MOVING DAY

Moving day can become a very hectic and stressful time. Here is a guideline that could help make moving day a lot less stressful

Counting Down to Moving Day By Douglas Gray

Whether you're selling your home or buying a new home, you need to budget for moving costs. Make sure you get three to five written estimates from moving companies, as well as complete information packages. Consider the middle estimate-selecting a low-ball price is not necessarily the best decision. Since professional movers can be expensive, attempt to negotiate a lower price if you are moving at the slow time of the month or consolidating the shipment with other peoples' goods.

Find out how long the mover has been in business, obtain references, and check for complaints that have been registered with the Better Business Bureau. Check the amount of insurance coverage you have for loss or damage, and consider obtaining additional insurance. You may wish to rent a truck and move the goods yourself, if that option is feasible.

You need to plan ahead as far as possible-ideally at least 10 weeks-so that you are not making your selection process under time pressure. Otherwise, you could end up paying a premium if few movers are available at the last minute.

Here is a checklist of suggested steps to take before the move:

Eight weeks before:

• Decide which items are to be moved.
• Select a mover to make arrangements for moving day.
• Start to use up items that are not easy to move, such as frozen foods. Contact the visitors' or tourism bureaus in your new community for information.

Six weeks before:

Record an inventory, and evaluate your possessions. Compile a list of everyone you need to notify about your move, such as friends, creditors, professionals, insurance, clubs or organizations, financial institutions, subscriptions and motor vehicle and other licences or registrations.

Make arrangements, if required, to put items into storage. Contact schools, dentists, doctors, lawyers and accountants and obtain copies of personal records. Ask for referrals where possible.

Four weeks before:

• Notify the post office of your new address.
• Fill out change-of-address cards.
• Arrange special transportation for your plants and pets.
• Arrange to disconnect utilities at your old home.
• Arrange to connect utilities at your new home.
• Confirm loading and delivery dates with the mover.
• Arrange a new phone connection with your telephone company. Purchase packing boxes from your local mover if you are packing some of the items yourself.
• Make your personal and family travel plans. Arrange to close accounts in your local bank and open accounts in your new location.
• List all your questions as they come up. Ask them as soon as possible.

Two weeks before:

• Collect clothing and items to clean and repair. Send out rugs and draperies for cleaning and have them delivered to your new address.
• Collect items you loaned to others, and return things you borrowed. Have a garage sale or give away unwanted items to eliminate articles you don't want to move.
• Draw up a floor plan of your new home, and indicate the location of all furniture. Give a copy to the moving company. Arrange for babysitting, if necessary, for moving day. Arrange any necessary insurance for transit or storage, as well as insurance for your new home.

One week before:

• Set aside items that can be packed in the car, in cartons labeled 'Do not move'.
• Take down the curtains, rods, shelves, etc., if mover is not doing so.

One day before moving:

• Clean the stove.
• Empty the freezer and refrigerator.
• Finish packing personal items.
• Set aside personal and other items you will be moving yourself.
• Get a good night's sleep.

Moving day:

• Be at the old home or have someone else there to answer questions. Make a final check of appliances to be sure they are working, and heating elements are off.
• Record all utility meter readings.
• Review and sign and save copies of bills of lading. Be sure the delivery address and the place you can be reached are accurate. Tell the driver exactly how to get to new address, and provide him with a map if necessary.
• Strip the beds, but leave fitted bottom sheets on the mattresses.
• Have your vacuum ready to clean hard-to-move items. Before leaving the house, check each room and closet for forgotten items. Make sure the windows are closed, doors are locked, lights are out and water shut off. If there is going to be a time period before the new owner comes in, consider shutting off the electricity. Call and inform your insurance agent that you are leaving.
• Notify the landlord, realtor and/or lawyer that the home is vacant.

Delivery day:

• Arrange to make sure that you or a relative or friend is at the new home.
• Review the floor plans with moving company foreman. Examine all goods as they are unloaded, and check off the inventory numbers as a protection against loss.
• Arrange to have appliances installed, if applicable. Arrange to have the movers re-assemble any furnishings that were dismantled.
• Re-check all items to make sure there is no damage before signing the final moving documents.

