Ever wonder what a HHT (House Hunting Trip) looks like? Every year we help dozens of families relocate into ottawa on their house hunting trips. With only five days to spend in a new city looking for a house it is very intense! We had so much fun documenting our most recent experience.
Day One: Stittsville and Barrhaven
We kicked off the first day by exploring homes in Stittsville, where the neighbourhood’s charm immediately stood out. The friendly atmosphere and tree-lined streets made a strong first impression. However, while the overall vibe of Stittsville was appealing, the home we toured felt too dark for their taste, quickly ruling it out.
Next, we shifted our focus to Barrhaven, where most of their top choices were located. The proximity to recreational centres, shopping, and the well-established community made Barrhaven an appealing option. While some of the homes we visited were a bit older or showed signs of wear, that didn’t affect their final picks. By the end of the day, they had narrowed it down to two or three homes that really stood out and were worth keeping in mind as we continued the search.
Day Two: Richmond, Orleans, and Findlay Creek
We started the day in Richmond, focusing on a few homes Chris had picked out as they aligned perfectly with our client’s criteria. These homes were all new built or constructed within the last few years, offering a bright and modern feel. Several of them backed onto green space, which was a key feature our clients were looking for. While Richmond’s growth and development were appealing, there was some hesitation about whether the current infrastructure would keep pace with the rising population.
After wrapping up in Richmond, we made the hour-long drive to Orleans to check out a few homes that had been high on their favourites list. However, it was clear upon arrival that these homes were significantly older and more lived-in compared to the newer properties we had seen earlier. On the plus side, the larger yards were a hit, but ultimately, the homes didn’t meet their needs.
Toward the end of the day, we managed to squeeze in a last-minute showing back in Richmond. This home ticked many of the right boxes and quickly rose to the top of their list. Meanwhile, Colin took them to see one more property in Findlay Creek, a last-minute opportunity since it was in his area. Unfortunately, this home didn’t fit their needs either, and that wrapped up Day Two.
Day Three: New Listings and Final Visits
After some reflection, our clients realized that while they liked the homes in Richmond, they couldn’t quite picture themselves living there long-term. However, a few new listings had come on the market since we originally booked their showings, and they wanted to explore those before making a decision.
We started the day in Kanata, arriving just as the for-sale sign was being installed. The home featured a pool, which caught their attention, but the small rooms left them wondering how it would work with their growing boys. Despite the hesitation, it earned a spot in their top three choices.
Next, we headed to another new listing. The clients were impressed by both the home and the yard, but with multiple offers already on the table and the tight time frame of their house-hunting trip, entering a bidding war just wasn’t a feasible option.
From there, we revisited their two top picks from Barrhaven. As the day came to a close, they faced a tough decision between the two favourites in Barrhaven and the new contender in Kanata. To feel confident in their choice, they decided to return to the Kanata home with Chris for one final look that evening.
Pros & Cons of the Top Three Picks
Day Four: Decision Day
After much deliberation, our clients were finally ready to make their decision. They chose their top pick and we quickly submitted an offer. After a bit of negotiation and back-and-forth with the sellers, we successfully secured a conditional agreement!
Fortunately, we had already arranged for a home inspection, which took place just two days later. Everything went smoothly, and the conditions were met by the following week, officially securing their new home. It was a perfect way to wrap up an exciting and productive house-hunting trip!
We recently had the pleasure of handling the sale of a luxury home in Westboro. It was the second time I had the pleasure of working with these wondeful clients. In a market where similar high-end listings often sit unsold for extended periods, we were able to successfully list and sell this property in just a few short weeks. Our success was due to a combination of strategic marketing and thorough preparation by the home owners. Here’s a detailed look at the methods that led to this achievement.
Staging with Kids:
Staging a home can be a challenge, especially with young children around. Following our stager’s initial consultation, the sellers undertook a massive decluttering effort. This included renting a storage locker to put some stuff in until the move to the next property. This set the stage for professional staging, which transformed their living spaces into a buyer’s dream. Our staging team hit it out of the park on this one as you can see from the pictures below.
Professional Painting:
A fresh coat of paint is essential in creating a flawless presentation, especially in the luxury market. Our expert painter was called in to touch up the walls, ensuring that every room gleamed and added to the home’s upscale appeal.
The Floors:
The hardwood flooring received a necessary refresh; the owners had the floors professionally refinished at the front steps. This update was crucial in enhancing the property’s luxurious feel and ensuring a stellar first impression.
Photos:
For marketing this high-calibre property, we entrusted only professional photographers. This strategic choice guaranteed that the home was showcased in the most flattering light possible, capturing its elegance and fine details.
