Winnipeg's Real Estate Blog

Home Sellers: Not all buyers love pets.

Yes, home sellers love their pets. But many buyers can be afraid of dogs big and small, allergic to cats and turned off by lingering pet odors. It's sometimes difficult explaining to a home seller the importance of taming their pets when marketing a home. Here are some tips to help sellers keep focused on their goal - - selling their home.

What You Should Do:

Have carpets and area rugs cleaned before showing your home to potential buyers. Those allergic to animal dander and hair, even if they can't see your pet, will know when their eyes and nose start to alert them to an allergic reaction. Many will not purchase a home that poses strong allergy problems.

Clean litter boxes daily and replace litter before it's time to show the house. Urine smells permeating from litter boxes are a turn-off to home buyers.

Vacuum pet hair off carpets, rugs and furniture before every showing. No one likes to leave a home tour covered with pet hair.

Brush your pets daily to keep ahead of shedding hair.

Verify that old pet urine mishaps in carpets and under rugs on hardwood floors are gone for good.

Train pets not to jump up on strangers, furniture and countertops. It is distracting for buyers to see cats running in food preparation areas and dogs mauling quality clothing.

Clean up and buy new dog bowls before placing your home on the market. Fresh pet bowls filled with fresh food and water finish off a pristine home.

What You Shouldn't Do:

Leave pets unattended for property showings especially when you know they can be aggressive or territorial around strangers.

Take for granted that you have never seen your pet be aggressive around new people, scents, and noises. They could show a side you've never seen.

Overlook picking up dog droppings in the yard.

Underestimate how a barking dog or overly friendly cats can kill a showing. Be pro-active and take your pets off site for showings. Hire a dog walker to occupy pets if you can't be home.

Forget to groom your animals more regularly when your home is for sale. Dog breath and wet dog hair aren't becoming to buyers, even if they love dogs.

Leave chewed window sills and door frames in that condition. It's hard for buyers to get past this type of property damage. Especially if you have young children in the house.

Consult with your real estate agent if you have uncommon pets such as reptiles, spiders, and talking birds. Believe it or not these can cause more anguish to those not accustomed to being around them. 


Written by Mark Nash

  

This article has been re-published from my Electronic Newsletter titled "Real Estate Update".  For a complete look at my newsletter, go to http://realtytimes.com/c/bokauffmann 

How to choose a Listing Agent for your home!

Home-owners sometimes interview 2 or 3 REALTORS before choosing one to list their home.

This video explains the main criteria by which to choose the REALTOR who is right for you. Hint: "How much is my Home worth", is a valid question, but NOT a great criteria by which to choose your Listing Agent.

Great information for anyone thinking of selling or listing their house or condo in Winnipeg.

Be sure to visit my website at www.WinnipegHomeFinder.com. 

Also, read the blog at www.rivercityrealestateblog.com

Catch me on Twitter at  www.twitter.com/bokauffmann

HomeSeller Question #1: Full-Price Offer

Winnipeg Home Seller asks the question: "If I list with a REALTOR and get a full-price offer, am I obligated to accept that offer?"

This video explains the answer, and is aimed at anyone thinking of selling their home or condo in Winnipeg.

Be sure to visit my website at www.WinnipegHomeFinder.com. 

Also, read the blog at www.rivercityrealestateblog.com

Catch me on Twitter at  www.twitter.com/bokauffmann

Episode 15: Home Improvement Tips and Market Update

In a more level market, homeowners need to compete for buyers. To do so, your home needs to show its best side. Here are some home improvement suggestions which provide the most 'bang for your buck', and help bring top-dollar for your home.

For a look at my website, go to http://www.winnipeghomefinder.com

My monthly newsletter is at http://realtytimes.com/c/bokauffmann

Catch me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bokauffmann

Home Sellers: Improve your home's appeal to stand out from the competition!

After years of hearing from successful sellers that they didn't have to do a thing to sell, they now need to understand how they can stand out from their competition. Here is a handy list to help sellers determine if some features in their home might need some attention.

Test all door and cabinet knobs. Replace mismatched or inexpensive hardware for a quick update. Buyers rarely can get beyond a knob that comes off in their hand as they attempt to use a door.

