Edmonton Real Estate Blog

In a time where identity theft and Ponzi schemes are plastered across the daily news, the last thing you want to worry about is yet another way to lose your hard-earned money.

But as a homeowner, you need to be aware of crimes on the rise known as mortgage fraud and real estate title fraud.

Mortgage Fraud

The most common type of mortgage fraud involves a criminal obtaining a property, then increasing its value through a series of sales and resales involving the fraudster and someone working in cooperation with them. A mortgage is then secured for the property based on the inflated price.

Following are some red flags for mortgage fraud:

• Someone offers you money to use your name and credit information to obtain a mortgage
• You are encouraged to include false information on a mortgage application
• You are asked to leave signature lines or other important areas of your mortgage application blank
• The seller or investment advisor discourages you from seeing or inspecting the property you will be purchasing
• The seller or developer rebates you money on closing, and you don’t disclose this to your lending institution

“Straw Buyer” Scheme

Because of the recession, more people are desperate and eager to find a way to hang onto their homes. A couple was recently arrested in Canada after duping 100 families looking for help to avoid foreclosure in the US.

Another term for mortgage fraud is the -straw‖ or -dummy‖ homebuyer scheme. For instance, a renter does not have a good credit rating or is self-employed and cannot get a mortgage, or doesn’t have a sufficient down payment, so he or she cannot purchase a home. He/she or an associate approaches someone else with solid credit. This person is offered a sum of money (can be as much as $10,000) to go through the motions of buying a property on the other person’s behalf – acting as a straw buyer. The person with good credit lends their name and credit rating to the person who cannot be approved for a mortgage for his or her purchase of a home.

Other types of criminal activity often dovetail with mortgage fraud or title fraud. For example, people who run -grow ops‖ or meth labs may use these forms of fraud to -purchase‖ their properties.

The Fallout for Lenders

Fortunately (for you, at least), mortgage fraud typically hurts the lender the most. Canadian precedents have been set in which banks are held responsible for mortgage fraud.

The BC Court of Appeals recently ruled that -the lender – not the rightful property owner – is the one out of luck in a fraudulent mortgage scheme‖ and that lenders -must ensure their mortgages are valid by taking steps to ensure that the registered owner obtained title to the property legally.

The same conclusion was made by the Ontario Courts a couple of years ago. Banks, as you can imagine, aren’t too thrilled about this trend. Royal Bank of Canada recently sued a former bank employee over an alleged mortgage fraud scheme.

Title Fraud

Sadly, the only red flag for title fraud occurs when your mortgage mysteriously goes into default and the lender begins foreclosure proceedings. Even worse, as the homeowner, you are the one hurt by title fraud, rather than the lender, as is the case with mortgage fraud.

Unlike with mortgage fraud, during title fraud, you haven’t been approached or offered anything – this is a form of identity theft. Here’s what happens with title fraud: A criminal – using false identification to pose as you – registers forged documents transferring your property to his/her name, then registers a forced discharge of your existing mortgage and gets a new mortgage against your property. Then the fraudster makes off with the new home loan money without making mortgage payments. The bank thinks you are the one defaulting – and your economic downfall begins.

Following are ways you can protect yourself from title fraud:

• Always view the property you are purchasing in person
• Check listings in the community where the property is located – compare features, size and location to establish if the asking price seems reasonable
• Make sure your representative is a licensed real estate agent
• Beware of a real estate agent or mortgage broker who has a financial interest in the transaction
• Ask for a copy of the land title or go to a registry office and request a historical title search
• In the offer to purchase, include the option to have the property appraised by a designated or accredited appraiser
• Insist on a home inspection to guard against buying a home that has been cosmetically renovated or formerly used as a grow house or meth lab
• Ask to see receipts for recent renovations
• When you make a deposit, ensure your money is protected by being held -in trust‖
• Consider the purchase of title insurance

It’s important to remember that if something doesn’t seem right, it usually isn’t – always follow your instincts when it comes to red flags during the home buying and mortgage processes.

Article provided by: Souchita Rattanarasy of Dominion Lending Centres Optimum (780) 932-2225

When it’s Showtime!

