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Should you buy “less than the perfect” home?

Should You Buy the “Less Than Perfect” Home?
When you’re shopping for a new home, you want to find a property that has
all the features and characteristics you want. A large deck surrounded by
picturesque landscaping ... a beautiful kitchen with gleaming marble
countertops… a cozy finished basement with fireplace….
You should look for the ideal home. You deserve it! But some home buyers
make the mistake of becoming fixated on finding the “perfect” property, and
passing too quickly on those homes that don’t quite measure up.
Why is that a mistake? Because some of those less-than-perfect properties
have the potential of becoming your next dream home.
First of all, a home that is lacking some desirable features, such as a
finished basement, will probably cost less. Those savings may be more than
enough to cover any needed upgrade or renovation.
Secondly, if you look at a home in terms of its potential, rather than the
features it happens to have now, there will be more properties available on
the market for you to consider.
If you’re determined to have a large wrap-around deck for entertaining, for
example, don’t cross homes that don’t have this feature off your list. At least
not yet. Instead, view these properties with an eye on potential. Is the
backyard big enough to accommodate a large deck? How would a deck like
that look if added to this particular property? How much would such a
renovation cost?
There’s no doubt about it. You want to find a home that has all the features
and characteristics you want. If you work with a good REALTOR®, there is
a good chance you’ll find a property that has most of them.
But keep an open mind. Sometimes a “diamond in the rough” can – with an
upgrade or renovation – become a home you’ll treasure for years.

Home shopping tool kit

Morris_February_2012.pdf

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What to VIEW When Viewing a Home

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Spring Cleaning

I am feeling that SPRING is around the corner! And with that comes the annual spring cleaning. And although the thought of cleaning and purging your house from top to bottom can be daunting, the result is truly energizing.

So, not sure where to start? Here are a few tips to help you round the corner and start the spring fresh and clean:

Tackle one room at a time. Bring with you three bins or bags: one for donations, one for storage, and one that goes straight to the curb. Be honest with yourself: if you haven’t used it for months, or worn it in the last appropriate season, say goodbye!

Motivate yourself by setting goals for decluttering: for example, challenge yourself to remove at least 10 things from each room. Double the number when you are talking pantries and storage closets!

The home office: go paperless wherever possible! Sign up to epost.ca to receive your bills online where possible; instead of storing paper copies, scan important documents and upload into an electronic version of your filing cabinet
Scrub, scrub, scrub: give your walls, baseboards, corners and floors a good, thorough scrub. You’ll be amazed how much it will make your home sparkle!

Windows. Let that spring sun shine in. Clean your windows to get rid of winter spots and grime.

Treat yourself. Sometimes, life just gets too busy, and you just hope to clean up after dinner or tackle laundry, let alone a full spring clean! Consider hiring in some help. Get someone to come in for a one-time house cleaning, and give yourself a kick-start on the spring - and a break on the schedule.

So, get ready to say goodbye to winter, and prepare for a beautiful spring!

6 Key Steps to Dress Your House for Success

Selling your house for the best price in the least amount of time

Download a printable PDF of this article.

Now that you’ve made the decision to sell your home, you’ll want to look at it differently. It’s now a house for sale and looking at it through “buyers’ eyes” can help you package it to sell more quickly.

This checklist can help you organize what needs to be done.

Dressing your house for success doesn’t need to be expensive or overly time-consuming. You can borrow or rent the “extras” like decorative house plants or lawn furniture to make your house really memorable. And, if you don’t have enough time to do cleaning or repair work, consider hiring a professional . It could save you time and money later.

WHERE DO I START?

When you begin preparing your house for market, start outside and work you way in, keeping in mind the importance of first impressions.

It is estimated that more than half of all houses are sold before the buyers even get out of their cars! Stand across the street from your house and review its curb appeal. What can you do to improve that very first impression?

When you’re ready to being work, use the checklist and add to your “To Do” list in the blank space provided. The checklist follows six important steps to packaging your house. Remember, you need to think like a buyer now and have a critical eye!

  1. Uncluttering
    Makes every room look larger and feel neater. If a house is cluttered, buyers have trouble imagining themselves in it. By removing or storing things you don’t need, you create a roomy, comfortable feeling that will be inviting to prospective buyers. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out, sell it or give it away!
  2. Cleaning:
    Makes your house easy for buyers to explore and give the impression that it has been well cared for. Be sure every room smells as good as it looks, paying special attention to pet areas, nurseries and bathrooms. Some fresh paint and one time professional cleaning services can make you house look like new!
  3. Repairing:
    Eliminates buyer’s objections before they arise. If you think something is too much trouble to fix, chances are buyers will too. Buyers tend to think repairs will cost more than they do.
  4. Neutralizing:
    Helps buyers see their own things in your house and picture themselves living there. Neutral paint, décor and carpeting create a home for any l lifestyle. Eliminating distracting colors and accessories lets buyers concentrate on positive impressions.
  5. Dynamizing:
    Makes the exterior and every room of your house special. Since it is competing with many other houses on the market, you need to make it stand out and be memorable. Look in magazines and catalogs for ideas. From the front door to the basement, from fresh flowers to fresh smells, this is the finishing touch!
  6. Showtime!:
    The final step before each time your house is shown. Identify jobs and assign them to make this step quick and easy. If you keep up daily, SHOWTIME! Will be easier for you and your family. Plan a fun activity—away from the house - during showings.

Exterior/Curb Appeal

Uncluttering

  • Lawn/garden - mow, trim, weed, water, pick up
  • Pet areas - clean up, re-sod spots as needed
  • Extra vehicals - remove from curb view

Cleaning

  • Windows - wash inside and out
  • Walks and driveways—sweep and remove stains
  • Siding/brick or stucco—hose down

Repairing

  • Doors and windows -repair screens, glass and door hardware
  • Siding - repair or paint as needed
  • Fences - repair or paint as needed
  • Sidewalks and driveway - repair as needed

Neutralizing

  • Lawn areas - remove any distracting decorations

Dynamizing

  • Add a large plant, wreath or doormat at entrance
  • Add potted or hanging flowers to deck or porch
  • Borrow lawn furniture
  • Add new house numbers or a brass door fixtures
  • Add fresh layer of rock or bark if needed