How to Discourage Buyers from Buying Your Home

If you have finally come to the decision of listing your home for sale, then of course you’ll want to make the best impression you can make on potential home buyers.

However, just to have a little fun, say you don't want to sell your property. What could you do to discourage those who view your home?

1. Pets. You could have your pets in the home during viewings, running around and being loud. That will of course make it uncomfortable for some buyers – especially those with pet allergies.

2. Family Mementos. You could also leave personal items around, such as family pictures and trophies. This will make it more difficult for a buyer to imagine himself and his family living there. It might even make him feel a bit like an intruder!

3. Clutter. Junk in bedrooms, closets and other areas of the home will make those spaces feel less spacious than they really are, as well as make visitors feel uneasy.

4. Don’t Fix Anything. If you really want to turn off a buyer, then don’t do any minor repairs. A dripping tap, flickering light, dent in the wall, or other maintenance issues are certain to turn a buyer away.

5. Linger. If all of this doesn't turn away a buyer from your home, then stick around during a viewing and follow the buyer and family from room to room. That will certainly make them feel uneasy.

Of course, this is all in good fun. When you put your home on the market, you want to sell it!

It’s easy to avoid all the pitfalls described above and ensure potential buyers appreciate the full value of your home.

So when you’re preparing for a showing, think of ways you can make your property appear its best, and make the buyer feel welcomed and comfortable viewing it. Think of how you would want to see the home as a potential buyer.

Want more ideas on how to sell your home quickly and for the best price? Call today.

Last week, a Spring ice storm whipped through southern Ontario bringing rain and freezing temperatures.  This brought ice build up to 1cm thick in places, icy roads, and downed power lines.  Buses stayed off the roads, programs were cancelled and the power went out.  The power in some places in Caledon was out anywhere from 16-48 hours.  How does one prepare living in the country in a power outage?  Everyone should be prepared.

• First, have  the essentials on hand:  Batteries, flashlights, battery operated candles, water and non-perishable food. If you have a smart phone, get a flashlight app and keep your phone by your bed.
• If you are on a well, fill your bathtub with water before the storm to be prepared.  You can use the toilet, flush it, then fill with water again.  Forgot to fill the bathtub? Try to get rainwater from either a rain barrel or your down spout.  Just be sure to filter out any debris.
• Consider a generator.  There are many options from battery generated to gas powered.  Have an electrician install it.  If you have a battery powered one, have back up batteries.
• Have the hydro number on hand.  Call Ontario hydro shortly after your power goes out to report the outage.
• Turn off all electrical appliances that were on when the power went off, especially heat pumps, air conditioners or electric heat. But leave a light on so you will know when power is restored. Unplug as many major appliances as possible. This will prevent overloading the power line circuits when power is restored.
• Make sure one of the phones in your home is not a cordless phone as these require electricity to charge, but also have a mobile phone for backup and charge it in your vehicle, if necessary.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food should keep for up to 48 hours in a freezer, if the door remains closed. If the outage persists, cover your refrigerator or freezer with a blanket, or make arrangements to store food at another location,
  • Turn off and unplug your computer if you were using it. Buy a surge protector to protect the machine when power comes back on.

Get creative! A BBQ can be a savior when you need a cup of morning coffee, (be sure to have some instant on hand!), or need to bake a pizza.  Or pull out the old camping stove, and go camping in the backyard!

Do you get distracted by all the features you love when you see a new house on the market? It's easy to get distracted by all the bonuses – the wrap-around porch or the spacious finished recreation room with plenty of space for the kids or entertaining. However, you need to make sure that within all that excitement you don’t overlook any expensive maintenance issues or potential hazards that could be just around the corner.

Unfortunately nothing lasts forever. The major components of every home – from the furnace to the roof shingles – need to be replaced eventually. If you are aware of when such maintenance issues are likely to arise, this can help you make a more informed decision about the home you fell in love with.

Here’s what you can do when viewing a property:

Ask for the age of the major components of the home,

• roof shingles - roof shingles may look merely weathered in spots – and you might think they have years of service left – when, in fact, they're due to be replaced in a year.
• furnace,
• air conditioner,
• water heater,
• and appliances.

Also pay close attention to the backyard deck, fencing, flooring, and windows. Do any of those components look aged, worn, and in need of repair or replacement sometime soon?

Finally, don't forget to check the kitchen and bathrooms. Sinks, faucets, bathtubs, showers, and cabinetry have a life-span of about 10-15 years.

