Dana Horoszczak

02/05/2021

10/14/2020

Homeowner wants and needs have changed over the last few months. Here are a few things that buyers have started looking for in a home since the pandemic.

10/08/2019

Notable, Quotable, Quotes!

“If we magnified our successes as much as we magnified our disappointments, we’d all be much happier.”
Abraham Lincoln

“Winners take time to relish their work, knowing that scaling the mountain is what makes the view from the top so exhilarating.”
Denis Waitley

“Consider the postage stamp. Its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.”
John Billings

Dana is a Real Estate Sales Rep. with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc. specializing in Residential Re

10/08/2019

5 Unusual (But Effective) Home Staging Ideas

“Staging” your home is all about making the space in your home as appealing as possible to buyers. You may already know the basics, such as eliminating clutter, and removing personal photographs. Here are some other tips that are less well known yet very effective:

A CHANDELIER. SURPRISINGLY, installing a chandelier is one of the simplest ways to make a foyer, dining room or living room look dramatically more eye-catching. You can buy a nice chandelier for only a few hundred dollars.

NEW LINEN. THIS is something many home sellers don’t consider, but should. Believe it or not, new linen makes a big impression on buyers. Before listing, replace any worn linen - sheets, coverings, and towels - with new ones.

PEDESTAL SINKS. It may not be practical for you to replace a bathroom sink. However, if you are doing a renovation, keep in mind that pedestal sinks - especially in small washrooms - are a big hit with buyers.

NEW APPLIANCES. A brand new fridge, stove and dishwasher are motivating selling features to buyers. New appliances can make the whole kitchen look brand new, or at least much fresher.

AVOID MULTI-USE ROOMS. Have a spare bedroom that doubles as a home office? That’s a turnoff to buyers. Whenever possible, stage each room so that it has a singular purpose. A guest bedroom, for example, should only be for sleeping.

Want more tips on how to stage your home so that it attracts buyers? Call today.

04/04/2019

Making Your Kitchen More Attractive to Buyers

What’s one of the most important rooms in your home? When it comes to selling your property quickly, and for the best price, the answer is clearly the kitchen. In fact, one of the most common explanations buyers often give for not making an offer is, “I liked the house, but I wasn’t too keen on the kitchen.”
That doesn’t mean you must do a major renovation. However, you should do what you can to make the kitchen as attractive as possible to buyers.

Here are some ideas:

First, clear the countertops. Put away the toaster and other items. You want to make the entire countertop area seem as spacious as possible.

If the cabinetry is old, you can spruce it up by installing new k***s, handles and other hardware. A fresh coat of paint on the walls and ceiling can also make the kitchen look like it has had a major renovation - but will only cost a few hundred dollars. According to an article on the website HGTV.com. “The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware.”

Replacing the countertops is a more expensive renovation, but may be worthwhile if the current counters are old and worn.

Finally, when preparing your kitchen for a viewing, make sure it’s clean and tidy. The garbage and recycling bins should be empty. Buyers will open cabinets, so make sure items on shelves are neatly organized with the front labels facing forward.

There are many other ways to make the most important rooms in your home look great to potential buyers. Call today for more ideas.

02/05/2019

Low-Cost Storage Hacks for Creating More Space

-Attach a cloth pouch or thin plastic basket to the inside of cupboard doors. This is a great way to store Tupperware lids, cosmetics, etc.

-Install hooks inside the foyer closet for loose items such as hats and scarfs.

--Use egg cartons to make effective storage inserts in drawers.

-Fashion stores often put purchases in stiff, high-quality boxes. Placed on their sides, these make effective storage compartments. (Shoeboxes are especially effective.)

-Consider using suitcases for out-of-season clothing. In addition to storage, they also provide protection.

-Never throw out an old wine rack. There are numerous ways these can be used for storage. (For example: tools)

By thinking creatively, you can probably come up with many other simple ideas for creating more storage. The reward is a home that looks neater and more spacious.

