Springtime On Salt Spring Island

Spring is here and a time for new life, new ideas & spring cleaning! If you are considering a move there are several tips to prepare your home and property for the sale.

Here are some General Tips:

1/ Imagine you are the Buyer

2/ "Curb appeal" - be sure to clean up any areas that will detract from the appealing first glance.

3/ De-Clutter ouside and all inside areas of the home, including closets and cupboards.

4/ De-personalize - box up photographs and family heirlooms so as not to distract the Buyer. They need to visualize their belongings and their life in your home.

5/ Do Minor Repairs - fix cracks in drywall, counters, leaky faucets, patch holes in walls, and touch up paint if required. Paint should be neutral colours.

6/ Be sure the house is sparkling clean inside and out, and remove any unpleasant odours.

7/ For the showings: turn on all lights, open the window coverings, put on some soft music. Fresh baked bread is always a nice touch! Be sure the house is warm and cosy if being shown during cooler temperatures, and cool and airy on hot days.

Once you have your home in selling condition you will need to come up with a list price. Coming up with a realistic and competitve price is the key to success. I would suggest that you may have an appraisal done by a Licensed Appraiser and a Market Evaluation prepared by a Licensed Realtor.

For a FREE MARKET EVALUATION for your home and property contact Fiona Walls today!

Salt Spring Island Farm With A View

A FARM WITH A VIEW…. the following photos were taken from our farm, Sweetwater Farm, in the Cranberry Valley Salt Spring Island over the past few months.

Believe it or not things are warming up all over. We are seeing a THAW! The weather and the real estate market have been pretty much hand in hand these past few months. In December 2008 and January 2009 the Salt Spring real estate market was experiencing the chilling weather conditions. Real estate sales in February have increased substantially over January. 403 homes and properties sold in February as was reported through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s MLS®. Although down from the 619 sales in February last year, this is in increase from the 247 sales in January, which translates to a significant 63% increase.

This dramatic increase in sales is a very positive sign. Last month’s sales, as quoted by Chris Markham president of the Victoria Real Estate Market, reflect a return to the typical February numbers that were evident in the late 1990’s, which was considered to be a stable market. MLS sales for February 2009 in the region of the Victoria Real Estate Board® (which includes Salt Spring Island), reported the sales of 223 single family homes, 109 condominiums, 47 townhomes and 7 manufactured homes.

Things are looking up, and warming up! If you are considering selling your home or property this year, now is the time. I offer Free Market Evaluations. I can help you with the marketing of your home, as well as offer advice and tips on preparing your home or property for sale.

It won’t be long and it will be time to plant! Our dog Bailey as seen here …. is an enthusiastic gardener……are you?