Of course, there are things you can't see, such as wiring, plumbing, venting, and other components of a property that may require maintenance soon. That's why it's so important to make any offer to purchase a home conditional on passing an inspection by a qualified home inspector.

Want more ideas on buying the right home for you? Call or email me today. www.liveincaledon.ca

When you are shopping for a new Caledon home, you want to find a great property that has all the features and characteristics you want and dream of – your Bucket List for a home. Like, a large deck surrounded by picturesque unique Caledon landscaping ... a beautiful updated kitchen with gleaming marble countertops... a cozy finished basement with warm fireplace....

You should look for the ideal home. You deserve it! But some home buyers make the mistake of becoming fixated on finding the "perfect" property, and passing too quickly on those homes that don't quite measure up.

Why is that a mistake? Look beyond the home, some of those less-than-perfect properties have the potential of becoming your next dream home.

There are benefits; first of all, a home that is lacking some desirable features, such as a finished basement, will probably cost less in the end. Those savings could be more than enough to cover any needed upgrades or renovations.

If you look at a home in terms of its potential, rather than the features it has now, there will be more desirable properties available on the market for you to consider.

If you are determined to have a large wrap-around deck for entertaining, for example, don't cross off homes that don't have this feature off your list yet. Instead, view these properties with potential:

• Could the backyard be big enough to accommodate a large deck?
• How would a deck look if added to the property?
• How much would such a renovation cost?

One thing is for certain, you want to find a home that has all the features and characteristics you want. If you work with http://www.liveincaledon.ca there is a good chance you'll find a property that has most of them.

Always keep an open mind. Sometimes a "diamond in the rough" can – with an upgrade or renovation – become a home you will treasure for years.

How Much House Can You Afford?

Here are two reasons why it is so important to know how much you can afford to spend on a home:

Firstly, you don't want to buy a beautiful Caledon property and then find out, only after you’ve moved in, that you can't financially maintain it. Maintaining a country property comes with the knowledge of how to maintain a country property. You don't want to have to resell under stressfull circumstance.

Second, you don't want to settle for a country property that's less than ideal, when you really could have afforded the "Caledon Dream Home" you've always wanted.

So how do you figure out how much you can afford to pay for your next home?

The first step is to come and talk to me. I can help you gain a clearer understanding of how much your current home will likely sell for in today's changing market. That amount, together with other financial resources you might have (such as savings), will help determine your down payment.

The next thing we will need to figure out is your mortgage. I can certainly help you find a lender who will take a variety of factors into account – income, credit rating, debts, expected down payment, etc. – to calculate the maximum amount of mortgage for which you can qualify.

For example: with the proceeds of the sale of your home combined with your savings, your expected down payment is $150,000. If the lender authorizes a mortgage of $350,000, then you can afford a $500,000 home.

Of course, that doesn't mean you will need to spend that much. A home that meets your needs in terms of property type, features, and neighbourhood, may in fact cost you less.

I can work with whatever amount you can afford and show you homes on the market that most closely meet your needs.

Start your 2013 off right, contact me to find your country dream home in Caledon!

Preparing your home for winter showings

Everyone can agree, even if the weather is relatively pleasant, your home won’t show as well in the winter as it would in the summer, especially from the outside. Fortunately, there are many ways to make your home look more attractive and appealing to buyers during the cold winter season, especially during the beautiful Caledon winters.

1.) Before a showing of your home to a potential buyer, clear your front walkway. Make sure fence doors and gates open freely and are free of ice build-up. Also, clear off the backyard deck or patio area. You want buyers to be able to explore around your property without any obstructions.

In short, do everything you can to make the experience of walking up to your front door and around your property as pleasant as possible.

2.) Clear away any boots, shoes and other outerwear from the front foyer. You want buyers to focus on your beautiful home, not a cluttered entranceway.

3.) Have mats on both the outside and inside of your main entranceway. This will give buyers – as well as you and your family – a chance to wipe their boots and shoes.

4.) Adjust your thermostat. You want your home to feel warm, cozy and comfortable for potential buyers.

Finally, remember that in the winter, homes show much better during the day. In the evening, it may be too dark to fully appreciate your beautiful Caledon property. Try to co-ordinate with your REALTOR® to schedule viewings during the day whenever possible. If you can, also have pictures of your property available that showcase what it looks like in the summer. That takes planning. So if you're even just casually thinking of the possibility of selling your home, take some good "summer" pictures.

