If you are in the process of selling your home, you will have to make the decision of whether or not you will “stage” your home. Some people avoid home staging because they feel it is too expensive, or time consuming or that in the end, it really doesn’t matter.

But statistics say otherwise. Homes that are staged typically sell faster and at a higher price than those that are not. As for the amount of work it requires – if you follow the advice of a professional, it won’t be much more work than you would already have to do anyway in terms of cleaning and decluttering.

It is recommended that you stage your home before you list it in order to get the most bang for your buck and to make the best impression on potential buyers.

Reasons to Stage your Home

If you need more reasons to stage your home, then consider the following:

1. Staging your home will help you get the best price. Imagine walking into a clothing store – in the front of the store there are neatly pressed, items organized and folded or hanging. In the back, there is a bin of crumpled items in disarray. If you’re like most people you’ll assume that the disorganized items are on clearance – maybe last year’s styles.The same kind of thinking holds true in the real estate market. People naturally assume that a well-presented home is worth more.

2. You’ll be able to sell your home faster. According to the Association of Property Scene Designers, homes that are staged sell an average of 43% faster.

3. You’ll be forced to declutter and depersonalize. As sentimental as your grandmother’s china or your daughter’s hockey trophies may be to you, it is important for potential buyers to imagine the home as THEIR home. Clutter and personal items interfere with this. And since you’ll have to pack up these items sooner or later, being forced to do so will give you a head start in getting them ready for your move.

4. You will learn about interior design. You may have great taste and even a knack for decorating and arranging a room – but there is always something you can learn. If you work with a professional stager, you may learn a better way to arrange artwork or a better way to coordinate colours and patterns – and you can take this knowledge with you and use it when you are decorating your new home.

5. Not staging can cost you time and money. If you haven’t staged your home before the first potential buyer looks at your listing photos or attends an open house, then you’ll never know how much unnecessary time your home has been on the market or how many dollars you have lost on offers because your home wasn’t shown in its best possible light from the start.

The old adage that you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression is true. So take the time and put in the necessary work to properly stage your home. You’ll be glad you did.

Contact Woolcott Real Estate today to find out about our Stage and Declutter program!

The time has finally come for deciding to sell your home. Any good realtor will tell you that it takes a bit of work to get your home in tip-top shape for attracting potential buyers. One of the most important aspects of attracting potential buyers is sprucing up your outside landscaping to improve your home’s curb appeal. You could also hire someone from https://ziehlerlawncare.com to do the landscaping for you.

The front of your home is the first thing that home buyers see, so you want to create the best first impression possible before they enter your home.  Surveys show that landscaping determines whether your home feels inviting and this is money well spent. Seventy-one percent of potential buyers say that curb appeal has a tremendous influence on their decision making process when choosing a house. So as soon as you managed to put all interion cleanup on Katy TX maid service from Ready Set Maids – start the “magic” on exterior. If the outside of your home is clean, neat, tidy and attractive, the impression will carry over that the inside of the house is likely the same.

Unfortunately, many homeowners overlook revitalizing their outside landscaping in preparation for the sales process, but this can prove to be a costly mistake. A home with an attractive and well-maintained landscape will add value to your home and contribute as much as 10 percent of its worth.  When you consider that your home is probably the biggest investment you own, the return on investment is something you seriously want to encourage to maximize its full potential.

About one month prior to showing your home, you should start the cleanup of the property.

By getting a head start before the commencement of the interior showcase, you ought to have enough time to get things in order. You want the exterior of your home to look just right before the next phase begins.

Here are some top landscaping tips that will help you sell your home:

1. Your cleanup should include removing dead branches, dog droppings, weeds or anything that might be broken. You should add to the list cleaning downspouts, so they’re functional and water doesn’t pool. Take a good hard look at your hard-scapes, such as patios, walkways and fences to make sure that they’re level and roots haven’t pushed up through the sidewalks or patio stones. Check your deck for any wobbly railings or loose steps and fix them. If your patio needs to be replaced hire patio construction LA company.
2. Your landscaping should pull potential buyers eyes to the front door, so dress it up with outdoor plant containers bursting with colour. Alternatively, large tropicals can add considerable appeal to the entryway or interest to any doorway where buyers are entering or exiting the house. Large plant container displays on patios add a touch of panache and demonstrate the endless possibilities for designing this area.
3. Nothing is more refreshing and appealing to the senses than a new application of mulch around a pristine man made pond, pond installation service has improved over the years and is no longer inaccessible. Whether it’s natural, red or brown cedar and even cocoa mulch, adding a fresh layer of mulch to your garden beds makes everything pop. What’s great about mulch is that it’s inexpensive, easy to apply and creates a dramatic effect.
4. You can create a beautiful splash colour around your property by planting seasonal colours. Plant flats of annuals and mix up the colours for a variation of eye-catching tones. Whatever fits with your house will create a stunning display of interest for potential buyers.
5. Trim and shape any unsightly shrubs or overgrown trees for a neat and tidy look. Pruning and maintenance indicates to potential buyers that you take pride in your property and gardens as well as your home.
6. If you happen to have a water feature, like a fountain or pond, get rid of any visible algae and remove any leaves floating in it. Clean the filters of the system so that the unit is functioning properly and the water is crystal clean.