You have inspected your house and taken care of problems. Now you are ready for showings. You will need a plan of action that assigns duties to each family member so the place can quickly be whipped into shape.

• Open all drapes, blinds, etc. and turn on lights to make the house bright.
• Air out the house to get rid of cooking, pet odours, and so on.
• Have fresh flowers in view.
• Pick up clutter and empty garbage.
• Make sure everything is spotless.
• Set your thermostat at a comfortable level.
• Remove pets from the house or put them outside.
• If you have an agent, leave when the house is being shown. If you are selling it yourself, you need to strike a balance between being helpful and crowding the buyer.
• In poor weather, provide a place for boots, overshoes and umbrellas.
• Display photos of the house in summer to show landscaping if selling in the winter months.
• Leave out heating and hydro bills.
• For those on a septic system and/or well, leave out inspection and maintenance information.

Article by: CMHC

This is Part 3 of a 3 Part Series

Now, Let’s Go Indoors

A prospective buyer will usually enter through your front door; so, that is where you should begin your interior inspection. You want your buyer to see a neat, clean, well-lit interior. Get clutter out of sight; ensure that carpets are clean and floors are scrubbed and polished; and that walls and trim show fresh paint (preferably neutral or light colours).

Take a sniff. Are there any unpleasant odours in your home? If there are, track them down and eliminate them. Ensure all your lights work and are free of cobwebs. You want your home to look spacious, bright and fresh.

If you have considerable family memorabilia, consider thinning it out. Your objective is to help potential buyers feel as if they could live in your home. That mental leap becomes more difficult for them if your house resembles a shrine to your family.

Professional realtors and decorators say the most important areas of your home to upgrade and modernize are the kitchen and bathrooms. Buyers also want to see new or recently installed floor coverings throughout.

General Interior

• Check stairs for loose boards, ripped carpeting, and missing or loose handrails and guards.
• Most problems with interior walls are cosmetic and can be repaired with spackling compound and paint.
• Ensure doors open and shut properly. Minor sticking is normal but excessive binding indicates possible structural problems.
• Open and close all windows to ensure they work properly. Fogging between the panes of a sealed window indicates the seal is broken and the unit needs to be replaced.
• Keep furniture to a minimum so rooms do not appear smaller than they are. Ensure that traffic can flow in or through rooms unimpeded. If they contain bookshelves or cabinets overflowing with books, magazines and knick-knacks, remove some of these items.
• Ensure closets look spacious, organized and uncluttered. Create space by getting rid of old clothes and junk.
• Remove or lock away valuables such as jewellery, coins, currency, cameras and compact disks.

Kitchen and Bathrooms

• People splash water around in the kitchen and bathrooms so check around sinks, tubs and toilets for rotting countertops and floors. Problems could be due to poor caulking or plumbing leaks. Fogged windows, moulds and sweating toilet tanks indicate high humidity levels, which you can remedy with exhaust fans.
• In the kitchen, clean all appliances, including your oven. Clean or replace your greasy stove hood filter. Clean your cabinets inside and out, as well as your countertops and backsplashes. Repair dripping faucets.
• Remove anything stored on top of your fridge and remove artwork and magnets.
• Remove any items stored on countertops.
• Remove items stored under the sink.
• In bathrooms, scrub sinks, tubs and toilets, taking care to remove any rust stains. Remove mildew from showers and bathtubs. Fix dripping faucets or trickling toilets, and vacuum your fan grill.
• Clean mirrors, light switch plates and cupboard handles.
• Consider installing new 6-litre toilets if you currently have water-guzzlers.
• If you have ceramic tile in either your kitchen or bathroom, ensure grouting is intact and clean.

Basement

The condition of the foundation and main structural members in the basement are critical to the fitness of any house. The purpose of your inspection is to make sure these are sound and durable.

• Look for cracks, water seepage, efflorescence (white powder-like substance), crumbling mortar or concrete, and rotting wood. If any of these problems are present, you need to do further research to learn about causes and possible solutions.
• If your basement is damp or musty, consider using a dehumidifier.
• Like all other areas of your home, your basement should be organized and clutter-free.
• Change the filters in the furnace and have it cleaned-this is the number one item purchasers want done after a home inspection.
• If you have a pet with a litterbox, ensure the litterbox is clean.

