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No matter how much you love your current home, you may still be dreaming of the day you can buy up into a better home in a better neighborhood.

Is that day today or a few years down the road?

Here’s a quick way to make that assessment.

First, make a list of all the practical reasons why it might be time to move up. Those reasons might include features such as: more bedrooms; proximity to work and school; a larger backyard with trees; nearby parks and walking paths; and, better access to things you enjoy, like theater.

Next, make a list of the emotional reasons for making such a move. Those reasons might include memorable get-togethers with friends on a more spacious deck; an easier and less stressful commute to work; more family time with the kids; and, enjoyable Saturday golf at a nearby course.

Finally, take a financial snapshot to determine if you can afford to move up. You’ll need to get a good idea of what your current property will sell for in today’s market, the average price of homes in your desired neighborhood, and how much mortgage you can afford.

Once you have all of that down on paper, you’ll have a clear picture of your readiness. If the practical and emotional reasons for buying up are compelling, and you can afford to make the move, then, you have your answer.

The time to move is now!

By the way, if you need help in making this determination – especially figuring out what
your home will likely sell for, call today.

Household smells in our own homes can be a problem because we get accustomed to them. However, it takes just a few seconds in a stranger’s home, to know if a smoker lives there. The smell is in the air!

So, when you put your home on the market, think about the common smells you might have lingering in your home. Remember, you may no longer notice them, but a prospective buyer will.

These may include:

• A diaper bin in the baby’s room.
• Kitty litter.
• Model-making glue.
• Paints, even if the cans or tubes are closed tightly.
• Food. The aroma of a spicy meal can linger for hours.
• Garbage cans. Even empty ones, if they are not clean.
• Strong smelling soaps, perfumes and other cosmetics and toiletries.
• Flowers and other plants.
• Firewood (especially pine.)
• Outdoor shoes.
• Ashtrays.
• Sinks.
• Carpets.
• Door mats. These are especially prone to stains and smells.

Try to eliminate as many odors as possible. An hour or so before a viewing, open a few windows to give your home a breath of fresh air.

Say you’re trying to sell a used car. Imagine that it’s a desirable make and model, the mileage is low, and, overall, it’s in great condition…except, that is, for the body.

Unfortunately, there are a few areas where the paint is scratched, and there are a couple of dents and rust spots too.

Are you going to have trouble selling that car? Probably. Many potential buyers will have trouble seeing past the condition of the body and hence not appreciate the true value of the vehicle.

The same thing can happen when you’re trying to sell your home.

Everything about it could be wonderful, but if the paint on the walls is faded in spots, and there are dents, scuffs and holes, buyers may notice those things more than the other more important features of your property.

So, it’s a good idea to inspect your walls to make sure they look great.

There are numerous products available at your local home improvement center for repairing gouges and holes. Fixing them is a relatively easy do-it-yourself job.

When you put your property up for sale, you want to make sure that potential buyers get all the information they need on the features of your home and its surrounding area. If, for example, buyers don’t realize there is a great school just a couple of blocks away, they might cross your property off their shortlist.
An effective way to make sure something like that doesn’t happen is to create three lists.

1: The “I’ll miss it” list. Chances are, there are things about your home that you’re really going to miss when you move. One of those may be the spacious living room that’s ideal for entertaining or the nearby park with scenic trails that are perfect for walking and biking.

Whatever you’ll miss, put it on the list! Chances are, those are features that will also interest buyers.

2: The “Just the facts” list. What are the facts about your property that a buyer needs to know in order to consider purchasing it? This may be a very long list including such items as total square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, property taxes, size of yard, and more.

3: The “repairs and improvements” list. Buyers are interested in the state of repair of your home, and in any improvements you have made to it. On this list include all repairs you have done during the past three years and, if possible, attach receipts. It’s especially important to include anything that has been replaced, such as the furnace or roof shingles.

When people think about selling their home, many focus on all the things they will have to do: paint the kitchen; clean closets; prepare for viewings; find another home; arrange financing; start packing; etc. It can all seem very overwhelming, very quickly.

In fact, if you focus on the long to-do list, you may be dissuaded from ever making a move!

It doesn’t have to be that way.

There are many ways to make selling your home and buying another one relatively simple and easy.

Sure, there will be some work to do. You may need to prepare your property so that it looks appealing to potential buyers – cleaning, decluttering, doing some repairs, etc. Of course, you will also need to view some properties for sale in order to find your next dream home.

But those activities may not be as time-consuming or difficult as you had imagined. In fact, you and your family might actually enjoy the experience – and see it as an adventure.

