Unstoppable Starts Here

When you decide to work with a REMAX® agent, you can feel confident you’ve made a smart choice (and not just because REMAX is the #1 name in real estate(1).

There’s a reason more buyers and sellers think of REMAX than any other real estate brand(2), and it lies in more than 50 years of experience, adaptability and evolution. This brokerage is not a pop-up, a trend or a fad. These roots run deep, and experience runs wide — network-wide. You can trust the REMAX foundation was built strong.

Founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, REMAX stands for “Real Estate Maximums.” The new name and concept intended to disrupt the industry by creating an innovative, entrepreneurial culture that affords its agents and franchisees the flexibility to operate their businesses with greater independence.

And disrupt it did.

Now, with more than 145,000 agents in nearly 9,000 offices and a presence in over 110 countries and territories, nobody in the world sells more real estate than REMAX(3).

It took unstoppable grit, continuous learning, agile navigating and, most of all, passion. That’s why the REMAX network offers more real estate sales experience than other agents, giving you the confidence to navigate any market with a trusted professional.

1Source: MMR Strategy Group study of unaided awareness. 2Source: MMR Strategy Group study of unaided awareness among buyers, sellers, and those planning to buy or sell; asked, when they think of real estate brands, which ones come to mind? 3As measured by total residential transaction sides.

home buyers guide moving

Find the REMAX Agent

That’s Right For You

Choosing the right agent can make a difference in the quality of your entire home-selling experience. And working with a REMAX agent means you unlock access to current market information. Ask your REMAX agent to set up market reports and listing valuations in MAXTech℠ powered by BoldTrail and Listing alerts on remax.ca.

TOP QUESTIONS TO ASK AN AGENT

1. Are you a full-time real estate agent?
2. How much experience do you have in my neighbourhood?
3. Can you provide references?
4. How many homes have you listed and sold in the last year?
5. What services and resources do you offer?
6. How does the homeselling process work and what is expected of me?
7. How long are homes in my neighbourhood usually on the market?
8. How would you price and market my home?
9. How many open-house tours do you conduct? Are you willing to add more?
10. What disclosure laws apply to me?
11. What does the listing agreement entail and what is your fee?
12. What happens if you (or another agent) find a buyer to purchase my house?
13. What happens if I’m not happy with your services?
14. Anything else I should know?

You Got This

Selling a home can be complicated. From preparing the property and marketing the listing, to the negotiations and paperwork — there’s plenty to do. If you’re ready to begin the selling process or simply want to plan ahead, this guide is an ideal starting point.

EXPLORE THESE HELPFUL TOPICS INSIDE

• How to find the right listing agent.
• The do’s and don’ts when listing and showing your home.
• Selling strategies for move-up buyers.
• Important terms you should know.

Sellers Do's & Dont's

DO

Financially Prepare
Discuss all expenses and strategies for listing and marketing your home with your agent. And remember, the rate you pay an agent is negotiable, so consider the options and what it means for your bottom line. But be wary of deep discounts — more deals may mean an agent has less experience. A reputable agent, such as a REMAX agent, will be upfront and highly detailed, helping you to make confident and well-informed decisions.

Clear Out & Clean Up
You want potential buyers to imagine your house as their own, so clear out the clutter. Remove excess home décor, pack up the collectibles, put away the kids’ toys and eliminate pet evidence (unless your home includes a pet amenity like a dog-washing station). You’ll also want to clean everything, from the baseboards to the ceilings and every spot in between. In addition, keep the house at a comfortable room temperature and avoid strongly scented air fresheners.

Update & Upkeep
Impress house hunters with simple yet visually appealing updates. Inside, consider swapping out old light fixtures, painting the walls a light neutral colour with white trim and replacing older carpets with new hard flooring. Outside, remember to trim bushes and trees, pull weeds, keep the grass cut or the driveway shoveled and add greenery and flowers for a flattering first impression.

Organize & Categorize
Arrange furnishings to complement the size, traffic flow and natural light of the room. If you’re not sure, consult a professional stager. You’ll also want to organize all of your paperwork: inspection reports, property disclosures, appliance manuals, etc. Then, categorize them in an easy-to-access binder for quick reference. A REMAX agent can help with all of these details.

