When it comes to “staging” your home for sale – which basically means ensuring it looks clean and uncluttered – you probably already know the basics: clean the counters, vacuum the floors, mow the lawn, etc.

But there are some home staging tips that are less obvious, yet can help to sell your property faster and for a higher price. For example…

The Kitchen

Obvious: The stove, sinks and countertops should be spotless.
Not-so-obvious: The contents of your cabinets and refrigerator should be facing face forward.

The Bathrooms

Obvious: They should be clean and uncluttered....

As you tour a potential new home, you notice that the carpeting in the living room is stained. “Don’t worry about that,” says the homeowner, who senses your disapproval. “We’re going to get the carpeting professionally cleaned before we move.”

Should you take their word for it?

Regardless of how honest a seller may seem, never rely on a verbal promise.

Will they move that abandoned car in the back yard? Will they fix the crack in the front steps? Is that expensive-looking ceiling fan included with the house?

Don’t assume. Get it written into the offer.

“Stuff” accumulates. It’s a timeless principle in every household. It accumulates. And accumulates!

Chances are, your basement, garage, and closets are filled with things you don’t want to have to pack and haul on moving day.

The solution? Have a “Moving Out” sale!

Expect a crowd. Bargain hunters love a “Moving Out” sale even more than a Garage Sale because they expect that prices will be lower.

Once you realize that you won’t have to deal with all that clutter on moving day, you’ll love it too.

“Can we afford it?” That’s the first thought that comes to mind when shopping for your next dream home. Fortunately it’s an easy question to answer if you consider your lifestyle, financial goals, expenses and mortgage eligibility.

Lifestyle

There’s more to life than just paying the mortgage and other living expenses. Hobbies, entertainment, vacations, family adventures, and charitable causes are also important. Don’t be house poor. Think of your “lifestyle” as another bill you must pay — to yourself.

Financial Goals

Your new home is not just...

Most advice on how to prepare your house for sale involves how the property will look to a potential buyer. Appearance is, of course, very important if you want to sell a house quickly and for the best price. But there are three other senses you have to satisfy as well.

Hearing. Check for creaks in the floor, a rattling washer or dryer, or any other unpleasant noise. You may no longer notice these sounds, but potential buyers will.

Smelling. You might love the aroma of exotic cooking, but visitors may not. Also check for other obvious sources of odours: such as ashtrays, laundry hampers, garbage...

According to studies, colds and flu bugs are passed from one person to another more often in the home than in any other location, including school and the workplace. Of food-based bacterial infections, 65% are picked up at home.

What can you do to reduce the risk?

Obviously, keeping rooms clean is important. But, according to The Lung Association, you are 200 times more likely to pick up a germ in the kitchen than in any other room, including the bathroom! So give the kitchen priority when cleaning.

Most people know to keep countertops, sinks and toilets clean and sanitized. But when was the last...

Thinking of renovating your home? Do you wonder if it will add value to your home? Do you want to know how much? Remodeling Magazine did a study of U.S. renovation projects that took place during 2014 and compared the cost of the renovation to the added value to the home. It is very interesting to note that ALL of the renovations they looked at added more value to the homes compared to the previous year! Here are some of the highlights:

Replacing your front door with a steel entry door has a return on investment of over 95%. After all, the entrance to a home is one of the first things...

You’ve probably started planning your summer vacation – location, hotel, flights, tours. And while you’re enjoying the rides with your family at Disneyland, or just relaxing on the beach in front of your cabin, the last thing you want is to be worrying about your home. Is home security part of your vacation planning? It should be! Most people know the basics of keeping a home secure while away, but here are some extra tips:

• Ask a friend, family member, or trusted neighbor to collect any mail, flyers, and packages delivered to your door. If you’re going to be...

It is extremely satisfying to sell a home quickly after listing it. We like the idea that we have something desirable, that other people value our home and the work we’ve put into it.

But beyond the convenience of having your home sell quickly, there is sometimes an urgent reason for finding a buyer as soon as possible. For example, a sudden relocation due to a new job, or needing the proceeds from the sale to put towards other financial obligations.

If this is the situation you’re in, make sure to explain the situation to your REALTOR®, so that they can put together...

Here are the latest stats for Lawson Heights in Saskatoon, SK. If you have any questions don't hesitate to give me a call at 306-373-7520 or send an email to paulmaczek@realtyexecutives.com.