Ross Marowits, THE CANADIAN PRESS
March 10, 2009
MONTREAL - Bargain basement borrowing costs are prompting many Canadians to opt for fixed home mortgages even though variable products continue to be a money-winning option for the foreseeable future, industry observers say.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce's chief economist says variable rate mortgages should produce the greater benefit for the next two to 2.5 years, but be a wash over five years. "If you're really risk-averse, jump on those fixed-term rates because they're extremely cheap," Benjamin Tal said in an interview.
"Going variable probably will give you good performance for the next two years or so and beyond that, we might see interest rates rising." Inflation could ultimately lead to higher interest rates, but likely not before 2011, he said.
Variable rates remain attractive even though banks last fall eliminated discounts and began charging premiums for those who signed up for them after the Bank of Canada lowered its interest rate. The central bank went even further on Tuesday, cutting its trend-setting overnight rate another a half percentage point to 0.5 per cent. Banks followed by lowering their prime rate to 2.50 per cent.
Bank governor Mark Carney said he now sees recovery coming later than it had projected, possibly in early 2010. And he hinted that instead of further lowering rates, the central bank may consider alternative strategies, including buying back government bonds and other forms of credit from chartered banks.
Homeowners with variable rates, especially those with discounts reaching 90 basis points, should ignore temptations to lock in now, says Vince Gaetano, vice-president of Monstermortgage.ca. The self-professed fan of variable mortgages said they give customers control, which is important in the current economic climate.
Gaetano said homeowners should use this window of low rates to pay down their mortgages as quickly as possible. "The key is if you can pay your mortgage in half by the time your variable rate doubles your interest cost is going to be the same on your balance." He accused banks of scaring mortgage holders last fall to lock in their variable rates by suggesting rates will rise. The deteriorating economy has only caused rates to fall even further.
"There's lots of consumers not happy with their banks right now for bad advice," he said, noting that people who opt for variable mortgages have to be comfortable with fluctuations.

Spring Cleaning at one time involved a complete top to bottom cleaning of every square inch of a home. To complete the process families would often spend an entire week removing, cleaning, and replacing everything in the home to create that spring-fresh feeling. Today's spring cleaning may not be as involved, but there are a few tasks that need to be performed seasonally in your home. Here are the top chores that need to be done this spring.

1. Storing Seasonal Clothing
When warmer spring weather arrives, it's time to pack away sweaters, coats, and other cold weather clothing. Storing seasonal clothing is easy to do safely if you follow a few simple rules. Making sure that the storage containers and areas follow the rules of clean, cool, dark, and dry will keep clothing in good shape for next winter.

2. Check Appliances
We expect our appliances to perform whenever we need them, but sometimes their care can be neglected. Each spring take the time to inspect your major appliances for wear and tear. The coils of the refrigerator should be vacuumed, and the drain pan should be cleaned out. Accumulated lint needs to be cleaned from the dryer vents. Clean out accumulated gunk from your oven and refrigerator. Clean dishwashers, disposals, and washing machines. Heating and cooling units need maintenance as well.

3. Clutter Control
Spring is the perfect time to remove clutter and excess from the home. Try to put clutter into containers to help figure out items that need to be kept, sold, given away, or trashed. If paper clutter is one of your problems, find out how to reduce paper piles around the home.

4. Garage Storage
It may be a little daunting, but chances are your garage could use some attention this spring. Whether you need to organize a garage cleanup day or just need to remove a few items to be used in a garage sale, it makes sense to pay a little attention to your garage this spring. Try some new organizational tools or techniques to store sports equipment, Christmas decorations, or whatever your family hides in your garage space.

5. Outdoor Areas
Spring is a great time to get the outdoors ready for entertaining. Clean the patio and outdoor furniture. Do some basic landscaping repairs on the lawn, shrubbery, and plants. The exterior doors and windows of the home may need some attention. Check for fence and exterior repairs. Lawn maintenance or pest prevention may need to be performed as well. With a little effort this spring, outdoor areas will be ready to entertain throughout the summer.

  

Real Estate Selling Advice to Help You Attract Potential Buyers
A large percentage of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on its curb appeal, the view they see when they drive by or arrive for a showing. You can help make sure they want to come inside your house by spending some time working on the its exterior appearance.
It's difficult to look at our own house in the same way that potential home buyers do, because when we become accustomed to the way something looks and functions, we can't see its faults. Decide right now to stop thinking of the property as a home. It's a house—a commodity you want to sell for the highest dollar possible.


