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Many of us decorate our homes with objects that provide us with comfort. They mean something to us and remind us of places we’ve been, they remind us of our experiences, gifts from family & friends or art lovingly crafted by our kids or grandkids. Across from the fireplace mantel lined with family photos you might find an old and tattered comfy chair, squished in beside the couch, it is our favorite chair to snuggle into with a good book. All of these cherished things make our house a home – to us.
Now that you’ve decided to sell, someone told you to pack that stuff away.
But, is that really necessary when you think it works well, looks so good and makes you so happy?
The answer is simple, people have a hard time envisioning your home as their home when many of our personal things are on display or there are just too many things. Decluttering your home is a well-known catch phrase but it rings true almost every time. The key is to declutter your home to make it appealing to as many potential buyers as possible. The aim is to create an uncluttered, bright and a reasonably blank canvas (although not sterile) to help buyers visualize their furniture and things in the rooms, and their photos on the walls. In other words, the goal is to depersonalize the space but still try to evoke emotion to a prospective buyer and to foster the feeling that this home, your home, will suit them.
Another thing to consider after decluttering is packing some of your belongings since you now have the room to sort things out. This will actually make the transition to your new home much easier, you won’t be as rushed, and you will have time to reminisce as you wrap things carefully for the move. You want to create as much space as possible.
Once your home is decluttered and you have packed a few things, it is time to do a deep clean and make any needed repairs. You want people to notice the nice tile in the bathroom, not the grout that needs cleaning or the loose cabinet doors.
Your goal as a seller is to make your home stand out from the rest of the comparable homes on the market. You want everyone who walks through your door to “notice” your home for what it is, and remember only good things.
You may be amazed how much more open and inviting your home feels after going through the process of getting it ready.
Declutter, Pack and Repair. Now you’re ready!
Everyone is paying someone’s mortgage, but whose do you want to pay, yours or your landlords?
How much are you paying annually for rent? How much money went out the window in the last 5 years … I bet that’s an eye opener!
For example, If you purchased a property 5 years ago, your mortgage amount would have decreased while your property value increased, this is how you build equity.
In your own home, that same square footage you were renting, can become much more useable and organized because you can customize it, because you OWN it, you have the freedom to change your environment, you have the control.
If you are putting off buying a new property until you save a larger down payment, please keep in mind that property prices usually increase each year, this means each year, your down payment has to grow just to buy the same property, is this a wise move?
With today’s low interest rates, it makes sense to get into the market sooner than later. If you buy a home today and sell it five years from now, for the “exact” same price you bought it for, you would have paid down your mortgage and lived rent free for those five years.
People are waiting on the sidelines anticipating a drop in prices, however we haven’t seen much evidence of that happening. The question to ask yourself is, are you comfortable waiting until everyone else is ready to buy, or would you prefer buying when there is less competition?
Now is the time to be prepared to buy. Contact your mortgage broker or bank and get pre-qualified, and remember, I’m always available to answer your questions.
Our first grandchild!
Good news for insured buyers!
May 2020 Market Insights
Genworth Canada and Canada Guaranty announced they will maintain their credit score qualifications even though their competitor, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) announced they would be increasing the bar on lending standards, making it more difficult for some to borrow money for a home purchase.
This is great news for those who plan to purchase a home with less than 20% down and may have been impacted by the CMHC change.
"Click below"
Zamboni's aren't locked in a cage waiting for hockey to start,
they are outside enjoying the fresh air!
Does size matter?
Have you found yourself working from home, perhaps in a makeshift office in the corner of your bedroom? Are your cute kids constantly underfoot with no separate room to play? Many of us have recently realized our homes are not quite as large as we once thought.
Years ago, it wasn’t common for companies to allow employees to work from home, however, this new norm is showing how effective it can be. Studies have shown that employees who work from home tend to be more productive and have less stress, many tech companies have used this strategy for years.
Companies are embracing the change and some will continue this trend in the future. If businesses can downsize their commercial office space by continuing to allow employees to work from home, they will recognize huge savings in their bottom line. This will be a win/win.
If commute times were no longer a concern it will open up doors to a new way of life. You might consider a home further away from the downtown core, where a nice yard is not a dream but a reality.
Our world has changed, and some things are positive.