10 Productive Homeowner Tasks To Do While Staying Home During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.04.2020

Even if you are not planning on selling your home, you always want to protect your investment and keep it in its best condition. Alternatively, if you plan on selling your home this year, take advantage of the added time you are spending in your home and help it look its best for when the time comes to put it on the market. Many of the following tasks can be done with minimal to no supplies. If supplies are needed, they can be delivered to your home. 

1. Deep Clean – Many surfaces build up dust and grime easily over time which could make your home a hotbed for germs. Take this time to remove dust from all edges, disinfect all crevices, and remove all grime buildup on fixtures or doors (vinegar works great on doors!).
2. Replace Batteries – It is always good to ensure the nuts and bolts of your home are running properly. Whether it is on your smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, alarm system, or thermostat, check those batteries! These items would also be identified in a home inspection.
3. Replace Filters – Filters are like the lungs of a home. Check your furnace filter, humidifier filter, range hood filter, and any other filters in your home that might need addressing. You may have to just wash some of those filters but be sure to do your research on which ones cannot be washed. 
4. Check Grout – Tile can often be found in bathrooms and kitchens not only for aesthetics but also functional reasons. You will want to make sure to always repair and clean the grout as it will prolong the life of tiled surfaces and it just looks so much better. 
5. Check Caulking – You will find the bulk of this in any bathrooms and the kitchen too. Run your finger along the caulking and if you find any open spots, strip and replace. Caulking is very inexpensive but a leak could cause hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in replacements. 
6. Tighten Up – After a long winter, doorknobs, railings, and racks may be sitting loose. Take out a screwdriver and tighten things up! The entire house should take 15-30 minutes and prevent a full replacement in the future. 
7. Tape, Mud, And Sand – If you have a few quarter sized dents in your walls that you have been walking by for months, now could be a good time to try your hand at repairing them. Larger sections are not recommended as this project can produce a lot of dust and prompt the need to clean your ducts which is something you would want to avoid right now.
8. Paint – Whether you are painting a discolored room or just to change the vibe in the room, now is a great time to take on this smaller project as there are many non-toxic paint options available. Many people also find painting therapeutic which would be beneficial during these times of uncertainty. 
9. Wash Window Treatments – If you have horizontal blinds, it is worth the time and effort to thoroughly clean the dust off of these. If you have drapes, take them down and wash them, you might be surprised at the original color! 
10. Yard Work – As long as you are still adhering to the physical distancing regulations, feel free to get those yard tools out this spring, just take a break if your neighbor comes out to tackle their yard. Don’t forget your gutters! 

If after this thorough comb-over of your home, you find that it does not suit your needs as much as it once did, contact Tanya LaRose at 306-380-7325. You will receive a free Homeowner’s Counselling Session completed remotely from the comfort of your own home. 

The 7 Most Common Items Needed For Your Mortgage Pre-Approval Appointment

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 02.03.2020

1. Government Issued Photo ID – Ensure it is not expired and has your current address.
2. Proof Of Address – You may need your address history, depending on your current living circumstances.
3. Proof Of Income – T4, pay stubs, child tax, etc.
4. Contact Information For Your Employer – A longstanding employer is always best but your employment history might be required.
5. Proof Of Down Payment – It should reflect the exact amount and where it came from (gifts are allowed as well).
6. Any Outstanding Current Debt – You will need to include all financial obligations and anything that may have damaged/ing your credit.
7. Proof Of Assets – Other real estate, savings, vehicles, investments, etc.

Disclaimer: Mortgage pre-approvals vary from person-to-person and financial institution-to-financial institution so other items may be needed. It is also important to note that you may get a rejection from one mortgage specialist and an approval from another. Call or text Tanya LaRose at 306-380-7325 for a highly-skilled mortgage specialist contact.

