Putting Off a Big Project

Leave a comment
Have you ever put off a big project because of the work involved? For example, say you want to refinish the deck, but the idea of all that scraping, cleaning and painting makes you think, “Hmm. Maybe I’ll wait until next month!”
 
That’s not unusual. We’ve all had the experience of putting things off until later in the month, season or year. Usually, it’s not a big deal. However, there are some projects you shouldn’t put off.
 
One of them is listing your home. If you’ve been thinking about moving, don’t wait until the last minute to put your property on the market. Give me a call and let’s get the process started right away. Yes, selling a home is a lot of work, but as your real estate agent, I do most of the “heavy-lifting” for you. And, I’m an expert at making the process go smoothly and easily.
 
Bottom line: If you’re thinking of selling, the best time to list is today. 416-779-8732
 
*Morris Marketing*

What Do Interior Designers Do?

Leave a comment
If you want to transform a room into something that’s
functional, beautiful and perfectly matched to your taste, then you might want to hire an interior designer.
 
It’s an interior designer’s job to come up with imaginative ideas that will wow you. It’s a myth that interior designers just deal with paint colours, décor and furnishings. In fact, according to the Interior Designers Institute, these professionals have the training needed to handle all aspects of a renovation or remodeling project, including selecting and managing contractors. They can direct a project from beginning to end.
 
If you want to renovate your basement into a stunning home theatre and gathering place, an interior designer can:
 
• Draw out several concepts for you to choose from,
• Purchase the best building materials,
• Hire the contractors, and
• Manage the project.
 
He or she can even pick out classic movie pictures for the walls!
 
*Morris Marketing*

Going “Green” in Your Garden or Flower Bed

Leave a comment
There has been a lot of emphasis lately on the importance of “going green”. That simply means being environmentally-responsible. You likely already recycle, use energy-efficient lights, and turn down your thermostat when no one is home.
Yet, most of us don’t think about the garden or flower bed when we “think green”.
 
We should. Here are a few practical things you can do to tend to outdoor plants — without negatively impacting the environment.
 
• Pull weeds instead of using a weed killer.
 
• Avoid strong pesticides. (Products that target only one or two types of insects tend to be less harsh.)
 
• Don’t use flower bed ornaments (i.e. gnomes) that might bleed colour dye into the soil. (Ask your garden centre before you buy.)
 
• Be careful not to leave hand spades, trowels, and other garden tools lying around, especially over winter. They can rust, which contaminates the soil.
 
These tips may seem minor, but if you want to be environmentally conscious, every little bit helps!
 
*Morris Marketing*

How a Professional Chef Would Remodel Your Kitchen

Leave a comment
Watch any TV cooking show, and you’ll notice that a chef’s kitchen looks quite a bit different than what you’d find in most homes. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t have one just like it in your home! With a little remodeling, and splurging on some new items, you too can have a kitchen worthy of Gordon Ramsey, Jamie Oliver, or Rachel Ray.
 
Chefs love counter space. So, when remodeling, plan to create as much as possible. If you have an existing island, for example, you can replace the countertop with a larger one. Just adding eight inches in both directions will make a big difference.
 
Most chefs have more than one oven. If that’s impractical for you, consider buying a double-oven stove. Also, chefs prefer gas burners for quicker heatup times and exacting control of cooking temperature. One thing you’ll notice about chefs is they love stainless steel. That’s because it’s easy-to-clean, hygienic and durable (assuming you take care of it).
 
Finally, because chefs spend so much time in the kitchen, they want the space to be attractive and comfortable. So, when remodeling, keep decor in mind.
 
Even if you’re just an amateur chef, creating a chef-worthy kitchen will make the foodie in you smile.
 
*Morris Marketing*

10 Reasons to List Your Home This Month

Leave a comment
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. 416-779-8732
 
*Morris Marketing*

3 Reasons to Talk to a Realtor Today

Leave a comment
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. 416-779-8732
 
*Morris Marketing*

Creating a Practical Home Office

Leave a comment

Is your home office the dining room table? Is it anywhere you can sit down undisturbed with your laptop? If so, you might be interested in converting a room or nook into a dedicated home office.

Depending on what you do for a living, there could be a tax advantage to creating this space too.

The first step is to pick a spot. Ideally, you want an area where you can work without too many distractions. Next, make sure the spot you’ve chosen can accommodate a desk and any other furnishings you’ll need. Think about what you want within easy reach of your work area. Will you need a place for books and other papers? An extra chair for client meetings? A flipchart? A filing cabinet? Think about all of the options in advance.

Then, you’ll want to make sure the spot you picked has the electrical outlets you need, especially if you’re going to have a printer, special lighting, a computer and other items that need power. Finally, you’ll want your home office to be a place where you can enjoy working. So decorate it with that in mind. If you like plants, get plants. If you enjoy golf, have your golf trip pictures hanging on the wall.

With a little work, you can quickly create a home office space that is comfortable, functional and enjoyable. It sure beats the dining room!

Do Open Houses Still Work?

Leave a comment
Buyers are using the internet to search for properties more than ever before. In some cases, they can even go on a “virtual” tour of a home using their smartphone or desktop computer. So, you might be wondering if the oldfashioned Open House still works these days?
 
The answer is yes. Otherwise, you wouldn’t see them advertised. 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 himself BBQ-ing with his family, stroll the area, and meet neighbours.
 
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. 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 the circumstances, that may or may not include an Open House.
 
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! 416-779-8732
 
*Article Provided by Morris Marketing*

Should You Rent Out Part of Your Home?

Leave a comment
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. 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. Give me a Call and I will be sure to help you out!
416-779-8732
*Article Provided by Morris Marketing*