Blog | Surina Hart, Real Estate Broker Royal LePage

How to prepare for an Open House

Friday, Jan. 01 2010 | Posted by: Surina | 0 comments

When trying to sell your home, there are some things that can be done to help make sure that your home is ready for prospective buyers.

Thorough Cleaning

Give your home a good and thorough cleaning and leave an outstanding impression on the minds of your prospective home buyers. No time for such a cleaning? Be confident that investing in a house cleaning service will be money well spent.

Mysterious Odors

The sense of smell is very powerful, having a positive effect on some and negative effects on others. Open houses can be sabotaged by any foul or mysterious odor in the home. Candles, even though create a warm and cozy atmosphere can also deter some who have allergies to synthetic perfumes. Enlist someone who doesn't already live in your home to help you identify any foul odors, and then get rid of them as soon as possible.

De-Clutter

If there isn't a good reason for something being out in the open, store it. Put away the ceramics collection, toys and items lining bathroom and kitchen counters. If some of your rooms are small, remove any nonessential furniture to help them appear larger and more inviting.

Fresh Paint

Are your walls looking a little tired? Paint chipping, or outdated colors is an easy fix with a fresh coat of paint that will brighten up the appearance of almost any home quickly and cost effectively.

De-Personalize

Minimize the amount of photos on display; personal information such as bills, documents and calendar events should be kept in a safe and out-of-sight place. Every day items such as robes, bath towels, laundry hampers can easily find a spot in the closet during open house.

Atmosphere

To liven up the appearance of your home and create a warm, inviting atmosphere, bring in flowers and place them around in strategic locations. Wonderful smells of freshly baked bread or cookies will permeate the entire house. Classical or Jazz music, quietly playing in the background, is also a wonderful and beneficial touch. An open house is a showcase for your home - set the stage so it makes for an inviting, pleasing and successful experience.

Brighten the Rooms

Turn on the lights and let every room within your home glow especially if it is a darker gloomy day. Each room should have at least one or two lights turned on to allow potential Buyers the opportunity to see your home in all of it's glory. On those sunny days, accent lighting is ideal.

AfternoonBliss

Prepare to go out for the afternoon during your scheduled open house. Resist the temptation to stay. Your REALTOR® is knowledgeable and will sell buyers on all your home's features.

Permalink | Posted in: For Sellers

Real Estate as a Career

Friday, Jan. 01 2010 | Posted by: Surina | 0 comments

Ontario real estate professionals are recognized as among the best educated in the world thanks to the OREA Real Estate College's award-winning education program.

Becoming a salesperson within Ontario, one must move through various mandatory and elective stages to become a registered salesperson successfully completing all courses with a passing grade of 75%. Within the pre-registration stage, individuals must successfully complete a three-phase education program, meet regulatory requirements, and be employed by a real estate brokerage in order to obtain provisional salesperson registration.

Provisional salespeople, once registered RECO, enter a two-year articling stage. During this stage, three additional courses must be completed to achieve permanent salesperson registration including Real Property Law.

Broker Registration can be pursued after meeting RECO Broker registration requirements and successfully completing the Professional Real Estate Brokerage mandatory course along with an elective.

The 2009 Real Estate Career Guide is available for those interested in pursuing a real estate career or to learn more about the requirements and educational process of a REALTOR®.

Provided by: The Ontario Real Estate Association

Permalink | Posted in: Education