Tara Matthews

(778) 834-7355

5 Minute Tips: Prep Your Home for Viewing


You have potential buyers coming but you’re already running late for work. What can you do in 5 minutes that will have the most impact?


1. Tidy the foyer / front entrance.

The front entrance is the first impression of your home. Put away your family’s shoes, hats, jackets, mail, etc.


2. Turn on lights and open the curtains.

Brighter homes look larger and more welcoming. Your real estate agent would be happy to turn off the lights and close the curtains after the prospective buyers have left, if you ask them.


3. Give the powder rooms a once-over.

Put the toilet lids down, wipe any hair and toothpaste spills from the sink, and put away toiletries.


4. Remove personal items.

Quickly go through your home and remove personal items such as family photos, bills and jewellery. This will help potential buyers picture themselves making the home their own.


5. Shake off your welcome mat.

Make sure your welcome mat is clean, free of leaves, bugs or other outdoor distractions that have a habit of accumulating.

This quick and easy task list will help you present your home to buyers in the best light, and it will ensure your mind doesn’t wander back to your house throughout the day with worries that you did not leave your home as clean as you could have.


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Like heat, water and air conditioning, insurance is a home expense you have some degree of control over. In fact, there are ways to reduce your insurance costs by as much as 20%.

The thing to keep in mind is that insurance companies will often reward you – in the form of lower rates – when you do something to reduce the risk of damage to your property. That's why you can often get a discount when you install smoke detectors on all floors. Other discounts may be available if you get better door locks, an alarm system, upgraded wiring, and so forth.

Contact your insurance company and ask how you can lower your insurance costs. Sometimes just a few minor changes can save you a bundle.

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When you’re shopping for a new home, you want to find a property that has all the features and characteristics you want. A large deck surrounded by picturesque landscaping ... a beautiful kitchen with gleaming marble countertops... a cozy finished basement with fireplace....

You should look for the ideal home. You deserve it! But some home buyers make the mistake of becoming fixated on finding the "perfect" property, and passing too quickly on those homes that don't quite measure up.

Why is that a mistake? Because some of those less-than-perfect properties have the potential of becoming your next dream home.

First of all, a home that is lacking some desirable features, such as a finished basement, will probably cost less. Those savings may be more than enough to cover any needed upgrade or renovation.

Secondly, if you look at a home in terms of its potential, rather than the features it happens to have now, there will be more properties available on the market for you to consider.

If you're determined to have a large wrap-around deck for entertaining, for example, don't cross homes that don't have this feature off your list. At least not yet. Instead, view these properties with an eye on potential. Is the backyard big enough to accommodate a large deck? How would a deck like that look if added to this particular property? How much would such a renovation cost?

There's no doubt about it. You want to find a home that has all the features and characteristics you want. If you work with a good REALTOR®, there is a good chance you'll find a property that has most of them.

But keep an open mind. Sometimes a "diamond in the rough" can – with an upgrade or renovation – become a home you'll treasure for years.

 

 

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You will want to make the process of shopping for a home as productive and enjoyable as possible. After all, you'll be on a quest to find your next dream home. That's why it's important to take the right things with you:

 

  • A digital camera, so you can take pictures of the features you like in the properties you see.
  • A notepad, so you can take notes.
  • Measurements of your largest pieces of furniture, so you can confirm they'll fit in the rooms of properties you like.
  • A measuring tape.
  • Some healthy snacks and beverages, (especially important if you're taking the kids along).
  • A map of the area, so you can check out local parks and other neighbourhood features.
  • Clear driving directions to each of the properties you want to see.

 

One of the best ways to shop for a home, and actually enjoy the experience, is to work with a great REALTOR®. 

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I have listed a new property at 946 GATENSBURY ST in Coquitlam.
Beautiful updated 5 BD family home in sought after desirable area of Harbour Chines. Upstairs features modern kitchen w/ S/S appliances, tile floors and a center island that is perfect for entertaining. Spacious dining and living area w/gas fireplace. Home has hardwood floors, custom color paint, big bright windows, new bathroom and a massive deck. Downstairs boasts very large recroom, and 2 more bedrooms plus large den/flex room and a trendy wine cellar. All of this is on an estate size lot of 12,275 sqft. Minutes from Catholic School, French Immersion, transit and all amenities. Motivated Sellers, make an offer!! Open House Saturday, Feb. 16th, 2-4pm.
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Please visit our Open House at 946 GATENSBURY ST in Coquitlam.
Open House on Saturday, February 16, 2013 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Beautiful updated 5 BD family home in sought after desirable area of Harbour Chines. Upstairs features modern kitchen w/ S/S appliances, tile floors and a center island that is perfect for entertaining. Spacious dining and living area w/gas fireplace. Home has hardwood floors, custom color paint, big bright windows, new bathroom and a massive deck. Downstairs boasts very large recroom, and 2 more bedrooms plus large den/flex room and a trendy wine cellar. All of this is on an estate size lot of 12,275 sqft. Minutes from Catholic School, French Immersion, transit and all amenities. Motivated Sellers, make an offer!! Open House Saturday, Feb. 16th, 2-4pm.
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I have listed a new property at 1971 GRANT AVE in Port Coquitlam.
Brand new gorgeous how home quality 4 BD home with 2 BD legal suite and no HST! Main floor features beautiful entertainers kitchen w/soft closing maple cabinets, granite counters, wine rack, tile floors & s/s appliances all open to familyroom. Bright living and dining area have built-in maple dining hutch and gas f/p. Mstr has full 4 pc ensuite and W/I closet. Downstairs has 1 more bedroom for the owners up w/large laundry & 2 pc bath. Legal suite has stove, fridge, dishwasher and own laundry plus 2 more bedrooms. Backyard has large deck off familyrm and huge fenced lot w/lane access. Double garage. This home is a steal, act fast! Open house Feb 17th, Sunday, 2-4pm
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Please visit our Open House at 1971 GRANT AVE in Port Coquitlam.
Open House on Sunday, February 17, 2013 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Brand new gorgeous how home quality 4 BD home with 2 BD legal suite and no HST! Main floor features beautiful entertainers kitchen w/soft closing maple cabinets, granite counters, wine rack, tile floors & s/s appliances all open to familyroom. Bright living and dining area have built-in maple dining hutch and gas f/p. Mstr has full 4 pc ensuite and W/I closet. Downstairs has 1 more bedroom for the owners up w/large laundry & 2 pc bath. Legal suite has stove, fridge, dishwasher and own laundry plus 2 more bedrooms. Backyard has large deck off familyrm and huge fenced lot w/lane access. Double garage. This home is a steal, act fast! Open house Feb 17th, Sunday, 2-4pm
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Ever wonder why "kitchen parties" naturally occur every time you have a get-togeher?

Well.... it's because the kitchen is the hub of every home.  It's where we get nourishment and refreshment, gather and regroup after a busy day.  It is a room with real value for every family.  Kitchen upgrades can really deliver with a 44 % higher return on investment than the average return on other popular renos.

 

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