7 Ways To Control Your Emotions In Order To Successfully Sell Your Home

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 03.02.2020

Selling your home can be a very emotional time in life. Hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of days spent in your home can inevitably build a complex emotional bond that can be difficult to identify and even more difficult to break. Here are some tips on how to get ahead of your emotions so you can successfully get a sold sign on your lawn:

1. Journal – Buy a $2.00 notebook and dedicate it entirely to your home selling journey. It will allow you to organize your thoughts, reflect upon your progress, and document your successes for the next time you have to sell a home. Not a fan of writing? Start a vlog and post it to YouTube, you may be able to help others facing the same task.
2. Set Your Intentions – Identify the reason you are selling your home and commit to it as a positive experience. Perhaps you have an incredible new job opportunity that requires you to relocate or you are expecting a new baby and need more bedrooms. Setting the intention for selling your home will provide the fuel required to continue with sale of your home regardless of any obstacles that may arise during the interim.
3. Keep Yourself Accountable – If you find yourself feeling discouraged often, with a delayed sale or negative feedback from a showing, confide in your real estate agent and use them as a touchstone for staying on track in achieving your goals.
4. Visualize Your Home As A Stock – Real estate is one of the most popular types of investments in the world, and much like stocks, the value goes up and down. The most successful stock investors buy low and sell high, according to the larger financial situation. Reflect upon your financial situation and remember that sometimes you need to take risks for long-term diversification.
5. Focus Your Emotions On The Next Home – Distract yourself from your emotional ties to the past and embrace the potential in your next home. How can it better accommodate your new life circumstances? What kind of house warming party can you welcome your friends and family with? Where are the nearest walking-trails for you to explore your new neighborhood?
6. Objectify Your Home – Think of your home from the perception of a consumer. For example, a product on a grocery store shelf must be presented nicely, priced correctly, and be in front of the right buyer to get sold. It is easier to not allow hurt feelings to influence a potential sale, if a few buyers pass without being attracted to your home, if you think of it from the perception of a consumer who has a variety of variable needs.
7. Remember Memories Do Not Equal Value – The daughter may have had all of her birthday parties in your kitchen and then went on to get married in your beautifully landscaped backyard but that does not mean the price tag increases by $20,000 more than your neighbour’s house which is almost the exact replica of your home.

4 Major Problems That Can Happen When Your Home Is Not Properly Sealed

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.11.2019

High Energy Bills – The first sign home owners can watch for are unusually high energy bills in the winter. If heat is slipping through doors that have old weather stripping on them, it is only sensible to take the steps for resealing at the doors and any other potential areas that might be losing heat so you can save more money in the long run.

Pest Problem – Regardless if it is an insect issue or something larger like rodents, it is easier to take preventative measures instead of reparative measures. Once the pests have infested the home, it can cost hundreds of dollars to remove them and possibly thousands to repair any damage they may have caused.

Dangerous Radon – Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is present in the vast majority of houses which can be especially dangerous if gas levels are high. It often enters the home through the basement. The best practice is to caulk all cracks in the basement and if there are additional concerns a Home Testing Kit can be purchased for added peace of mind.

Mold Damage – If the humidity in a home is not moderated properly, mold can completely destroy a home. It would be an especially high risk if the home IS properly sealed and the occupants cook and/or shower often without running the fans. Once the mold sets in, it is also a health hazard for the current occupants of the home and a potentially large cost to remediate which would complicate any possible resale.

Five Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying A Home

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.10.2019

#1. What is the cost of using a buying REALTOR®?  It is a common misconception that you save money by not using a buyer's agent. However in residential real estate, the commission is usually paid by the seller regardless if a buyer's agent is involved or not. Therefore you might as well take advantage of the free benefits an experienced real estate professional will bring to the table. Note that there are rare scenarios where a buyer is required to pay their REALTOR® out-of-pocket, but this would have to be fully disclosed and agreed upon in a signed document.

#2. Do you know what kind of buying REALTOR® you would like to work with?  It is important to research REALTORS® before working with one. What kind of credentials do they have? Do they have positive reviews from helping other buyers purchase their homes? What are they able to contribute to your home search process?  Don’t be afraid to ask your potential buying REALTOR® what sets them apart from the others.

