March Newsletter

Richard Thyssen Broker of Record  Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty Inc. Phone 519-495-1541 Office 519-438-8000 Email: richardthyssen@kw.com www.thyssengroup.com

What do you do when you have a question about your investments? Well, you pick up the phone and talk to your investment advisor. What do you do when you need legal advice? You speak to your lawyer, of course. You can probably guess where I’m going with this! I’m a very experienced Realtor, with a lot of knowledge and information at my fingertips. So if you have questions about real estate, please feel free to treat me as you would your lawyer or investment advisor.  Pick up the phone and give me a call! I’d be happy to provide you with any information and advice you need. For example, you might want to know what a particular property sold for in your area. I can help you with that. Or, you might be curious about the current market value of your home. I can help you with that, too! Please think of me as your personal real estate expert. Give me a call anytime! Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record richardthyssen@kw.com (direct) 519-495-1541

How Much Is Your Home Worth?

If you are like most homeowners, you have probably often wondered what your home is currently worth. You may want to know the value of your home just because you’re curious, or because you need to know the financial value of this important investment, or even because you’re thinking of making a move in the near future. These are all good reasons. So how do you find out?

Well, a lot of homeowners simply guess. You might have heard a friend or neighbour say, “We bought this property for such and such five years ago. So I bet we could get such and such if we sold it today!” Unfortunately, a guess is just a guess. It’s often wrong. Other homeowners might find out what the “house around the corner” sold for last month, and base their estimate on that. While that’s actually a more accurate predictor of what your home is worth, you can still be off by tens of thousands of dollars. The best way to find out what your home would sell for in today’s market is to calculate its Current Market Value. This is done by reviewing what similar homes in your area have sold for recently – usually within the last six months – and then, based on that data, and the unique characteristics of your home, determining the value of your property today. Looking for help on how to calculate what your home is currently worth? Call today.

Should You Host During A Viewing?

You take pride in your home. So, when you put it up for sale, you want to show potential buyers all the great features that make your property so appealing. But is playing host and guiding buyers through your home a good idea? Usually not.

When a potential buyer sees your property – either during a viewing or an open house – the buyer wants to feel free to look around, ponder each room, look at things with a critical eye, and ask candid questions of the Realtor. If you’re there, the buyer may not feel comfortable doing any of that. In addition, buyers want to envision themselves living in the house, but if you host the tour they are constantly reminded that it is your home. Consequently, they might not develop an interest in buying your property! So playing host, no matter how good your intentions, will likely result in more lost selling opportunities than you will gain. If possible, always make sure you’re out of the house during a showing. You can run an errand or take your family to the park.

Consider The Possibilities

You’re shopping for a new home. You visit a property that looks great from the outside, but when you go inside to explore the rooms, you’re disappointed. The kitchen is cluttered and “feels” small. The living room seems too wide. The master bedroom doesn’t look comfortable at all.

Should you strike this home off your list of possibilities? Maybe. Maybe not. You see, there may be any number of reasons why a room doesn’t look appealing. Some of those reasons may have little to do with the size and configuration of the space. For example, a bedroom might look tight and uncomfortable because there are two over-sized dressers taking up most of the space, making the room feel cluttered. Without them the room could be ideal. The kitchen might seem small because the toaster, coffeemaker, spice rack and numerous other items are using up all the counter space. If you can imagine those gone, you might see how roomy the kitchen could feel. So the next time you’re viewing a home, consider the possibilities for each room, not just how the room actually looks now.

notable, quotable... quotes! “Action is the real measure of intelligence.” Napoleon Hill “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” Salvador Dali “We can’t plan life. All we can do is be available for it.” Lauryn Hill

Sell your home fast!

Richard Thyssen Broker of Record Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative    Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty Inc. Phone: (519) 438-8000 Fax: (519) 438-8004 Email: richardthyssen@kw.com Website: www.thyssengroup.com Have you been wondering what your home would sell for in today’s market? Most homeowners ask themselves that question – especially if they’re thinking of making a move in the not-too-distant future. The market is HOT and inventory is low.  This is a great time to talk to us about getting you moved! If you’re interested in knowing the potential selling price of your property, give us a call. As Realtors who specialize in this fast paced market, we can give you the information you need to know. Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative richardthyssen@kw.com (direct) 519-495-1541

How To Sell Your Home Super Fast

If you put your home on the market, chances are you want it to sell quickly. However, there are certain circumstances in which sellers don’t just want their home to sell quickly, they actually need it to sell super fast. This may be due to a sudden relocation, the purchase of a new home with a tight closing date, or any number of other reasons. Obviously, this can be a stressful situation. However, there are some practical things you can do to help your home sell super fast: Find out the current market value of your property. This will guide you in your decision on the listing price.  In this market, homes are moving quickly.  We can expose your property to the open market and sell your home for a price that will make you smile. Be as flexible and accommodating as possible when it comes to scheduling viewings and open houses. If you’re going to restrict buyers to seeing your home on Saturdays from 3 to 5, then you’re going to reduce your chances of a quick sale. Clean and declutter your home. This is the fastest way to dramatically improve how it shows. Tend to the outside of your property. Cut the grass. Trim the hedges. Fix the creaking back gate. Do everything you can to increase your property’s curb appeal. Apply fresh paint wherever possible. Painting is the quickest and least expensive “renovation” you can do. It can significantly improve the look of any area of your home. Spread the news that your home is on the market. Tell your friends, neighbours and co-workers.

