HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME BABY-PROOF

You may not have kids of your own yet, but if you have people visiting your home for any extended period of time, you’ll want to make sure to do your best to baby-proof your space. Here’s how to shore up the biggest risks.

You may not have kids right now, but chances are you may be entertaining guests one day who do. You can put your guests at ease and do your best to protect their little ones from harm by investing in some modest pre-visit baby proofing. Here are some sound strategies to make their visit low-stress and safe:

Mind the Power and Appliances

Outlets are enemy #1. Baby fingers are like magnets for electricity, so splurge on some plastic outlet covers which fit snugly into those empty sockets. If you have any multi-socket power strips around, be sure to cover those as well (or elevate them out of harm’s reach). Depending on the age of your youngest visitors, some may be able to reach knobs and buttons on appliances like your stove. Exploring hands can accidentally turn on the gas, so if you think your kitchen will be vulnerable, invest around $10 on stove knob covers.

Make Some Rooms Off-Limits

It may not be practical to baby proof every inch of your house, so make certain zones baby-free by using gates. Sturdy, simple, pressure-mounted gates will protect certain passages and prevent you from making any permanent holes in your wall. Alternately, use door knob covers to make even unlocked rooms less likely to be prone to an infant invasion.

Fight Falling Objects

Babies are all about testing gravity, and as they try to bring themselves upright, they’re liable to tug on anything within arm’s reach. This might include your entertainment center, bookshelf, floor lamps, or other furniture. Are there any precarious pieces which might tumble down and seriously injure a child? Consider pieces on top of shelves (like decorative glassware) which could be shaken down through modest force.

Curtail the Cords

Power cords and curtain (or blind) cords can cause falls, entanglement, or even strangulation. Tie these up out of the way or too high for a baby to reach from the floor.

Get Down and Look Around

A baby will put anything in its mouth. That will include choking hazards, dropped medications, or stray chemicals such as rat poison or cleaners. Shift your perspective to the floor and look for anything suspicious.  

Some homes are more kid-friendly than others. If you’re looking for a great home for little ones, I can help you find one today!: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

WHAT IS AN ADU?

Do you have property big enough for a spare cottage? Is there a basement or garage-apartment you’ve been thinking of adding? 

Learn why these “Accessory Dwelling Units” (ADUs) are making a comeback.

Years ago, it wasn’t so uncommon to have multiple generations living in the same home. 

Sometimes these were aging parents moving back in with their kids, and other times they were college students getting their finances in order after graduation. 

Many homeowners utilized extra space in their home to create independent apartments or separate living spaces. Though they go by many common names (in-law unit, granny flat, garden cottage, basement apartment), these types of spaces are known as ADUs, or Accessory Dwelling Units.

If you have extra space such as an above-garage loft, or extra land where you could build a freestanding structure, you might be interested in adding an ADU to your home. Even if you don’t have a family member in need of the space, they can be great for hosting out-of-town visitors or earning extra income from short or long-term rental agreements.

While communities have different rules regarding ADUs and their permitted uses, there’s a high likelihood that you can find a pathway to adding one to your property if the idea appeals to you. According to AccessoryDwellings.org: 

“Flexibility in housing makes sense for environmental, lifestyle, and financial reasons. Though many people buy houses and live in them for decades, their actual needs change over time.  But the way that houses are currently built doesn’t reflect those changes, especially the way households may spend decades with just 1 or 2 members.  Many American houses are too big for 1- or 2-person households, which is too bad, because size is probably the biggest single factor in the environmental impact of a house."

If you have a reasonably sized house, and an even more reasonably sized ADU, you’ve likely got a pretty green combination with some social benefits as well.   You could have your best friend, your mother, or your grown kid, live with you.  This kind of flexibility and informal support could really help as the nation’s population ages.  Most people want to stay in their homes as they age, but finances and design can be problematic.   An ADU could help aging people meet their needs without moving.” 

(Source: https://accessorydwellings.org/what-adus-are-and-why-people-build-them/)

If you’re interested in exploring ADUs, be sure to check out AccessoryDwellings.org for an extensive library of resources on the topic.

If you’re looking for a home with an existing ADU, or want to find one with land or enough space to create an ADU, I’d be happy to help you find one ASAP. 

Just reach out to me today: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

RESETTING EXPECTATIONS IN REAL ESTATE

Sometimes things simply don’t go your way in a real estate deal, and bouncing back can feel exceptionally hard. 