#3. What kind business are you supporting by giving your REALTOR® business? In a generation that represents responsible consumerism more than ever, a thorough understanding of your REALTOR® should be mandatory. Do they give back to the community, therefore allowing you to give back through your purchase? Are they known for ethical practices within the real estate industry? Do they have kids which means, in turn, your support is helping with sports teams or college funds? Do they have a giant comic book collection and your support will help them double that collection? It is your responsibility, as a responsible consumer, to support a REALTOR® whose values align with yours.

#4. Can you trusts your REALTOR®? If you’ve done your proper due diligence as a future real estate consumer, you can rest assured that your REALTOR® will carry out their fiduciary duties to the best of their abilities. If your agent is a REALTOR®, and not just a real estate agent, they are bound to a code of ethics. It essentially stipulates that REALTORS® legally owe their client a list of fiduciary duties such as honesty, protecting your best interest and confidentiality. The code of ethics is strictly enforced and discrepancies can lead to serious REALTOR® penalties such as thousands of dollars in fines or lengthy suspensions from practice.

#5. How does your buying REALTOR® protect you? In Saskatchewan, REALTORS® are required to keep full files of all documents in all transactions for seven years. Consequently if you have any questions or lost paperwork for your home for resale or refinancing, which often happens, you can count on that safety net. Secondly, your buying REALTOR® has access to all MLS® data which can protect you from overpaying for a property, which is especially common when purchasing “For Sale By Owners”. REALTORS® are also heavily insured by Errors And Omissions so if for some reason a mistake is made, you could be shielded by this. Lastly, with a skilled REALTOR®, you are protected from being manipulated and/or blind-sighted during negotiations.

The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive Cheat Sheet

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 02.09.2019

All outlined details are accurate as of September 2^nd, 2019:

• Available across Canada starting September 2^nd, 2019 until March 31^st, 2024 -OR- when the 1.25 billion dollars allocated for this program has been depleted.
• “The Incentive” is a Shared Equity Mortgage Loan.
• The Government of Canada will share in the upside and downside of the property value upon repayment.
• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and non-permanent residents may apply.
• The property must be in Canada, available for full-time occupancy, with 1-4 units.
• Applicants must have a total household income less than $120,000 to qualify.
• Your total borrowing limit is up to four times the qualifying limit ($480,000)
• Your down payment + incentive is less than 20% of the property value.
• At least one applicant must be a first-time homebuyer, defined as the following:
• Never purchased a home before
• You recently experienced a breakdown of marriage or common-law
• You have not occupied your “family home” in the last four years
• “The incentive” is a second mortgage on title. There is no principal payment, no interest, and it has a maximum term of 25 years.
• It may be switched to a different financial institution without having to repay “the incentive”.
• No prepayment penalties. Repayment can be made on the sale of the property, at the end of the 25 year term, or at any time through voluntary repayment of the full incentive amount (no partial payments).

If you have additional questions, please contact your trust mortgage expert. For assistance in procuring your home, please contact Tanya LaRose at 306-380-7325 to begin the home buying process.

Pet Etiquette For Home Buyers & Sellers

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 03.06.2019

Buying and selling a home can be difficult for everyone without the added twist of a furry dependent. However homes with pets sell all the time and there is an observed etiquette for such situations. It is well-known that pets are like family members and there are certain things to remember during showings to be respectful.

BUYERS:

1. Close Doors Immediately - If you enter a home, be sure to close the door immediately behind you in case the cat wants to sneak out! You do not want to begin negotiations with telling the home owners that 15 year old "Whiskers" ran away.
2. Do Not Touch The Pets - No tapping on fish tanks, no putting your fingers in the bird cage, and do not even think about going near any kennels.

SELLERS:

1. Down Time In The Kennel - Although you are free to leave your pet "as is" at home, there is no guaranteeing the safety of the pet or potential buyer during the showing. Kenneling is a common option as long as your pet is healthy enough to do so.
2. Remove Pets During Showings - If possible, swing by your home prior to the scheduled showing time and pick up your fur baby. Or maybe they can go to a sitters for the day.
3. Temporarily Relocate - If you have family or friends that are open to keeping your pet while your home is on the market, that would be ideal.
4. Showing Quality - Repair any damage your pet may have caused to flooring, doors, trim, etc. and take steps to remove any odor or stains.