09/25/2018

TREB’s ‘Market Watch by the Numbers’ provides a glance at the latest stats on the GTA and Toronto housing market. Gain knowledge on average selling price, residential transactions and more. For more visit: https://bit.ly/2x4Siey

03/20/2018

REMOVE EMOTION WHEN SELLING!

Most real estate experts agree that being too emotionally attached to your home can lead to poor decision making, such as over-pricing the listing and making hasty choices based on feelings rather than facts.

Of course, removing emotion from the home selling equation is easier said than done. After all, it is your home. It’s only natural to be emotionally connected to it. So, how do you ensure that emotions don’t get in the way of selling your house quickly and for the best price? Here are some strategies:

Think of selling your property as a business transaction only. Focus your emotions on the new home you’ll be moving into soon.
Stow as many personal items as possible, such as trophies and family pictures. Turn your home into an attractive product.
If a buyer makes a negative comment about your property - “I hate the deck colour.” - don’t take it personally.
Avoid judging offers to buy your house based on whether or not you like the buyer.
Finally, whenever you make a decision during the home selling process, ask yourself: “Am I making this decision based on fact or emotion?” If the answer is “fact” then, chances are, you’re on solid footing.

01/25/2018

How To Buy The Right Home, Quickly

You’re in a rush. You have just three weeks to find and buy the right home. Whoa! How are you going to make that happen?
Don’t stress. Here are some tips that will help:

Get a pre-approved mortgage. With this document you’ll know exactly what you can afford. A seller will take your offer-to-purchase more seriously, too.
Make a wish list. Be clear about what you want in a home. Two bedrooms or three? A finished basement? A large kitchen? A spacious backyard? If you know what you want, you’ll be able to quickly zero in on the right homes.
Be flexible. You may have a wish list, but to find a home quickly you’ll also need to be flexible. Think about what you absolutely must have in a new home.
Neighbourhood matters. Generally, buying a less than ideal home in a great neighbourhood is better than purchasing the perfect home in a bad area. So, create a list of neighbourhoods you’ll consider.
Work with a REALTOR®. A good REALTOR® like me can help you view the best opportunities on the market and quickly select the right home for you.

12/06/2017

Notable, quotable .....quotes

Success doesn’t come to you. You go to it.”
Marva Collins

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
Robert Collier

“Whatever the mind [of a person] can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
Napolean Hill

11/03/2017

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10/23/2017

What a Buyer is Thinking While Viewing Your Home

Ask any good salesperson for an effective selling technique and he’ll probably say something like, “Understand the buyer. Try to figure out what she’s thinking.”
That’s good advice for you to consider when you’re putting your home up for sale. You need to imagine what a buyer might be thinking while viewing your property, so you can prepare your home more effectively for that sale.

Here are some things buyers may be wondering:

Is this the type of home we’re looking for? Does it have the ideal number of bedrooms, etc.?
Are the rooms spacious enough for our needs?
Are there any repairs or other maintenance issues that need to be addressed?
How old is the property? Is there anything major, such as a furnace, that will need to be replaced soon?
What is the neighbourhood like? Will we be happy living in this area? Is it safe?
Is this home going to fit our lifestyle? Is there an area for the kids to play? Is there ample room for entertaining? Is the dining room large enough for dinner with family and relatives?
Of course, these are only a few of the many questions a buyer may have while viewing your home.

The more you can anticipate these questions and prepare your home accordingly, the better the chances that you’ll sell it quickly and for a good price.

For example, remember that clutter will make a room appear smaller. So, make sure to de-clutter your home – especially the smaller spaces and cupboards.

If your house is in a desirable neighbourhood, create a list of area features (i.e. local parks, access to public transit, walking paths, etc.) to help buyers appreciate the value of living there.

Basically, when you’re preparing your home for sale, think like a prospective buyer!

Need help? Call today.