To say the least, we live in uncertain times. That said, I still have clients who need to sell or buy a home right now. I also have clients ready to buy and sell when the impact of the pandemic and the need for social isolation is over. If you have decided to sell your home either now, or in the future, there are several things that will maximize your home’s appeal to potential buyers and get your house sold COVID pandemic, or not!
1. Paint The Walls in Neutral Tones
A new coat of paint will leave each room looking fresh. and choosing neutral tones appeals to a wide audience, creating a blank slate for potential buyers to picture the space as their new home.
Taking the time to touch up scuff marks on baseboards and door frames will also give your home an extra polish to make it feel more move-in ready.
2. De-Clutter, De-Clutter, De-Clutter.
If a house is overflowing with stuff, not only can it make an entire room look smaller, buyers may worry that there is not enough storage for their own belongings. Start with decluttering countertops, bookshelves and window sills, and then tackle the cupboards, drawers, and closets. No space is off-limits for the eyes of a curious buyer!
Use this rule of thumb: Make sure each storage space is never more than half full, and organize what is left to look uniform and tidy. Decluttering can be tedious, but it offers the added bonus of helping you get organized for packing for your own move.
3. Fix The Small Things
This small detail can make all the difference; do a walk-through of your home and fix any loose handles. Check the drawer-pulls on cabinetry and make sure your closet doors are tracking properly. Secure shelves and check that they’re level. Be sure that there aren’t lightbulbs missing and their switches are all working. Check that the window coverings are all hanging properly.
These are some of the simplest things you can do to ensure a positive impression of your home, and when missed, may make potential buyers consider what else may be broken in your home.
4. Consider Curb Appeal
No matter how inviting the interior of your home is, potential buyers have already formed an impression before walking through the door. Increase your curb appeal by tidying up garden beds and ensuring your lawn is in good shape, add some greenery with inexpensive shrubs and bright, cheery flowers. Fix any cracks in your front steps or walkway. Painting your door a different color and adding a few flower pots to your front porch will also go a long way.
5. Keep Your Home Show Ready
Now that you’ve painted, de-cluttered, cleaned every corner, and made sure everything is in tip-top shape, you never know when a buyer may schedule a last-minute tour. Don’t leave dishes in the sink, keep the bathroom sparkling, ensure the beds are made and keep the floors free of dust bunnies. It may be inconvenient but you never know which viewing will lead to a sale!
Need help? Here are few places I’d like to recommend…
Need hardware and paint? Home Hardware – White Rock
Need paint, furniture restoration, and decorating help? The Passionate Home – Langley
Need to do some gardening? Art Knapps – Surrey
Please take good care,
Mike Wilson
Remax Treeland
604-533-3491
mike@fvlifestyle.com
Photo: Livabl
A visit with FV Lifestyle owner Mike Wilson on the state of real estate in the Fraser Valley. What’s happening to house prices and interest rates? What will happen to the economy and our lives? What is the biggest priority when preparing your home for…
We are noticing Fraser Valley businesses are getting creative so that they can continue to serve their customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. As always, we invite you to continue to shop local!
Twilight Drive-In
One Fraser Valley business that caught our eye is the Twilight Drive-In. They are currently open and showing the movie Trolls World Tour and Dolittle. It sounds like a family night at the Drive-In! The only thing we would advise is to stay in your car if you can. See http://twilightdrivein.net/
The Passionate Home
Carrie Thachuk, owner of The Passionate Home in Langley City is responding to her customer’s requests with a “Show Your Love DIY Heart Project Pack.” As you may have seen local residents are displaying hearts in their windows to show support for health care workers and first responders and all those working on the front lines during the pandemic. The packs include a raw wood heart (18″ x 15″), a 4oz. Chalk Paint™ colour of your choice, and a free brush!
Carrie and The Passionate Home are providing safe curbside pick-up for all online orders from 11-3 weekdays and 10-2 on Saturdays. Once you’ve placed your order they will contact you to arrange pick-up.
Website – The Passionate Home
Instagram – The Passionate Home
Well Seasoned: A Gourmet Food Store
One of our most engaged with Facebook posts so far this month (April 2020) is about Well Seasoned owner Angie Quaale delivering food to the Langley Hospital. Well Seasoned is open 9 to 5 Monday to Friday and 10-4 Saturday and Sunday. On their website, they say they are “well-stocked and doing deliveries.” They also have ready-made meals for pick-up and delivery. See https://wellseasoned.ca/
Home-Based Businesses
Home-based business owners are getting creative, and why not? Many home-based businesses were online before the pandemic and set-up for online ordering and delivery.
