Category: Selling

What To Leave Behind For The New Owners Of Your House

Post author By cindycody
Post date May 4, 2023

As you pack up your house and get ready to move into your next home, you may find it helpful to follow a packing timeline or moving checklist to guide you through the process. But do you pack everything?

How do you know what items to leave for the new homeowners?

First, you want to take everything with you that isn’t either included in the purchase agreement, or important to stay with the home. Don’t leave items behind just because you don’t want them. Think about when you move into your next home. You wouldn’t want to be left with trash, odds and ends, or mystery items.

To ensure you didn’t miss anything before you move out, do a room-by-room walk-through and check every cupboard and closet. Consider having a second person double-check as well.

Here’s a guide to some of the items that you may leave in the house.

Items included in the Purchase Agreement

Anything that the buyers asked for, and was included in the purchase agreement, should be left behind. This may include appliances, light fixtures, window treatments, or any other specific items they requested.

Replacement & maintenance items

Something that may not be in writing, but is usually safe to leave behind is anything tied to the maintenance of appliances, such as warranty information and manuals. A nice way to leave these behind is by organizing them all in a neat pile or folder.

If you have a small amount of extra or replacement supplies, you may consider leaving them as well. This may include a new furnace filter, a small number of replacement tiles that were leftover, extra cabinet hardware, a small amount of replacement stones or bricks for the backyard, etc.

Some people also choose to leave extra paint behind for the new owners. In this case, it should be a small number of cans, and ensure you label them with the room and/or include a paint chip if you still have one. (You might consider having your REALTOR ask in advance if this is something the new homeowners want, as they may be planning on repainting anyway).

A Welcoming Message

This is by no means a necessary item, but as we all know, moving is an emotional time. As you hand over your house to a new family, you may want to write a short note or card letting them know how much you enjoyed the house and welcome them to their new home.

If you’re preparing to move and you have any questions about items that should or shouldn’t be left with the home, don’t hesitate to ask us!

Navigating Retirement & Homeownership

Post author By cindycody
Post date April 27, 2023

Transitioning into retirement is a big change in anyone’s life and it can cause you to re-evaluate your real estate goals. Both the decision to retire and what you choose to do with your current home are financial and lifestyle decisions – and important decisions that can impact how you choose to live your retired life.

Many people approaching retirement choose to sell their larger home and move into a more manageable property. For some people, downsizing means moving into a condo, which means less time spent on property maintenance. For others, it means moving into a smaller home and taking the opportunity to get rid of excess items in their home.

If you’re starting to plan your retirement and want advice on selling your home, strategic timing, or have questions about the real estate market, we are here to help. Contact us.

Here is some more information on the different homeownership options you may have for your retirement.

Retirement and Homeownership

Source: baseline.home-wizard.com

DOWNSIZING

Downsizing involves selling (or renting out) your current home and buying a smaller home.

There are many advantages to downsizing during retirement. A smaller home requires less maintenance, and can have lower taxes. It can also be better suited to reduced mobility that comes with aging, such as fewer stairs. Depending on how you finance the new home, downsizing can also reduce your monthly financial burden while on a fixed income.

Downsizing does require the management of the sale of your home (or transitioning of it to a rental property). If your home has appreciated significantly in value, there could be tax implications associated with a large capital gain with your home sale. Versus renting in retirement, downsizing still includes homeowner risks for unexpected major home repairs, which can be challenging when on a fixed income in retirement.

CASHOUT AND RENTING

This retirement strategy includes selling (or renting out) your current home and electing not to purchase a new home, but instead renting a place to live.

Depending on the financial situation of your current home (equity vs market value, remaining mortgage, etc.), selling your home and not re-investing in a new property can have a number of advantages. Freedom from home maintenance and not being responsible for property taxes are attractive aspects of renting. Plus, renting versus owning can make it easier to relocate in the future, as your lifestyle and needs continue to change during retirement.

On the other hand, becoming a renter brings the uncertainty of rent increases, which can be difficult when on a fixed income. Transitioning to renting also involves having to rely on a landlord for maintenance issues.

RELOCATING

For some, retirement brings the opportunity to move to a new location that is more consistent with your new lifestyle needs and desires.

Especially if your current location was chosen for the benefits of your children (school system, neighborhood, etc.), becoming an ’empty nester’ now affords you the opportunity to choose a location suited to your new priorities. This could be moving from the suburbs to be closer to the amenities of a more urban area, or relocating to the bliss of living in the countryside. A relocation can provide better weather conditions or access to important recreational settings. An important consideration for relocating can be improved proximity to family.
Read more.

Tags Downsizing, Retirement

Home Maintenace House & Home Selling

Easy Ways To Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Post author By cindycody
Post date April 3, 2023

Let’s talk curb appeal for a minute. You’ve probably heard the term. It’s the first impression buyers get of a home when they see it from the street.

Why is curb appeal important?

That initial reaction a buyer has to a property can have a lasting impact.

Not only is that first impression formed as they walk up to a property, but it can also be started before beginning their in-person home viewing. If you’re selling your home, think about how it will present itself in photos online.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, we’d love to talk to you about your home’s curb appeal and how you can make a great first impression on buyers.

If you’re not planning on moving anytime soon, curb appeal still applies. Think about when you invite friends and family over to your home. Create an inviting aesthetic for your guests, but also for yourself. How awesome is it to walk up to a beautiful home and know it’s yours!

If you’re looking to make some improvements to your home’s curb appeal before buyers (and photographers) hit your driveway, here are some small changes that will make a big impact.