What to View When Viewing a Home

Shopping for a home is a little like shopping for a car. Unless you know what to look for, you risk being swayed by first impressions and buying something that does not truly meet your needs. For example, you might fall in love with the recreation room — complete with a bar and a dartboard — and unconsciously overlook the fact that the home doesn’t have enough bedrooms to accommodate your growing family. So when you’re viewing a potential new home, or checking out a property during a weekend “open house”, make sure the home meets your needs. Here are some questions to ask yourself: Is there enough room for my family, now and in the future? Remember, as kids grow so does the space they require! Are there enough bedrooms, bathrooms, closets and storage space? Is the yard big enough? Will my furniture fit the space? Do I like the neighbourhood? Always take a walk around and explore the area. Does anything need to be repaired or replaced? If the seller won’t be taking care of such issues, repairs or replacements could add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the true cost of buying the property. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions when viewing a home. After all, it’s a major purchase. You want to get it right! Need help finding homes to view that meet your requirements? Call today.

Buyers Will Love Your Storage Areas If...

A potential buyer comes to view your home. She explores each room with interest. Then she opens the closet door in the master bedroom. Will she be impressed with the space and imagine her clothes adorning the racks and shelves? That likely depends on how you use and manage that storage space. Of course, her first reaction will be based on size. Short of doing a major renovation, there’s not much you can do about that. However, there is plenty you can do to make the space seem bright and roomy. Your first step is to remove as much of the clutter as possible. If the closet doubles as storage for boxes and other items, for example, move those items elsewhere. (It might make sense for you to temporarily rent space at a local self-storage.) Next, make sure the space isn’t over-filled. You don’t have to remove all your clothes, but consider removing enough to fully accentuate the roominess of the space and make it look neat and organized. Finally, don’t forget about lighting. It also plays a key role. A dimly lit closet will make the space look unappealing. Use enough wattage to create a pleasant glow throughout the area. Don’t forget to do the same things for all your other storage spaces too.

notable, quotable... quotes! “If I look confused, it’s because I’m thinking.” Samuel Goldwyn “Everyone is a genius at least once a year.” G. C. Lichtenberg “I not only use all the brains I have, I use all the brains I can borrow.” Calvin Coolidge

February Newsletter

Richard Thyssen Broker of Record Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative    Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty Inc. Phone: (519) 438-8000 Fax: (519) 438-8004 Email: richardthyssen@kw.com Website: www.thyssengroup.com

Spring is just around the corner and that is traditionally the time of year when the housing market starts to heat up. If you have any plans to move, or are even just curious about what’s available on the market, now is a great time to inquire. We would be happy to help you with any information you want. Please give us a call anytime. Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative richardthyssen@kw.com (direct) 519-495-1541

Making the Home Selling and Moving Process Easier

There’s no doubt that things change in a home when it’s put on the market. Those changes can cause stress for the entire family. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce that stress considerably. With a little bit of planning, you can even make the home selling process a relatively pleasant experience for everyone. The first step is to talk candidly with your family, especially kids, about their feelings and concerns regarding selling your home and moving. Their worries may include: Losing connections with friends. Finding a new job. Starting a new school. Disruptions in the home during viewings. Work involved in preparing the home for sale. Keeping the home clean and tidy for viewings. The more you’re aware of how your family feels about the process, the better you can deal with those issues. Keeping the home clean for viewings and open houses is usually one of the major stressors. It may feel like you’re tidying up for a special guest several times a week! A solution worth considering is hiring a maid service on a short-term basis. That help can save you a lot of time and stress, especially if you’re also searching for a new home. During viewings, it’s best for you and your family to be out of the home. So, consider planning little adventures. You can visit a museum, eat at a restaurant you’ve been wanting to try for months, or take the gang to a recreation centre. These ideas will go a long way toward alleviating the sense of being “kicked out” of your own home!

Neighbourhood Open House

While shopping for a new home, you will likely view a lot of properties and may even attend a few open houses. That’s part of the process of finding your next dream home. But there is another type of open house you should also attend. It’s one for which you need no invitation – the “neighbourhood open house.” Of course, this isn’t an actual advertised open house. The term simply means that you’re able to view any neighbourhood you’d like to live in and try it on for size. So when viewing a home or attending an open house, take some time to explore the neighbourhood. Get a sense of what it’s going to be like to live there. You can: Take a walk around the block. Visit the local park and playground. Have a coffee at a local cafe. Visit the local school. Test access to commuting routes to work. Check out daycare facilities. Drive to the local shopping centre. Investigate local features, such as theatres, restaurants and golf courses. The neighbourhood you live in is just as important as the home itself. Before you buy, make sure you get to see your neighbourhood too.

Diffusing Disputes with Neighbours

Even if you live in a beautiful home in a great neighbourhood, a dispute with a neighbour can make living there a miserable experience. That’s why it makes sense to settle such disputes quickly and amicably. How do you do that? Here are some tips: Deal with the issue quickly. It’s tempting to avoid facing an unpleasant dispute with a neighbour and hope the problem just goes away. That rarely happens. To settle a dispute, you need to act quickly. Avoid displays of anger. Acting angrily typically only gets the other party on the defensive. It can escalate the situation and rarely, if ever, leads to a resolution. Isolate the problem. Never generalize a dispute with a neighbour. Be specific. Don’t complain; propose. Rather than complaining about loud music at night, propose a solution. For example, “When our front lights have been turned off, that means we’ve gone to bed. Would it be possible to turn down the music at that time? Thanks!” Say thanks when there’s a resolution. You may never be close friends, but being cordial will go a long way toward easing the tension.

notable, quotable... quotes! “Congratulations. Today is the day. You’re off to great places. You're on your way!” Dr. Seuss “Don't mistake activity with achievement.” John Wooden “Doing the best in the moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” Oprah Winfrey