Before you list your home for sale, take a careful look around. Are there some items you will want to take with you? There may be a dining room chandelier that has been in your family for three generations, a ceiling fan in the master bedroom, or the bookcases in the den that look built-in but are not.
Normally all fixtures are conveyed to the new owners when a house is sold. This includes anything that is attached to walls or ceilings and, in some areas, all major appliances that are installed in the house. If you have fixtures that you don’t want to convey, tell your agent what you want excluded from the agreement at the time you list your property for sale.
If it is convenient, it is best to remove any light fixtures or ceiling fans you plan to take with you and replace them before the property is shown to prospective buyers. List all items that are not being sold with the house on your home fact sheet to ensure that they will not become an issue when a buyer makes an offer.
Whether you’re getting ready to sell your home or you’re just in the mood for a spring spruce-up, learning to decorate on a shoestring budget can be rewarding both for your pocketbook and the aesthetics of your home.
Tracy Lynn, owner of Style On A Shoestring says that decorating on a budget is not only possible but also very doable. No matter what theme or décor you choose, Lynn says there are three important considerations.
“Organization and functionality are just as important these days as is being attractive. Most people are not into the big fancy living rooms and dining rooms anymore but they want the space to be nice and they want to [decorate] it reasonably,” says Lynn.
Lynn launched her company after she gutted a home and redecorated it on a shoestring budget. She received so many compliments that she decided to start her business in San Diego, California. But she understands that decorating is a luxury.
“I think it’s definitely an extra in life. Most of the time people want to be proud of their homes. They want to enjoy having people over and they want to be organized. They also want it to function well,” says Lynn.
So keeping costs down is always a top priority. But when you flip through catalogues featuring furniture and decor and you pick items you like, the prices just seem to quickly compound. That’s when you need a decorating shoestring-budget strategy. It starts with taking inventory of the things you have. Which items need to go and which items can stay? Redecorating doesn’t mean you have to throw out everything. In fact, Lynn’s company offers a re-design service that helps you learn to use what you have. The key is getting fresh eyes on your home. When you bring in experts, they can offer a new perspective.
“Taking the things that consumers already own and just re-arranging it or de-cluttering it — moving art around or possibly adding a few pieces to what they already have. We have done this many times in various homes, says Mary Wadstrom, designer at Style On A Shoestring. She adds, “It makes the husbands really happy because we haven’t purchased anything; we haven’t done any shopping — we’ve just switched their things up a little bit.”
Here are a few more tips to getting a quality look on a lean decor diet. Just like anything, investing in the preparation time and research can reap outstanding results.
Set a personal financial limit and then stick to it. Decide what you can afford without breaking the bank. Then call in the experts. You don’t have to hire them to do the overall decorating. You can actually do many things on your own but, again, getting some new opinions will allow you to see things in your own home from a different view.
Use professionals to gain valuable advice. Lynn cautions that you carefully think about each purchase because often people end up with items that just don’t work. She says she hears this complaint frequently “I went out and I bought this couch and now I need you because I can’t return it and it doesn’t fit. I blew all this money.” Getting expert help doesn’t have to be expensive. You can receive free consultations and research expert advice in online publications.
Space-plan before you buy. Don’t impulse-buy or you might end up with furniture and décor that doesn’t ultimately match the room. Before you buy anything you should map out the look and style of what you’re trying to create. “You don’t want to buy anything until you understand what everything is going to cost,” says Lynn. She says go through and decide how much each item will cost “because that will help you stay in the budget,” explains Lynn. You can choose to splurge on one item but then scrimp a little in other areas.
Determine if you can do the work. You don’t always have to buy a new piece. Lynn says maybe you can re-finish or re-paint an old dresser so that it has a new look to match your updated décor. However, she says be sure to consult with experts and get the advice you need before you begin a do-it-yourself project.
Relax and enjoy the process. So many times people try to complete the decorating process in a shorter-than-necessary time-span instead of enjoying the process of creating something wonderful that they will likely be living with for many years to come. Decorating your home for sale or for livability doesn’t have to be a stressful, chaotic process … take a breath and give yourself the time to enjoy this creative journey.
May , 2008 — Moderate sales and healthy price increases continued to characterize the GreaterToronto Area resale housing market during the first half of May, Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O’Neill announced today.
“With 4,422 sales throughout the GTA in the first two weeks of this month, activity has declined 12 per cent compared to the 5,003 homes sold during the first half of May 2007,” said Ms. O’Neill. “Prices however, continue to be strong, averaging $400,817 in the GTA, up six per cent from the $377,612 reported a year ago.”
In the City of Toronto, there were 1,734 sales, representing a 15 per cent decline from the 2,053 homes sold during the first half of May 2007 and an 11 per cent decline from 006. The average price in the 416 is $437,205, up six per cent from $412,701 a year ago.
In the 905 Region, there were 2,688 sales, down nine per cent from 2,950 a year ago but up four per cent from the same period in 2006. At $377,688, the average price is up seven per cent from the $353,192 recorded during the same timeframe in May of 2007.
Despite moderate sales overall, some neighbourhoods experienced heightened activity during the first half of May. The GTA is showing signs for a healthy 2008 compared to the diminished activity during the first quarter of 2008.
The Danforth (E03) saw sales increase 29 per cent overall compared to the same timeframe a year ago due to strong detached home sales.
Interest in detached homes also led Streetsville (W20) to a five percent overall sales increase compared to a year ago.
In the Annex (C02) transactions rose 39 per cent compared to the same period a year ago, driven by strong condominium apartment and detached home sales.
Richmond Hill South (N03) saw strong sales in most property types resulting in a three per cent increase compared to a year ago.
“In recent years, homebuyers have faced a major challenge with respect to limited selection,” said Ms. O’Neill.
“Now though, inventory is up 11 per cent compared to a year ago, which has resulted in more choice for home buyers and will a positive effect on the quality of available listings.”
A wider selection from which to choose has also resulted in increased Days on Market, which has risen to 35 from last year’s 28.
“The Greater Toronto Area offers a wide array of housing stock to fit almost any budget; I encourage anyone thinking of making a move to contact their REALTOR® to learn more about all of their options.”
