You’re at work when the thought hits you, “Did I lock the door when I left this morning?” You check your smartphone, see that you didn’t, and click the “LOCK” button. Now your house is secure.

That’s home automation for you!

But, is home automation a good idea? That depends on a number of factors.

On the pro side, home automation can improve your quality of life. There are automation products that will adjust heating/cooling depending on whether or not you’re home, make your morning coffee when you get out of bed, and the list goes on and on. These conveniences save you time.  

Home automation can also give you peace-of-mind. It’s comforting to be able to remotely see the inside of your home and check that everything’s okay.

Home automation can also make your property more appealing to buyers. Traditionally, buyers like homes with security systems, and will appreciate other automation gizmos, too.

The only downside is the cost. Like most new technology, home automation products can be pricey and may become out-of-date within just a few years.

Thinking about it? Experts advise you to do your research first. Check out product reviews online. Then, if you determine that a particular product is going to benefit you, go for it!

Being firmly a challenging #buyersmarket, even more so in the #Prudhomme area, with last recorded sale over 460 days ago (by me #ABR),  it gives me great pleasure to place this #SRSSOLD sign hundreds of days faster than competing property!  It’s the 2^nd time I’ve had the pleasure of selling this property and I am thrilled to have achieved success again. 

Congratulations to newest #VIPs Brandon & Rebecca - Big Thanks for choosing me as your Seller Representative Specialist and your trust & efforts.  Wishing you all the best moving forward!

#RoyalLePageHallmark #RENE #SRS christinelelond.com

Is selling your property the furthest thing from your mind? Well, here are some reasons for listing your property that you might not have considered.

1. Your property may be worth more than you think. (It’s difficult to determine market value on your own. I can calculate it for you. Give me a call.)  

2. You might qualify for a better home than you anticipate.

3. Perhaps you are tired of your current property and want a change.  

4. There may be homes on the market in a neighbourhood in which you’ve always wanted to live.

5. Your current property may no longer meet your needs.

6. Your neighbourhood may have changed in ways you don’t like.

7. You might be ready to downsize or upsize and you no longer want to put that off.

8. You may want to sell in the fall, so you can have a fresh start in a new home in the new year.

9. Depending on the type of home you’re considering, you could end up with lower mortgage payments or no mortgage at all.

10.You might want to move to a home that’s more conveniently located near work, family and hobbies.

Of course, you may have your own reasons for listing this month. Why not discuss them with a real estate expert? Me. I can answer your questions and explain the options available to you.

According to a recent study, the average homeowner pays more attention to kitchen stove safety than they do BBQ safety. But, the fact is, a BBQ mishap can be just as devastating. So, it pays to know the latest safety tips.

• Keep BBQs at least 8 feet away from your house.

• Check for venture tube blockages regularly. (Spiders are notorious for spinning webs in there.)

• Clean the grill frequently to prevent flare ups. A grease fire on the grill can continue burning even after you’ve turned the BBQ off.

• Don’t position your BBQ close to foliage, such as under a tree or next to shrubs.

• Never BBQ in an enclosed area, such as a garage, even if the space is well ventilated.

• Avoid leaving the grill unattended, especially when cooking greasy foods such as sausages, beef burgers or steaks. 

• Do not let children BBQ.

Finally, make sure your BBQ is turned completely off after use. It’s a good idea to double-check this when making the rounds and locking up your home for the night.

Experts say you should treat a BBQ as you would a camp fire — with care

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 at 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. Don’t be. In fact, I welcome your call. 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.

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.