How much do you think you could sell your house for?

How much do you think you could sell your house for if it were put on the market today? How long would it take to sell?   You probably ask yourself these questions from time to time, even if you’re not currently thinking of making a move.   Why not find the answers?   It’s easy. Just give me a call. I’d be happy to drop by for a quick visit so that I can help you understand the market value of your house. Based on my experience and current market statistics, I can provide you with a clear picture of what to expect should you decide to sell.   This is just one of the many ways I help clients enjoy their homes and understand the value of their investments.   On another note, please find below some interesting articles and helpful advice for the home buyer or seller. I hope you enjoy reading them.   Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative Direct 519-495-1541 Email richardthyssen@kw.com www.thyssengroup.com

Assessing a Property's Long-Term Potential

You see a home on the market that you like. Should you buy it? Before you make an offer, it’s a good idea to get a sense of the property’s long-term potential. After all, a property is not just a potential home, it’s also an important investment. Here are some things to look for when viewing homes on the market: Is the area’s average income increasing? The more affluent a neighborhood becomes, the higher the property values. Are employment opportunities growing nearby? If jobs are leaving the area, housing prices will likely decline. Are there any nearby housing or community developments that will enhance the quality of life in the area? If a park with a quiet walking trail, or a prestigious golf course, is being built nearby, the value of the neighborhood will increase. Is the crime rate on the rise or decline? This can have a significant impact on future property values. Are there public transit lines located nearby? Studies show that housing prices increase in areas where public transit is close and convenient. Is the property located in a neighborhood dominated by higher priced homes? Does the property have features that will always be valued by home buyers, such as a large kitchen or spacious backyard. Are there short-term negatives about the area that will eventually disappear, such as loud construction projects? Once those negatives are gone, house prices will often jump.

It's the Little Things That Boost Curb Appeal

"Curb appeal". You've probably heard that term used before. It refers to how valuable and enticing your house looks from the outside, typically from the perspective of a potential buyer “standing on the curb”. Many people focus on preparing the inside of their house for sale, and neglect preparing the outside.  This is a mistake. Studies confirm that curb appeal has a huge influence over how quickly your house will sell, and for how much. How do you improve curb appeal? You don’t need to do a major landscaping renovation! In fact, small improvements often make the biggest difference… improvements you can easily do over a weekend. Here are some suggestions: Clean the outside of front windows. Make them sparkle! Paint the front door for a fresh look. Remove grass, weeds and other unwanted growth between driveway and walkway stones. Prune shrubs and trim trees. Re-sod bare spots on the lawn. Edge the lawn. (A simple task that can have a dramatic visual impact.) Water the flowerbed. (Flowers look brighter and more healthy within one hour of watering.) Sweep the walkway and driveway. Rake the leaves. Remove signs such as “Beware of dog” and “No solicitations”. Check the welcome mat. If it’s worn or dirty, replace it. Also, consider buying some attractive potted flowers to put near the entranceway. They are worth the investment. As you can see, it doesn't take much to boost the curb appeal of your house. Just a little work and a few added details will make a big difference.

5 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Home Inspector

Hiring the right home inspector is important. After all, you want the inspection to leave no stone unturned when determining the condition of the house you are considering purchasing. It pays to ask the right questions before you choose. Here are a few suggestions: “What does your inspection cover?” A home inspector should be able to present you with a detailed list of what is covered in the inspection. Don’t settle for a vague verbal promise like, "We check everything top to bottom." Get it in writing. “What are your qualifications?” As with most professions, experience counts. You want to check how long the inspector has been in the business, and how many homes like yours he has inspected. Also ask about his credentials. What professional training programs has he completed? Does he belong to a recognized home inspection association? “Do you also offer to do home repairs or renovations?” If he does, it’s a conflict of interest. You want an inspector to give you an unbiased report as to the condition of the house, without any expectation of getting some contracting work on the side. “How long will the inspection take?” You'll want to find out if the inspector takes his time and does a thorough job, or rushes things so he can get as many homes done in a day as possible. On average, a typical single family home should take two to three hours to inspect properly. “May I contact some references?” Ask for references from people in the neighborhood you are considering. Then, make sure you call them.

