5 Ways to Add Fun to the Selling Process

When you think about selling your property, do you dwell on the possible work and stress involved? You're not alone. Many homeowners share the same concerns.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

In fact, there are plenty of ways to add some fun, anticipation, and even a sense of adventure to the selling process. Here are just a few ideas:

1. Plan fun things to do when your home is being shown. That can include walks, sports activities, or trying something you and your family have never done before.
2. Declutter for your own benefit. Instead of thinking about decluttering as a chore required for the sale, focus instead on how much more comfortable your home will be after decluttering. Studies consistently show that less clutter…

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Making Your Main Floor Show Well

Where do buyers form the most lasting impression of a home for sale that they visit? On the main floor!

When buyers view a property, they often spend a lot of time on the main floor, thinking and imagining. They visualize cooking in the kitchen, having family dinners in the dining room, and entertaining guests in the living room. They even mentally calculate how their furniture will fit!

So, making the main floor look great to buyers is crucial when selling your property. How do you do that?

An effective technique is to walk your main floor the way a buyer would. Start at your front entrance. Stand there for a moment and look around. Get a sense of the impression a buyer is likely to get from that perspective.

Next, walk to the kitchen…

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Front Walkway Improvements that Boost Curb Appeal

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Your front walkway is one of the first sections of real estate a buyer will set foot on when coming to see your home. So, it makes sense to make that pathway to your front door as appealing as possible.

The obvious way is to make it as clean and clear as you can. Ensure there are no obstacles in the way, such as overhanging branches, kid's toys, or potted plants. What you want is a clear, unobstructed and pleasant walk to your main entranceway.

If your walkway needs deeper cleaning, consider a power-wash. There are special detergents available that are designed specifically for stone, asphalt or cement walkways and other outdoor surfaces.

A deep cleaning isn't a…

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Spring is the best time to sell. Or is it

You may be thinking of listing your home soon, for a variety of reasons. Some fun and exciting reasons. Some sad, even scary reasons. There's a good chance you are likely thinking of waiting until spring because someone somewhere at sometime said that is the best time to list. That may not be the case.

There are a number of reasons many “experts” claim that spring is the best time to list: "people prefer to move in good weather", "more people are out shopping", "selling prices are statistically higher".... most of these reasons are highly subjective and often inaccurate when broken down to the individual home.

Having worked in the Edmonton housing industry for 13 years I can state from my own experience that some of my busiest months…

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11 Telltale Signs It’s Time For a New Home

Could it be time for a new Edmonton home? Here are 11 telltale signs.

1. You’re Tired of Paying Someone Else’s Mortgage

Why line someone else’s pockets with your hard-earned money when you could be working towards your own financial freedom? Homeownership won’t just get you out from underneath your landlord’s thumb, it will also help you build valuable home equity and maintain stable monthly payments (goodbye surprise rent increases).

2. Your Family is Growing

Perhaps you’ve met that special someone. Or maybe you and your partner are planning on expanding your home to include children, pets or ageing family members. A larger property will allow you to make room for your flourishing family.

3. The Kids Have Flown the Coop

On the…

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Home Energy Saving Tips that Won't Leave You Shivering or Sweating

If you want to reduce your home energy costs, the easiest way is to turn the thermostat up or down. In fact, you probably won't notice a difference of 2 degrees either way... and the savings can be substantial.

However, if you want to lower your bill even further each month, here are some additional tips that are relatively easy to implement.

•        Plug or fix the drafts. Even in newer homes, air filtration can occur at windows and doors. So, check around your home for drafts. Windy or cold days are the best days to check. Then, get any drafts you find repaired or, at least, temporarily plugged. 

•        Check the attic. Heat rises and can escape through the attic. So, once a year, check the attic insulation for thin…

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Need to Sell Quickly? Here's What to Do

There are many reasons why you might suddenly need to sell your home. It could be an unexpected work relocation, a change in family circumstances, or simply a desire to move. 

Whatever the reason, selling quickly requires some fast action on your part. But that doesn't mean you need to get into panic mode. You can list and sell your property, quickly while still enjoying the process!

The first thing you need to do is figure out how to make your home show its best. In addition to cleaning and de-cluttering, that might include getting any needed repairs done, sprucing up the place by painting and perhaps even doing some minor improvements.

How much you need to "stage" your property depends on many factors, including what conditions are…

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6 Great Reasons to Choose a REALTOR®

Are you thinking about buying or selling a home in Edmonton? We recommend getting the most out of your real estate experience with the help of an expert Edmonton REALTOR®.

What is a REALTOR®?

Not every agent carries the REALTOR® designation. Unlike regular licensed professionals or brokers, REALTORS® are formal members of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) of which they are expected to:

• Uphold the REALTOR® code by maintaining a guaranteed level of professionalism and quality service  
• Remain up to date with the latest market information and other real estate developments (market trends, conditions, comparable prices, etc.).
• Undergo regular training, workshops and professional development to maintain the highest level of…

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Fire Safety Checks You Should Do At Least Once a Year

Chances are, you know that you should change the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once a year — even if you suspect the batteries are still good.

But that isn't the only fire safety check you should do annually. Here are some other recommended tips to help keep you and your family safe.

• Clean your stove burners and oven regularly. Hard grease build-up can become combustible.
• Check your cupboard for cleaning products, paints and other liquids that are flammable. Read each label carefully. Use and store each product only as recommended.
• If you keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen — and you should — confirm that it is still good. Extinguishers are like food. They have expiry dates!
• Go over your fire escape plan with…

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Is the Psychology of Change Holding You Back?

Why is making a big change in life often so difficult?

According to psychologists, maintaining the "status quo" is one of the most powerful motivations we have. If things are "okay", even making a change for the better can be difficult. Our brains resist.

You may have experienced this if you’ve thought about selling your current property and finding your next dream home. Your house may be "good enough" for you now and the neighborhood might be "okay" too. So, even if your dream is to get into a better home that's more suited to your family and lifestyle, you may be hesitant.

That's just the way the psychology works.

One way to get around this psychology is to get your dream out of your head and on to paper. Write…

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