Respect & Respond
Stay open to professionals’ (appraiser, inspector, stager, etc.) suggestions on what changes can be made to make your home more broadly appealing. And don’t be offended by a low offer; discuss a plan with your agent to respond to the buyer. You’ll likely let them know the offer was too low, but that you are serious about accepting a better one.

DON’T

Fall Behind
Selling your house is hard work, but it’s important to stay up to date on your responsibilities. Once you find a buyer, you must continue caring for the property as well as paying your mortgage and utility bills so you don’t have extra costs to cover at closing.

Get Impatient
The time it takes to sell a home varies based on market conditions (and you may start to feel antsy). But no matter how fast or slow the sale of your house moves, it’s important to avoid entering into negotiations with buyers who aren’t preapproved for a mortgage. Also, listen to your agent and set the price according to market conditions. Pricing it too high can keep it on the market and make it appear unattractive, flawed or stale.

Hide or Hover
Your home needs to be ready when buyers are. So it’s best you don’t request a 24-hour notice or allow your phone or emails to go unanswered. Also, inform your agent of any audio or video equipment in and around the home, as local laws and rules may require action for home tours. And finally, make sure to leave during showings. Buyers appreciate space and may feel uncomfortable sharing their thoughts if you’re present. A good agent will share feedback from each tour to keep you informed.

Forget To Think Beyond the Sale
If you have an existing home to sell, you might anticipate excess funds after closing. But if you’re purchasing another home, it’s recommended to check in with your real estate agent and mortgage professional before acting. Life happens. You might need to replace a car, find a new loan, add to credit card balances or pull from savings. A quick check-in can help you understand how these actions may impact your finances, so you can avoid unforeseen complications in the future.

Do It All or Leave It All
Working with a real estate agent can be invaluable. Why try to do it all when you can hire a professional agent with the experience and expertise to do it for you? However, when you hire a real estate agent, don’t leave it all up to them. You’ll have a number of personal responsibilities to manage to help make your homeselling experience successful.

CLEAN UP THE CLUTTER

When listing your house and preparing for showings, it’s best to organize your space. A good rule of thumb is to sort through all the items you don’t use regularly and sort them into three piles: pack it, donate it and discard it.

Pack It
If you’re packing up, consider renting a portable storage container, they’re delivered to your home, picked up when full and stored until you need them again. Just note: if your property or HOA doesn’t allow portable units, look into a nearby storage facility as a backup option.

Donate It
For the items you’re donating, a number of charities now offer scheduled donation pick-ups. Visit your favorite charity’s website to learn when they’ll be in your neighbourhood.

Discard It
For the items your’re discarding, first make sure they can be discarded. Certain items need to be recycled or properly disposed. Check with your municipality website to find a convenient and affordable way to properly dispose of certain materials. If what you have truly can be discarded, consider renting a dumpster for large quantities.

SIX STAGING SUGGESTIONS

Not interested in hiring a professional stager? Consider these six staging suggestions to help enhance your home:

FIX

minor flaws and imperfections; buyers don’t want deferred maintenance issues.

REMOVE

excess furniture from rooms and clutter from countertops to make spaces appear larger.

CLEAN

and organize everything including garages, closets, storage rooms and laundry rooms. Buyers look everywhere.

WASH

windows, pull back curtains and turn on lights in dim rooms to brighten areas and make rooms appear larger.



PAINT

walls in light neutral tones and pack up family pictures so buyers can envision their décor preferences.

MANAGE

your yard; shovel the paths, mow the lawn, plant flowers and remove cobwebs from the door frames and light fixtures.

Three Strategies for

Move-Up Buyers

As a move-up buyer, you’re likely in a better financial position than when you purchased your first home, and a REMAX agent can help optimize your new selling strategy. If you have an existing home, you probably have savings or equity, which can make the move feel less like a compromise and more of a thoughtful selection. That said, the logistics of upgrading your location and home can present new challenges and requires a carefully considered plan. Here are three options for the smart move-up buyer.

