Zingers #23 – Just fence me in.

Unlike the Lone Ranger, free to roam with Silver across everyone’s property, your city yard is improved with a good fence.  It will keep the dog in the yard and your kids out of the neighbours’ yards.  Make sure your fence is in good shape before putting your house on the market. 

Good fences make good neighbours and a good sale.

Sometimes it is not about real estate (4)

  

What is a zebra?

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26 sizes larger than an “A” bra.

Photo credit:  Zebra @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/mape_s/333863114/

Buying at the Right Price – Principle of Change

 

This post has been edited and re-posted on ActiveRain on October 21, 2010

 

Zingers #22 – Is this a lemon?

When selling your house put out a big bowl of lemons or a big bowl of apples. Fruit lasts longer than flowers but still gives an organic impact.  After the sale… 

If your sale has handed you a big bowl of lemons, make lemonade.

Sometimes it is not about real estate (3)

 What do you get from a pampered cow?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spoiled MIlk

Photo credit:  Highland Cow (or “Bad Hair Day”) @  http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxypar4/865111526/

12 Seller Motivations – Some you will never hear

When buying a home, you will want to know why the seller has put his or her home on the market.  Is there something wrong with the house and how motivated are the sellers to accept an offer.  What is their level of urgency?  The seller’s reasons may also impact the negotiated possession date.  This is all part of the purchasing process.  In most cases, the real motivation for both buying and selling will not be revealed.   Here is a look at some reasons why sellers are selling:  You are unlikely to hear some of these reasons (*) as they would seriously lessen the bargaining position of the seller.  

  1. The market looks great. It is time to sell.
  2. I hate this house. Let’s move. (*)
  3. My family is growing, I need a bigger house.
  4. My partner is leaving and we need the money out of the house to “move on”. (*)
  5. This house is too big. I need something smaller.
  6. This house has too many things to fix. Let’s move and not have fix them. (*)
  7. Something horrible happened in this house. Get out now. (*)
  8. My company has moved me and I need to sell in order to buy in the new city.
  9. I can no longer afford this house – I need out. (*)
  10. I am not getting along with the neighbours. It is too tense living in the house. (*)
  11. I bought my next house and now have to get this one sold. (*)
  12. I need to be in a different school division for my children’s special needs. 

As you can see, there are a myriad of reasons for moving but only some reasons will be revealed.  When you are buying, remember that the seller, through his or her agent, is going to put the best spin on his/her leaving the home.  Do not expect full disclosure on a seller’s reasons for selling.    

 In negotiations, he who cares least wins.

Valerie Zinger ~ Ottawa, Canada ~ T. 613-723-5300 ~ E. vzinger@royallepage.ca

 

Zingers #21 – Shed the Clutter

Buyers will look in your shed.  Before selling, declutter your shed. This is not a place to hide your excess stuff.  Don’t think of taking the shed with you as it is too much trouble and not likely to make the trip.  It is part of the real estate you are selling. 

Appeal to the gardening crowd with a Home and Gardens Magazine shed.

Buying at the Right Price – Principle of Supply and Demand

This post has been edited and posted on ActiveRain, October 22, 2010

Do Not Call Registry

The Canadian Do Not Call Registry came into effect on September 30, 2008.  You can register your home phone, cell phone and fax numbers to prevent unwanted telemarketing calls.  The website is https://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca

On the first couple of days, the website was overloaded with requests.  I recently registered my home number and found it easy to get to the site and fast.  All you do is enter your number and then the code that is provided.  The Do Not Call is effective approximately one month after registering. 

The new legislation allows calls from registered charities, polling organizations and businesses with which you are currently doing business, among others.  If you want these calls to stop, you need to contact each organization individually and ask them to place you on their do not call list.  While they must comply, it will take a few weeks for your request to be activated.

The following website http://www.ioptout.ca was created by a law professor at the University of Ottawa and provides a service where you can create your own Do Not Call List for the companies that are exempt from the Do Not Call registry.  You can choose which companies you don’t want to contact you.  The service, which is FREE, will notify those organizations of your request.

 Credit:  Thank you to my friend, ML, for reminding me about the registry and providing the two links. 

Zingers #20 – Itsy Bitsy Spider

Almost every house in Ottawa has resident spiders.  It seems our winter weather draws them indoors.  Your job, before people come to view your house, is to take a broom and wipe down all the cob webs and to catch and release the spiders to the great outdoors.  

Arachnophobia could cause “your-house-no-phobia”. 

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