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December 2020 Calgary Real Estate Newsletter

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Avoiding the #1 Cause of Calgary Home Seller Stress

Do you know what causes the most common source of stress when selling your home? Is it scheduling buyer viewings? Is it the length of time it takes for your property to sell? Is it an offer that falls through?

Those things can, indeed, cause some worry! But, the number one source of stress is actually simple to avoid. It’s not understanding the home selling process. 

Even if you’re no stranger to moving, you should review the process involved in selling your current home before you list it. If you don’t, you might end up exposing yourself to anxiety that could have been easily avoided.

Say, for example, you’re concerned that your home has been listed for too long. It’s been a week and no good offers have come in. Well, if you knew, in advance, how long a home like yours typically takes to sell, then you probably would know not to worry.

It’s important that you start the process by understanding what to expect. What happens when your home is first listed? How are buyers scheduled to see your property? What happens when an offer comes in?

That’s why we will always review the selling process before you list and make sure all your questions are answered.

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Window Treatment Ideas that Help Sell Your Home

If you’re selling your Calgary home in the near future, your window treatments – curtains, blinds, etc. – will often be included with the property. They are an important selling feature. So, when a prospective buyer views your home, looks at the front window with its gorgeous draperies, and says, “Wow!”, that’s a good thing.

If you’re thinking of upgrading your window treatments in preparation for selling, here are a few ideas:

• Buyers love to see vertical blinds on sliding patio doors. Installing these is a DIY-friendly project.

• You may have a window that, for whatever reason, doesn’t need a curtain or blind. That’s fine. But, if you want to dress it up, consider a nice-looking valance.

• If you have a window that looks dark, heavy or otherwise “over curtained”, strip it down.

• Removing an inner curtain, for example, can dramatically lighten up the window as well as the entire room.

• Replace any worn or stained curtains. There are many affordable, mid-quality curtains available that look terrific. Alternatively, try sending stained curtains to the cleaners.

Window coverings may seem minor when preparing your home for sale, but they make a difference in how your home looks overall.

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Beware of “The Dip” When Setting Goals

If you’ve ever run a marathon or watched one, you’ve probably noticed that no one quits at the beginning. They don’t quit near the end either. If anything, they run faster! So, at what point are people most likely to drop out?

The middle.

The middle is the toughest part of any marathon or, indeed, anything major you want to accomplish. In his book, The Dip, author Seth Godin states that the middle is the point in any project or goal where failure is most likely.

Have you set a new year’s goal? If so, beware of the dip! 

How do you do that? Prepare for it.

If you want to lose weight, for example, you’ll be most enthusiastic, and get the most encouragement from friends and family in January. But, what happens in March? At that point, the initial burst of motivation and support will have likely waned. That’s when it becomes tough to keep going.

There are several things you can do to get through the dip. One is to celebrate milestones. When you’re halfway to your goal, tell your friends and family. Get some high fives! You can also remind yourself that your goal is important to you and renew your determination to achieve it.

So don’t give up in the middle. Keep pushing through. After all, when the end is in sight, it will be a wonderful sight to behold.

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