Useful Information And Tips For Real Estate Sellers

Tips On Staging Your Kamloops Home To Get It Ready For Sale

November 1, 2014 Kirsten Mason Information For Sellers, Real Estate Information

Tips On Staging Your Kamloops Home To Get It Ready For Sale. It can be a very daunting task to start the process of staging your home to prepare to put it up for sale. In our experience there are a number of simple and inexpensive things you can do to help make your home more appealing than other homes for sale in your area of Kamloops. I have compiled a list of simple things you can do to help make the sale process easier and get the most money for your home.

1. Start with a open mind and new perspective

Often times home owners become very emotionally attached to a home and the decor. It is important to detach from the property and try to see your home through buyers’ eyes. Think minimalist and the ‘hotel room’ look. This will help make your home shine.

2. De-clutter!!!

I can’t emphasize this one enough. It is important to go through all common areas of your home first as these areas are the first rooms buyers see. You want your home and have the feeling of space. Here are simple decluttering ideas for your home:

Make the entry way as spacious as possible. Large furniture and decor can get in the way of buyers entering your home.
Remove all items off of your counters in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Remove all magnets and cluttery bulletin boards from common space.
Remove all heavy drapery or window headers exposing the windows which will allow for more natural light to fill your home.
Remove all items that are not needed from closets and storage space. Get storage containers to pack items away that are not needed for the time you are listed for sale. If you can afford a storage locker remove all items from your home that are not needed.
Eliminate excessive knick knacks and personal items from the home. Plain homes show best!

3. Freshen up & brighten up

Paint colours are a huge component of the way a home presents. Choose a neutral colour palette. Presently neutral, spa-like colours are very popular. They give buyers an inviting feeling when walking into a home. Light paint colours also make a home appear more bright and feel more fresh. You want Buyers to see themselves living in your home. Fresh neutral colours will help them with this vision.

4. Curb appeal

During some seasons of the year it is hard to have beautiful curb appeal in Kamloops due to the weather. Here are a couple ideas for each time of the year:

All Year: Freshly paint your outside doors especially the front door. Put up a new mailbox if you have a tired looking one and new modern house numbers are easy ways to create a fresh look. This is also a way to keep the cost down.
Summer: Trim shrubs and bushes, tidy up all the flower beds, keep the lawn cut and plant some fresh flowers to give the home some colour. If you don’t have a garden placing planters outside the main entry way and on a patio makes the home feel more pleasant.
Fall: Clean up the leaves and dead plants in the garden. Put out fall flowers and plants that add colour to your home. There are always beautiful planters available in the fall that liven up a front entry way or porch.
Winter: Don’t go crazy with the decorations! Tasteful holiday decor is acceptable but don’t put up so much that it draws a crowd. Don’t leave your decor up until the end of January. Clean up your Holiday decorations as soon as possible. Keep the pathways clear and well maintained.
Spring: Clean up the gardens after the winter melt. Plant some spring flowers and plants that will bring some colour to your garden. Check over the outside of your home and touch up any areas that are looking worn from over the winter (ie trim paint, outside doors).

5. Make sure your home is in top condition

Easy updates that are inexpensive will help with the sale of your home.

Replace faucets that drip or are outdated.
Take out old bathroom mirrors that date a bathroom and replace with a nice modern framed mirror.
Replace hardware on cabinets (ie dated gold pulls to brushed nickle is a good choice)
Replace worn or damaged counter tops.
Replace or professionally clean worn flooring. Carpet cleaning goes a long way.
Replace burnt out light bulbs and change out dated or broken light fixtures.
Replace torn screens.
Touch up knicks and damaged walls.
Place fresh towels in the bathroom and eliminate any used or old looking towels.
Replace furnace filter regularly and before putting your home up for sale.

6. Make the master bedroom gender neutral.

A clean, tidy master bedroom is important. It is also important to pick colours that are neutral and not geared to only one gender. Stage the master bedroom with nice throw pillows and ensure that the linens are made up nicely on the bed. Remove any extra furniture to give the illusion of a large room with lots of space. Many people have multiple dressers in a bedroom, eliminate at least one.

7. Clean, Clean, Clean and Clean!

Homes that are clean make buyers feel like the property has been well cared for and in turn well maintained. Make sure you clean the following:

Nooks and crannies of the kitchen where crumbs collect.
Tops of baseboards often get very dusty.
Window coverings, especially horizontal blinds tend to collect dust and dirt.
Scrub that bathroom!
Clean windows and screens.
Wipe down walls, doors, door frames and light switches.
Vacuum the carpets…twice

8. Beware of scale

Large furniture is popular and can be very comfortable however it takes up a lot of space. Remove furniture that is large and re-arrange the furniture to fit in a way that makes the home feel more spacious.