7 Things To Remember About Staging As a Home Owner, Home Buyer, and REALTOR®

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.05.2019

1. Staging Is Like The Lipstick Of A Home - You can show up without it, but you’ll get more attention when you have taken the time to apply it properly. It also means no staging is better than very poor staging.
2. A Home Staged To Sell Is Different Than A Home Staged To Live In - Furniture style and trends take precedent over furniture placement. Nobody will notice if the cutlery is not in order or if a coat rack is not directly next to the door. However everyone will notice if you try to stage a home with pieces of furniture from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s.
3. Psychological Cues - Staging is meant to peak the buyers attention on both a conscious and subconscious level relying on colours, balance, and flow. If the visual makes them feel good, they will associate this feeling with the home.
4. Vacant Homes - Always invest in staging for vacant homes as it is proven to bring more showings and higher offers. It also minimizes the initial appearance of the homes deficiencies.
5. Staging Is Meant To Inspire - When the home is vacant, viewing only a few staged rooms is beneficial because it offers creative inspiration, and scale, while allowing potential buyers space to envision their own furniture.
6. Respect The Staging - If you are in a staged home, it is customary to  avoid sitting on the furniture or walking on the rugs. Think of it as art, it is meant to be admired and not touched.
7. Staging Is Not Magic - No type of furniture will sell a home if it is wildly overpriced, make sure it is priced according to market value.

If you are listing your home, or a home, visit www.upstaginginteriordesigns.com for a free consultation when you mention this blog.

How To Buy Your First Home (April Fool’s Edition)

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.04.2019

1. Look At Your Bank Account – If the current balance is anything but zero, you’re ready to buy.
2. Hire 7 Real Estate Agents To Help You Evaluate Homes – Why? Because 7 is lucky!
3. Compile A List Of Interesting Homes – Be sure to include acreages, condos, fixer uppers, and new builds. No buying strategy? No problem. Looking at 50+ homes is great exercise.
4. Schedule Your Showings – You want to only book your showings directly with the listings agents, never mind the agents who have been putting in several hours helping you evaluate homes.
5. Put In Your Offer – You will want to put in more than one offer, at one time, through several different agents. How else do you expect to increase your odds of getting a home?
6. Back Up Plan – If none of your low ball offers are accepted through an agent, that doesn’t matter. You can do it better yourself! Find a “For Sale By Owner” and get them to give you a lower price by offering to proceed without a home inspection.
7. Save On A Lawyer – Did your 70 year old uncle practice law 20 years ago? Perfect! You can hire him to close the sale on your home for a fraction of the price.

 

• DISCLAIMER: The preceding is entirely fictional and could have disastrous repercussions, please do not follow any of these steps.

How To Keep Showings Hot When Temperatures Are Freezing (Top 5)

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.02.2019

1. Shovel The Driveway – Nothing screams “disinterested homeowner” like mounds of snow and no way to access the home during showings. Shovel the sidewalk, driveway, backyard paths, and any other walkways your yard may have.
2. Call The Locksmith! – Does your deadbolt only unlock if you insert the key 3/4 of the way and jiggle it three times? Get the locksmith on-site ASAP. The last thing you want is a tricky lock to open while the potential buyers are standing outside in -30°C weather with increasing irritation.
3. Micromanage Weather Stripping – Did you replace the weather stripping around the front door in September and it’s already worn down? Replace it again. You want the buyer to feel warmth literally, and metaphorically, as soon as they enter your home.
4. Start The Fire – Does your home have a fireplace? Turn it on for every showing and/or open house. It adds an outstanding visual and an appeal of physical warmth that often gets overlooked in the warmer months.
5. Set The Stage – Truthfully, staging a home is recommended any time of the year but it is absolutely pivotal which is why it still made the list. The visual stimulation of an expertly decorated home triggers a positive experience during a showing. It helps break up the agitation the buyer may be experiencing due to a rapidly rising and dropping body temperature during an afternoon of showings in the winter. Also be sure to keep a neutral, clean, or warm scent throughout the home!

Call or text Tanya LaRose, award-winning REALTOR®, at 306-380-7325 for more helpful tips on how to prepare your home to sell during showings.