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