Blog - Paul Lamba

5 Ways to Add Fun to the Selling Process

When you think about selling your property, do you dwell on the possible work and stress involved? You’re not alone. Many homeowners share the same concerns.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

In fact, there are plenty of ways to add some fun, anticipation, and even a sense of adventure to the selling process. Here are just a few ideas:

Plan fun things to do when your home is being shown. That can include walks, sports activities, or trying something you and your family have never done before.

Declutter for your own benefit. Instead of thinking about decluttering as a chore required for the sale, focus instead on how much more comfortable your home will be after decluttering. Studies consistently show that less clutter reduces stress and…

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Questions to Ask when Selling your Home

If you’re thinking of selling your house, you probably have a lot of questions that need answers. In fact, asking the right questions is key to selling your home successfully and for the best price.

Here are some of the most important questions to ask:

1) How much is our house likely to sell for on today’s market? What should the listing price be? What are the selling costs?

2) How long will it take to sell? What happens if our house takes longer than expected to sell?

3) How do we prepare our house for the sale? Will we need to make any major improvements? Will we need to hire a contractor?

4) What’s ‘home staging’? Will we need to hire a professional stager? Can we do some of that staging work ourselves?

5) What happens when we get…

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4 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Current Home

It’s not uncommon for couples with growing families to trade in their compact cars for something roomier, like a mini-van. The same thing happens with homes. Sometimes families simply outgrow them.

How can you tell if that’s happening with your property? Here are some sure-fire signs:

1) You need more space. This is the most common reason people upgrade to a new home. They need more room. For any number of reasons, you might want an extra bedroom, a larger living room, a bigger backyard, or a more spacious kitchen. Rather than put up with feeling cramped, consider exploring the extra space a new home can provide.

 2) A renovation won’t fix it. Sometimes, when a property doesn’t fit its owners’ needs anymore, they consider a renovation. For…

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The Importance of Depersonalizing your Home

When a buyer views your home for sale, they want to visualize themselves living there. They want to imagine cooking in the kitchen, relaxing in the living room, and enjoying get-togethers with family and friends.

However, when they see a baseball trophy on the mantle with your name on it, that visualization crumbles. That’s why it’s smart to depersonalize your home as much as possible when selling.

You don’t have to go too far. Simply do what you can to remove items that scream “We live here!” Consider stowing items such as:

1) Trophies, diplomas, certificates and anything else with a name prominently displayed on it.

2) Personal and family pictures.

3) Mementos, knickknacks and other items of a personal nature.

4) Notes, pictures,…

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Home Energy Saving Tips that Won’t Leave You Shivering or Sweating.

If you want to reduce your home energy costs, the easiest way is to turn the thermostat up or down. In fact, you probably won’t notice a difference of 2 degrees either way — and the savings can be substantial.

However, if you want to lower your bill even further each month, here are some additional tips that are relatively easy to implement:

1) Plug or fix the drafts. Even in newer homes, air filtration can occur at windows and doors. So, check around your home for drafts. Windy or cold days are the best days to check. Then, get any drafts you find repaired or, at least, temporarily plugged.

2) Check the attic. Heat rises and can escape through the attic. So, once a year, check the attic insulation for thin or bare spots. The insulation…

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How To Minimize Water Damage

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How your Home’s Market Value is Calculated

Imagine you’re shopping for a used iPhone 11 that’s in good condition. You visit a resale website and discover that most are selling for approximately $350. Would you be willing to pay $400? Probably not. The market value is obviously well-established. There would be no reason to pay more.

Pricing your home for sale is similar. Your home has a market value and, if you were to list it, buyers would expect to pay close to that amount. If you price it too high, many buyers won’t even bother to see it. If you price it too low, you’ll leave money on the table.

Many factors come into play when calculating that market value – neighbourhood, street characteristics, special features, upgrades, condition, etc. However, the most important factor is…

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Getting your Home Hunting Ducks in a Row

Say you’re shopping for a new home. Your goal is to find the ideal property, in a neighbourhood that is just right for you, within a price range that you can afford.

What do you need — at a minimum — to get started?

If you’re looking for ways to get your ducks in a row, here are some things to prepare:

1. A property wish list. What does your ideal home look like? How many bedrooms does it need to have? Do you require a spacious recreational room? A large deck? A pool? A nice view? Get your wish list down on paper.
2. A neighbourhood wish list. Where you live is just as important as what you live in. What qualities are you looking for in a neighbourhood? A nearby park? Walking distance to a good school? Hiking trails? A shorter drive…

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Is There a Best Season to Sell?

It’s interesting to note how so many things have their “season.” Hockey in the winter. Vacations in the summer. Gardening in the spring. Even retirement reportedly occurs more often in the fall than any other time of year.

To some extent, even real estate seems to have a season. The spring is traditionally an active time for home sales. But, does that mean you should wait until spring to list your home?

Here’s the reality...

Properties sell all year round. There are buyers actively looking for homes at all times of the year. In fact, there are bound to be buyers that would be interested in your home if you were to list it this month. While it’s true that the market may fluctuate throughout the year, with some months featuring higher or lower…

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Seven Master Bedroom Staging Ideas

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