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Staging Secrets for Selling Your Home What to pack away, scrub and paint before you put up the ‘For Sale’ sign! If you’re serious about showing your home in the best light in order to attract more offers at a price you’re happy with, these interior preparation “staging” tips are a must! Studies show that the months of May-June historically presents the highest number of sales for most areas in Canada, homes sold in Spring-Early Summer, often go for highest price. Staging your home can help you sell your home faster and often for more money. This may involve doing renos and landscaping, purging, organizing, rearranging furniture and definitely involves a lot of cleaning. If staging seems daunting, and if you can afford it, hiring a professional home stager can decrease the amount of time your home sits on the market and increase its value. Stagers have an inventory of furniture, artwork, lighting and home décor to showcase your home in it’s very best light. For do it yourselfers, some of these tips might help…

Buying A Fixer-Upper House: Pros & Cons Buying a house is no easy feat if you’re on a tight budget. It’s no surprise many frugal house shoppers opt for a fixer-upper over something more move-in ready. A fixer-upper house comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks.   What Is A Fixer-Upper?  A fixer-upper or “Handy-man Special” is a house available at a lower purchase price because it requires major maintenance work. While you can likely still live in a fixer-upper, you’ll need to spend a lot of time and money on structural and/or cosmetic improvements. You may benefit from a fixer-upper if you’d like more house for your money or are interested in flipping it to make a profit.  Should You Buy A Fixer-Upper?  A fixer-upper house may be a good option for one house shopper and a bad idea for another. Consider your budget, needs, preferences and lifestyle when you ask yourself this question.   Here are some pros and cons of fixer-upper houses to bear in mind.  Pros  A lower purchase price: Although…

Why You Should Hire A Real Estate Agent When you sell your home yourself - also known as "for sale by owner” (FSBO) - it may seem like a great way to save thousands of dollars. After all, a real estate agent’s commission could amount to 4 to 5 per cent - that’s $20,000 to $25,000 on a $500,000 home. Given the size of this fee, you may think that acting as your own seller’s agent will surely be worth the savings.    Realtors May Not Show a "For Sale By Owner" Home  In an FSBO deal, the buyer’s agent understands there won’t be a professional colleague representing the Seller on the other end of the transaction. If a Buyer client wishes to see your home, their agent would have to notify the Buyer that they may be liable for payment of the commission under their contract as the Seller may not pay it. Further risks may occur with Seller’s disclosures and or lack of disclosures that may affect the closing which a Seller’s representative would have to undertake on behalf of the Seller. This…

7 Simple Curb Appeal Ideas A beautiful home exterior can make or break curb appeal! First impressions are so important, especially when buying a house. You know a charming house when you see one and want to stop and stare. If you are looking for mega charm or just something unique, read on for 7 easy and simple curb appeal ideas that are budget friendly and something you can do in a weekend. 1. Paint Front Door Pick out a fun paint color out, grab a paintbrush and paint your front door! Easy to update and add some curb appeal. My friend paints her front door a different color every year. Red for fall, yellow for spring! It brings a cheery and inviting welcome to all her visitors. Paint is an instant way to boost your home’s aesthetics! 2. Add Flowering and Greenery Planters There are so many beautiful large ceramic planters to choose from! Planters will instantly add color and personality to your home. This is a project that can be completed in an hour. I also like to have a cute watering can nearby so it’s…

What To Expect For First Time Home Buyers It's that unforgettable moment of pure excitement and a feeling of accomplishment. A time when everything is said and done, and you are officially handed the keys to your new home. You slide the key into the lock, hearing each click as the key is accepted, the door is unlocked, and you enter into the place you will soon feel comfortable enough to call home. The place you may carry your wife through the threshold to, where you'll bring your newborn child to, where you'll find your new adopted dog has tugged the curtains off the window. The slideshow of events plays through your mind as you begin moving in. It's a big step, it's the beginning of endless possibilities that create a new source of independence. Buying your first home is also a huge investment and it all has to start somewhere ... So how do you prepare for one of the biggest investments you will ever make?   Ready to Move? First things first, make sure you have a stable, reliable income that will support…

Windsor, A Place To Call Home Known as the Rose City, the City of Windsor has become a place of opportunity for young families as well as single homeowners hoping to find a sense of community, indulge their love for the arts, and experience history. Conveniently placed schools, daycares, and Montessori's ensure top education and care for Windsor youth, and St. Clair College and the University of Windsor will keep the teenagers from having to travel far for school. Windsor also has two hospital locations, so should any emergencies arise, you will be covered with a short ride up the street to be promptly taken care of. Shopping opportunities at Devonshire Mall, Tecumseh Mall, and Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets Of course, moving to a new home, let alone a new postal code can bring on that big question - "Is this place right for us?" Moving to the city, and whether it is the right choice for you, is based entirely on the resources you need and what you feel is important for you and your family. Things you…