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The leaves are changing colour, the air is getting a crisp edge, and soon Fall will transition into Winter. Just because the warmer months are behind us doesn't mean that listing your home at this time of year isn't without it's benefits. We found this great article from Morning Call that outlines the benefits to selling your home in the Fall & Winter. Read on to learn more.




Many home sellers choose to sit on the sidelines during the colder autumn and winter months and get in the game come springtime, when they expect greater interest from buyers. But with the right preparations, smart sellers can list now and sell quicker than expected, without hibernating through the winter, the experts say.

 
Many people consider fall and winter as the off season for real estate, with fewer shoppers hunting for homes and fewer listings from which to choose. That shouldn't necessarily dissuade people from listing their homes during the cold season, though, says Bruce Taylor, president of ERA Key Realty Services in Whitinsville, Mass.
 
The pool of prospective purchasers may be smaller, shoppers out hunting in fall and winter are usually more motivated and serious, often with a pressing need to close quickly and move in soon due to a job relocation or major life change. "These buyers out in the cold looking at homes are not 'tire kickers.' They want to buy a home and get moved in now," Klebba says.

 

Another advantage to listing now versus later is that there is less competition from other sellers."There are fewer houses on the market in the fall and winter, which may lead to more demand for your house," says Jack Gloriod, owner/agent with The Becky Gloriod Team, Colorado Springs, Colo.



 

Additionally, "Houses tend to show very well when decorated tastefully for the holidays, and buyers enjoy this," Klebba says. "And listing and selling in fall or winter could make it so the timing works out for the seller to take advantage of the coming new spring inventory and increase their odds of finding the perfect next home."


Exert from Off- season selling: Listing your home during the fall or winter brings advantages. Published on The Morning Call.


We're always looking to take on clients, even in the months that people view to be the 'slow season' in real estate. It's usually anything but slow! As realtors, we appreciate your referrals and are happy to work with clients we have developed relationships with, and new ones alike. If you or someone you know is thinking about selling this Fall or Winter, we would love to be the real estate team to help. Contact us to get things started!

- Drew & Team Steeves


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Yahoo Homes

Between Naps on the Porch

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In part 3 of our series of homestaging tips, we're talking about three spaces that tend to be very personal: the bedrooms, bathrooms, and home office. All of these spaces have the ability to make a good impression with buyers, but a little attention to detail can go a long way.

 

De- cluttering and cleaning up these spaces is important, and don't be afraid to shy away from a few simple and budget- friendly DIY projects to freshen these spaces and make them more appealing to buyers. A fresh coat of paint and updates can convince a buyer your home is right for them, especially when it means less work when they move in. 

 

Show off how beautiful your bedroom is with a be that is made and looks cozy. 

Simple touches- such as fresh paint and a few modern accessories

can help make a good impression with buyers.

 

Bedrooms:

- Clean & de- clutter; remove items from dressers and surfaces so the mess isn't distracting to potential buyers

- Dust and make sure light fixtures don't have any burnt- out bulbs (also make sure they're all the same, ie warm or cool light)

- Allow natural light into the room & turn on lights 

- Make beds berfore a showing and remove any toys and clothes from the floor

- Make sure closets are tidy and organized to showcase storage space

- If you don't have a headboard, consider making a simple & inexpensive one (check out these DIY projects for ideas)

 

Even if your home is older, painting the cabinets and changing the hardware is a great cost- effective way to update

this room. Putting out fresh towels and a few decorative touches can help highlight this space.

Bathrooms:

- Clean toilet & sink; remove any stains and residue (make sure to put the toilet seat down)

- Wipe faucets and counters; make sure the mirror is streak- free

- Clean out the tub and make sure the sower curtain is clean

- Put out fresh towels to make the bathroom look tidy 

- Remove any laundry and garbage

- Light a candle or spray some air freshener to make sure the bathroom smells fresh and clean

- Ventilate the room every day to help keep it smelling fresh

 

Showcase a home office by keeping it tiday and organized. Help buyers picture themselves working in the space

and make it warm & welcoming.

