No Homes for Sale in the Area You Like? Here’s What to Do…

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Imagine there’s a neighbourhood you’d love to live in someday, but, every time you drive through, you rarely, if ever, see a For Sale sign. It’s as if homes get gobbled up by buyers the moment they get listed.
 
It’s true, properties do tend to sell quickly in desirable, in demand neighbourhoods. Does that mean you’re destined to either hope for a lucky break or miss out on ever living there?
Fortunately, no. There are practical things you can do to increase your chances of getting into that neighbourhood.
 
Your first step is to find out the kind of new home you can afford. You want to get your financial ducks in a row so when a listing does come up in the area, you’re able to respond quickly. Find out the average price range of homes in the neighbourhood. Then, if necessary, talk to your lender or mortgage broker.
 
The second step is to get your current property ready for sale. You don’t necessary need to list it now, but you want to be in a position to do so quickly, if necessary. You may need to clean up and declutter, get repairs done, and spruce up your home in other ways.
 
The third step is to contact me. You see, listings in popular neighbourhoods often move fast. By the time you see them advertised on the internet, they may be gone. I can closely
monitor listings in that area for you, so the moment one comes up that meets your criteria, you can be alerted. This greatly increases your chances of getting that home.
 
So if there is a dream neighbourhood you’d love to get into, Call Me at 416-779-8732
 
*Article Provided by Morris Marketing*

Soundproofing Techniques

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Renovating rooms to absorb sound may seem ambitious, but the results can be rewarding, especially if you’re investing in an
entertainment room for movies, music and video games, or trying to contain the sounds of your kids’ social activities.
 
The most effective approaches are installed at the building stage, as some of the best sound-deadening materials are designed to be applied within the walls, floors and ceilings, rather than on their inside-facing surfaces.
 
In cases where you wish to retrofit a room’s existing interior, there are various types of rigid panels and baffles, as well as soft fabrics and foams that can make an impressive contribution to your peace and quiet.

Is Your Home Market Ready?

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Putting your home on the market may be the last thing you have on your mind. But, as you know, life happens. Things change. You might unexpectedly find yourself in the position of wanting, or having to quickly sell your home.
 
It happens more often than you might think. In fact, according to studies into why people sell their homes, more than a third are due to relatively quick and unexpected changes. Something happens – a job relocation, a lifestyle change – and the homeowner finds him or herself making a move.
 
In these situations, the biggest source of stress is caused by the need to prepare the current home for sale. If you’ve lived in your house for a few years, or even just a few months, you know how quickly things can pile up. The garage gets filled with stored items. Things needing minor repairs get put on hold.
 
That’s why it’s a good idea, every so often, to inspect your property and ask yourself, “If I had to put my home on the market this month, what would I need to do?” Then plan to get those things done. That way, if you suddenly find yourself wanting to sell your home quickly and for the best price, you’ll be ready!

Getting Your Home Hunting Ducks in a Row

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Say you’re shopping for a new home. Your goal is to find the ideal house or condo, in a neighbourhood that is just right for you, within a price range that you can afford.
 
What do you need — at minimum — to get started?
 
If you’re looking for ways to get your ducks in a row, here are some things to prepare:
 
• A property wish list. What does your ideal home look like? How many bedrooms does it need to have? How much parking do you require? A nice view? Get your wish list down on paper.
 
• A neighbourhood wish list. Where you live is just as important as what you live in. What qualities are you looking for in a neighbourhood? A nearby park? Walking distance to a good school? Hiking trails? A shorter drive to work? Write it down.
 
• A pre-approved mortgage. Getting the financing handled up front takes the guesswork out of what you can afford. Sellers will also take any offers you make more seriously.
 
• Realistic expectations. 90% of homes sell at or near the current market rates. So don’t expect to find a bargain that no one else has noticed.
 
Looking for more advice on finding your next dream home?
Call me! 416-779-8732

Getting a Handle on the Home Selling Process

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You probably know there’s more to selling a home than putting up a For Sale sign. But, if you don’t understand the process in detail, you might feel intimidated and stressed when it comes time to put your property on the market.
 
Fortunately, the home selling process isn’t that difficult to
understand. There are basically six steps. Step one is selecting the right REALTOR®. You need a knowledgeable, trusted expert who can guide you through the process, take care of all the details, and help sell your home quickly and for the best price.
 