SELL FIRST, BUY LATER

The “Sell First” strategy is ideal if you’re a move-up buyer who doesn’t want to be stuck paying two mortgages simultaneously. It also reduces the chances of having to lower your asking price if the sale isn’t happening at your preferred pace. This is a good option for move-up buyers who are banking on the proceeds of their sale to fund their new property. By selling first, you’ll know exactly how much money you have to purchase your next home.

TIME AND ALIGN YOUR PURCHASE AND SALE

Aligning your purchase and sale closing dates can be tricky. Remember that there are three parties to these transactions: you, the person you’re buying from and the person you’re selling to, each with possible varying contingencies. You’ll also have to move out and move in on the same day. In this scenario, flexibility is your best friend. You’ll need to plan ahead, research neighbourhoods, be preapproved for a mortgage and have started the organizing and decluttering process before the big move.

BUY FIRST, THEN SELL

If you’re buying in a seller’s market, then buying first might be the way to go. By buying your new home before selling your current one, you won’t feelrushed into settling for a property that doesn’t meet your needs, or having to seek temporary housing while you shop in a tough market. You’ll still live in your existing home, allowing you time to shop and continue looking until you find that perfect place.

Note: This could require a bridge mortgage. Your move-up strategy will depend on a number of factors, such as your financial situation, the current housing market conditions and your comfort level. Prepare yourself by choosing to work with a knowledgeable REMAX agent who can ensure a smooth transaction at both sides of the offer table.

Download the Home Seller Resource Guide Today!

Asking Price

The price that the seller has agreed to list their property for. The asking price is different from the selling price, which is the final price that has been agreed upon by the buyer and seller.

Balanced Market

There is an equal balance of buyers and sellers in the market, which means reasonable offers are often accepted by sellers, and homes sell within a reasonable amount of time and prices remain stable.

Bridge Financing

A short-term loan designed to “bridge” the gap for homebuyers who have purchased their new home before selling their existing home. This type of financing is common in a seller’s market, allowing homebuyers to purchase without having to sell first.

Buyer’s Market

There are more homes on the market than there are buyers, giving the limited number of buyers more choice and greater negotiating power. Homes may stay on the market longer, and prices can be stable or dropping.

Chattels

Unattached items in the home that can be removed without doing any damage to the property, such as curtains, but not the curtain rods since they are physically attached  to the home. Chattels are usually not included with the home purchase, unless specified in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale.

Closing

This is the final step in the home-selling process. Once all offer conditions outlined in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale have been met, at the end of the closing period, ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer and the keys are exchanged on the closing date outlined in the offer. Dates vary by location. Be sure to ask your real estate agent.

Contingencies

When the sale of the home hinges on predetermined conditions, such as “conditional on financing” or “conditional on a satisfactory home inspection.” If the conditions are not met, the buyer can back out of the deal.

Counteroffer

When the original offer to purchase a home is rejected by the seller, the seller can counteroffer with adjustments, usually to the price or terms of the purchase, such as the closing date.

Curb Appeal

The appeal of a home when viewed from the curb. Curb appeal includes the home’s exterior, front yard and anything else that’s visible from the street.

Comparative Market Analysis

A comparative market analysis (CMA) is a report on comparable homes in the area that is used to derive an accurate value for the home in question.

Fixtures

Items that are physically attached to the home and require tools to remove. Fixtures are included as part of the purchase. Examples of fixtures include ceiling lights, cabinet hardware and appliances. If the seller plans to take any fixtures with them when they move, either remove them prior to listing the home, or be sure to specify the fixtures in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale.

FSBO

Acronym for “For Sale By Owner,” meaning the seller hasn’t retained the services of a licensed real estate agent or broker to assist with the sale of their home.

Home Value Estimator

A home value estimator is a tool, typically found online, that helps seller’s estimate the value of their property. The result is an estimate and is different from a detailed CMA provided by a real estate agent.

MLS

The Multiple Listing Service, commonly referred to as MLS, is a database established by cooperating real estate brokers to provide data about properties for sale.

