Amanda Day - Blog

10 tips to sell your home this Summer !

amanda.day@century21.ca — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

1 Paint!

Dollar for dollar, a fresh coat of paint gives you more bang for your decorating buck than anything else. Even if your current palette is relatively new, any scuffs or wear marks will channel an unkempt vibe. And an unusual colour choice – even if the height of fashion – may limit your home’s appeal. So break out that roller and slap on a couple coats of crowd-pleasing warm white or sand paint.

2 Improve the lighting

Replace any dated light fixtures ASAP. How can you tell if it has to go? If it’s over 15 years old and looks it – yet isn’t a vintage (50-75 years old) or antique piece (older) – it should probably go. “Retro” is not something most homebuyers are looking for. You don’t need to break the bank, just head to IKEA or Canadian Tire.

3 De-clutter

Take the collectibles off the mantel, put the mismatched armchair into storage (or better yet, donate it) and pare your closets down to what you’re actually wearing this season, packing away the rest. Ideally, all this extra stuff would head to charity (if in good, saleable condition), the garbage dump, or into storage. The more you store onsite, the more cluttered and small your home appears. Advertisement

4 Give dated bathrooms a facelift

A nice bath helps sell a house but, don’t invest in a total renovation. Renos are costly, and you won’t recoup your costs unless you find your exact décor doppelganger. Bring an out-of-date bath up to speed with gleaming white walls whether via a fresh coat of white bath and kitchen paint or ceramic tile and new lighting (Home Depot excels at affordable, stylish bathroom vanity lighting). Buy neutral new shower curtains, a simple new bath mat and vanity set, and have fresh flowers in the room during open houses.

5 Take down curtains

Dated window treatments need to come down, pronto (if it’s over 10 years old, get rid of it). If privacy isn’t an issue, just leave the windows bare to maximize natural light and make the room’s dimensions seem more generous. Otherwise, buy basic-issue cotton or linen drapes from Linens ‘N Things or another well-priced retailer. Always tie drapes back during viewings and open houses.

6 Put up mirrors

Make small rooms appear bigger and dark rooms seem brighter by adding an attractive wall mirror. A boxlike dining room will benefit from a leaning floor mirror (Lowes sells well priced ones, and HomeSense often has great deals) and an entranceway more welcoming with a console mirror.

7 Update porch hardware

Increase your home’s curb appeal by updating the hardware on your front porch. Buy a doorknocker or bell, mailbox, kick plate, doorknob and lockset in a set or in complementary styles. Brushed nickel is a neutral finish that will never date, while oil-rubbed bronze is another favourite.

8 And the porch light

Update your porch light to coordinate with the new hardware, if needed. They don’t have to be an exact match or even come from the same period, but the finishes and styles should look pleasing together.

9 Spiff up the front yard

Refresh your front yard according to the season. In spring, summer and fall, trim back dead plants and foliage and plant attractive annuals or perennials in flowerbeds. In winter, keep the walkway shoveled and cut back any tree or shrub branches damaged by heavy snowfall. A pair of planters flanking the front door and filled with seasonal arrangements instantly conveys pride of ownership.

10 Tend the backyard

Simple fix-its will make the most of your existing yard layout. Replace any damaged boards on your deck or fence, and apply a fresh coat of paint, or stain and sealant if the finish needs it. Weed and groom your garden and add some perennials for colour when in-season. If kids’ toys are taking over the space, put some in storage. Think “tidy,” “update” and “refresh”: never do anything costly or major like adding a swimming pool or pond, which may put off potential buyers.

If you have any questions please contact me ,

Amanda Day 1-204-721-2728

Why You Should Not Wait Till Spring To List Your Home !!!

amanda.day@century21.ca — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This time of the year is the best time to list and here is why I say that ,

Well for starters if you are thinking Spring for you, So is everyone else !

When spring rolls around the market floods with homes for sale which means your home will either sit on the market longer or you may not get the best dollar for your home. If you are worried about when youll need to move out then dont fear we can always make a spring move out date or in other words what you prefer to do.

If you have any question dont be afraid to contact me I also do FREE Market Analysis with No Obligation .

Amanda Day

Century21westman.com

1-204-721-2728

Turning Your Dreams Into An Address !

Brandon home sales set August record!

amanda.day@century21.ca — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Home sales reported through the MLS® System of the Brandon Real Estate Board numbered 164 units in August 2012, rising 19 per cent from year-ago levels. This marked the sixth consecutive month of double-digit year-over-year growth, and was also the best month of August on record.

A total of 1,164 homes have traded hands so far this year. This is running 31 per cent ahead of the first eight months of 2011, and remains on track to set a new annual record.

The average price of homes sold in August 2012 was $187,493, up three per cent from a year earlier.

The dollar value of all home sales in August was $30.7 million, up 23 per cent from the same month last year. The total value of all properties sold in August 2012 was $31.8 million, an increase of 22 per cent from August 2011.

New residential listings numbered 199 units in August 2012, a decline of 17 per cent from the previous August. There were 773 active residential listings on the Board’s MLS® System at the end of August, down 22 per cent from levels reported at the same time last year.

There were 4.7 months of inventory at the end of August 2012. This was down from 7.1 months recorded a year earlier. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

Bank of canada Keeps Interest Rates On Hold !

amanda.day@century21.ca — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Bank of Canada keeps interest rates on hold

The Bank of Canada kept its key policy rate at 1 per cent on September 5th, 2012, where it has been held steady for two years. This marks the longest period since the 1950s that rates have been left unchanged.

The text accompanying the announcement was little changed from the July statement. This includes the bottom line that the Bank would still like its next move to be a rate hike, but that the timing and degree and any such decision would depend on whether global and domestic trends play out as expected in the months ahead.

Although the Bank expects the economic outlook to brighten, it identified a number of downside risks that may force it to lower its expectations. Among these risks are “widespread slowing of activity across advanced and emerging economies,” recognition that “Europe is in recession and its crisis, while contained, remains acute.” It also reiterated that economic growth in China and other emerging economies is braking a little bit harder than it had previously expected. It also noted that economic growth in the United States was continuing at a “gradual pace”.

While these factors are consistent with the continuation of low inflation and low interest rates, it also recognized that prices for oil and many other commodities that Canada exports have increased from lower levels this summer. While that means prices at the gas pump have prevented consumer price inflation from edging lower, it also leaves less money in household budgets for discretionary spending, thereby keeping spending and growth in check.

Spurred on by the continuation of near-record low interest rates, consumption and business investment are expected to be the primary drivers of growth next year. That said, while business investment remains solid, the Bank acknowledged “tentative signs of slowing in household spending, although the household debt burden continues to rise.” This suggests that the Bank remains worried about growth in consumer debt, even while growth in household debt has slowed to a crawl.

The Bank said that core inflation had been softer than expected in recent months, but added that with the economy operating near its production potential, both core and total CPI inflation were expected to return to their two per cent targets over the next 12 months.

The bottom line was unchanged for a fourth time since the April announcement, in saying that “some modest withdrawal of the present considerable monetary policy stimulus may become appropriate” based on how global and domestic trends, and risks, play out in the months ahead.

So even as the global economic picture continues to dim, and other major central banks talk of renewed stimulus, the Bank of Canada still feels its next move should be a rate hike. Financial markets are currently pricing in the possibility of quarter point interest rate hike next April, but a lot can change between then and now.

As of September 5th 2012, the advertised five-year lending rate stood at 5.24 per cent. It has been unchanged at this level since the beginning of June. The Bank will make its next scheduled rate announcement on October 23rd, 2012.