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Preparing for an Open House' Kerr with the help of your Realtor lteà"mauem The Canadign Cham'iiiTueyv.December 2,1997- RealEstat. &CIaeeii.s!-7 182 Qmm38~s MitUt, Ont., LOT 1 K2 An open bouse can be an essentiai part of the marketing plan your Realtor develops for you when seliing your home. In real estate, there are generaiiy fwo kinds of open bouse: One type ix solely for Reaitors. This is usuaily heid when your home is fiast iisted and gives other Reaitors an opportunity f0, assess your home againsf the needs of other buyers. The second is an advertised open bouse for potential buyers. These are usually heid on weekend afternoons over a period of time. Most of us are familiar with the roadxide signs. If at ail possible, the setier shouid sfay away from the home during an open bouse. Let your Realtor take care of ail the details and acf on your behaîf. Your presence could be distracting for a number of reasons: Potential buyers may rush their visit f0 avoid disturbing you. They may be hesitant f0 comment about your home with you present.The best way to ensure pofen- tiai buyers feel reiaxed f0, ask questions and really see the property is to, avoid being there. Not jusf your presence, but that of a dog or a caf could ho a major distraction f0 somne buyers. Your Realtor may advise you f0 temporarily remnove any pets from the properfy during an open bouse. Since your home will be open f0 the public, your Reaitor will also offer suggesfions on pre- cautions you can take f0 make if a satisfying experience for ail involved. You shouid remove or lock away any valuables, particularty amatI articles that can be easity remnoved such as jew- elry, camera equipmenf, money, compact dises, vatuable coins or other collections. As added security, your Reaitor should ask ai visitors f0, sign in, leaving their name, address and tele- phone number. They should also make every effort to accompany ail visitors fhrough their four of your home. As a setier, you should attend to any pofen- fiat hazards by removing any wîres or fumiture pieces people mighf trip over, ensuring stairs and floors aren't slippery and keeping ai spaces well lighfed. In winter or on rainy days, provide a place for shoes and coaf s near the enfrance. Alan, avoid cooking foods with sfrong odours (unless fhey are pleasant odours) before an open bouse. In planning ahead for the firat open bouse, ask your Realtor f0 prepare an information sheef t4iat includes one or more photos of the property, as weil as a tist of key features and advantages. The Realtor wili place copies of this sheet on the kitchen couniter, haliway or dining room for buyers f0 refer to as fhey walk through the home and take with them when they ]eave.- This sheet wiil serve as a valuabie reference later for buyers when comparing dif- ferent homes. Preparing for an open bouse also invoives spending time witb your Reaitor discussing your home's besf features and the thi ngs you might do f0 heip if seli more quickiy. Your Realtor should have vast knowiedge of the local market and what will appeai f0 buyers intereat- ed in your kind of home. He or she can offer a lot of advice on how f0 make your home warm and invifing for an open bouse. Begin by faking a four of the bouse, pencil and wrifing pad in hand, with your Reaitor. He or she wiii be able f0 point ouf areas that couid be cieaned or repaired that may not be as obvi- ous f0 you. They can alan advise you on ways f0 beautify and depersonalize your home inside and ouf. Use this handy checklist to assess what needs mending or changing around your home before the big day. Floor coverings(includes carpefing, file, linoleum, hardwood, etc) - Dirty or stained? - Wom or damaged? - Ta there hardwood under carpefing that can be restored? Watts, ceiiings, baseboards - Any tingerpnints or stains? - Any botes, nails, tape residue? - Any cracks, chippcd paint ripped wallpaper. wafer damage? - Are they att neutrai or complimenfary colours? Doors - Do they squeak? - Are the handies secure and work properly? - Any stains or other damage? Windows - Are fhey dlean and crack free? - Do they open easily? - Are the coverings dlean and alan easy to open? Lighting - Os there sufficient light? - Any broken switches; exposed wiring? Pet areas - Are these dlean, organized and odour free? Kitchen and bathrooms - Are ail surfaces, including floors, sparkling dlean? - Are counferfops organized? - Are ail sinks and faucets working properiy? Other rooms - Have ail areas been thoroughly vacuumed and dusted? - Has aIl clutter, inciuding excess furniture, been collected and remnoved? - Are books, toys, ciothes ail neatly stored? - Do mirrors look dlean? Outaide fthe home - Are ail exterior surfaces, including decks, pools, walkways and driveways dlean, clear of clutter and in good condition? - Do fence and other gafes open easiiy? - Are the lawns mowed. walkways clear of snow, teaves removed, trees pruned, gardens weeded hedges trimmed? This article is provided by local Reaitors and the Ontario Reat Estate Association for the ben- efit of consumners in the reaI estafe market. COZY HOME FOR lu TIME BUYER OR RETIREE 3 bedroomn brick, 1 1/2 storey. Separate living and dining roomn w/ fireptace. Recent wvindlows and roof. Cati Yvonne at (905> 878-2095. i CNTURY STONE HOME Llsted at $675,000 SOLO If you aie thlnkng of uIing & want lesufts cail YVONNE 878-2095 YvoneChisie- Bo e 0 -e REALT< WORLD7n riuangmriopI.w REALTY WOIILD MILLOND REAIJTY INC., BEALTOR 1809 Main St E., Milton 876-0633 Surf the Net - (Email us your comments and requests). httpl/www.niUlpond.on.ca. A S *Ij*16 ,90 PRE TiGU L OAT O Home or Business or both. For your exclusive Asking oniy $249.900. 4 bedrooms, main floor family appointment f0 view, or for more information, room, finished rt/rouan with bar. For a feature sheet or Sfewrf Hddon Asociae Brker for your exclusive appointment lu view or for more please ask for Stwr adn soit rkrinformation please ask for Stewart Haddon, Associat ait 876-0633 or Res. 878-3333. Broker at 876-0633 or Res. 878-3333 " Main ai reef space. Presenty occupied but soon f0 be vacant. Suitabte for refait or office. Cai Mark Mai faiieu. " $125,000. 3 bedroom townhouse. Master ensuite bathroom. Air conditioned. Eat in kitchen. Exclusive listing. Cail Mark Maltai ieu. -I