By: Deanalee Zuccatto

You’ve probably heard about “home staging”. As the name implies, it’s all about arranging each room in your home in a way that will make the best impression on buyers. Here’s what you need to know about staging if you’re thinking of listing your property.

1. Staging can get you a higher price.

On average, a fully-staged home tends to sell for 17% more than an unstaged home of the same type in the same local market.

Depending on the current market value of your property, doing some staging in your home could put thousands of extra dollars in your pocket, post-sale.

2. It can speed up the sale.

A study by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) showed that fully-staged homes spend an average of 90% less time on the market. So, if you need to sell quickly – without dropping your price – or you just want the comfort of having offers come in sooner, staging will definitely help.

3. You don’t have to go crazy.

Completely staging every room in your home is going to give you the full benefits of this strategy. However, you don’t have to go that far. In fact, just implementing a few simple staging techniques to some key rooms can make a big difference.

4. Get professional help or advice.

When it comes to home staging, don’t guess at it. Get professional help or advice. As a REALTOR®, I have a lot of expertise in this area and often provide clients with proven, do-it-yourself staging tips and suggestions. If necessary, I can also recommend a professional stager. Contact me anytime at (780) 718-1052!

By: Deanalee Zuccatto

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 160 people are injured each year in BBQ mishaps. That doesn’t sound like a lot considering the thousands of people who flip burgers on their backyard grills each year. But, you certainly don’t want to be one of those injured!

The best way to prevent fire and injury is maintenance. Remarkably, few people are even aware that BBQ maintenance is necessary. But, it is.

Every spring, experts say you should clean out the venturi tubes. Those are the little metal pipes that carry propane or natural gas. Pipe cleaners work well, although hardware stores also carry specialized tools for this purpose. The goal is to clean out any built-up dirt and debris. Don’t be surprised if you find spider webs inside a venturi tube!

Your BBQ grills should also be cleaned with soap and water each year. Just scraping them before barbequing isn’t enough. Fat and oils from cooking can build up on grills and harden. If you’re getting a lot of flare-ups, this may be the cause.

Finally, make sure nuts and bolts are tightened regularly, and replace any rusty hardware. Regular use, heat and weather can loosen or weaken bolts, particularly on the frame. Several fires each year are caused by BBQs tipping over or collapsing.

There are many good reasons to put your property on the market. Some examples include a relocation, the kids leaving the nest, the need for something bigger or smaller, and the list goes on and on.

However, there are also some less-than-obvious indicators that it may be time to sell. Consider the following:

1. Your Property is no longer a Good “Fit”
   Your home may have been perfect for you when you bought it. But things change. Families grow. Needs evolve. For any number of reasons, your property may no longer be a good fit for you. If that’s the case, it makes sense to at least take a look at what’s available on the market. Who knows? Your next “perfect” home may be for sale right now — within your price range!

2. The Neighbourhood is Changing
   You may have been in love with the neighbourhood when you first moved in. But, over time, the characteristics of any area can change. Those changes don’t necessarily mean the neighbourhood is getting worse. In fact, it may be changing in a positive way; perhaps becoming more urban. But, “more urban” may not be what you want. So, take a look at the direction your neighbourhood is heading. Ask yourself, “Do I still want to be living here in two years?”

3. You’re Ready for Your Dream Home
   Remember when you purchased your current property? Did it have every feature you wanted? Was it your dream home? Or, did you have to compromise on a few things, such as the size of the kitchen? If you had to make some tough choices back then, it might be time for you to finally get the home of your dreams.

Those are just three indicators it may be time for you to make a move. Of course, there are many others.

If you’ve been entertaining the idea of selling your property and finding your next dream home, give me a call. I can show you what’s available on the market, and keep you informed of new listings that match what you’re looking for. Contact me anytime at (780) 718-1052.

Take a look at the month of Julys real estate market update for Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Rural Parkland County and Rural Lac Ste Anne County below.

Spruce Grove:

Single Family

• Currently active – 315

• Sold in July – 49

• Average sale price – $375,015

• Median sale price – $373,000

• 6.4 months of inventory

Condominium

• Currently active – 51

• Sold in July – 7

• Average sale price – $235,857

• Median sale price – $256,000

• 7 months of inventory

Stony Plain:

Single Family

• Currently active – 178

• Sold in July – 27

• Average sale price – $330,988

• Median sale price – $322,900

• 6.6 months of inventory

Condominium

• Currently active – 39

• Sold in July – 2

• Average sale price – $153,000

• Median sale price – $153,000

• 19 months of inventory

Rural Parkland County:

Country Residential

• Currently active – 397

• Sold in July – 48

• Average sale price – $541,454

• Median sale price – $510,750

• 8 months of inventory

Vacant Lot

• Currently active – 231

• Sold in July – 6

• Average sale price – $166,916

• Median sale price – $200,000

• 38 months of inventory

Rural Lac Ste Anne County:

Country Residential

• Currently active – 251

• Sold in July – 29

• Average sale price – $310,657

• Median sale price – $275,000

• 8.6 months of inventory

Vacant Lots

• Currently active – 146

• Sold in July – 7

• Average sale price – $153,164

• Median sale price – $119,900

• 20.8 months of inventory

If you have any questions about the real estate market, buying or selling, please feel free to contact me at (780) 718-1052 and I would be happy to answer them for you!

Months of inventory = the measure of how many months it would take for all of the currently active listings to sell. This is a great indicator of whether it is a buyer’s or seller’s market.
Seller’s market = 3 or less months of supply
*Balanced market = 3-4 months of supply
*Buyer’s market = 5+ months of supply