Garage

• Get rid of the broken tools, old car parts, discarded bicycles, empty paint cans and the hundreds of other useless items that accumulate in garages. Again, you want a clutter-free zone.
• Use cleaning solutions to remove oil stains from the floor.

Article by: CMHC

Tomorrow is Part 3 of a 3 Part Series

When getting your home ready to sell, you need to look at your house in a new way. Think of your house as a product about to go on the market where it is probably competing with brand new housing. It needs to show well-which means clutter-free and well kept.

Today’s homebuyers lead busy lives and may not be interested in taking on major repairs or improvements upon moving in. You need to make your house a 10.

Fix It First

If you need to make improvements to your home, do the work before it goes on the market. Potential buyers are not interested in hearing about your good intentions to look after defects before a transfer of ownership takes place. Even if fix-up work is underway, buyers may not be able to visualize what your home will look like when the work is finished. They will just remember it being in a state of disrepair.

Check Your House’s Curb Appeal

How does your house look from the street? That is where prospective buyers will be when they first see your home; and, that is where they will form that all-important first impression. Stand at the curb in front of your house and note what you see.

 Remove any clutter in your yard.

 Repair cracked or uneven driveway or walkway surfaces.

 If your lawn has bald spots, apply some top dressing and re-seed. Prune trees and shrubs of dead wood. Weed and mulch flower beds, if you have them. If it is the right time of year, consider buying some flower-filled planters to enhance the eye appeal of your property. Make sure your lawn is mowed regularly. Ensure composter area is tidy.

 Are your windows and walls clean?

 Does your front door need paint?

 Ensure your eaves and downspouts are clear of debris and in good repair.

 Are your backyard deck and walkways clean? If not, use a power washer and do any necessary painting, staining, or sealing.

 If you have a swimming pool, are the deck and pool clean (when in season)?

 Do all outside lights work? Replace any burned out bulbs, and clean fixtures of dirt and cobwebs.

 Is there a shed? Does it look presentable?

 Do windows and exterior doors need recaulking? Even at 6-7 years of age, the caulking may be dried out and in need of replacement.

 Do you have decorative wooden poles on the porch? Is the wood at the bottom in good condition? Overall, does it need a new coat of paint?

 If you have a gate, is it well oiled?

When you have completed the curb appeal inspection, carefully check the rest of your home’s exterior.

Tomorrow is Part 2 of a 3 Part Series

 Article written by: CMHC

New Home, Previously Owned or Build Your Own?

When thinking about the kind of home you want, the first thing you should consider is whether you want a previously owned home (often called a resale) or a new home. Here are some characteristics that may help you decide:

New Home

• Modern design. A new home has an up-to-date design that takes into account the latest trends, materials and features.
• Personalized choices. You may be able to upgrade or choose certain items such as siding, flooring, cabinets, plumbing and electrical fixtures.
• Up-to-date with the latest codes/standards. The latest building codes, electrical and energy-efficiency standards will be applied.
• Maintenance costs. Lower maintenance costs because everything is new and many items are covered by a warranty. You should still set aside money every year for future maintenance costs.
• Builder warranty. This is a warranty that may be provided by the builder of the home. Be sure to check all the conditions of the warranty. A homebuilder’s warranty can be important if a major system such as plumbing or heating breaks down.
• New Home Warranty programs. Generally new home warranty programs are provided by provincial and territorial governments, but there are private new home warranty programs. These warranty programs are not available in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Check with your real estate agent or lawyer/notary to find out what the new home warranty program in your province or territory covers.
• Neighbourhood amenities such as schools, shopping malls and other services may not be complete for years.
• Taxes such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) (or, in certain provinces, the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)) will apply. However, you may qualify for a rebate of part of the GST or HST on homes that cost less than $450,000. For more information about the GST New Housing Rebate program, visit the Canada Revenue Agency website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca
• Extra costs. You may have to pay extra if you want to add a fireplace, plant trees and sod, or pave your driveway. Make sure you know exactly what’s included in the price of your home.