Copyright 2001 Douglas Gray

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I live and work in STREETSVILLE and have a vested interest in property values here. Are you considering buying or selling or know anyone who is? Give me a call for a complimentary evaluation of your home in this changing market. (416) 717-6331

www.gloriavalvasori.com gvalvasori@rogers.com

Your STREETSVILLE Real Estate Agent

Experience, Service and Integrity in Every Real Estate Transaction

Critical Mistakes Sellers Make

When Choosing a Realtor

Selling a home should be like any other business transaction, but all too often sellers make emotional or impulsive decisions that cost them money and time. Choosing the right Realtor to market a property and negotiate the sale is the most important step in the process.

“My friend (or family member) sells real estate.”

Friendship alone isn’t enough to establish a professional’s credentials. Use tough standards when selecting an agent, just as you would when hiring an attorney, a doctor, or an accountant to handle your taxes. A true friend will understand and appreciate that this is a business decision and will offer their credentials and expect to compete for the listing. Besides, if a problem or challenge develops while selling your home, do you want to risk damaging a friendship or family relationship?

“You’re the only agent who agrees with my selling price.”

Some agents tell you what you want to hear in order to get your listing. In the real estate profession, this is known as “buying a listing” and is employed by shortsighted agents who are more interested in themselves than they are in you. However good it works as a short-term “sales tactic” in getting your listing, it is an extremely poor strategy in selling a home at the highest possible price.

You see, your house gets the most attention from other agents when it is a “new” listing. If priced properly, lots of agents will show it to their buyers. If you price it too high, no one will show the house and it will sit on the market for some time. When you finally drop your price to reflect its real value, your house is “old news” and buyers may think you are growing desperate. Therefore, the prices you are offered will come in lower and lower – and you may find yourself accepting a price that is below what you could have received had the house been priced properly to begin with.

Besides, pricing your home too high will only make similar houses for sale look that much better. Overpricing helps sell those houses, not yours.

“I’m going to list with the agent who has the lowest commission.”

You get what you pay for. Paying a cut-rate commission will often get you a sign in the front yard and placement in the Multiple Listing Service, but little additional effort from your agent.

Realize that agents put up their own funds to market and advertise your home. Marketing and advertising costs money -- the lower the commission, the less incentive for an agent to put up his or her own money to market your home.

Incentive plays a very important role in sales. A “full service” agent earning a full commission will often “drop everything” to handle any challenges that come along – an agent earning a small commission does not have that same incentive.

Incentive is also important to the buyer’s agent. Since there are almost always two agents involved in every sale, they split the commission according to the listing agent’s instructions. One agent is your listing agent. The other agent is the buyer’s agent. When your listing agent dropped his commission, did he also reduce the commission that will be paid to the buyers’ agent? If so, you won’t find as many agents willing to show your house – they’ll be showing houses that offer a customary commission to the buyer’s agent.

Finally, negotiating ability is an important skill in a listing agent. Are you willing to put your faith in an agent who can’t even negotiate his or her own commission?

“The agent is what counts …. Not the company.”

Agents who work for large well-established companies with lots of agents do have some advantages. Large companies generally have longer office hours, so someone is always available to answer an ad call on your home. Large offices often have larger budgets and can spend more on advertising. The ad space for your particular home might not be huge, but because the total ad is so large it gets lots more attention.

Large real estate companies often have lots of agents. This is important because when your house is newly on the market, the company may stage an “office preview” where every agent in the office comes through and tours your home. Every agent who views your home and is impressed is another agent on your sales team.

Additionally, larger companies are often better at offering ongoing education to their agents. As a result, your agent may be better qualified and prepared to offer a quality service. Although most Provinces require real estate agents to enroll in “ongoing education” to keep pace with changes in the real estate market, many agents only take the “bare minimum” in ongoing education courses. Sometimes, large offices are better at convincing their agents to go beyond the minimum.