Offer

An offer is a legal agreement to purchase a home. An offer can be conditional on a number of factors, commonly conditional on financing and a home inspection. If the conditions are not met, the buyer can cancel their offer.

Seller’s Market

In a seller’s market, there are more buyers than there are homes for sale. With fewer homes on the market and more buyers, homes sell quickly in a seller’s market. Prices of homes are likely to increase, and there are more likely to be multiple offers on a home. Multiple offers give the seller negotiating power and conditional offers may be rejected.

Staging

Preparing a home for sale to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. The staging process often includes decluttering, depersonalizing, deep-cleaning and minor updates such as painting and rearranging furniture.

Check out our Blog

Discover expert advice, market insights, and step-by-step guidance for selling your home in Regina and area.
Learn how to attract buyers and maximize your return.

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Top Reasons to List Your House at the Beginning of the Year

When it comes to selling your home there are a lot of factors to consider, one of the biggest being the timing. While sometimes timing cannot be controlled, there are certain times of the year that are better than others when it comes to listing and selling your home, if you are not in a huge time crunch. RE/MAX Influencers – a panel consisting of RE/MAX Sales Associates throughout Canada – compiled some of the top reasons to list your home at the beginning of the year.

According to our RE/MAX Influencer panel, there are five key factors that play a role in deciding when the best time to list is and they were most prominently noted in the beginning of the year. These five key factors include seasonality, competition, exposure, move-in timing and a seller’s vs. buyer’s market. Taking these factors into consideration, our RE/MAX Influencers noted February, March and April as three of the best months to list your home for sale.

February

Although the weather isn’t always the best, the month of February was noted to be a good month to list your home by our RE/MAX Influencers for several different reasons. Listing your home in February gives you the chance to gain some exposure before the spring rush, and the normally low inventory in February means less competition. The timing of February is also good in terms of people beginning to either start of resume their house hunt after the busy holiday season.

Listing in February can also give you a leg up as the weather begins to take a turn for the better and February typically leads into a very active spring market. Because of this, buyer’s attitudes are typically better due to spring fever, and purchasing in February gives buyers lots of time to move in before summer.

March

According to our RE/MAX Influencers, listing your home in March falls under many of the same points as listing in February. You are able to beat the spring rush and get some early exposure and low inventory results in less competition. As well, by March many people have settled down after the rush of the holidays and winter vacations and are beginning to search for homes. The weather begins to improve which also helps boost the moods of potential buyers and gets them thinking about buying and settling into a new home before summer.

Listing your home in March also lines up with a late spring/early summer possession date, which is attractive to many buyers as it means they can be settled into their new home before the summer months hit. This timeline gives them the opportunity to begin moving as nicer, warmer weather hits, and allows buyers to enjoy the summer in their new home.

April

By April the weather has usually improved and those who choose to list their home during the month of April are hitting the market at the beginning of the spring rush. According to our RE/MAX Influencers, April is a great month to list your home as it after the income tax period and many buyers are beginning their search, which will give your listing the best exposure! The good weather that comes along with spring will help the exterior of your home to look lovely and green, which will attract buyers much more. Many buyers are also more willing to come and look at a listing in the spring, as they won’t have to trudge through snow and ice to view your home.

April is also a great month for listing as it lends itself nicely to a 90 day possession timeline, which is the perfect time to move at the end of June when school is over. Typically as the year progresses more into spring, buyers start seriously searching for their next home and there are often more buyers in the market than there were in the early months of the year.

For more articles from our expert Influencers, click here!


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5 Tips to Selling Your Home

Are you planning to sell your home in the near future? Regardless of season or market conditions, remember that you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Make it memorable for all the right reasons. Before listing your home, commit to these five tips to help ensure the quickest sale for the highest price.

 

Mark Your Calendar!

Set your listing date well in advance to help you anticipate, plan and prepare to sell your home. The process of changing homes has a lot of moving parts and is a coordinated effort between you and your team of experts. Think real estate agent, lender, lawyer, home inspector, trades, movers… the list continues. This is especially the case if you’ll also be buying a new home at the same time, as many people do. Reach out to a selling agent early on in the process to discuss your options, get important advice and get the ball rolling. Click here to find an agent near you.

