Getting Ready to Sell Your Home

June 15, 2012

You have decided to sell your home. Here are some tips you should follow when getting ready to sell your beautiful Edmonton home.

First, you really need to detach yourself from your home. What does this mean? Well, you need to tell yourself, “This is a product to be sold; it is a house.” It’s like a product on a hardware store shelf. You need to let go. Release your emotions. Focus on the fact that you are selling this house and pretty soon there will be new owners.  Make a mental picture of you handing over the keys and warranties to the new owners. Never look back, always look forward. Say a fond farewell to every room.

Next, you need to box up all your family photos and special heirlooms. Most buyers have a hard time seeing past these items, and you want them to be really focused. You really need the buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls. You want buyers to say, “I see myself here in this home.” This step is called de-personalizing.

You will also want to de-clutter your home. While living in a home, you collect quite an amazing quantity of junk. Think about this one:  It’s been a year and I haven’t used it. If you haven’t used it and don’t need it in your new home, then you can either donate it or throw it away. You should take all the books out of your bookcases and box up all the little knickknacks you have around the house. Make sure your kitchen counters are clean. If you have items in the kitchen you use every day, put them in a small box and store them in a closet. Take them out when you need to use them.

One more great tip is to rearrange kitchen cabinets and bedroom closets. Buyers will open a closet or cabinet door to look inside. If something falls out, what kind of message are you sending? Now if everything is organized, just think what the buyer will think of you. Some great tips are to make sure dishes are neatly stacked. Make sure your glassware is neatly organized and shiny clean. Make sure your kitchen staples are neatly organized. Line up shoes in your closets, and make sure everything is on a hanger neatly.

One last tip, if you have pieces of furniture that hamper or block pathways or walkways, why not put them in storage. A home looks a lot better with less furniture in it. If the bookcases are empty, try storing them away. Make your dining room or kitchen look larger by removing the extra leaves and storing them. Make each room have just enough furniture in it to look great but not be overcrowded.

Next week we will have some more great tips on getting your home ready to sell!

Call the TalkToWalker Team when you are ready to sell or buy an Edmonton home. If you are looking to sell your home, we offer a free, no-obligation market analysis. We offer personalized service to meet your needs in finding the perfect home too! You can trust the TalkToWalker Team to provide you with great service. We have been in business for over 20 years and want to be your Realtor® whether you are buying or selling a home.

 

Tips to Make Your Move More Successful!

June 8, 2012

So you have decided to sell your home and your realtor is working his magic to get your home sold for you as quickly as possible. You should start thinking of your move and all the things you have to do to get ready for it! Here are some things to start thinking about before moving day. 

It is going to take you some time to get packed up. First step is to make sure you allow yourself plenty of time. Estimate the time you need to pack everything. Then double that time frame. You will need to have time to pack your house, sort through your things and even time to discard items you don’t want to take to your new home. Try getting rid of the clutter first. You can do this by making piles. Sort them by items to donate, throw away and give away. There may be things you don’t need or want any longer or items you just can’t take to your new home. You can arrange for donations. Many organizations will even come to your home to pick up your items. If you have time, you can even have a garage sale and end up making some quick pocket money!

Before you start packing up your Edmonton Home, make sure you have enough packing tape and boxes. When you do start packing, do one room at a time. Finish that room and don’t start packing the next room, until you’re finished with the first room.  This way you will stay organized and not feel overwhelmed because you are moving forward in smaller steps. Every box should be labeled. This is a very important job and when you are busy packing, it might slip by the wayside. Every box should be labeled with the contents and its destination in your new home. Try to make your boxes light (less than 50 pounds) and if possible have a handle on them for easy lifting. A great tip is to wrap your breakables with clothing. You will be reducing waste when you unpack and clothing is not as messy as newspapers.

To make the packing a lot more fun and help you stay focused, try timing your packing by room. See just how quickly you can get each room done! Why not get help from family and friends to make the task more enjoyable and to make the time go by a lot quicker!

Last but not least, make sure you keep all your important information in one spot. Either have a “last in, first out” box or a moving binder. Make sure you keep school records, birth certificates, recent bank statements, new job contracts, passports, utility company phone numbers, mover estimates, phones lists, current bills, maps, medical records and closing papers in this safe place to ensure you have them when you get to your new Edmonton home. 

If you are ready to buy or sell a home in the Edmonton Area, call The TalkToWalker Team. We are ready to help you with all of your real estate needs.

More Great Tips for Stepping Up Your Curb Appeal in Edmonton!

June 1, 2012

We have four more tips to help you make your Edmonton Home stand out and catch the eye of that prospective buyer. These tips are sure to beautify your home and won’t cost you an arm and a leg to do either!