There are exceptions to every rule, of course. Some very effective agents go off on their own and open private offices or “boutique” agencies.

“All realtors passed the same test so they must know the same things.”

The real estate profession is constantly changing and, as mentioned above, the best real estate professionals stay abreast of those changes by continuing their education. Some go beyond the required minimum requirements. Many agents acquire “professional designations” that show they took additional specialized courses.

“This agent sold more homes last year than anyone else.”

There are many agents who carry numerous listings at any given time. One question you may want to ask is: how accessible is this agent to me, and how can I get the personal attention and service I need from my agent if he/she is so busy? It is difficult for those agents who carry multiple listings to provide you with the personal attention and service you deserve. You will often be referred to an assistant, or get an answering machine because the agent is busy trying to service all his/her clients.

Choose an agent who has a manageable number of listings who can ,therefore, be accessible to you when you need him/her and provide you with the personal service and attention you would expect, and deserve.

Quality, and personal service to each client is the important issue.

CONCLUSION

The best agent is the one who you trust and feel confident knowing he/she will do the most effective job of marketing your property, negotiating the most favorable terms and conditions, and communicating with the seller to make the process as smooth as possible

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I live and work in STREETSVILLE and have a vested interest in property values here. Are you considering buying or selling or know anyone who is? Give me a call for a complimentary evaluation of your home in this changing market. (416) 717-6331

www.gloriavalvasori.com gvalvasori@rogers.com

Your STREETSVILLE Real Estate Agent

Experience, Service and Integrity in Every Real Estate Transaction

                          JUST LISTED !! 25 Queen St, S., STREETSVILLE

C4-38 Zoning for both Residential and Commercial Use! Zoning allows for retail, or business use. Situated on a 50' x 159' lot, in a prime location with high visibility on the main street of Streetsville... Great Opportunity to live/work, operate a business, or possibly as an investment. Large addition on back of home with bedroom, breakfast area and sun room.  Garage converted to family room.  Approximately 1,626 square feet. Call me for more details (416) 717-6331

REMEMBER THOSE IN NEED AT CHRISTMAS ... DONATE NOW  

We are so busy in our daily lives, we sometimes forget those who are less fortunate. There are so many needy families who won't be able to provide anything for their chldren at Christmas,, not a toy, or a nice meal.

In the public schools here, each class room "adopts" a needy family and the children are given the family abstract, i.e. one mother, one father, 2 girls, and 1 boy, etc. with the ages of the children. 

They post this information on the outside of the classroom so every class member can choose what kind of gift to donate, whether practical or fun gift.  They even collect non perishable food to provide a meal at Christmas.

My office has also adopted the spirit of giving and each year a month or so before Christmas, we place large containers in our offices to collect non-perishable food items for those who need it.

The spirit of giving is alive and well... remember those who are less fortunate.. and be thankful for your many blessings.

Give to others....it is such a rewarding experience to know you are helping give a child a Christmas!!

Your generosity and compassion for others will come back to you ten-fold.

HOW TO HIRE A GOOD CONTRACTOR... BEWARE OF THE PITFALLS

How to Hire a Contractor

Hiring a contractor can be a scary and stressful experience and I'm sure we have all heard of the horror stories of contractors disappearing after receiving their deposit. But these pitfalls can be avoided, and you can hire the right person for the job!

Here are some tips on choosing the right contractor:

•·        The first step is finding a contractor... the best way is by word of mouth referral of someone you know who has used this person in the past. Ask family or friends if they can recommend someone.

•·        You can also find them in the yellow pages, on the internet, trade organizations, or bulletin boards.

•·        Obtain at least 3 quotations.  This will allow you to see if they are adding profit into the material price and make it easier to compare multiple bids for the same work.

•·        When you find a contractor, interview him as your employee.. after all he will be working for you and you will be their boss for the time they perform the work. Did they return calls promptly? did they show up on time? Was their appearance professional?

