When some people think about selling their home, they imagine all the
things they will have to do: paint the kitchen, clean closets, prepare for
viewings, find another home, arrange financing, start packing, etc. It can all
seem very overwhelming very quickly.
In fact, the long to-do list you imagine you’ll have to deal with may dissuade
you from making a move!
It doesn't have to be that way.
There are many ways to make selling your home and buying another
relatively simple and easy.
Sure, there will be some work to do. You may need to prepare your property
so that it looks appealing to potential buyers – cleaning, decluttering, doing
some repairs, etc. Of course, you will also need to view some properties for
sale in order to find your next dream home.
But those activities may not be as time-consuming or difficult as you had
imagined. In fact, you and your family might actually enjoy the experience –
and see it as an adventure.
The trick is to work with the right REALTOR®, someone who can guide you
through the process, show you the shortcuts, and generally make things
easier for you.
It's a little like baking your first cake from scratch. The task seems daunting,
unless you have a master baker by your side to guide you step-by-step
through the process. Then it's a lot easier, and even fun!
That's what a good REALTOR® can do for you. Looking for one? Call
today.

Some people can live in their homes for years without ever experiencing a
power outage. In fact, even in areas prone to serious storms or snowfalls,
power loss doesn't happen that often. No wonder so many homeowners are
caught unprepared when it does.
To make sure you're not caught unprepared, follow these tips:
• Replace batteries in unused flashlights every six months.
• Keep candles and matches in a handy place. Monitor them closely
when lit and always blow them out before going to sleep.
• For computers and phones, consider purchasing a power backup.
(Some models provide up to 8 hours of power for two or three
devices.)
• Know the address of your local fire station and nearest community
centre. These are the most common places to find help during a
power outage.
When the power does go out, make sure the stove is turned off. You don't
want an unattended burner or gas leak when the power finally comes back
on.

Buyers are more likely to make an offer on your home if they see a lot of
things they love about it. So what do buyers love to see?
One of the main things they like to see is a lot of space. Of course, you can't
change the size of your rooms, but there is a lot you can do to make small
spaces in your home seem more spacious.
Buyers also love to see a clean and uncluttered home. Think of how inviting
a hotel room looks at first glance, with everything neat and organized. Of
course, your home isn't a hotel, but the more neat and attractive you can
make each room, the better.
One thing buyers don't love to see is potential maintenance issues. So as
much as possible, get things fixed or updated.
In fact, the more "finished" and "move in ready" your home looks, the more
likely a buyer is to make an offer.
Don't forget the surrounding neighbourhood either. A buyer may not take
the time to explore the area, so be sure to make a list of the most appealing
features. You might want to take a picture of the brand new playground just
down the street or print off a local map showing nearby shopping, theatre
and other points of interest.
It's not about creating a false impression. Rather, it's about making your
home look its best and drawing attention to its most enticing features.
Want more home selling tips? Call today.

If you have young children, or expect a visit from friends or relatives with
little ones in tow, it pays to ensure your home is free of hazards. The last
thing you want is an injury that could have easily been prevented.
Here are some basic childproofing tips.
•
• Remove everything that is toxic, hot or sharp, from within reach of a
child. (For example, the leaves of some types of house plants are
toxic.)
• If possible, keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.
• Install plug-in covers in electrical outlets. (These are inexpensive and
can be purchased at any hardware store.)
• Block or gate off areas where kids may fall.
• Remove "pulling down" hazards, such as a heavy plant that a child
can pull off a table.
• Make sure there are screens on all open windows.
•
Finally, watch your pets. Even the most gentle dog or cat can act
unpredictably around children – especially if they're not used to them.

When you make or receive an offer to buy a property, it's important that you
read and understand every clause. It is especially important to understand
any conditions or any changes that are made to the standard offer.
An offer may contain several types of conditions. The most common are
"conditional upon arranging financing" and "conditional upon passing a
professional home inspection." However, there may be other conditions as
well.
You should be aware of – and fully understand – all of them.
In addition, the wording of an offer may change during the back and forth
negotiations that often happen. Aside from changes to the price, other
clauses may be added, removed or reworded as well.
A good agent will always ask you to initial changes. This is done primarily to
ensure you know and approve of what you're signing.
A recent newspaper article tells the story of a buyer-seller legal dispute that
resulted in a six-figure judgement against the seller. This was due, in part, to
a lack of understanding of one of the clauses in the agreement.
You don't want that to happen to you. Take the time to carefully review and
understand an offer.
Want to make sure everything goes smoothly with your next move? Call
today.