Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Putting your best view forward!

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Putting your best view forward!: Putting your best view forward When showing your home for sale, it’s not just what buyers see inside that counts. Your Realtor ® will te...

Putting your best view forward

When showing your home for sale, it’s not just what buyers see inside that counts.  Your Realtor® will tell you that sometimes it’s all about the view.  A good view is a strong selling point for any room in the house.  A great view makes one property stand out from all the rest.  And on the flip side, when the view is poor, even the most attractive décor may not be enough to counteract its negative effects.  What’s a homeowner to do? 

Here are some easy and affordable tips that may help to improve your outlook:

·         If the entire view out a window is undesirable, try frosting the glass with a translucent window film available in most wallpaper or decorating stores.  Simply cut it to size, spray soapy water on the glass so you can slide the film around to position it, and then smooth out any air bubbles.  That’s all there is to it!  And you can remove the film in seconds if you want. 

·         If there’s a problem in just part of the view, then shutters or blinds offer a great solution.  Roman blinds are modern and attractive and you can install them so they will either cover the top or bottom part of the window.  Just choose the configuration needed to obscure only the part of the window with the unwelcome view, and enjoy the rest! 

·         If you’re adding blinds for privacy, consider using a material that will still allow light to enter and give a greater impression of openness.

·         Are your neighbours peering into your house?  You can tint your windows or use one-way glass to avoid keeping the drapes drawn all day.  Talk to your local glass supplier to see how to protect your privacy, yet let sunshine in.

·         Is your view obscured by greenery?  You can let in the light with some creative landscaping, pruning or even re-locating bushes and shrubbery. 

·         A simple and affordable way to make the most of a good view is to enhance the effect by positioning a mirror on an opposing wall.  This has the added benefit of multiplying the natural light coming into the room.

·         If you want to introduce some additional light into your room, but the view is not desirable, you might consider small feature windows or transoms placed high up in the wall. These can flood the room with light and you’ll find yourself looking at sky instead of staring into your neighbour’s kitchen.

·         Etched or frosted glass panels in frames can also be hung in front of your clear window panes to draw the eye and break up an undesirable view.

There are many simple and inexpensive solutions to your decorating problems.  Ask your  Realtor® for their expert advice on how to showcase your home to its best advantage.  You’ll be glad you called us first!

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Ten ways to attract Buyer interest!

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Ten ways to attract Buyer interest!: Ten ways to attract Buyer interest In today’s highly competitive real estate market, the key to selling your home is being able to attrac...

Ten ways to attract Buyer interest!

Ten ways to attract Buyer interest

In today’s highly competitive real estate market, the key to selling your home is being able to attract buyers to your listing.  When you’re selling your home, it’s important to remember that you’re in competition with every other similarly priced listing in your area.  To win buyers, you need your home to stand out from all the rest.  Here’s a Top Ten list of things a seller can do to win buyer interest:

1. Create ‘curb appeal’ -- Buyers decide whether they like a property within the first few minutes of arrival.  Make a great first impression with well trimmed and cared for lawns and walkways.  A small investment in new lighting at your front door, an urn planter, a new mailbox or street numbers can all upgrade the look of your home and win big dividends.
2. Give them a warm welcome - Make the most of those first few critical minutes as buyers enter your home.  A foyer or entranceway is typically one of the smallest areas of your house, so upgrading the flooring with hardwood or slate can be a very worthwhile and cost-effective investment.  Add a mirror to visually increase the space and clear out shoes and mats.   
3. Let there be light – Create a bright and cheerful atmosphere by opening the blinds and curtains and turn on all the lights for showings.  If you have a fireplace, have a fire burning if the weather’s not too warm.   
4. Show you care – Properties that aren’t well maintained send up ‘red flags’ to buyers that larger problems may be lurking beneath the surface.  Complete all those minor repairs jobs that you’ve been putting off.
5. Create space – Buyers want a spacious interior, so do everything you can to create space, even if it means moving several items offsite while you’re showing. Send those extra chairs to Mom’s for now or rent a storage unit.
6. Depersonalize – You need buyers to picture themselves living in the house, so pack everything that’s distinctly yours, including photos, awards, mementos and religious artifacts.  It’s your first step towards moving out.
7. Appeal to all the senses – Some of the strongest emotional reactions are created by smell, not sight or sound.  Before showings, open windows to air out rooms, light scented candles, and put out a bowl of fresh lemons.  
8. Upgrade for maximum impact and return – Kitchens and bathrooms are the most important rooms when selling a house, so they’re the areas where upgrades will likely get the best return on your investment.  Even simple changes like new faucets or a lighting fixture can have big impact.
9. Present a neutral interior – A fresh coat of paint is always a good idea. Choose pale, neutral colors that won’t clash with a buyer’s furnishings.

10.     Let the professionals do their job – As your Realtor® will tell you, one of the best ways you can help get your house sold is to leave home when showings are underway.  Buyers will be more inclined to linger and ask questions, and it gives your sales representative a chance to counter objections and offer solutions.

