Team Davidson Real Estate Advisors's blog

You thought your home was sold with a conditional offer, and then you received the unfortunate news that the offer fell through. So, what's next? Consider if it makes sense to renegotiate. Failing that, have your lawyer review the purchase agreement to understand your rights and obligations. Typically, the buyer will get their deposit back, which is usually protected by contingencies. If you have multiple offers, your realtor should contact them immediately. Understand why the offer fell through so you can course-correct if needed. Additionally, your REALTOR® can reach out to previous...

Just because you get a home inspection report that appears to be A-OK, it doesn’t always mean there are no issues. Certain issues can be overlooked in a typical home inspection, such as: • Water damage, like water stains and musty smells, can be masked by paint or a diffuser. Internal leaks cannot be seen, possibly causing mould or mildew. • Structural issues, like wall cracks or sagging floors, can be hidden by flooring or drywall, and rotted wood can go unnoticed if it’s inaccessible. • Electrical issues, like outdated wiring, a faulty panel, or insufficient grounding, can go unnoticed,...

Touring open houses with your kids in tow can be a challenge. Having a game plan is key, as it will keep them engaged while you focus on the tour. So, here are some ideas to keep chaos from ensuing: • Prior to arriving, give them a pep talk about respecting other people’s property and pets. • If your children can read, create a checklist of what you’re looking for in a property, and as they encounter what’s on the list, they can check it off. • Ask your kids to look for defects like scuffs, to help them feel involved and give them something to focus on during the tours. • Give them the job...

When it comes to clotheslines, there tend to be two schools of thought about whether they are good for home values or not. On one end of the spectrum are the people who believe that clotheslines bring down property values because they are not aesthetically pleasing. Some people also associate clotheslines with impoverished living conditions. For these reasons, depending on where you live, there may be a ban or restrictions on hanging your clothes to dry outdoors. The other camp of people is those who see the energy cost savings from clotheslines as a welcoming feature to a home. After all,...

Imagine you’re shopping for a new home and come across a listing that seems
ideal. It’s in a great neighbourhood. It has all the characteristics on your “musthave”
list. You can see yourself living there.
However, there are a couple of serious maintenance issues that are likely to
need attention within the next year or two. For example, the roof shingles need
replacing or the wiring needs to be updated.
Those fixes are going to be expensive. Does that mean you should take a
pass on making an offer?
Not necessarily. While it’s nice to buy a home that is move-in ready (or close
to...

The living room or family room is often a focal point for buyers who come to
see your listing. They’ll look around and imagine relaxing evenings, family gettogethers,
and holidays celebrated in that room. So it’s important to ensure it
looks its best.
Here are professional staging tips for doing just that:
1. Neutralize the palette. Consider repainting walls in shades of beige,
grey, or off-white. These hues will appeal to a broader range of buyers
and allow them to visualize their own décor in the space. These colours
will also make the room look bigger.
2. Strategic Furniture...

Imagine you’ve listed your home and get a fantastic offer. The price is VERY
good. The buyers have attached a hefty deposit and a pre-approved mortgage
certificate. The only drawback? There is a condition. The buyers want to sell
their home before the offer to buy yours becomes firm.
Hmm. Should you accept that offer? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
PROS
• A Bird in the Hand. While a conditional offer comes with a string
attached, it still means a buyer is keenly interested in your property.
• Room for Negotiation. You might be able to negotiate a compromise.
For example,...

Although weekends are a prime time to schedule viewings, many buyers will
prefer to see your property on a weekday evening. Buyers might, for example,
be interested in your listing but be out of town on the weekend. If you don’t
accommodate their request for a weekday evening appointment, you might
lose that opportunity.
So, when it comes to scheduling viewing appointments, being flexible and
accommodating is always advised.
But, what if you’re going to be away during the week or have another reason
why you can’t show your home Monday to Friday?
There are a few options you can...

Imagine you see a home advertised for sale in a desirable neighbourhood.
However, you find out the property is listed well above comparable sales in the
area. In other words, above its market value.
Is that listing still worth seeing?
There are many reasons why sellers might list their property for a price that
seems way above the market. The home might have highly desirable features
that make it worth a premium, such as a spacious backyard or a finished
basement. Or, the seller might assume (often mistakenly) that listing high will
result in higher-priced offers.
In either case,...

Many seemingly small things can be a big turn-off to prospective buyers. So,
it’s wise to identify and fix these issues when you list. Here are a few
examples.
1. Outdated or Neglected Exterior: Chipping paint, a tired-looking
façade, or uninspired landscaping will impact a buyer's all-important first
impression. The solution? Fresh paint, power washing, landscape
trimming, or even adding new plants.
2. Old or Damaged Appliances: Outdated or broken appliances will get
noticed by prospective buyers. The solution? Repair and thoroughly
clean them. It might also make sense to invest...