Mandana Tehrani - You've Found a Home

Just because you get a home inspection report that appears to be A-OK, it doesn’t always mean there are no issues. Certain issues can be overlooked in a typical home inspection, such as:

• Water damage, like water stains and musty smells, can be masked by paint or a diffuser. Internal leaks cannot be seen, possibly causing mould or mildew.
• Structural issues, like wall cracks or sagging floors, can be hidden by flooring or drywall, and rotted wood can go unnoticed if it’s inaccessible.
• Electrical issues, like outdated wiring, a faulty panel, or insufficient grounding, can go unnoticed, as inspectors may not have the specialized knowledge and cannot see behind walls.
• HVAC issues, such as leaks, can go unnoticed because specialized HVAC knowledge is outside the realm of a general inspector.
• The roof. Many inspectors may inspect it from the ground, potentially missing issues such as missing shingles or leaks.
• Pests — because they are good at hiding. Sometimes it’s easier to find evidence such as droppings, scratching sounds, gnaw marks on baseboards, chewed wiring, or little “sawdust” piles around the wood structures of your home (which could indicate termites or carpenter ants).
• Asbestos, lead paint, and lead pipes all need specialized tests. If the home was built pre-1990, you may want to test for asbestos and lead.
• In rural areas, septic system issues are often overlooked because they are underground and thus require a separate, specialized inspection.

Your REALTOR^® is the key person on your team when you’re buying and/or selling a property. For most people, this is their largest financial investment. So, before choosing a REALTOR^®, you need to do your due diligence so you can find the one who is best suited for you. You want someone who is:

• Experienced and knowledgeable about your local market and up-to-date on recent sales. They should be able to give you all the information you need, so you can price your home strategically or make a strong offer.
• Is a great communicator, meaning that they respond promptly to your calls and emails, provide updates, and explain anything that may be confusing to you about the buying and selling process.
• Puts in effort by actively searching for properties that meet your criteria and negotiating on your behalf to get the best possible deal.
• Honest about challenges and opportunities, doesn’t hide information or make decisions without your consent.

Once you’ve short-listed some REALTORS^®, here are some suggestions for the next steps:

• Read their online reviews and ask them for references.
• Ask them about their experience, how they would market your home, and the strategies they would use to help you find your new home.
• Talk about your goals, timelines, and expectations for communication (e.g., regular updates and quick calls for new developments) to see if you are aligned.

Money, time, and energy are among our most valuable resources, especially when selling a home. As you prepare your property for listing, it is important to consider which improvements or repairs are unlikely to yield a worthwhile return on your investment, such as:

• Window treatments. Unless they are worn or damaged, don’t change them, as buyers may have their own preferences.
• Appliances, unless they are broken or very outdated, in which case, consider buying used.
• Floors (except in the case of very noticeable damage). Rather than replace hardwood, refinish it, and deep clean other types of flooring.
• An aging HVAC system — if it’s still functioning well, don’t replace it.
• Minor electrical or plumbing issues, such as switches that don’t work, dead outlets, or a faucet that drips a bit before stopping.
• Code violations that were allowed earlier. The building code is constantly changing.
• Minor cosmetic fixes, unless you are handy. However, if the cost of the repair is likely to exceed the potential return upon sale, or if you risk making further damage fixing it yourself, leave it as is.

Your REALTOR^® is the key person on your team when you’re buying and/or selling a property. For most people, this is their largest financial investment. So, before choosing a REALTOR^®, you need to do your due diligence so you can find the one who is best suited for you. You want someone who is:

• Experienced and knowledgeable about your local market and up-to-date on recent sales. They should be able to give you all the information you need, so you can price your home strategically or make a strong offer.
• Is a great communicator, meaning that they respond promptly to your calls and emails, provide updates, and explain anything that may be confusing to you about the buying and selling process.
• Puts in effort by actively searching for properties that meet your criteria and negotiating on your behalf to get the best possible deal.
• Honest about challenges and opportunities, doesn’t hide information or make decisions without your consent.

Once you’ve short-listed some REALTORS^®, here are some suggestions for the next steps:

• Read their online reviews and ask them for references.
• Ask them about their experience, how they would market your home, and the strategies they would use to help you find your new home.
• Talk about your goals, timelines, and expectations for communication (e.g., regular updates and quick calls for new developments) to see if you are aligned.

Are you planning to sell your property this spring? Here are some tips for a successful spring sale.

• Price your home competitively — Research comparable properties in your area for what they listed and sold for and use these as a guide.
• Be prepared to negotiate on price and terms — Think about the lowest price that would be acceptable to you.
• Give your home’s exterior some love — Expect potential buyers to examine the exterior more closely in the warmer months. Ensure your patio furniture is clean and wash the windows inside and outside if possible. For balconies, planters of colourful flowers go a long way. If you have a yard, clear any debris from the winter, consider putting down some fresh mulch, and tend to landscaping.
• Air out your home — Open the windows to let a cross-breeze through for fresh air. Also, consider placing some diffusers throughout your home for a pleasant scent.
• Stage seasonally — For example, since it’s springtime, setting out a vase of fresh tulips would be in tune with the season. Work with a professional stager.
• The entryway — This is your first opportunity to make a statement. Choose items that creates a lasting impression, such as a brand-new doormat, a nice framed mirror, a console and a matching bench.
• Give your home a good spring clean — Depending on your region, winter can create a lot of extra dust from continuous heating. Consider hiring professional deep cleaners.
• Tend to any repairs — While this may seem obvious, depending on your region, winter can be rough on a home, so scan your home to see if you need to do any minor repairs or improvements.
• Declutter—Donate or sell anything that doesn’t have a practical or aesthetic purpose for a well-presented home.

Even if you aren’t preparing for a spring sale, many of these tips can be used to stay on top of home maintenance and keep your home humming into spring.