For some people, the idea of buying a new home and moving to a new location can sound like  the most exciting thing in the world. Who doesn’t love new, right? Well, for others, that plan can sound like the LAST thing they would ever want to do - Packing, moving, spending more money? Ugh, No thanks!  But here’s the deal... depending on your personal situation, your goals in life, and what you want your day-to-day to look like, buying a new home and moving might be... [read more]

Okay, we’ve ALL heard it before. One of the most important parts of selling your home is staging it the right way for potential buyers. We’ve all seen the pictures, too. A home that once housed a family with kids and toys covering the ground now looks like a luxury model home that’s never been lived in. Sign me up for that!    Staging your home to sell is important because it gives potential buyers a home that they can see themselves living in, rather than a... [read more]

Look… I get it. Deciding to sell your home is a BIG DEAL. Whether you’ve lived there for a year or a decade, so many memories come with calling somewhere home for an extended amount of time. For better or for worse, deciding to sell your home is just the beginning. In a seller’s market like today, homes are going faster than we’ve ever seen them go before!  But most of the time, selling your home adds some extra stress and work to your life, which is why you... [read more]

So you’ve decided to sell your home, now what? Trust me, I’ve been there before. 😅 Throughout my real estate journey, staying organized and knowing exactly what I need to do before I sell my home was always the biggest challenge- and I love challenges!  Selling your home may feel like you’re wearing so many hats and juggling so many things all at once. That’s why I want to give you some tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the years from my own... [read more]

Downsizing can sometimes feel a little overwhelming for both senior parents and their immediate families.  There are so many elements to consider and plan for.  But one of the most challenging aspects of downsizing senior parents/parent can be just getting the conversation started. My experience is firsthand and as a Realtor I have helped numerous families successfully downsize.  But most recently, as a daughter I have moved both my parents into a nursing home and my... [read more]

As a professional home stager and listing agent, I have heard all the arguments for why staging isn’t necessary when selling your home. However, I have also seen the tremendous impact staging has on a sale, from the time spent on the market to the price it’s sold for. If you care about your time and money, staging matters.   Here are five of the most common myths about staging, debunked and deconstructed.  Myth #1: You don’t need... [read more]

  There is absolutely nothing like the feelings of being in the holiday season. There is a certain energy in the air that can be felt during this time of year, and it is easier than you think to bring the festive feelings we all know and love, in our own homes.   Let’s face it, even though we may not all be ready for seasonal music, it is never too early for seasonal decorations to create the most perfect holiday ambiance. If you’re selling during the... [read more]

  Many of us are familiar with the plethora of television shows out there that glorify the house flipping process. These shows are a guilty pleasure – trust me, I get it. But the outcomes are certainly not always realistic, so today I’m going to walk you through the TRUTH about house flipping.    What is a Traditional Flip? Most individuals who are looking to get into house flipping opt for a ‘traditional flip’, which... [read more]

Owning a home is one of the most financially beneficial investments you can and will make throughout your life. Not only that, but sometimes there is additional cash to be found within our homes (no, not physically unfortunately) than we might think. As homes become increasingly less affordable for people, the opportunity to use your primary residence as an additional revenue stream, which can help offset expenses or pad that vacation fund (Bahamas, anyone?) is something that not everyone... [read more]

  Houses have been widely underpriced for the last few months in Ontario, which begs the question “What is my home actually worth?” As always, I have the information necessary to ensure you can obtain an accurate answer to this question, and I’m here to help you along the way so you can remain an informed seller.     The first step towards gaining an accurate idea as to what your home is worth, is ensuring you’re... [read more]

  You already know, it’s a SELLER’S MARKET out there right now! If you’ve been considering listing your home and have spent time going back and forth on whether or not it’s the right time, let me tell you – IT’S THE RIGHT TIME! But just because the market is in your favour, doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t work to be done ahead of listing your home. After all, you want to do every possible to make your home as appealing... [read more]

  Summer is the season for many things, including beach days, hiking, tennis, and of course, brunch, lunch, and cocktails on the endless options for patios throughout the city. However, selling your home in the summer is not always the easiest. While we are still living in a time where the real estate market is thriving in ways that even surprising us agents, it never hurts to ensure that you’ve dotted all your I’s and crossed all your T’s before you list your... [read more]