Abbotsford resident and Epicure representative Becca Toews held and “Epic Quarantine Cooking Class” where she posted videos and recipes on Facebook and Instagram. She said, “With everything going on in the world I’m feeling extra anxious these days. Trying to take care of myself with good food and self-care. Becca listed products that she was adding to her meals to hopefully boost her immune system and keep her and her husband healthy while spending more time than usual at home. See https://www.facebook.com/groups/162588968180880/
Fun and Games
Local businesses like the Abbotsford’s Boardwalk Cafe and Games have had to quickly reinvent themselves because of the crisis. Normally a popular place to hang out with friends, play games and have some coffee and snacks, Boardwalk Cafe and Games had to close their doors to drop-in customers because of the pandemic. Owners Darin and Gabby Graham immediately started promoting their online store and selling board games with free delivery to Abbotsford residents. See https://squareup.com/store/boardwalk-cafe
Real Estate
Realtors are having to adjust how they are showing homes and doing business along with other business owners. To see how FV Lifestyle owner Mike Wilson is making adjustments to how he is showing homes see Showing a Home During COVID-19
Safe shopping
For advice on how to shop safely during the COVID-19 shutdown see “How to safely shop for groceries during COVID-19 pandemic” from The Globe and Mail.
Contact Us
If you would like us to give your business a shout out in future articles and social media posts, contact Mike Wilson at mike@fvlifestyle.com.
The COVID-19 Pandemic is presenting challenges for almost every industry including the real estate industry. That said, I have had the opportunity to show a few homes for clients during the shutdown. Open Houses are not happening, bur showings can continue. Here are the steps…
When: 7:00 PM, Friday, April 3, 2020 Where: Online on Zoom https://zoom.us/j/400104783 and on the FV Lifestyle Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/fraservalleylife Ari Neufeld Ari is a onemanband // foodenthusiast // poet // artist // creator // As a way of saying “thank you” and supporting Ari…
During the COVID 19 pandemic, we are all learning what it means to practice social or physical distancing. At the same time, are you noticing that more and more people are gathering online to connect with friends and family? We sure are.
WAYS OF CONNECTING
People are reaching out to their family’s on programs like FaceTime, Zoom, Google Hangouts and more. There were even churches located in the Fraser Valley that met online this past week as they have been forced to close their doors for the time being. We’ve also seen coaches, counselors, and people from all walks of life and professions offering to meet with people online instead of in person.
If you have a Gmail address you have access to Google Hangouts and you can meet with a group of people using this free program. CLICK HERE for Google Hangouts instructions.
Zoom is another option to connect socially and they have a free option too. The free Zoom program allows you to meet with up to 20 people for 40 minutes for free, but everyone needs the software which can sometimes be a challenge. CLICK HERE to read more about Zoom
Although it can get a little overwhelming for some of us with all of the posts on social media it can be a place to connect and have conversations with friends and loved ones about the virus and find out how they are coping. Facebook provides the option of Facebook Live. Video hosts can comment as people post in the comments section.
Another Facebook option is to have a group messaging conversation. Our family has a group conversation going specifically based on the virus and I know other families do too. With family members living all over the world, this has been a good way for us to carry on a conversation and stay connected.
Although less interactive, another option to connect with friends and family is to do an Instagram Live post and then respond to people as they text their comments. This is obviously a little less personable and interactive, but you can get a little bit of a live chat going.
IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
We have also seen fun things going on in neighbourhoods where people open their doors and play music on their front steps, create welcoming chalk drawings and post fun and encouraging posters in their windows and their exterior walls. In one townhouse complex in Ladner*, we read about a show of kindness and compassion by neighbours as they wrote birthday messages that said “Happy Birthday” to a four-year-old from their decks.*
And finally, there has been a very heartwarming and compassionate show of support to our very deserving healthcare workers as Vancouver apartment dwellers go out on their balconies at 7 PM each night and applaud and cheer for health care workers battling the COVID 19 pandemic**
Links
*Delta Optimist
**News 1130
There’s no escaping news about COVID-19 is there? People have very legitimate concerns as the virus spreads around the world. As a Realtor people are even asking me how I think the virus will affect Fraser Valley Real Estate and the consensus among my colleagues…
Friday Night Music Series with Ryan McAllister | Feb. 28
On Friday, February, 28th from 6 – 9 pm, enjoy your evening with Backyard Vineyards listening to live music by Ryan McAllister while sipping on Backyard wine.
The Friday Music Series at Backyard Vineyards takes place in their tasting room so seating is limited. They encourage you to grab your tickets in advance. Tickets are $19.95 which includes a tasting flight of their social wines plus music of course!
Wine and beer are available for purchase along with their menu of cheese platters to pair alongside.
If you have any questions, give them a call at (604) 539-9463.
Ryan McAllister**
“Ryan McAllister is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer. Over the last fifteen years, he has played thousands of concerts on five continents with artists ranging from Sam Roberts and Noah Gundersen to Willie Nelson and Carly Rae Jepsen. He’s headed up the bands Dakona and North Country Gentlemen and his music have appeared on Billboard, MTV, Much Music, Top 40 radio, film and TV and has been nominated for Covenant and Dove awards.”
_ _ _ _ _
*This event is only for those aged 19+
** Ryan’s website – https://www.ryanmcallister.com/ryanmcallister
*** Photos – https://www.backyardvineyards.ca
Sales have returned to above-average levels If you are a homeowner watching the Real Estate market in the Fraser Valley, you may have noticed that 2019 finished strong after a comparatively lackluster year. Early in the year, we were still undergoing the impact of the…