•·        Ask for references - at least three recent referrals and take the time to call them and enquire: 

1. Was the contractor punctual?
2. Were any changes discussed with the owner prior to proceeding?
3. Was the jobsite clean and free of debris at the end of the day?
4. Was the job completed in the time allotted?
5. Were they on budget?

These questions will determine if the contractor is worth hiring.  A bad contractor can cost you time and money. Often, homeowners search for the lowest estimate, and price does play a role, but often the cheapest does not get you the best work.

•·        Ask for material supplier references.  You can tell a lot about someone by how they pay their bills. Call the supplier for a reference to see if they pay their bills on time... if they pay their bill on time, you know they are responsible and have a good credit rating, if don't, then be wary.

•·        Comparing bids is a crucial step in hiring the right contractor.  It is advisable to receive at least three bids for any one phase of construction.  This establishes market value for your project and will allow you analyze the bid.  Make sure the bid includes the following:

• Scope of work - a detailed list of what the contractor will perform
  1. Timeline for completion
  2. Payment schedule
  3. Process for approving changes in construction

•·        Have him separate labour and material in the quote.. This will enable you to compare quotations with other contractor.

•·        Beware of signs such as soliciting door-to-door, only accepting cash, not having a listed business number in the local telephone directory, or offering to do your project with materials "leftover" from a previous job.

•·        Watch out for contractors who want you to obtain required building permits or find them new customers (some will offer discounts if you find them new business).

•·        If the contractor is offering something that seems too good to be true -- like exceptionally long guarantees or offering to do your home as a "demonstration" -- it probably is too good to be true.

•·        Don't hesitate to check out the background of the contractor you're considering for your job; he won't be offended if he has nothing to hide. Likewise, find out if he intends to subcontract some work, and do a background and financial check of those contractors as well.

•·        Beware of verbal agreements; as the saying goes, in a court of law, they're often as good as the paper they were written on.

•·        Good contractors will give you a binding estimate in writing. They also won't work without a written contract. The contract should clearly spell out, in easy-to-understand terms, exactly what the project will cost, what will be accomplished and the anticipated time frame for completing the job.

EXPLAINING REPRESENTATION - WORKING WITH A REALTOR

ONTARIO REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION (CREA)

WORKING WITH A REALTOR

Explaining Possible Forms of Agency Relationship

Representation
When a real estate company is a "seller's agent," it must do what is best for the seller of a property. A written contract, called a listing agreement, establishes seller agency. It also explains services the company will provide, establishes a fee arrangement for the Realtor's services and specifies what obligations a seller may have.

A seller's agent must tell the seller anything known about a buyer. For instance, if a seller's agent knows a buyer is willing to offer more for a property, that information must be shared with the seller. Confidences a seller shares with a seller's agent must be kept confidential from potential buyers and others. Although confidential information about the seller cannot be discussed, a buyer working with a seller's agent can expect fair and honest service from the seller's agent and disclosure of pertinent information about the property.

Buyer Representation

A real estate company acting as a "buyer's agent" must do what is best for the buyer. A written contract, called a buyer agency agreement, establishes buyer agency. It also explains services the company will provide, establishes a fee arrangement for the Realtor's services and specifies what obligations a buyer may have. Typically, buyers will be obliged to work exclusively with that company for a period of time. Confidences a buyer shares with the buyer's agent must be kept confidential. Although confidential information about the buyer cannot be disclosed, a seller working with a buyer's agent can expect to be treated fairly and honestly.

Multiple Represenation
Occasionally a real estate company will be the agent of both the buyer and the seller. The buyer and seller must consent to this arrangement in their listing and buyer agency agreements. Under this "dual agency" arrangement, the company must do what is best for both the buyer and the seller. Since the company's loyalty is divided between the buyer and the seller who have conflicting interests, it is absolutely essential that a dual agency relationship be established in a written agency agreement. This agreement specifically describes the rights and duties of everyone involved and any limitations to those rights and duties.

Do You Know Who Is Working For You?

It is important that you understand who the Realtor is working for. For example, both the seller and the buyer may have their own agent which means they each have a Realtor who is working for them. Or, some buyers choose to contact the seller's agent directly. Under this arrangement the Realtor is working for the seller, and must do what is best for the seller, but may provide many valuable services to the buyer.

