Showing a house is a lot like going on a first date: you try to look well groomed even if that's not how you normally look! The old adage about first impressions being the most important is just as true for your home as it is for you. A clean house gives prospective buyers the impression that the whole house is well maintained including the out of sight items such as plumbing or heating. Most sellers know that a tidy home can help their home sell faster but 'clean' is a relative term. What one person finds acceptab... read more

"How long has it been on the market"? This is a question many buyers ask. The thought behind it is often one of two things. Either there's something wrong with the home or the price is too high. Both of these notions may need clarification. Let me deal with the first thought. Consumers need to know that under the closest scrutiny one could argue that there is something "wrong" with every home. The real question here is:- does the price reflect what is being offered? In this case what is "wrong" with a home may be e... read more

Today's good inflation news and weakening economic data suggest that the Bank of Canada will cut its overnight policy rate by another 25 bps on September 4. Additional monetary easing is also likely in October and December, continuing through much of next year, triggering a rebound in housing activity. View this email in your browser More Good News On The Cana... read more

Achieving that perfect display home condition is not really as overwhelming as it sounds. Some sellers use professional "fluffers" to improve their home's appearance and sale price. Talented fluffers are masters of illusion. They have large storehouses of furniture and accessories or rental arrangements with various stores. After evaluating your home, they may decide to swap your old sofa for one that will make buyers take a second look at the room. After the house is sold the loaner sofa goes back to the store. Th... read more

Of course what most of us tout is location, location, location. It is important to understand how price and location fit together. When it comes to selling, the importance of pricing a home is superior to everything else. A simple illustration is to picture a home for sale in the best location you can imagine. Then put a price on it that is too high by market comparison. The result will be that the home may be admired by many but no offers will come since the price is attracting the wrong crowd. To further illustra... read more