Real Estate Blog

Why a Listings-Focused Approach Matters, Especially in Small Communities

Mon, 04 May 2026 23:29:16 GMT

A Seller’s Guide to Asking the Right Questions

In smaller communities, real estate often works a little differently. It’s common for the listing agent to also show their own properties directly to buyers. On the surface, this can feel efficient — like you’re getting direct access to interested people without the friction of scheduling through another agent.

But there’s more happening beneath the surface than most sellers realize. And in many cases, the way this is handled doesn’t fully protect you.

This article is about giving you, as a seller, the questions you deserve to ask before you sign a listing agreement — and the understanding to know why those questions matter.

The Regulatory Framework You’re Entitled to Know About

In British Columbia, real estate is governed by the Real Estate Services Act and regulated by the BC Financial Services Authority, commonly known as BCFSA. The rules exist to protect you, but only if you know enough to ask whether they’re being followed.

Here’s the foundation: since 2018, dual agency has been prohibited in BC. This means a single agent cannot legally represent both a seller and a buyer in the same transaction.

When your listing agent shows your home to a buyer, they are required — before any substantive conversation happens — to provide that buyer with a form called the Disclosure of Representation in Trading Services, known as DORTS. If the buyer has no agent, they must also provide a second form called the Disclosure of Risks to Unrepresented Parties.

BCFSA is explicit about when this must happen. If a listing agent finds themselves in a conversation with a potential buyer about that buyer’s motivations, financial position, or specific needs, they must stop and provide those disclosure forms before continuing.

Not after the showing.

Not when it’s convenient.

Before.

When that step is skipped — and it is skipped more often than sellers know — your agent may be gathering confidential information from a buyer while operating in a role that creates a direct conflict of interest with the loyalty they owe you.

What “Conflict of Interest” Actually Means for You

The term gets used a lot in real estate. Here’s what it means in plain terms.

Your listing agent has a legal fiduciary duty to you. That means they must act solely in your best interest, protect your confidential information, disclose everything that could affect your decisions, and negotiate the best possible outcome for your sale.

These are not optional courtesies. They are legal obligations under BCFSA’s rules.

The moment your listing agent begins working with a buyer interested in your property — answering their questions, guiding their thinking, or building a relationship — a competing set of obligations can start to develop.

Even if the agent never formally represents that buyer, BCFSA warns that implied agency can arise simply through the way an agent behaves toward an unrepresented party. That’s not a technicality. It’s a legally recognized situation that can undermine your position before you’ve received a single offer.

And here’s the financial dimension that often goes unspoken:

If your listing agent handles both the seller side and the buyer side of your transaction, they may collect the entire commission — both the listing portion and the buyer’s agent portion — from you.

That creates a powerful incentive to facilitate deals through their own showings rather than directing unrepresented buyers toward independent representation. BCFSA specifically identifies this as a situation that creates significant risks for consumers.

The Myth That Unrepresented Buyers Save Sellers Money

This is one of the most persistent misunderstandings in residential real estate, and it can cost sellers real money.

Many buyers believe that if they don’t use their own agent, the seller will pass along some of those savings. Some sellers hope the same thing — that cutting a buyer’s agent out of the equation means a cleaner, cheaper deal.

Under most standard listing agreements in BC, that’s not how it works.

The total commission is set when you sign your listing agreement. It’s a single number — typically a percentage of the sale price — and it doesn’t automatically change based on whether the buyer has their own agent.

Whether a qualified buyer’s agent brings your home to a prepared client, or an unrepresented buyer wanders in from an online search and your listing agent handles the showing, you may pay the same commission either way.

What changes is who receives it.

If a buyer’s agent brings a buyer, the commission is split. If no buyer’s agent is involved and your listing agent handles it, your listing agent’s brokerage may collect the entire amount.

The buyer walks away thinking they’ve saved money.

In reality, they haven’t — and neither have you.

This matters because it shapes how motivated your listing agent may be to encourage unrepresented buyers rather than directing them toward their own representation, which would better serve everyone, including you.

What Your Listing Agent Cannot Do — And Why It Matters

There is a specific protection in BC real estate rules that almost no seller knows about:

Your listing agent cannot pre-qualify the buyer who is inquiring about your home.