First, try tiding up your driveway. Make sure your recycling containers and garbage containers are out of sight. Perhaps, you can store them on the side of your home. Also, make sure your driveway is free of debris and clutter.  Put any children’s toys away, wash off the driveway with your garden hose and make sure there are no small branches or grass clippings on the driveway. All this will require is a bit of your time but no real cost to you and, just think, you get to spend some time in the great outdoors.

Want to make your home in Edmonton sparkle? Want to make an impression on that prospective buyer? All you have to do is clean the windows inside and out. If your home has tilt windows, it’s very quick and easy to wash the outside. If you don’t have tilt windows, then ask a family member or friend to hold the ladder while you do the work. Take your garden hose and spray the outside of the windows to remove the dirt and cobwebs. Oh one thing, remember to close your windows before you start this! With a sponge in hand, wipe them down with either a small amount of vinegar or detergent diluted in warm water; then rinse. A quick tip, if you must wash your windows from outside and they don’t tilt; why not try using a long-handled brush. The cost of this sparkly task is just your time and energy!

Another great tip to jazz up your home for prospective buyers, and make a great impression, is to remove outdated front door or garage light fixtures. Before you begin this task, make sure the breaker in the electrical panel is in the “off” position for where the new fixture is being installed. If you think replacement is too costly, why not try spray painting or brush painting the fixtures instead. If the fixtures are gold or silver finish, try painting them black or a color to match your front door or house trim. Painting the fixtures will only cost you the paint and will be a very small fraction of the cost of a new fixture.

The last tip we have to spruce up the appearance of your beautiful Edmonton Home is to make sure your house can be seen from the curb. There is no curb appeal if you cannot see your home through the overgrown landscaping. Cut overgrown trees and bushes; remove branches that block windows and walkways. Make sure you remove branches that block the driveway or the views of your home from the street. The front of your house has to be seen by that prospective buyer. This job can be done, except for very large limbs, with a pair of hedge or pruning shears. If you don’t have a pair, try borrowing a pair from a neighbor or friend. Then, there is no cost to you except your time!

Call the TalkToWalker Team, when you are ready to sell or buy an Edmonton home. We’re standing by to help you with any of your real estate needs!

Edmonton’s BEST Real Estate Tip.

September 22, 2010

Marc McMahon video blogs about Edmonton real estate including the areas of Rutherford, Macewan, Southbrook, and TwinBrooks. If you want to voice your opinion or if you don’t care for Marc’s comments please email your feedback to marc@talktowalker.com and visit www.TalktoWalker.com for all the TalktoWalkerteam’s Real Estate Video Blogs.

Edmonton Real Estate: Great Time to Buy

May 21, 2010

According to the experts there couldn’t be a better time to purchase Edmonton real estate. The Canadian Housing and Mortgage Commission expects home prices to rise as we climb out of the recession, right alongside mortgage interest rates. A recent press release touts the stabilization of the Canadian real estate market as well as its growth. Alberta in particular is expected to grow economically due to its natural gas resources, which will also spur its labor market.

Edmonton real estate should include more new home construction as well as an increase in re-sale housing. The low mortgage rates that have been available have done the job of stimulating real estate sales and stabilizing home prices. In a nutshell there is a lot to look forward to in Edmonton. If you would like to learn more about the Edmonton real estate market do not hesitate to call me today.

Click here to read a full report from the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Commission regarding market conditions in Alberta as well as Canada as a whole.

Contact me for an informed education on Edmonton real estate.  Whether you want to buy or sell I can help get the deal done.  I have access to all available Edmonton real estate listings.

This would have people rolling over in their Grave.

April 12, 2010

 What do you know about Mortgage insurance?

A few years ago, I met an great Insurance agent named Dan Creighton.  One day we were discussing what I knew about mortgage insurance.  I quickly found out that what I knew was ALL wrong.  The only thing I had right was that it was easy.

In the procedeing two hours I received a first class education from Dan on how it REALLY was.  I was devastated to learn that most Banks EXPECT you to know how it works.

The most important thing I learned was that your policy is APPROVED at the time of CLAIM, not when you apply for the insurance.

The forms used are very easy to misunderstand and fill out wrong.  I say misunderstand, the Bank says Fraud.  When you defraud the bank on your mortgage insurance aplication YOU get declined when you need it.  Do you think they tell you thins before you submit a claim?  No, they take all your payments letting you think you’re insured.

Another great point was that when you sell, your insurance is canceled.  So you better hope you don’t get sick before you sell, because you wont get insurance ever again.  This could force you to say in your house for the rest of your life.