The market right now is competitive...and this can be intimidating and overwhelming but being prepared and doing your research beforehand is the best way to go into the process guns-a-blazing! Offers are legal documents which specify the price you are willing to pay, any details about financing, and any conditions, exclusions/inclusions you want before closing.   There are two different types of offers - firm or conditional. A firm offer is more... [read more]

You have sold your home; hurray!!! But now comes the hard part…MOVING! No biggie, you’ve packed for a holiday, moved your kid to college, or put away some family heirlooms before without a headache. It can't be that bad to just get it done yourself...     When I say I have been there, done that many times both personally and with clients, I couldn't have done it without professional help. Packing up your whole life is a bit different... [read more]

Hiring a real estate agent to guide you through the listing process is an essential and smart move😉 They will make the process noticeably easier, faster, and stress free. There are the obvious things you will see your real estate agent helping you with on a day-to-day basis, but there are also a plethora of tasks we perform behind the scenes to help get your house SOLD. I have connections and specific processes that I utilize both on the ground and behind the scenes that are tried and... [read more]

We’ve covered the importance of curb appeal, we’ve covered why staging is not optional, and now it’s time to tackle the often-overlooked backyard! We all know that the interior of the home is where most sellers tend to focus all their energy when it comes to staging, but believe it or not, the living, dining, sleeping, or working areas in the home are not necessarily the selling points that will seal the deal. Staging your backyard to show what an oasis this outdoor space... [read more]

You are looking at the steps you have to take to undergo listing a property these days and thinking “HOW am I going to survive this?!” I get it! It can be a stressful process even in favourable market conditions, especially if you aren’t properly prepared with the right team backing you. My Listing Survival Guide will highlight some of the most common stresses faced by those going through the listing process and give tips and tricks on how to survive these while... [read more]

When it comes to real estate, what’s on the outside is equally, or even more important, to what’s on the inside. Curb appeal is very important when selling a house. As curb appeal first impressions go, these can be on a scale of ‘love at first sight’ to ‘run for the hills!’🏃 As a seller you want the first impression to excite and intrigue your potential buyer enough to get them through the front door! Great curb appeal can increase... [read more]

The search for your perfect  home is both exciting and overwhelming but the good news is you’ve got options!  There is an increase in the expansion of new residential developments across Ontario, giving buyers the opportunity and choice of purchasing a new build construction or Resale.  I’m here to share some pros and cons to both options by taking you through a few key considerations to keep in... [read more]

Flipping a home is a real estate investment that can provide returns quickly, AND at a great profit.💵 With all the HGTV you’ve watched, you’re probably ready to flip your own house and start knocking down some walls, right? WRONG! There is SO much more to home flipping than what is shown on the flashy TV shows! I know there is an overwhelming wealth of information on the internet, most of which is repetitive and almost discourages you when seeing headlines such as... [read more]

Close your eyes. Think back to the first time you stepped into your home. Seems like yesterday, doesn’t it? Back then, the house seemed to be MADE just for you. Forward to today, your family has grown and so have all of your needs.  You love your home & the memories that you’ve made in those four walls but it just doesn’t seem to be a perfect fit anymore.  Here are some helpful tips that can help you figure out if you should Love it or List... [read more]

Trying to get into the Market? On the hunt for a new living space? Don’t shy away from purchasing a home that needs a little extra love❤️ Let’s talk Fixer Uppers and what’s so great about these bad boys 😉   More Affordable To start, buying a fixer upper is more affordable. Think larger living space & great neighbourhood – for Less!  A Fixer Upper can give you the opportunity to purchase a larger property with extra space while... [read more]

  That’s a bold statement to make, right? Stay with me.  A Seller’s motivation can vary from person to person; however, most sellers are usually focused on two main goals – Top Dollar & a Fast Sale.  While there are many things that we cannot control in the sale of our homes such as the location, age or type of home, there are many factors that we can control.  Controlling those factors is where the seller’s power lies.  Staging is... [read more]

Valentine’s Day seems like the perfect opportunity to share some good news and send all of you a note filled  with love and hopefully a little laughter.  As most of you know, I have been Owner and Lead Designer of The Home Staging Studio for 10 years now. My passion over these years has been focused on helping home sellers throughout the GTA prepare their homes for sale in a competitive market so that they could reap the rewards of selling for top dollar in a... [read more]