Video:
Video tours are an effective tool to highlight unique features of the home, providing a dynamic visual experience that static images cannot match. We filmed both a full-length cinematic video as well as specialized videos for social media to ensure maximum exposure. It gives me the agent a chance to talk directly to consumers about some of the great features of this home!
3D Tour:
Virtual reality meets home marketing with our 3D tours. These tours allow potential buyers to navigate through the property from the comfort of their own homes, greatly expanding the reach and impact of our listings.
Agent Open House:
The day after listing the home on MLS, we hosted an open house exclusive to agents. This event was well-attended by agents from various brokerages, providing them an opportunity to explore the property firsthand and see if it was a potential match for their clients.
Negotiations:
The negotiation process was very positive between us and the buyers representative. It was a collabrative effort where all sides felt like they had a win. Having a house with immaculate presentation and robust marketing strategies helped the seller meet their goal and beyond. This approach facilitated a quick and favourable sale, with the offer being secured within the first week of listing.
The Final Result:
This comprehensive and meticulous approach to preparing and presenting the home paid off. While other homes sit on the market, ours moved swiftly to a successful firm sale, reflecting the effectiveness of our methods and the desirability of the property in Westboro’s competitive real estate landscape.
If anyone is interested. Here are some random thoughts on a few things real estate and otherwise.
Capital Gains on Primary Residences?
This is not going to happen. I have been asked this a few times this past month. Governments want to get elected again and having 100% of homeowners against them will not help their chances. Could they increase the capital gains on investment properties or flipping. I believe that could be the case. But they will never come after our gains on our primary residence.
Changing Market
Sellers really need to start having better expectations of what they are going to get in this market. I recently priced out a house that may have gotten $1 million as a sale price in April. Right now, I’m seeing that it may be more like 925 to 950k. The seller seemed very disappointed at this number. This is a house that would’ve been worth 775 last year. I would still say it was a very good investment we are just not selling at the all-time high right now.
The Power of Staging
One of the hardest things to do as a real estate consultant is showing people the value of staging. It is hard because there is no clear return on investment. What I mean by that is when you do the staging there’s no set amount that you’re going to get back by doing it. It is all based on my experience as a realtor and seeing firsthand that home preparation is the number one way to increase what a client will get for their house. I spent $3000 staging my own house and Colin from our team spent over $2000 staging his home for sale. There is a reason we invested in this process.
Pandemic Fatigue
Anyone else feel that they need the world to go back to normal ASAP? In many ways, this Fall is hopefully going to bring some normalcy with kids back in school. For me as a business owner, team leader, realtor, friend, and most importantly father and husband it has been so difficult to feel like I am succeeding at any one of these important tasks. I feel like I’m doing OK but just not flourishing if you know what I mean. In many ways, I need to relearn the good habits that I had in place before covid started. Also, anyone else dressing a lot more casually? Lulu dress pants are now my go-to!
Current Favourites
The best snack mix going right now is the Cajun mix at Farm Boy, another favorite is Farm Boy’s chocolate-covered pretzels. A close second are Miss Vickie’s Spicy Dill Pickle chips. Anyone one else developing a snacking habit? We have snack-a-palooza’s at least twice a week.
Recent Reads
Right now, I am reading Greenlights by Mathew McConaughey. Good life story. It is funny and interesting. Alright, Alright, Alright!
Also, reading The Song of Achilles. So far so good.
Best of TV
Right now the best thing on TV are the Blue Jays! Loving the streak and playoff push.
The subject homes in this case study were almost identical. They are the exact same Red Oak model by Tartan. They are right across the street from each other. Upgrades were similar. The houses were essentially the same value.
Difference: $14,157
Why it matters who you work with!
It is tempting to save money on commissions, I get it. My sellers paid more to work with our team in this scenario. They also netted thousands of dollars more than their neighbor across the street. Our seller also received a more personalized service experience.
People always get caught up in how much they are paying and not necessarily the value they are receiving.
Top 3 Reasons We Got More
1) Staging: The house was professionally staged and ready for viewings. This service included multiple visits and staging rentals.
2) 3D Tour: We had a 3D tour available online that attracted our eventual buyer. They were able to walk through the property virtually before stepping foot inside. When they came for their first visit it was pretty much a 2nd showing.
3) Negotiating: We were able to get over $14,000 more than the house across the street. Both homes were almost identical. They were the exact same model and had similar upgrades. We had the disadvantage of them selling first at a lower price. We stayed very strong and got more than our asking price with no other offers on the table. How you might ask? I have been negotiating deals for over 15 years. I have seen it all. I am ready to be strong to protect your hard-earned home equity. The other home had their house negotiated from a call center in Toronto. Often times in life you get what you pay for. I have learned that time and time again with so many products and services. I now make my decisions on value.