9. A great smell makes your home more memorable

If you have time before a showing bake some cookies or something that will spread a tasty smell throughout your home. Leave a couple samples out for the buyers coming through your home. It will make it more memorable.

10. Invest some money

If you can afford to do so updates to flooring can go a long way. Old carpeting can turn a buyer off. Changing the flooring out to something more modern will give you a very good return on investment. If flooring is looking old and worn it will make buyers feel like the home is old and worn even if the home is in great condition. Buyers have trouble seeing past simple things like flooring.

Kitchens and bathrooms are one of the best investments you can make in your home. If you are trying to decide where to invest your money you will get the best return from kitchens and bathrooms.

If you are thinking about getting your home ready for sale and don’t know where to start give us a call. We would be happy to come to your home and get you moving in the right direction. Contact Us!

Kamloops Real Estate: Advice on How To Pick a Realtor That Will Work For You

January 4, 2011 Kirsten Mason Information For Buyers, Information For Sellers

In a highly competitive real estate market it can be difficult to determine who the best Real Estate Professional would be for your needs. Currently the Kamloops and District Real Estate Association reports that there are just under 300 member Realtors. I have included some pointers below to help you figure out how to find the right professional for you.

1. Interview 2 to 3 Realtors: Analyze their differences and pick the one that you feel most comfortable working with and whom you feel will best represent your interests or needs based on their skill level and experience.

For Buyers, you want to ensure that the Realtor will take the time to show you properties when it is convenient for you and will make your search a priority. Go to open houses to informally meet Realtors and strike up a conversation, you will know who you feel comfortable working with after meeting a few professionals.
For Sellers, you want a Realtor that has a comprehensive, dynamic and aggressive marketing plan to get your home sold. Communication is paramount and it is important that your listing Realtor maintain open and continual feedback. The most common criticism is “the Realtor posted a sign and I didn’t hear from him/her for 3 months”.

2. Choose a Full Time Realtor: Some Realtors only work part time. Your largest financial and emotional decision may only be a second career for that part time Realtor. Choose a professional who’s business it is to sell real estate. You wouldn’t choose a part time surgeon to operate on you. A full time Realtor means better market knowledge, better service, better marketing and better negotiating skills which means a better price for you, whether buying or selling. Ask your potential Realtor: How often will you hear from them? Do they have support staff or a team to help them and help you? Are there any days or times during the week that they don’t work? Do they have a part time or other job?

3. Chose a knowledgeable Realtor: The Realtor you choose should be able to explain the market as it relates to your sale or purchase. Questions you should ask are: Have they sold or listed homes in your area? Are they knowledgeable about the statistics and the direction the market is moving in (buyers or sellers market)? They should take the time to educate you as to the present market conditions and show you the best way to sell or buy given those conditions and the competition. They should back up their explanations with current market data and be honest with you in interpreting that data.

4. When listing, Do Not choose a Realtor based on price: When Realtors are competing for a listing, some will give an inflated price just to try to get the listing, only to ask you for a price reduction a few weeks later. Realtors don’t determine the price for your home, the market does that! Often, Realtor’s that don’t have much to offer in terms of experience tend to compete on price. In other words, what you may gain on perceived higher valuation on your home, you will likely lose in overall sale price due to poor marketing and weak negotiating. Part of a Realtor’s job is to interpret hundreds of sales as well as active listings. Therefore your prospective Realtor should be able to explain to you what your specific market range is for buying or selling. A good real estate professional knows that every house has a price range which is determined by the seller’s motivation to sell and the buyer’s need to buy. Did you know that 70% of whether or not a property will sell is decided when the price is established. The other 30% is based on the Realtor’s level of competence and negotiating skill.

5. Choose a Realtor based on their success rate: All Real estate companies have good and bad Realtors. Don’t be afraid to ask a potential Realtor what their sales record was for the past year or two. The Realtor you hire should know how to successfully sell homes and the numbers never lie. You can ask: How many homes did they help their clients to buy and sell? How many days did the average home that they have listed spend on the market? Do they sell in your area or all over? What special awards or recognition have they earned? Do they have any testimonial statements from past clients? Each Realtor’s willingness to share this information with you will help with your overall decision.

6. When Listing, Choose a Realtor based on their marketing strategy: How much time, how much money and what kind of marketing is your Realtor suggesting for your property? Every property is different and needs a tailored marketing program to sell it and attract the best buyer willing to pay the highest price. People don’t buy bricks and mortar, they buy a lifestyle, an environment where they can raise their kids or a location where they can retire in style, with amenities they can use and enjoy. Ensure your Realtor has a comprehensive marketing strategy that targets different medias such as internet, print, local advertising etc.

