even end up rubbing elbows with other buyers who are there at the same time. It can feel like a party!
As with any investment, it’s a good idea to always be mindful of the value of your property. Essentially, that means keeping an eye on market trends. Using available statistics, we can help identify desirable home features and trends. Staying in touch with those trends will help you understand the value of your home and the types of projects worth potential investment.
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.
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.