Real Estate

If you’re searching for a new home within a tight time frame or searching for an out-of-town property, you may not have time to make multiple visits. In fact, you might only get a chance to view a property once before deciding whether or not to make an offer. In that case, you’ll need to be sure to get all the information you need from that one viewing. The trick is to be prepared. Before viewing a...

Have you ever seen a product at a store and thought, “Whoa. That price is outrageously high. It’s just not worth it!” Conversely, you might have also reacted to another product with, “That’s awfully cheap. The quality must not be good.” Welcome to the psychology of pricing! According to research, people tend to draw conclusions about a product based on its price. If it doesn’t reflect...

Chances are, you’ve heard the expression, “Your home is your biggest investment.” For most homeowners, that’s true. So, when you’re shopping for a new home, it’s important to consider the financial opportunity of any purchase. Ideally, you want a home that is likely to increase in value over time. In other words, you want a home with a strong potential return on investment. But dollars...

Imagine you’ve been waiting for the right moment to sell your home and you’re finally ready to list it. But, just as you’re about to put up the sign, you notice that a few other FOR SALE signs have unexpectedly popped up in the neighbourhood. Oh no! Now there are competing listings. Does that mean you should put your plan to sell your property on hold? Not necessarily. Just because comparable...

An Open House is an event. And, like many events, it’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement and energy. In fact, when you visit an Open House, you might even end up rubbing elbows with other buyers who are there at the same time. It can feel like a party!In an environment like that, it’s not unusual to forget to ask important questions about the property. Here are some of the most...

If you’re thinking about selling in the spring, don’t wait until the new year to start planning. In fact, you’ll save yourself a lot of work and get ahead of the game if you start planning now. What’s that old saying? The early bird gets the worm! In this case, by starting the process this month, you’ll be in excellent shape when you’re ready to list in the spring. Here are just a few...

Walk-through videos are becoming increasingly popular. The seller’s agent simply films a tour of a home, often including commentary, and then makes the video available to prospects. When you’re shopping for a new home, you want to get the most out of watching this type of video, especially if you’re relying on it to help you decide whether or not to make a viewing appointment. Consider these...

If you’re making an offer on a property, obviously the price you go in at plays a big role in whether or not you get that home. That’s especially true when there are other competing offers. However, while the price is important, it’s not the only factor. There are other ways to make your offer more appealing. For example, the closing date may be important to the seller. They may be relocating...

When you’re selling your property, you want buyers to see it at its best. But, a percentage of potential buyers will only be able to see your home in the evening. If it’s getting dark by the time they arrive, your home may not look as good as it does during the day. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to compensate. Start with lighting. Make sure your home is well lit during an evening...

There’s no doubt that an effectively “staged” home is likely to sell faster and for a better price. Studies in real estate sales consistently prove it. However, you might be asking, “Is it better to do the staging myself? Do I need to hire a professional?” Let’s look at the pros and cons. If your home is already in demand and likely to get multiple offers, you might get away with doing...