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Selling

Category : Selling

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 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. 

The “Unlucky” Home Owner – 13 Reasons Why Your Home Is Not Selling

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 19.04.2017

  1. Pricing Too High – You know it is too high, your REALTOR® told you it was too high, but you practice “the law of attraction” so you are convinced it will sell $25,000 above market value. Start out at the right price so you can avoid chasing the market which typically results in a lower selling price, especially in a smaller market.
  2. Shortcuts For Necessary Home Repairs – You may think you have a chance at fooling a potential first-time home buyer but shoddy repairs will not fool an expert home inspector. Hire a professional for repairs to ensure you are not giving the buyer viable reasons to request a price reduction.
  3. Refusing To Be Inconvenienced – Did you just work a 12 hour night shift? Do you have 6 children to clean up after? Are you extremely hungover? Regardless of the reason, it is important to ensure your home is clean and tidy prior to every showing. Additionally, please vacate the home for every showing!
  4. Disregarding Deadlines – Did you end up listing your family home in October when your REALTOR® advised you to list it 3 months prior to September to appeal to new families coming to the neighborhood for school? The entire process of selling a home is full of deadlines that can make or break a sale so be ready to cater to such timelines.
  5. Lacking/Incorrect Staging – Leaving your worn out sectional in the living room or a table set from the 70’s in the kitchen will only hurt the sale of your home. Cheap furniture will bring a cheap offer.
  6. Improper Lighting – If you leave the blinds drawn and have yet to replace 4 burnt out light bulbs, this may be effecting your home appeal. Most people want to live in a well-lit home.
  7. Too Personal – Do you keep hundreds of family photos or have a life-sized nude sculpture on display? You need to remove anything too personal or offensive and present a neutral palette to potential buyers.
  8. Bad Photography – Are the pictures advertising your home dark lit with a dog running through the house and the toilet seat up? The photos should be taken with minimal distractions, showcasing the homes best features, using correct angles, and retouched in editing.
  9. Stubbornness – Did you refuse an offer that was $2000 lower than your bottom line and the buyer walked away? Did you just buy that brand new freezer that the buyers are requesting to include in the purchase? Maintain flexibility when you enter into negotiations and remember the bigger picture which is getting rid of the first home so you can enjoy a new location!
  10. Sentimentalism – Selling your home can be one of the most emotionally charged tasks you will ever experience. Your home is full of precious memories that you will never get back but when you decide to sell your home you must also decide to let go of any emotional attachment you may have to the house.
  11. The Wrong Representation – Putting a sign on the front lawn does not sell a house. Make sure you talk to your REALTOR® about their sale strategies, social media presence, possible promotions, and how often they will be available to you.
  12. Minimal Online Presence – Nowadays the internet is the first place over 90% of buyer’s go to search for a home. A good REALTOR® will have a strong social media presence on multiple platforms, utilize Search Engine Optimization, and pay for ads.
  13. For Sale By Owner – Unless you want to wear a hat for the next month you probably should not cut your own hair just because you have your own scissors. The same goes for real estate, hire a professional for optimal results. You might be paying $15,000 in commissions but you may also be selling for $30,000 more than you would have without the expertise of a REALTOR®.

How To Support Local Business

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 12.07.2016

The foundation of any successful local business can be attributed to the support it receives from the community. I have never paid for reviews or testimonials, and do not pressure my clients into providing such. However, I stumbled across a letter of recommendation that I was absolutely elated to receive. It was a great form of support and a reminder that hard work does not go unnoticed.

"The Whitecap Development Corporation believes in developing partnerships that bring skill and experience to task for successful projects. In 2015, based on demonstrated professionalism and skill-set, the real estate services of licensed REALTOR® Tanya LaRose were requested for a project. Upon request, Tanya promptly completed a Market Appraisal for the property and discussed effective pricing to maximize value while still attracting potential buyers. In a matter of days, the property was on MLS® and receiving inquiries. As our representation, she created and implemented a marketing strategy specific to the type of location of the property. During the sale process, we received consistent market updates, detailed feedback from each showing, and advice on how to improve showing quality accordingly. The property was initially vacant, but Tanya took the initiative to stage it with furniture to attract more buyers. Two weeks after staging, an offer was received, promptly delivered for decision, and ultimately accepted. Overall, the services provided proved to be calculated and effective. The Whitecap Development Corporation welcomes positive business relationships with entities practicing a high standard of service such as that provided by Tanya LaRose."

To the Whitecap Development Corporation, and all of my other past, present and future clients – THANK YOU.

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Real Estate Etiquette: Seller’s Edition

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 18.05.2016

  1. Be ready to clean – Clean before advertising photos are taken and clean before every showing. Clean everything from window sills to walls and everything in between.
  2. Be ready to tidy – Cluttered rooms appear smaller, smaller spaces offer reduced value. Put away personal items, valuable items, and/or religious items so the home is as generic as possible.
  3. Be ready to do maintenance – Replace your furnace filter, clean the gutters, replace rusted fixtures, and upgrade any other minor esthetic items because if there is a home inspection, these items will be identified and magnified.
  4. Vacate the premises – Leave the house during every showing. It is not mandatory, but it is appreciated by every party. Many potential buyers are not comfortable with touring a home with the home owner looking over their shoulder and will often rush through it unable to envision themselves living in the space.
  5. Tend to the yard – It will be beneficial to tidy up the yard, as curb appeal goes a long way in attracting buyers. Cut the grass, plant some flowers, etc.
  6. Eradicate any odors – Air the home out, use air fresheners, buy an air purifier, it will go a long way in improving showing quality.
  7. Check your ego at the door – Depending on the market, there is a chance you might receive low ball offers. It is important to focus on the goal of selling the house, and not taking offense, because it could be an opportunity for some creative negotiations.
  8. Choose the right representation – The REALTOR® representing your home, is also representing you, and the home itself. Make sure they are readily available for all incoming inquiries.
  9. Pay your due diligence – Leave the home in the same condition you would like to have in your new home. Clean, empty, and free from any new holes in the walls from moving your furniture out.