Pre-qualification — determining whether a buyer is financially capable of completing a purchase — requires that agent to act in that buyer’s interest. It means gathering private financial information, assessing their position, and advising them.

Under BC’s rules, your listing agent represents you. They owe their loyalty to you. The moment they begin doing financial assessment work on behalf of a buyer, they are operating outside that role, and the conflict of interest becomes acute.

This has a very practical consequence.

When your listing agent is the one showing your home to unrepresented buyers directly, you often have no idea whether those buyers are financially capable of buying it. You prepare your home, clear your schedule, perhaps leave for an hour — and the showing may be with someone who cannot get a mortgage, is only mildly curious, or is months away from being in a position to purchase anything.

A dedicated buyer’s agent, by contrast, qualifies their clients before showing them anything. They know their buyer’s budget, timeline, pre-approval status, and genuine motivation.

When a buyer’s agent books a showing, you can have a reasonable level of confidence that the interest is serious.

When an unrepresented buyer calls your listing agent directly, that confidence doesn’t exist — and your listing agent is not equipped, or legally permitted, to create it.

The Commission Reduction You Weren’t Told About

Here is where things get particularly important for sellers in smaller markets.

Some listing agents include terms in their agreements — or apply them situationally — that allow them to reduce the commission offered to a buyer’s agent if that agent was not the first to introduce the buyer to the property.

The logic may sound reasonable on the surface: if the buyer already knew about the listing, why pay a full buyer’s agent commission?

But before that question even gets asked, there’s a more fundamental one that sellers rarely think to raise:

What is your listing agent actually doing when a buyer calls them directly?

Are they asking that buyer upfront whether they are already working with a buyer’s agent — someone they’ve connected with to help them navigate their upcoming purchase?

Are they finding out whether that buyer has an agent who could simply arrange the showing on their behalf, removing the conflict entirely?

Or are they booking the showing first and asking those questions later — or not at all?

Before any showing with an unrepresented buyer takes place, BCFSA’s rules require that buyer to receive the Disclosure of Risks to Unrepresented Parties form. This document clearly explains that they have no representation and that the agent’s loyalty belongs to the seller.

But beyond the legal minimum, a listing agent genuinely looking out for your interests should also be offering that buyer referrals to buyer’s agents who can qualify them, advise them, and either show them your property themselves or coordinate with the listing agent to do so.

That step — connecting an unrepresented buyer with professional guidance before they walk through your door — is what separates a process that protects you from one that simply moves fast.

When that doesn’t happen, the buyer arrives unqualified, unadvised, and without anyone in their corner. Your listing agent is now navigating a showing with a person who has no professional support, no pre-qualification, and potentially no real understanding of what they’re committing to if they write an offer.

Now return to the commission question.

If a buyer’s agent in a neighbouring town has a qualified client who has already seen your listing online and mentioned it — and that buyer’s agent learns the commission is being reduced or eliminated because their client “already made contact” — many will simply not make the trip.

Your listing agent may never tell you this is happening. They may frame it as protecting your interests. But the effect is that your home becomes less accessible to the buyers who have professional representation — statistically the most prepared and capable buyers in the market.

BCFSA is clear: sellers have the right to renegotiate commission terms and must be kept fully informed of any changes that affect their transaction.

Where the Process Breaks Down in Small Markets

In rural and smaller communities, the dynamics above are amplified by geography.

Buyer agents serving these markets are often travelling significant distances to show properties. They are making a business decision every time they book a showing:

Is the compensation offered worth the time, fuel, and effort?

When commission reductions are applied — or even when agents simply know a listing agent tends to handle buyers directly — the calculation changes.

The pattern that can emerge looks like this:

Unrepresented buyers contact the listing agent directly and are shown the property without proper qualification or disclosure.
Buyer agents from nearby communities become reluctant to bring clients, particularly if compensation is uncertain.
The seller sees showing activity but doesn’t realize a significant portion of it isn’t generating serious, qualified interest.
The pool of likely buyers quietly shrinks, even as the listing appears active.

None of this is visible to you on a standard report.

You see a showing count. You don’t see which buyers were pre-approved, which ones had professional guidance, and which ones were simply curious.