Office:

- Put away any personal paperwork; if you have a locked filing cabinet, make sure you file any documents you don't want people to see

- Tidy the desk and remove any untidy paperwork and clutter

- Make sure bookshelves are dust- free and organized

- Turn on a desk lamp if you have one to make the room feel cozy

- Tidy and/ or hide chords that can be a tripping hazard or are untidy

 

No matter the age of your home, a little attention to detail can make the difference between an interested buyer and a non- interested buyer. A clean and tidy home is essential to help it appeal to buyers, but a few added touched can really make it feel like home. If you're thinking about selling, we'd love to be the realtor team to help! Contact us today to book an appointment.

 

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HomeDIt

Involving Colour

Pink Little Notebook 

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In part 2 of our series of homestaging tips, we're focusing on areas of the house that families spend a lot of time and have potential to make a big impact with buyers: the kitchen, family room, & dining room.


Read on for some great tips to help set your home apart from the competition.

 

 

Make sure your kitchen is free of clutter, is tidy, & bright to show off it's full potential


Kitchen:

- No dirty cloths or towels

- Tidy the inside of drawers and cupboards where needed

- Keep counter and island surfaces clear of clutter

- Take away items from above the fridge (such as cereal boxes), microwave, cabinets, and windowsills

- Remove magnets, etc from fridge

- Clean grout of tiles using a grout cleaner or bleach

- Scrub the sink & make sure it is clean and free of dishes


 

Make eating areas warm & inviting:

add little touches or set the table to make it look ready for guests


Dining Area:

- Remove items that create clutter & refine what decorations you have

- If you have a table with a leaf, make the space feel more spacious by removing it and extra chairs from table

- Clean sideboards and cabinets to showcase a few pieces, not a lot of disorganized clutter

- Dust surfaces

- Consider setting the table to make it look inviting; or simply add some fresh cut flowers and candles in the centre

 

 

Sometimes a simple DIY can take a room from 'bla' to 'WOW!'

 

Family Room:

- Be selective with what artwork and photos you keep on walls

- Make sure pictures are level & dust- free

- Remove clutter & make sure space is tidy and appears spacious

- Especially for small spaces: remove extra furniture that can make the space feel cramped and crowded

- Make sure floors are clean; vacuum carpets, and dust/ sweep hardwood & laminate

- Add storage with a simple weekend DIY using pre- fab shelves and crown molding to really make a statement (see photo above)


We hope you find these tips helpful. If you're thinking about selling your home and need some advice to help it sell fast and for the price you're looking for, we'd love to be the real estate team to help! Contact us today to schedule a meeting and get started.


 

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Chic Coastal Living 

Traditional Home

Flea Chic

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When you're getting ready to sell your home, paying attention to details can make the difference between a quick sale and a waiting game. By spending a little bit of time and money to help your home present well to buyers you can save valuable time and add value to your home. By staging your home you can help potential buyers see the potential of your house and help them visualize living there.


Here's a great example:



 

A client friend of ours recently sold her home and we asked her to provide some advice from her experience, here's some of what she had to say:

 

Make people feel welcome & at home with an inviting entryway:

 

 

If you need help selling your home, we'd love to be the team to sell it for you. Have questions about the process and how to get your house ready? We're happy to make your home selling experience a fast and stress- free experience. Contact us today to set up a meeting and get the ball rolling!

 

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ActiveRain

SomewhatSimple 

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This beautiful custom home boasts more than 4,500 square feet of living space on a 9,500+ square foot lot. If you've been looking for your dream home but don't want to move far from shopping and schools, this Sullivan area home is perfect for you.

 

Here are some of the features that make this 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom home so unique:

 

A gourmet kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and- BONUS!- a wine cooler:

 

Formal dining room with French doors leading to a wrap- around covered porch:

 

 

Plus a stunning entryway with 20 foot high ceilings and showstopping staircase. You have to come see this home for yourself!

 

An added bonus are the 3 suites in the home with a current income of $4,500/ month-  perfect mortgage booster!

 

If you would like to view more photos, click here. You can also see a virtual tour of this home here

 

Don't miss your chance to view this beautiful home for yourself and make an offer before it's too late. Contact us today to book a private viewing!

 

If you're thinking about moving, we're always happy to help- we'd love to help you sell your home quick and for the price you're hoping for. 

 

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