A Realtor working with a buyer may even be a "sub-agent" of the seller. Under sub-agency, both the listing agent and the co-operating agent must do what is best for the seller even though the sub-agent may provide many valuable services to the buyer. If the seller and the buyer have the same agent, this is dual agency and the Realtor is working for both the seller and the buyer.

Code of Ethics
Realtors believe it is important that the people they work with understand their agency relationship. That's why agency disclosure is included in a self-imposed Code of Ethics which is administered by the Real Estate Council of Ontario. The Code requires Realtors to disclose in writing the nature of the services they are providing, and encourages Realtors to obtain written acknowledgement of that disclosure. The Code also requires Realtors to enter into a written agency agreement with any sellers or buyers they are representing.

Realtors are governed by the legal concept of "agency." An agent is legally obligated to look after the best interests of the person he or she is working for. The agent must be loyal to that person. A real estate company may be your agent - if you have clearly established an agency relationship with that Realtor. But often, you may assume such an obligation exists when it does not. Realtors believe it is important that the people they work with understand when an agency relationship exists and when it does not -- and understand what it means.

HOME ENERGY AUDIT CHECKLIST. How Energy Efficient is Your Home?

Home Energy Audit Checklist

We all know and recognize that saving energy is cost effective, but you may not recognize how inefficient your home really is until you conduct an energy audit.  You can spot many problems in your home with a simple walk-through.  Keep a checklist of areas you inspect and any problems or issues you find.  This will help you prioritize your energy efficiency upgrades.  

Lighting

Energy expended by lighting accounts for about 10% of your hyrdo bill.  Check the wattage of the light bulbs in your home.  You can exchange 100 watt bulbs and in most cases use a 60 or 75 watt bulb.  Compact Fluorescent lamps for higher uses area are also recommended.  

Insulation 

If insulation levels are less than the recommended minimum, heat loss through the ceiling and walls in your home could be high.  You likely have the insulation level in your home from the builder that was recommended at the time your home was built. This level might be inadequate by today's standards and should be upgraded, especially if you have an older home.

•1.     Check the attic hatch to ensure it has the same level of insulation as the attic, and ensure is it closes tightly

•2.     In the attic check to ensure ductwork and chimneys are sealed and seal any gaps with expanding foal or other permanent sealant.

•3.     Check that vapor barriers are in place beneath the insulation.

•4.     Ensure any vents are clear and not blocked by insulation. 

•5.     Check for indoor air leaks along baseboards, junctures of the walls and ceiling, or the edge of flooring

•6.     Make a list of any obvious drafts. The saving from reducing drafts could range from % - 30% at year, depending on the severity of the drafts or leaks you find.

•7.     Check to see if air can flow through these places:  electrical outlets, switch plates, window frames, baseboards, weather stripping around doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and wall or window mounted air conditioners, gaps around pipes and wires, foundation seals and mail slots.

•8.     Check windows and doors for air leaks.  Try rattling the, as movement means possible air leaks.  If you see daylight around a door or window frame, then it leaks. Seal these leaks by caulking or weather stripping. New, high efficiency windows and doors should be considered.

Heating and Cooling Equipment

Having your heating and cooling systems inspected and cleaned annually to maintain their efficiency.  If you have a forced air furnace, ensure you replace the filters on a regular basis, at least every 2-3 months, especially during period of higher usage.

You should consider replacing your heating and/or cooling system with a newer higher efficient units, if they are more than 15 years old.  A new unit would greatly reduce your energy consumption. 

Exterior

Inspect areas where two different building materials meet, i.e. all exterior corners, where siding and chimney meet, areas where the foundation and bottom of exterior brick or siding meet. Check the caulking around exterior doors and windows and check whether the exterior storm door and primary door seal tightly.  Look for any cracks in the mortar, foundation and siding and seal with appropriate material. 

Commission ... What Does It Cover? 

CAN YOU SPOT A GROW HOUSE?  

