Loft apartments in New York are often viewed on television as apartments originally built for commercial purposes and then converted into living spaces. They are often seen as having beams and exposed brick walls in one large space. What is a loft? When we think of a loft, it is often a space within a home that can serve multiple purposes – bedrooms, storage or for another activity altogether. A loft is usually accessed via a flight of stairs and may overlook a living room or kitchen. You may think of it like a balcony with railings but does not feature walls. Often lofts are in an industrial ..read more

Does your home need an update, but you can’t afford a total remodel? Many of us dream of a new kitchen or bathroom but it can be costly. Our Anne Winch Real Estate Team has some ideas on how you can make some updates without a complete remodel. Paint Hands down paint can make such a difference in a home! It can be one of the least expensive ways to change a large portion of your home. Walls are the way to go when painting but there are so many other places where paint can make a difference. (Tip: Get colour paint chits or small paint samples to try the paint in your home before committing.) Yo ..read more

As the weather warms up are you thinking of selling your home? Although a home’s value does depend on square footage don’t forget the value of the exterior of your home also. Having a beautifully landscaped yard and functional outdoor space adds even more value to your home. You don’t have to do a major exterior overhaul to make a good impression. Even if you are not ready to sell just quite yet, these fixes can make you smile and add value too! Try to make your yard more functional! Having a functional backyard will increase the value of your home. Do you have room to entertain? Do your kids ..read more

If you find yourself in a situation where you are trying to keep your home clean but need to also pack for a move, these tips might be of help! It doesn’t matter how much of a neat freak you may be; you still need to edit and clean out before your move. You need to keep everything together and spotless while your home is being sold and packed at the same time. Tips for packing for your move. Pick a small section to clean. Begin in the early evening when showings are over. Keep two piles going – one to keep, one to go and have an area to evaluate the rest. Set aside anything you need to read t ..read more

Saying goodbye to a home with so many memories is hard. If you find that you need to sell your parent’s home, we can help! Nobody ever looks forward to selling their parent’s home. At some time in your life, you may find this is a task you must tackle. Whether your loved one is downsizing to a new home, needs more care elsewhere or if they have passed, it can be a time that is physically and emotionally taxing. Tips for selling. First, you want to focus on how you can sell the home as quickly as possible. Don’t forget curb appeal! Paint inside and out. Make a list of what needs repairing and ..read more

Nothing is more exciting than shopping for a new house! You spend countless hours looking at online real estate listings and then try to narrow down to a few you may like. However, we do notice mistakes that people often make at an open house. Showing up without a realtor You don’t need to have a realtor to visit an open house, many experts do agree that it is better to have somebody in your corner. If you shop without a realtor, you often can miss out on expert insights. A realtor will find out many things about the home that you may not be aware of. You will get professional information on t ..read more

It is very important to get your home ready when you sell. It can be hard to get everything done, declutter, paint, and clean your home. Have you ever thought about what your home looks like through the eyes of a buyer? It is not easy to look objectively at our homes, but it is necessary! Detachment Completely detach yourself from your home. This can be hard to do because you know everything about the home. You know how things look and function. This can cause you to overlook faults that may result in you having problems selling your home. Part of the detachment process is considering your hom ..read more

The past few years have seen a very hot seller’s market. Buyers competed for houses and there were multiple offers. Patterns in real estate change and we are now cooling more into a buyer’s market. Prices are levelling and not as many offers are available as before. You want to have an edge! Now is a great time to use home staging as one of the tools to attract buyers to your home. Buyers have certain expectations when they walk into each home they see. The average staged home will sell up to 10% faster than a home that is not staged. You want to have this advantage to sell your home quicker ..read more

According to the Canadian Association of Movers, we tend to move residences 5 to 6 times in our lifetime. Moving is said to be one of the top five most stressful events in our lifetime. Why are people moving? They often are looking for either a first home, bigger housing or a better neighbourhood to reside in. There are also retirees who are looking to downsize and manage their budget better by choosing a smaller abode. Our Anne Winch Real Estate and Staging Team would like to take some stress off your shoulders by providing information on choosing the best moving company. When you decide to h ..read more

If home staging is new to you there may be some questions that you might want to ask. We have provided some questions below that may help you understand the staging process better. It is always important to keep your home atmosphere light and airy with neutral tones and tasteful décor. What colour should I paint throughout my house? When you are painting your house to sell you should stick with neutral or earth tones such as off-whites, beiges, or grays. Always start your painting from the ceiling down. Start first with a white ceiling, your neutral tone for the walls and then your trim colour ..read more