When is an Irish Potato not an Irish Potato?
Posted on March 17, 2010
Filed Under Valerie Zinger | Leave a Comment
When it is a French Fry.
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Photo credit: french fries @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuart_spivack/2932206250/
Zingers #90 - Five bottles of Toilet Duck
Posted on March 17, 2010
Filed Under Staging Your Home, Valerie Zinger, Zingers | Leave a Comment
You have found deals on shampoo, deodorant, toilet cleaner, etc and bought several bottles of each. If you are going to sell your house, stop buying large quantities of products. A stockpile makes your space look cluttered. Having two of each is like royalty…
An Heir and a Spare is enough.
Ottawa Neighbourhood MLS® Sales 2009 - Golden Triangle
Posted on March 15, 2010
Filed Under Comparable Properties Sales Statistics, Ottawa Neighbourhoods, Valerie Zinger | Leave a Comment
Golden Triangle MLS® Area 4104
Detached 6 Units; Average Price Sold $619,000, Average DOM – 27
Row 8 Units; Average Price Sold $519,000, Average DOM – 31
Semi Detached 3 Units; Average Price Sold $697,000, Average DOM – 5
Condos 29 Units; Average Price Sold $374,220, Average DOM – 25
Photo credit: Adrice Smitton
The Purse or a Pocket Rule - Staging Your House
Posted on March 12, 2010
Filed Under Listing and Selling Your Home | 1 Comment
I was recently doing a walk through on a potential listing. The owners had a wonderful collection of little statues in a specific theme. These were located on coffee tables, end tables in the living and family rooms. I thought they were delightful but was worried on the owners’ behalf that these would be too tempting for Buyer visitors, especially when they bring children.
In trying to convince the owners to pack these and all little ornaments and souvenirs, I said “Don’t leave anything out and available that could fit in a purse or pocket.” It is not that the people house hunting are thieves. In fact, so few things are stolen that one forgets that this could happen. But….. there is always a first time and no home owner wants this to happen to them.
I also advise clients to put away anything of extreme value (vases, paintings, etc). Buyers like to touch things and why risk damage to your valuables.
My clients asked if I would follow every visitor during an Open House. It is not possible to do this. When more than one visitor arrives, it is better to be centrally located. Often, visitors roam freely while agents locate themselves near the only exit. It would be impossible to miss a TV going out the door but I have never heard of a purse being inspected or a pocket being turned inside out.
Why risk it? Pack up your worries.
Photo credit: My sister’s S&P Shaker Collection @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/randysonofrobert/2758366145/
Zingers #89 - Curtains
Posted on March 10, 2010
Filed Under Staging Your Home, Valerie Zinger, Zingers | Leave a Comment
Did you know that you can wash the plastic liner behind your shower curtain. After washing it in the machine with a few towels, rehang the curtain. You know not to put it in the dryer. Most mildew and spots on the curtain will be gone. If not, an investment of less than $10 to buy a new liner will be well worth the money. Boy can those curtains stink!
Why save $10 to lose a $289,000 sale?
Ottawa Neighbourhood MLS® Sales 2009 - Civic Hospital
Posted on March 8, 2010
Filed Under Comparable Properties Sales Statistics, Ottawa Neighbourhoods, Valerie Zinger | Leave a Comment
Civic Hospital Area MLS® Area 4504
Detached 44 Units; Average Price Sold $550,660, Average DOM – 24
Row 1 Unit
Semi Detached 16 Units; Average Price Sold $387,036, Average DOM – 29
Condos 16 Units; Average Price Sold $334,593, Average DOM – 30
Photo credit: Adrice Smitton
Dining Room Lighting - 3 Reasons to Change or Upgrade - Staging Your Home
Posted on March 5, 2010
Filed Under Listing and Selling Your Home, Staging Your Home, Things Buyers May Notice, Valerie Zinger | Leave a Comment
Almost every house that I have taken Buyers to see has had some type of lighting fixture in the diningroom Every Buyer has inspected the light fixture to determine how much they love it. Knowing this, if you are putting your house on the market there are three reasons for upgrading and/or changing the dining room light fixture.
The first reason is because you have a sentimental attachment to the current fixture and want to take it with you. If so, take it down before the house goes on the market and replace is with something suitable for the home and the price you are asking.
The second reason to upgrade the fixture is because the one you have now is old, dated and unsuitable for current design. Go to a lighting store and see what is in style. Find one within your budget.
Finally, there are some newer homes where owners have never installed a light fixture. There is a metal plate in the ceiling covering the opening for the installation. If you have one of these, please find a nice new fixture and install it before putting your house on the market.
There is almost nothing worse than a bad fixture except no fixture or the promise by the owner (through exclusions) that the one in the house will be removed before possession. Good style does not have to cost a fortune.
Photo credit: dining room grandma’s light fixture @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/eponabri/2249768758/
Zingers #88 - This isn’t Kansas any more
Posted on March 3, 2010
Filed Under Valerie Zinger, Zingers | 1 Comment
Have you heard of Toto plumbing fixtures? Are you selling in an up market and want your bathroom to stand out among the competition? Look for the Japanese bathroom fixture brand Toto. They are enormously popular in high end homes and motels. It may be a case of “Snobism” but
A Toto may give you a Royal Flush
Ottawa Neighbourhood MLS® Sales 2009 - Stittsville
Posted on March 1, 2010
Filed Under Comparable Properties Sales Statistics, Ottawa Neighbourhoods, Valerie Zinger | Leave a Comment
Stittsville MLS® Areas 8201, 8202, 8203 (including Fringewood)
Detached 297 Units; Average Price Sold $382,082, Average DOM – 34
Row 52 Units; Average Price Sold $264,309, Average DOM – 24
Semi Detached 14 Units; Average Price Sold $316,978, Average DOM – 11
Condos 49 Units (mostly row unit style) – Average Price Sold - $316,978, DOM - 26
Photo credit: Adrice Smitton
When ratty looks tatty - Give it the slip
Posted on February 26, 2010
Filed Under Listing and Selling Your Home, Staging Your Home, Things Buyers May Notice, Valerie Zinger | Leave a Comment
We all know that home Buyers are buying the house, not the contents. However, Buyers are influenced by how the house is decorated. It gives a message about lifestyle and care and attention. If you have a couch that is beyond redemption but getting it re-upholstered would be cost prohibitive, you have three choices:
- Leave the sofa in the room as is and keep on believing that no Buyer will notice or care (but they will).
- Remove the sofa entirely and try to rearrange the furniture to fill in the gap. As everyone living near a university knows, old sofas are abandoned at the end of term. If you have one of those sofas, no amount of beautification will work - Give it up. Please be responsible and at least have it removed.
- Look for slip covers that will change the appearance instantly. Covers are available in many price points. The Old Chelsea Slip Cover Company in Chelsea, Quebec has built a wonderful reputation for quality work. If the sofa has a nice design, it may be worth the money to put on neutral slip covers and update your home before putting it on the market.
How a house is staged with good pieces will influence how a Buyer will value the home.
Photo credit: i think i found it @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/themacinator/4015348619/