Curb Appeal Exercise
The next time you come home, stop across the street or far enough down the driveway to get a good view of the house and its surroundings.

What is your first impression of the house and yard area?

What are the best exterior features of the house or lot? How can you enhance them?

What are the worst exterior features of the house or lot? How can you minimize or improve them?
Park where a potential buyer would and walk towards the house, looking around you as if it were your first visit. Is the approach clean and tidy? What could you do to make it more attractive?

Take photos of the home's exterior. If you have a digital camera, view the color versions first, then remove the color and look at it in black and white, because it's easier to see problems when color isn't around to affect our senses.

Make a list of the problem areas you discovered. Tackle clean up and repair chores first, then put some time into projects that make the grounds more attractive.


Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway.

Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools.

Clean windows and gutters.

Pressure wash dirty siding and dingy decks.

Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete or bricks.

Mow the lawn. Get rid of weeds.

Rake and dispose of leaves, even if your lot is wooded.

Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the home's roof.

Don't Forget the Rear View
Buyers doing a drive by will try their best to see your back yard. If it's visible from another street or from someone's driveway, include it in your curb appeal efforts.


Evening Curb Appeal
Do your curb appeal exercise again at dusk, because it isn't unusual for potential buyers to drive by houses in the evening.

One quick way to improve evening curb appeal is with lighting:


String low voltage lighting along your driveway, sidewalks, and near important landscaping elements.

Add a decorative street lamp or an attractive light fixture to a front porch.

Make sure lighting that's visible through front doors and windows enhances the home's appearance.

Landscaping Decisions
There are times that adding elements to your landscaping can improve curb appeal, but there are other times when removing something is even more effective.

For example, we had a listing for a large brick house with large white columns. Tall evergreens, planted in front of each column, had grown taller than the roof. They obscured the columns and windows and made it difficult to see the front of the house.

We suggested that the owner remove them. She trimmed them back, but it didn't do the trick—they were unattractive and still kept potential buyers from seeing the true character of the house.

I sold the house to a couple who could see past the trees. One of their first tasks after closing was to yank them out of the ground, instantly boosting the home's curb appeal.

Most buyers cannot visualize changes, and often won't take a second look at a house if the first look doesn't appeal to them. Home buyers who can visualize changes, and are prepared to make them, expect you to reduce the price of the house to compensate for the work they plan to do.


A Few Curb Appeal Tips

If you can budget it, a fresh paint job does wonders for a dingy house. Drive around your town to find color schemes that are appealing.

Install a more attractive front door, maybe something with leaded glass inserts.

If you can't justify the cost of a new door, consider replacing plain doorknob hardware with something more attractive.

If new hardware is beyond your budget, repaint or stain the door and polish the hardware?
If you brainstorm, you'll find that there's a solution to most problems—one that lets you stay within your budget. The trick is to find the areas where improvements are needed, then work on them as best you can.

When buyers knock ...
When you list your home for sale, a potential buyer's first impressions are indelible. No matter how lovely your home may be behind the front door, a buyer will be turned off by crumbling steps, a doorbell that doesn't work, creaky hinges or chipping paint.

So when you're selling, give special attention to your home's front entry. Polish the door knocker until it gleams, scrub all traces of moss or mildew from the brick steps, touch up any peeling paint. Always remember that expectations are highest and perceptions sharpest as buyers wait to enter your home.

A spot of colourCreate a welcoming spot of colour. When the prospective buyers pull up in front of your home, there should be something special that beckons them toward your front door, something that sets your home apart. You can accomplish this with a tub of geraniums or in winter by painting a child's old sled a bright colour and propping it by the front door.

Perhaps the easiest way to add colour to the entrance is to paint the front door itself - something you should do in any case. Invest in a new door mat. You'd be surprised how few sellers make this simple purchase. An old, worn or dirty doormat gives buyers a poor first impression while a bright new "welcome" sets an inviting tone. Avoid mats that proclaim things like 'The Browns Welcome you'. Buyers are to imagine that the house is theirs, not yours.

Let the light shineOpen your home to the outside world. As buyers stroll up the walk you want them to have positive feelings about your home. If the curtains are drawn and the door is bolted, it will seem like a forbidding fortress. Buyers will sub-consciously think 'what are they trying to hide

If on the other hand, the curtains are open, the windows sparkling clean and the front door open in warm weather, your home will radiate a welcoming spirit and pique the buyers interest. There's nothing more intriguing than the peek buyers get into your home while waiting to come in.