If you’ve recently been disappointed buying or selling a home, here’s some advice to help you put things in perspective and prepare yourself for the next move.

Real estate deals are emotional roller coasters, often marred by unexpected setbacks. The dream house deal doesn’t come together. A closing fall through at the last minute. It happens. Sometimes the setback is so overwhelming we feel momentarily disoriented, unsure which direction to take next. We want to carry on, but we can't quite muster the will to make the next right move.

If you've felt this way lately, perhaps the following process will help you:

1. Grieve the loss. If you're feeling disappointment, loss, shock, or sadness, don't gloss over it. Give yourself time and space to feel it. There's nothing healthy in pretending the way you feel is wrong, shameful, or otherwise weak. Don't expect to "get over it." Rather, understand it is a loss you may carry forward with time.

2. Assess. What happened? What lead to this? What can you learn from the chain of events which lead to the setback? You might not have clear answers, but you will likely find something useful in reflection.

3. Recalibrate. Setbacks often redefine your reality, and change the conditions on the ground. The changes are often sudden and unpleasant, but it's best to gain some clarity on the new situation. A setback isn't the end unless you permit it to be the end. How does this new world require new strategies?

4. Look for opportunity and act. A setback does not negate your hopes or values. It may delay or redirect your path, but to let it annihilate your goals would be something far worse than a mere setback. There are still opportunities, and if you want to recover, you will need to direct your productive energy to recognizing and acting on those opportunities.

As the late singer, poet, and novelist Leonard Cohen sang, “There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.” Even at his darkest, he had a bias for the unerring trajectory of hope. Look for the light through the crack in everything, even if it was your pending dream of home ownership or your next move. Believe the dream can shine through again.

I can help you through every step of the real estate buying or listing process, and I have plenty of experience to help you avoid common setbacks. Looking to buy or sell soon? 

Let’s have a chat: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

HOW TO STOP ROBO CALLS

Have you been inundated with telemarketers, robo calls, and scammers on your home telephone line?

 

Use this free service to eliminate annoying calls.

 

We’ve all been there. You’re just sitting down to dinner or your favorite Netflix binge and the phone begins ringing. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably gotten used to screening a lot of calls because so many are robocalls. You know the kind and you know the drill: Political ads, solicitations, scams. You pick up saying “Hello? Hello?” and then comes that eerie pause which tells you you’re about to hear a pre-recorded message.

 

It’s a rude waste of your attention, and yet many of us can’t just get rid of our home phone line. While you can ignore the call, often they call multiple times a day or every day of the week at the same time. The problem is widespread.

 

In early 2013 the FTC held a contest to combat the scourge of robocalls. The winner of that contest was Nomorobo, a free service which can check incoming calls to your phone lines against a massive blacklist database of known robocall sources. If Nomorobo detects a robocall, it screens the call much like the way internet web forms use CAPTCHA graphics to make sure you’re human. If the caller is a bot, the call never makes it to your phone. (Nomorobo will ring your phone once to let you know a call has been blocked.) Bingo! Peace and focus are preserved.

 

The service is free, but your phone provider must be able to provide a feature known as “Simultaneous Calling.” The Nomorobo website provides a form which quickly allows you to determine if your carrier already provides this service. If not, you can request it be added.

 

You can learn more about Nomorobo here:

http://www.nomorobo.com/

 

I love to share tips and tricks to make our lives more hassle-free. If you’d like to keep up with tips like these as I find them, get in touch with me today:

 

 

UNDERSTANDING HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS

Are you thinking about looking at homes in a neighborhood with an HOA (Home Owner’s Association)?

Have you ever wondered what an HOA is or what you should know before you buy a property governed by one? This blog post is for you.

If you’re a first-time buyer and are confused about what a Home Owners Association is (or does), you should definitely ask the right questions before you consider buying.

Basically, an HOA is an organization which is designed to protect the quality of life and property values for owners within a neighborhood or shared building. How they do so, though, can vary widely. Typically when you purchase a residence subject to an HOA, you’ll be required to pay monthly dues which often contribute to major repairs or maintenance or the upkeep of common/shared resources.

But HOAs can also have a significant impact on what you can and can’t do with your own home. The HOA’s rules are detailed in what’s called covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs). To understand how strict an HOA is (or isn’t) you’ll want to understand the details of its CC&Rs before you consider buying. These might have reasonable restrictions, such as keeping junk cars out of the front lawn, or they might extend all the way to what color you can paint your garage door.