Step two is preparation. You need to ensure your home is clean and uncluttered. It’s also important that you take care of any needed repairs, even minor ones like wall dents.
 
Step three is the listing price. You need to select a listing price at or near the fair market value of your property.
 
Step four is promotion. How will buyers find out about your property? An effective promotion plan is critical.
 
Step five is dealing with offers. Ideally, you’ll get several. But
the best offer is not necessarily the highest one. An offer can fall through for many reasons, so dealing effectively with offers is, perhaps, the most important part of the home selling process.
 
Step six is the transaction. Once the sale is made, you want to know that you have the right professionals in place – your lawyer, mover, etc. – to make sure all the after-sale details are taken care of properly.
 
Want more ideas for making sure the home selling process
goes smoothly for you? Call me! 416-779-8732
 
*Article Provided by Morris Marketing*

Handling a New Home Problem on Moving Day

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Imagine buying a product from a store, taking it home, and then discovering there’s a problem with it. Disappointing, yes, but not a catastrophe. You can simply take it back for repair or exchange.
 
But, what if it’s moving day, and you discover there’s a problem with your new home? Whoa. A house isn’t so easily returned!
 
What are the most common problems encountered on moving day?
 
• A delay in getting the keys.
• The seller not having completely moved out.
• An item expected to be included with the property is missing.
(For example, the window blinds.)
• Something needs repair that was not disclosed by the seller, nor did it come up during inspection. (For example, the dishwasher not working.)
• Damage to the property caused by the seller. (For example, a
heavy item dropped during the move and cracking a floor tile.)
 
Fortunately, these are rare events. In most cases, you can expect no serious issues when you move into your new home.
But, if something is wrong, you have options. So, call me immediately. In all likelihood, I will be able to quickly resolve the issue. If it’s a serious matter, such as missing items, I may get your real estate lawyer involved to arrange for the return of the item(s) or compensation.
 
So don’t worry. Let the professionals handle it. You can just enjoy your new home!

Surprising Secrets of Successful Home Staging

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“Staging” is about setting up and decorating each room of your home so that it looks as attractive as possible to potential buyers.
 
Studies show that a unit is more likely to sell quickly and for a better price if it is effectively staged. Even if you haven’t heard of staging before, you probably already know the basics, such as eliminating clutter and making sure everything is clean and “guest ready”.
 
However, there are also some home staging “secrets” staging professionals use that you may not know. Here are a few examples:
 
Increase horizontal surface space. Make sure desks, countertops, coffee tables, end tables, etc. are as free of items as possible. Give the impression that there’s lots of room available on horizontal surfaces.
 
Flowers. Fresh flowers or flowering plants placed in a couple of rooms, such as the kitchen and living room, can have a dramatic impact on how inviting that room looks. Just don’t overdo it.
 
Don’t be daring when you paint. You may love the idea of a bright yellow and green combination in the family room, but not everyone will share your daring sense of style. If you paint, stick to neutral colours.
 
Less is more. Be brutally honest about the amount of furniture
you have in each room – including wall hangings. Is there a desk, side table or other piece you can put away in storage? Think about ways to make each room more spacious. Space is king!
 
Ultimately, the best staging advice is to use your common sense. Put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer as you walk through your unit. Ask yourself, “What changes will make this room even more attractive?”
Want more staging tips? Call Me! 416-779-8732

Buying Your Dream Home in a Hot Market

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Imagine finding the perfect home, only to discover there is serious interest from at least a dozen other buyers. It’s like scrambling for the last piece of cake at a buffet!

Fortunately, there are things you can do to help get the home you want, even in a highly competitive market. Here are just a few ideas:

• Only view a few ideal properties at a time. If you see too many, and thus spread yourself too thin, you risk homes slipping through your fingers.

• Be realistic about price. Focus on finding a great home that you can afford, rather than trying to find a bargain.

• Consider homes that need some work. They get less interest than perfectly staged properties, yet can turn out to be a dream home.

• Be prepared to make an offer with as few conditions as possible. An offer conditional on passing inspection is usually fine, but in a competitive situation, offers with other conditions will likely be turned down flat.

• Make your decisions quickly. If there are likely to be other interested buyers, you want to get your offer in early.

• Make the right offer. To win the deal, you want your offer to be as enticing as possible to the seller — especially when it comes to price.

Yes, it can be tough finding an ideal home in a hot market, but I can help. Give me a call and I’ll show you how. 416-779-8732