Understand what you're selling. You're not selling a house, you're selling a home. Far more than four walls and a roof, a home is a personal shelter, a haven from the pressures of the outside world, and a warm, inviting setting for family living. Although a home is the biggest purchase most couples ever make, the decision to buy is never purely rational.

Buyers fall in lovePeople buy more with their hearts than with their heads. Beyond the obvious considerations of location, size, quality and design, buyers look for special qualities that appeal to their emotions. Often they have no idea what these hidden, emotional qualities are that draw them to one house over another. But as a seller, you have to set the scene for a buyer to fall in love with your home.

Believe it or not, many a house has sold quickly because of a spectacular lilac bush, a cozy window seat tucked under the eaves, or a kitchen bay window filled with potted herbs.

Great expectationsPut yourself in the buyers shoes. They arrive at your front door wanting to fall in love with your home. They are eager and filled with happy expectations. If you don't satisfy these feelings, they will beat a hasty retreat with a tight smile and a "thank you very much".

If you set the stage correctly, every area of your property will greet prospective buyers with a welcome surprise.

November 25, 2005 in Selling Toronto Real Estate

Here are 15 things you can do to improve the odds that your Home will stand out among the sea of new listings flooding the real estate market.

1) Wash windows inside and out. Polish all mirrors, Sparkle is free, and sparkle sells homes. A potential buyer may not realize why your home seems so inviting but will feel drawn to it if the windows are spotless and your mirrors reflect sunlight. Cleaning is the first step in preparing homes for sale.


2) Rake the yard / trim back bushes ---   Clean out dead leaves and debris in your lawn. Don't let overgrown vegetation block the windows or path to the entrance. Cutting bushes and tree limbs will let the sun inside and showcase the exterior of your home.

3) Mow diagonally and edge lawn along driveway / sidewalks --Artfully manicured lawns are edged and tell buyers you pay attention to small details. Diagonally mowed lawns make your yard appear larger.

4) Transplant tulips and daffodils or buy flowers in containers -Yellow flowers stimulate buying urges. After a long winter, everybody is anxious to see the first signs of spring. Yellow tulips and daffodils induce feelings of happiness and contentment. Arrange containers in groups of three or five near the entrance.

5) Clean drapes, curtains & blinds and open every window --- Send your window coverings to the dry cleaners or wash, dry and press. Toss blinds into a soapy bathtub for a quick wash. Get rid of all accumulated dust and spider webs. Crisp linens and a spring-time breeze through the windows invites the season inside.

6)Set out fresh-smelling flowers such as just-clipped lilacs branches or peonies ---  Why not flatter your neighbors and ask if you can borrow flowers from their yards? Natural scents are more appealing than artificial and trigger fewer allergies among those susceptible. Peony vases are designed to hold peonies upright, but wash the flowers first to avoid carrying ants inside. Clever home staging brings color and fragrance indoors.

7) Polish floors to a high gloss ---  Your hardwood floors should be refinished, if necessary. Make your ceramic and linoleum floors twinkle and shine. Bleach dull grout. Thoroughly clean all area rugs.

8) Utilize towels, throws, pillows in light colors - yellows, pinks, pale blues, lavenders ---  Even if it means replacing items, towels, linens, throws and sofa pillows are inexpensive accents you can buy. In soft spring colors, they will light up a room. Layer towels on bathroom towel racks and place rolled wash cloths on the counters in a fashionable pyramid.

9) Offer an outside mat for cleaning shoes & put umbrella stand at entrance ---  No matter where you live, spring weather is often unpredictable. In some states, it can be 72 degrees one day and snowing the next. If it's raining, give buyers a place to stash umbrellas and wipe their feet before entering your home. Some sellers lay down plastic runners across floors for protection, but that tends to ruin the effect of a glittering polish job.

10) Buy brightly colored helium balloons ---  Stationery and party-supply stores sell helium balloons for about a dollar each. So, there's no reason not to pick up a couple dozen balloons to tie to your open house signs. Balloons build excitement and will get your home noticed by home shoppers.

11) Set out four-color flyers & financing options ----  
Don't skimp on your marketing materials. You want home buyers to select your flyer among the dozens they pick up. Color sells better than black and white. Show home buyers how easily they can afford to buy your home by giving them two or three financing options. The first thing on buyer's minds when considering a home purchase is the monthly house payment. Don't make them guess.

12) Use a color photo for display advertising ----
Spend a little more on newspaper and online advertising by including a color photograph in your ad. Remember: a picture is worth a 1,000 words.  Look through your photo galleries for a seasonal photograph that flaunts your home to its best advantage.

