Home Buying in Ottawa – Buyers Use Their Senses

Most Buyers start out thinking that they are going to “see” several homes before making a purchasing decision.  In fact, we all use our 5 senses.  As Buyers walk through a home the senses are alert and, over time, trained to notice things.

Sight – It seems to be all about the way a house looks, colours, furniture placement, order of the rooms, size of the rooms, etc.  While primary, the other senses should be kicking into alert.

Hearing- Can the Buyer hear the furnace clunks every time it kicks in or that the pipes rattle when the taps are turned?  Is the house on a flight path or near a transit way?  Noise can be all around the house.

Taste – While a seemingly unimportant sense when buying a house, if this is a rural or cottage property, the taste of the water is important.  

Touch - Every Buyer touches things in the house.  Is the counter smooth?  What does the floor feel like?  Is there a slope? Is the hot water tank too hot?  What fabric has been used in the window treatments?  Buyers cannot keep their hands (and feet) to themselves.   

Finally, Smell - Fridges will be opened, garbage cans may be full and food may be cooking in the oven.  Sometimes cats and other pets leave a very strong smell that the Seller no longer notices but that will put off a Buyer. 

Often Buyers will describe a house they have seen be the smell or sound and not by other features.  Be aware of everything that can assault the senses – good and bad.

Photo credit:  A glass of water @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/gromgull/4258976764/

Things Ottawa Buyers May Notice #32 – A Crawl Space in Need of Insulation

 While not the most common foundation type in Ottawa, there are homes with crawl spaces in lieu of full basements.  At a recent showing, the Buyer and I noticed that the living room and kitchen floors were really cold, even though the heat was on in the house.  This was an indication to take a good look in the basement.  After opening the trap door and crawling in, it was apparent that

  1. the crawl space had a dirt floor,
  2. the walls were not insulated and that,
  3. while there was some attempt several years earlier to put a little pink insulation between the joists, it was inadequate. 

All of this contributed to the cold in the house.  In addition, the heating ducts were not fully wrapped in insulation and they crossed the area.  When it is below zero outside, it is very cold in this type of uninsulated basement.  On the positive side, there was only a little indication of damp (some efflorescence) and the dirt was dry. The picture in this blog is not the exact basement but very close to what we saw. 

Structurally the house seemed solid.  For the comfort of the new owner and to reduce energy consumption (to heat the very cold rooms), I advise that additional insulation be added plus vapour barriers where possible.  At a minimum, the duct work needed to be protected from the cold. 

Photo credit:  Darwin repeater work 8-30-2008 @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davef3138/2811740417/

Things Ottawa Buyers May Notice #31- Bathroom Doors

 When you think you have seen everything, there is still more to surprise you.  A few years ago, I was looking for a new house.  I must have seen over 20 homes when lo and behold – a bathroom with a clear glass door.  I thought it was a joke.  Who would want to have the most private room in the house, clearly visible?  My only thought was that nudists lived in the house.  It would be bad enough that everyone can see how clean or dirty the room is BUT it would also be a huge surprise to dinner guests and visitors. 

If you think the clear bathroom door brings light into the rest of the house, you may be right.  However, privacy will always trump light when it comes to bathrooms.  I never went back to that house and thought it was a unique ‘feature’.  Later in my search, I came across another bathroom, this time in the basement, with the clear glass door.  Was this just an Ottawa phenomenon?  Apparently not.  I recently saw a home on a TV make-over show that had the same issue.

If your bathroom door is clear glass or you see a house that you want to buy with a clear glass bathroom door, you have three choices – leave it and learn to live with voyeurism, remove the door and replace with something more standard and private or frost the glass so that it is not transparent.  A bathroom is not the place to play….

Peek-a-boo, I see you.

