Here is an interesting article regarding a Forcast for the Real Estate Market 2009 in Canada.

Forcast 2009

My husband forwarded an interesting article to me yesterday, that left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.  It generally stated that staging was unethical in the sense that some larger Staging Businesses were in the business of hiding flaws and issues in homes creating a false sense that these homes were problem free.  These practices anger me as they really give the Staging Profession as a whole, a bad wrap!

I have trained with two separate entities, and both associations taught us not to hide issues within the homes we work in.  Personally, I could never 'hide' a serious issue, as a homeowner myself, it would anger me to no end if we were to find something seriously wrong after the fact!  Staging should NEVER be a substitute for a Building Inspection, no matter HOW perfect the property presented itself!  I would hope that any realtor who is working and looking out for theirclients interests would recommend, or insist, on a Building Inspectionby a reputable Inspector in their area!!

There will always be skeptics, and those skeptics keep the majority of us honest.  Staging can be, but does not have to be, a MAJOR investment prior to selling your home.  With some minor repairs, general clean up and purge, and a few hours of a Home Stagers time rearranging the furniture, your property will show beautifully and stand out above the competition!  Spending the extra time and money on your property will reward you with a higher return on your investment, also helping to sell your property faster and letting you get on with your plans.

If a Real Estate Staging Professional enters your home and begins to recommend hiding issues, call someone whose ethics are in check!  If issues are revealed during a home inspection that were obviously attempted to be hidden, the chances of a deal going south is much more probable.  Be upfront with potential buyers and their trust that 'what you see is what you get' will win over 'what else is wrong?', every time!

Well, it's about time!  It has definitely been a long time coming, but Spring has finally sprung here in the Okanagan.  What are you doing now that the snow has melted and flowers are blooming?

When selling your home in the Springtime, you can make it easier to draw those potential buyers through the front door!  I am seeing many drivers slowing down in front of those 'For Sale' signs as the market picks up, mortgage rates are at their lowest in years, and the sun has begun to shine!  What can you do to turn those drive-bys into Buyers?

A little elbow grease is all you need!  Spend a weekend by following these few tips in creating a warm, welcoming and tidy exterior to your home!  Make those potential buyers WANT to see more!!!

First and foremost, keep your lawn mowed, edged and watered.  By fertilizing and seeding each spring, your grass will choke out the weeds and remain full, lush and green.  There are many safe, organic fertilizers available at your local gardening shops which will not harm the environment or be a danger to children or pets.  Ask your local specialists for their recommendations.

Keeping your gardens, flower beds, driveways and walkways neatly edged and weeded will help to show that your home is well maintained and cared for.  Adding a splash of colour with lively annuals will grab the attention of the drive-by shopper, as they see a tidy, fresh and bright yard on the outside, hinting to what they will see on the inside!  The idea is to make the buyer curious as to what is behind the front door.

Make sure all your garbage cans and recycling are not seen from the front.  Tucking them away in a garage or storage shed helps keep things tidy.  Store away all bikes, children's toys, and miscellaneous items so potential buyers get a sense that there is storage.  Allowing potential buyers to freely walk around your property, without stepping or tripping over things, will allow them to envision themselves enjoying the surroundings as their own.

Decks in the Okanagan are a big selling feature, as we live in the outdoors so much of the year!  Have your deck in good repair and set it up as an extension to the indoors.  A patio table and chairs, with some flower pots will show the functionality of the space while making it inviting and ready for entertaining.

Drawing in your potential buyers with a bright and welcoming front entry also has huge benefits.  A bright planter, fresh door mat and a clean, freshly painted front door will welcome buyers and excite them to what they are about to see inside.

Remember, potential buyers spend the longest time standing at the front door as your RealtorTM unlocks the lock-box to get them into the home.  Setting the stage and creating that important first impression is key, and all it takes is a little time and effort for that to be done. 

So, get out there!!  Happy Gardening....and don't forget your sunscreen!
 

Clearly, there is a movement to do all we can to help our planet and to preserve precious resources.  Everything we do makes a difference; using fabric shopping bags, carpooling into the office, buying locally, or turning off all your lights when you leave a room.  All these things add up to helping us reach the goal of a Greener, Healthier Planet.

When selling your home, why should it matter whether you leave a Green Footprint behind?  Does it make a difference if your home is energy efficient?

In the fall of 2007, HGTV pulled together the Top 10 things that buyers were placing high on their priority lists when shopping for a new home.  Energy Efficiency was number one.  Oraclepoll Research did a study where buyers rated Energy Efficiency third, right behind location and price.  From what we are seeing, if you can make some changes and updates in your home before you sell, more people will be interested in your property.

The obvious choices to make are low-flow toilets, aerators for all taps, low-flow shower heads, and Energy Star Rated appliances, furnace, hot water tank and windows.  By having these items in place prior to your home being placed on the market, you have a head start on improving the marketability of your house.

These changes, if needed, can cost a little up front.  In Canada, there are rebates and Eco-grant programs available where you can receive money for these improvements.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is one of those resources available to homeowners.  NRCan offers homeowners home evaluations by licensed service organizations, detailing the homes energy efficiency from the attic to the foundation.  They will provide a detailed, personalized report including a checklist of recommended retrofits to improve the overall efficiency of the home.  This report also states the grant amounts available for each recommendation, and you are eligible to receive up to $5000 in grant money.  All work must be completed within an 18 month period, and a post evaluation must be completed prior to March 31, 2011.  For more details, and the full article, visit them on the web at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca.

On a smaller scale, think of how your daily activities and practices at home can make a change for the better.  Think of using Earth-Friendly products for cleaning and painting.  Find ways to conserve water.  Use cloth bags instead of plastic shopping bags.

Think Green!  We can all make a difference!

Staging homes is not just for large, beautiful, professionally decorated and expensive properties anymore!  Staging can actually benefit homes that need updating, repairs and may not be in perfect, show home condition even more.

Staging a Fixer-Upper does not have to make a homeowner dig deep into their pockets and invest heavily into their property.  All it takes is some planning, a little elbow grease and some basic hints.  There are many things that can make the home shine and stick out in the minds of potential buyers.

A potential buyer first sees the outside of your home and curb appeal sets the tone for a great first impression!  Cleaning up all garbage and clutter around the yard is a great place to begin.  Tuck away garbage pails into the garage, shed or side yard.  Weed, edge and tidy up gardens and if weather permits, brighten up the flower beds by adding seasonal annuals to draw the eye in, and add a splash of colour.  Keep all driveways and walkways swept, weeded (if need be) and free of all clutter so that all paths are clear and inviting.  Keep the lawn trimmed and watered, leaving it lush and green;  it’s much more inviting to a buyer than a yard looking unkempt and deserted.  A well kept yard sets the tone for a well maintained home!

Once the potential buyers are inside the home,there are three critical words to keep in mind…. Clean! Clean! Clean!  You can’t do enough cleaning!!  Even major Fixer-Uppers present themselves better when they are clean and tidy.  Wash all windows, inside and out, to let as much light in as possible.  For showings, turn on all the lights so prospective buyers can see all the house has to offer.  If storage is an issue, start packing!  Go through and pack all seasonal items and if need be, rent a storage unit to store boxes in before your move.

These simple steps will set you up for a shorter time frame on the market.  When your home shows well it will be shown more often.  When it is well maintained, and the competition is not looking as good, your home will stick out in the minds of potential buyers and be remembered for its positive features.

You have made the decision to sell your home.  Putting in some effort before the sign goes up will reduce the wait for your move to happen!  Staging works!

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Kristin