13) Mail four-color postcards with UV coating ----  
Call a local title company to obtain a free direct-mail list of your surrounding neighbors. Print four-color oversized postcards and include a UV coating to give the marketing oomph.  Use first-class postage.

14) Fill sink with ice to chill bottled water for guests ----  
Put a couple dozen bottles of water in a sink of ice for buyers. You can also tape labels to the bottles, printed from your computer, with your phone number, a photograph and address of your home.

15) Set out treats, individually wrapped in cellophane & tied w/ribbon ----
Touring homes makes buyers hungry. Give them a snack. It will give buyers an opportunity to linger in your kitchen and marvel at its elegant appointments, which might otherwise be overlooked

Tip: *When getting ready to sell your home, one of the best things you can do is to get a complete heating and cooling evaluation by a professional.  The ideal scenario is to have records of the history for the heating and cooling system.  Being able to provide up to date information about your mechanical system will help to eliminate surprises from this house component and feel more confident about the condition of your home.



  

    




  

There are many television shows today that focus on home staging. If you have not watched any, do yourself a favor and tune in. They all say the same thing: do not even consider putting your house on the market until you have taken a close look at its condition. Experienced agents know that you only have one shot at impressing potential buyers, so take some time to prepare your home for showings. You will be rewarded with a faster sale and a higher offer.

Start with the Basics

Everything from floors to windows must be spotless. Remember to clean the oven and other major appliances.
Skylights should be crystal-clear, too.
Kill the offensive odors. They're the first thing buyers notice, and often a permanent turnoff.
Eliminate clutter.
Put away small kitchen appliances and other items that are sitting on countertops and tables.
Remove photographs from table-tops.
Organize the closets.

Outside Tasks

Clean the drain gutters. Buyers almost always comment if gutters are full of leaves and it makes them question other maintenance issues.
Store or organize items that make the yard look messy.
Make your front entry inviting. Decorate it, paint the door or buy a new door. It's the first look at your house, so make it a good one.

Tips for Vacant Homes
Vacant homes often greet agents and home buyers with a blast of stale or mildew-laden air. As soon as buyers smell mildew, they are out the door. Deal with the mildew before you list the house.

Have you ever noticed that during colder months the interior of a house without heat always feels colder than it is outside? Leaving the heat or air conditioning running while a home is on the market reduces odors and makes the house more inviting. Keep the lawn and landscaping tidy, even if you have to hire someone to do it.

Don't Take it Personally
The first step is to separate yourself from any personal feelings you may have about your home. It's not your home now; it's a commodity you intend to market. As the seller, you must trust your own instincts. Try to evaluate your house as if you are seeing it for the first time.

If you were a home buyer, what would you think about the house?

What changes would make immediate improvements?

What are the home's best features and how can you show them off?

How about a look that says "comfort" or a popular decorating theme, such as the vintage, casual look of Shabby Chic.

Create a Mood
Is there a mood that you’d like to create? If you're near water, how about breezy fabrics and blue-green colors that remind us of the beach? If you're in the mountains, perhaps you could go rustic. Study the house, brainstorm, and speak to your friends or family members about possible ideas.

Pack It Up
Pack away most of your family photos. Buyers should be able to imagine their own possessions in the home. When home buyers start deciding how their furniture will fit into your rooms, you're on your way to a contract.
Pack up the bulk of large, personal collections, so that buyers don't get so distracted by them that they forget to look at the house.

Make It More Spacious
Remove excess furniture to make rooms appear more spacious.

Clean and organize the closets.

Store boxes in an out of the way location or rent a temporary storage unit so you can de-clutter every part of the house.

Expose Desirable Features
Remove rugs if they’re covering up nice hardwood floors.

Remove heavy drapes that keep out natural light, especially if there's a great view out the windows.

Add Some Life
Living (not artificial) plants go hand-in-hand with nearly any home staging theme.

Freshen Up
How about a coat of fresh paint? Are walls in the house dingy? Are the colours dated? Should you clean curtains or other window ornaments?

Create a Mood
Bake bread during showings, or place a fresh loaf in a basket on the counter to create a warm and homey atmosphere.

Classical music playing softly in the background is nice, but choose something that enhances the mood you are trying to create. For example, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, locals and out of town buyers react positively to Appalachian folk music playing softly in the background.


