Five Tips for Moving During the Winter

Moving in general is a lot of work.  Packing boxes, remembering to update your address with creditors, arranging help and booking a moving truck.  There's even more to think about if you have children because you have to make sure you have somebody to watch them while you move.  Moving during the winter can be more challenging.  Here are five tips to keep in mind when moving during the winter months:

1.      Clear any snow and ice from the walkway to ensure there's no accidents.

2.      If you can afford it hire moving professionals as this will help relieve some stress.

3.      Remember to set up the heat and the electricity in your new home so it's warm when you move it.

4.      When you're packing make sure your winter clothes are easily accessible.

5.      Protect the floors in your current home and new home.  It's hard for people to take their shoes off because they're constantly going in and out of the house, so get something to cover the floors. 

 

January Sales Statistics for Burlington

 

 

Year	Sales	Average Price
2013	158	454,906
2012	181	435,162

As per the table above there was a 12.71 percent decrease in sales in January compared to January 2012.  The average price increased by 4.53 percent compared to January 2012.

One Mistake Homeowners Make

 

It's important for homeowners to know the difference between how much they spent on a home improvement and how much value it will add to their house.  For example, if you spent $20,000 remodeling your kitchen, it doesn't mean the value of your house will increase by $20,000.  The longer you own your house after the improvements are done, the more likely you are to earn back all of your costs when you sell your house.  Also, remember that not all improvements are the same in regards to how much value they will bring to your home.

What the seller originally paid for the house and what the seller spent on renovations doesn't have that much influence on the value of the house.

Three Home Improvements to Avoid When Selling Your House

 

If you decide to sell your house you want to make sure it looks great to increase your return on investment.  You might choose to renovate, but be careful because not all renovations are a good idea.  Here are three renovations that are not worth the time and money:

  

1.      Installing a pool.  You might think it's a good idea to install a pool because you like swimming, but not everybody does.  Owning a pool can be a hassle to maintain, so not that many people care about having one, especially if they have small children as it can be a safety hazard, unless it's surrounded by a fence.

2.      Adding an expensive upgrade such as a wine cellar or a jacuzzi.  These things don't appeal to everybody and most people aren't willing to pay more for them.

3.      Creating a room for a certain purpose.  You might enjoy playing music or you might work from home, but that doesn't mean your potential buyers will. 

Four Renovations to Sell Your Home Faster

Potential home buyers prefer a home that doesn't need any work so they don't have to spend any extra money.  It's important to make renovations that appeal to a lot of people instead of making them too personal.  If you're thinking of selling your house there are renovations you can do to help increase the value and sell it faster:

Floors 
Most buyers favour hard-wood or laminate as it adds elegance and charm to any space.  It's also easy to maintain and can last a long time if properly taken care of.

Walls
Repainting the walls is one of easiest and cost-effective renovations.  It can completely change the way a space looks. Be sure to use neutral colours as they will brighten up the rooms and make them more appealing.

Kitchen
Keep the kitchen clean and organized and put in new appliances and fixtures.  The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house so an updated one will definitely attract more potential buyers.

Bathroom
This is a frequently used room so it's a good idea to touch it up.  Maybe add a fresh coat of paint.  If needed add cupboards or replace the faucet.  Install flow reducers on the sink and shower so less water is used.