This video really does a great job explaining this.  http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/in_denial/

This is a BIG deal!  Please pass the video on to the people you love and care about.

Talk to your life insurance provider and PROTECT YOURSELF.  If you dont have one I’d be happy to pass on Dan’s number.

What Just Happened to Interest Rates?

April 1, 2010

As I mentioned in a previous post titled, I hope Your Mortgage Rate is LOCKED in? , interest rates just took a MAJOR JUMP.

By the time you read this, most if not all lenders, will have raised there FIXED term interest rates. I saw TD’s rate this morning and it was a whopping 4.55% up from 3.89%. That’s a staggering 0.66% or $115 per MONTH on a 300k loan, using 30 years amortization. It will be interesting to see how the Edmonton home market responds in the coming months.

I know what I’d do with an extra $1380 per year and it wouldn’t have anything to do with the Bank.

As always I’d LOVE to hear what you think, shoot me an email or comment below.

Selling Your Home?  Get in Spring Cleaning Mode

March 23, 2010

We are rapidly approaching Spring and if you are selling your home or thinking about selling your home, you might want to get into the Spring cleaning mode.  There is no doubt about it, across the board clean homes sell better than messy or dirty homes do.  It is an unwritten, yet openly discussed, rule in real estate.

The main areas to focus on when cleaning, or examining your already cleaned home,  are windows, walls, baseboards, bathrooms, closets and cabinets.

• Windows should be clear inside and out.  Large picture windows should offer a clear, smudge-free view.
• Walls should be clean, free of holes and have a fresh coat of paint if needed.
• Baseboards should be free of dust and clean as well.
• Bathrooms should sparkle.  Tile and grout should be clean, any cracked tiles should be replaced.  Toilets, tubs and showers should be stain-free.
• Closets and cabinets should be cleared of clutter, organized and neat.  If there is a door or drawer the chances are good that a prospective buyer will open it.

The important thing to remember is that you never get a second chance to make a first impression.  The better condition your home is in and the cleaner it appears the more likely it is to make a good impression.

Want to know What Your Home Would Sell For?

 

7 simple steps greening up your Edmonton Home

March 22, 2010

Going green in Alberta is a debate that has been growing in popularity. One of the questions that people continue to ask is how they can improve the efficiency of there home with out spending big bucks on expensive renovations. Through regular maintenance and a few simple improvements to your home you can greatly improve the efficiency and save yourself $$$!

Computers, printers, scanners, fax machines, t.v’s, surround sounds are all examples of today’s modern technologies found in our homes. Many of these are plugged in 24hours a day and are continuously using energy. To help reduce the energy we are using we can;

A- Form a habit of turning off the tv’s, computers and all of our other modern thechnologies before heading to bed for the night.

B- Install an energy saving smart strip for your computer and accessories. Smart bands know when to turn off your computer and then activate all the other devices automatically.

Fridges and freezers are other appliances that we keep plugged in 24 hours a day. By reguarly cleaning the dirt and dust off the coils we can help reduce the energy it uses. Also keeping the refrigerator and freezer full will help with the energy being used. With a combination of tupperware containers, ziplock bags, storing extra ice, frozen vegetables anything to reduce the amount of open space which needs to be cooled.

Windows and doors are another area of the home where we can greatly increase our efficiency without spending the big bucks required to replace them.

A- With older doors you want to install weather stripping at the bottom of the door to seal the crack when the door is closed. You’ll also want to install proper weather stripping around the sides and top of the all doors to ensure no air is leaking out.

B- Seal the cracks around all the windows and doors with a leakproof caulking.

C- Install heat shrinkable plastic on the inside of your windows.

If you follow the guidance needed to be water-tight doors and windows, you are guaranteed to save energy!

If your Edmonton Home is failing in the grenn department.
Maybe it’s time for a New Home.

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WOW! I just had to take a Picture.

March 15, 2010

I thought I was going CRAZY!!! …….While driving , in South Edmonton , I came across something I thought was very controversial.  Anyone that knows me knows I passionately market and sell Edmonton residential homes (there ‘s my disclosure). So this post is sure to make you think???

There are basically three ways to Sell Your Edmonton Home or Business 

1.  Use a  Realtor (this is where I can help)
2. Sell it yourself (also called FSBO)
3. Use a FSBO marketing company

So a realtor would use a realtor to do this.  Most home owners use Realtors as well. Suprisingly!!! YOU GUESSED IT… so do FSBO marketing companies.

The fact is that Realtors have Buyers, period. It’s not a seceret, even FSBO companies know this.

What’s Your Home Worth? Find out HERE. 

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