The key to selling your home? Flexibility!

A few things to keep in mind when you decide you want to sell your home, besides the obvious, tidy up, declutter and try to make it odour free, is to be FLEXIBLE!  When an offer comes in, don't take it for granted, yes there could be more, but there might not be for six months from now, or they could come with conditions or a lower price.  Try to work with what you've got and that's where our problem solving skills often come into play.  Problem solving skills you ask? 

Sometimes closing dates can be an issue. There are always alternatives (we've even had clients move in with us...no joke), sometimes the price can be an issue, that's where we negotiate on your behalf, or maybe the home inspection shows issues.  Our team has dealt with problem solving in real estate for many years, but we can only come up with a workable solution if both parties are flexible.  Give a little, and get your  house sold and be stress free!  Negotiations will work when there is flexibilty on both sides.

When looking at an offer it is sometimes difficult to think of the other party involved as they are only names on a paper.  The best attitude to have is a flexible one.  Both parties involved want to make a deal, so take a few minutes and let us make the offer work for everyone!  You might have to move a week earlier than you wanted, or maybe you had to pay the asking price, but was $2,000 off really worth loosing your dream house or loosing the offer and keeping you stuck somewhere you don't want to be six months from now?  Try to look at the big picture and ask yourself, if they get to keep the curtains, will that really matter a year from now? 

Buying and selling real estate is a juggling act, and our goal is to put our clients first, help them solve real estate problems and move on to their next chapter and next home. 

-Jane Ross
sales representative

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

The leaves have fallen, the snow is starting to make its debut so what does that mean for your home?  Time to winterize it!  Here are some tips on what you should do to keep your house in tip top shape.

1.  Inspect your furnace - call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnance and clean ducts.  Stock up on filters and remove all flammable materials away from the area surrounding your furnace. 

2. Get the fireplace ready - screen the top of the chimney to keep out birds and rodents.  If you haven't had it cleaned in a while, you might want to call a chimeny sweep.  Stock up on wood and inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing. 

3) Check the exterior, doors and windows - Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them.  Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows.  Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint exposed wood.

4) Inspect roof, gutters and downspouts - If you're expecting a really cold winter you might want to consider putting extra insulation in the attic which helps from warm air creeping out.  Check flashing to make sure water doesn't get in and repair worn roof shingles.

5) Check foundation - seal up entries to keep small animals out. 

6) Prevent plumbing freezing - drain your garden hose and if you leave your home for a trip make sure the heat is at 55 degrees.

Do these things and come spring you'll be happy with how healthy your home is!

-Ashley Ross
sales representative