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Ideally you should have a week or two available before you list your property in order to stage your home and make it look its best for buyers.


But, what if you listed quickly and within hours of the For Sale sign going up a buyer wants to view your property?


In that scenario, you need to do some quick "staging" to get your home ready. Let's assume your property is already clean and tidy. Here are some other things you can do.


· Open the curtains, even at night. This will make each room seem brighter, more appealing and more spacious.
· Pull out some boxes or storage bins. Put away personal knick-knacks (like that bowling trophy) and other personal items to reduce clutter on shelves and countertops.
· Clear countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms. Put the old toaster oven out-of-sight.
· Make sure lighting throughout the house is bright and comfortable. In darker areas, plug in a lamp.
· Clear away as much as you can in the foyer. Make that space look open, uncluttered and welcoming.
· Move cars out of the driveway. Give the buyer a convenient place to park!
· Make the beds. Fluff pillows on sofas.
· Clear away as many items as possible from the closet floors (such as shoes.)
· Open a window and air out the kitchen, especially if you just finished cooking.
· Make sure your pet is in a crate or, if possible, out for a walk. Not everyone loves pets.


These staging tips take only a few minutes each, but can make a big difference in the impression your home makes on a buyer.


Want more home selling advice? Call today.

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Imagine going to a restaurant with your family for dinner. You're planning on ordering a nice pasta and salad. Your heart is set on it. But, after you go to the trouble of driving there and getting a table, you discover that pasta is not on the menu.


That’s disappointing!


Of course, it’s only a meal. You can go somewhere else next time. But, what if the same scenario played out once you had moved into a new neighbourhood? Imagine you were counting on public transit being in easy walking distance, but discovered the nearest stop is four blocks away. Argh!


That's why it's important to ensure a neighbourhood has the characteristics you want — before you make an offer on a home you like. Think about what you want most in a neighbourhood. Consider work, commuting, schools, playgrounds, noise level, walking and cycling, hobbies, shopping, entertainment, etc.


If there is a neighbourhood feature that is very important to you, check it out for yourself. For example, if easy access to a main highway is desirable for commuting, take the route for a test drive.You can get a lot of information on a neighbourhood through the listed property's description and MLS listing.


Want more in-depth insights into an area you're considering? I have that information. Call today.

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Victoria Real Estate Market’s cool conditions continue


A total of 329 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this January, 23.7 per cent fewer than the 431 properties sold in January 2018 and a 12.3 per cent decrease from December 2018. Sales of condominiums were down 5.9 per cent from January 2018 with 111 units sold but were up from December 2018 by 7.8 per cent. Sales of single family homes were down 29.3 per cent from January 2018 with 152 sold.


“It’s already an interesting year for local real estate. REALTORS® are keeping busy showing homes and writing offers, however actual sales are slower than we would expect in an average January,” says 2019 Victoria Real Estate Board President Cheryl Woolley. “There are many reasons consumers are hesitant to purchase. For instance, changes to mortgage lending rules have decreased the amount of funds buyers can qualify for by up to twenty-five per cent. In turn, some consumers are re-evaluating their expectations and looking at condos and townhomes rather than single family homes; or they are looking at single family homes further outside the core. As well, many buyers appear to be waiting for new inventory to open up, while sellers are watching the market closely to see what their homes are worth and what the spring market may bring.”


There were 2,057 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of January 2019, an increase of 3.5 per cent compared to the month of December and a 38 per cent increase from the 1,491 active listings for sale at the end of January 2018. The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in January 2018 was $840,100. The benchmark value for the same home in January 2019 increased by 0.9 per cent to $847,800, lower than December’s value of $858,600. The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in January 2018 was $471,300, while the benchmark value for the same condominium in January 2019 increased by 6 per cent to $499,700, slightly lower than December's value of $502,400.


“Over the past few years, demand in Greater Victoria has outstripped supply, putting upward pressure on pricing. While many of the new developments proposed for our region are being built for much needed rental and social housing units, it will provide little relief for buyers who are caught in the pinch between tougher lending rules and higher prices,” adds President Woolley. “Moving forward, we anticipate continued interest in our region as people gravitate towards our mild climate, beautiful amenities and the lifestyle Greater Victoria offers.”

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9 Steps to Finding your Next Dream Home

If you're thinking ahead to your next dream home, the road you need to take to get there may seem confusing. Do you search for listings online? Drop by Open Houses on the weekends? Call the number on For Sale signs? Let's break it all down!


Here are the specific steps you need to take to ensure you find a home that fits your wants, needs and budget.


1. Find out how much your current property will likely sell for on today’s market.
2. Arrange for financing, so you know what you can afford.

3. Select neighbourhoods you'd love to live in. (That may involve some fun exploring!)
4. Decide on the type of home you want to buy. (For example: detached, three-bedroom, etc.)
5. Prioritize the property features you want most, so you can be flexible if a feature is missing from a home listed on the market that is otherwise ideal.
6. View properties on the market that closely fit your criteria, particularly new listings that may not yet be posted online. (Tip: Arrange to be immediately notified of new listings that are a good fit for you.)
7. When you find a home you want, make an offer designed to get the property — without overpaying.
8. Negotiate until you secure the deal. This may involve counter-offers.
9. If the negotiation is skillfully done and all goes well, the home is yours.


As you can see, there isn't a lot of mystery in finding your next dream home. You just need to take the steps and get the professional help you need along the way.


Looking for a real estate agent that can get you to the finish line? Call today!

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MLS® property information is provided under copyright© by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board and Victoria Real Estate Board. The information is from sources deemed reliable, but should not be relied upon without independent verification.