Curb Appeal Improvements In Under 60-Minutes

Check that nothing in sight is visibly broken and that light fixtures are in working order
Close the garage door and tuck away any potential eyesores (garbage bins, yard tools, toys, etc.)
Clear the driveway of your cars
Wash the front windows (inside and out) and garage door windows if there are any
Sweep the driveway, walkway and front entrance of any debris, leaves, etc.
Tidy up the lawn and gardens
If anything is really worn out, such as a welcome mat, consider replacing it

Put yourself in buyers’ shoes. Stand in front of your home and try to look at it with new eyes. Scan the property for any areas that could use sprucing up.

Need more inspiration? Check out these Jaw-Dropping Curb Appeal Makeovers

Get More Advice

Need help? We’re here to offer you professional real estate advice. If you’re thinking about selling your home now or even in a year or two, we’d be happy to connect with you about your goals. We’ll take a look at your home and offer advice on any upgrades that would add value to your home.

Buying Real Estate Cindy Cody Team Selling

Have You Googled These Questions About Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate?

Post author By cindycody
Post date March 30, 2023

If you have questions about the Kitchener-Waterloo real estate market, selling a home in Kitchener-Waterloo, or anything about real estate in general, you’re probably not alone.

We get questions all the time.

But sometimes people are too shy to ask, so they take their questions to Google for answers.

Today we’re taking a look at the top Googled questions about the Kitchener-Waterloo real estate market (and beyond).

What are people Googling when it comes to the Kitchener real estate market?

We used the “People also ask” feature of Google’s results to see the top Googled questions about Kitchener-Waterloo real estate. Here’s what we found:

Houses for sale in Kitchener

Many people are starting their home search on Google. They are searching for homes for sale around a specific price point.

You can find the latest homes for sale in Kitchener here.

Did you know a real estate professional can gather your specific criteria and notify you when properties that match become available? In fact, if you get in touch with us, we can let you know about properties even before they hit MLS.

What is the average house price in Kitchener-Waterloo?

Each month, the Waterloo Region Association of REALTORS reports key statistics from the previous month’s market activity, including average purchase prices. For example, in February 2023, the average sale price for all residential properties in Waterloo Region was $758,698.

How much is a detached house in Waterloo?

The WRAR monthly updates also break down the average sale prices by property type. For example, in February 2023, the average sale price of a detached home was $877,884.

Is Kitchener-Waterloo a good place to invest in real estate?

This is a great question! First, Kitchener-Waterloo is a vibrant and friendly community. KW is a fast-growing city, there are local education options, we have a thriving tech industry, a great Light-Rail Transit system, and there are great resale possibilities for residential or investment properties due to our proximity to the GTA.

Still not convinced? We spent some time answering questions just like this one.

What Are Top 5 Reasons to Invest in Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate?

Why Is A Condo A Good Investment

Real estate agent

Some buyers and sellers aren’t quite sure where to start, so they use a generic search to find a real estate agent. There are lots of people who can help you sell your home, but you don’t want just anyone. Our recommendation is to work with a real estate professional who has the experience and the tools essential to help you achieve your real estate goals. For example, a network of local and out-of-town buyers, experience with the communities and strategies it takes to close a deal, and a trackrecord of trust and happy clients.

The Cindy Cody Team is connected, respected and proven. Learn more about why that matters.

RE/MAX Kitchener

RE/MAX is a trusted real estate brand, so we’re happy to see it pop up as a top real estate Google search. “For over 20 years, RE/MAX has been the number one real estate organization in Canada, and continually has the number one market share in virtually every region”.

Here’s something you might not know:

Cindy Cody is part of a cross-Canada network of RE/MAX agents. Which means, if you’re ever thinking about relocating, we can connect you with a top agent. Just ask!

If you have a question about real estate in Kitchener-Waterloo, we’re happy to be a resource for you. Contact us for all of your real estate needs!

Selling

When Should You Start The Conversation With A Real Estate Professional

Post author By cindycody
Post date February 8, 2023

Cindy Cody Team - When Should You Contact A Real Estate Professional

For homeowners who are thinking about selling their home, a common question we get asked is about timing and when the best time is to have a real estate professional into their home. Cindy Cody and Debbie Stefan sat down to talk about their advice on the ideal timing and why it’s the best time to connect.

When is the best time to invite a real estate agent into your home?

Should you invite a REALTOR into your home before or after a renovation? When should you call a real estate agent to start the process?

Cindy: I get asked that question a lot and the answer is always the same. As soon as you’re considering making a move – just considering making a move – give us a call. We always want both of you home because there are many new things in our industry you should know about. We discuss timing, which is actually a crucial part of our answer and when you should be selling. And obviously, we’d love to see the house and go over it with you. Sometimes you’ll have lots of questions. So anytime you’re considering making a move, give us a call and we’ll give you great advice.

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What To Do Before You Make A Move | Getting Ready To Sell Your Home

Post author By cindycody
Post date January 26, 2023

Infographic with tips to get your house ready to sell

If you’re planning on selling your home, it’s never too early to start thinking about what needs to be done. When you step back and look at your home, there might be some obvious changes that need to be made, but there could also be some things that you won’t think of or notice.

When we talk to people who are early in the thinking-of-selling position, there’s always one key piece of advice we offer: before you put any effort into getting your house ready, talk to a seasoned real estate professional. Why? A real estate professional with years of experience can have a keen eye for detail and come up with a customized list of the things you can do to get your home ready.

Advice based on your specific home, your neighbourhood, the current market, industry trends and so much more can set you in the right direction so you’re able to get your home ready in an efficient and effective manner.