The Questions Every Seller Should Ask Before Signing

These aren’t aggressive questions. They’re reasonable ones that any professional listing agent should be able to answer clearly.

On agency and disclosure

When a buyer calls you directly, what is the first thing you ask them?

Do you find out whether they already have an agent before you book a showing?

Do you provide them with referrals to buyer’s agents before proceeding?

On the unrepresented buyer process

If a buyer says they don’t have an agent, do you provide them with the Disclosure of Risks to Unrepresented Parties form before showing them my home?

Do you offer them referrals to buyer’s agents who could represent them or arrange the showing on their behalf?

On conflict of interest

If a buyer wants to work with you directly to buy my home, what happens to your obligation to represent me?

How is that conflict managed and disclosed?

On pre-qualification

If an unrepresented buyer contacts you, how do you assess whether they’re financially capable before bringing them through my property?

What are the limits of what you’re able to do in that role?

On commission

Does your listing agreement allow you to reduce the buyer’s agent commission in any circumstance?

If so, how and when does that happen, and do I have to approve that change?

On your full exposure

If you handle both my listing and the eventual buyer in the same transaction, how is that disclosed?

How is your compensation structured?

A Better Structure: Clear Roles, Better Outcomes

When your listing agent’s sole focus is representing you — and buyer agents are relied upon to represent buyers — each party in the transaction has someone fully in their corner.

This isn’t just ethically cleaner. It produces better results.

Showings are with buyers who have been qualified by their own professional.
Your agent’s loyalty is undivided, with no competing obligation to a buyer.
Buyer agents are motivated to bring their clients to your home because they know the compensation is fair and consistent.
Unrepresented buyers are directed toward proper representation before they’re walked through your door.

In smaller communities, where relationships and reputations travel fast, this structure also matters because of trust.

Buyers who feel they were handled without proper disclosure don’t recommend the experience. Buyer agents who feel compensation was pulled out from under them after the showing remember that too.

Local buyer agents are also often the most effective path to your ideal buyer. They are more readily available to show homes in their area, they know their clients’ timelines and finances, and they have the local knowledge to help buyers feel confident making an offer.

When those agents are welcomed into the process — with fair compensation and clear communication — your home benefits from that reach.

The Bottom Line

Your home is likely one of the largest financial assets you own. The rules in BC exist to protect your interests throughout the sale — but they only work if your listing agent follows them, and if you know enough to verify that they are.

You have every right to ask how agency disclosure is handled with buyers.

You have every right to know whether commission adjustments can be made without your consent.

You have every right to understand that an unrepresented buyer does not necessarily reduce what you pay — it only changes who your listing agent’s incentives may align with.

In small communities, structure matters as much as relationships do.

When roles are clearly defined, buyers are better supported, agents can do their jobs with integrity, and you — as the seller — are better protected from the moment your home hits the market to the moment the deal closes.

Have Questions Before You Sign?

Have questions about how your listing should be structured, or want to understand what specific disclosures should look like before you sign?

Reach out. These are conversations worth having before the sign goes in the ground.

9 Things you can do in a Weekend to Increase Home Value

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 15:51:35 GMT

Looking to finally sell your current house and move to your dream home? Or maybe you just want to improve your place and reap the benefits of an outstanding property later on? Whichever side of the fence you’re on, there are lots of simple value-adding tricks you can do to give your humble abode an edge.

To help you add some pizzazz to your place, we’ve rounded up a list of simple weekend projects you and your family can take on to spruce up your home.

1. Apply a fresh coat of paint

Perhaps the simplest, most surefire way to liven up any home is to apply a fresh new coat of gorgeous paint. Not only does it instantly increase the value of any property, but it gives the house a brand new look & feel.

Don’t be afraid to shake up your palette and experiment with colors you haven’t tried. For a more contemporary look, you can always count on neutrals. But don’t stop there – maybe add a vibrant color that will pop and bring life to the place.

Whatever route you go for, a fresh coat of paint will always be a good task to undertake.

2. Beautify your garden

Sprucing up your existing garden with a couple of new plants and flowers will surely make your house look fresh and wonderful. If you’re looking for something you can immediately do this weekend, why don’t you visit a local nursery to purchase your new plant collection?

