This is a busy month in many households. Summer is over. The kids are back in school. It’s time to prepare for the change in seasons.

If you’re trying to find someone to help finish any lingering yard work or home repairs, give me a call. I can recommend professionals in almost any home related field – like contractors, designers, landscape companies, junk removal services, handy people, and more.

Of course, if you, a friend or neighbour wants real estate help, please call me for the professional advice you need.

What Buyers Notice Most When Viewing a Home

Do you remember the last time you viewed a home for sale? What do you recall about that property? You likely remember the features and characteristics that stood out, such as the gorgeous hardwood floors, the spacious kitchen with the long island, or… the faucet that was dripping in the main floor washroom!

Obviously, you want potential buyers to notice the great features of your home rather than those things that are less appealing. So, when preparing your home for sale, pay particular attention to what a buyer is likely to notice and remember.

Say, for example, you have a small unused bedroom that has become the unofficial storage room. If something doesn’t go anywhere else, it gets put in that room! Now it’s a cluttered space.

What will buyers remember about that room after a viewing? Will they see the potential for a home office or comfy reading room? Most likely, they will just remember a small, cluttered, potentially unusable space.

Buyers will also notice a dripping faucet, a scuff in the wall, or the lingering odour of spicy cooking in the kitchen. They will remember all the things that stand out, regardless of whether they are positive or negative.

So, when you list your property, make sure that what stands out for potential buyers are the desirable features of your property.

If you have a wonderful sitting room with large windows and a great view, make sure that space is clean and comfortable. You may even want to “stage” it a little, perhaps with some fresh flowers and a good book sitting on the end table.

As your REALTOR®, I can help you determine the most marketable features of your property and how to ensure buyers notice – and remember – them. Call me today.

Make a “Great Things” List

What’s great about your home? Is it the spacious foyer and generous main floor closet space? Is it the beautiful washroom? Is it the playground that is only a short walking distance away?

Although some properties may look similar at first glance, every home is unique – with features and characteristics that make it special.

If you’re considering putting your home on the market, make a list of all the great things about your property that potential buyers will want to know.

Start by thinking about what you think are the desirable features of your home. Write down what you really love about the house and the surrounding area.

Next, think about what friends and other visitors to your home think is great about it. Have you ever heard anyone say something like, “I really love your kitchen!” or, “This is such a quiet street”? Those are indications that potential buyers will like those features and characteristics too.

Finally, talk to me. I can help you determine all the great things about your home and area, and how to market them.

Can You Afford the Home You Want?

Can you afford to purchase the home you really want? Here are some things to consider:

What kind of home do you want? What kind of neighbourhood do you want to live in? What features and characteristics do you need in a home? (Three bedrooms? A large livingroom for entertaining? A backyard big enough for a garden?)
What homes currently on the market match that criteria? Are there some properties for sale that are close to what you’re looking for? What are their listing prices? How much, realistically, will it cost to buy one of those homes?
How much, realistically, can you expect to get for the sale of your current property?
How much of a mortgage will you need? How does that compare to the mortgage you qualify for?
What additional costs will you incur in selling your current property and purchasing your new home? (For example, moving, home inspection, repairs and renovations, closing costs, etc.)
Chances are, there’s a home on the market that you can afford – and is right for you. Call, text or email me today to discuss.

notable, quotable… quotes!

“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

J. K. Rowling

“Your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing.”

Abraham Lincoln

“People always call it luck when you’ve acted more sensibly than they have.”

Anne Tyler