Sweet domino effect

A few months ago I was asked to come to a town home by the son of the elderly owner, his sweet mom.  I'd been there a year before, having been recommended to the son by a trusted Rotary connection.  Previously it was clear that the dear woman who owned the place was not ready yet to make a move -- and there was a lot of "stuff" to clear out.  So, I made suggestions about how to ready the home for sale and kept in touch.


When I returned this time, it was all systems go.  The woman was moving to a place closer to her son that also provided meals and transportation.


Shortly after listing I met a fine local couple who were ready to downsize from their family home.  The time had come for them to do less yard work, shoveling and home maintenance.  So, the idea of a small strata community suited them perfectly.  They bought the town home. 


In reviewing their family home, I advised them not to start any upgrades but rather to sell it in its current condition -- very clean but dated.  This would allow first time home buyers a chance to get into our market.  Given the family neighbourhood, access to schools and parks and great view I rather suspected a young family would jump at this if the price was affordable.


The couple listed their home with me at a reasonable price and within a week we had an offer and a back up offer.  The home sold higher than list price due to competing offers.  A young couple with a dog moved in and are loving the neighbourhood and the big fenced yard with fruit trees.  They are in heaven, the dog is in heaven and the neighbourhood is enjoying them.


I've heard this week from the first seller -- she is love, love, loving her new carefree lifestyle!  She calls it "hotel living."  The couple who bought the town home are loving it and loving that when we recently got walloped with a huge snowstorm they have very little impact....just a wee driveway to shovel.  All the "heavy lifting" of snow removal was done by a company included in their strata fees. 


In short, moving when the time is right results in great joy; not just for the person moving, but for the sweet domino effect it puts into motion.


When the time is right for you, call me.  You need a trusted Realtor to guide you through the right steps to achieve the maximum return on your investment and the sweetest process along the way.


Most people I've helped to simplify or downsize remark that they wish they had done it 5 years ago!  So don't delay....you've earned a carefree slice!

"Change is good, Donkey!"

"Change is good, Donkey."  We can all hear the voice of Shrek parcelling out this wisdom.  And while change is good, it is also usually stressful!  I was thinking of a stress-busting kit for my clients in the midst of moves.  Here goes:

1.   Keep your humour intact as much as possible.
2.   Don't be shy about asking for help packing and organizing.
3.   Have a cleaning party on your move out day then take everyone out for lunch!
4.   If in doubt, clear it out!
5.   Ask your Realtor for a list of places accepting household items.
6.   Talk to an antique buyer for appraising old items.
7.   Have a garage/moving sale with your neighbours -- the bigger the sale the more buyers!
8.   Consider using a professional mover.
9.   Talk to your mover about storing items in the month leading up to the big day.
10.  Ask your most organized friend or relative to do all the utility/mail/delivery switch overs!
11.  Ask another friend to organize a sandwich tray for the new home!
12.  Keep all your bedding in a separate tub and make your beds first thing!  (Once you know you
       can always go to bed in the new place you're far less stressed!)
13.  Buy enough recyclable paper plates and cups to last for a few days.
14.  Ask your friends to bring over a couple of frozen casseroles!
15.  Don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff!
16.  The day of the move, drop your pets off with a friend so they're not stressing and underfoot.
17.  If you need to move livestock, see if you can make arrangements to do it the day after your main
       house move.
20.  Make sure there is lots of water to sip on as you go!

You will see a theme about asking for help here!  The help you ask for doesn't have to be a burden, keep it light and fun!  And, know you can always count on your Realtor for suggestions, connections and moral support!

Get out of your way. Please.

All Realtors have heard these two lines:

1.  Everything happens for a reason
2.  It must have been meant to be.

Let's start with zinger number 1.  "Everything happens for a reason."  YOU are part of that reason, home seller or buyer.  The reason could either be that you've been flexible and adapted to the changing market winds or that you've decided listening to reason is better left to someone else.  The reason your home has not sold might just be that you wouldn't accept the advice of your Realtor!  The reason your purchase did not go through might just be that you wouldn't accept the advice of your Realtor!  In other words....everything that's not happening as dreamed could simply be that you are standing in your own way!

You know the difference between the seller who let their home go for 10,000 less than they had in mind and the seller who held fast to their bottom line?  The one that let go has moved ahead with their dreams and plans!!  They have already purchased their new place and are getting ready to enjoy the great outdoor season of summer in the Okanagan!  The one that stubbornly held on has likely soured on Realtors, tried a budget company, is tired of having their home always ready to show and likely lost the chance to buy the home they really wanted.

Do you think that while on the boat with their cold beverage in hand, soaking in the Okanagan sun, the one who let go is sorry they didn't hold out?  Of course not!  They are smiling and happy.

Moving on to number 2.  "It must have been meant to be."  Recently I worked very hard selling a place in a difficult area to sell.  Due to some very good strategy and marketing I successfully sold this property.  The client said, "it must have been meant to be."  I wanted to say, "it was meant to be because you hired a great Realtor!"

Putting homes on mls alone doesn't sell them (contrary to the whining that gets sent to the competition bureau!).  Great Realtors sell homes!  We market and strategize and network and do open houses and realtor tours and flyers and lunches....we do price adjustments and showing follow through and communicate regularly.  In short, until you're happy, we're stressing!

I love being a Realtor!  And, now you know what I'm sometimes thinking.  "Get out of your way.  Please."  I'd really like to see you smiling on the lake!