Resale Home

• You can see what you are buying. Easy access to services. Probably established in a neighbourhood with schools, shopping malls and other services.
• Landscaping is usually done and fencing installed. Previously owned homes may have extras like fireplaces or finished basements or swimming pools.
• No GST/HST. You don’t have to pay the GST/HST unless the house has been renovated substantially, and then the taxes are applied as if it were a new house.
• Possible redecorating and renovations. You may need to redecorate, renovate or do major repairs such as replacing the furnace, roof, windows or doors.

Building Your Own Home

Some people prefer the challenge and flexibility of building their own home. On one hand, you make all the decisions about size, design, location, quality of material, level of energy-efficiency and so on. However, you should expect to invest lots of time and energy.

Article written by: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Source: TD Insurance

A guide to deterring robbers.

Statistics Canada reports that of 230,000 break-ins across the country in 2007, about 60% (almost 140,000) were residential. While the installation of alarm systems and motion detectors have contributed to a steady reduction in home break-ins in recent years, alone they may not deter a determined thief. They should be combined with other measures that help keep burglars from finding your home an attractive target.

 Make your home less vulnerable by following these tips.

 Outside the home

You want your home to appear impenetrable. If it looks difficult to break into, chances are a burglar will move on to another target.

• Keep shrubs and bushes well trimmed and away from your doorways. This helps eliminate possible hiding places for intruders.
• Make sure that yard work tools are not left out. They can be used by an intruder to break into your home.
• Consider installing lights or motion detectors around the exterior of your house.
• Never hide extra keys outdoors, especially in obvious places such as door ledges, mailboxes or under the mat.
• Home alarm systems or dogs that bark at strangers are great deterrents for burglars, as are signs like “beware of the dog” and home alarm stickers placed on your doors and windows.
• Do not put a sign with your family name on the outside of your house. A thief could look up your number in the phone book and call to see if anybody’s home.
• If you go out, never leave a note on your door indicating when you will be back.

 Doors and windows

These are the main entry points of your home. Make sure they are secure and difficult to get through.

• Always lock your doors and windows. A surprising number of robberies occur through unlocked doors or windows. An open window seen from the street can seem like an invitation to enter your home. And don’t forget to lock your garage door.
• Exterior doors should be of a strong, solid material and equipped with high-quality locks.
• Secondary locks on doors and windows act as an added deterrent.
• Always change the locks when you move to a new home or if you lose your keys.
• Install security bars on your basement windows.
• Sliding doors should be secured with a stick or metal bar. The stationary door pane should also be secured; otherwise it can be easily lifted off the track. Use an auxiliary lock or door pins hooked into the frame.

 Protecting valuable items

If a burglar can spot valuable items from the street, it’s like an invitation to come in.

• Never leave valuables in places where they can be seen through a door or window. Consider placing items like expensive jewellery or stock certificates in a safety deposit box. Or invest in a fireproof safe for your home.
• Engrave your drivers’ license number on your valuables. And keep an inventory stored in a safe place.

 When you’re away from home

Your goal when you are away on vacation should be to make it look like someone is still living in your home.

• Use timers on your lights, stereos and televisions. The lights and noise will give the impression that someone is home. Setting lights to go on and off at irregular intervals makes it look like someone is moving through the rooms of the house, as they would be if you were home.
• Cancel your newspaper and ask a neighbour or friend to pick up your mail.
• Hire someone to cut your grass or shovel the snow. Ask a neighbour to leave a bag of their garbage out at your house on pick-up day.
• Leave a car in the driveway. If you take your car on vacation, ask a neighbour to park in your driveway.
• Turn down the ringer on your telephone. Do not change your phone message to say you are away.
• Turn off your computer and disconnect it from the Internet. Make it difficult to access any personal information you may have on your hard drive.
• Make sure you let your neighbours know if you’re planning to be away, even if it’s just for the weekend. That way, they can keep an eye out for any unusual activity around your home.
• Before leaving, do a complete check of your home to verify that everything is secure.

 Always be aware and prepared

Know what to watch and listen for, and be smart when talking to strangers.

