When you plan to take a journey somewhere, you hope it will be smooth sailing all the way. That simply means the trip will be relatively trouble-free, and without stress or hassles. Well, selling your property is like a journey. So, how do you ensure that adventure will be “smooth sailing” for you? While no one can guarantee there won’t be a challenge or two to overcome on the road to selling your home, there are proven ways to help ensure everything goes well.

First of all, preparation goes a long way toward having a successful sale. Start early. Make a list of what you need to do around your property to get it ready for buyers. That list will include cleaning and tidying, of course. But, you might also need to get some minor repairs done, and perhaps even a few upgrades (such as painting or a new kitchen sink.) Don’t wait until the last minute if you’ll need a contractor to do those repairs or upgrades. Find and book a professional now.

Second, take the time to fully understand the selling process and what to expect. Don’t be shy about asking questions. For example, if it’s been a while since you last sold a home, you might need to refresh your understanding of how scheduling works for viewings, what staging is all about, how offers are received and considered, etc. The better you understand the selling process, the more comfortable you’ll feel.

Thirdly, and most importantly, give me a call early in the process. I can offer the advice and help you need to sell your property quickly and for the best price. I can also make your selling adventure go smoothly and successfully.

In other words, if you want “smooth sailing”, call me!

Now is a great time of year to start thinking about the exterior of your home. Is it time for a fresh coat of paint? New or updated landscaping? Or are you looking into bigger projects… windows, siding, a new front door?

Exterior renovations can be costly… but they can also have a great return on your investment. 

Have you been scared off replacing your front door with an enormous quote? There are lots of great window and door companies in the lower mainland. If you are looking for a more budget friendly option, you can try Surrey New and Used doors. They also have a second company in Maple Ridge who will build custom doors for the specific size you need.

Still not in the budget for this year. Update the look of your door with new hardware and a fresh coat of paint.

Speaking of pain, what are the in colors for this year? Dark greens, slate grey, neutral and earthy tones are in! Don’t forget to a pop of color for your front door for that added curb appeal.

Need more colour inspiration, check out these websites for their colour trend predications:

• https://www.brickandbatten.com/benjamin-moore-exterior-paint-colors-2022/
• https://www.brickandbatten.com/best-sherwin-williams-exterior-paint-colors-2022/ 

Looking for a recommendations on a contractor or exterior companies. Let me know! I like to keep an updated list of contractors I know and who my clients have used in the past.. I will be happy to share!

Are you looking at completing renovations because you are looking at selling your house? Give me a call. Let’s chat about how the market is changing and let’s make sure we can get you top dollar for your home!! 

David

Imagine you want to take the “trip of a lifetime” this fall. Would you leave it until the summer to start planning, booking dates, and generally getting ready?

Probably not. A trip like that is a big deal. You’d want to start making arrangements now, so by the time you’re ready to go to the airport, everything will be set for you and your family to have a great time.

The same is true when selling your home. If you intend on listing your property in the spring or summer, now is the time to start making plans.

Starting the process early in the year gives you four significant advantages:

1. Ample time to prepare your home. Starting now gives you time to declutter your property, get needed repairs done, and otherwise make your home ready to be seen by buyers.
2. Less stress. Unless you enjoy scrambling to get things done within a tight timeline, you want to give yourself as much time as possible to prepare for your home sale without the stress of a tight timeline. Starting early gives you that.
3. Listing date flexibility. Starting now means you’ll likely get your property prepared for the sale early in the year. Sure, your plan might be to list in the summer. But, if the market changes or some other opportunity presents itself, you’ll be able to list sooner. Your home will be ready.
4. More time to find your next home. If you’ll also be looking for a new home, starting the process now will give you more time to explore neighbourhoods, get financing arranged, and determine the ideal type of home for you.

As you can see, it pays to start the process now, even if you won’t be selling until spring or summer.

Spring cleaning can seem like a great idea until you actually get started. Then it often turns out to be more work than expected!

The good news is, there are proven techniques to make the job easier so you can get it done faster.

• Before you begin the project, make sure you have everything you need: hammer, boxes, tape, garbage bags, etc. Think of the supplies you’ll need on hand and the tools that will make tasks easier. You don’t want to have to waste time on frequent trips to the store.
• Consider renting a small moving trolley (AKA hand truck.) That will make it much easier to move heavy objects, such as furniture, as you’re cleaning. Most local home improvement centres rent these.
• Plan how you’re going to dispose of waste and unwanted stuff. Find out where you can donate clothes, toys, furniture, and other items. Note the location of your local garbage disposal site and its hours of operation.
• Divide tasks into “Heavy work” and “Light work” and then do the heavy work first, such as moving furniture, reorganizing rooms, etc. Only after completing the heavy work should you dive into the “light work”, such as packing boxes and sweeping.
• Consider getting help. There are many services available that will assist with cleaning, painting, junk removal, repairs, and more. You can even hire a student to assist you for a weekend.

Spring cleaning can be a big project, but these tips can help make it a lot easier. And, keep in mind that if you’re thinking of selling this year, getting the spring cleaning done will be a big plus.