What should I do to the interior of my property, before I list it for sale?
Every room should look as spacious, bright, and warm as possible.
• Wash walls, ceilings, and trim. Consider painting with light, neutral colors. Repair cracks.
• Tighten loose knobs, towel racks, switch plates, and outlet covers.
• Fix tight doors and windows, squeaky floorboards, and loose stair banisters.
• Clean and repair caulking around tubs and sinks. Fix leaky faucets; remove water stains.
• Clean and organize the basement and attic. (This is a good opportunity to throw out all the bits and pieces you don't want to move.)
• Organize closets. Get rid of the clutter. Limit the number of items stored overhead or on the floor.
• Clean out kitchen cabinets, and remove clutter from countertops.
• Clean drapes, blinds, and curtains. Shampoo carpets, and wax floors.
• Now is a good time to spray for bugs.
• Arrange furniture to make rooms appear as spacious as possible.
• Remove any items you are taking with you, such as chandeliers and mirrors.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Items to Look for When Viewing Homes
You pull up to the curb and there it is – the home of your dreams!
Calm down. Take a deep breath and start again. The hardest thing to do when looking for a home is to remain objective. It is easy to fall in love with a home's appearance, but it is very important to look beyond the window dressing.
Here are some things to consider when looking at a home:
General Upkeep - First appearances do count. Is the home dirty and cluttered? Are the lawns uncut? Are the walls chipped and in need of paint? If the owner hasn't bothered to keep the house looking clean and attractive, what problems are lurking below the surface?
Water Leaks - Water can do a lot of damage to a home. It rots wood, undermines foundations, and leads to mould and mildew. Re-shingling a house, or repairing a cracked foundation to stop water leaks, can be extremely expensive.
It takes an expert eye to find most water leaks (which is why we recommend you have a house inspected before you buy). If you spot stains, bulges and other signs of water damage on ceilings or walls, make special note that there could be a problem.
Appliances and Fixtures - Test the lights, faucets, toilets, furnace, air conditioning, and all major appliances that are to be included with the home. Make sure everything is working as it should.
Floors - Floors should be smooth, even, and solid. Soft springy sections, excessive squeaking, and unevenness are all indications that expensive repairs may be needed.
Doors and Windows - Check that doors and windows fit snugly and operate smoothly. Look for flaked paint and loose caulking. Check for drafts.
Drainage - Walk around the yard looking for areas where water might collect. Soggy areas near the foundation indicate poor drainage.
Grout and Caulking - If the grout and caulking around bathroom and kitchen tiles are loose and crumbling, there is a good chance water is finding its way into the wall or under the floor.
Structural - Look for deep cracks in the foundations or loose mortar and bricks.
Furnishings - If you are not planning to replace all of your furniture (and not many people are), make sure it will fit into the rooms of the new house. Be sure to bring a measuring tape. Rooms can be deceptive.
Storage Space - Make sure your new house has enough storage space for all your belongings. And that means more than just your clothes. Think of all the things that need to find a home – tools, gardening equipment, old toys, sports equipment, and all those wedding presents that are still in their original boxes. Check the size of the closets, the attic, the basement, and the garage. Rule of thumb: there's never enough storage space.
Inspection - You should take a long hard look at a house before you put in an offer to protect yourself from disappointment down the road. But, nothing can replace the expert opinion of a qualified home inspector. Inspectors can spot problems that the average person would never find and they can usually advise you on how much it will cost to make the repairs. A home inspection can help you determine whether or not you are going to make an offer on a house, and if you decide to go ahead, just how much that offer is going to be.
Calm down. Take a deep breath and start again. The hardest thing to do when looking for a home is to remain objective. It is easy to fall in love with a home's appearance, but it is very important to look beyond the window dressing.
Here are some things to consider when looking at a home:
General Upkeep - First appearances do count. Is the home dirty and cluttered? Are the lawns uncut? Are the walls chipped and in need of paint? If the owner hasn't bothered to keep the house looking clean and attractive, what problems are lurking below the surface?
Water Leaks - Water can do a lot of damage to a home. It rots wood, undermines foundations, and leads to mould and mildew. Re-shingling a house, or repairing a cracked foundation to stop water leaks, can be extremely expensive.
It takes an expert eye to find most water leaks (which is why we recommend you have a house inspected before you buy). If you spot stains, bulges and other signs of water damage on ceilings or walls, make special note that there could be a problem.
Appliances and Fixtures - Test the lights, faucets, toilets, furnace, air conditioning, and all major appliances that are to be included with the home. Make sure everything is working as it should.
Floors - Floors should be smooth, even, and solid. Soft springy sections, excessive squeaking, and unevenness are all indications that expensive repairs may be needed.
Doors and Windows - Check that doors and windows fit snugly and operate smoothly. Look for flaked paint and loose caulking. Check for drafts.
Drainage - Walk around the yard looking for areas where water might collect. Soggy areas near the foundation indicate poor drainage.
Grout and Caulking - If the grout and caulking around bathroom and kitchen tiles are loose and crumbling, there is a good chance water is finding its way into the wall or under the floor.
Structural - Look for deep cracks in the foundations or loose mortar and bricks.
Furnishings - If you are not planning to replace all of your furniture (and not many people are), make sure it will fit into the rooms of the new house. Be sure to bring a measuring tape. Rooms can be deceptive.
Storage Space - Make sure your new house has enough storage space for all your belongings. And that means more than just your clothes. Think of all the things that need to find a home – tools, gardening equipment, old toys, sports equipment, and all those wedding presents that are still in their original boxes. Check the size of the closets, the attic, the basement, and the garage. Rule of thumb: there's never enough storage space.
Inspection - You should take a long hard look at a house before you put in an offer to protect yourself from disappointment down the road. But, nothing can replace the expert opinion of a qualified home inspector. Inspectors can spot problems that the average person would never find and they can usually advise you on how much it will cost to make the repairs. A home inspection can help you determine whether or not you are going to make an offer on a house, and if you decide to go ahead, just how much that offer is going to be.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
What are Closing Costs?
Closing costs are the legal and administrative fees and disbursements associated with buying your home. These costs are in addition to the purchase price of the home. They can vary widely depending on:
• The property being purchased
• Services required
• Taxes
• Applicable insurances
• Closing dates affecting interest adjustments
• The balances of any prepaid expenses
Ask about the Home Buyers' Plan
The Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) lets a first-time buyer withdraw up to $20,000 from RRSPs for a home purchase, subject to certain repayment conditions. For more information, check the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency website http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/
• The property being purchased
• Services required
• Taxes
• Applicable insurances
• Closing dates affecting interest adjustments
• The balances of any prepaid expenses
Ask about the Home Buyers' Plan
The Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) lets a first-time buyer withdraw up to $20,000 from RRSPs for a home purchase, subject to certain repayment conditions. For more information, check the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency website http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/
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