The Popsicle Test: How To Find A Walkable Neighbourhood
When searching for your ideal neighborhood, there is a never ending list of things to consider. Some friends become well intentioned experts upon hearing that you're searching for a new home - and this can lead to an overwhelming fear of making the wrong choice. One test of a neighborhood's family friendliness can be measured by the Popsicle Test. This simply asks the question: Can a 7 year old child walk to a corner store to buy a frozen treat without crossing any major streets or highways? If the answer is Yes, then you might be able to tick one box on your list of criteria. I employ a great online tool to help clients determine how pedestrian friendly the area is. To watch a very brief description, watch my tip video: Walk With Me. Oh, and by the way, don't immediately discount areas that score low at first. Find out what changes are underway to make the area more walkable. You might be surprised to find out you are pioneers in the next up & coming area.
Good news: My real estate channel is live on You Tube: The REAL Tip Series
Selling A Home With Pets: Help or Hindrance?
Whenever clients are preparing their home for market and, when that home includes the family pets, we always have to have a discussion about what to do with these furry family members during showings and open houses. The reasons for sending them on a little pet vacation are several, and I've written about this before, but I have noticed an interesting irony in my travels out there in the field: Even non animal lovers seem to take comfort in knowing that the owners of the house they're touring love their pets. Prospective Buyers who have a fear or outright dislike of cats & dogs will make a passing reference to the fact that the evidence of Fido and Fluffy added to their impression that the subject property feels like a real family home. So...although most of the evidence suggests pets running free during showings and open houses can present some serious problems, evidence that they are normally present can actually work to your advantage. Remember: the power of suggestion can be your biggest asset. However, it can also be lost if it becomes pungent so, just be sure to scoop the litter box and vacuum the dog hair before any visitors arrive.
Tales From The Trenches: Caution - Heavy Load
There are no rules when it comes to prepping a home for market. Of course, many experts will weigh in and say one should do this or definitely must do that but, at the end of the day, it really depends on what kind of response you're trying to elicit from visitors. Sometimes Sellers will go out on a limb and inject a little humour in the hopes they can put everyone at ease as they tour yet another home. I recall showing one house that quickly became known as "The Frat House". It had all the makings of a man cave, except that label applied to the entire house - not just the basement rec room. The house had great bones and virtually unlimited potential but I think it's safe to say the term "staging" never made it past the front door. Several things really caught my eye - the four-person Jacuzzi in the main bathroom for instance. One other feature still stands out in my mind as one of the boldest statements ever made by a Seller. A metal plaque adorned the wall over the bed in the master bedroom and it read: "Capacity not to exceed 907 kilograms or 10 persons." Having never met the owners, it's hard to say whether this was a case of too much information, or just a really good sense of humour. So, you decide.
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