When you’re trying to sell your home, those first impressions of the outside of your home go a long way in telling potential buyers that pride of ownership exists. It will be obvious to them that since you take such good care of the landscape around your home, the rest of your home is well worth considering.

Have you ever wondered what it means to get pre-approved for a mortgage? Well, it’s quite simple really – before you actually buy a house or even make an offer, you should find out from your chosen lender exactly how much of a home loan you will qualify for.

Knowing this number in advance can save you a lot of time once you begin house hunting as you won’t end up spending hours driving to and from and touring homes that are out of your price range. It will also save you from the disappointment of falling in love with a home only to learn that you can’t afford it.

Any broker or financial institution that offers mortgages can pre-approve you for a home loan. They will take your earnings and other financial information into account to determine how much you qualify for. While many of these lenders offer handy mortgage calculators online, it is important to remember that these are only meant to give you an estimate. Once you are ready to actually begin house hunting, you’ll need to make an appointment to meet face to face to get officially pre-approved.

Why should you get Pre-Approved?

Of course, it’s possible to start shopping around for a new home without pre-approval, but there are many reasons that we recommend making pre-approval one of your first steps:

• It will let you know exactly how much you can afford.
• It indicates to your REALTOR that you are serious about making a purchase and helps them weed out homes that are out of your price range.
• It will save time – both for you and your REALTOR.
• It will give you better negotiating power – if you find a home that you love, you’ll be able to put in an offer right away.
• It locks in your interest rate.

How to get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage?

When you’re ready to begin your hunt for your first home, it is time to make an appointment with your lender. At first make check with Credit Repair Yonkers specialist. Credit score significantly impacts your situation. Some people choose a bank that they are comfortable with, while others go to a broker or get a referral from their real estate agent. There are advantages to each, so you must decide what is right for you.

Be honest with whomever you are applying for pre-approval. You will need to bring in documentation to prove your earnings and your assets.

It’s a good idea to shop around a bit. There are different types of mortgages and interest rates may vary somewhat between lenders. Take the time to get educated about the type of mortgage that you want.

How long does my Pre-Approval last?

So you’ve been pre-approved and were able to secure a really great rate. Congratulations!

Now you’re probably wondering how long you have to find your dream home.

Most pre-approvals are good for 120 days before you have to re-apply. If you find a home within that time, you’ll get either the lender’s current interest rates or the rate you were quoted – whichever is lower. So if the rates go up while you were shopping, you’ll get the rate on your pre-approval – if the rates go down, you’ll get the lower interest rate.

So are you ready to start house hunting? Then start by mortgage hunting!

Moving can be a big and often stressful event for every member of the family – and this includes your pets. When transitioning from one home to another, don’t forget to look after the needs of Fluffy and Fido. Here are a few tips to help make the process easier:

Before you move:

Before you move, you want to do a bit of research on how life with a pet is going to be in your new digs. Ask your current vet if he knows and can recommend a vet in the area you are moving to. If not, you’ll have to look around on your own.

You’ll also want to find out about available dog parks and contact the municipality about pet licensing and by-laws.

During transition:

The act of packing up and moving can cause a lot of commotion for even the human members of your family. So imagine how it must feel for your pet!

To ease them into it, a good idea is to set out your moving boxes a few days before you actually start packing them, so that your pet is used to seeing them. If your cat or dog is not used to travelling in a crate (and needs to for the move), you should also do your best to acclimatize them to it as well.

Open houses:

These can be especially tricky for families with pets. You may love your pet like one of your children, but to a potential buyer, pets often mean dirt and damage – and a lower home value. The best thing you can do to ensure you get the best possible price for your home is to remove your pet and all traces of the little darling before your first open house. It sounds harsh, but it’s the truth.

Consider having a friend or neighbour look after them once you start showing your home or sending them to a kennel.

If this is out of the question, then at minimum you should take the following steps before potential buyers start coming through your home:

• No pictures that include pets should be posted on your MLS listing.
• Litter boxes should be kept out of sight and very clean.
• Keep bowls, doggie beds, squeak toys and the like out of sight.
• Hire professional cleaners to remove any pet stains from carpets.
• Have someone who doesn’t live in your home come over and do a sniff test to see if there are any pet odours. If there are, try to remove them with an enzyme cleaner. (Avoid air fresheners as these may cause allergic reactions for some people).

After your move:

Moves are most stressful on cats since they are territorial animals. To help your cat transition, keep them in a separate room with the door closed while your belongings are being loaded into the house. It’s also wise to keep your cat indoors for at least a couple of weeks.

If you see strange cats in your yard, chase them away to help your cat establish its territory.

