Surina Hart, Quinte Real Estate Broker Royal LePage | MLS listings for Belleville, Brighton, Cramahe, Quinte West, Trenton & Prince Edward County

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 Paint chipping, or outdated colors is an easy fix with a fresh coat of paint that will brighten up the appearance of almost any home quickly and cost effectively.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

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Royal LePage - Home Selling Series

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

Episode 1 of 5:
Helping You Prepare Your Home for Sale

Outlines how you should prepare your property to make it ready for sale.

Related Content:

• Interior Preparation
• Curb Appeal
• Renovations

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Episode 2 of 5:
Helping You List Your Home

Provides an overview of the listing process and how your REALTOR® will help you determine the right asking price for your home.

Related Content:

• Listing Agreement

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Episode 3 of 5:
Helping You with Your Home Sale

Explains how your REALTOR® will design a marketing plan to ensure your property gets the maximum exposure required.

Related Content:

• Marketing Your Home

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Episode 4 of 5:
Helping You Negotiate Offers

Outlines how your REALTOR® will help you negotiate to get the best possible price for your home.

Related Content:

• Receiving An Offer

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Episode 5 of 5:
Helping You Close Your Home Sale

Outlines what you should know about the closing process and how your REALTOR® can help guide you through this process. 

Related Content:

• Closing the Sale
• Planning Your Home - Moving Calendar

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Provided by: Royal LePage Canada 

Permalink  |  Posted in: RLP TV - Sellers

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Seasonal Decor - Bringing the Outdoors In

Tuesday, Dec. 01 2009  |  Posted by: Surina  |  2 comments

Cooler winter temperatures and shorter daylight hours naturally limit the time we spend outside. Current interior design trends use nature punctuated with colour as a theme to rescue us from cabin fever. Here are some of this season's 'outdoor-in' design essentials: 

- Wreaths and Garlands: Made from traditional pine or more contemporary bay leaves, eucalyptus or holly. Live or faux, they are interwoven with brightly contrasting citrus fruits, pomegranates or berries for the most natural look. Glass-like beads and solid spherical ornaments in a shock of intense colour are also featured this season. Look for wreath stands to showcase your wreath at adjustable heights. Garlands look best along mantles, door frames, windowsills and banisters, snaked among candles on tabletop centrepieces, and as trimming atop tall furniture like bookcases, wardrobes and entertainment credenzas.

- Trees and Topiaries: Like wreaths and garlands, trees and topiaries combine the same natural elements interwoven with vivid colours whether live or faux. This season, you can also find them made entirely of a single material, such as glass-like beads, holly berries, tinsel, or round ornaments, in either a uniform tone or a bouquet of colours. Available in a variety of sizes, they can be brilliantly illuminated with lights and garland, or they can sparkle alone with a pre-treatment designed to imitate frost, ice or dew.

- Faux Fire: Indoors or out, there's nothing quite like sitting around a fire to add ambiance to quality time spent enjoying family and friends. It's no surprise then, that sales of electric fireplaces are red-hot this season. They provide the romance and warmth of a traditional gas or wood burning fire without the requisite venting or gas lines, and at a fraction of the cost. Plug them into a standard 120-volt outlet to heat the room, or turn the heat off and appreciate the flame effect alone, complete with glowing embers! Electric fireplaces can be purchased as an insert for existing fireplaces or as a stand-alone piece with a mantle surround. Mantles are available in a variety of styles, colours and wood materials to suit a variety of personal tastes.

- Finishing Touches: Just as the snow sparkles outside, so too do those finishing touches. From decorative ornaments, to picture frames, to napkin rings, to cardholders, to candles and candle holders...think jeweled. If those finishing touches aren't bejeweled with faux gemstones, then they glitter with the imitation effect of frost or ice.

Don't Wait To List!

Once your home is updated with the winter season's latest design essentials, it is most visually appealing to prospective buyers. Serious homebuyers are indeed active through the holidays and into the early months of the New Year. This means minimal disruption for you and your family and viewings from truly qualified prospects. Please contact me for more information about listing during the winter season.

 

provided by: Royal LePage Canada 

Permalink  |  Posted in: Home & Decor

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