Essential Curb Appeal
In addition to keeping the lawn nicely trimmed, there are other elements you can add to grab a buyer's attention before they walk in the door:


Use outdoor lighting. It does wonders in the evenings when many homebuyers do drive-bys of properties.
Buy an attractive doorknob set.
Sweep the driveway; pressure wash the house or sidewalks if necessary.
Enhance landscaping.

A great overall impression is often enough to make a buyer more lenient about minor repairs that may be required. You want them to fall in love with the house as soon as they see it from the street.

Occasionally, one can see "For Sale By Owner" signs, and some owners think that selling their own property will not only save them money, but believe they have an advantage over the sellers that have their home listed by a reputable Real Estate sales professional. Before you decide to take on this very important and legally complicated process…remember not even most Real Estate Lawyer's recommend selling your own home yourself in today's market. Here are a few of the reasons why:

1. You are limiting your exposure to potential buyers (less than 10% of what a good real estate broker will generate) which theoretically means your home will take ten to fifteen times longer to sell on the market.

2. The longer a home is on the market the lower the selling price is. Why? Because most buyers think that if the home has not sold after this long... there must be something wrong with the home.

3. The selling/buying process begins AFTER the buyer leaves your home. Most sellers think that all it takes is for someone to see their home, fall in love with the great decor... and the offer automatically will follow. Remember that the buying process begins after they leave your home. If a real estate sales representative does not represent the buyer, and they are looking on their own…they usually leave the home and start to talk themselves out of the buying process. Real estate professionals are trained on how to overcome buyers remorse--a very common occurrence.

4. Because of the limited exposure you will very likely end up with a lower selling price. Remember, in order to generate the highest price possible for your home… selling means exposure. You need the maximum exposure possible, to generate the highest price possible.

5. Most buyers find it extremely awkward to negotiate or even to talk directly with sellers and therefore avoid FSBO properties.

6. Lack of negotiating experience and lack of pertinent information often will result in a lower selling price, or worse yet, a bungled contract and possible lawsuits.

7. The majority of qualified buyers are working with experienced real estate professionals.

8. Many serious buyers will pass by a FSBO home merely because they recognize that it is not in the real estate mainstream, this can some times make them wary.

9. As most local buyers now retain an experienced real estate sales person to represent them as their buyer-agency, you will probably be negotiating against an experienced professional.

10. Expected savings in broker's fees will also be greatly reduced if you offer a selling commission to entice real estate sales representatives to bring potential buyers.

11. If you are planning to use a Lawyer to help you negotiate the offer, then your lawyer's fees will be considerably higher.

12. Only real estate sales representatives have access to the up-to-date market information. News reports cannot approach the timeliness or specificity available to real estate sales people. Further, real estate sales representatives are involved in home sales much more frequently than the average homeowner is. This familiarity leads to a degree of expertise that provides an edge on negotiating and successful selling.

13. You only pay the commission to the real estate broker, if they successfully sell your home at the price you are happy with.

14. Accepting an offer is one thing, ensuring a safe and successful closing is quite another. Real estate transactions usually always have problems on closing. At times, expecting the Buyers and Sellers Lawyer's to fight it out or resolve the problems, can sometimes mean the deal is lost. This is the time that your experienced real estate professional, can be the most important. Your Real Estate professional can act as a great mediator. Lawyers MUST act only on their client's instructions and are not paid to negotiate.

8 Weeks before you move you should....

Obtain a floor plan of your new residence.
Begin an inventory of all household goods. Divide this inventory into three separate categories: items to be handled by the mover, items to be handled by yourself, and items to be left behind.
Solicit estimates from several moving companies.
Contact your insurance agent, and ask them about your homeowners policy to determine whether your possessions are covered when moving. Also have them transfer property, fire, auto, medical and other insurance. Inquire about changes that you may occur in your insurance when moving.
Establish a 'move file' for all moving papers and receipts. Check with Revenue Canada about tax deductions on moving expenses.
Arrange to transfer child(ren)'s school records.
Choose a mover. Discuss costs, packing, timing, and insurance.




6 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE


Begin search for good health-care professionals in your new location.
Fill out post-office change of address cards.
Send your new address to anyone that might need it -- insurance agents, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives, etc.
Contact any clubs or organizations you are associated with for information on transferring, or ending your membership.
Clean out closets and dispose of all items that you will not be taking with you.
Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities. Arrange for disposal of items not sold or donated.
Start becoming acclimated to your new community. Familiarize yourself with your new shopping districts, hardware store, location of hospital, police and fire department. Buy a map. Collect information about the community, parks and recreation, and community activities/events.
Start including your children in the process. Make it exciting and fun for them. Let them do some of their own packing and labeling.
Register your children in their new schools.