Are you making a New Year’s resolution this month? Whether it’s to quit smoking, lose weight, or spend more time with your family, you’ll have a much better chance of success if you turn that goal into a learning goal instead.
A learning goal is simply a commitment to learn something rather than to achieve a specific milestone.

Say, for example, that your New Year’s resolution is to get into better physical shape. A traditional goal might be: “I’m going to work out at the gym three days a week.” A corresponding learning goal would be: “I’m going to hire a fitness trainer to teach me an appropriate workout program.”

Research, published in many journals, reveals that people who set learning goals are much more likely to achieve them. They also tend to stay motivated over a longer period of time and get better results overall. So, if you set a learning goal instead of a traditional goal in the area of fitness, you stand a much better chance of actually getting fit!

Tired of New Year’s resolutions that go nowhere? Try setting a learning goal instead. It just might make 2024 your best year ever!

A growing number of homeowners are uncomfortable using traditional pesticides for a variety of reasons, including health and environmental concerns. If you’re among them, here are some natural ways to deal with insects in your home:

• Use a mixture of unsweetened lemon juice and water to deter spiders. Spray the solution near doorways and window sills where these arachnoids can enter.
• Combine an equal mixture of vinegar and water to create an effective deterrent for a variety of crawling insects, particularly ants. Spray the solution on floors and countertops that are close to these creatures’ food sources.
• Believe it or not, invest in a fake wasp nest (which you can purchase at your local home improvement store) to deter real wasps from building a nest on your property.
• Experts recommend that you test any surface spray you plan to use to make sure it doesn’t stain or otherwise harm the surface.

It’s amazing how much damage water can cause. Just two gallons of water from a burst pipe or overflowing toilet can wreak havoc throughout your home and necessitate thousands of dollars in repairs. Ouch!
What should you do at the first sign of water leakage?

First, stop the source. Turn off the nearest water valve. If you can’t find it, turn off the main water valve to your home.

Next, do everything you can to soak up as much water as possible. If necessary, lift carpeting. Pay particular attention to water settling next to walls or inside ductwork. Get these areas dry as quickly as possible.

Contain the water. This is important. Do your best to prevent water from infiltrating other rooms to prevent further damage.

Once the area is as dry as possible, run fans in the room along with a good dehumidifier – for at least a full day – to draw in the remaining moisture.

If, despite your best efforts, you suspect that moisture remains inside the walls, floors or ceilings, call in the professionals. There are many companies that specialize in emergency water damage control. The key is to prevent the possibility that remaining moisture will provide an environment for mould to grow.

Also, consider contacting your insurance company. They’re as motivated as you are to reduce the damage.

It’s not uncommon for couples with growing families to trade in their compact cars for something roomier, like a mini-van. The same thing happens with homes. Sometimes families simply outgrow them.

How can you tell if that’s happening with your property? Here are some sure-fire signs:

1 – You need more space.
This is the most common reason people upgrade to a new home. They need more room. For any number of reasons, you might want an extra bedroom, a larger living room, a bigger backyard, or a more spacious kitchen. Rather than put up with feeling cramped, consider exploring the extra space a new home can provide.

2 – A renovation won’t fix it.
Sometimes, when a property doesn’t fit its owners’ needs anymore, they consider a renovation. For example, if they need more space for a home office, they convert a spare room. However, a renovation doesn’t always fix the problem. For example, building a double, rather than single driveway and garage, may not be possible given the constraints of your property. Only a new home can solve that problem.

3 – You’re interested in a new area.
The community may have been perfect for you at one time. But needs evolve. You may now be looking for something the area doesn’t provide – like closer access to a recreational activity your family enjoys, or a more convenient commute to work. If that’s the case, it might be time to look at other communities you’d like to consider, and see what types of homes are currently available there.

4 – It’s time for a change.
Sometimes you simply feel it’s time for a change. There’s nothing wrong with that. Don’t feel you need a practical reason to sell and find a new home. If this feels like the right time for you and your family to move, go for it.

There’s no doubt about it. If you want to keep your home safe from break-ins, you should have good locks on all doors and windows and ideally have an alarm system in place.

But home security doesn’t end with locks and alarms. There are other less obvious ways to keep your home safe. For example:

• Install exterior lights with a motion detection feature. A light suddenly going on will almost always send a potential intruder away.
• Look for – and, if possible, eliminate – potential hiding spots around your property.
• Always leave some lights on in your home when you’re away for an evening.
• Never announce that you’re on vacation or otherwise away from your home on social media sites. (Ask your kids not to do this either!)
• Don’t leave tempting valuables where they can be easily seen through a window.

In addition to good locking systems on doors and windows, simple precautions like these will significantly lower the risk of a break-in.