Want more advice on how to sell your home in the winter? Call today.

House Hunting Shopping List

You will want to make the process of shopping for a new home as productive and enjoyable as possible. Besides, you'll be on a quest to find your next dream home. That's why it's important to take the right things with you:

• A camera, so you can take pictures of the features you like in the properties you see.
• A notepad, to take notes.
• Measurements of your largest pieces of furniture you want to move with you, so you can confirm they'll fit in the rooms of properties you like.
• A measuring tape.
• Some energy boosting healthy snacks and beverages, (especially important if you're taking the kids along!).
• A map of the area, so you can check out local parks and other neighbourhood features. *Google map where you are going and catch other attractions on the way or while you are in the area
• Clear driving directions to each of the properties you want to see.
• One of the best ways to shop for a home, and actually enjoy the experience,is to work with a great REALTOR®.

It’s Easy to "Go Green"

Everyone would like to be “greener”, especially living in Caledon, the 2003 co-recipient of “TVO Greenest Town in Ontario” Award.

Although you may not be able to install solar panels on your roof, or implement an in-ground heat recovery system, there are ways to be green. Here is a quick and easy list to be green and stay inexpensive.

Get a recycling bin and learn how to use it. Most jurisdictions have a recycling program. You may be able to get a rebate on your recycling bin or even get it for free. Keep a list of items that can be recycled on your fridge door, so that everyone in the family can participate.

Get a kitchen compost bin. Find out if your jurisdiction has a compost pick-up program. If they do, get a kitchen compost bin. Composting can reduce landfill waste by as much as 32%. You can even build your own composter and use it for your own gardens. Some Town of Caledon Landfills will also deliver compost to you in the Spring for your gardens for a small fee.

Use energy-saving light bulbs. Low energy light bulbs have come a long way in recent years. Their consistent glow and brightness now rival their incandescent counterparts. By replacing regular 40-watt bulbs with energy-saving 8-watt bulbs, you could save nearly 50% of the electricity you used for lighting. Results may vary by brand.

Shop for local produce. Many grocery stores and supermarkets offer produce – fruits, vegetables, – that are grown within a 100 mile radius. The short transportation distance, means significantly less fossil fuel is required to get the produce delivered to your local store. Keep in mind that some non-local produce, such as apples in the off-season, often need to be transported thousands of miles. Find local here in Caledon www.eatlocalcaledon.org

Let nature do the work. As an alternative to air conditioning, open windows and block out the passive heat gain from the sun with curtains. Do the opposite in winter. Strategically using curtains and windows can lower your energy bill by as much as 20%.

Need more ideas or are you inspired to do more?

Recycle Household Batteries: www.ecocaledon.org

Reduce Energy Consumption: www.homeenergyontario.ca

Car Pool: www.carpoolzone.smartcommute.ca

Purchase a water efficiency kit or rain barrel: www.watersmartpeel.ca

Last night, the Village of Inglewood Association voted in 2 new co-chairs to replace the president and vice-president who have lead the group for as long as I can remember.  Roger Crathern told the group a few months ago that he was ready to step down as president, but there didn't seem to be anyone eager to take his place.  When this issue hit the agenda for last night I was afraid we were going to be into a tooth-pulling session.

What a wonderful surprise when it was suggested that Kate & Karen take over as co-chairs - and everyone, including Kate & Karen, agreed that it was a great idea.  So....just as easy as that, we have 2 new co-chairs of VIA.

The reason I am writing about it is that Karen and Kate are part of the young, 30ish generation that have been taking more and more responsibility for creating the kind of community they want their families to live and grow up in, while helping the retiring generation transition out of their long-held roles as the village leaders.

Inglewood is once again alive with young families who have a vision of the community they want to create plus the drive and energy to make it happen.

People like Karen, Kate and Mark brought VIA into the computer-age by starting an Inglewood Village website, a Facebook page, an email list to notify people in the village issues/event and new ideas such as the Outdoor Movie Night.

From what I am hearing, this is only the beginning; their minds are racing with new ideas and there are many people in the background who are happy to help make things happen - young and old alike!

Each village in Caledon has its own personality; Inglewood is a dynamic village that offers homeowners and residents lots of opportunity to come together as friends and neighbours, making Inglewood a very special place to call home.

Caledon has had a long-standing Official Plan that focuses growth in three areas:  Mayfield West, Bolton & Caledon East.  Following is an article in the Caledon Enterprise that talks about growth throughout Caledon.  Click here to read the full article.