4 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE


For self moves, reserve a truck or trailer. Obtain necessary moving supplies: boxes, twine, labels, etc.
Start packing!!
If your mover is doing the packing, arrange for it to be done one or two days before loading begins.
Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair or cleaning as needed.
Begin to use up overstocks of staple foods.
If no longer required, cancel local deliveries.
Gather valuable personal papers that you may need at your destination location, including medical and dental records, school records, birth certificates, etc. Be sure to include prescriptions, eyeglass specifications and vaccination records.
Some items, like stock certificates, wills, jewelry, pictures, and other one-of-a-kind possessions should not be packed. Instead plan to carry them with you. Make sure they don't get mixed up with other items that are packed.
If you have pets, determine if there are any specific requirements for pet ownership in your new home/building. Obtain and transfer veterinarian records.
If you are moving over a long distance, make travel plans and arrange any motel or other reservations.
If necessary, reserve apartment elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates.
Contact your moving company to schedule your move date. It is easier to make a change now than to reschedule at the last minute. Check with mover about moving house plants. (Some movers will not move plants.)




3 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE


Arrange to have utilities (gas, electric, phone, cable, water, etc.) disconnected in your present home, and connected at your new home. Make sure to arrange connecting in your new home before you move in; arrange disconnecting from your present home after your scheduled move-out.
Ready car registration for transfer.
Notify Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address.
Arrange for child care on moving day. Keep your children occupied and preferably out of the way during the busy loading and unloading process.
Arrange forwarding of your addressed mail to your new home. When submitting your request at your local Post Office, present two pieces of acceptable identification (photo ID).




2 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE


Dispose of all items too dangerous to move, including flammable liquids.
Drain all the oil and gasoline from your lawn mower and power tools to ensure safe transportation. Refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions.
If necessary, have your automobile serviced and ready for the trip.
Return library books and anything else you have borrowed. Collect all items that are being cleaned, stored, or repaired.
Clean and clear your house, including closets, basements, attics, and garage.
Plan meals that will use up the food left in your freezer.




1 WEEK BEFORE YOU MOVE


Transfer all bank accounts.
Withdraw items and close safety deposit boxes.
Buy traveler's checks.
Make arrangements to pay for your move.
Cancel newspaper delivery.
Have enough medication to last at least two weeks. Have prescriptions forwarded to a pharmacy at your new destination.
Your moving company should have provided you with various labels for your goods. Take special care to label appropriately ("DO NOT LOAD", "LOAD FIRST", "LOAD LAST", "FRAGILE", etcetera.




2 DAYS BEFORE YOU MOVE


Have mover pack your goods (unless doing it yourself).
Defrost and dry refrigerators and freezers to be moved.
Make sure you have set aside valuable items to carry with you, including jewelry, vital documents, and money.
Prepare a "Trip Kit" for moving day. This kit can contain items such as snacks, beverages and games for the kids to keep them occupied during the move. If you are stopping overnight, do not forget items such as toothbrushes and other essentials.




MOVING DAY


Be on hand to answer questions and give directions to movers and stay until they are finished.
Accompany driver for inventory of your household goods.
Complete information on bill of lading and carefully read the document before you sign it.
Make sure you have your copies of the bill of lading and inventory.
Keep the bill of lading until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and any claims are settled.
Before the van leaves, take one final look through the house to make certain nothing has been left behind.
Give the driver directions to your new home.
Notify the driver and the van line where you can be reached during the move.




DELIVERY DAY


Be on hand to answer any questions and give directions.
You must pay the driver before your goods can be unloaded, if so arranged.
Supervise unloading and unpacking.
Put signs on doors of rooms ("ROOM #1", "ROOM #2) corresponding with labels on boxes.
Check carefully for any damaged or missing items.
Note on the inventory any damaged boxes or obvious damage to unboxed items before you sign anything.

The Price is Righteous
Setting an equitable yet compelling price is key to a successful sale. But its tough. Buyers are usually well informed about recent events in the marketplace. They select homes by comparison shopping and are keenly aware of subtle differences in features and value. In their eyes, your price must be justified in comparison to other available homes.

Obtaining the best return for your property requires competitive pricing from day-one. A home should be priced according to objective market data comparisons.