Dogs seem to adjust easier to moves but can still use a bit of help. Take them on frequent walks to help them get used to their new neighbourhood. But don’t plan these walks to end just before you have to go somewhere. Remember, the idea is to make the whole experience a positive one.

Perhaps the most exciting purchase you will ever make in your life is your first home. Having a place to call your own may be something that you have dreamed of since you were a teenager; or perhaps after years of renting, you’re finally ready to buy a piece of Burlington real estate. Yes, buying your first home is exciting, but it’s also a substantial investment. And if a first time home buyer is to be a good investor, it pays to enter the process with some strategies from the experts.

The following are five important tips that every first time home buyer should follow:

Location, location, location

This phrase has become ubiquitous in the world of real estate – so much so, that few people actually stop to consider what it means. Sure you probably already know where the ritzy neighbourhoods in Burlington are, but this alone shouldn’t guide your decision. You have to consider the best location for YOU. This means carefully examining your budget to see what you can afford, considering the commuting time to and from your workplace and if you have or are planning to have children looking into what schools and daycares are in the area. It’s also a good idea to discuss location with your realtor as they may be aware of other factors that might affect the area’s future real estate value.

Own your search

Nobody knows your needs and preferences better than you do, so it’s important that you are involved in your home search. Spend some time viewing online listings to see what home styles you like. If there are must-haves on your list such as space for a home office or a backyard large enough for a vegetable garden, let your realtor know. Otherwise, you could end up wasting time viewing homes that don’t really fit the bill.

Research, research, research

Buying your first home involves a lot more than picking out the place with the perfect kitchen or pristine landscaping. You need to have a solid understanding of your own financial situation, how your mortgage will work, property taxes, lawyers’ fees etc. Fortunately, information on these and other subjects are readily available online from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) as well as through the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). You can also find a lot of valuable information on the Woolcott website. And be sure to focus your research on local markets since trends can vary from one neighbourhood to the next.

Don’t let emotion rule the day

There is no doubt that you will experience many emotions as you go through the process of purchasing your first home. But don’t let those emotions lead you into hasty decisions. Never get so attached to a house that you are willing to buy it for any price. The Burlington real estate market is an active one and there is always another great listing just around the corner.

Work with a professional

Even the most well-read and well-studied homebuyer can benefit from the assistance of a professional. At Woolcott, we have years of experience in Burlington helping first time homebuyers make that all important decision. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.

You’ve dreamt about it, and now you are finally doing it. You are out and about shopping for that new and perfect home. If you are like most home buyers, you probably have a checklist of what you’d like to see in your ideal home.

Let’s have a look at some of the most popular requests we hear in new home features:

1. Open Concept homes – Even if our budget doesn’t allow us to have the biggest home, we don’t want our homes to feel small either. Open concept homes in which one room flows seamlessly into the next are highly popular.
2. Outdoor Living spaces – We know that getting outdoors is good for us, and we want to do more of it. Having a nice deck or patio is nice, but why not have a complete outdoor living space with a fireplace or pergola?
3. Modern kitchens – An outdated kitchen straight from the 70s isn’t very attractive to most home buyers. Since the kitchen is the heart of the home, they want this room to be both attractive and functional. Features like natural stone countertops, custom cabinets and the latest in appliances are very desirable.
4. Smart growth – newer communities are being planned around having certain amenities that are attractive to home buyers. These include walking and bicycle paths, playgrounds and parks.
5. Green homes – Whether you’re a diehard environmentalist or just don’t want to pay a fortune on your energy bills, new home buyers want homes that are energy efficient. EnerGuide for Homes is a system that rates homes according to how energy efficient they are.
6. Lots of storage – No one wants a cluttered looking home, so having lots of storage space in the form of closets, cabinets and shelving is key for storing your stuff. Walk-in and California style closets especially are near the top of my buyers’ wish lists.
7. Energy efficient fixtures and appliances – from high-efficiency HVAC systems to front end loading washers and LED lighting, there are all kinds of ways that homeowners can save energy – and money – with their appliances. If you are having issues with your HVAC units contact Frederick Air Conditioning and Heating to come out and fix it.
8. Two car garage with work and storage space – Since many families have at least two vehicles, it is only natural that they want a garage that can accommodate at least two cars. Not only that, they want extra room in their garage to use as a work space or for additional storage.
9. Room for an in-home office – More and more people today are telecommuting and even if they’re not, there is a good chance that they are bringing work home with them. That’s why it is common for buyers to look for homes that have room to include an office with direct access to the outside.
10. A yard – Some people see a big yard as just one more thing to take care of in a home – but others see it as a “must have”. Whether they want a yard so their children (or pets) have room to play or because they are avid gardeners, a yard is a feature that often makes the list.

These are just a few of the requests we hear from people who are shopping for a new home, and you may have other “must haves” on your list. But whatever you’re looking for, we’d love to have the challenge of helping you find it! If you are ready to begin your house buying journey in the Burlington area, contact our team at Woolcott Realty, or take a look at our active house listings.