Nautica Condos in Barrie - View

When you’re searching for that perfect condo in Barrie, it’s smart to work directly with a Realtor® that focuses on condos. It’s their job to make sure you’re getting the right condo for your lifestyle, and getting it at the right price.

If you’re in the market, you’ve probably already looked around at a few Barrie condo MLS listings, either online or or in the newspaper. However, working with a Realtor® can help you take a closer look.

Once you’re starting to lean towards a particular condo unit, it’s time to examine the price, pricing history, and benefits of that type of unit.

Your Realtor® can break down the condo unit’s price and give you details that nobody else can. They can produce a comparative market analysis report and examine the price history to see if there’s been any price increases or decreases for this unit, or if there are comparable units on the market in the same price range or for any comparative units that have sold recently.

They also look at other factors such as where the unit is located and whether or not the condo’s view of Barrie’s waterfront is affecting the price. If you feel the view of the lake or city is worth a bit more money, great! But if you don’t really see the value, your Realtor® will help you decide if your money can be better spent on other upgrades.

You also need to take a close look at parking. Some units only have one parking spot, instead of two. It’s not something you may think of, but it can be a big deal for couples and families.

Finally, your Realtor® can help you determine whether or not condo fees will play a role in your decision. They will look at questions like, “has the building been well maintained?” Or “does the building have a history of stable condo fee increases, based on inflation or tax changes?”

Browsing units on your own helps target condos in your price range, but only working with a Realtor®  focusing on condos in Barrie lets you see exactly what you’re getting for that price.

Stephanie Adams is a Realtor® at Royal LePage First Contact Realty focusing on Barrie Condos and townhome sales.

Price – This is a major point that will affect the sale of your townhome. If your townhome is priced competitively according to the local market, your days on the market should be relatively short. Your real estate professional is your industry resource, and they know the local market best, so it’s a good idea to follow their advice about where to price your townhome.

Effective Lighting – Good use of lighting will help make a dark or small room seem larger, and help open up the space. Using light strategically throughout your townhome for photos and showings will not only ensure the unit is well-lit, but that it’s showcased it at its most appealing.

Bust the Clutter – Knickknacks, pictures, magazines, and other items you like and live with may be scattered throughout your townhome, but by reducing or removing the clutter entirely it will help prospective buyers see more of the home and not your stuff. Tuck extraneous ‘extras’ into drawers, or get your packing started early with items you don’t need that may help de-clutter your townhome’s appearance.

Garage – removing clutter from your garage and organizing it properly will enhance the appeal of your unit.  People want to know that they have “space” to move in and that they have room for their belongings.

Furniture – If you think you’ve got too much, put some into storage. You may want to reorganize your furniture so that larger items are situated around the outside walls to add space, and guests see the focal point from the room’s entry.

Odours – Plug-in air fresheners and scented candles can add pleasant smells and atmosphere to your townhome. When you’re living in your home while it’s on the market, try odour-neutralizing products to reduce any cooking odours that may linger.

Pets – Send Fluffy to a day spa or take her out while your townhome is being shown, and move any pet dishes, beds, and toys. Additionally, pets can have a distinct odour that can be challenging to remove. Pet stores have specialty products designed to deal with pet odours that will help.

Wall Accessories – When items are proportionate to the room and wall’s size, it further helps to open up the space. Adding mirrors will not only help with this, but will also reflect light to brighten the room.

Organize Closets and Storage – Storage and closets are important to all buyers, and they’re sure to be a place that will be looked at. Organize this space as well as you can, clear out some of your clothes if necessary (again, get a head-start on your packing) to create a neat, uncluttered presentation.

You don’t have to completely reorganize your life to sell your townhome, but incorporating some or all of these tips will help make the process quicker and easier for you. The Barrie Condo Team will work with you to help you prepare your Barrie townhome for sale, including open houses, photos and showings, and can recommend services such as professional cleaners and stagers if needed.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage in Barrie focusing on Barrie Condos, Barrie Waterfront Condos and Barrie townhomes sales.

Size matters – Especially when talking about furniture and wall accessories. If your furniture or accessories are too large, they’ll detract from that open concept condo look, making the room seem smaller. When choosing furniture, select smaller-scale condo furnishings that are now offered by many manufacturers.

Make good use of space – Most condos and townhomes have a smaller living space square footage, presenting you with the challenge of arranging your furniture and lighting that will present that space in the best possible way.  If something doesn’t fit, you can always move it into your storage locker.

Art & Colour – Some design schools of thought recommend you stay with neutral wall colours throughout a condo, and others suggest painting one or two walls a different colour to help highlight and add definition to an area within your condo, like the dining or living area.  Staying with one colour has the advantage of allowing you to use artwork to highlight your walls and space.

Georgian Estates Condos Barrie - Staging

Define the space – Do you have a home office in your living room? This can detract from the overall presentation of your condo, and confuse buyers somewhat as they try to imagine themselves living in your space. A living room home office can be pulled off when kept uncluttered and well presented. Small living spaces should perform double-duty while preserving the overall feeling and appearance of your condo.

Photos – Once you have things organized the way you want them presented, then take pictures for your condo listing in the Barrie MLS. Great photos help to draw people in for showings, open houses and are proven to boost sales.

These are just a few staging considerations when getting your Barrie condo ready to sell and work with your Realtor® for listing in the Barrie MLS. If you don’t have the time, talent or inclination to stage your condo yourself, your Barrie condo real estate Sales Representative will be able to recommend a professional stager to work with you.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage in Barrie focusing on Barrie Condos, Barrie Waterfront Condos and Barrie townhomes sales.

Determine what building is right for you: As the City of Barrie has grown, so has the number of condominium developments giving us a wide range of buildings to choose from. Having your real estate sales representative take time to show you the suites and amenities in all the buildings will help you decide what building is right for you.

Obtain the Disclosure Statement for new condos or a Status Certificate for existing developments: It’s important to know that when you purchase a condominium you are not just buying a new home you are also purchasing part of a corporation. Have your lawyer review the Disclosure Statement or Status Certificate. These documents will outline all the condo features, the rules and regulations and will also help determine the health of the Corporation.

Check out the building’s Rules and Regulations: Each condo is its own little community, and each has their own set of rules and regulations that they expect residents to follow. You need to be clear on these regulations to be sure that the building is going to be right for you. For example, if you have children or pets, you’ll want to ensure that the building you’re looking at isn’t an adults‐only, pet free environment.

As soon as you’ve decided on the condo you wish to purchase, it’s important to start communicating with your lawyer so they have enough time to review all your paperwork. Following these 3 simple steps and working with your Barrie condo Real Estate Sales Representative and real estate lawyer will lead to a smooth and successful transaction.

Published in September’s SNAP Barrie Magazine.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage First Contact Realty specializing in Barrie Condos and townhomes.
Email: Steph@barriecondoteam.com
Phone: 705.716.0299