(NC)—When moving to a smaller space homeowners need to do some serious de-cluttering. Homeowners have a tendency to fill up any space they are in, which is why de-cluttering is so important during a downsize. Stripping your home of extras will make moving to a smaller space easier on you and your family.

To make this process seamless, the following is recommended:

Set a de-cluttering date.
Set at least two de-cluttering dates for this task. This will help you stick to a timeline and lessen the chances of putting this off. You can also make a game out of the de-clutter date by timing how long each room takes. Bringing fun to this onerous task will make the time go by more quickly.

Use labeled boxes.
Prepare large, labeled boxes and use these to separate the things that need to go from the things that you can’t live without. You can assign two boxes to each room for this purpose.

Take it one room at a time.
Small rooms are more manageable spaces. Starting with a smaller space, and therefore less pressure, will help you get the hang of de-cluttering without making you feel overwhelmed. Start with the bedrooms, then move to the dining and living rooms. Leave daunting storage spaces like the basement for last.

Get the entire family to help.
De-cluttering can be fun if you make it a family activity. Involving everyone in the household is also a smart way to avoid spats about throwing out a loved one’s prized possession that you didn’t know existed. With the input of family members, the task gets done in half the time.

Reconsider your furniture.
There is no way you will be able to fit 4,000 square feet of furniture into 1,500, so you will need to decide what pieces of furniture you would like to keep and what can be sold off or given to charity.

While it can be a significant time investment, de-cluttering is a necessary part of downsizing that will help showcase your home and assist in getting your asking price.

www.newscanada.com

(NC)—In today’s competitive real estate market, a major disservice a homeowner can do to their space is clutter it up, making it appear smaller. No matter how big or small a house may be, adjustments in each room can maximize the potential of the space. It is recommended that sellers employ these five tips to make rooms feel bigger:

1. Use light colours. Dark colours tend to close a space up, while lighter colours make a room seem larger. If the room is painted a dark colour, opt instead for a lighter shade on the walls to keep the overall feel of the room, or go with a neutral shade.

2. Maximize natural lighting. Letting natural light stream into a room will open it up. For this reason, try to show the house while it is light outside and make good use of natural light. Clean the windows, pull back the drapes, and let in as much daylight as possible.

3. Hang mirrors. The use of mirrors is recommended because they give the illusion of increased depth. So will light colours, which reflect natural light and help brighten up a room.

4. Buy space-saving furniture. This trick ensures that the furniture doesn’t take up too much space in the home. Stylish and elegant tables and chairs that fold up when not in use create an air of space that allow the home to maintain its openness.

5. De-clutter. When it comes to adding space, you need to be ruthless with some of your possessions. If they haven’t been used recently, or don’t fit in with the rest of the decor, they should likely be removed from the room.

Some sellers are open to renovations but for others, simple fixes like a coat of light paint, adding mirrors and showcasing natural light can make a significant difference to the selling price and also to the amount of time that the home sits on the market.

www.newscanada.com

(NC)—Almost two-thirds of young Canadians (63 per cent) are looking to purchase their first home within the next two years, according to a recent RBC Home Ownership Poll. But these 18-34-year-olds have significant concerns about making the leap. Almost half of respondents (49 per cent) in this age group cited affordability as a reason they had not yet purchased a home, while one-third (34 per cent) said they were saving money for a large down payment.

“Buying your first home is a major milestone and you want to ensure you are both financially and emotionally prepared,” says Michael Schmidt, manager of client segment strategies. “There are no ‘do-overs’ when buying your first house, so it’s important to arm yourself with the right advice to avoid unexpected costs down the road.”

First-time buyers could also benefit from the wisdom of current owners. Three-in-five Canadian homeowners admit they made at least one mistake when they bought a house, including underestimating or overlooking significant renovations that the property needed, not having a bigger down payment, and lack of a home inspection.

Schmidt provides the following tips to combat some of common home buying mistakes:

• Put saving on autopilot: Down payment saving takes discipline. So when you get your pay cheque, pay yourself first. One of the easiest ways to commit to this plan is to arrange for pre-authorized transfers from your bank account to your savings account.

• Understand the total cost of owning a home: Purchasing a house is more than just a regular mortgage payment. Budget for both one-time expenses (such as land transfer tax, property surveys, and legal fees) and ongoing costs (property tax, utilities, condo fees) and balance those costs against your lifestyle.

• Create a rainy day fund: Major repairs and upgrades are inevitable. Keeping a separate emergency fund will ease unexpected costs such as a leaky roof or a furnace repair.

www.newscanada.com

(NC)—It’s true that real estate sales are dependent on the right price, location and condition of a home, but there’s a little more to it than that. Simple strategies can reduce your days on market, without having a negative impact on your pocketbook. Consider the following tips:

1. De-personalize the rooms.

Buyers need to visualize themselves in your home. When staging it, go for a neutral look and put away family photos and personal artwork. If there are loud colours on the walls, use a fresh coat of paint in a neutral colour to make the space more welcoming.

2. Breathe new life into curb appeal.

Invest in quick, simple fixes in the front and back of the home. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges and plant flowers. Once this is finished, take quality photos to use in your listing and showcase your home at its best.

3. Get a pre-listing inspection and complete the to-do list.

Once the inspection is complete, either fix any issues found in the report, or reflect the repairs needed in the asking price. The smaller your to-do list, the smaller a homebuyer’s will be, giving them less bargaining room.

4. Be accessible to your Realtor and for showings

Check your e-mail and voice mail often and respond quickly and cordially. Your Realtor could receive a request for showing or an offer at any point and timing is everything.

www.newscanada.com