Inspectors typically arrive about 30 minutes earlier than the scheduled time—so you might see them in your yard or outside your complex earlier than expected.

Clear all furniture, boxes, clothes, and other personal items that may block access to the furnace, water heater, electrical panels, attic access, crawlspaces, etc. Inspectors are unable to enter inaccessible areas.

Ensure that filters are clear in furnaces, air conditioners, vents, drains, etc., and clear out areas under sinks to be inspected.

If possible, avoid using your shower stalls on the day of inspection.

Have the house cleaned & presentable. In most cases, the prospective buyer will be attending the inspection and will feel better having another great impression of the property.

The fewer problems an inspector finds with the property, the better the property's overall image to the prospective buyer.

Inspectors require access to areas outside the home as well as the interior. Clear a path around the home, paying attention to branches and brush, moving trash cans & other blockages, especially in the winter. The inspector will want to see the foundation and things like outside electrical outlets & faucets. These extra efforts contribute in the overall appearance of your house, as well.

If there are pets in the home, please take them with you or have them secured away to avoid disruptions.

Inspections typically last about 3 - 4 hours and are primarily VISUAL. Inspectors will look at the roof, attic, & crawl space areas, plus they will remove the cover from the electrical panel.

It is best that you are absent during this process, as you would be for a showing. Typically, one of our team is in attendance, whenever possible.

If recent headlines about rising inflation are making you wonder, if it's still a good time to buy a home, here is what the experts have to say.

Housing is an Asset That Typically Grows in Value

'If you have cash and are experiencing inflation, you want to think through where you can put your money so it does not lose value. Housing is commonly looked at as a good inflation hedge..."

~ Ali Wolf
Cheif Economist, Zonda

Your Mortgage Helps Stabilize Your Monthly Housing Costs

"A fixed-rate mortgage allows you to maintain the biggest portion of housing expenses at the same payment. Sure, property taxes will rise and other expenses may creep up, but your monthly housing payment remains the same. That's certainly not the case if you are renting"

~ James Royal
Senior Wealth Management Reporter, Bankrate

Buying Protects Your From Rising Rents

"Homeowners are shielded from mounting rental prices because their cost is fixed, regardless of what's happening in the market. Tangible assets like real estate get more valuable over time, which makes buying a home a good way to spend your money during inflationary times"

~ Natalie Camisi
Advisor Staff, Forbes

When selling your home, nothing looks quite as good as a well-manicured front garden or beautifully decorated balcony. While many homeowners focus on the interiors of their homes, a property’s exterior can make all the difference, adding to its appeal and boosting its resale value.

And, a home’s exterior plays an important role in shaping a prospective purchasers’ decisions. As a first impression, these areas help set the tone and encourage buyers to visualize themselves owning the home.

An attractive exterior doesn’t have to break the bank. There are a number of ways you can create a stunning outside environment without much effort or money. Here are just a few tips to carry you through the selling season:

Clear the clutter. One of the easiest ways to make any outdoor space come to life is to keep it clean and tidy. This lets buyers visualize how they will make the space their own when it trades hands. 

Easy container gardens. Planted containers can add a charming look and feel to entranceways and balconies. When picking pots, look for similar styles that vary in size for a nuanced appeal.

Drought-tolerant plants. Flowerbeds and plants are often a great way to add a splash of colour to any exterior. For maximum effect, choose an assortment of perennials and annuals that require less water and are able to withstand hot summer days.

Don’t forget to fertilize. Though sunlight and water are usually enough, periodically feeding your plants essential nutrients will promote lavish growth and ensure consistent flowering.

If you’re working on a home improvement project – whether for you to enjoy, or in preparation to put your property on the market – you may be interested to know which renos will give you the most bang for your buck.

A kitchen renovation is the most worthwhile home improvement, and has the potential to increase the value of your property by 20%, according to a recent survey of Royal LePage experts.

“A kitchen is perceived as the gathering place and the heart of the home,” said Mike Heddle, broker and team leader, Royal LePage State Realty. “When a potential buyer views a home for the first time, the one thing that will stand out – for better or worse – is what the kitchen looked and felt like. They may not remember the size of the bedrooms or the colour of the walls, but they will remember the kitchen.”

Highlights from the national release:

Royal LePage professionals say, on average, bathroom renovations can increase the value of a home by 16%

Finished basements and basement apartments have the potential to increase a home’s value by 15%, according to survey results.

Outdoor entertaining space and landscaping have the potential to increase a property’s value by an average of 10%, according to respondents.

For Canadians looking for general guidance on where to invest in their home renovation projects, 87% of surveyed experts recommend interior renovations.

For more insights, read the full press release and check out the data chart. 

One of the biggest concerns for a homeowner looking to sell is the time they’ll have to put in before listing their house. If that’s the case for you, you should know – your home might be closer to list-ready than you think in today’s housing market. A survey of recent sellers from realtor.com finds that many were able to get their house ready in less than a month. It says:

“With many homeowners expecting a quick sale, and in many cases a lack of contingencies, the preparation process took less than a month for over 50% of home sellers this past year, with 20% completing it in less than two weeks.”

Those sellers expecting to sell quickly are following recent buyer trends. With mortgage rates and home prices rising, buyers in today’s market are serious about finding a home quickly. But with the limited number of homes for sale, there are very few options for those buyers to choose from. That means many may be willing to take on projects after they purchase.

Because of this, you may be able to focus on less time-consuming tasks before putting your house on the market. According to the survey mentioned above, some of the top things recent sellers completed before listing over the past year include landscaping, making minor cosmetic updates, and touching-up paint.

A Real Estate Advisor Will Help Streamline the Process and Keep You Focused

Of course, each situation is different and knowing what repairs or updates your house needs to stand out in your local area is critical. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in.

In a recent article, NextAdvisor explains:
“. . . Real estate can be hyper-local, and demand can vary from one neighborhood to the next. It’s a good idea to work with a local real estate professional to determine an ideal listing price and if any improvements or repairs need to be completed before putting your home on the market.”

Your trusted real estate advisor knows the ins and outs of the market in your specific area. They’ll help you identify the places where you should and shouldn’t spend your time and money – and that can enable you to list quickly.

Bottom Line
If you’re ready to take advantage of the incredible conditions for sellers in today’s real estate market but are worried about the time it’ll take to get your home ready, you might be closer than you think. Partner with a local real estate advisor to see what you need to do before listing your house today.