3 Ways You Can Make A Good First Impression When Selling Your Home

😎 Summertime is the time of year when we want to enjoy the sunshine, the water, BBQ, and campfires with the ones we love.

But have you been thinking of listing your home when the humming fall market begins? This decision is a big commitment.  You are going to be listing your biggest asset. This will take time and we don’t want to rush it. We start the process by offering advice on the important things that get you top dollar for your biggest investment.

🌻 🌳 Visual Appeal Crucial In Making A Good First Impression

You need to show off a spotless, spacious and updated kitchen. The goal is to allow buyers to visualize themselves in the living space.

The main living area is one of the first rooms a buyer may view. This room will set the tone for the rest of the house. Make sure it is inviting, elegant, cozy and well-arranged so they can envision themselves using this space.

If your home has a separate formal dining room, it is best to showcase it in an elegant manner. You want the buyer to envision enjoying meals and entertaining friends and family.

The master bedroom and en suite should create a mood that is relaxing. Buyers want to envision the way they wish to live. Create a look that will encourage buyers to say “wow” when they walk in.

Creating a spa-like feel in all the bathrooms will have buyers looking forward to relaxing at the end of a long day. Luxury sells every bathroom. Bathrooms should look like no one has used them. If yours looks less than new, consider some cost effective upgrades.

😌 The Small and Simple Things Make A Big Difference

Declutter and depersonalize your home! At some point it will no longer be your home, so it shouldn’t look like it is. We want buyers to envision themselves living there. Pre-pack off-season items in your closet and organize them. Give the illusion of even more space. Remove everything off the counters and tidy all the shelves. Be aware of displaying books, collections, family photos, movies, trophies, etc. that may hinder a buyer’s view of this space.

Consider aligning the furniture so that it is parallel to the walls and arrange accessories. Make sure the room feels as large as possible.  Add lamps, decorative pillows, throws and even some live or silk greenery to make it warm and inviting

🏡 Move In Ready Is The Trend

Move-in ready is the trend because everyone likes new. Many buyers don’t want to have to do any type of renovation, right away. So the house needs to show off all it has to offer, whatever that is.  One thing is for sure, the way we live in our house is definitely not the way to sell the house. Houses need to make the right first impression and a lasting one.

Usually, buyers have items on their wish list, not a list of repairs. Walking into your home and seeing a range of to-do projects will turn them away faster than you can say “that’s an easy fix” . Sometimes it’s not the big things, but a lot of little things that turn buyers away. Present buyers with a complete package that is move-in ready. Help them see it as a home “they” can be comfortable and happy in. If they see problems and jobs to do, your house will go to the bottom of their list of homes.  Their offer price may be much less than your expectation. Put it at the top of their list and have your home sell quickly and for top dollar!

We know how much it means to be able to take some time off and enjoy yourself with friends and family. That’s why we offer our services, so that you can enjoy your summertime without having to worry. By starting now, we can get things done in a timely manner so that this is a stress free experience for you and your family. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🐶🐱 Also, in time for the busy fall market. Our team is ready to help, call us at 289.266.3038 or email us at RealEstate@CRESI.ca.

Thoughts on the Handling of Non-Payment of Rent Applications at the Landlord Tenant Board

It’s time to address a critical issue — the handling of NON-PAYMENT OF RENT applications at the LANDLORD AND TENANT BOARD LTB).

Currently, the board is backlogged with 53,000 cases, and the majority of these are non-payment of rent applications (N4). According to the Landlord and Tenant Board’s 2022-2023 annual report, there were a total of 64,450 landlord applications, with 37,690 being N4 non-payment of rent applications. This is completely unacceptable! The sheer volume of these cases demonstrates a broken system that is not serving the needs of landlords or tenants, further contributing to the housing crisis in Ontario.

Read More »

How to Turn $150K Into a $200K Down Payment: A Playbook for First-Time Buyers

Buying a first home is a huge milestone,​ but for many Canadians, saving for the down payment can feel like an uphill battle. Rising home prices and borrowing costs have made this a significant challenge—but with the right strategy, there’s a way to help your clients stretch their savings further.

The Secret Weapons: RRSP and FHSA

These government programs are tailor-made for first-time buyers.

Read More »

House Prices Are Low, Now Is The Right Time To Invest In Real Estate

“Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy and Be Greedy When Others Are Fearful’ 

 ~ Warren Buffet

This quote fits in with how the state of the real estate market is going. Right now, home prices are lower and the interest rates are higher. This is causing uncertainty and some people will not buy. You can be certain in this, prices and interest rates will continue to go up and down. No market situation is forever. People will always need a roof over their heads, that is FOREVER!  

Read More »