HOAs are typically of greater concern to condo buyers than single-family home buyers, but they cannot be overlooked when searching for your next residence. Here are some questions you’ll want to ask yourself and the HOA before you make an offer:

1. How comfortable am I sharing decision making about my own home? Yes, you own your property, but if you agree to abide by the CC&Rs of an HOA, you’ll need to be willing to abide by its rules.

2. How much are the HOA fees, and how much have they increased over time? Your budget can be seriously impacted not only by current HOA fees, but anticipated increases. Sometimes HOAs can even require residents to chip in for major repairs or upgrades beyond HOA fees.

3. What are all of the CC&Rs? Get a copy of the CC&Rs and make sure you understand all of the rules. Furthermore, see if you can sit on on an HOA board meeting or obtain notes from past meetings. This will help you understand the temperament of the HOA as well as the type of past conflicts residents have had with the board.

4. Is the home (or unit) you’re considering in compliance with the HOA’s CC&Rs? If you’re considering an offer on a problematic property, understand a real hassle may follow.

If you like the idea of a group of neighbors who set community or building standards, a residence with an HOA may be for you. But if not, don’t worry! There are lots of other homes out there. Get in touch with a  REALTOR® today!

FIREPLACE SAFETY FOR FALL

Fireplaces are one of the coziest amenities in a home. But they can also bring on terrible disaster if they’re not maintained properly and used wisely. Here are some essential tips for fireplace safety.

Gathering the family around a crackling fire can be one of the joys of the coldest months… or it can be a nightmare.

It’s one thing to be seated cozily on the couch while the firewood glows, and quite another to be standing on the curb in the cold watching the fire department trying to save your home.
 

More than 14,000 fires begin each year in fireplaces, and fires are the cause of nearly $900 million dollars in property damage. Don’t be a victim because of shoddy maintenance or careless usage of your fireplace. This goes for both wood-burning and gas fireplaces.
 

Here are some tips to maintain your fireplace and protect your life:
 

1. Before the coldest months set in, get your fireplace inspected. Remember, most inspection companies will be very busy during the winter, so try and secure an inspection at least a month or so before you anticipate using your fireplace heavily.
 

2. Inspect your fireplace before you use it. Take a flashlight and look in the flue. Look for obstructions. Check for cracked bricks, missing mortar, or other signs of damage. Be sure to clean out any ashes and dispose of them in a metal-lid trash can.

3. Burn properly. This means using seasoned hardwood (which avoids creosote accumulation), and burning logs on an approved rack or elevated grate. Also, don’t burn trash, cardboard, or other debris in your home fireplace.
 

4. Keep the area around the fireplace clear. Don’t put your Christmas tree near the fireplace, or anything else which is liable to combust. If it’s flammable, keep it safely distant from those flames. 

5. Guard against sparks. Sparks may periodically leap from your fireplace, so use a screen to prevent them from landing on rugs or nearby furniture.
 

6. Don’t leave the house with a fire burning. Extinguishing a fire before you leave is common sense, so don’t leave those burning logs unattended!
 

Would you like a home with a fireplace? Talk to a local REALTOR® today!

 

IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY

There’s an old saying: What you can’t see won’t hurt you. But, that’s not true. Less than ideal air quality in your home can result in allergies, colds, languor, and even sleepless nights.

Here are some tips that can help:

Let in the fresh air. Weather permitting, open windows and doors to help circulate stale indoor air with fresher outdoor air.

Change the furnace filter. According to studies, most filters on forced air heating systems in homes do not get changed regularly. Tip: Change the filter when you change the batteries in your smoke detectors – at least twice a year.

Easy on the household cleaners. Cleaners that are tough on stains can also have the same effect on your health. So use them with care. After cleaning any surface, wipe the residue dry with a clean absorbent cloth.

Keep things dry. Mold spores thrive on moisture. So make sure bathroom fans adequately remove humidity. A fan should be strong enough so that a piece of paper clings to the intake.

FALL BACK REMINDER

Daylight savings time ends on Sunday at 2 a.m.

 

Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour Sunday night before heading off to bed!

 

Regards,

 

Valerie McConville

Homes and Gardens Real Estate Ltd.

