1.) Never Underestimate the Value of a Good Paint Job.
Did you know that fresh paint can bring the highest Return on Investment (ROI) provided the colors are neutral? Neutral tones appeal to the largest number of buyers. The opposite is true of strong colors, which can polarize buyers – they either love, or hate the color. Greys are very popular right now. Make sure to invest in a professional painter. Don’t forget to refresh the trim and ceiling as well if they need it.

2.) If it’s Broken, Fix it!
Sounds obvious? Think again. Often homeowners overlook the “small” things, like that broken doorbell, the rattling exhaust fan, or the squeaky door. However, those small things add up to big things to the Buyer. It also makes them think, “What else has not been maintained?” Go through every room of your home and make a list – don’t forget the exterior!

3.) The First and Last Impressions Count.
Think about when you bought your last house. What was your first impression? Chances are, both curb appeal and the appearance of the foyer are what often stick in your mind. Make sure you are making the best impression possible!

4.) Clean, Clean, and Clean Some More!
A clean house is both welcoming and shows pride of ownership. On average, a clean home will sell for more than one that is dusty, dirty, and cluttered. Donate or throw away anything that is not needed anymore. It is surprising what people stash away and don’t even remember they have! Consider hiring a professional cleaner and have the carpets professionally steam cleaned as well. If you own pets, try to remove all evidence of the pet if you are able. If you smoke, never smoke in the house. It can quickly depreciate your home, even to smokers! And make sure the home is aired out if vacant. Fresh air is always appealing in a home.

5.) Give Rooms a Function.
Rooms that serve many functions at once are confusing. What is this room supposed to be? Is it an exercise room? A scrapbooking room? A toy room? An Office? Or all of the above? Don’t laugh – most houses have these rooms. But when you are selling, it is a good idea to pick one purpose for a room and focus on that. It brings a sense of calm and organization to the Buyer, even if YOU don’t always feel that way!

Need a fresh set of eyes? I can help! Contact me for honest feedback as part of my Listing Services. I’m here to help!

I often get asked, “When is the BEST time to sell my home?” To me, that question is a bit like asking, “When should I start raising a family?  The answer is, “When you are ready!”  Sellers have all kind of reasons for selling, and these can occur throughout the Year!

Most people choose to list and buy in the Spring. This is borne out in our Edmonton and Sherwood Park Real Estate data, where year after year, the peak of inventory AND the peak of Purchases occur during the third week of May.  OK, so that is what the majority of people do – the grass is green, the flowers are blooming, and summer is on its way. But does that mean Fall is NOT a good time to sell? The answer is a resounding, “No”, for the following reasons:

Less Inventory to Compete With! If the majority are listing in the Spring, that means at that time you are competing with more homes to get the attention of interested Buyers. If you list in the Fall, you have less competition as a Seller, which is good!

Low Interest Rates. Interest rates are still very low, and that could change next year in the Spring /Summer market, making your home less affordable for certain Buyers.

Less volatile time. Because the market is less busy in the Fall, it may be easier to predict the value of your home.

Great time for Move-Up Buyers. Say you want to move to a bigger, more expensive house, but you are thinking that you will get 2% more money for your house next Spring. That also means you will be paying 2% for the house you will be buying at that time as well, as the market does not discriminate!  You will gain LESS in the sale than you will be paying out on your purchase. If you are downsizing, it might make more sense to sell in the Spring. It’s really  all about what you net,  after all!

Buyers in the Fall are Serious! No fooling around! If they need to buy, chances are they aren’t kicking tires. They typically want to move in and get settled before Christmas, and preferably before it gets really cold if they can help it!  Serious buyers mean serious offers. That, combined with less inventory, means a better offer for you, the Seller!

If you ARE considering putting your home on the market soon, please contact me for a no-obligation market evaluation that determines the value of your home. I can also help you if you are thinking of Buying in the Sherwood Park and Edmonton region. What are you waiting for, Christmas? 🙂

The NUMBER ONE QUESTION I get asked as a Realtor(R) is, “What is the market going to be like?”

To me, that question translates into “I am thinking of selling my home this year. Is this really a good time to do it?”

While I don’t have a crystal ball ( I wish I had!), and the fact that forecasting the Real Estate Market is a bit like forecasting the weather, 2014 is looking to be a GREAT year to sell or buy a home! Here’s why:

• High Demand.  In 2013, the Edmonton and Sherwood Park regions showed the lowest housing inventory and highest average sale price for the PAST FIVE YEARS, indicating that demand for housing is stronger than ever!

• Robust Economy. The Edmonton and Sherwood Park regions are the FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY IN CANADA, even beating out Toronto and Calgary, and continues its growth at THREE TIMES the NATIONAL AVERAGE!

• Increasing Value. Forecasters are conservatively predicting a 3% increase in the value of Single Family Homes and a 2% increase for Condos.

• Strong Buyer Demand. There are many BUYERS out there right now due to low vacancy rates, higher rents and the ongoing migration of people obtaining full-time employment.

• Great Value. Among the major municipalities in Canada, the Edmonton / Sherwood Park region remains the LOWEST priced, and interest rates have continued to be low.

• Stable Investment. Economic growth is forecasted to continue well into 2017/2018, which provides consumers with confidence in making a solid real estate investment.

Want to talk further?  Want more information on the Edmonton and Sherwood Park market?  I can help! Contact me for specific information on your area so that you can make the Best Decision possible and Get the Service You Deserve!

Thinking of Selling Your Home in Sherwood Park or Edmonton?  Wondering if You Should List Your Home in the Fall?

Most Sellers feel that the best time to sell a property is in the Spring, when the snow has passed and everything is fresh and green. Note that I said “Most”.  If the majority of Sellers are listing in the Spring, shouldn’t you do the opposite to make your home truly stand out?

While Spring is the most popular time to list and sell a property, here are some reasons why Fall is a GREAT time to List:

• Less Competition from Other Sellers. Typically at this time of year, there are fewer listings, which means that as a Seller, you have less properties to compete with. This is very desirable for a Seller, as opposed to listing in the Spring when there are many more properties on the Market.

• Buyers Get a Chance to See Your Home BEFORE the Snow Flies. Very often, the Buyers need to see the front and back yards of a property before it is covered in mountains of snow! The Fall colors are beautiful, and it is a good time to post these pictures on your listing before Winter begins.

• Home Buyers are Still in the Mood to Buy in the Fall. Many Buyers, particularly families, want to move and settle in before the crazy Christmas and holiday season begins. It is also important to remember that there are Buyers at ALL times of the year, due to circumstance, job transfer, etc.

• Houses are Still Selling Rapidly in the Fall Season. That is, if you price your property correctly. At this time of year, it is essential to price your home at or slightly above Market Value. In spite of the lower inventory, Buyers also want value, and if you want TOP DOLLAR for your home, you need to offer the BEST HOME for the BEST PRICE in your geographic area.

Contact me for a Free Market Evaluation to see what your Sherwood Park and Edmonton home could sell for in today’s market!