JoAnne Muegge
Carol Budnyk
Carol Budnyk
Your Gulf Islands and South Vancouver Island REALTOR

HELPING YOU IS WHAT I DO.

Cell:250-588-3378
Toll Free:800-461-5353
Office:250-477-5353

carolbudnyk@royallepage.ca
www.realestatependerisland.com

 Mortgage Success

Independently Owned And Operated
ROYAL LePAGE Coast Capital Realty
Message From Carol
Welcome! Not only will staging your home make it more desirable but it can also earn you as high as a 13% increase in your listing price! For ideas on staging a home consult the following article.While location, market price and the state of the economy can't be controlled you can affect the desirability factor of your property. Staging your home allows you to accentuate it's positive attributes and turn it into an irresistible opportunity. Statistically staged homes can sell between 2% to 13% more than an unstaged home of comparable value all while spending half the time on the market!

All the best,
Carol Budnyk
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April 2010 Issue
Staging Your Home for a Sale 
While location, market price and the state of the economy can't be controlled you can affect the desirability factor of your property. Staging your home allows you to accentuate it's positive attributes and turn it into an irresistible opportunity. Statistically staged homes can sell between 2% to 13% more than an unstaged home of comparable value all while spending half the time on the market! staging
Pre-Staging

Begin by disassociating yourself with your home and pack up any personal pictures and heirlooms because you want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls. It's important that heirlooms, appliances and anything else that you expect to take with you be removed. This will avoid having to negotiate over these items during closing and possibly losing the sale. Consider renting a storage unit to store them while showing your home. Not only will it give you a chance to hide your heirlooms, appliances and any excess furniture but also allow you to get a head start on packing.

Before you start staging your home rent a pressure washer to spray down the exterior, wash windows, dust ceiling fans/light fixtures, wax floors, bleach dingy grouting and clean out the refrigerator. Remember as well to polish chrome faucets/mirrors, vacuum, dust furniture and empty garbage pails daily. It's also the perfect time to make small repairs like fixing leaky faucets, jammed doors/drawers, replacing cracked tiles, patching holes, re-caulk bathtubs/sinks, removing wallpaper and painting each room a neutral colour as well as addressing any damp smells from the basement. To buyers a musty basement might indicate a foundation leak so the next time it rains figure out if it's being caused by a clogged drain or poorly placed rain gutters/downspouts.

Think of your homes curb appeal. If potential buyers aren't enticed to get out of their car it obviously won't result in a sale. A few simple things such as keeping the sidewalks cleared, lawn mowed, bushes trimmed and gutters cleaned can make a huge difference. It would also be beneficial to paint any faded trim, group potted plants together and of course make sure your house number is clearly visible.


Staging

The best time to stage a home is before it's evaluated by a Real Estate Agent because they would be more likely to list it with a higher price. Here are a few ways to impress your Real Estate Agent:

•Entrance; Use a mirror, plant or throw rug to define the area. Line up shoes. Don't expect buyers to remove theirs.

•Living room; Replace heavy drapes with ones that will let a lot of light through. Weather and noise permitting, open a window. Strategically place an afghan and pillows. If you use an answering machine, turn it off or mute messages. Brighten a dark room by putting a spot light behind furniture.

•Kitchen/Dining room; Clean off counters with the exception of a few colourful cookbooks, neatly stack dishes and turn coffee cup handles the same way. Also remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Put out a bowl of polished fruit.

•Bathroom; Buy a new shower curtain, rugs and towels. Display creamy lotions and moisturizing jars.

•Bedrooms; Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction. Organize your drawers as well in the chance that a potential buyer opens them.

•Patio/Decks; Arrange some potted plants/flowers. Use the patio furniture-set the table with bright coloured plastic dinner plates, cups etc.
t the Marine Mammal Museums
Make sure that the staging looks natural because anything that's too over done will draw skepticism. Instead of artificially creating smells that could potentially irritate an allergy serve hot soup/chili, apple cider or cocoa during these cold months. It invites buyers to spend more time in the home. Leave fliers with detailed information and pictures of your property for buyers to take with them in the same area.
Did You Know?

Pets can often frighten or annoy people. When showing your home remove them from the property if possible and place litter boxes, toys and food out of sight.
Retire in the Southern Gulf Islands
Retirement is synonymous with relocating to a warmer climate, and it just happens to be that Canadians don't have to go very far to enjoy one. A move to British Columbia's friendly Southern Gulf Islands will let you enjoy a milder version of all four seasons. With an eight month frost-free season the Southern Gulf Islands are host to the warmest weather in Canada. The only decision lies in which island you choose to call home. Each island is unique but you will find the common thread to be the many resident artists who are inspired by the beauty and energy of this special part of the world.
 
Salt Spring Island - Often visited by travelers this island's mellow pace draws people from all pursuits. Located on Salt Spring, Ganges, the largest town on the islands offers an array of shops to please all tastes.

Saturna Island - The southern-most and least populated island, Saturna offers seclusion and privacy. If it's a rural lifestyle that you seek consider this island.


Pender Islands - A popular holiday destination, the Penders offer many beaches and coves to explore, along with a thriving community and all the comforts and attractions you need to make your visit enjoyable.

Galiano Island - Galiano Island, closest to the mainland of British Columbia, boasts the reputation of being very welcoming to visitors. This is also where you will find the Montague Harbour Provincial Marine Park. 

Gabriola Island - A common destination for travelers being easily accessed from Nanaimo, Gabriola Island offers quiet beaches, the Malaspina Galleries, provincial parks, and much more. 
http://www.britishcolumbia.com/regions/ti.asp?regionID=4
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- Carol Budnyk