Just like fashion’s crisp white shirt or classic black turtleneck that you can always count on, there are decor classics that look fabulous in interiors of any style. Invest your decorating dollars in these timeless pieces, and they’ll stand the test of time. Here are ten must-have items to add to your decor shopping list. … Continue Reading
Lets face it there are advantages and disadvantages when it come to purchasing through a developer whether its a condo or a detached home. … Continue Reading
I find that many times we are contacted through our website www.mycondonetwork.com from buyers looking to purchase their first home, however many have unrealistic expectations. They have no idea how much they can afford. They insist on viewing properties that they are not sure they can afford. That’s we our first recommendation is always get a Mortgage Preapproval, find out from your bank or mortgage broker how much can you afford.
The most disappointing thing is to find that dream home or condo only to realize you cannot afford it. With a pre approval your buyer agent can locate properties geared specifically to your price range allowing no disappointment ,Happy shopping .
Currently in this market there is a not a lot of inventory out there! And buyers are becoming more and more picky when it comes to choosing their dream home. When putting your home on the market you have to put your best out there, if you want to sell fast and ge the best value.
Here are some things to avoid if you want to prevent that buyer from walking out that front door!
1. Make sure your home is as clean as possible. Pay close attention to kitchen and bathrooms, declutter counter tops, polish the kitchen sink, polish the stainless steel appliances. Clean all the grout, and make your floors gleam! Before every showing try to do a quick clean up to keep it top notch.
2.Nothings worse then walking into the home and the first thing you smell is cigarette smoke! If you smoke try your best to take it outside while your home is up for sale. Any type of odors like cooking smells or pets can really turn off a buyer. Try using fabric freshener and rooms scents like diffusers to freshen up the home!
3.If you like bold colours, you may want to pick up a roller and paint your home some neutral colours. Buyers sometimes get steered the wrong way when they see loud colours on the walls, it can really distort the potential they see in a home.
4.Swimming pools are fun in the summer and a great activity for the kids but believe it or not a pool can be a major turn off for buyers. The up keep and costs that come along with it can be very expensive. In some cases having a pool can lower the value to your home! if you are planning to sell it may be a wise thing to consider filling the pool and putting some nice landscaping or patio. Outdoor living spaces are becoming more and more popular these days where they even have outdoor fire places.
5. First impression always counts, make sure the exterior of your home is top notch! make sure the grass is always manicured. Plant some pretty colorful flowers or place a nice potted plant at the front door for a welcoming entrance. Rusty mail boxes wont cut it either, replace it if its starting to look on the old side. If the numbers on your house are tarnished, change them up. When buyers walk to the front door this may determine whether they walk in or just turn away!
Getting ready to sell? Move your property fast – and for the highest selling price possible – with these easy, affordable staging tricks.
Paint!
Dollar for dollar, a fresh coat of paint gives you more bang for your decorating buck than anything else. Even if your current palette is relatively new, any scuffs or wear marks will channel an unkempt vibe. And an unusual colour choice – even if the height of fashion – may limit your home’s appeal. So break out that roller and slap on a couple coats of crowd-pleasing warm white or sand paint.
Improve the lighting
Replace any dated light fixtures ASAP. How can you tell if it has to go? If it’s over 15 years old and looks it – yet isn’t a vintage (50-75 years old) or antique piece (older) – it should probably go. “Retro” is not something most homebuyers are looking for. You don’t need to break the bank, just head to IKEA or Canadian Tire.
De-clutter
Take the collectibles off the mantel, put the mismatched armchair into storage and pare your closets down to what you’re actually wearing this season, packing away the rest. Ideally, all this extra stuff would head to charity (if in good condition), the garbage dump, or into storage. The more you store onsite, the more cluttered and small your home appears.
Give dated bathrooms a facelift
A nice bath helps sell a house but, don’t invest in a total renovation. Renos are costly, and you won’t recoup your costs unless you find your exact décor doppelganger. Bring an out-of-date bath up to speed with gleaming white walls whether via a fresh coat of white bath and kitchen paint or ceramic tile and new lighting (Home Depot has affordable, stylish bathroom vanity lighting). Buy neutral new shower curtains, a simple new bath mat and vanity set, and have fresh flowers in the room during open houses.
Take down curtains
Dated window treatments need to come down, pronto (if it’s over 10 years old, get rid of it). If privacy isn’t an issue, just leave the windows bare to maximize natural light and make the room’s dimensions seem more generous. Otherwise, buy basic-issue cotton or linen drapes. Always tie drapes back during viewings and open houses.
Put up mirrors
Make small rooms appear bigger and dark rooms seem brighter by adding an attractive wall mirror. A boxlike dining room will benefit from a leaning floor mirror (Lowes sells well priced ones, and HomeSense often has great deals) and an entranceway more welcoming with a console mirror.
The biggest story in the Toronto condo market over the past 6 months has been the disparity between supply and demand. Simply put, inventory (condos available for sale) is at an all time low, and demand is at an all time high. This has been a recipe for rapid price appreciation, frenzied buying, and sellers [...]
Starting July 1, 2010 Ontarians can expect to pay a harmonized sales tax (HST) rate of 13% on a long list
goods and services that were previously exempt from the 8% Provincial Sales Tax (PST). While the impact of the tax will be felt by all Ontarians, the province’s 3 million homeowners and the thousands who [...]
All owners should have and maintain a comprehensive condo insurance policy to cover damage to their personal possessions as well as to their upgrades and to cover any damage that they might incur to a suite below or adjacent to theirs as a result of an accident, negligence or, as stated in a condo’s declaration [...]