PEST CONTROL TIPS FOR FALL & WINTER

When the cooler months roll around, pests look for reliable sources of warmth and food… that includes your house! Here are some practical tips for keeping them out.

When the temperatures begin to dip, humans aren’t the only ones who appreciate the warmth and shelter of a cozy home. Insects, rodents, and other small mammals are also drawn to the comforts your house provides. Ever have a mouse die in a wall? It’s not the sort of smell that one appreciates during the holidays.

No one wants an expensive electrical repair when a rat chews its way through wiring in the attic or basement, either. Do yourself a favor and protect yourself from pests this Fall and Winter.

Here are some tips:

• Inspect the outside of your home for ways animals may sneak in. Often utility vents and areas under eaves have gaps which should be sealed or screened.

• Look for gaps around door and window frames, and caulk or repair those gaps. Tiny entry ways can lead to big problems.

• Examine trees around your home. Are any branches close to or touching the roof? These branches can be pathways for rodents to access your roof and any access ways the roof may provide to your attic, walls, or crawlspaces.

• Make sure your garbage and recycling bins have tight fitting or locking lids. Hungry animals will find those scraps, trimmings, and drips, and they can more or less provide an invitation to come close to the house. It’s not a bad idea to buy containers with latches or locks that won’t interfere with garbage pickup, but will deter most animals. (Raccoons are particularly clever, though!)

• If you have a wood pile for a fireplace or other stove, keep it at a distance from your home. If you’ve been keeping it close to the house because of the cover a roof provides, consider relocating the wood and using a tarp to keep it dry.

• Inside your home, try not to store food on countertops as it will attract flies and rodents. Airtight containers inside of cabinets an drawers is a better bet.

• Never leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight if you can help it. Just like food on the counter, it’s an invitation for bugs.

• Wash your floors with water and a cleaner. Food residue from spills will attract ants.

With a little prevention, you can keep your home pest free this season. Even with the best protection, pest control can become a necessity, though. If you need a referral for a trusted pest control company, feel free to get in touch with me.

email: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT MOISTURE ON WINDOWS?

You’re standing by your window admiring the view. Then you notice it. Moisture has built-up around the edges of the glass.

Should you worry? It all depends on the reason for the build up.

Assuming you have traditional double-pane glass in your windows, there are a few things to look for if you notice moisture.

Often, moisture at the bottom of the windows is simply caused by too much humidity in your indoor air. If that’s the case, simply adjust your humidifier.

If the moisture is on the exterior of the window, typically there’s also no problem with the window itself. It may have rained recently or the outside humidity may have spiked causing the accumulation. Generally, there’s no reason for concern.

However, if the moisture is in between the two panes of glass, the seal has broken and surrounding air – along with its water content – has made its way in.

This disrupts the thermal barrier of the window, reducing its energy efficiency. In fact, the glass might feel noticeably colder than your other windows on chilly days. In that case, you’ll need to replace the pane.

Similarly, if the moisture is coming in through only one spot — the bottom right corner, for example — then you might have a leak. If you have a wood frame or sill, you may also notice a growing water stain. It’s important to get leaks fixed quickly. There may be water damage occurring within the frame that you cannot see.

SELLING A HOME IN A CROWDED MARKET

When you’re about to sell your home, it may be disheartening to see so many other properties for sale in your neighborhood. 

You may be thinking, “That’s a lot of competition! Will our property get noticed?

Fortunately, there are many proven strategies for standing out in a sea of For Sale signs.

First of all, keep in mind that many home purchasers come from the REALTOR’S personal network of buyers who want to move into your area. So, choosing the right REALTOR® is crucial.

Second, remember that when there are other properties for sale on your street, curb appeal becomes even more important. There are many simple things you can do to make your property look great to those driving around looking at homes. Make sure your property looks as picture perfect as possible.

In a competitive market, it’s also more important than ever to highlight features of your home that are unique and enticing. If, for example, you have a large backyard deck and brand new hardwood flooring, make sure these are mentioned prominently on the feature sheet.

Finally, be as flexible as you can be when scheduling viewings and open houses. Don’t forget that other listed properties in your neighborhood draw in buyers, who may notice your home. It’s not uncommon for a buyer to view a property and then scout the neighborhood.

So, you want buyers to be able to see your home on short notice and at a convenient time for them. If there are several other nearby properties for sale, it means things are hot from a real estate point of view. You want to roll out the red carpet to buyers.