Take the time to paint walls, trim and ceilings. Keep adjoining rooms in one color palette, which will make your home appear larger. Clean up spills from messy painters. Hire professionals to paint mullions on windows and staircase spindles.

Slipcover mismatched furniture in a room that requires visual unification.

Discover ways to organize day-to-day room needs. Substantial wicker baskets or square stainless steel or brass containers can organize magazines, remote controls and toys. Books provide a good look, but vary them by laying some down and standing some up.

Wallpaper is considered fill-in-the-blank decorating. No two people have the same taste in this instant decorator wannabee. If it's more than three years old, take it down and paint in a neutral color. And wallpaper borders are out.

Simple furniture rearrangement can bring new life to a tired space. Float sofas and coffee tables away from walls for a designer look. Use area rugs to anchor furniture groupings on bare tile and wood floors. Place groupings of candles and clear glass bowls filled with natural potpourri, fresh fruit or glass crystals on side and coffee tables.

Make sure there is balanced lighting in every room for dusk and evening showings. Dimmers help set the right tone.

Polish and wax hardwood floors to brighten and blend an old finish.

Clean every surface until it shimmers and shines. Clean can seal a deal. Don't forget the windows.

Purchase the best quality carpet pad which can make any new carpeting "cushy," and home buyers love cushy. Stay away from shag styles; buyers know it won't be around long in style cycles.

Streamline window fashions. Heavy drapes are in the minority. Think "let the light shine in" when placing blinds and shades. Light and bright can overcome other issues with a home.

Freshen-up closets with closet organizers to maximize storage space and paint a neutral, washable color. Make sure buyers can see the back of all closets and cupboards. Lighting is an often overlooked feature in closets, but buyers will always turn on lights when viewing a closet, big or small. Thinning closets, cabinets, basements, attics and garages will also help your storage spaces look larger. If you can't part with items, rent a storage locker to hold items for decision making later.

Don't forget the basement; dark, dirty and musty basements are a turn-off to buyers. Add extra lighting, paint the floor and vacuum out all the cobwebs. Organize storage areas and take the time to clean the washing machine and dryer. To spruce up the hot water heater and furnace, wipe down with a strong cleaner. Scrub the laundry tub and sweep left-over leaves out of exterior stairs and window wells. Run a dehumidifier to reduce basement moisture.

Take a good look from the street or road at the front of your home. Look for shrubs that are overgrown or dead and remove and replace them with shrubs or plants that are to scaled to your home. Small inexpensive bushes send the wrong message.

Limit yard ornaments to a favored few. Excess ornaments can make yards look busy and buyers might want them included in a purchase contract.

Paint and refresh yard lights, flagpoles, mailboxes, window boxes, fences and trellis. Don't forget the swing set or play equipment.

Replace broken bricks on terraces, cracked concrete patios and steps.

Restore screens on porches and lanai's. Dirty, rusty and ripped screens limit functionality to homebuyers.

Don't leave pets unattended for property showings, especially if you think they could be aggressive or territorial around strangers.

Have carpets and area rugs cleaned before showing your home to potential buyers. Those allergic to animal dander and hair, even if they can't see your pet will know when their eyes and nose start to alert them to an allergic reaction. Many will not purchase a home that poses strong allergy issues.

A barking dog or overly-friendly cats can kill a showing. Be pro-active and take your pets off site for showings. Hire a dog walker to occupy pets if you can't be home. 


Written by Mark Nash

  

This article is republished from my Electronic Newsletter titled "Real Estate Update".  For a complete look at the newsletter, click here:Newsletter

Home-Buyers! How to choose the right Mortgage Lender in Winnipeg.

http://www.WinnipegHomeFinder.com/buying.html Whether you are a first-time buyer, or moving up to a larger home or condo, if you need financing, this video will help you choose the mortgage lender thats right for you!

For Home-Buyers, getting pre-approved is an absolute necessity.  But these days, being pre-approved is only half the battle.  The real benefit comes from being pre-approved by the RIGHT lender.

With dozens of banks, credit unions and mortgage brokers to choose from, how does the home-buyer make his selection?

The answer is: ask a qualified REALTOR to make a referral.  The benefits are many, as this video explains.