 

Repair and Replace

When planning to sell your home, assess its condition and make repairs before listing. Cracked drywall, stained carpets, burned-out light bulbs and other minor damage is easy to fix and won’t break the bank, but left un-repaired, could impact offers. TIP: It can be tough to evaluate your own home. Have your agent or a friend tour your home and offer constructive criticism. Find out which renovations offer the best return on investment here.

 

Get Comparables

Three to six months before your home hits the market, wave your agent start scanning comparable listings to get a ballpark price estimate. Keep in mind that a variety of factors may affect your home’s selling price, like lot size; landscaping and interior finishes; proximity to busy streets, public transit, schools and parks; or supply and demand in the marketplace. Your agent will assess your home just prior to listing, to ensure you set the right price to attract serious buyers.

 

Cut the Clutter

A cluttered home can suggest lack of space, which can impact offers. Depending on lifestyle and length of time spent in the home, this can be a big undertaking. Take it step by step, room by room, and you’ll get through it. Be honest about what you want, need and love, and what you can do without. The bonus? You won’t have to pack, move and clutter your new home with stuff you don’t want.

 

Stage to Sell

When it’s time to sell your home, stage it to show it in the best possible light. This includes packing up family photos and personal m (prospective buyers want to picture themselves in the home, not you!), putting the non-essential items into storage (or the donation bin!) and perhaps renting some furnishings that take your home to the next level. Your agent may offer staging as part of their suite of services, or will be able to put you in touch with a professional stager to help get the job done.




 

Hiring the right real estate agent is key to a successful sale, and it’s important to know that many agents specialize in listing homes versus helping you buy a home. Click here for 7 questions to ask your real estate agent before you commit.



source: https://blog.remax.ca/5-new-years-resolutions-home-sellers/


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How To Prepare Your House For Sale


When you’ve decided to sell your home, each second that passes seems to bring another item to add to your already lengthy to-do list. On top of quick changes between being a home buyer and home seller, you spend hours sorting through article after article explaining how you can quickly sell your home for top dollar, in an unrealistic time period

We understand that finding time to prepare your house for sale can sometimes feel like mission impossible. On top of having a RE/MAX agent there to help you through every step of the way, we’ve provided you with a list of the top five things to consider, to help ensure the transition from “For Sale” to “Sold” is a smooth one.

Maintenance

As a home owner, you are constantly being reminded about the seasonal maintenance items you need to tackle to ensure your home runs like a well-oiled machine. While it’s easy to let things like cleaning the gutters, painting the window frames, and power washing the siding fall to the wayside, checking them off your to-do list will pay off in the long run.

De-Clutter

The thing about de-cluttering when selling is that you can only put it off for so long. It’s either now when it will appeal most to buyers, or later when you are dealing with the added stress of your move.

Rent a Storage Unit

De-personalizing your home before selling will allow potential buyers to picture themselves in the space. Go through each room, and determine what should stay, and what would be better suited in a storage unit until you can re-introduce it into your new home.

Choose Neutral Colours

Adding a fresh coat of a muted, neutral paint will not only appeal to buyers, but will freshen up your homes interior and can provide a large return on your investment – up to 112%!

Know your Neighbourhood

Knowing what sells in your neighbourhood will give you a good indication of the type of improvements to consider when preparing your home for sale. Ask your RE/MAX Agent to help you look through comparable listings in your neighbourhood, and create a list of projects you can tackle within a realistic budget and time frame.

Now that you know the things to consider, all that’s left is to start doing them! Each of these five items seem like large, overwhelming tasks but we promise they will pay off in the long run when there is a sold sign proudly displayed on your front lawn.



