Category: Downsizer

Six ways to make your home feel bigger

The ability to make your home look and feel bigger is an important part of preparing for a sale. There are several techniques to accomplish this goal, including repainting the interior in a consistent light cream or white.  Darker colors tend to suck up the light in rooms, which makes them feel smaller. When light…
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Ten tips to prepare your home for fall market

Preparing your home for sale is a serious undertaking if you want to maximize the value of your home – and who doesn’t want to do that?  And with the popular fall selling season getting under way, you have the ideal opportunity to tap into increasing buyer enthusiasm. Fall is one of the best times…
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Five reasons why it’s a good idea to repaint

Repainting the interior of your home is never a small task. The interruption to the household can be substantial. Not only do you have to move furniture and put down drop cloths, but the fumes can linger for days. Repainting is often an important step in preparing your home for sale. It freshens up the…
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How to avoid little mistakes that hurt your sales campaign

Many owners work incredibly hard to prepare their homes for sale, but sometimes the end result is a presentation that feels a little lacklustre or is missing an essential spark. It’s not always easy to put your finger on the problem.  The owner has followed all the basic guidelines for decluttering and depersonalising, yet something…
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Six ways to create a bidding war in today’s market

Every market moves in cycles and the current environment requires a little more work to strike a deal if you’re the seller. The Royal Bank of Canada says our real estate market is improving, but its return to prosperity is likely to be gradual.  For sellers,  it’s more important than ever to find an agent…
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After a wet winter, you need to check for pest problems

For many Australians, it’s been a long, wet winter that will have increased the possibility of pests such as mice and cockroaches finding warm refuge in the nooks and crannies of your home. Spring is a great time to consider commissioning a pest inspection as part of your property’s maintenance program. As any real estate…
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Values rise again with supply 19% below five-year average

Market momentum continues to pick up nationally following the third cut in interest rates since February.  Industry researcher Cotality has reported a sixth successive month of value gains across the real estate market – a great sign with the spring sales season just around the corner. Dwelling values rose by 0.6% in July – the…
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Rate cut No. 7 bids to get market moving

The challenges of the housing market were cited as one reason why the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has again decided to cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR), reducing it by 0.25% to 3%. Cheaper mortgages are now likely to further encourage the signs of green shoots that have emerged in several regions in…
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Six ideas to help you cope with your energy bill

Have you ever looked at your energy bill and wanted to scream? Not only does the cost of heating your home feel like it’s through the roof, but the data that electricity suppliers give to explain your bill can be bewildering and unhelpful. Following an unusually cold and wet winter, many will fear their bill…
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Six tips for taking a bridging loan when buying first

One of the most common questions asked in real estate is whether it’s better to sell first and then buy, or take the opposite approach. Unfortunately, there’s no right or wrong answer as it depends on your financial situation, risk tolerance and the prevailing mood of the market. While selling your home first reduces financial…
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