The Real Estate Blog - real estate

Home Renovations to Avoid When Selling Your Home

Sellers: Avoid These Renovations

Recently I shared some of the things you can do to increase the value of your home when you're selling it. This week I wanted to share some of the things that you should avoid doing if you're trying to increase the value of your home. The following things aren't worth the time, money, or the hassle that will come of it. You want to make sure that every penny you spend on your home is going to give you a return that you can bank on.

Putting in a Pool.

Many families don't want to have to deal with the hassle of a pool, including cleaning it or maintaining it. Some people with children want to avoid the risk of accidental drowning that comes with a pool. In reality, even if you would like a pool, it can only be…

1184 Views, 0 Comments

Staging Your Home

Staging Your Home

Before you place your home on the market you should try to achieve a show home quality. You want to highlight your home's strong points and minimize the weak points. You are trying to persuade someone to spend Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars on your home, so you should try to deliver a quality product.

Get your Home Ready for Showings by focusing on these areas:

Lighting.

Open blinds & drapes, make sure all light fixtures are on & have working bulbs during showings. Many houses don't have enough lighting to begin with but you can go to any big box store and buy beautiful fixtures or lamps for minimal investment.

Living Areas.

Make sure furniture isn’t blocking the flow of a room. You might have a great sectional…

1295 Views, 0 Comments

How to Clean Up Fast - Preparing for Last Minute House Viewings

How to Clean Up Fast

When it's time to sell your home, the presentation of the property will strongly influence whether buyers make an offer. If you're still living in the house, it can be difficult to prepare for last minute house viewings, especially if your personal belongings are left out. If you want to clean up the house quickly before potential buyers arrive, there are a few important steps to take.

Check Your Curb Appeal

The curb appeal of your home is the first impression that you make on home buyers. Make sure your lawn is nicely trimmed. Spend time daily making sure toys or yard tools are put away neatly. You'll also need to pick up after pets that may spend time in the setting every day.

Remove Clutter

Clutter is an…

1169 Views, 0 Comments

Tips on Moving from a Family Home to a Condo

Downsizing

Many people are making the decision to downsize from a larger family home into a smaller condo. Condo living may be more affordable and convenient because you do not have to care for the exterior of the building or the landscaping. The realtors at Dewar Realty, can help you find the perfect condo for your needs. However, because you are moving into a smaller space with neighbours closer by, it is important to properly prepare yourself for this new living experience.

Prepare to Live in a Smaller Space

You should take steps to downsize your belongings before you relocate to your new condo. Conduct thorough cleaning to eliminate unnecessary clutter. Determine which furnishings you will have room for in your new condo. For the items…

1187 Views, 0 Comments

Should I Purchase a Condo or a House?

House or Condo: What Should I Purchase?

Looking for a new home can be tough, especially when you are not exactly sure what you want. The best thing you can do is make a list of your non-negotiables. What does your new home absolutely need to have? This will make your ultimate decisions a lot easier. In fact, it will even help determine the type of property that will best suit your needs - a condo or a house? There are a few things to take into consideration when choosing between the two.

Price

If you are just looking to invest in a piece of real estate, condos are generally less expensive than detached homes. This holds true, of course, unless you are comparing at a house in the middle of nowhere and condo in the heart of an urban…

1030 Views, 0 Comments

Selling Your Home With Pets

"What Should I Do With My Pets?"

Your pets may be cute, cuddly and very friendly, but the reality is that they can be a detriment when you are trying to sell your home. Some sellers are afraid of certain pets, or they may have an allergy. They may think that pets make the home dirty, or the home may have an animal odor that strikes buyers as soon as they walk in the front door. These are just some of the many reasons why your pets may pose an issue when you list your home for sale. Our team at Dewar Realty has considerable experience helping our clients sell homes for top dollar in the Cambridge area. I myself have 100lb dog’s so I understand the challenges well & by following a few helpful tips, you can more easily overcome the issues of selling…

1037 Views, 0 Comments

Buying a Home While Going Through a Divorce

Buying a Home While Going Through a Divorce

Divorce is one of the most emotionally devastating events that you can experience, and you understandably want to get your life settled as quickly as possible. Buying a new home can help you to establish new roots and get back on your feet. However, if you plan to buy real estate before your divorce is finalized, you should consider a few important points before you get started.

The Assets for the Down Payment

Simply filing for divorce does not dissolve the marriage, but assets may be divided when you are legally separated. Whether you are using cash for a down payment or to buy the property outright, you will likely need to pay out of pocket with a large sum of money. It is important to speak…

1139 Views, 0 Comments

House Hunting in a Hot Housing Market

House Hunting in a Hot Housing Market

Real estate in the Cambridge Ontario area is in high demand. Whether you are looking for the perfect new home in Cambridge or in another surrounding community like Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph or other areas, you may be wondering how you can be successful with your house hunting efforts in a hot real estate market. These tips can help you to enjoy a smoother, easier process when searching for a home in a popular market.

Get Pre-Qualified for a Mortgage

One of the first steps you should take is to get pre-qualified for your mortgage. Pre-qualification helps you to determine how much house you can afford, and this can narrow down the scope of your search. A pre-qualification letter can also be provided to…

949 Views, 0 Comments