• Make sure trusted neighbours and friends have a way to reach you, in case they notice something strange happening around your home.
• Report suspicious activities in your neighbourhood such as unknown persons hanging around, slow moving vehicles circling the block, unusual noises or unfamiliar parked cars.
• Do not allow strangers into your home. If someone knocks on your door and says they are hurt or need help, keep your door locked and call the police for them.
• When replying to calls from strangers, such as people who say they are telemarketers or conducting a survey, never mention when you are planning to be away. Likewise, do not discuss travel plans in public places where you don’t know who may be listening.

In light of the current market and tightening of credit underwriting standards by both lenders and mortgage default insurers as of late, keep in mind that now – more than ever – it’s important to be careful what you do between the time your mortgage is approved and when it funds. A few mortgage lenders and insurers have been doing something lately that they have not done in a long time, and that is pull new credit bureaus prior to funding, especially if there is a long period between the time of your approval and when the mortgage actually funds.

Following are eight tips to keep in mind between your mortgage approval and funding dates:

1.  Don’t buy a new car or trade-up to a more expensive lease.

2. Don’t quit your job or change jobs. Even if it’s a better-paying job, you still are likely to be on a probationary period. If in doubt, give me a call and I can let you know if this may jeopardize your approval.

3. Don’t change industries, decide to become self-employed or accept a contract position even if  it is within the same industry. Delay the start of your new job, self-employment or contract status until after the funding date of your mortgage.

4. Don’t transfer large sums of money around between bank accounts. Lenders get especially skittish about this one because it looks like you’re borrowing money. Be ready to document cash transactions or money movements.

5. Don’t forget to pay your bills, even ones that you are disputing. This can be a real deal-breaker. If the lender pulls your credit bureau prior to closing and sees a collection or a delinquent    account, the best you can hope for is that they make you pay off the account before they will fund. You don’t want to have to scramble to pay off a debt at the last minute!

6. Don’t open new credit cards. Again, just wait until after your funding date.

7. Don’t accept a cash gift without properly documenting with me – even if this is from proceeds of a wedding. If you have a bunch of cash to deposit before your funding date, give me a call before you deposit it.

8. Don’t buy furniture on the “Do not pay for XX years plan” until after funding. Even though you don’t have to pay now, it will still be reported on your credit bureau, and will become an issue – especially if your approval was tight to begin with.

While you may not risk losing your mortgage approval because you have broken one of these rules, it’s always best to talk to me before doing any of the above just to make sure!

Article Provided by:

Narish Maharaj

Dominion Lending Centres Optimum
(780) 238 – 7038
Apply online :
www.dlconline.com

Vermiculite is a volcanic mineral that is fire-resistant and has strong insulation properties. It was incorporated into home insulation products branded Zonolite Attic Insulation in Canada and installed in hundreds of thousands of homes across the country.

Vermiculate from the Libby Mine in Montana were used in insulation products sold under the brand name Zonolite Attic Insulation in Canada. Health Canada notes that vermiculate from the Montana mine may contain amphibole asbestos, which when inhaled may cause serious health problems, including cancer.

If you have Vermiculite insulation: stay away from it – if it’s left untouched in the attic, there should be minimal or no risk at all, according to Health Canada. The asbestos fibres must be airborne to be inhaled. Each time you breathe asbestos fibres into your lungs, you increase the chance of developing health problems.

The fibres can become trapped in the lungs and can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs’ lining or the abdominal cavity.

It’s impossible to tell just by looking at Vermiculite where it was produced or whether it contains asbestos or not. Often, empty Zonolite kraft paper bags were left in the attic. If the bags show that ore was processed by W.R. Grace Canada, Grant Industries or F. Hyde and Co., the product is probably from Libby. If you know you have vermiculite insulation in your attic or walls and you’re concerned about it, it probably makes sense to test the material to see whether it contains asbestos. It is suggested that you hire a trained consultant or contractor to collect the sample and get it analyzed at a laboratory. There are numerous consulting companies that perform this kind of asbestos analysis work.