However, if you want a project that’ll potentially increase your house’s appeal for a longer time, we suggest planting a few trees, starting a new herb garden, and maintaining a fabulous flower garden. Although these will take longer than a weekend, these’ll make for great projects under the warmth of the sun.

3. Refresh your kitchen

There’s no doubt that the kitchen has become one of the most valuable parts of the house. Apart from being the place where delicious home-cooked meals are whipped up, this also easily becomes a hub for socializing when you have guests over.

Just by doing some easy weekend projects, you’ll be able to liven up that adorable kitchen of yours:

Put on a fresh coat of light-colored paint on the walls
Repaint or refinish kitchen cabinets
Work with new tile backsplash
Try assembling a concrete kitchen top

4. Give your laundry room a makeover

A good clean-up and organization will go a long way for your laundry room, making it more of a place of relaxation instead of chores. Consider adorning the area with scented candles, a fan, or even a nook for a moody break time while waiting for the laundry. Some plants will help add some laidback notes too, turning it into a space of life rather than just for utility.

The laundry room is an underrated asset of any home. It keeps our sheets and clothes clean, so it makes sense to give it some good ol’ makeover.

5. DIY bathroom makeover

As years go by, the bathroom often gets left out of style. Outdated fixtures, tacky paint scheme, maybe a bit of troublesome hardware. Or who knows, maybe it just needs some cleaning.

Here are some tips on how you can liven up your bathroom easily:

Update and use similarly-themed fixtures/knobs/handles
Clean the floors and yes, even the grout
Add some plants for a feeling of freshness
Get some lively lighting, like an accent light or two.
Apply a fresh coat of paint

6. Start spring cleaning

Since Spring is in full swing, why not take advantage of the warm energy to raid your closets, pantries, garage, and everywhere else for a decluttering session?

Time to tackle those storage boxes you’ve been dreading to clean up. Don’t worry, you can be eco-friendly by donating or recycling your pre-loved valuables. Not only do you get to clean up your space, but you get to give your unused things a second chance at life.

7. Personalize your mailbox’s look

In the age of lightning-speed connectivity, yes, it’s still worth it to update your mailbox’s look. For a more personalized feel, try painting its body with your favorite color. You can even get the rest of your family to contribute to the design and turn it into artwork.

8. Update light fixtures

We’re in the modern era, so it’s probably about time to upgrade your old light fixtures and get with the times. You can add a hanging lamp down the kitchen table or island to give a more warm and inviting mood, or maybe add accent lamps in the living room for that cozy feeling.

Lighting inside a room is essential as it sets the mood for all occasions, so don’t neglect it.

9. Install smart home features

The houses of the future have officially arrived. The best part? Yours can turn into a smart home, too.

The use of smart technology at home has been skyrocketing as tech becomes more and more integral to our lives. Adding any smart feature to your home, big or small, makes a difference. Not only does it make life just a bit simpler, but also attracts a new market for your house down the road.

You can start small and just try it out, maybe with a smart lighting setup or a smart thermostat – cold or warm in a flick of a finger.

Ready to add value to your home?

We hope you found these home weekend project ideas useful. Doing any of the ones listed will not only add value to your property but also, it’s a chance to learn so much more about your house and what it needs.

Put those handiness skills to work this weekend! And remember to enjoy the place you live in, it’s your home.

Private Client Services

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 00:16:00 GMT

PRIVATE CLIENT SERVICES CUSTOMIZED FOR YOU!

I would love to hear about your real estate plans for 2023 and how I may be able to assist you further. I am always just a click away and never too busy for your questions or referrals. 2023 is moving forward to be a good market for buyers with lower prices, not as many multiple offers on properties, enough time for conditional contracts again and more negotiating room on prices. Basically every wish you had as a home buyer in 2022!

Private Client Services area a valuable resource for today's buyer as it gives you first access to all listings before they are published on Realtor.ca. It also saves you time as only your selected criteria will be sent to you and you do not have to continually login to search worrying you may miss the perfect property. An email will be sent to you in real time as soon as a new listing is published to the mls by a real estate agent. Private Client Services (PCS) can be customized to be as broad or as specific as you choose.

I have access to so many areas on my portal and would love to share that with you.