Have a question?  Here's our number 519-495-1541.

How can your home make you happier?

www.thyssengroup.com How can your home make you happier? Your home should be your sanctuary, a refuge from the stresses of everyday life, where you can relax, enjoy yourself and spend time with friends and family. If your home isn't bringing you the happiness it should, take a look at the following tips to help put a smile on your face whenever you walk in your front door. Surround yourself with mood-boosting colours. Red, orange and yellow are most often associated with generating positive feelings. If those colours don't make you smile, surround yourself with the colours that you're most drawn to. Try using one of your favourite memories for inspiration. If you took a life-changing trip to Greece a few years ago, why not paint your bedroom the deep blue of the Aegean Sea? Fill the air with blissful scents. Many scents, including jasmine, citrus and freshly baked bread, are reported to be linked to happiness. Scent is also closely linked with memory, so filling your home with a scent tied to happy memories will give your spirits a lift. Create a dedicated space for your favourite hobbies. Spending time on activities that bring you joy is important to your overall happiness. Whether your passion is reading, painting or woodworking, having a space devoted to your favourite hobby will motivate you to spend more time doing what you love. Bring the outdoors in. According to Psychology Today, there is a significant link between time spent enjoying nature and happiness. To bring Mother Nature indoors, fill your home with plants and fresh flowers or just open your curtains to enjoy the view of any nearby gardens or trees. Simple tips like these can create a happier, healthier and more valuable home. Thank you for thinking of me for all of your real estate needs, and be sure to share my contact information with anyone you know of looking to buy, sell or invest in a home.   Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative Direct 519-495-1541 Email: richardthyssen@kw.com www.thyssengroup.com

Keep your home allergy-free with these simple tips

www.thyssengroup.com Keep your home allergy-free with these simple tips.   Allergies are often associated with the arrival of spring, but indoor allergy sufferers will often find themselves sniffing and sneezing year-round. The culprit? Indoor allergens such as dust, dust mites and pet hair and dander. So how do you make sure your home is a respite from both seasonal and interior allergens and create a healthy environment for you and your family?             There are several best practices you can adopt to manage allergens in your home: 1. Keep it clean. Regularly cleaning your home will go far in reducing allergens such as dust, dust mites and pet dander. 2. Redo your floors. Replacing rugs and carpets with wood or vinyl floorings will help minimize dust and other allergens that become embedded in fabric fibers. 3. Groom your furry friends. Regularly bathing and brushing your pets will help reduce the amount of dander and pet hair in your home. 4. Go on mould patrol. Be on the lookout for any leaks or moisture in your home as this can cause mould to thrive. Simple tips like these can create a happier, healthier and more valuable home.   Thank you for thinking of me for all of your real estate needs, and be sure to share my contact information with anyone you know of looking to buy, sell or invest in a home. Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative Direct 519-495-1541richardthyssen@kw.com www.thyssengroup.com

Not so Obvious Reasons to Meet with a Realtor

When is the best time to meet with Realtors like us?

Chances are, you would say, “When I’m thinking of buying or selling a home.” You’d be right, of course!  

However, there are many other good reasons to meet with us. Here are just a few: 

• You want a professional opinion as to the current value of your property, so you know what it would likely sell for in today’s market. 

• You notice a home listed for sale in a desirable neighbourhood, and you’re interested in learning more — even if you’re unsure you want to make a move. 

• You’re thinking of moving within the next couple of years, and you want to find an agent, that you can get to know and trust. 

• You want some recommendations for preparing your home for sale and especially determining what repairs and other work needs to be done. 

• You want an honest assessment as to the state of the local market, and the best time for you to buy or sell. 

• You have real estate-related questions and you want to talk to an expert who knows the local market well and can provide you with answers.
  
As you can see, there’s a lot of value you can get from talking to us. Call us anytime.

Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record
Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative
Direct 519-495-1541
Email richardthyssen@kw.com
www.thyssengroup.com

Should you move or renovate?

Three Things to Consider;

Determining if you should buy a new home or fix up your current one isn’t

easy.  In fact, the decision can be steeped in so much drama they make

reality TV shows about it!

