613 883 5555
613 883 5555

Need to Sell Quickly?

Need to Sell Quickly? Here’s What to Do

There are many reasons why you might suddenly need to sell your home. It could be an unexpected work relocation, a change in family circumstances, or simply a desire to move.

Whatever the reason, selling quickly requires some fast action on your part. But that doesn’t mean you need to get into panic mode. You can list and sell your property, quickly while still enjoying the process!

The first thing you need to do is figure out how to make your home show its best. In addition to cleaning and decluttering, that might include getting any needed repairs done, sprucing up the place by painting and perhaps even doing some minor improvements.

How much you need to “stage” your property depends on many factors, including what conditions are like in the local real estate market. For example, you may not need to make each room look like a page from a decorating magazine if you’re in a seller’s market.

So, before you start any work, talk to The Agent DK Team about what needs to be done to make your home ready to be seen by buyers.

The next thing you’ll need to consider is the list price. Your list price is especially important if you want to sell soon. There are many different strategies to get you the most money for your home, and together we will pick the option best for you and your family!

In addition, it’s smart to line up the resources you’ll need, especially if you’re also buying a new home. For example: get recommendations for a real estate lawyer, contractor, mortgage advisor, cleaning service, pet daycare, etc.

The Agent DK Team has year of experience in the local Ottawa home industry, so we can recommend you to reputable professionals we know and trust.

A final tip: If you want to sell quickly, you need to start the process now. Give the Agent DK Team a call at 613-883-5555 to get the ball rolling.

IT’S NATIONAL ADMIN DAY!

Today we Celebrate Administrative Professional’s Day. It’s a wonderful Opportunity to Say “Thank You” to all the hardworking Admins in so many industries! At the Agent DK Team we are especially proud and grateful for Andreas, Silvi & Freda. While organization is key to their success, their flexibility and ability to handle the unexpected in this fast-paced Real Estate Industry make them valuable to our team. Some of their responsibilities include managing appointments, communicating with clients and agents, managing documents & paperwork, planning meetings, corresponding with lawyers and mortgage brokers, coordinating appointments with photos, signs and the list goes on & on! Thank you for all that you do and for working with utmost dedication and hard work! You do what most people cannot on a day to day basis! It never goes unnoticed! And today, like everyday, we say THANK YOU!

Fire Safety Checks You Should Do At Least Once a Year

Chances are, you know that you should change the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once a year — even if you suspect the batteries are still good.

But that isn’t the only fire safety check you should do annually. Here are some other recommended tips to help keep you and your family safe.

  1. Clean your stove burners and oven regularly. Hard grease build-up can become combustible.
  2. Check your cupboard for cleaning products, paints and other liquids that are flammable. Read each label carefully. Use and store each product only as recommended.
  3. If you keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen — and you should — confirm that it is still good. Extinguishers are like food. They have expiry dates!
  4. Go over your fire escape plan with your family. Make sure everyone knows exactly what to do if a smoke detector goes off or if there’s a fire. (Don’t have a fire escape plan? Make one!)
  5. Check that all windows open easily, especially upper floor windows.
  6. Check appliances you use often, such as hair dryers, for worn or frayed cords.
  7. Regularly clear away lint build-up in the clothes dryer. Check the outside dryer vent annually to make sure it’s clear and working correctly.
  8. If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, get it cleaned and inspected by a licensed technician once a year.

Many local fire departments offer homeowners free tips and even in-home advice and inspections at no cost. Contact your fire department and ask about programs available to you.

The Role of a Realtor: Seller

When it comes time to sell your home, the process can be long and emotional, particularly if buying and selling Real Estate is not something you are well versed in. Although private sales may seem beneficial, having a The Agent DK Team on your side can provide peace of mind throughout the entire process. 

With the experience and knowledge that the Agent DK Team brings to the table, the benefits and gains will surely be in abundance. See how choosing to work with a Professional Real Estate Team can help you to protect your investment and ensure you get the most for your money. 