There are a number of factors that influence the value of your property:

Prior Sales
Location
Condition
Financing
Improvements
Market Conditions
Competitive Market Analysis
Taking these factors into account, we will prepare a competitive market analysis to reflect the current market value of your property. It includes an examination of your property as well as a study of competitive properties currently on the market and those that have recently sold. This information helps you to properly position your property.

No Realtor can control market value.
The selection of a listing agent should be based on their services, fees, experience and reputation, not on their estimate of market value. It is the 'invisible hand' of the market that determines the sale price you will ultimately achieve.

Competitive Pricing vs. Overpricing
First impressions are lasting. A house realistically priced and properly presented from day-one offers the best opportunity for you to sell quickly and obtain the best price.

Qualified buyers and their agents have been looking in your area and waiting for a suitable house at an appropriate price to come on the market. If reasonably priced, it is possible your property will sell quickly to waiting buyers.

Competitively priced properties encourage reasonable offers, pleasant negotiations and a smooth closing.

Overpricing costs in terms of money, disappointment, and missed opportunities. If the price is too high, buyers may not even look at an otherwise attractive property.

An overpriced property can go stale after the important first few weeks when the home is new on the market and getting the most exposure. Then, when the price is adjusted at a later time, the house is often overlooked.

If you were able to arrange a sale for substantially more than comparable properties it may fail to close through difficulty securing an appraisal and mortgage financing.

The Paradox of Price:
When the 'price is right' buyers get involved quickly and sellers gain a competitive advantage. Use the paradox of price to your benefit. If you have the will to set a compelling price, the reaction of the marketplace will amaze you.

February 19, 2006 in Selling Toronto Real Estate

Even on the dullest winter day, colour fills our lives. Look around and you'll see a thousand shades of greens and browns, violets, greys, golds and blues. Colour is also part of our language. Few of us will dispute that it affects our moods and how we feel -- red with anger, green with envy, yellow with fear.

     For these reasons, colour is also the decorator's most powerful tool. No other design has the quick impact or dramatic effect of colour. If you want to add appeal and value to your home, there is no faster and often cheaper way than by using colour.

     Whether it's a quick, relatively inexpensive pick-me-up paint job, new window coverings, complimentary wallpaper borders, new carpets, floors or other interior/exterior home improvements, colour can transform any room, cupboard or furniture item.

     Before getting started, consider what you want to achieve. Do you want to make a room or window look larger or smaller, a ceiling higher or lower? Do you want the atmosphere to be lively or restful? Businesses, especially restaurants, often use colours such as bright, warm orange to enhance appetities. Manufacturers often use red to draw attention to packaging. Hospitals use restful colours like blue green to soothe people.

**SELECTING COLOURS**

     Just as colours in clothing move in and out of fashion, so do colours in interior decoration. The past decade saw a swing back to bright, dark colours, including very popular greens and reds that reminded us of rich spices. It's any one's guess what the next trend with be, but the neutral classics will always remain.

     Choosing colour combinations for your home isn't that easy. It requires commitment. Whatever you do, you may have to live with it for a while. Also, if you have plans to sell your home, you want to consider colours that will also appeal to prospective buyers. When people view a home, they like to imagine how their own belongings will look in it. Purple walls or furnishings in your home may make it difficult.

     Colours also look different in combination with other colours and in different types of lighting. A red may appear cold under a fluorescent light, but much warmer in a room with lots of natural light. A deep blue may look brighter and intense in a well-lit area, but cold and gloomy in a dark room. Beige may seem dull and boring, but add a little yellow, green or orange and it comes alive.

     The amount of colour also affects how you see it. An all-red interior is too stimulating for most homes. Red is best used as an accent to add drama and intrigue. But beware of high-contrast situations. Used in larger areas of white or green, for example, red can also be trying to the eyes.

     Colours affect our emotions and perceptions. Red has been known to sen the heart-rate up. Orange and peach are associated with comfort and security. Purple, through its associated with religion, is often associated with mourning. Research suggests that blue not only has a calming affect on people, but may actually lower blood pressure. It is associated with purity and cleanliness and is at the top of the popularity chart for most adults. Green is considered the most peaceful colour.

**SOME DECORATING TRICKS**

     * Warm colours like reds, pinks, yellows and oranges will generally make a room feel warmer, smaller and friendlier.

     * Cool colours like greens and blues create a cooling, calming affect. They seem to push back the walls of a room and make small spaces appear bigger.

     * Light, cool colours can make a small room look larger and brighter.

     * Dark, warm colours can turn a larger, cold room into something more inviting.

     * Neutral shades make a room more flexible for any type of furniture.

