From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
The Canadians are coming, so sellers get your house ready!
By James Sarles
Nov 4, 2009 - 11:43:57 AM
As everyone
knows by now WestJet launched non-stop service between Toronto and Freeport,
Bahamas this week. This is a great shot in the arm for our real estate
market because Canadians have traditionally been very interested in
the Freeport market and have invested in real estate over the years.
Hugh Dunleavy, WestJet Executive Vice-President
of Strategy and Planning is telling the Canadian media “a trip to
Freeport is the perfect way to escape a Canadian winter!" To have
someone finally promoting Freeport to the Canadians is music to Freeports
ears!
35
years ago in fact Grand Bahama was the number one warm weather tourist
destination for Canadians.
So sellers get your
house ready because 12,000 Canadians will be coming to our shores over
the next 6 months which could mean that the buyer you have been waiting
for may be on their way. With new potential buyers coming to Freeport
the better your home looks while it’s
on the market, the more likely it is to sell quickly and for top dollar.
When you have a listing appointment
with a Real Estate Agent, the agent go through your home with you and
make suggestions about cosmetic repairs that will help to present your
home at its best. These recommendations can make some sellers uncomfortable
because they are reminders of the “little” projects that they have
postponed. I encounter homeowners who have it all together, but that
doesn’t include everyone. Most sellers need suggestions about repairs
that will make their home show well, and providing these is an important
part of our job.
The
most inconvenient aspect of having your house on the market is the constant
housekeeping required. Even if you are naturally neat, it requires a
lot of hard work to constantly keep your home shining and to keep it
looking beautiful. It may mean getting extra help from the children
or hiring short-term professional help.
The
important of making a good impression on the Realtors and buyers who
come through your home cannot be overstated. As many interested buyers
may call for last minute appointments to see your home. Buyers may associate
a messy home with poor maintenance of the structure, systems and appliances.
It can also discourage offers or result in a lower offer than the house
might otherwise bring.
Sometimes
I receive calls from people asking for advice on what they should do
to prepare their house for the market. I often find that they have settled
for living in a “less than optimal” circumstance for years, and
are now going to spend money to make it nice for someone else to enjoy.
If
you are considering painting, updating the kitchen, landscaping, or
any other improvements that would increase your home’s resale value,
think about making those improvements while you are still there to enjoy
them. Create your own dream kitchen or Jacuzzi, your garden deck, or
restore your wood floors now.
Maintaining
your property well will make your home enjoyable, will help maintain
the property values in your neighborhood and will expedite the sale
of your home when you are ready to move.
The
first time your home is seen by the public is the best chance you have
to sell your home. You should wait until your home looks its best before
showing it to anyone except your Realtor. So with the new influx
of Canadians coming make sure your house is ready for everyone looking
for property.
Contact James at
Coldwell Banker - James Sarles Realty
james@sarlesrealty.com
© Copyright 2009 by thebahamasweekly.com -