7. Choose a Realtor that has been recommended by family or friends: Family or friends who’ve had a good experience with a Realtor are your best referral source. A good Realtor will keep in contact with their past clients and ask them for referrals. This is a great place to start when choosing a Real Estate Professional.

8. For Buyers, Pick one Realtor to work with: It is in your best interest to choose one professional to work with. You will develop a relationship with your Realtor and that person will really understand what you want in a property. You can’t expect a Realtor to give you 100% if you are not willing to commit to them. Realtors only get paid if you buy or sell a property with them, so if you are working with other Realtors all at one time you can’t expect outstanding service based on your lack of loyalty. Find someone that is honest and trustworthy, this will eliminate the need to want to work with other Realtors at one time.

Click here for a free, no obligation home evaluation.

To view all homes for sale in Kamloops click here.

Is Your Kamloops Home Not Selling? 17 Tips For Home Sellers

November 28, 2010 Kirsten Mason Information For Sellers

When you are selling your Kamloops home, you as the homeowner can play an important part in the timely sale of your property. When you take the following steps, you’ll make your sale a profitable one.

1. Make the Most of that First Impression
A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted – or at least freshly scrubbed – front door. If it’s autumn, rake the leaves. If it’s winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.

2. Invest a Few Hours for Future Dividends
Here’s your chance to clean up in real estate. Clean up the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration. Fresh paint adds charm and value to your property. If you’re worried about time, hire professional cleaners or painters to get your house ready. Remember, prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look “with a little work.”

3. Check Faucets and Bulbs
Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks, and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs or faulty wiring leave prospects in the dark. Don’t let little problems detract from what’s right with your home.

4. Don’t Shut Out a Sale
If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect’s mind. Don’t try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.

5. Think Safety
Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.

6. Make Room for Space
Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They’re looking for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.

7. Consider Your Closets
The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now is the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.

8. Make Your Bathroom Sparkle
Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats, and shower curtains.

9. Create Dream Bedrooms
Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.

10. Open up in the Daytime
Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.

11. Lighten up at Night
Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights – both inside and outside – when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.

12. Avoid Crowd Scenes
Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they’re likely to hurry through. Ideally ensure that you vacate your home for any home showings. Buyers will feel more at home in an empty home.

13. Watch Your Pets
Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you’re showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. So do everybody a favor: Keep Kitty and Spot outside, or at least out of the way.

14. Think Volume
Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might kill a real estate transaction. When it’s time to show your home, it’s time to turn down the stereo or TV.

15. Keep a Low Profile
Nobody knows your home as well as you do but the Real Estate Professional accompanying the buyers know what they need and what they want. If you absolutely need to stay home for a showing, do your best to stay in the background.

16. Don’t Turn Your Home into a Second-Hand Store
When prospects come to view your home, don’t distract them with offers to sell those furnishings you no longer need. Whether it’s the kitchen table, bar stools or a lamp.

16. Adjust the price of your home to the market conditions
When you initially list your home for sale you decide on a reasonable list price with your Realtor. If you do not get any offers in 30 days and there are few showings you have to look at your price. You can do all the above mentioned things but if your price is too high no one will buy your home. Look at recent sales that compare to your home, as comparing your home to other homes currently for sale poses a very simple problem; the other homes also are not selling. Ultimately price will sell your home.

If you’ve covered these 17 points in the sale of your home, you may have to ask yourself “what is our Realtor doing?” We suggest the following questions:
1. Where are you advertising my home?
2. What has been the feedback on the showings?
3. How many hits are we getting on line?
4. How do you feel our price is compared to other homes like ours?
5. What do you have planned for marketing our home in the next 30 days?

There are many important things that have to be done by both the listing Realtor and the home seller when selling a home. Ensure that you and your Realtor have the same expectations.

Click here for a free, no-obligation online home evaluation.

The HST and How It Affects Buying or Selling Real Estate In B.C.

August 7, 2010 Kirsten Mason Information For Buyers, Information For Sellers, Real Estate Information

Many consumers are unclear as to how the HST affects their home purchase or sale. Here is a short guide on how HST will affect you when purchasing or selling your Kamloops home.

The Home Seller:
• You will have to pay HST on any of the goods and services that you would have had to pay GST on before like legal fees and commissions.
• For all resale homes, the buyer will not pay HST when purchasing your home. Buyers may find it more appealing to purchase previously owned homes to avoid paying the HST.

The Home Buyer:
• Like the home seller, you will have to pay HST on any goods and services like your legal fees, home inspections, etc.
• When purchasing a previously owned home, you will not pay HST on the sale price.
•If you are are purchasing a brand new home the HST will affect your sale price, with that said, you are eligible for rebates depending on the value of the home.

See the table below for the rebate rates (rebates are for homes that are intended for use as a primary residence):

For further information about HST click here.

To view the Ministry of Finance Tax Information Notice Click Here.

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