SETTING THE STAGE FOR A PERFECT SALE

You only get one chance to make a great first impression!

When you put your home on the market, your goal is to sell it quickly and for top dollar. Properly staging your home from day one will create an amazing impression that will generate a huge buzz!

Staging isn't so much an expense as it is an investment. Not only is your home likely to sell for a higher price but it will probably sell much faster which is important because homes that sit on the market can quickly lose their value.

Staging starts with an ultra clean, de-cluttered and de-personalized home. Buying a home is an emotional decision so buyers must be able to envision themselves living there which is why photographs, trophies and kids' artwork have to go.

A stager also ensures your home is inviting to buyers by enhancing the functionality and flow of each room. They can remove and store furniture so the house looks as spacious as possible and use lighting and other tricks to warm up the feel of your home. A properly staged home will also look much more appealing to those browsing online which will generate more showings.

If you want to stage your home yourself, you'll have to go beyond the basics. Start cleaning up the front yard, the porch, the garage and don’t forget the back garden. Buyers have a tough time visualizing themselves in unfurnished rooms so turn your craft room back into a bedroom or transform an awkward nook into a reading spot by setting out a comfy chair and lamp.

Great lighting will create a warm and welcoming ambience so make sure you update your light fixtures, lamps and light bulbs. Buyers will also be snooping through your cupboards and closets as storage space is often an important factor so don’t forget to stage those areas as well.

A well staged home is much more likely to make a great first impression and capture the hearts of homebuyers. Whether you pay a professional to stage your home or do the work yourself, staging is a worthwhile investment that will massively increase the odds of your home selling quickly and for top dollar.

KITCHENER-WATERLOO REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE

Typical November for home sales in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Last month a total of 425 residential properties sold in Kitchener-Waterloo and area through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR).

Home sales in November were down 20.1 per cent compared to the same month last year, but on par with the previous 5-year November average of 424 sales.

November’s sales included 246 detached homes (down 30.9 per cent), and 99 condominium units (down 15.4 per cent) which includes any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.). Sales also included 52 semi-detached homes (up 67.7 per cent) and 27 freehold townhouses (down 3.6 per cent).

“Last month’s sales levels were typical for November,” says James Craig, President of KWAR. “The twenty percent drop compared to last year is relative to November 2016’s record breaking month”.

The average price of all residential properties sold last month increased 8 per cent to $445,363 compared to November 2016. Detached homes sold for an average price of $515,721, an increase of 8.9 per cent compared to November 2016.

During this same period, the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $277,660 for an increase of 30.7 per cent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $369,678 (up 19.3 per cent) and $376,677 (up 15.1 per cent) respectively.

The median price of all residential properties sold in November increased 9.7 per cent to $415,000, and the median price of a detached home during the same period increased 12.1 per cent to $476,500.

REALTORS® listed 601 residential properties in K-W and area last month, a 22.6 per cent increase compared to November of 2016. The number of active residential listings on the KWAR’s MLS® System to the end of November totaled 740, which is 50 per cent more than November of last year, but still well below the previous five-year average of 1,318 listings for November.

“Kitchener-Waterloo’s housing market continues to be in favour of sellers, however with listings trending higher, we are seeing more balance,” says Craig. “While the majority of MLS® System activity is properties for sale, we are noticing more residential properties for lease,” commented Craig. “In fact, last month there were 42 residential properties leased, which is an increase of 83% compared to November of 2016.”

SMART HOME SECURITY MADE SIMPLE

A fully secure home will provide you with peace of mind.

Whether you’re at home sleeping or away on vacation, it’s important to know that your home is secure.  A secure home is also much more attractive to potential buyers when it comes time to sell.

Smart lighting, remote locks and wireless cameras can all make your home safer; however, the issue of cyber criminals hacking into smart home systems is a valid concern so homeowners shouldn’t forget about the basics.

Eliminate potential hiding spots by trimming down bushes that are around your windows and doors.  Most thieves are opportunists who see an open door or window and decide to take a chance and see what they can make off with.

Next, install strike plates on your doors to help protect the deadbolt from crowbars or kick attacks.  Thieves want to get into your home as quickly as possible so if one forceful kick doesn't work, they’ll likely turn and run.

Windows are also popular break in points so install heavy sash or keyed locks.  Installing an eyebolt in window corners also prevents the window from being opened from the outside.  Glass block windows are an excellent choice as they look attractive, can't be opened and are extremely difficult to break.

Give the impression your home is lived in while you're away on vacation by installing a dusk-to-dawn porch light.  Although technology allows you to control blinds and lights right from your smartphone, you'll still need to find someone to rake your leaves as there isn’t an app for that yet!


When it comes to home security, paying attention to the little things can often make a huge difference so take time to "case the joint" and list all the security failures that burglars would appreciate.  Potential buyers will prefer a secure home as it's one less thing for them to worry about so you may as well do it sooner than later so that you can enjoy the benefits as well.

KITCHENER-WATERLOO REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE

Residential sales were steady during October.

Last month a total of 481 residential properties sold in Kitchener-Waterloo and area through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR).

Home sales in October were down 16.6 per cent compared to the same month last year, but still above the previous 5-year October average of 464 sales.

On a year-to-date basis 5,842 residential units have sold compared to 5,816 during the same period in 2016, an increase of 0.4 per cent.

October’s sales included 289 detached homes (down 20.2 per cent), and 107 condominium units (down 17.7 per cent) which includes any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.).  Sales also included 44 semi-detached homes (down 7.3 per cent) and 38 freehold townhouses (down 2.6 per cent).

The average price of all residential properties sold last month increased 11.4 per cent to $454,398 compared to October 2016.  Detached homes sold for an average price of $541,368, an increase of 13.1 per cent compared to October 2016.

During this same period, the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $249,993 for an increase of 11 per cent.  Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $349,316 (up 13.7 per cent) and $354,668 (up 8 per cent) respectively.

The median price of all residential properties sold in October increased 11.7 per cent to $419,000, and the median price of a detached home during the same period increased 10.2 per cent to $484,000.

“While the number of home sold so far this year is pretty much on pace with last year’s record breaking results, the demand from buyers continues to outpace new listings entering the market,” says James Craig, President of KWAR.  “I anticipate this continuing for the remainder of the year while buyers rush to beat the additional mortgage changes.”