Removing asbestos-containing materials is typically very expensive. If a significant amount of material is involved, it will probably cost thousands of dollars. Due to the physical characteristics of vermiculite, the risk of the material getting into the air is low. If the insulation is not exposed to the home environment – for example, it’s sealed behind wallboards and floorboards or is isolated in an attic that is vented outside – the best advice would be to leave it alone.

If you are renovating and you suspect you have vermiculate insulation, you should hire an asbestos removal professional before proceeding. Health Canada also suggests sealing cracks and holes in the window frames, door frames and walls. If you suspect Zonolite was installed in your attic, seal up any cracks in the ceilings of the rooms below.

Source: Dave Watson, Canadian Residential Inspection Services (780) 909-8945

The cold weather and storms of the winter season can wreak havoc on the exterior of a home and the surrounding property. Sometimes it isn’t that there is significant damage, but simply the fact that it may have been several months since you last paid attention to or attempted any outdoor maintenance.

Now is the time to do a winter-end check to make sure everything is in order and your home is ready to withstand those spring-time showers and the pending heat of summer.

While all exterior areas should be checked periodically, one area that typically requires special attention at the end of the winter season is the roof. To identify possible roofing concerns, look for:

• Ceiling stains – A possible warning sign that your roof system needs repair or replacement. If localized, it may be an isolated point of damage or a flashing leak. Ceiling stains can also be associated with excessive attic moisture and/or ice dam conditions, which may require additional attic ventilation and/or insulation to prevent a recurrence. If there are stains on lower level ceilings, a plumbing leak could be the cause.
• Loose or missing shingles – Any loose or missing shingles should be repaired or replaced immediately to avoid additional leakage and damage to the roof deck or interior of your home.
• Loose, lifted or cracked flashing – This is the sheet metal or other type membrane found at the base of chimneys and roof penetrations. Damaged flashing should be repaired or replaced to prevent leakage. Any open gaps should be sealed with roof cement.
• Lifted or curled shingles – This may be an indication the roof is worn and at or near the end of its service life, or, at the very least, makes it conducive to wind damage. If found just in an isolated area, spot replacement may be possible, but if widespread, get a professional opinion on the roof’s condition.
• Heavy granule buildup in gutters or at base of downspouts – The granules on roof shingles gradually wear away to the point where the underlying material is exposed over large areas. Once this happens the rate of shingle deterioration accelerates. If granule loss is excessive, it may indicate aging shingles that need replacement.

Any roof maintenance check should also include gutter cleaning. This is an areas often not paid attention to until an overflow creates problems. Gutters need to be checked year-round to help avoid expensive water damage to the siding or house structure. Extensions or splash blocks at downspouts help divert water away from the house, avoiding soil erosion and infiltration through basement or crawlspace walls.

If you have questions on your roof system, consider utilizing the services of a professional home inspector or qualified roofing contractor to determine conditions.

Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue.

To view and search all Edmonton and area MLS listed homes visit me at http://www.findmyhouse.ca/

Also visit http://www.findmyhouse.ca/ to enter the free draw for a $5,000 travel gift certficate.

Attract the highest offer for your home with these tips.

If you have a move in your future you are probably wondering how to attract the highest offer for your home. Here are eight tips to get your house ready to go on the market.

Say goodbye to your home now

Many of the things we all care for in our homes are the personal touches – the wallpaper we chose with care when we first decorated, or the cabinet handles we found at a garage sale. But the thing about a personal style is that it is personal, and may not appeal to everyone. It’s important to take the time to let go of the house as your home and look at it instead as a product to be sold. Concentrate on your plan for a new home, or picture yourself enjoying the money that you’ll make from the sale. And then prepare yourself to make the home appeal to the broadest possiblemarket. That may mean the wallpaper has to go.

Choose your experts

Word of mouth is a good way to find an agent – ask friends and neighbours who they would recommend in your area. Feel free to ask agents about their track record in your particular neighbourhood – sometimes a great agent in a slightly different market can end up as only a so-so one in yours. Once you’ve selected an agent, however, take their advice. It’s not worth paying for their expertise if you’re not willing to hear that you need to move the trailer around the back, or repair a cracked windowpane.

