The Principles of Pricing

Pricing your home correctly is critical to a successful sale as it will help your home sell faster and for top dollar. Determining a home's asking price involves comparing similar homes that have recently sold while also investigating local market trends. In the end, the market will determine your selling price so it's critical you do your research upfront.

Start by evaluating the recent sales in your area that are similar in square footage and age. You'll also want to examine the number of bedrooms & bathrooms, the home's condition and other issues like surrounding houses (ie. is it the biggest house on the street). Don't forget to consider homes which have recently expired as well as those that are currently for sale.

Some people believe it's okay to list a home at a higher price because they can always reduce it later on; however, this often backfires as the home will develop a stigma if it sits on the market too long. A huge buzz is created when a new property hits the market but if it sits there, it will quickly lose its appeal and become stale. "How long has it been on the market?" is one of the first questions buyers ask. If it's been a while, they won't feel the need to make an offer right away. If on the other hand it's just been listed, there's a sense of urgency!

It's a common belief that sellers don't have anything to lose by overpricing their home as they won't lose out on any offers as they feel buyers will just offer what they feel is fair. This however isn't always the case since many buyers are hesitant to attach their name to a low offer as they don't want to insult the seller. Many buyers are intimidated by the negotiating process and feel they'll be wasting everyone's time with an offer that's so far off the asking price.

Timing is also a key issue. The Spring and Fall are traditionally the best times of year to sell so overpricing your home and having it sit on the market may mean you miss out on the peak time of year. Furthermore, carrying costs such as insurance, taxes and utilities will quickly build up if you get stuck carrying two homes at once.

Having your property sit on the market is also inconvenient as you'll need to keep it ultra clean for potential buyers who will want to come and see it on a moment's notice. Overpricing your property may also mean you unintentionally help your competition as buyers will see other homes in your area as better deals since they're less expensive. If you price your home at market value, those same buyers will consider your home more seriously.

Setting an asking price isn't an exact science and market factors (buyer or seller markets) make a huge difference so make sure you do your research ahead of time so you're able to best estimate a competitive asking price. The best case scenario when listing your home is that it sells quickly and for top dollar. To achieve this ideal scenario, make sure you don't overprice your home.

Fall 'Fix-Ups' For Your Home

Regularly maintaining your property helps to protect your most important investment. It's also much more cost effective to pro-actively fix problems before they occur rather once they're past the point of no return. Regular maintenance should be part of your routine so this year be organized with a Fall home maintenance checklist that includes the following:

• Oil door hinges to stop them from squeaking.
• Inspect your locks to make sure they're operating properly.
• Test and clean your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
• Remove any birds nests from electrical areas as they present fire hazards.
• Replace your furnace filter. They need to be replaced regularly and the Fall's a great time to do it.
• Check the weatherstripping on your windows and doors so warm air doesn't escape.
• Have your furnace serviced as it will increase its efficiency which will save you money.
• Clean leaves from gutters and test the downspout with a hose.
• Ensure water doesn't pool around your home as it can damage your foundation.
• Check your home's exterior for any holes that rodents could use to gain entry.

Performing these preventative maintenance tasks will help ensure small problems don't turn into big headaches that need to be professionally attended to on short notice. Just a little bit of time and planning will help you maintain your home's value. You'll also keep your monthly costs down as your home will be more efficient.

Today's Tip For Greener Living

The cost of gas is soaring at an out of control rate like we've never seen before but there are many simple tricks that will help you maximize your car's fuel efficiency. Follow this advice and you'll not only save money but you'll also be doing your bit for the environment. Here are a few great tips that will help you guzzle less gas and pocket more cash at the pump:

• Don't idle as it unnecessarily wastes fuel.
• Keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure.
• Don't constantly jam on your brakes and then rapidly accelerate.
• Regular tune-ups save gas by making your car more efficient.
• Carpooling every so often will make a huge difference to your fuel costs.
• Slow down - speeding increases fuel consumption by as much as 50%.
• Aside from being great for your car, regular tune-ups save gas by making your car more efficient.
• Remove unnecessary items from your car as the extra weight will reduce fuel efficiency.

The best way to cut back on fuel is to reduce the amount of time you drive so next time you're about to climb into the car and start the engine, ask yourself if you can just walk there instead. You'll save a lot of money by cutting out unnecessary trips and even better, your heart will thank you for the extra exercise!