So if you’re considering whether to move or improve, here are three things

to consider.

1.  Will a renovation truly fix what you don’t like about your property?

If you’re tired of a small kitchen, for example, it might not be possible, given
the layout, to make it any bigger. On the other hand, if you’re craving a
spacious family room with a cozy fireplace then a renovation could make that
happen.

However, there are some things you may want that aren’t specific to your

house, such as an easier commute or nearby park. Those are features you
may only be able to get by moving.

2. How much will a renovation cost? How does that compare to the

cost of moving to a new home?

It’s important to get accurate estimates of each so you can make a smart

decision.

Keep in mind that renovations have a habit of costing more than you

originally anticipate. As mentioned earlier, the final result should be a home
you want to stay in for quite some time.

3. Beware of compromising versus settling.

Whichever decision you make — renovate or sell — you can expect to have

to make at least some compromises.
For example, consider adding an extension to your house. That’s a major
renovation. Is it the ideal way to get the extra room you want? Do the
benefits of renovating outweigh the benefits of finding a new larger home
designed to include the space you need?

It can be a tough decision. If you’re in the midst of making it, call today, to

get the facts you need to make the best choice for you.

Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record
Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative
Direct 519-495-1541
Email richardthyssen@kw.com
www.thyssengroup.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Set a high listing price?

One of the most important decisions you make when selling your home is setting the listing price.

 

That can be tricky. After all, if you price your property too low, you leave money on the table — perhaps thousands of dollars. On the other hand, if you price your home too high, many buyers

won’t even bother to see it, believing it is too expensive.

 

Even with that reality, there are some sellers who contemplate setting a high listing price in the hopes of a windfall. They want some unsuspecting buyer to fall in love with the home and buy it — even though it’s overpriced.

 

That rarely, if ever, happens.

 

Instead, the listing often languishes on the market because its listing price is conspicuously much higher than its market value.

 

Think about it.

 

If two similar homes, side-by-side, are for sale, and one is priced $40,000 higher than the other, wouldn’t you wonder what was going on? That’s exactly what the market thinks. “Why is that home priced so high?”

 

Of course, many buyers, who might otherwise be interested in the property, won’t even consider seeing it, simply because it’s outside their price range.

 

It gets worse.

 

When an overpriced home sits on the market with no offers for several weeks, the price will often need to be adjusted down. That helps the situation a little. However, you’ve lost the excitement created by a “new listing.” Yours is now an old listing struggling to get attention.

 

There’s a better way…

 

Setting your list price at or near the market value is much more likely to generate interest from qualified buyers and maximize how much you make on your home.

 

That market value may even be higher than you think!

 

Interested in finding out how much? Call us anytime!

 

Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record

Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative

Direct 519-495-1541

Email: richardthyssen@kw.com

www.thyssengroup.com

 

 

 

 

The Evolution of Real Estate

Much has changed in the real estate world.  If you have owned your home for many years and are entertaining the idea of buying or selling these are some of the changes you may encounter.

Buyers and sellers have easy access to info.  Online information is readily available for all facets of Real Estate, from information and advice to staging a home.  Buyers have access to the online Multiple Listing Service where homes for sale make home hunting more convenient even before they speak to a Realtor.

With this in mind, we have a mobile app that is easy to use and has the same capabilities and more than any online search.  If you are driving in an area and see a house for sale you can access the app to see all nearby properties, prices, open houses and pictures.  Get the app here http://app.kw.com/KW2N5CGOW

Real estate professionals are more accessible. Cell phones and mobile technologies have made brokers and salespersons easier to reach. Technology is at your fingertips with text and email.  Quick responses from Realtors are now the norm.

Electronic Contracts. Transactions now often take place electronically. Listing agreements and offers to purchase can be signed with electronic signatures, submitted via email, and deposit money can be transferred electronically.

Technology may be making significant moves into the business sector, however, if you prefer the personal touch of speaking to and getting good advice from an experienced Realtor who has your best interest in mind, we are always available.

Call us anytime!

 

Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record

Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative
Direct: 519-495-1541
Email: richardthyssen@kw.com
www.thyssengroup.com