COMPOSTING TIPS FOR HOME OWNERS

Do you live in an area which offers free and easy composting? Here are some quick tips you can use to make composting easier and more effective.

Do you compost?

Composting is a great way to reduce the waste which goes into our landfills. More and more communities are providing curbside compost pick-up service. 

Whether a part of regular trash and recycling, or provided by a private company, composting is no longer an affair where you have to turn a drum of scraps in your backyard or worry about pests. If you already compost privately, you know that composting is a spectacular way to turn your table scraps and other biodegradable waste into “black gold” for gardening!

Below are some great composting “hacks” you can use to enhance your composting experience:

1. Use toilet paper in the kitchen. Have an oily pan? Don’t dump the oil in the trash or down the drain. Instead, keep toilet paper handy in the kitchen. Wipe the pan out with the toilet paper and place the soiled paper in the compost container. Not only do the microorganisms feast on the toilet paper, but they thrive on the oils, too. This trick actually does double duty, because in addition to helping your compost, it reduces the amount of dish soap and water you need to finish cleaning the pan.

2. Freeze the stink. If you’re worried about the short-term possibility of foul smells in your kitchen, and you don’t have an indoor compost bin designed to reduce odors, you can actually use your own freezer to store the compost until you dump it in a larger bin. Line a paper bag with a biodegradable sack and place it in the freezer. When you’re ready to dump it, you can put the entire bag and its contents right in the compost bin.

3. Compost coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are incredibly rich in nitrogen, which is essential to a healthy compost mix. Put your grounds in the compost bin, but be sure to add other carbon-rich materials such as paper to-go cups.

4. Carbon filters are your friend. Inexpensive compost keepers like the Norpro 1 Gallon Ceramic Compost Keeper can be used with charcoal filters which will help eliminate odors if you’re squeamish about using your freezer. (You can check out 10 of the best kitchen compost bins here: http://heavy.com/garden/2015/02/best-small-indoor-kitchen-countertop-compost-bin-pail-bucket-collector/)

Get greener with a little compost power!

valeriemcconville@gmail.com You can also visit my website at www.valeriemcconville.com

HERE'S HOW TO KNOW IF YOU'RE READY TO SELL YOUR HOME

Selling a home is an emotional experience with heavy financial repercussions attached. If you try and sell before you’re truly ready to move, you could find yourself in a stressful, costly situation which wastes a lot of time. 

Here’s how to ask yourself if you’re really ready to sell.

I love to sell homes. It’s a privilege and an honor to be a part of the process. I get great satisfaction from making my living helping people move on to the next phase of their life, whether it’s upsizing, downsizing, or simply relocating to a new neighborhood.

But there is one sort of home seller I can’t really help: The seller who’s not really ready to sell.

If you’re thinking about selling your home, don’t enter into the process lightly. It’s a big deal. There’s some stress and there’s a great opportunity for joy. There’s a big investment at stake. This, along with a lot of other reasons large and small, is why you want to be 100% sure you’re ready to sell your home. If you think you’re ready to sell, but it turns out you’re not, you waste a lot of time and energy (and sometimes money). 

So how do you know if you’re really ready to sell your home?

1. You’re fine with the process. You must have no problem with the idea of a stranger poking around your house, talking about renovating it, or treating it like a used car. If you’ve lived in your house a long time, it’s natural to have emotional attachments. So if the process of selling the house makes you feel protective or defensive, you may not be ready. 

2. You are flexible on the right price. Motivated sellers understand selling a home involves negotiation and competitive market pricing. If you have a number “you must get” in order to sell, then you might want to think again. Also, if all of the agents who price your home come back too low for your standards, take a breather and ask yourself if it’s go time or not.

3. You know where you’re going next. Prepared sellers have plans, even if those plans aren’t 100% firm. They’re anticipating the move and they are probably even shopping for houses, if only casually at the moment. If you can’t clearly answer the question, “Where would you like to live after you sell?” then you’re not quite there yet.

If you’re iffy on any of these, take a step back and consider how you feel. While some markets favor sellers more than others, a home can sell in any market for the right price. Don’t jump into something before you’re ready.

However, when you’re ready, I’d be happy to help. Give me a call when the time is right:

valeriemcconville@gmail.com or visit my website at www.valeriemcconville.com

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR WINTER

Winter is coming! Time to think about your home and how you will prepare it for the long months ahead. Here are some great tips to get your home winter ready. After all, your home is the biggest investment you have. So, protect it!