You may also want to choose a “design consultant” that’s in your target market. For example, if you are selling a family home that you think will appeal to people with young children, ask people you know in that stage of life to take a brief tour of your home and tell you what appeals to them and what puts them off. If they hate the décor in the bathroom, listen to them.

Get out the handyman gear

Small repair issues can really make or break a deal, particularly when it comes to getting the most money from a seller possible. Some areas you may want to look at are:
• Replace cracked tiles
• Patch holes in walls
• Repair floors or replace vinyl or linoleum flooring
• Fix leaky faucets
• Remove stains and water deposits
• Fix doors that don’t close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
• Consider painting your walls neutral colors
• Replace burned-out light bulbs
• Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.

Your stuff – and what to do with it

You will want to depersonalize your home. When people are looking at homes they are imagining space that will accommodate their family – and seeing yours can be distracting. Pack up personal photographs and family heirlooms.

You’ll also need to declutter. It’s amazing how many things we all collect over the years, especially when we have a comfortable, homey space in which to do so. Be absolutely brutal in determining which things you need and which you don’t – you will be doing this when you move anyway, so it’s one way to get a jump on the job. Donate or throw away things, or you can have a garage sale (just be sure you have a plan to deal with anything that doesn’t sell, so it doesn’t end up filling the actual garage!)

Once you’ve done that pass, then you’ll probably still need to pack some things away. You may want to rent a storage unit, or ask family if you can use some space in their garage or basement. Put your family heirlooms and sports paraphernalia in that space. Pack up things like books and knickknacks to create more of a sense of space on shelves. Make sure all countertops are clear, even if that means packing up some of the good china in the cupboard so that you can store the toaster and the coffee pot in there for a change. Put essential items in a box or basket that can be stored in a closet.

Make the rooms bigger

It might be too late for that big renovation, but there is another way to make your rooms bigger: remove furniture and shelves. (If shelves are built in, besure to do this in time to patch and paint.) If you can possibly accommodate the storage issues, take at least one piece of furniture out of every room, and as much gardening and seasonal equipment out of the garage and basement as well. This will automatically add a sense of space to your home.

What lies beneath

Remember that buyers will be opening closet and cupboard doors, looking the furnace room, and peering into nooks and crannies. Be sure the contents of your closets and cupboards are clean and organized, with hangers in one direction, plates neatly stacked, and so on. The impression left when something falls out of a closet onto a buyer is not the one you want to leave.

Cleanliness is next to… profit

Buyers will be more attracted to space that gleams and sparkles. Consider hiring a cleaning service to come before every open house if your energy is starting to wane – it’s worth the expense. Of course you will also have to keep things tidy and clean in case of individual showings. A partial cleaning list includes:
• Wash windows on both sides – it’s amazing what a difference this makes both to cleanliness and to light within the home
• Spray down sidewalks and the outside of your home with a pressure washer
• Clean out cobwebs weekly
• Polish chrome faucets and mirrors and make the sink shine – one tip for a gleaming sink is to rub it with a very small amount of baby oil after cleaning
• Clean out the refrigerator
• Vacuum daily
• Wax floors
• Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades, and light fixtures
• Bleach dingy grout
• Replace old rugs; steam clean carpets
• Hang up fresh towels
• If you have pets, be sure to clean out cages or litter boxes daily

Do not use air fresheners or sprays – they almost scream “an odour is being hidden here.” Instead air out the home and eliminate the source of any odours. But yes, on the day of the open house it is a good idea to bake bread, or heat up some cinnamon sticks and cloves in a pot of boiling water and let simmer for an hour or so before the open house begins.

Don’t forget curb appeal

Buyers will often do a “drive-by” before making an appointment to see your home. If they don’t like what they see, you’ll never get them inside. Clear clutter. Make sure the lawn is well maintained and that the sidewalks are clear. Trim your bushes and maintain garden areas. Paint faded or peeling trim. Consider adding some window boxes or potted plants to up the lush, green feeling. Replace old mailboxes and other worn fixtures with new ones. Check outdoor light bulbs. And make sure your house numbers are clearly visible from the street.

With these improvements, your home will be ready to go – and then it’s on to happy house

source: Jennifer Gruden, 50Plus.com