     * Raise a ceiling by painting it a lighter colour than the walls; lower it by painting it a darker colour, or by adding a darker border where the wall meets the ceiling.

     * Shorten a long hallway by painting the end walls a darker, warmer colour.

     * Use colour on furnishings to add brightness and drama. Pastel furnishings look smaller in a room, white deep, bright furnishings look bigger.

     * Camouflage eyesores, such as old radiators, by painting them the same colour as the walls.

     * Try to have a natural, complimentary flow of colour from one room to another.

What is the MLS System?
Anyone who has even a passing interest in the real estate market has seen or heard the term 'MLS®.' But few consumers know exactly what MLS® is, or understand the important role it plays in the real estate industry.

The MLS® system, also known as the Multiple Listing Service® is a complex information-sharing and cooperative marketing network created by REALTORS® several decades ago to help the public buy and sell homes. While it is computer based today, it began as an exchange of paper listing information and photographs.

The Multiple Listing Service® or MLS® is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the local real estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate, and is much more than a database of property information. It is the local real estate Board that actually administers and operates the local MLS® system. The Canadian Real Estate Association owns the trademark, and licences its use to Boards and Associations across Canada.

The MLS® service makes the real estate industry unique by encouraging a high degree of cooperation among salespeople. For example, if you're shopping for a car and you visit a local dealer, the salesperson's goal is to sell you a car from that car lot. They won't provide you with information on cars available at other competing dealerships. In the real estate industry, the opposite is true. The MLS® service allows for cooperation between all REALTORS® no matter which company they work for.

If you are selling a property, listing with a REALTOR® who uses the MLS® service means your property gets maximum marketing exposure to all other members of the local Board. You'll have REALTORS® everywhere trying to find a buyer for your property. It is the MLS® computer system that will provide other members of the real estate Board with detailed information about your property.

If you are buying a property, the MLS® system is a valuable research tool for your REALTOR®. They'll input the criteria you want and generate a list of all properties that meet your needs. These homes might be listed by other REALTORS® from five or ten other companies - to your REALTOR®, it doesn't matter. Their goal is to help you find the property you want. The MLS® system supplements the in-depth knowledge the REALTOR® has of the neighbourhood and current market conditions to help you make a wise buying decision.

The MLS® system provides REALTORS® with access to much more detailed information than you'll find on a web site. MLS® information will include room-by-room measurements and specifics on the property condition, renovations, property zoning and rental rates. Through the system, REALTORS® can also access the sales history of a home in order to see how many times it has changed hands and at what prices.

February 22, 2006 in Buying Toronto Real Estate

Spring cleaning doesn't have to be such a chore, especially when you get motivated by knowing that the following spring cleaning activities will help to keep your kids safe.

Medicine Cabinet
Your medicine cabinet is not meant to be a storage area for all of the medicines that your child has ever been prescribed. For whatever reason, parents do seem to end up having left-over or half used prescriptions in their medicine cabinet though. Spring cleaning is a good time to get rid of them and any expired over-the-counter medicines that you may have.

Smoke & CO Detectors
If you didn't replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at the start or end of daylight saving time, now is a good time to do it.  It is also a good time to test your smoke alarms and CO detectors, although you should be doing that each and every month.

*You can also this time as a reminder to review and rehearse your family's fire escape plan.

Broken Toys
Many parents use spring cleaning as an excuse to go through and get rid of toys that their kids no longer play with, but you can also use it as a time that you check the toys that they do still play with and get rid of those that are broken and can't be repaired. When considering toy safety, you should be especially watchful for:

splinters or sharp edges on wooden toys
weak or loose parts that could fall off and become a choking hazard
broken pieces
leaking batteries
loose screws and bolts, especially on things like playground equipment and ride on toys (bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc.)
loose or exposed wires in electrical toys
Childproofing
Even if your home is well childproofed, with latches on cabinets, gates on stairs, and covers on door knobs, you do have to regularly inspect them to make sure they are still working properly. Cabinet and drawer latches and locks are especially prone to wear and tear, which may allow your child to get in them and to any unsafe items you have stored in them.

Recalls
You should always be watching for reports and alerts about recalled products, but if you don't, spring cleaning time is a good time to check and see if any toys or household products in your home have been recalled.

Car Seats
Checking your child's car seat to make sure it still fits and is installed properly is another thing that you should be doing much more often than when you are doing your spring cleaning, but it is a good time to think about it all the same. Is your child ready to move up to a booster seat? Is he ready to move out of a seat and to use regular seat belts?