Take care!

Valerie McConville

LOOKING THROUGH KEYHOLES

“People who look through keyholes are apt to get the idea that most things are keyhole shaped.”

(Source Unknown)

A lot of energy gets spent these days managing reputations online. From LinkedIn profiles to the contents of our tweets and status updates, nearly everyone operates under the assumption that what we share will be indexed available, creating at least a partial picture of who we are. And I think we’ve all had the experience of “Googling” someone we’ve just met.

Is this a good idea? With all of this information available online, it’s important to keep a few things in mind: 

1. It’s worth reiterating that what’s available online about a person is only a partial view (and may even be inaccurate). Disinformation is as easily saved as fact, and can be hard to correct. 

2. Social media sites often paint heavily polarized pictures of a person’s beliefs or personality, and tend to reveal the carefully curated best or unintentional moments of their worst. 

3. The truth of a person includes much more than information aggregated from Instagram pics and blog comments. What is essentially human is absent from the internet’s record.

If you’re in the habit of social media stalking people before you get to know them personally, be careful. A relationship can be tainted from the start by meeting someone with preconceived ideas gleaned this way. We should meet everyone with an open mind, and the context of our relationship with a person matters more than their hodgepodge of online data.

Regards,

Valerie McConville

PROTECTING YOUR COLLEGE STUDENT'S POSSESSIONS AT SCHOOL

If you have a son or daughter in college, you probably sent them with most of their possessions, including expensive laptops and other electronics. So what happens if their dorm room is robbed? Are they covered? What about off-campus? Learn more about the issue here…

If you have a son or daughter heading off to college this fall, you’ve probably sent them along with most of their most prized possessions. Laptop, stereo, smartphone, mountain bike… it all adds up to several thousands of dollars of personal gear.

So what happens if they get robbed? Will you be stuck for the replacement costs, or are they covered on your homeowner’s insurance policy?

Believe it or not, the insurance policy on your home might just cover what your kid takes to school. But there’s a catch: Many policies only cover the student if they live in a dorm on campus. If they’re in an apartment or house on their own, you might not be covered.

One alternative to covering your student’s possessions while they’re away at school is renter’s insurance. Renter’s insurance is a very affordable way to make sure you’re not out thousands if there’s a break-in. For as little as $15 - $20 a month you can have a bit of piece of mind you won’t find yourself in the Apple store again plunking down for a new Macbook Air.

A few notes:

1. Your student won’t be covered by their roommate’s policy. Policies are specific about covering a single policy holder.

2. A renter’s policy can also include liability coverage, much like your homeowner’s insurance.

3. Taking inventory of possessions and keeping detailed records (with photos and serial numbers) is essential. It provides helpful evidence of ownership in the case of a claim.

You’ll want to talk to your insurance agent about your specific situation, needs, and your policy. Don’t overlook this opportunity to protect your student and your wallet.

Need a referral to an insurance agent? I can help recommend a few I know and trust: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

MORTGAGE TIPS FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Many people who are self-employed think it’s impossible to qualify for a mortgage. While it can be more difficult, there are some things you can do to improve your odds. Here’s how… 

The so-called “gig” economy means more people than ever are self-employed, receiving 1099 tax forms as independent contractors. In the world of the self-employed, the idea of securing a mortgage can seem like a fantasy. Unlike the traditionally employed, the self-employed entrepreneur is seen as a greater risk. Despite making a good living, some self-employed workers never even apply for a mortgage, believing the dream of home ownership is cut off by slim chances for approval.

This isn’t necessarily true! Don’t give up on home ownership just because you’re self-employed. Instead, take the steps to boost your status in the eyes of lenders. Here are some tips to put you on the path towards pre-approval:

1. Lower your debt. Debt is what haunts almost all new buyers seeking a loan. If you’re self-employed and debt-free, or have a low income-to-debt ratio, you look much more appealing to lenders. 

2. Keep your personal and business accounts separate. Professionals draw a line between business income and expenses and personal income and expenses. Demonstrating this level of maturity is a plus.

3. Deduct less on your taxes. The self-employed are almost always guilty of taking tax deductions which cast a little shade on their mortgage application. Take honest, documented deductions, and don’t make it look like you’re desperate to cook the books!

