Your Home is Worth More Than You Think - Winning in Multiple Bids

If you put your home on the market, chances are you want it to sell quickly. However, there are certain circumstances in which sellers don’t just want their home to sell quickly, they actually need it to sell super fast. This may be due to a sudden relocation, the purchase of a new home with a tight closing date, or any number of other reasons.

Obviously, this can be a stressful situation. However, there are some practical things you can do to help your home sell super fast:

• Find out the current market value of your property. This will guide you in your decision on the listing price.
• Be reasonable about the listing price. You can sell quickly and still get a good price for your home. But, realistically, you won’t be able to hold out in the hopes of getting an “above market value” offer.
• Be as flexible and accommodating as possible when it comes to scheduling viewings and open houses. If you’re going to restrict buyers to seeing your home on Saturdays from 3 to 5, then you’re going to reduce your chances of a quick sale.
• Clean and declutter your home. This is the fastest way to dramatically improve how it shows.
• Tend to the outside of your property. Cut the grass. Trim the hedges. Fix the creaking back gate. Do everything you can to increase your property’s curb appeal.
• Apply fresh paint wherever possible. Painting is the quickest and least expensive “renovation” you can do. It can significantly improve the look of any area of your home.
• Spread the news that your home is on the market and that you’re looking for a quick sale. Tell your friends, neighbours and co-workers.

Shopping for a home is a little like shopping for a car. Unless you know what to look for, you risk being swayed by first impressions and buying something that does not truly meet your needs.

For example, you might fall in love with the recreation room — complete with a bar and a dartboard — and unconsciously overlook the fact that the home doesn’t have enough bedrooms to accommodate your growing family.

So when you’re viewing a potential new home, or checking out a property during a weekend “open house”, make sure the home meets your needs.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Is there enough room for my family, now and in the future? Remember, as kids grow so does the space they require!
• Are there enough bedrooms, bathrooms, closets and storage space?
• Is the yard big enough?
• Will my furniture fit the space?
• Do I like the neighbourhood? Always take a walk around and explore the area.
• Does anything need to be repaired or replaced? If the seller won’t be taking care of such issues, repairs or replacements could add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the true cost of buying the property.

Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions when viewing a home. After all, it’s a major purchase. You want to get it right!

Need help finding homes to view that meet your requirements? Call today.

A potential buyer comes to view your home. She explores each room with interest. Then she opens the closet door in the master bedroom. Will she be impressed with the space and imagine her clothes adorning the racks and shelves?

That likely depends on how you use and manage that storage space.

Of course, her first reaction will be based on size. Short of doing a major renovation, there’s not much you can do about that.

However, there is plenty you can do to make the space seem bright and roomy. Your first step is to remove as much of the clutter as possible. If the closet doubles as storage for boxes and other items, for example, move those items elsewhere. (It might make sense for you to temporarily rent space at a local self-storage.)

Next, make sure the space isn’t over-filled. You don’t have to remove all your clothes, but consider removing enough to fully accentuate the roominess of the space and make it look neat and organized.

Finally, don’t forget about lighting. It also plays a key role. A dimly lit closet will make the space look unappealing. Use enough wattage to create a pleasant glow throughout the area.

Don’t forget to do the same things for all your other storage spaces too.