Welcome to part 2 of our Home Seller’s guide!
Your home is about to make its big debut on the market. And there’s more to it than sticking a sign on your lawn and doing an MLS listing. Establishing a home’s true worth can be tricky. A Mr905 agent will be there to make sure your home is poised for success. Here’s how they can help:

• Set a price – this isn’t as easy as you might think. Price your property too high and buyers won’t be motivated. Price it too low and you stand to lose thousands. A Mr905 agent can help by doing a complete property profile of your house, including current condition, location, surroundings, special features like a view from the property or high ceilings; a comparative market analysis that will show you what houses in your area have sold for in recent months, and a total market overview. Your agent will take into consideration as many factors as possible to accurately assess the fair market value of your property so it sells fast while maximizing your profit
• Market your home – no matter how well your home is priced you will need a sound plan to attract buyers. That’s where your Mr905 agent will offer invaluable experience. Aside from newspaper advertising and listing your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), they will work with you to create a “features sheet” or video to make your home stand out from the pack. They will also market it through blogs, social media channels, various websites and their own personal peer network.

So now you’re fully committed. It’s time to make your home shine. But how to show it in the best light? Check back next week for part 3 of our Home Seller’s guide!

Welcome to part 2 of our Home Buyer’s guide!
Buying a home is personal and emotional. So the relationship with your real estate agent has to be built on expertise, trust and mutual respect. After all, they will be acting as your eyes, ears and voice throughout the process. They have a fiduciary duty to act in your best interests, to be completely transparent and accountable to you. Here’s what a Mr905 agent will do:

• Educate you about the current market conditions
• Discuss and analyze your wants and needs against your budget
• Guide you to homes that fit your criteria
• Coordinate the work of other professionals you’ll need during the process
• Negotiate with the seller on your behalf
• Make sure all the required paperwork is fully completed, accurate and that deadlines are met
• Work with you to resolve any challenges that may arise

And while your agent will likely be a great source of advice on financing, it is ultimately your responsibility to understand and secure it. Check back next week on Part 3 of our Home Buyer’s guide!

Have you decided to sell your home, here are some tips to help you!
Everyone has their own reason for selling their home. One thing, however, is universally true: the desire to get as much as you can for your home. There are a lot of ways you can add value that you might want to consider, such as:

• Renovating – this can be something as simple as freshening up the walls with a coat of paint or updating your door knobs and lighting with more contemporary styles all the way to major renovations like installing a new kitchen, bathroom or hardwood floors. Before you do anything though, it’s probably wise to know how much value a renovation or remodel will actually add to your sale price and how much other comparable homes in your neighborhood are selling for. A Royal LePage agent is a great source of information. They can give you an assessment on your home so you don’t embark on expensive renovations before knowing
• Enhancing curb appeal – first impressions mean a lot. Which is why you want your home looking its very best when a potential buyer is standing at the bottom of your driveway or simply passing through the neighborhood. So, make sure the lawn is cut and raked. If there are some dead patches of grass, overseed or sod. Trim bushes and trees, even add a few brightly colored flowers. Touch up any peeling paint around exterior windows and doors, stain the fence or deck, clean up your garage or shed and ensure that your home looks just as enticing at night by making sure it’s well lit
• Getting a home inspection – the last thing you want is for the deal to fall through due to an unpleasant surprise. It’s also highly likely that the buyer will ask for a home inspection anyway. So you may want to consider taking the initiative yourself. That way, if there are any major repairs that need doing now, it won’t jeopardize the sale of your home or force you to lower the price later on

Check back next week for Part 2 of our home sellers tips. Let us know what you think below!

Have you decided to buy a home, here are some tips to help you!
To buy a home, you need to be prepared and we are here to help you. Here are a few things to consider:

• Define your needs and wants – make a list of the things you simply can’t live without, like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms your family needs, proximity to schools and work, or storage needs. Then list some nice-to-haves: maybe a pool or deck, finished basement or mud room. This will help you further down the road when you start looking at homes
• Brush up on types of home ownership – make sure you know the difference between freehold (it’s all yours), condo (you take care of the inside and pay fees to an association to look after the common areas and maintenance) and co-op (similar to condos but instead of “owning” your unit, you buy shares in the whole building and pay maintenance and repair fees)
• Understand market conditions – supply and demand can change from neighborhood to neighborhood, region to region. So, getting to know the market can help you get more bang for your buck. And so can your Real Estate agent

Check back next week for Part 2 of our home buyer tips. Let us know what you think below!

It is that time of year to start preparing your home for winter. I came across this article today that showed 17 awesome ways to keep your home more cosy this winter. These little “house hacks” can help keep you warmer and save you money at the same time. Check it out, I know for me #17 is already in full effect!

Link: 17 Awesome Way to Keep Your Home More Cosy this Winter

Let us know what you think and share your ideas below!