4. Register and pay yourself like a pro. Make sure your business is licensed and registered and, if possible, setup your business structure to pay yourself rather than declaring your income as 100%.

5. Document everything. Make no claim without paper (or verifiable digital records) to back it up. Check stubs from clients, proof of income, expenses… everything. The more thorough and organized your documentation, the better you look to the lender reviewing your file.  

It can also be useful to make a larger down payment than most, but lenders understand this can be difficult. You may be eligible to use your RRSP to boost your down payment, but talk to your tax professional before you make any moves.

As always, be sure to talk to a mortgage professional for advice.

Don’t let self-employment cloud your view of securing that mortgage. It is possible! I’d be happy to put you in touch with lenders when the time comes: valeriemcconville@gmail.com

MOVING ON AFTER YOUR HOME DOESN'T SELL THE FIRST TIME

Selling a home is an emotional process… especially when your home doesn’t sell the first time around. If you’ve had the unfortunate experience of seeing your plans to move fall apart, here’s a little help for getting over the slump and regrouping for the future. 

Everyone says selling your home is one of life’s great emotional rollercoasters. From making the leap to moving day, the process is one of surprises, anticipation, and (hopefully) celebration.  But what happens if your home doesn’t sell?

If your home’s been on the market for the length of your contract with your real estate agent and it hasn’t sold, your home is on its way to becoming “an expired listing.” At this point you have to make a choice whether to continue with your agent, find a new agent, or delay your dreams and take your home off the market. Still, the sting of the experience lingers. How do you move on from an expired listing? Here are some tips to learn and even grow from the experience:

1. Admit it happened and acknowledge it’s not uncommon. It can be tough to tell people that your home didn’t sell. But you’re not alone. It happens often and it happens for a variety of reasons. Many factors influence this, but if you’re going to make your next move, you have to be open to learning what you can from the heartbreak.

2. Look for lessons, but avoid blame. The number one reason homes don’t sell is a failure to price accurately. This isn’t your fault and it isn’t your agent’s fault… it’s a shared responsibility. Did you feel a price was one you “had to get”? Did your agent fail to present a compelling case for an accurate price? Were there other factors besides price you should consider as part of the whole package? 

3. Abandon worrying about what is beyond your control. If you’re selling in a buyer’s market, there’s nothing you can do about it. If the market crashes, or they discover pesticides in your neighborhood’s aquifer and values plummet, you aren’t responsible and shouldn’t feel the burden of guilt or anxiety. It’s not easy, but sort through what’s truly not your fault and try to distance yourself from those factors.

4. Decide on what you can do next. Review your agent’s approach to selling and your comfort with the relationship. Was there enough communication? Do you feel the home was marketed to the standards of the market? Did you do all you could to make the house welcoming to buyers? Were there curb appeal issues you might want to resolve? Do you want to try again, or should you take a break?

5. Act on next steps. Decide if you’d like to keep your agent or find a new one. If you move on, take your lessons with you, but don’t demonize the past. Accept, forgive, and get back to the dream!

Listing expire? I can help: valeriemcconville@gmail.com or visit my website at www.valeriemcconville.com

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD YOU SPEND VIEWING HOMES?

Figuring out how much time you should spend viewing properties for sale is a little like asking, “How long should I spend trying on shoes?”

The answer seems obvious: As long as it takes to make a decision!

Buying a home is significantly more complex than purchasing shoes – and the stakes are higher too! You need to make sure you have all the information necessary to confidently make the best decision.

There are basically three stages to viewing a property:

1. Macro
2. Micro
3. Professional

When you view a home on a macro basis, you’re looking at it from an overall perspective. For example, you may do a general walk-through to get a first impression and determine if the property has the basic features you need, such as the number of bedrooms and the size of the backyard.

Macro viewing is often the fastest stage in the viewing process and can sometimes take just a few minutes.

If you like what you see, then it’s onto the micro stage. At this stage you take a closer look at the details of the property. You might, for example, spend extra time in the master bedroom imagining how your furniture would look and fit.

The micro stage takes longer simply because the home is now on your shortlist.

You’re interested and are considering making an offer. Finally, the professional stage involves getting a qualified home inspector to go over the property with a fine tooth comb. That typically occurs after you’ve made an offer.

A REALTOR® will guide you through a viewing so you’ll know what to look for and can make a smart, informed decision. Call your local REALTOR® today.