Source: https://blog.remax.ca/prepare-house-for-sale/?fbclid=IwAR049J4Shi4e8-mL9ZU4HKS26bVDUnBhVfM6-ObxtXpdQs4oaUdUCARY41A

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3 Selling Strategies for Move-Up Buyers


Move-up buyers are in a better position than their first-time counterparts. Shopping for a “forever home” feels like less of a stretch. When you bought your first place, chances are you were young, strapped for cash and prepared (at the very least, warned) to make some concessions. You can’t have it all, they said. So where will you take the hit – price, location, home style? Move-up buyers, on the other hand, typically has some savings and home equity to work with, making this next move feel less like a compromise and more a thoughtful selection.


But move-up buyers face their own set of challenges that call for a carefully considered strategy. Here are three options for the smart move-up buyer with a plan!

 

Sell first, buy later

The “Sell First” strategy is ideal for the move-up buyer who doesn’t want to get stuck paying two mortgages simultaneously. Selling the existing home eliminates the risk of having to carry two mortgages if you don’t sell your existing home in time. It also reduces the chances of having to reduce your asking price if the sale isn’t happening quite fast enough for your liking. This is a good option for move-up buyers who are banking on the proceeds of their sale to fund their new (and likely more expensive) property. By selling first, you’ll know exactly how much money you have to purchase your next home.


READ: Tips for determining asking price

 

Buy first, then sell

If homes in your area of choice are selling faster than the ‘For Sale’ signs can hit the front lawn, the “buy first” strategy might be the way to go. By buying your new home before selling your old one, you won’t feel rushed into settling for a sub-par property, or having to seek alternative temporary housing options while you shop the market. This move-up buyer still lives in his or her existing home, allowing them time to shop around, and continue looking until they find that perfect place. This move-up buyer typically requires a bridge mortgage.


Read: Understanding mortgages

 

Time and align your purchase and sale

When all is said and done, this move-up buyer approach is the most ideal, but getting there is another story. Aligning your purchase and sale closing dates can be tricky. Remember that there are three dancers in this tango – you, the person you’re buying from, and the person you’re selling to. You’ll also have to move out and move in on the same day. In this scenario, time is your best friend and flexibility your saviour. This means you’ve planned ahead – you’re researched neighbourhoods, gotten pre-approved for a mortgage, and you’ve started the organizing and de-cluttering process before the big move.

 

Your move-up strategy will depend on a number of factors, such as your financial situation, the current housing market conditions, personal comfort level and even your personality. Consider this when making your decision. Plan ahead and work with a knowledgeable RE/MAX agent to ensure a smooth transaction at both sides of the offer table.


Source: https://blog.remax.ca/3-strategies-move-buyer/?fbclid=IwAR2wSnvg-n4Smfoysr4nbctYIDeyrKVScrwefXsgSP-4f8O8jtroNr2Nn3w


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3 Ways to Stand Out in the Spring Market


Spring: The season of the year when the flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping and there are numerous new listings on the market.

Although the spring can be one of the best times to list your home, it can also be one of the most competitive times.

We recently asked our RE/MAX Influencers—a panel consisting of RE/MAX Sales Associates from throughout Canada—for their top tips of how sellers can stand out during the busy spring market.

Clean up Outside

Pressure washing your driveway, sweeping your front walkway and picking up winter debris such as twigs and branches are incredibly important steps to take to make your property look its best once the snow has cleared.

It’s important to wash windows and frames on the outside of your house and touch up exterior doors and trim with paint if necessary. Roof gutters and siding should also be cleaned and maintained.

Any extra cars should be parked away from the property, and spring toys and bikes shouldn’t be left outside.

Steps can also be taken to improve landscaping. Adding flowering plants and shrubs will add colour to your home. Be sure to tidy flower beds and maintain your lawn. If you have a pet, be sure to clean up any droppings on a regular basis.


“A well-manicured curb appeal can make the difference when everything is in full swing. Don’t overdo it with the flowers and plants, as there are also people thinking about high maintenance yards when buying a home, which could end up being a turn off, even when it looks pretty.”

Freshen up Inside

The inside of your home should be tidy with no clutter. Light fixtures, appliances and windows should be cleaned. Be sure to move large appliances and clean in and around where they usually sit.

If you have a garage, make sure you keep the floor swept. Make sure doors and windows throughout the house aren’t squeaking.