As an ABR®(Accredited Buyers Agent), I love working with buyers and would love the opportunity to discuss anything real estate with you. Did you know that there is not fee to work with me as a buyer! Even if you are just following the market and need an update give me a shout. I can set you up for monthly market reports for your specific area.

Remember that Private Client Services is your very own web based page that we setup together. It uses your criteria for location, price, bedrooms etc. and will email you a list of properties that match your specifications, not only that but you learn about new properties before they hit mls.ca. In today's market of low housing inventory that could be the difference in getting your home or losing out. Yes, we still have low inventory!

It's free and there is no obligation whatsoever, you can cancel anytime or request the criteria be changed anytime. You can even choose to self manage your search options.

To sum things up:

If you would like access to Private Client Services reach out! casie@interiorrealestate.com or call/text 778-209-0305. We will start by reviewing the updated Disclosure of Representation in Trading Services so you can be assured everything we discuss is secure and confidential. Then, let me know what you are searching for or if you want to have market updates.

You will receive an email upon registration, which will contain login details to activate the account. Membership is free and allows you the chance to decide for yourself, without cost or obligation if the services offered are right for you.

The system continuously checks for new properties and price changes—in real time.

You will be notified by email immediately when a new property comes to the market matching your entered search criteria.

The information you provide here is confidential and will not be sold or shared with anyone.

You can Unsubscribe from this system at any time by clicking “Unsubscribe”.

Let's get started:)

I look forward to hearing from you!

Cheers,

Casie

5 Ways Millennials Can Invest In Rental Properties

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 16:19:52 GMT

Investing in real estate has been proven to be a great option for past generations of investors, however, many millennials are opting out of the market and choosing more flexible investment options. The popularity of stocks and new forms of investments like cryptocurrencies have become a popular option for millennials since they only require small capital and the returns are quicker.

However, investing in rental properties can be a great entry point in investing in real estate since it can serve as a long-term passive income while providing cash flow. Millennials also have the advantage of knowing how to market their rental properties to the younger generation.

Investing in real estate might not give quick returns, but it is definitely profitable in the long run. Here are several ways millennials can start investing in rental properties.

1. Establish your credit score

Your credit score can have a big impact on getting approved for a mortgage and getting good terms. Many millennials struggle in building their credit score because of financial constraints. While it might take some time and effort to establish a credit score that’s good enough to be accepted by lenders, there are still many simple steps to improve it.

How you manage your credit card is one factor that can leave a big impact on your credit score. It’s important to not go over your credit card limit and to make timely payments. If you are unable to pay your total balance, make sure to pay at least a portion of it before the due date. It’s important to keep your credit at 30% or less of your total credit limit.

2. Save up for a down payment

The next step is saving up for a down payment. Once you are pre-approved for a loan, the down payment is the biggest chunk of money that you will need when buying a rental property. You would need to deposit at least 20% of a property’s contract price. To prepare for this, you can do your research in advance on the market value of current listings before you decide to buy a rental property.

3. Calculate the rental property’s ROI

Once you have a target rental property, you’ll want to calculate the property’s potential return on investment. You’ll need to get initial figures on monthly rent prices in the area as well as your expenses. For the expenses, you’ll need to consider the initial expenses, operational expenses, vacancy periods, repairs and fixtures, among others.

The best way to calculate a property’s ROI is to analyze the current market trends and to make sure that you are accounting for all the expenses, including the interests. You’ll also need to identify and assess the risks. Projecting your ROI is the best way to decide whether the investment is worth it in the long run.

4. Manage the property on your own

As a millennial starting out in the rental industry, you can skip hiring a property manager and choose to manage it on your own, especially if your budget is too small. Managing a property can seem easy to do, but it can also take a lot of time and hard work.

You’ll need to learn certain skills that will help you manage the property efficiently. First, you’ll need to know the right qualities to look for in a tenant. You’ll also need to know how to write a sound contract and you’ll need to set property rules. You’ll also need to know how to handle unruly tenants and other conflicts that may occur. Moreover, accounting for your finances and knowing how to repair broken fixtures are also skills that you’ll need.

5. Consider house hacking

House hacking is buying a property, such as a single-family home or duplex, and having parts of your home rented out to generate income. House hacking is popular among millennials because it is a great way to cut down on housing expenses. When you commit to this type of investment, you’ll be able to cover your mortgage and monthly utilities while enjoying tax deductions. It is also a great start if you want to ease in investing in more rental properties in the future.