Selling your home is a big decision, and an emotionally charged one. It can also be a long process, and has many complicated steps to follow in order to ensure everything goes smoothly. Although it is possible to handle all this yourself, it adds stress onto an already stressful time, and can lead to mistakes that cost you thousands of dollars. In order to avoid these risks, many people choose to hire a realtor to sell their home. As in most things, having an expert on call to help you can lead to much better results than you could achieve by yourself. Realtors offer many services to house sellers, and we will discuss some of those below.

Knowledge

One of the greatest tools that a realtor brings to your house-selling is their knowledge. Part of a realtor’s job is to track changing trends in the housing market in your area. A realtor will know how the market is faring, when good times to sell are, what the price trends are in your area, and whether there are any competing houses that are currently for sale in your neighbourhood. Having this information can be extremely helpful when it comes to making important decisions about selling your house, from when to sell, how much to charge, and what selling points to focus on. The more information you realtor has, the better your choices will be, and the smoother your sale will be.

Marketing

A good realtor will provide you with important information to help you make informed choices when it comes to your selling your house. This is not all that a realtor does though. Just as important a task is getting people interested in your home. Realtors will take charge of getting your house listing posted on house-hunting websites and realtor sale lists, as well as having photographs taken that will put your home in the best possible light. Your realtor can also provide advice on how to stage your house to make a good impression to potential buyers, and then host and advertise open houses in order to draw prospects in to see your home in person. In order to buy your home, people need to be aware that it is for sale. That’s something a realtor can help with.

Closing the Deal

Once you have people who are interested in buying your home, you need to close the deal. This process can include any number of offers and counter-offers, then lots of paperwork which must be handled correctly. A realtor can help keep this process smooth, and make sure nothing gets missed or filled out incorrectly. With a transaction the size of a house sale, you want to make sure nothing goes wrong. Having someone who is experience and knows the ins and outs of the business, and knows the common mistakes to avoid, can be very helpful in making sure everything goes right. A realtor can provide that experience and expertise.

With a transaction the size of selling a house, you want to make sure that all your bases are covered and no mistakes are made that could cost you thousands of dollars. Realtors can do that and more, and are a wise investment to make sure your house sells quickly, for the amount you want, and with no additional headaches.

Importance of Spring Maintenance

“There’s no better way to preserve the value of your home than with regular, consistent maintenance. So every time the seasons change, make sure you do a thorough check of your house – inside and out – to make sure you’re keeping it in tiptop shape,” says Scott McGillivray. As homeowners, we all want low-maintenance homes but we want to protect our investment. As the seasons change we need to be diligent with knocking these things off our to-do list.

April is a perfect time to get these things done especially on those rainy days when you are stuck inside!

Here is why seasonal maintenance is important :

🏡Identify Issues: It allows you to identify issues before they become major repairs.

🏡Value : It helps you maintain and add to the value of your home.

🏡 Appearance: It improves the appearance of your property.

🏡 Protection: It protects your home against weather and other threats.

🏡Minimize Long Term Costs: Maintenance costs are less when you do it regularly.

🏡 Fewer Surprises: Fewer unforeseen issues will arise.

🏡 Save Time: The more frequently you do it, the less time it will take each season.

Here are the Top 10 Spring Maintenance Items to Consider:

  1. Inspect The Roof.
  2. Clean the Gutters and Downspouts.
  3. Check the foundation from the outside.
  4. Inspect the Windows and Doors.
  5. Check the Garage Doors
  6. Check the Outdoor Lights.
  7. Fence & Deck Maintenance.
  8. Prepare the Lawn, Trees & Greenery.
  9. Bring Out the Outdoor Furniture & Clean BBQ.
  10. Outdoor General Spring Cleaning.

Ottawa Real Estate Snapshot – March 2021

The March 2021 Ottawa Real Estate Board Stats are out!

