Happy autumn. Let’s hope the coming season treats us all well! Speaking of seasons, you may have noticed that the real estate market seems to have seasons. Traditionally, it’s slower in some months and busier in others. In fact, that might lead you to try to “time” the market and sell when it’s hot. But, be careful. Like the weather, the real estate market can be unpredictable. Yes, it may be active next spring – but, then again, it could be slow. There’s no way to know for sure. In fact, the best criteria for deciding whether or not to sell your property isn’t as much the market as it is your personal wishes. If you want to move within the next couple of months, there are ways to make that happen. So, don’t let market conditions delay or derail your plans to move. Properties sell in all kinds of markets, and yours can too. Call me and I’ll explain how.
How do you prevent that from happening? Here are some safety tips:
But there is plenty you can do to smooth out the ups and downs. Here are some ideas:
Questions to Ask When Buying a Fixer-Upper
Should you buy that “fixer upper”? That can be a tough decision. Here are some questions you should consider:
If you’re thinking of selling your home and buying a new property, you might come across an opportunity to purchase a “fixer upper”. In fact, the home might be priced based on its need for work.
- What repairs need to be done?
- Are there any major items that will need to be replaced soon, such as the furnace?
- What renovations are needed? How much, realistically, are those going to cost?
- How much of the work can you do yourself?
- How long will it take for the improvements to get done? (How long will you need to live with drywall dust?)
- How does the price of a comparable “move in ready” property compare to this one?
Protecting your Home Gadgets from Hacking
Imagine your coffee maker switching on by itself, staying on for hours, overheating and becoming a fire hazard. That’s not science fiction. As more and more appliances incorporate WIFI, the opportunities for hackers to play havoc with them increase.
- If your gadget uses a password to access the settings, change that password frequently. Ideally, change it once every 3 months.
- Some gadgets, such as alarm systems, come with their own connection to the internet. Learn how to turn that connection off if it becomes necessary to do so.
- Don’t leave an internet-connected appliance or other gadget on constantly unless it’s necessary. For example, you don’t need your home speaker system connected to your digital music providers all the time.
- Baby monitors with video are a common target for hackers. Use a password unique to that device and change it often. Never leave the monitor on when not in use.
- Never share passwords with anyone unless it is absolutely necessary. Most home WIFI systems have a “guest” feature with a separate password and limited access. Use it.
Managing the Emotions of Selling
For some people, selling a home can be an emotional roller-coaster ride. In addition to the process of selling your property, buying a new one, and moving, you’re also saying goodbye to a neighbourhood and a home.
- Make sure you know all the steps involved in the selling process.
- Don’t overschedule. You don’t want to become exhausted, so don’t try to do everything at once.
- Talk to family members about how they feel about selling and moving. Allow concerns to be aired so they can be addressed.
- Young children, especially, can feel emotionally attached to a home. Think of ways to make the transition easier. For example, have them draw pictures of how they’d like their new bedroom to look.
- Selling and moving can, at times, be disruptive to the household routine. As much as possible, try to remain consistent with mealtimes, family events, etc.
- If possible, get the help you need. Consider hiring a cleaner, home stager, contractor or other professional. Yes, it costs money, but it will help make things less stressful.