You might want to consider purchasing a new welcome mat at the front door, adding new bedding and purchasing candles that have a nice smell that’s not overwhelming. A fresh bouquet on your kitchen table or counter is a great way to keep the space smelling and looking great.

Once your house is clean, it’s a great idea to get professional photos taken to make each room look its best. Good photography can go a long way in helping a home stand out from the others.

Be Sure the Price is Right

The spring market is an incredibly popular time of year for sellers to list their homes. If you have priced your home too high, buyers will likely opt to look at similar, more reasonably priced homes. A good REALTOR® will take in many factors to help you list your home at a price that is competitive with other listings, yet a fair deal for you.

Some Influencers also suggested listing a bit earlier than the majority of spring market houses are listed.

“I suggest putting the home on the market a bit earlier than the spring crowd. This will limit the amount of competition.”


Source: https://blog.remax.ca/3-ways-to-stand-out-in-the-spring-market/?fbclid=IwAR0LfEJoQqFdX7Pse_TeMUGktJiW1pLVyBgNCLwBwfPbGXc0a8wdefO2uSo


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Home Staging Tips

Preparing your house for selling can be a daunting and overwhelming task whether you have lived in your home a few years or many. The longer you have lived in your home the more things you will have acquired. The intent of this Top 10 Tips for Successful Home Staging is to help you save TIME, MONEY and ENERGY.


In preparing your house for selling, you need to take a step back and have the mindset that this is no longer your home, but your investment for your future. You want your home to have broad buyer appeal to your target market. Following these 10 Tips for Successful Home Staging will help you sell your house sooner and possibly for more money than if you did not prepare it for selling! Remember most people want to move into their new home without having to make updates to it.

  1. Curb Appeal

Stand back and view your home as if you were seeing it for the first time. This is the ‘first impression’ stage. Depending on the season, you may want to have lots of colourful and attractive flowers to greet buyers; a clean and inviting doormat; new and shiny door handles and/or knockers; a freshly painted door.

  1. Declutter

Start your pre-pack as soon as possible. You need to decide what you are going to keep, give away, sell or throw away/recycle. Many clients will rent storage lockers or have pods delivered so they can start to clear out what is not going to make the house look good.

  1. Clean

A clean home translates into ‘they must have really cared for their home.” Use environmentally friendly cleaners where you can, for hard cleaning areas, tsp is a good product. Bathrooms and kitchens must be sparkling clean at the very least.

  1. Depersonalize

We know you love your family photos and your personal treasures and for living they are perfect. For selling pack them up carefully so you can showcase them in your new home. You want buyers to focus on the best features of your home and not your personal things or collections.

  1. A neutral colour scheme is the way to go for selling.

Choose only three colours or less to paint your house for selling. If you have an open floor plan then paint the main floor all the same colour. Bedrooms look good in light sage greens or warm blues.

  1. Highlight your home’s best architectural features

Place your furniture in each room so that you have very obvious focal points that show off the home’s best selling features. For example, if you have a beautiful fireplace, then place the furniture in a parallel grouping so that the eye is drawn to the fireplace.

  1. Decide on the function in each room

If you were using your guest bedroom as your living room, turn it back into a bedroom with bedroom furniture in it. If you do not have the right furniture for each room, consider renting or borrowing it. There are more and more rental furnishing companies opening up every day.

  1. Lighting your home to its best advantage

Spend money on new light fixtures in brushed nickel or stainless steel. There are many low-cost lighting stores to select from so no excuses for having dated light fixtures.

  1. Window treatments that sell your home

The most popular on the market are the 2” faux wood in a white tone to go with your trim. Decorative side panels will do the trick if you need to add warmth and colour.

  1. Flooring needs special attention and is a good investment for updating the look of your home

For entranceways, bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms, tile or linoleum is a great choice. As for living rooms and family rooms, a good quality laminate or hardwood is perfect. Consider a neutral carpet to make your bedrooms attractive.


By planning and budgeting, you can get yourself to the “OPEN HOUSE READY” stage.

Remember that the vast majority of prospective buyers have already looked at your listing on the internet. Will they like what they see?


Happy Selling!

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