Several years ago, my clients and I viewed a home in an upper middle class neighbourhood that they fell in love with. The house needed some work, in particular the kitchen, but my client was in the kitchen renovation business!!  When we went into the basement, I immediately noticed that the floor had just been painted... then when I looked up into the joists, I saw the holes that were drilled all along the length of the house to allow for the electrical wires to feed through.  There was also some black mould visible on the joists.  Then the light bulb went on!!!  This was used as a grow house...

I informed my clients of my suspicions, but told them not to be too alarmed... we can have the house inspected by a certified registered house inspector, and also have environmental testing done, and they could  come to a decision based on the outcome of these inspections on whether or not they wanted to proceed. I informed them of the potential dangers and health hazards.

In this instance, it was determined that the grow house was only used for a short period, and there was no permanent damage, and my clients proceeded and bought the property, and are still living there today. Included in the offer documents was a waiver that the Buyers were aware of the situation and still were prepared to proceed.

What is a Marijuana Grow Operation?

Marijuana grow operations can occur in every range of home available, from a detached in a moderately priced neighbourhood, to large homes in a multi million dollar neighbourhood, and even in condo apartments. They can be in homes located in residential, commercial, industrial or rural areas. These homes are usually very well maintained and do not appear out of place, and in fact, look quite ordinary on the outside.

However, the inside of these properties have been modified significantly to accommodate the grow operation, and usually these modifications to the electrical and heating systems are not up to code and not safe. These electrical and plumbing modifications are required in order for the hybrid plants to grow and flourish and produce a high potency marijuana. These modifications make these homes unsafe for human occupancy because of serious hazards from mould, structures that have been compromised, and from chemical residue.

It is therefore very important that you are aware of certain things in the house, that can alert you to the possibility that the property was used for illegal purposes, and that it was used as a grow house. If you suspect the home you are contemplating buying was a grow house, call your local police department... they usually have a list of these properties and can potentially verify your suspicions.

Some things that can possibly identify a grow op.

1.  The basement floor has recently been painted (usually battleship grey)

2.  Check the joists in the basement where holes have been drilled to allow the wires to feed across the basement

3.  Check for condensation around the windows

4.  Strange smell or odour coming from the house

5.  Unusual number of electrical wires leading from the house

6.  Infrequent activity from the occupants who don`t appear to have regular jobs

7.  Expensive cars in the driveway

8.  Children`s toys left around front yard, but no children are seen

9.  House has lights on for very long period of time, and often during the night

10. Unusual number of roof vents

11. Lack of snow on roofs in winter

12. No communication with the neighbours

13. Dark window converings

14. Numerous garden hoses, soil and pots around the house, with garden hoses running from doors or windows

15. On garbage days, there is never any garbage at the curb

16. Appears to be vacant, and yard poorly kept

17. House is usually vacant when listed for sale.

18. Check the previous sold history of the house... if it sold about a year before the current listing date, that could also be a clue.

How to detect a Marijuana grow operation when purchasing a home.

When purchasing a home you suspect may have been used for illegal purposes, it is important to have the home thoroughly inspected. A home inspector can point out certain visible things and can also identify any mould where visible. If you can visibly see mould, then it potentially could also be behind the drywall and spread throughout the house, which can be a serious health hazard leading to long term conditions.

A thorough environmental assessment should also be conducted including spore testing. These comprehensive tests will also identify any hidden pollution and mould levels in the home as well as the air quality.

If you suspect a property is being used as a grow operation, or see a property with many wires that may have bypassed the electrical meter, contact the police in your area. Also, speak with the neighbours to see if they have any knowledge of the prior occupants.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS... TIPS TO HELP SELL YOUR HOME

Here is an excerpt from my Seller's Booklet I give to each client... some useful information on how they can help me to  get their home sold faster.

Setting Up  Showings

My office will call you to request an appointment when an agent has a prospective Buyer that would like to see your home. If you are not available, a message is left on your answering machine if you have one, or depending upon arrangements made, we will grant the request and provide access to your home with a lockbox.

