Robert Bryer - Broker; Apex Results Realty Inc., Brokerage

As the fall months creep on outside maintenance needs to be done. Lawn and Garden Care:
1. Rake Leaves: Regularly rake and remove fallen leaves to prevent damage to your grass.
2. Aerate the Lawn: Aerating helps your lawn breathe and prepares it for winter.
3. Fertilize the Lawn: Apply fall-specific fertilizer to help your lawn store nutrients for the winter.
4. Trim Trees and Shrubs: Cut back any dead or overgrown branches to prevent breakage from snow and ice.
5. Plant Spring Bulbs: Fall is the ideal time to plant bulbs like tulips and daffodils for spring blooming.
6. Mulch Garden Beds: Add a layer of mulch to protect perennials from frost.
7. Clean and Store Garden Tools: Ensure all tools are cleaned and stored properly for winter.
Home Exterior:
1. Clean Gutters and Downspouts: Remove leaves and debris to prevent clogs and ice dams.
2. Inspect Roof and Chimney: Check for loose shingles or tiles and have your chimney cleaned if needed.
3. Seal Cracks: Check for any gaps in windows, doors, or foundations and seal them to prevent drafts and pests.
4. Check Exterior Paint: Touch up any areas where paint is chipped to prevent wood rot.
5. Drain and Store Hoses: Disconnect and drain garden hoses, then store them to prevent damage from freezing.
Winter Prep:
1. Inspect and Cover Outdoor Furniture: Clean and cover or store outdoor furniture to protect it from the elements.
2. Check Snow Removal Equipment: Ensure that snow blowers, shovels, and ice melt are accessible and in good condition.
3. Seal Driveway: If needed, apply a sealant to protect your driveway from cracking during freezing weather.

Declutter and Clean

Clean, declutter, wash marks off the walls, touch up paint and organize everywhere.
That does not mean having a pile of cartons and stored items neatly piled in the basement to the point the walls can’t be seen. It means removing as much as possible from the property.
A slightly vacant place will be more appealing to a buyer than a place with lots of “stuff” stored. Don’t just leave it and expect buyers to see the market value with a bit of fix-up they would have to do.
Wear & tear is acceptable as long as it is fully functional, clean and tidy. If your home needs updating, that deficiency will be enhanced by clutter, mess, uncleanliness, unkept landscape and disorganization.

Smells & Scents

Some sales training I’ve heard suggests having nice smells and scents, especially for a public
Open House. I was selling a home once when my sellers thought it would be a hoot to put the oven on automatically with some Pillsbury doe in the oven without telling me.
I didn’t know where the odour came from, and by the time I figured it out, it was burning! No, I’ve never had a buyer say, let’s put an offer in on that one because I like the way it smells. I have had some issues to resolve because of some smells coming from plumbing or dampness. Creating artificial, unrelated smells puts up a person's radar that something isn’t right. A natural log-burning fireplace with a fire in it can be a good idea in some properties but today, insurance is an issue so it only points out an issue that the fireplace is there but can’t be used. Sprays, scent plugs, etc. are more often than not an issue for people with allergies to them, so, no artificial or inappropriate scent or smell if you want an offer.

Warm & Inviting Interiors

I’ve had ladies tell me they liked a particular home but would not consider buying the property because of the atmosphere within the home.
They reacted to finding out it was a family breakup, or they found the pictures on the wall too revealing of the lifestyle of the homeowner. Home stagers typically remove all family photos. I take a different approach in that I recommend removing pictures of parties, especially of the family & friends partying or around the swimming pool in swimming suits and drinks, etc. Pictures of the kids, when they are babes in arms, children at play, portrait shots, (everyone fully dressed) graduation, art, and landscapes of local areas, are good for atmosphere building. Loving, cohesive family indicators are what help.
Raising or eliminating hanging lights such as chandeliers or anything at eye level blocking a clear view to the opposite corner of the room should be removed or at least raised. Setting the dining room table with your best crystal and fine china & silverware has never done anything to enhance the desire of a buyer to buy a home. The best thing one can do to help create warm interiors is to have the kitchen clean, beds made, lights on, clothes put away, and no machines running like laundry & dishwashers.

Maximize Curb Appeal in the Fall Months

I’ve often been asked if the fall is a good time to sell. There definitely is a strong market in the fall. It is short-lived compared to spring, but there is usually far less competition for sellers.

Generally, listings increase in late summer as the vacation season winds down and buyers who haven’t quite found what they wanted are back on the hunt for the right place. This continues through mid-November as closings can be matched fairly well to school semesters.

We’ve all heard that one only gets one chance to make a FIRST impression. Fresh paint around and on the front elevation of your home is a great idea. Also, those shrubs and trees with a couple of fresh colourful flowerpots, and a seasonal wreath on the door are great enhancements to the curb appeal of your home.

Wanting to sell in the fall months? Here are a few things to keep in mind
1. Maximize Curb Appeal
2. Warm & Inviting Interiors
3. Address Maintenance Issues
4. Declutter and Clean
5. Highlight Energy Efficiency
6. Show Seasonal Lifestyle Benefits
7. Smells & Scents

"Is your home ready for fall? 🍂 Let's get cozy and prepared!"

Declutter and Organize: “Start by clearing out summer items to make room for cozy fall vibes.”
Check Heating Systems: "Make sure your heating system is ready for those chilly nights. 🛠️"
Add Warm Lighting: "Introduce soft, warm lighting for a cozy ambiance during fall evenings. 🕯️"
Cozy Textiles: “Swap out lightweight blankets for thicker, warmer throws and cushions. 🛋️"
Fall Scents: “Incorporate candles and diffusers with autumn scents like cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or vanilla. 🍁"

This is good. They should also require conditional offers on proof financing & a few other conditions and ban blind bidding if they are sincere in eliminating frenzy in the market that is a major cause in sky rocketing prices. In my not so humble opinion.

B.C. becomes first province to require 3-day cooling-off period for homebuyers | CBC News The government says the new protection period is designed to give homebuyers more time to arrange financing or home inspections after a deal has been accepted.

Nothing like investing in real estate in Ontario. We have a shortage of rental housing so the government response is to brinv in rent controls & a verh tenant favoured Landlord & Tenant Act. If that hasn't made rental short bad enough, let's for anyone who is just holding a property for future determination to rent it out. I'd be thinking they'll get sold or torn down. Now what? Why not think of incentives to be a Landlord... geez what novel idea!

Are you ready for Toronto's new vacant home tax? Deadline to declare is Feb. 2 | CBC News Toronto residents who own an empty home will soon be taxed for it, as the city pushes forward with a fee it says will help increase housing supply and raise as much as $66 million a year.

Developers made out insanely well during the rising market that went on far too long. Now of course, massive deposits will be lost to them, families will be ruined for several years as their savings are gone. This past real estate market should have been cooled many years ago. Developers will be badly damaged too as they can't eat these homes either. We have a bigger mess then anyone has admitted to date & it'll get much worse. A question I have; why would an Uber driver be buying a home for $1,900,000 in the first place? Did they really think interest rates would always remain low? Taxes? Natural gas for heating? Electricity costs? In my discussions with my buyers I talk about these realities. Cars to do the ubering don't come cheap either.

They purchased homes right before the real estate downturn. Now, they're struggling to close | CBC News A group of Ontario residents who purchased pre-construction homes in Brampton at the peak of the recent real estate frenzy say they're now struggling to close on their deals because of a perfect storm of rising interest rates, falling home prices and stricter federal mortgage rules.