When you walk through the front door of your home, you have a very different experience than a buyer would. You see the familiar. You see the memories. And, you see your life. In fact, you might even wonder why anyone would hesitate to fall instantly in love with your home. Buyers, however, don’t have that same perspective. When they walk through your front door, they see a place they’ve never...

Lifestyle is a very important criterion when you’re shopping for a new home. After all, a home and its surrounding neighbourhood are the places where much of your lifestyle is going to be experienced. So when you consider a new home, think about the kind of lifestyle to which the property needs to lend itself. Ask yourself: How much entertaining do we do?Is having good schools located nearby...

When you’re shopping for a new car or anything else that impacts you personally, you probably have two little voices chatting in your head. The first is saying, “This is what I want.” The second is asking, “Can I really afford this?” Ideally, both voices are in agreement and you’re able to buy what you want at a price that’s reasonable. Of course, there are other times when you’ll need...

If you own a stock, you can probably go online and quickly look up its current value. What about your home? That, too, is an important investment and probably your most valuable one. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could “look up” its current value in just a few minutes? Well, despite all the real estate data available on the internet these days, there is no site that will calculate your home’s...

Here’s a surprising statistic. Less than 30% of window replacements are the result of the old windows being worn, broken or otherwise in need of replacement. Clearly, there are other good reasons to consider new windows! One of the most popular motivations is cosmetic. Brand new windows have a huge impact on the overall look of a home, both on the inside and the outside. New windows can improve...

Do you have an extra bedroom that you’ve converted into a home office, arts/crafts room or other non-slumbering use? If so, you may be wondering if you should convert it back into a traditional bedroom. Especially before you list. According to home staging experts, that may be a good idea. Although buyers will know the space was designed as a bedroom, there will be a psychological response to seeing...

The top retail store chains invest heavily in creating just the right lighting to make their products look great. Why? They know that lighting makes a measurable difference to sales. The same is true when you sell your home. Lighting can make a big difference in the impression your home has on buyers. There are two types of light sources, manufactured and natural. You need to consider both when...

You’ve heard of the term “curb appeal”. It refers to the initial impression buyers get when they first see your property from the street. If the impression is a good one, it sets the right tone for the rest of the home viewing. How do you boost curb appeal? Here are some proven ideas that you can get done in an hour or so:Wash both the inside and outside of the front windows. You’ll be amazed...

Have you ever considered selling your home and moving out-of-town? One concern that might be holding you back is the uncertainty involved in finding a home in an unfamiliar place. What are the best neighbourhoods? What are homes selling for in that area? And what is it like to live there? There are many ways to find out. If possible, spend a day in the area. Walk some of the neighbourhoods. Visit...

Imagine finding a home that is perfect in every way, except for one nagging thing. That “thing” might be a smaller kitchen than you want, fewer closets than you need, or flooring that you dislike. Should you buy it anyway? How do you know if you should take a pass? It’s not an easy decision to make and depends on a number of factors. Trying to answer these questions might help: How likely is it...