Investing in real estate might seem like a big commitment, but it’s definitely a smart long-term financial move. Not only will you yield high capital gains, but you’ll also have regular cash flow available while benefitting from tax deductions. Make sure to follow these tips to make your investing journey easier.

6 New Year's Resolutions That Can Helpl You Buy Your First Home

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 20:52:47 GMT

6 New Year’s Resolutions That Can Help You Buy Your First Investment Property

By PorchLyte
January 12, 2022

Hooray for 2022! It’s another year to achieve new milestones. Have you set your goals yet? This year might just be the right year to finally invest in your first property. If you are planning to buy your first property soon, it would be helpful to make some lifestyle changes to prepare yourself for the responsibilities of being a property investor and homeowner.

Here are 6 new year’s resolutions that can help you buy your first investment property:

1. Set specific life goals.

Goal-setting might have always been a part of your new year routine. Every year, you set goals but the important question is – are your goals specific enough? This year, try setting specific life goals. Instead of simply saying that you want to have a healthier lifestyle, identify what you mean by it. Is it having a fit body, eating healthier, or taking care of your mental health more?

If you want to include buying your first property in your life goals, make sure to be specific. How big is the property that you are planning to buy? How many bedrooms? Which area? What’s your budget? When would you like to buy your dream property? Specific goals are more likely achievable because you get to strategize on how you will be able to achieve it.

2. Make a budget and stick to it.

This is probably one of the resolutions that always makes it to almost everyone’s list. So make sure not to forget this one for this year as well especially if you are planning to buy your first investment property soon. When we don’t have a specific budget, we tend to splurge. Instead of saving our extra money, we spend it on unnecessary things. By having a budget and strictly sticking to it, you get to save for more important and bigger things like buying a home.

3. Pay off credit cards in full.

Since credit cards are high-interest loans, they can highly affect how much you can save for a new home. This year, make it a habit to pay off your credit cards in full and on time. Not only will this habit help you in managing your finances wisely but it will also help you build a good credit score. A good credit score is crucial in financing a home. It will determine whether or not your loan application will get accepted, how much you can get for a loan, and a good credit score means you are most likely to be offered a lower interest rate.

4. Create automatic savings.

Save money regularly like how you would pay for your monthly bills. Put money in your savings first before you proceed with your expenses. You might be tempted to treat yourself every time you get your paycheck. This is totally understandable because you worked hard for it. It is okay to treat yourself from time to time but remind yourself of your goal to buy your first investment property. To avoid the temptation of spending your money, put it in your savings on the day that you receive your paycheck. Setting aside some money will help keep your finances in check in case there are emergencies.

5. Live below your means.

Have you heard about living below your means? This might sound challenging at first since you are used to your current lifestyle. But by making simple lifestyle changes and with the right mindset, you can definitely master frugal living. Living below your means doesn’t mean that you have to restrict yourself too much. It simply means that you need to avoid a lavish lifestyle and distinguish the things that you need and the things that you want. This is a simple habit that will definitely be a big help to your finances.

6. Educate yourself.

One more thing that you need to do that will help you in buying your first investment property is to keep yourself educated. Keep yourself updated with the latest news on the real estate market. This will let you know the right timing in buying an investment property. It would also be best to talk to a real estate agent. They are knowledgeable in the field and will be able to give you all the information that you need. They can also help you in finding the perfect home for your first investment property.

Once you finally find your dream home, all your efforts and sacrifices in sticking to these resolutions will definitely be worth it. If you are successful in following these resolutions, you will be ready to buy your first investment property.

The Top 3 Upgrades To Make To Your Property Before You Sell

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 20:24:25 GMT

In today’s real estate market, when selling your home, you probably will have to make improvements and renovations to your property to stay competitive and receive the highest offer for your property.

Home improvements can include refurbishing, remodelling, repairing, or renovation projects in your home. All improvements are not created equal.

Some improvements add more value to your home than others. Here are the top three improvements to prep your property for a faster sale and higher sales price.

