Durham Region For Sale By Owner Private Real Estate Sales

What A Handy Tool!   
THIS IS THE COOLEST THING SINCE THE
  INVENTION OF THE TV REMOTE CONTROL
  Just Point and click !
  CLICK HERE >  http://www.allmyfaves.com/

  Pick a site !  "BOOM"   There it is !

I know sometimes a blog  about different sites is of no interest but this one has soooo many that I thought it may help others, Hope this is of interest for some. Chuck

From Drab To Fab

RE:STYLE Home Staging and Redesign's associate, Tonya Seckinger, just completed staging this 830 Sq. ft. house in Whitmore Lake, Michigan. The transformation from a sad, empty house to a warm, inviting home was nothing short of miraculous! Of course, this is often the case with professional home staging. But when the house isn't a million dollar baby, it seems like it's even more amazing. Watch as a drab little rental morphs into a happy place someone would want to call home:

 

 

  

 

  

 

Now this house looks like a real value for the money! It was just listed, so I'll keep you posted on the sales results!

 

About RE:STYLE LLC

RE:STYLE LLC is located in Brighton, Michigan, and helps homeowners & realtors sell homes more quickly and more profitably by using proven home staging methods to ensure that listings appeal to a broad range of buyers. For more information, please contact RE:STYLE at 810.333.5240 or visit http://www.restylestaging.com

 

 

 

Is home staging deceptive?

 Ever watched "Style by Jury" or "What Not to Wear" ? These programs involve people who need help and guidance in how they present themselves to the world. At the end of the show when the new and improved is revealed are we being deceived? We've just watched a person go through a transformation that brought out their best features and qualities and made them feel better about themselves.  

 Is it more honest to not colour your hair, not use foundation garments or make-up and get a one size fits all outfit and haircut. I don't think honesty is questioned here. I believe most of us would think a person taking care and pride in their appearance was a good quality.

But I gotta wonder how much it cost to get that great look and wardrobe...

Home staging is the real estate equivalent. (I'm going to take a time out for a moment and point out that I hate the term "stager".  I prefer "home presentation" or a recent one I came across "property stylist". I feel compulsion to try it here.)

Property Stylists provide guidance to home owners in how to present their homes to the buying market.  Just like makeover television, homeowners can get themselves in a rut and simply need taught the basics and shown how to make the most of their real estate assets.  Bringing the eyes to great focal points, maximizing space, and minimizing distractions isn't deceptive. There are great attributes and flaws in everything. So if a designer recommends adding some strategic colour, lighting, flow, and great accessories, is it deceptive? On the contrary, you suddenly have a house brimming with confidence and very sellable.

 But it might cost you the same as the hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Just kidding. Given the right tools most people can save money and DIY after a quality custom consultation.

Fire Prevention week is October 5th to October11th  this year. Did you know cooking and heating are among the leading causes of home fires in Ontario. A pot holder held too close to a lit burner or a space heater left overnight could be all it takes to to start a home fire.

Picture is a  Public service announcement from The Ontario Fire Marshals Office

This years theme empasizes that cooking, heating equipment, electrical equipment,cigarettes, candles, matches and lighters are some of the lading causes of fires in the home.

Did you know the great Chicago fire that lasted 2 days October 8th and 9th in 1871 and killed more than 250 people, left thousands homless and burned more than 2,000 acres was the catalyst for fire prevention week. This fire forever changed the way public officials viewed fire saftey. To commerate the event on its fortieth anniversary  fire officials felt the most appropriate way was to inform and educate the public and since 1922 Fire Prevention week has benn observed on theSunday through to the saturday that October 8th and 9th falls on

Don't forget to practice your escape plan it could save your life.

Selling Real Estate is Like Dating

Selling real estate is like dating. To get ready for the open market you have to address the condition issues, pack up the baggage and dress for success.  

 Curb appeal is house sex appeal. It's catching attention the imagination of potential buyers. When it's time to move, you need to step back and take a hard look at what you've got to offer. You want to create some interest by attracting the widest potential market so you can generate the best offers. What's your curb appeal?

 Let's address condition issues first. The trees and bushes are overgrown; there are piles of off-season items, toys or construction material piled around the yard, and your house wearing a coat of paint that was fashionable in 1980.  You have maintenance issues. Sounds like you need a fresh trim, a few pounds shed, and an updated look. Taking care and pride in appearances gives you higher perceived value.