Call your Realtor®  to learn how to turn interest into offers!     

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: First time buyers want ‘turnkey’ ready homes, not ...

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: First time buyers want ‘turnkey’ ready homes, not ...: First time buyers want ‘turnkey’ ready homes, not ‘fixer uppers’ As a home seller, you may be thinking that a ‘fixer-upper’ property would ...

First time buyers want ‘turnkey’ ready homes, not ‘fixer uppers’

First time buyers want ‘turnkey’ ready homes, not ‘fixer uppers’

As a home seller, you may be thinking that a ‘fixer-upper’ property would appeal to most first time buyers trying to put their first step on the property ladder.  However, according to the results of a recent Coldwell Banker® survey on the preferences of first-time buyers, you’d better think again!

Coldwell Banker recently conducted a survey of real estate brokers and sales professionals across Canada and the U.S. to determine the preferences of first time buyers.  The survey findings clearly show that First Time Buyers want a ‘turn key’ property where they can simply move in and start to enjoy living in their new home.  These individuals have typically put the majority of their financial power into the down payment.  They don’t have large reserves of cash available to start putting more money back into the property on major upgrades and renovations. 

In addition, first time buyers are typically just starting out in their career and --especially in the case of single buyers -- have little free time available for house repairs.  Bottom line?  The less there is to do on your property in the way of repairs or updates, the more appealing it’s going to be to those buyers.  In most cases, it’s well worth the investment to do the necessary repairs and finishing before putting your home on the market. 

Of course, if you’d like to discuss how any planned repair, upgrade or renovation may affect the potential resale value of your home, your first step should be contacting your local Realtor®.  They’re just a phone call away and always ready to talk real estate!  

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Seven home Staging tips for First-Time HOMEBUYERS

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Seven home Staging tips for First-Time HOMEBUYERS: Seven home Staging tips for First-Time hOMEBUYERS When it comes to staging a home for sale, it’s important that sellers create an inviting a...

Seven home Staging tips for First-Time HOMEBUYERS

Seven home Staging tips for First-Time hOMEBUYERS

When it comes to staging a home for sale, it’s important that sellers create an inviting atmosphere that will appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Today, due to historically low interest rates and government incentives such as the Land Transfer Tax rebate plus money for energy updates to homes (furnace, insulation, windows, etc.), first-time buyers account for a substantial portion of Canada’s home buying prospects.  The good news is, sellers looking to attract this coveted demographic group don’t need to do a complete design overhaul. Staging a home for first-time homebuyers is easier than you may think.
Below are seven simple staging tips from me to help boost a home’s appeal and give owners the competitive edge necessary when selling a home.

·         Stage rooms with one purpose. Extra rooms that have a jumble of mixed uses can confuse and even deter first-time homebuyers.  Staging rooms with one purpose is vital. Keep in mind that these buyers are generally young couples with few or no children, so rooms should be presented as areas well equipped to meet their current needs. So turn those playrooms into dens, storage rooms into a home office or the second kids’ bedroom into a guest room.

·         Tackle the easy “do-it-yourself” projects. In a recent Coldwell Banker survey, 81 percent of brokers said today's first-time home buyers consider move-in conditions to be very important when searching for homes. To ensure that a home is in tip top shape, make sure to replace outdated kitchen and bathroom fixtures, apply a fresh coat of paint to a worn wall and refinish the kitchen cabinets. Providing a sleek and modern look wherever possible can make a huge difference in the eyes of first-time homebuyers.

·         Be informed about current style trends:  Ask your Realtor® about the styles seen in homes that are selling in the area, and purchase a current interior design magazine for ideas.

·         Focus on the living areas. A living room is an area in which potential first-time buyers should be able to envision themselves entertaining friends or gathering with their family. With that in mind, homeowners should make the area appear as large and functional as possible by removing any unnecessary furniture and decorations.

·         Make sure the master bedroom appeals to both sexes. The master bedroom of a couple’s first home is often the first bedroom they will share. When staging this room, make sure that it appeals to buyers of both sexes.  Remove any feature that seems too gender-specific and paint the walls a neutral colour.

·         Clear the room of family portraits. First-time homebuyers are looking for a home they can picture their family living in, not the previous owners. I recommend taking down family portraits, personal collections and knickknacks. Removing these items will also eliminate clutter and ensure that people are looking at the house for sale, not at the photos from the last family vacation.

Don’t forget to spruce up the yard. First impressions often play a role in a consumer’s decision-making process. In fact, 21 percent of participants in a recent Coldwell Banker survey knew their home was the one for them before even walking inside. I can attest to that.  I was showing a home to a client and as I pulled on to the long driveway I knew it was for me before I even got to the front door.  I told my Buyer’s I loved it and they said ‘go for it, were not ready yet.’ Make sure the home’s exterior is inviting by trimming the bushes, mowing the lawn and painting faded window trim. Couples looking for their first home often have less yard work under their belts and will appreciate the seller’s attention to detail.