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.

Barrie Townhomes

In order to clarify things a bit for those in unfamiliar territory, here are the basic differences.

First, the easy one: ‘townhome’ or ‘townhouse’? These terms are used interchangeably, and mean the same thing, but the term I prefer to use with my clients is ‘townhome’, because it’s not just a building I’m referring to – it’s your potential new home. This building will become your personal space, where you go to escape, raise your family, and live your life.

Now for the main difference between condominium and freehold townhomes: freehold townhomes are those for which you pay no monthly fees, and are responsible for all maintenance like shovelling snow, mowing the lawn, etc. Condominium townhomes include a monthly maintenance fee, but the trade-off is that you don’t need to worry about cleaning the pool, or maintaining your driveway in the winter or lawn in the summer – it’s all looked after for you.

If you’re a professional or retiree who just doesn’t have the time or interest to invest in the upkeep of a house, a condominium townhome might be a good option for you.

Affordable luxury

Whichever you choose, both freehold and condominium townhomes usually offer upgrades and amenities that are often cost-prohibitive when looking at a detached home. Items like ceramic or hardwood floors, upgraded cupboards, granite countertops, and whirlpool tubs are just a few options that generally have a large price tag attached to them in detached homes, but are often more affordable in a townhome. It boils down to value for your money, and the lifestyle you want.

An appreciable investment

Like a detached home, townhomes are an investment that will (or should, depending on the market conditions) appreciate in value. And, again like a detached house, the more amenities and upgrades the townhome has, the higher the resale value.
When it comes right down to it, choosing a freehold or condominium townhome is simply a matter of personal choice based on lifestyle and affordability.

Published in SNAP Barrie Magazine.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage First Contact Realty focusing on Barrie Condo and townhome sales.

Condo Entry Access: If your condo building or unit has an alarm or access card reader, be sure to follow your building’s or security provider’s rules about sharing the entry code or card, and ensure no one follows you into the building that you don’t know. With townhomes, if you have a security system, change the code regularly, especially if you’ve had to share your code with someone. With Barrie townhome owners, it is important to note that most insurance companies offer a 5% discount on your homeowners’ insurance plan if you have a monitored alarm system.

Lighting Make sure all common areas in your building are well-lit, especially parking lots, hallways, and other areas that are frequently used after-dark. If you find that new lighting is needed or bulbs replaced, let your building/property manager know as quickly as possible.

Barrie Townhouses: Landscaping and shrubs Notify your building management of any safety concerns you may have about the landscaping, trees, or shrubs. Any overgrown foliage should be trimmed back and the property should be landscaped to allow for good visibility in the common areas. If you have a ground-floor unit, ensure any additional entryways such as patio or garden doors are unobscured.

Frank van Amelsvoort, from G.I.T. Security Systems Inc. in Barrie recommends these tips before you go away on vacation:

Before going away, test your system thoroughly and replace batteries if you’re going for longer than 30 days. Systems generally only operate for 12 to 24 hours without utility power so make sure your utilities and communications service providers will continue to provide service to your residence in your absence.

Regular periodic testing is recommended by experts and manufacturers alike to ensure proper system operation even if you’re using the system regularly.

Make certain that you leave your monitoring centre with a forwarding number in the event a serious problem occurs which you need notification of in an emergency.

Consider periodic upgrading of your security system. Advice is always free from reputable Security Companies and some new technologies may even save you money. Also, some older residences do not yet have Carbon Monoxide detectors, which can be easily added to a security system.

For more helpful tips on Barrie condo and townhouse information, visit our facebook page by searching for Barrie Condo Team.

Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage First Contact Realty focusing on Barrie Condo and townhouse sales.
Email: Steph@barriecondoteam.com
Phone: 705.716.0299

barrie-townhomes

Here are some low-cost, easy exterior home improvements you can do to help prepare your townhome to sell – fast!

Tidy the Yard
Eliminate items that may be perceived as clutter in the front of your townhouse.  The backyard is less important, unless you are in an end unit and it can be seen from another street or yard.   You may want to consider these landscaping tips:

Enhance the Exterior

Ensure your townhome appears to be clean and well maintained.  Look at model homes or other desirable neighbourhoods for colour ideas, and carefully choose colours that complement the features of your townhouse.  Also, remember to keep the yard well lit for evening showings, especially walkways.  Don’t forget if your townhome is a condominium, please check with your property manager before doing any work.

You only have one chance to make a good first impression, and presentation is everything.  A well-kept home exterior will not only attract potential buyers, it will also make them feel confident that they aren’t taking a risk on a property.  The higher the perceived value of your townhome, the higher the selling price will be. So take the time to create some curb appeal, and sell your townhome in Barrie for top dollar!

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
Web: www.barriecondoteam.com
Royal LePage First Contact Realty - www.rlpbarrie.com
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