Kitchen Renovations & Upgrades Prior to Selling Your Home

If you want to increase the value of your home through improvements, the best room to start in is the kitchen. Appliances are very important to most home buyers.

In fact, it’s one of the first things that home buyers notice when home shopping.

As such, old appliances should be replaced; this is especially true if you have mismatched appliances in your kitchen.

If your budget allows, installing new countertops together with new appliances is ideal.

Additionally, when it comes to kitchen improvements, two of everything adds additional value to your home. Two ranges and two dishwashers are popular with those who enjoy entertaining or have large families. Built-in chopping block areas and trendy marble are also renovations to consider.

Painting your cabinets or even just changing the hardware (i.e., the knobs, handles, or pulls), are cheap renovation ideas to spruce up the kitchen.

Replace your Flooring Prior to Selling Your Home

Improvements made to the flooring will have the most dramatic effect on your living space. If your property still has carpet installed, you may want to consider swapping out the carpet for something else.

Specifically, there are so many inexpensive flooring options available such as, hardwood, stone, and laminate, all of which are more durable, easier to clean and last longer than carpet.

As such, there is no reason to have old and outdated flooring in your home.

Replace the Fixtures Prior to Selling Your Home

Upgrading and investing in quality fixtures throughout your property is an easy way to elevate and modernize your property without spending a lot of money.

Upgrading small things such as light switch covers, door handles, installing new locks are all easy yet effective upgrades. You can also install new ceiling fans and light fixtures throughout the entire house, as another way to modernize the residence.

Upgrading the faucets in the kitchen and the bathroom are easy yet important upgrades to make to your home, especially because these fixtures tend to wear easily.

Additional Pro tips for Selling Your Home: A new coat of paint in both the interior and the exterior, never hurts your home’s chances of selling faster. Use neutral colors to appeal to as many home buyers as possible.

Additionally, landscaping has a considerable effect on the visual impact of a home. A professionally landscaped yard with flowers, adds a nice touch to your property’s exterior appearance.

Storage is often a top priority for families. As such, sellers can look for cheap ways to increase storage throughout their property. For example, sellers can install shelving, install walls storage, and add organizational units in the closets.

Lastly, it should go without saying, but a clean house without clutter sells a lot faster than a dirty and cluttered home.

4 Things You Need to Know Before You Move

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 22:33:44 GMT

MOVING!

The very thought of it can send chills down our spine and can cause us to break out into a cold sweat. Experts say that any kind of “change” creates “stress”. Moving, (and especially if we are relocating to a new city or state), represents a huge change and naturally brings a great amount of stress along with it.

This can be a double whammy, because stress can lead to a lack of energy and motivation. Many of us tend to procrastinate during stressful periods of our lives. This is one time, though, when we must rise above that.

When preparing for a move we need to put the pedal to the metal and get a lot of things done.

This checklist contains many suggestions that may seem like “no-brainers”. However, the very act of printing out these simple suggestions and reminders can become a significant security blanket as the dreaded time approaches. Moving and relocating calls for being proactive, grabbing the bull by the horns and actually completing certain chores well in advance of their deadlines.

Hopefully this little article will help you to accomplish that.

1. Get rid of what you don’t need.

Many of us are “pack rats”. One thing that we can accomplish immediately is going through all of our “stuff” and getting rid of what we don’t need anymore. Moving unwanted clothing and bric-a-bracs from one place of residence to another is a great waste of time and effort. It is surprising how much more in control we feel once we start narrowing down our “inventory” to what we actually need to keep. Getting rid of the unwanted items can be done by having a garage sale long before moving time and then donating the leftovers to the Salvation Army or other charitable groups.

2. Get all important papers and documents together and secure them.

Since moving is hectic, to say the least, we need to be aware of the exact location of all of our important items. Things that we absolutely must not lose or misplace should certainly be hand carried, not put in a box for the movers:

Address Books, Birth Certificates, Bank Statements, Checks, Credit Cards and Statements, Home Movies, Irreplaceable Memorabilia, Insurance Policies, Marriage Records, Medical and Dental Records, Military Records, Passports, Photos and Photo Albums, Resumes, School Records, Stock Certificates, Tax Returns, Telephone Numbers, Valuables, Vehicle Documents, Wills.