Without curb appeal, you'll be a drive-by. Buyers assume that if the exterior's neglected, the interior will be no better. Be sure to groom the exterior.  I'm sure you're familiar with the thrill of "love at first sight".  You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. 

 The inside condition is your baggage. If your closets and cupboards are overflowing then you've got more stuff than you can carry.  If the counters and desktops are hidden from view, there are a lot of things you haven't been dealing with. Is your oversized furniture blocking throughways and doorways? You've got flow and energy stagnating. You need to unburden yourself.

 Open some windows, clean, organize, and create space. Show you have room to spare. In other words, pack up your baggage either by getting rid of it, or storing it. The harsh reality is no one but you can deal with your own mess.  Did you really want to carry all that stuff to the next place?

 Take a hard look on the inside. Would a visitor feel welcome enough to want to linger? Do the surroundings excite their curiosity? If not, create some. Anticipation is a powerful thing.

Dressing to successfully appeal to the right market is crucial.  Start by knowing who your target market is and how they think. Know who you're you dressing for.  If your market is young professionals, you won't be a standout if you're in Grandma's clothes. If you're marketing for a family, you want to emphasize the qualities of family spaces and bedrooms even though you may be a confirmed bachelor.

 Knowing how to dress is about understanding your square footage and what its assets are. You need draw the eye away from detractions and highlight the best features with a bit of colour.. Don't overdo it. Strong colours are like strong personalities. Neutral colours are safer and less offensive, but too much neutral is downright boring. Find a balance which exudes confidence, not chaos.

 The preparation work is done. Now you need to find your market. The internet is the tool for buyers prescreening homes to view. Make sure your photos look great and are effective. Professional photography can be a worthwhile investment.

  When buyers start arriving be sure to let them know their presence is welcome even though you're absent.  Fresh smells, flowers, hors oeuvres, beverages (you get the idea), will encourage them linger. Lingering will fire up their imagination and create a favorable and lasting impression, and this will hopefully create enough interest to lead to the all important, second showing.

 

The Real Commission Revealed!

If you think that a typical commission on the sale of a home is 5% to 6% you may find this article quite enlightening. The figures above would hold true if you have no mortgage on your property whatsoever, as for the rest of the population perhaps 99% of us these figures are remarkably low. When you hold a mortgage on your property, the commission percentage is closer to 60% or 90%. The 6% commission is based on the sold price of the property, but yet the entire commission is taken from your equity in the home, and therefore the real commission percentage is unbelievably higher. With the average commissions in Canada now over $20,000 you should know the facts. We surveyed several mortgage brokers to find out what the average loan to value might be for the average home owner, it is about 75% on properties owned for longer periods and 95% to 100% on recent purchases. It is this high loan to value ratios and low equity property owners that are hit the hardest. If you would like to know what kind of money a listing agent wants to take from you, get out a calculator, pencil and a sheet of paper right now and make sure you are sitting down when you are hit with the real commission percentage answer. If you have any kind of medical condition we would advise you to avoid these calculations. If you experience prolonged headaches, pains, vomiting or diarrhea after completing these calculations please contact your physician right away. Let your doctor know that you have completed these calculations so that he or she may also become aware of the truth. The 3 step formula is simple: 6% of your sales price, divided by your equity in the home = the true commission percentage. Follow these keystrokes; Step 1: Key in your sold price, Times 6 %, write your answer on a sheet of paper. Step 2:Clear the calculator, key in your sold price, Subtract the total amount of all mortgages against your property, Write your answer on the sheet of paper. This is your equity position. Step 3: Clear the calculator, key in the answer from step 1, Divide this amount by the answer from step 2, hit the percent key; this is the real commission percentage answer. Example: $300,000 property, 90% mortgaged and sold with agents Step 1: $300,000 sold price, times 6% = $18,000 (the false commission) Step 2: $300,000 sold price, subtract total of mortgages $270,000 = $30,000 (your equity position) Step 3: $18,000 divided by $30,000 = 60% commission (the true agent commission). Why is this? Because, in step one, the sold price of $300,000 is not the amount that goes to you, the $270,000 you owe to the mortgage company never even touches your hands, the remaining $30,000 has your name on it, BUT, first the agents take out $18,000 (60% of the $30,000) leaving you with $12,000 (less closing costs). Oh Yes, Don't forget to add GST on to that Commission!!! So have a Tylenol and remember… Save Thousands, sell your Home your self!!