Mississauga Real Estate BLOG

How do you get started?  Having numerous clients go thru this and having my own mom downsize several times and more recently myself, I have several pointers to make this task more manageable.  It is a task we avoid, especially when we look at the stuffed closets and floor to ceiling stuffed basements we have.   It is something we all put off as long as possible but there comes a time where you can’t any longer.  It is easy to downsize by 10%, but most of us need to downsize or rightsize  by at least 50%.  It is the last 20% that is tough.  Here are some tips to get you on the right track.

1. The most common start is a garage sale.  So start there!  Set a date  that is out by a month and then you will have a starting point.  This is a good time to get rid of that first 10% of stuff that you don’t need. 

2. The purpose of your garage sale is to get rid of clutter.  So start small.  Put aside 15 minutes each day (use a timer if you need to) and start your decluttering now, closet by closet, room by room.  Be ruthless!

3.  Now make  a goal  that you will pack one box every day for two weeks of items you must keep and take with you. You can start by packing 10 to 20 of the most necessary items in that room or closet.  Then tape up the container so it will not be easy to rummage thru it.

3. One of the more difficult things will be to get rid of unwanted or un used gifts from friends and family.  Don’t feel guilty.  Just do it.  They will take up valuable space in your new home.

4. You will also find that younger family members are not interested in your treasured ornaments or china.  So display them on several tables and invite in an antique dealer and get a bulk price for everything.  You will not get close to what they are worth but it is necessary to do.  The secret is to forget about it. You must be determined to live in the present and not the past.

5. Look at all your top shelves.  If it is on your top shelve you have rarely used the items or not at all.  So get rid of everything on your top shelves

6. There are also companies that are more like brokers who will buy less valuables in bulk and they will catagorize them and sell them to flea markets, 2nd hand stores or specialty stores.  There are also numerous charities that will come in and pick up items. I am sure you would feel better knowing your stuff will be used and appreciated rather than have it end up in a landfill.

7. Finally, if you still feel overwhelmed and cannot do this on your own, there are companies that specialize in downsizing and counselling to help you.  They will know when to give you  that gentle push and to help you get organized.  They can also help you put together memory books of cherished items.  It is not always having an item but the story and memories behind them that are important.  If you would like some names please feel free to send me an email.

Spring is just around the corner and it is this time of the year that most of us start thinking about what we can do to our homes to spruce them up a little for a new season.

Start at the front door. When the weather is permitting (45 degrees) paint your front door a fresh new colour. Splurge and buy a couple of new ceramic pots and fill them with lots of spring flowers and moss.

Bright new colours and streamlined decor should be utmost on your mind for the inside. Maybe an accent wall that you have wanted to try. Or perhaps you would like to replace a colour in a bathroom with a beautiful white and give it a spa look with all white accessories. Or, you can add some colour with a new set of towels or sheets.

Try rotating your artwork. Everyone has too much art. Keep some of your favourite pieces and switch them out. You might also think about some rearranging to give your walls an art gallery look.

Try rearranging and regrouping your furniture. Don’t be afraid to eliminate something that you no longer love and open a space for something new and wonderful.

Refresh! Paint all of your window sills and baseboards with a fresh coat of paint. You will be amazed at a difference it willl make for just a few dollars.

Trying to sell your home can be one of the most stressful events in your life. Perhaps you know that you need to sell quickly and are afraid you won’t find the right buyer in time. Or, perhaps you are most concerned with getting top dollar for your home. The right real estate agent will help you through the entire process, and eliminate a great deal of stress for you.

Your agent will be able to evaluate your home and tell you what you need to do in order to get the most value from it. She will make suggestions for simple repairs you can do that can actually dramatically increase the value of your home — or at least the way it is perceived in the eyes of potential buyers.

She will also do all the work of marketing your home. Properly marketing a home is something that not all real estate agents are equal in doing. Since some are far better than others, you definitely need someone who uses all the tools at their disposal. Your goal is to get your home’s listing in front of as many qualified buyers as possible. A good agent will make this happen!

Selling a home can also be tricky because of all the paperwork and communication with the buyer and buyers agent that is required. Your real estate agent, Lea Jensen, will be able to help you through every step of the way so that you don’t have to worry about any of it! What a relief when you’re selling your home in Mississauga.