Make Your Home  Accessible

Having your home accessible to prospective Buyers as much as possible, is critical in the sale of your home.  Agents try to give as much notice as possible for requests to show your home, but there are times when last minute requests do occur.  Granting requests as much as possible is desirable ... the request you turn away may be the purchaser you've been waiting for.

Dress For Success

Looking good is important when you want to make a great impression, whether for a job interview or a social function. The same is true of a home that is on the market. When the "For Sale" sign goes up in front of your home, it should be "dressed" for the occasion.

Since the first impression will be of the front of the house, a well-groomed exterior is crucial, from the landscaping to the paint. The interior of your home should be clean and tastefully decorated. Take care of any minor cosmetic repairs that are needed, such as cracked plaster or peeling paint. A sparkling kitchen and shiny bathrooms, clean windows, and the absence of clutter will help your home "show well". Keeping your home looking good at all times is hard work, especially if you have children and are packing for a move. The dividends are impressive, however, because a home that looks well cared for has an excellent chance of selling quickly for top dollar.

First Impressions

Good curb appeal is a major plus when we market a home. A little bit of work on the front of your can pay big dividends.

When a potential buyer pulls up in front of your house, their first impression is absolutely crucial. Sometimes buyers won't even look at a home with droopy shutters, sagging gutters, peeling paint and a bumper crop of dandelions in the front yard. Or they might go in expecting to find a "fixer-upper" that could be purchased at a bargain price. If a house looks neat and cared for from the street, the initial good impression will carry over as the buyers step inside.

It is not necessary to hire a professional landscaper, but listen to your Realtor's suggestions when you list your home. Local nurseries can help you select blooming plants that will thrive in your area. Keep the lawn mowed, and regardless of the season, take care of exterior maintenance. Strong curb appeal will help your home sell more quickly and for top dollar.

A Sparkling Kitchen

There's no doubt about it--the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the whole house for many prospective buyers. Smart sellers will take a close look at how they can make their kitchen a real asset when it is time to sell.

Your kitchen doesn't need to be state-of-the-art to be attractive. The first step toward enhancing your kitchen's appeal is a thorough cleaning. This includes the walls, cabinets (inside and out), floors, and appliances. Keep the counter tops as clear as possible of small appliances and gadgets. Consider low-cost improvements which can make a big difference, such as a coat of paint, fresh wallpaper, or new floor covering. Be sure to keep the kitchen sparkling when the house is being shown. This means no dirty dishes in the sink or mouldy cucumbers in the refrigerator. This extra effort will pay great dividends!

Help Your Realtor

Once your home is listed for sale, it may be difficult for you to step aside and let       your agent take over. When prospective buyers arrive, you may want to stand by to point out the closet extenders, the hidden spice cabinet behind the kitchen door, the energy-saving storm windows or the updated copper plumbing. If you really want        to help, however, you will leave the house whenever it is being shown!

We have found that the sales process does not really begin until buyers have begun      to voice their objections about a property. Sometimes these concerns are serious     enough to remove your house from consideration. Often, however, people voice objections as a defense mechanism because they really love the house and they want     to buy it. We are trained to know the difference. If a seller is standing at the agent's elbow, the buyer won't be comfortable enough to let this process take place, and we could lose the sale. The best way to help is to give us the room to do our job.

 Summary

Very few people will buy a house because they are attracted by fantastic bathrooms. Buyers do react to bathrooms that are not cared for, however, because they view them as a reflection of the overall condition of the property.

Many buyers know that plumbing repairs potentially represent a major expense. They get nervous about dripping faucets, loose tiles, and running toilets. Your pre-marketing preparations should include making sure that your plumbing is working properly and that any cosmetic damage caused by former leaks has been repaired.

Keep the bathroom spotless while your home is on the market. Get out the scouring powder, mildew remover, glass and tile cleaner and a scrub brush. Re-caulk around the tub and shower, if necessary. A new shower curtain, bath mat, and nice smelling soap can help give the buyer one more positive reason for liking your home!