Photo credit:  bathroom @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/littleghoti/488561616/

The Purse or a Pocket Rule – Staging Your House

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/

Things Ottawa Buyers May Notice #34 – Dining Room Lighting – 3 Reasons to Change or Upgrade

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/

When ratty looks tatty – Give it the slip

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:

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/

Selling and Decluttering – The Inside of the Fridge

As you get closer to putting your house on the market, take some time to declutter the inside of the fridge.  We all seem to keep condiments that have expired sometimes 2 – 3 years ago.  There may be onions that are sprouting in the crisper and leaking sauce bottles at the back of the top shelf.  In most cases, the fridge is left in the house.  Buyers will want to know the condition of the fridge and will open the door to inspect the contents/capacity/condition of the appliance. 

If you are moving with a company, it is unlikely that they will allow perishable foods.  When cleaning your fridge start to think of what you need to consume now, toss or give away before you pack to leave. 

This is a fussy job that should not be overlooked because Buyers will be looking inside the fridge. 

Photo credit:  Onion – May 3 @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabricio/3534037525/

What has been swept under the rug?

The expression “to sweep under the rug” means to hide something in the hopes that no one will notice.  For some Sellers what is being hidden under an area rug is a damaged hardwood floor.  Maybe there are stains, maybe the wood is cracked, maybe the last sanding on the hardwood took off the veneer and there are spots where no hardwood exists.  Another problem that happens in all homes with area rugs on hardwood is sun damage.  The wood under the rug, not exposed to the sun, will remain a true colour.  The wood exposed is likely a lot lighter in colour.  When Buyers are looking at homes with seemingly wonderful hardwood floors, be sure to check under the area rug to get an indication of the true nature of the floors or write in a condition in the offer to have the floors refinished if there are problems. 

I love this room in the “Beach House”.  See the great area rug.  If this was on the market, I would like to know if the condition of the wood under the rug is as wonderful as that seen at the edges.  When buying a house, get as much information before making an offer as is possible. 

Photo credit:  Beach House Living Room @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerryanndame/3776968872/

What a waste!

Everyone has garbage.  What you do with your garbage when your house is on the market is an issue.  It is obvious that the household garbage should be emptied into the trash cans outside each morning before leaving for work.  Even empty, large garbage cans are an eyesore.  It amazes me how many people think that leaving a huge trash / garbage can in the middle of the kitchen is okay.  Now, as we get closer to having to green bin the kitchen waste, there is an increased opportunity for some type of offending sight or smell. 

Don’t we all think that the garbage is under the sink?  Even if you need an industrial size garbage can for your large family, during the house marketing period, get in the habit of using only the bin under the sink. 

 Remove your large bin.  It will make your kitchen look bigger and cleaner. 

 Photo credit:  Close @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellysue/986904611/sizes/o/

Painting Makes All the Difference

If your house is looking a bit tired and dated, the quickest way to make it attractive to Buyers is to paint the principle rooms in a neutral but modern palate.  A quick trip to a paint store will be invaluable.  Find the cards that show the trends and use one that will complement your existing furniture and furnishings but still let the Buyers notice how updated the rooms look. If you need colour in the room, look for a big picture, pillows and some accessories. 

Two trends that seem to be less popular are feature walls and painting techniques such as rag rolling and other special touches.  Putting sand in the paint does not fool Buyers into thinking there are no issues with bad walls.  Finding the faux suede technique fun is still no reason to inflict it on Buyers. Combing through the paint to make it look like linen or denim just means more time sanding the walls when a Buyer sees himself trying to get rid of the technique.  Classy, plain painting in neutral colours – voila  – the vanilla flavour of painting.

If your baseboards and window frames are in good shape, it could take as little as a half day to edge and paint a room.  Remember, red is not as popular as it once was and it takes up to four coats to get the right intensity.  Avoid anything requiring more than two coats.  Use a tinted primer and that will speed up the process.  If you have a good edging brush, try goingg without tape.   If you cannot get a nice clean line, tape before you paint and it will safe you hours of touch up work. 

Finally, if you accidently put paint on the ceiling, immediately remove it.  I have seen too many houses with bad paint jobs and the roller marks on the ceiling is always the first sign of an amateur job.  

Photo credit:  Brushes at the ready @ flickr.com/photos/alancleaver/4121413457/in/set-72157606825074174/

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