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We know there a million things to do as you prepare your home for sale so we are starting with just a few projects to tackle before the snow comes & Winter is here to stay!  This post covers outdoor projects but we also take on the indoor list of to-do's in our blog "Guide to Prepare Your Home for Sale"!


If you're not sure where to start this Fall, here is some inspiration:


Focus on the Front Yard 

Curb appeal is everything and will significantly impact a potential Buyer’s first impression of your home. Stand out on the street and take an objective look, or even better a photo, of your house & yard….What do you see that could be improved? 


At a minimum, clean the scuff marks off the front door and touch-up the paint… or give it a fresh coat if weather permits! And if your front door has seen better days, consider investing in a new one….that is a Buyer’s first view to what is inside and it sets those expectations!



If you have a front porch, make it look inviting (not just a place to store your stuff) Wink


Invest in a cute new door mat & some seasonal evergreens to put in planters at your front door or add a welcoming wreath.  Of course at this time of year, Fall inspiration is everywhere! 



Make sure to clean up your lawn, planters & garden areas of leaves & debris.


If you are planning a move before Spring next year, remove anything you will want to take with you before it gets frozen into the ground....for example your fire pit, outdoor furniture, play structures etc. 


As our days are now growing shorter, many Buyers will see your home at night, so make sure that your outdoor lighting is highlighting your home. Pathway lighting is always a great idea as well and can be accomplished inexpensively with solar lights.


Be sure to replace bulbs & clean your outdoor light fixtures, or update them if necessary. 


Have the Windows Cleaned



We know, you probably don’t even think about cleaning your windows at this time of year, but weather & wind can really make your windows dirty!  We don't always notice those things when we live in our homes every day but trust us, buyers will notice and we want them to focus on your great house not on dirty windows! We like companies like Boys Next Door or Men in Kilts for affordable window cleaning.



Don’t Overlook Your Backyard 



What you can accomplish in the back yard will of course depend on weather, but before we get snow that stays make sure you do one last lawn mowing, clean up leaves & blow out your sprinklers if you have an in-ground system.   


Now is the time to put away or cover your patio furniture, BBQ, plant pots & garden utensils and do what you can to make the back yard presentable for Winter!


If you have a garage now is the time to tidy it up and get rid of clutter before Winter sets in!  If your garage door or operator need updating, then consider replacing those in preparation for listing your home for sale.



If you have questions about the market ....when is the right time to sell, what is my home worth in the current market and where do we start....we are here to help you navigate the process from beginning to end!  Feel free to contact us with your questions.



We look forward to working with you!

 - Karin & Jen 


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Here’s What You Can Do Now! 


Whether your plan was to buy your first home or sell your old one, those plans will have been put on hold by coronavirus unless it’s a necessary move, leaving you with the feeling that there’s nothing you can do except sit and wait…


However, now that you have time on your hands you can take some practical steps now that will save time and give you a jump on the process when life returns to something closer to normal — and when your time to tackle those projects is once again in short supply.



Top tips for buyers:


1. Go Virtual

You may not be able to easily view homes physically right now but an online search is valuable research! 

Most listings have great professional photos or video tours that will allow to view the home virtually to decide whether it is a possibility or an absolute No! 

Check out our App where you can browse properties and mark & save your favourites ….and we can see what you’re liking as well so we can also send you recommendations based on your favourites! 


2. Prepare your mortgage pre-approval

Your mortgage broker can help you virtually to get your pre-approval done now and get your mortgage rate locked in for 120 days ….so when things normalize you are ready to hit the ground running! 




Top tips for sellers:


1. Finish any DIY jobs

Home improvement stores like Home Depot are still open so you can pick up supplies for those small projects that you can tackle now like: 

Replace broken tiles or touching up grout, paint touch-ups, touch-up watermarks on ceilings, fix or replace that leaky tap, replace bath & shower caulking, etc. 


2. Neaten up your Yard

Once the weather warms up a bit you can start cleaning up your shed, garage, and those pots that didn’t all quite get cleaned up before the snow fell last year! 


Box up or bin the contents of the garage or garden shed so you can get a jump on that process before you get your hime on the market. 


3. Tackle those exterior projects

First impressions count and an easy way to amp up curb appeal is to give your front door a fresh coat of paint. When weather permits take on those exterior tasks including:

clearing your eaves, cleaning your windows(by the way there are window cleaning companies still working), and spray down your driveway to remove all of that winter dust & dirt. 


Those projects all take time  — and right now that’s the one you thing have more of!  


We’re here to help you and answer any questions you may have about the market and how that may affect you whether you are buying or selling.  


So feel free to reach out …we’re happy to help! 



~ Karin & Jen 

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