It can be a lot of work to get your home ready to sell. However, with a little bit of work and some wisely (and carfeully spent) dollars, you can help your home sell faster saving you time and stress. By strategically focusing on a few areas you can stretch your dollar and make your house more appealing to buyers. Some simple fix- ups and a fresh coat of paint can freshen your home and help justify (or increase) your asking price; less work for the buyers can also make for a quicker sale. Here are some key areas to address when getting your house ready to list.

Exterior

1. Do a 360 check:

- look for cracks & crumbling in places like the home's foundtion, walkways, steps, walls, & patio

- clean & align gutters

- inspect & clean the chimney

- repair & paint loose siding or peeling paint on siding and around windows & doors (don't forget the front door!)

2. Think seasonal:

- keep lawn tidy, cut & watered in the Spring & Summer

- make sure walkways are clear and ice/ snow free in the Fall & Winter

3. Curb Appeal- add visual interest:

- plant a few inexpensive annuals for a pop of colour in the graden 

- small ornamental grasses are anothe great budget- friendly option

- use pots of colourful annuals strategically placed by the front door and/ or along the driveway or walkway to draw the viewer's eye; primula, potato vine, and kale make nice statements without breaking the budget (ask your local garden centre for other seasonal & budget- friendly options)

Interior:

1. As with the exterior, look for areas that need a little TLC:

- repair & repaint walls that have chips, dents and/ or have discoloured; replace dated wallpaper with a more contemporary option or neutral paint

- look for cracks, leaks, and signs of dampness in areas such as the attic and basement

- repair broken windiws; fill & repaint cracks and imperfections in mouldings and woodwork

- inspect things like plumbing, the heating & cooling systems, and alarm system

2. Do some simple staging:

- de- clutter an remove personal items- think 'show home' not 'my home'

- buy some inexpensive decorative accents such as towels for the bathrooms, bright fresh fruit or flowers for the kitchen, and maybe some unscented candles to place throughtout the living areas to create warm touches

- update areas such as kitchens and bathrooms inexpensively buy replacing old hardware with new, more contemporary styles 

3. Think 'first impressions':

- before you leave prior to a showing, make sure everything looks fresh & clean to buyer's eyes

- tidy & dust the entry way; put away shoes & turn on a lamp to create a cozy first impression 

- turn on lights throughout the house and do spot checks as you go from room to room, looking for items that need to get put away before you leave

Your realtor can help you identify areas around your home- inside and out- that need some attention to get your house ready to list. A little bit of time and money up front can be well worth it the investment when sell your home quickly and for the price you are hoping for.

Image Sources: 

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/curb-appeal

http://followpics.net/purple-fountain-grass-verbena-and-potato-vine-lots-o-sun/

http://blog.fromyouflowers.com/top-3-favorite-tulip-bouquets

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/home+sales+largest+year+over+year+increase/9626205/story.html#ixzz2wFVtva2C

Image Source: http://www.johnhartrealestate.com/blog/2012/10/median-home-prices-climb-while-supply-tightens/

We just released 2 new homes in Yorkson, Langley (77 Ave & 211 St).

Starting in the low $700s. 

Come check them out this weekend from 1- 4pm.

Go to yorksonproperties.com for more details & floorplans

Sometimes the bedroom simply gets overlooked or left until last when it comes to renovations & updates. Considering it's the place where we start and end our days, I think it's important to have a bedroom you enjoy spending time in and that helps you relax. 

It's also important to showcase the bedrooms when you're listing your home for sale by making sure they are tidy and appear spacious; you want to help potential buyers envision themselves in the space. While sellers often focus on updating the kitchen and bathroom(s) when they list, bedroom are important rooms to give attention to, and often don't require too much effort or money to freshen up. 

I came across this great bedroom DIY post from LiveLoveDIY while scouring Pinterest, and think it's a great example of how you can transform a room without breaking the budget. A fresh coat of paint and well selected furniture and accessories can make a big impact.

Image Source: http://www.livelovediy.com/2014/02/diy-decorating-ideas-for-your-bedroom.html

If you're thinking about buying or selling in 2014, check out the Housing Forecast Update from the BC Real Estate Association

Image Source: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/109134107/home-sweet-home-distressed-wood-sign

Have you checked out my Links page?

I'm always looking for great businesses to direct my clients to for a variety of needs. I'll be updating info often, so make sure you check back for a one- stop resource. My most recent addition is Bridge Fireplace Group (the photo below says it all!). If you're looking to update your fireplaces, this company has lots of beautiful options worth checking out.

If you're on a budget (who isn't?) and are looking to update some furniture to help stage your home for sale or to add that finishing touch to a room, why not go the DIY route? For a few bucks you can take an existing piece or find a quality item in need of some TLC at a trhift store and give it a complete makeover. With so many DIY tutorials it's a snap to figure out the materials you need and how to do it. One of my favourite ideas is to use chalk paint to create a classic- contemporary piece that suits a variety of decorating styles. Check out this DIY guide to help get you started.

Wait until you see the before photo!

Photo courtesy of The Pampered Baby

OPEN HOUSE

This Saturday & Sunday

2- 4pm

Contact me for more details

If you're thinking of listing your house for sale or have found your next home but want to give it a facelift, changing up the floor in one or several rooms can be a great way to change things up without blowing the budget.

Hiring someone to do the dirty work for you isn't a bad idea, but consider the cost savings if you do it yourself. If you're looking to sell your home, you can add quite a lot of value with a small investment in key areas such as a bathroom or kitchen.

And if you've got your heart set on a specific property but aren't in love with certain elements, don't let them deter you from buying what could become your dream home. A little TLC and elbow grease can go a long way and show pride of ownership.

For inspiration, check out this herringbone tile floor DIY from Simply Designing.

Image Coutesy of Simply Designing

If you're trying to find your first home, this might help make it a little more affordable!

Effective February 19, 2014, if you're a first time home buyer looking to get into the market, the BC Provincial Government has just announced that they have increased the full exemption maximum for the Property Transfer Tax from $425,000 to $475,000.

This means that first time home buyers can save up to $1,000 in tax during the closing of purchase, and help them work with a larger budget. The Provincial Government has also modified the scale from $475,000 to $500,000, which means that as the price increases from $475,000 to $500,000, the Property Transfer Tax will apply on a pro-rated basis.

If you are a first time home buyer and have questions about the Property Transfer Tax and what this means for you, contact me today and I can answer all your questions!

Image Source: http://www.visioninproperty.com.au/?page_id=54

If you're looking for a home in the Lanlgey area, make sure you check out Yorkson Properties. Beautiful, brand new 2,500+ sq ft homes- move in ready!

Contact me today to book a viewing!