Market Snapshot: The long-term inventory shortage continues to drive prices however, the number of residential properties sold in March of 2021 is over double the number of properties that sold just one year prior. The Spring market sure has sprung! If you’re considering a move we’re here to help answer any questions you have, in this market you’ll want a qualified, professional Real Estate Team to protect your interests, Call The Agent DK Team Today!

Settling Into Your New Home

6 Things To Do Before Settling Into Your New Home

Buying a home is an exciting time for both new home buyers and experienced buyers alike. It is a fresh start, with new walls to build your life within. However, once the move begins, things can feel stressful, frantic, and exhausting, especially if there’s extra work to be done while boxes are being piled one on top of another. To make your transition go smoothly, we have compiled a list of 6 things to do before settling into your home. This will undoubtedly save you time and energy that could be put to better use come moving day.

Update Your Information
Before officially moving into your new home, you should begin updating your address on your driver’s license, OHIP card, banking information, and any other services that require your place of residence on file. Additionally, you will want to inform your insurance providers to ensure that your home insurance is transferred and appropriate for your new home coverage. You will also want to touch base with utility companies before you move so that your home has electricity and gas set up under your accounts. Lastly, have any internet, phone, or television service providers in to get your systems up and running, primarily if you rely on a good connection to work from home. See here for a change of address checklist, to ensure you don’t miss informing anyone.

Make Your New Home Shine
Before the big day comes, set aside some time or hire a company to complete a deep clean of the home. Ensure high-touch surfaces are disinfected, carpets are steam-cleaned, appliances are cleaned out, and that every nook and cranny is spotless and ready for a new life. If the home’s colours aren’t in line with your decor or aesthetic, or you want to rid the home of any lingering smells from pets or smoke, take this time to add a fresh coat of paint to the walls. By the time you move in, it will feel like you were the first family ever to own the home, and the hustle of moving-day will be a breeze. 

Make a home maintenance schedule
Home maintenance should never be something you skip on when it comes to homeownership. Keeping a regular schedule will ultimately help you protect your investment, and hopefully, minimize any high-cost repairs you may have to do. You can begin the work for this as early as your home inspection report comes in, as it might contain suggestions for work or repairs that should be completed.

Create and organize a filing system for any manuals or instructions, with clear outlines on how frequently you should have large items or appliances serviced or replaced and when to conduct seasonal maintenance. This is also an excellent opportunity to do your research and find a list of local plumbers, electricians, exterminators, landscapers, or snow removal companies that you may need to use in the future. 

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It is good practice for every homeowner to frequently check both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in good working order. Before moving into your home, checking or replacing existing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors or their batteries should be one of the first items to check off your list. Home Safety experts recommend changing the batteries every 6 months, so make sure to mark it on your calendar for semi-annual maintenance to be completed. If you are unsure how to test your systems, your local fire department may have some tips or offer free inspections.

Change Your Locks

Getting keys in hand for your new home on closing day is easily one of the best feelings when buying a new house. Everything is real, and a new adventure is about to begin. But for safety reasons, the passing on of keys should stay ceremonial. You never know how many copies of your house keys have been made and how many people may still have them in hand. This can be an easy fix by installing new deadbolts yourself or by calling a locksmith in to do it for you. Make sure if you get copies made that you only give them to necessary persons, and write them down, so you don’t lose track. 

Get Familiar With Your Home

Once you become a homeowner, it is essential to get familiar with the systems in your home. Take the time to understand how everything works. Locate the furnace, air conditioning system, circuit breaker, and the home’s main water shut-off valve. Take note of these things during your walkthrough with your REALTOR ® or home inspector, and once in your home, inspect them yourself or hire someone to do a secondary inspection with you so that you know how best to care for your home and protect your investment. 

Happy Easter!

Wishing you a lovely and safe Easter weekend from The Agent DK family to yours! We hope the Easter Bunny leaves you lots of chocolate! 🐰✨🌸