COMMON HOMEOWNER MISTAKES TO AVOID

When you own your home, you need to take an elevated interest in some details you might have overlooked as a renter. Here are a few crucial examples of things you’ll want to keep in mind as you get to know your new home.

When you’re a renter, there are a lot of details you might overlook. Given how much is out of your control about the condition or landscaping around your apartment complex or rented home, you may not be greatly interested in certain aspects of the house.

All of that changes when the home is your own investment. With your money and your safety on the line 24/7, you’ll need to pay attention to some areas which renters take for granted. Keep these few tips in mind and you’ll avoid several common homeowner mistakes.

1. Call 811 before digging up the yard. Landscaping is a great pleasure for many homeowners, especially those who want to plant their own food or dig in a nice water feature. The only problem? There could be pipes, power, and telecom cables underneath your soil. Before you rent the backhoe, call 811, a national hotline dedicated to dig safety. By calling 811 first, all of your local utility providers will get the heads-up to come out and mark all of the areas you’ll need to avoid when digging.

2. Find your water main’s shut-off valve. When a pipe bursts and you don’t know where to turn off the water to your property, a simple leak can turn into a catastrophic amount of water damage. Make sure you know where your shut-off valve is located and that you have the tools you need handy to cut off the flow should an accident happen. (The same is true for those of you with natural gas connections. Special tools can be used to shut off the gas in an emergency.)

3. Before you drill, use a stud-finder. For less than $30, you can get an idea whether or not you’re about to drill yourself a hole into power conduit, plumbing, or ductwork. Also, you’ll want to be sure the art or shelves you hang in your home has a firm grip and doesn’t come crashing down with the drywall.

4. Check your insulation depth. You know that funny looking door in your ceiling? It leads to the attic or crawlspace. Inside, you’ll want to make sure you have insulation deep enough to trap your heat and keep your cool. Most insulation needs to be 12 to 16 inches deep, depending on the quality of the insulation. You can even hire companies to “blow in” the additional insulation you need. Conserve energy with this simple move.

5. Checking your foundation. You want your soil to slope away from the house at least 6 or so inches over 10 - 12 feet. This prevents water from pooling at the foundation, which can lead to costly cracks and repairs

Looking for a home worthy of your careful attention? Let me help you find the right one! Please visit my website at www.valeriemcconville.com.

CAN AirBnB BE USEFUL FOR SELLING YOUR HOUSE?

Doesn’t it seem strange that people buy houses without actually living in them a little first? 

There’s a new trend emerging in which some sellers are listing their house on AirBnB while they’re looking to sell. Is this a good idea?

If you stop to think about it, selling a home is a bit of a strange endeavor. You’re asking prospective buyers to make a huge investment in your home without the experience of actually living there. Yet this is standard procedure. Buyers make offers after showings without having spent a single night in the home where they’re planning on living!

Now there’s an emerging marketing trend designed to take some of the ambivalence out of buying a home. Some sellers are taking the steps to let prospective buyers “live” in their house for a few days to see if the home is right for them.

AirBnB is one platform making this strategy possible. Most effective for sellers who have staged their house and are not currently living in the listing, the approach is direct: Sellers list the home on AirBnB and when they have an interested buyer, they arrange a temporary “rental” of the property. This way, the buyers get to spend real time in the home. They are allowed privacy, the chance to see what it’s like to sleep in the house at night, and use the facilities just as they would if they owned the home.

While the approach goes a long way to calming buyer fears, the idea is not without its critics. For one, not all brokers may be comfortable with this approach. Obviously having prospective buyers temporarily rent the home can create difficulties showing the home to other buyers when the property is rented.

Also, there are infrequent horror stories associated with this type of short-term rental. Home damage and even squatters who refuse to leave have happened to people listing their property on AirBnB. Finally, there are potential legal complications related to short-term rentals in certain communities. Nonetheless, there are thousands upon thousands of people who have offered up their short-term rental with no problem.

You can see the appeal, though. There’s a real potential for buyers to build an emotional attachment to your home if they spend a little vacation time there together while evaluating the property.

What do you think? Would you AirBnB your home if it gave you an selling advantage?

AirBnB’ing your home is hardly the only strategy for a quick, competitive sale. I have a full range of marketing and sales techniques to help you sell! 

If you’re thinking about selling soon, get in touch to see what I can do for you: valeriemcconville@gmail.com