SPRUCING UP TO SELL

Considering selling your home? You will quickly find that marketing a property is not the way it used to be.  Nowadays, people sit at home and click away through homes for sale on the internet, looking for their next nest.

Often, one photo is enough to tell them “Yes I want to see that house”.  Your goal is to persuade potential buyers to actually visit your home and the starting point is ALWAYS the entrance. If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the front of the house is the welcoming smile.

There are improvements you can make that will give you that competitive edge. The checklist is short: make the area feel welcoming; give your garden flow; screen less desirable views; and emphasize desired views.

WELCOMING: Take a fresh look at your home from the street and ask yourself: “Is the front door visible and pleasing?” Prune trees for security and visibility; paint the front door a different colour from the house; and build up the entrance area with a landing to give the door more prominence.

If you have to walk up the driveway to get to the front door consider making a pedestrian walk.  Run steppers or a full walkway through the lawn and garden to the front door. This provides a more pleasing entry than a garage or a carport.

GARDEN FLOW: Are your plants overgrown and otherwise out of proportion? This looks like work and prospective buyers may be put off. Prune or replace these plants. Fresh mulch does work wonders to liven up a garden. This also reduces weeds and creates a low maintenance effect. Combat the choppy look of isolated garden beds by connecting them to create a graceful, flowing look. Finishing touch; potted plants are very impressive at the front entry!

LESS DESIRABLE VIEWS: With new and old varieties of tall, slim trees, it’s easy to block a poor view. A beautiful pergola, screen or well-made shed can be a more immediate solution.

DESIRED VIEWS: If your best panorama is at the front of the property, a sitting area is a definite must! No matter the size or amount of use it gets, the look is updated and inviting. If your backyard is the highlight, create an enticing peek-a-boo in the side yard plantings to let it show through, if possible.

Winter Is Approaching - is your Home Ready?

  The autumn winds arent exactly blowing yet but winter is fast approaching and performing the following maintenance tips each fall will help protect your property's value and prevent major repairs.

  Roof, Gutters and Downspouts

Rain, ice, snow and wind can all cause damage to your roof and gutters. Now is the time to trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. You also should remove debris, such as leaves and sticks from your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters dont allow water to properly drain away from the home, which can cause seepage in your ceilings and walls. You can also invest in gutter guards, a screen that prevents debris from entering the gutter and directs the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.

 Water Heater

You dont want to find out that your water heater isnt operating properly when you need it most. So use this time to perform an annual inspection, which includes having your tanks pressure and temperature relief valve checked. In addition, remove sediment from the bottom of the tank by draining two gallons of water to improve heat transfer and the efficiency of your heater.

 Heating and Cooling System

If you have a forced warm-air heating system, you should check the exhaust vent and air shutter openings for dirt and dust. Clean any lint and dirt from the blower blades, motor and burner (if you have a gas heater). Vacuum air passages and check and replace, if necessary, fan belts. To prevent airborne dirt from circulating throughout your home, wash out your reusable filter or replace it if it is disposable.

 Doors and Windows

To help control heating costs, make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed. Now is the time to repair or replace weather stripping around door bottoms and jambs and window frames. Check for loose or missing glazing putty and caulking for deterioration. If you have storm windows, install them.

 Water Pipes

Frozen or burst pipes can cause major damage to your home and be expensive to remedy. Before frigid weather hits, protect your pipes in unheated areas from freezing by adding insulation, which reduces heat loss from hot-water pipes and condensation on cold water pipes. This can be accomplished by wrapping the pipes with heating tape or blanket insulation and duct tape or by encasing the pipes with preformed plastic foam. In addition, examine your pipes for cracks and leaks.

 Fireplace

Before you light the logs and get ready to settle in front of a cozy fire, make sure that your fireplace is in good working order. Clean the chimney flue and, if needed, have it inspected and repaired. Check the seal on your flue, which is designed to keep out drafts. Replace the seal if it is loose or damaged.

If you decide to perform the fall maintenance yourself, disconnect the power for any electrical or gas systems. In addition, before inspecting, cleaning or making any repairs refer to your owners manual for all equipment for proper instructions, which should be the final authority on any maintenance.

 Outdoor Surfaces and Landscaping

Fall is also a great time to seal your driveways, wood patios and other hardscape surfaces. In addition, prune tree branches away from your home and electrical wires. Plant spring flower bulbs and move sensitive potted plants indoors.

 Although this list is merely a guide, it can help you keep your home in good shape and have a winter free of major repairs.

Greater Vancouver home sales trend toward buyers’ market over summer

August marked the third consecutive month that home sale activity in Greater Vancouver was below the 10-year average for the month. In contrast, home listing activity in the region has exceeded the 10-year norm every month since the beginning of the year.

 The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) reached 2,378 in August. This total represents an eight per cent increase compared to the 2,202 sales in August 2010, but also ranks as the third lowest total for August in the last 10 years.

“MLS® statistics continue to indicate that we’re in a balanced market,” Rosario Setticasi, REBGV president said. “However, with a sales-to-actives listings ratio of 15 per cent, Greater Vancouver is in the lower end of a balanced market and has been trending toward a buyers’ market over the past three months.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 4,685 in August. This represents a 24.9 per cent increase compared to August 2010 when 3,750 properties were listed for sale on the MLS® and an eight per cent decline compared to the 5,097 new listings reported in July 2011. Last month’s new listing total was the highest volume recorded for August in 16 years.

At 15,437, the total number of residential property listings on the MLS® increased 1.4 per cent in August compared to July 2011 and rose 0.1 per cent compared to this time last year.

The MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver over the last 12 months has increased 8.5 per cent to $625,578 in August 2011 from $576,597 in August 2010.

“Year over year, prices are up. However, in the detached home category, benchmark prices have come down slightly in each of the past two months,” Setticasi said. “It’s important for people entering the market to understand that activity can differ significantly depending on the area and property type.”

Sales of detached properties on the MLS® in August 2011 reached 1,020, an increase of 14.2 per cent from the 893 detached sales recorded in August 2010, and a 25.4 per cent decrease from the 1,367 units sold in August 2009. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 11.7 per cent from August 2010 to $888,243.

Sales of apartment properties reached 955 in August 2011, a 2.1 per cent increase compared to the 935 sales in August 2010, and a decrease of 34.8 per cent compared to the 1,464 sales in August 2009. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 5.6 per cent from August 2010 to $407,457.

Attached property sales in August 2011 totalled 403, a 7.8 per cent increase compared to the 374 sales in August 2010, and a 33.9 per cent decrease from the 610 attached properties sold in August 2009. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 4.5 per cent between August 2010 and 2011 to $511,433.