Seriously Muskoka Real Estate Blog - Uncategorized

9 Step Guide to FSBO

Selling your home is a huge decision. After quite a bit of research on local realtors in your area and how long the selling process you may feel that it’s better to sell your home yourself. FSBO, also known as For Sale By Owner, is when you sell your home without the help of a Realtor or licensed professional. By doing FSBO, you can avoid paying commission, working with an agent, and you have complete control over your listing.

If you know you’re ready to sell your home but not sure where to start, we made a step by step guide on how to FSBO.

Step 1: Price your home accurately

According to NAR, 17% of people who have done FSBO said pricing their home was the most difficult task. Not only can pricing your home be difficult but accurately pricing…

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7 Muskoka Businesses You Should Follow On Instagram

I ❤ Muskoka.

I also love Instagram. I combined the two and found 7 local businesses you should be following on Instagram if you're like me and love Muskoka.

1. Soapstones Natural Skincare | @soapstonesskincare

2. Living Wood Design | @livingwooddesign

3. Cabin Cafe | @cabinorganiccafe

4. Overboard Bala | @overboardbala

5. The Nutty Chocolatier | @thenuttymuskoka

6. Muskoka Shipyards | @muskokashipyards

7. Simply Cottage | @simplycottageltd

Homes are popular on Instagram, too

Quality images are equally as important in real estate. According to the CRD, homes with high-quality photography sell 32% faster and for more money. That's why every home we list receives both professional photography and marketing on Instagram.

…

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5 "Emergencies" That Are Actually Normal When Selling Your Home

If there’s a mantra every first-time seller should memorize, it’s this: Expect the unexpected. While your realtor is going to educate you about the process of selling your home and share their thoughts about how the sale could go based on what’s going on in your market right now, no two sales are exactly alike. That’s because there is any number of issues that can come up at any point that can affect anything from your timeline to your budget. 

When these issues pop up to you, the first-time seller, they feel like an emergency. You worry that you won’t be able to sell your home, or that maybe you’ve made a terrible mistake, or even worry just because your realtor is 100% calm about the situation that’s sending you into overdrive.

Turns out they’re…

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3 Ways Low Mortgage Rates Impact The Value of Your Home

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect on everything...

From travel to toilet paper stock at your local grocery store. However, there’s another effect you might want to keep an eye on if you’re a homeowner: Falling mortgage rates. In the United States, the Federal Reserve cut rates by half a percentage point on March 3 (to keep up with the market), then again by 1.5 percent on March 15 (in response to COVID-19). In Canada, the Bank of Canada cut rates by 1% on March 13.

What does this mean if you’re already a homeowner? The first answer is easy: If you’ve been thinking about refinancing, now’s a good time to lock in a low rate. But if you’re concerned about the value of your home (particularly if you’ve been looking to sell in the next year), the…

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Pros & Cons of Listing Your Home in the Winter

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” to sell?

Despite homes being covered in snow and icy roads galore, winter is a great time to sell your home! Or is it? Just like with any season, there are pros and cons to selling your home. If you’ve been contemplating whether you should list your home now or wait until the snow melts away, we made a list of everything you should take into consideration.

1

Buyers mean business

While more buyers are looking in the spring and summer, there are more serious buyers in the winter season. If someone is making time to visit open houses and showings during the busiest time of the year (and the coldest time of the year) they are more likely to be serious about their search.

2

Less competition

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The Best Places To Celebrate The Holidays in Muskoka

The holidays have arrived in Muskoka!

Not only do we love this time of year, but we love seeing all of the gorgeous lights and decorations around town. Whether you're just visiting or have lived here for your entire life, there are a few holiday displays and celebrations that you must see to get you in the holiday spirit!

1. Christmas Carols with the Salvation Army Band

Happening on December 19th at 7 pm in Bracebridge on the corner of Taylor Road and Pine Street

2. A Portage Flyer Christmas – Evening Train Ride to Santa

December 21st from 5-8 pm

Click here for more information

3.  Santafest Weekend

December 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, and 21st & 22nd from 11 am to 5 pm

Click here for more information

4. Torchlight Parade

…

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You Have 2 Weeks Left to List Your Home This Year

So, you’ve been thinking about putting your home on the market... but the timing never seems right. I get it, life moves fast! It’s already the beginning of November and the holidays will be here before you know it. Entertaining guests, travelling, and spending time with family during this season is stressful enough that you can't even fathom the thought of potential buyers walking all through your home, dealing with inspections and navigating. 

So what do you do? Should you wait another few months after the holidays to list your home? No.

In fact, according to the Ontario Collective, the average number of days on market is 47 days. That means the longer you put off listing your home, the longer the sale will take to wrap up after the holidays.

…

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The Emotional Side of Selling Your Cottage

The decision to sell your home isn’t an easy one. In fact, research has ranked selling a home as second to relationship breakups for the most stressful experience in a person’s life. The same survey said people are more stressed out about selling their home than planning a wedding, getting fired or even becoming a parent.

In other words, it’s perfectly normal to have strong emotions. The good news? Though the experience can feel overwhelming and inspire doubts, it doesn’t have to get in the way of a successful home sale, and there's always a bright side. Here are three stories from homeowners that prove it.

The Story: Last Minute Memories 

Nostalgia seems to unexpectedly hit many sellers like a ton of bricks once they see their home…

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Weekend Getaways Near Muskoka

Grab your bags, we’re going on a staycation!

Whether you've got a three-day weekend coming up that you want to take advantage of or you're looking for a getaway, we have some suggestions to make the most of your weekend trip.

1. Deerhurst Resort

Embracing Peninsula Lake, Deerhurst Resort is your year-round retreat for a Muskoka vacation or getaway to Ontario’s famous “cottage country”, one of National Geographic Traveler Magazine’s “Best of the World 2012” recommended places to visit. Ideal for fun-filled family vacations, and year-round getaways.

Book Your Stay

2. Cedar Grove Lodge

Cedar Grove Lodge is a cottage resort (open year-round) located on beautiful Peninsula Lake in Muskoka, Ontario. Located a short drive between…

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