3. Prepare well in advance for living at your new location.

There are many things that we can do at our new location well in advance of our move that will help smooth out the bumps and grinds of our relocation process when the actual event occurs: Open up new bank accounts. Open up a new Safe Deposit Box. Contact the new area utility companies and arrange for your new services. These can include Cable TV, gas, electric, oil, telephone, water and Internet access. Arrange for new medical providers. If you are moving to a new state, contact the DMV and get forms necessary to re-register your vehicles. Contact your insurance companies and find out if your car insurance, homeowner’s insurance, etc. can be transferred. If not, find an Insurance Broker in your new area and discuss your needs and requirements for new policies. Go to the post office and get a moving kit. Prepare change of address forms for all of your correspondents; credit card companies, other credit accounts, banks, insurance companies, current utility companies for final statements, magazines and other subscriptions, family, friends, and any other persons or businesses that you correspond with on a regular basis.

4. As the time approaches, have the important numbers handy.

As moving day approaches and when the moving process actually begins, you don’t want to be hunting for phone numbers in wallets, purses, or address books. Have a nice new notebook or electronic notebook ready with all important phone numbers written clearly and legibly for both your old and new contacts: Banks, Doctors, Emergency contacts, Family members, Friends, Landlords or Real Estate Brokers, Movers, Pharmacies Schools, Storage Facilities, Utilities.

With proper planning and preparation the moving process, though never fun, can at least be sane.

How To Make 1st Impressions Count When Selling Your Home

Sat, 11 Apr 2020 20:05:20 GMT

Now that you have decided to sell your home, how will you turn your home into the most valuable asset it can be? No matter if you are selling your home yourself, or using an agent like myself, knowing about these low cost tips will help you increase the overall monetary return when you sell your house.

While a particular buyer may not like your home for many different reasons, a buyer's agent is much more likely to bring other buyers back to a home that shows well. In the small community of real estate agents, word does get out pretty quickly when a home on the market is showcase ready.

From the moment a prospective buyer pulls up outside your property they are forming important opinions that make or break a sale.They’re taking in factors like the condition of the property, potential maintenance issues and general street appeal, and this critical evaluation only continues when they enter a home.

Importantly, research indicates these first impressions take only 26 seconds to make, meaning a property owner has a very limited window of opportunity when it comes to getting it right.

First Impressions - What I'm about to tell you may seem minor and easily overlooked, but this advice goes hand-in-hand with the very well known concept of Curb Appeal. Whereas curb appeal is the very first gut feeling a potential buyer has about your house, the buyer's first impression lasts as they walk up to the front door to the point when the door first opens. With this in mind, the front door should be especially sharp, since it is the entryway into the house. Polish the door fixture so it gleams. If the door needs refinishing or repainting, make sure to get that done.

If you have a cute, little plaque or shingle with your family name on it, remove it. Even if it is just on the mailbox. You can always put it up again once you move. It is important to make your house anonymous as if the house already belongs to the next owner. Buy a new, plush door mat, too. This is something else you can take with you once you move.

Make sure the lock works easily and the key fits properly. When a homebuyer comes to visit your home, the agent uses the key from the lock box to unlock the door. If there is trouble working the lock while everyone else stands around waiting, this sends a negative first impression to prospective home buyers. If the lock is sticky, sometimes a shot of graphite in the keyhole is all that is needed.

Then, there is the entry way. Are there shoes or other clutter in the foyer, does the first impression of the inside of your home impress a buyer of things to come set them up for a polite, but quick tour of your home?

In any housing market, but especially in a buyer's market, your house is in competition with all the other houses on sale in your neighbourhood. How your home competes is key to turning a prospective buyer in to a buyer with an offer.

A first impression will not last, if the rest of your home is not presentable. Many home sellers wonder what trade-offs to make, how much budget to allocate to get their home ready to list and sell. The starting place is to think like a buyer, put yourself in your buyers shoes, walk across the street from your house and walk up to the front door, make notes of all the things that you'd want to see fixed if you were going to buy your own house.

A first impression is a lasting one, and it doesn’t take significant time or financial outlay to ensure your property’s first impression is favourable. Critically, when you get that all-important first impression right, you’re more likely to secure a second inspection, which in turn drastically increases the chances of swiftly selling your home.