Happy Client
My clients met with me pre-covid and we set up a listing plan for them. That plan, of course, changed quite a bit leading up to the listing date as covid restrictions were put in place. My clients could not wait to sell because they purchased a new home already. We pivoted and put a new plan in place that included the 3d tour, staging, and online marketing. The results were great! Our team was thrilled we were able to get such a favorable price for our longtime clients.
Your home is one of the biggest investments in your lifetime. Home staging will help you get a better return on your money. Most buyers are looking for a move-in ready home and home staging helps them visualize this instantly. Besides, it makes your home look like a model home without you having to lift a finger.
Let’s look at some of the facts from the experts regarding why home staging is so big right now and why so many sellers are opting for this.
the National Association of Realtors says for every $100 invested in staging your home, the potential return is $400. That is four times the return for your investment.
homes that are professionally staged spend 73% less time on the market (Real Estate Staging Association)
85% of staged homes sold 6-25% more than un-staged homes (homestagingresource.com)
68% of staged homes sold for at least 9% more than un-staged homes (homestagingresource.com)
Let’s look at the following scenario:
Imagine you have an unstaged home priced at $500,000 that has been sitting on the market for a few months. You start getting worried and decrease the selling price by 5% — or by $25K. Your home now sells for less and your house is a stale listing. Buyers think there maybe be a problem with the house as it has been sitting for a while. You get frustrated and then decide to go with a separate home staging company at more cost to you again.
When a house first goes on the market, this is the time when there is a lot of interest from buyers. Once that first wave of interest passes, time can be your enemy. We are experienced in what a home needs to sell.
Our Chris Scott Real Estate Team believes that:
Timing is extremely important
Most activity is when it is first listed
A listing has the greatest opportunity to sell when it is staged properly
We want you to have your home staged so that you are competitive with other staged homes on the market. Staging works and it has proven itself time and again. We want every client to have the best version of their home and we feel everyone deserves this service. We offer a professional home stager service to all our clients. If you have any questions on how home staging will sell your home, do not hesitate to contact our Chris Scott Real Estate Team. We will provide a free evaluation of your home and make suggestions on how we can stage your home and get it quickly on the market.
One of the best marketing campaigns I can remember growing up was Head and Shoulders shampoo. Their slogan was “because you never get a second chance to make a first impression”. It is so true in not having dandruff on your shirt and it can also be applied to real estate. Stay with me here. When home buyers walk into your house you want to be feeling good about what they see and excited about what is to come! First impressions are crucial!!
Side note: I looked up that campaign and it was from the ’80s (ageing myself a bit). I still use H&S today because I am petrified of dandruff and making the wrong first impression.
If you are a home buyer what room would make a good impression to you:
Well, I agree with your choice. We suggested the homeowner bring in some rental furniture to outfit this room properly. We then made the room come to life and accessorized it.
Of course, once you commit to the staging you can’t just stop at one room. It all has to come together. In this case, we had a pretty solid plan that the homeowners bought into. We ended up bringing some of our own furniture we use for lots of stagings, to bring it all together.
You will notice the kids room. We felt the demographic buying would be younger families so we showcased as such. That is Aiden’s (my son) old bed and some of his toys/books. 🤫 Don’t tell him! We also brought a desk and chair in for the loft among many other changes.
Why go through all this work?
This is really the big question, isn’t it? Is it really worth it to stage? My answer is, absolutely. Having a fresh, modern, clean look is the key. We want people to feel excited about the house and the possibility of owning it. I bet there are people who would not even offer on the house as it sat before. They might not even realize why. Hard to prove this theory but we have taken over many non-staged homes that could not sell. We keep the prices the same and then like magic! they sell for top dollar. That is why I also invested over $2500 to stage my own place when I sold. Anyways, I am ranting a bit here but it is what I believe with conviction.
Multiple offers are always a possibility in some of Ottawa’s most desirable neighbourhoods. With inventory levels at record lows and demand, sky-high multiples are happening across the city and right into suburbia. The hottest segment in the city right now is a suburban townhouse. This was never the case in previous years! Amazing to see this phenomenon develop over the past few months. Now what is happening is that new prices are being established as buyers bid homes up. This will make 2018 a year were we might see some buyers priced right out of our market.
With so much money at stake on every sale it is so important to have the right representation. A listing that is well priced, presented & staged, and marketed should receive multiple offers. From there it will be the Realtor’s role to make sure you maximize your return and help navigate through all the offers. We helped a client recently sell their house for 6k more than the exact same model of townhouse right next door. We had 13 offers, they had 6. It matters who you work with.
If you are thinking of buying or selling please feel free to get in touch.