Top Five Costly Home Buyer Mistakes

Aside from being a huge financial decision, buying a home is an emotional roller coaster. It's easy to make mistakes when you're swept up in the excitement of it all. There are many common buyer errors to be aware of - here are just a few to look out for:

1. Location, Location, Location - Determining the location that best suits your family's lifestyle is critical. Make sure you consider things like public transportation, schools, proximity to stores and crime rates. It's also important to plan ahead so if you hope to start a family in your new home, consider features like local parks and school zones even though they're not an immediate priority.
2. Choosing the Wrong Home - It's so easy to be taken in by a home's curb appeal but if it doesn't have that critical third bedroom, walk away! Buyers also get caught up in a home's beautiful furniture and decor only to realize on closing that when the stylish furniture's gone, only chipped and faded paint remains. You need to be aware of the features that fit your family's lifestyle before looking at homes, so make a list and stick to it.
3. Buying a Home that's Too Expensive - Buyers will often look at homes that are way out of their price range which they obviously fall in love with. Because they've overextended themselves, they're often forced to sell - usually at a loss. Avoid the temptation by ensuring you only view homes you know you're able to afford.
4. Not Getting a Home Inspection - Getting a home inspection is money well spent. Just because you've viewed the home for an hour doesn't mean all is well behind the scenes. Making an offer contingent on a home inspection ensures there aren't any nasty surprises lurking in the basement or attic that could end up costing you thousands of dollars.
5. Being Too Cautious - The house you've fallen in love with today could be sold tomorrow if you don't move quickly. Avoid this regret by doing your research ahead of time so you're confident enough to act swiftly when the time comes. Always get a mortgage pre-approval beforehand and take advantage of the services offered by your Realtor such as estimating the home's value by comparing it to others that have recently sold.

As buying a home is a very emotional experience, it's important to stay grounded so you don't make any errors that will cause you to second guess your purchase. To avoid these regrets at a later date, make sure you conduct your research ahead of time, know what features you're looking for in a home and be prepared to make a strong offer when the time's right.

How to Slash Your Grocery Bill

If you're like most people, you tend to wander around the grocery store spontaneously adding hoards of unnecessary items to your cart. It's easy to go over budget if you're not careful so read on to learn how a few smart choices can save you thousands of dollars off your grocery bill each year!

• Do you have loads of food but nothing to make dinner with? Planning your meals ahead of time will help you avoid this problem. A list will also help you avoid impulse purchases.
• Never shop when you're hungry as you'll end up purchasing additional items you wouldn't normally buy such as delicious looking desserts.
• Leave the kids at home as they always find ways to sneak extra items into the cart and can distract you from working out the best deals.
• Don't be enticed by the items on display at eye level. Higher and lower level shelves are where the cheaper products are placed.
• Make sure to compare unit prices to determine whether or not they're cheaper. The unit price is usually calculated under the main price - bigger isn't always better!
• Try to buy large quantities when they're on sale as long as you can use them by the expiration date. Purchasing a second freezer will pay for itself in no time.
• Don't forget to keep your coupons clipped to your shopping list or in your wallet. There's nothing more frustrating than realizing you've left them at home.

Lots of us are feeling the pinch due to rising food costs so now's a great time to change our shopping habits. By incorporating just two or three of these tips, you'll notice a substantial difference in your grocery bills. It adds up quickly - a weekly savings of $50 amounts to a staggering $2,600 a year!

Today's Tip For A Greener Life

No, it's not your imagination - it definitely is getting hotter. The eight warmest years on record occurred over the past decade. But staying cool this summer doesn't necessarily mean you have to pay a fortune to keep the air-conditioning running day and night. Here are 10 tips - most costing less than $25 - that will keep you comfortable and cut the typical $1,000 cooling bill by as much as half. What's needed to get the temperature to drop? Only a little time and a few changes in your routine. Tip: Use Sunblockers As much as 20% of summer heat enters your home as sunlight shining through windows. To cut "solar gain," add curtains or blinds to rooms that get direct sun and draw them in daylight hours. With the shades drawn, a well-insulated house will gain only 1 degree per hour when outdoor temperatures are above 85 degrees. Pay special attention to west-facing rooms late in the day. Shades and blinds to consider include roller shades (the least expensive option), venetian-type micro-blinds, reflective curtains and insulated curtains (the most expensive, at $100 per window). Cost: $8 to $100 per window Benefit: Up to 20% of your cooling bill Source: David Dobbs, This Old House

The Smooth Move

Although moving can be an exciting life change, it can also be a very stressful event. To ensure things go smoothly, start a detailed checklist at least two months before your actual move as the more organized you are, the easier it will be. Here are a few points to keep in mind: Two Months Before

• Make a complete inventory of all the major items you'll be moving.
• Get some estimates and book the movers. You may also want to start sucking up to friends and family for help!
• Moving is a great time to get rid of clutter; you know, the stuff you forgot you even had! Don't make the mistake of hauling it to your new home. Instead, have a garage sale or donate it to charity.

One Month Before

• Update your insurance, medical and school records to your new location. You can speak to a Signature Diane Turton, Realtors insurance consultant by calling 1.800.854.8002 or emailing signatureinsurance@dianeturton.com.
• Arrange to disconnect and reconnect utilities and telephone/Internet services.
• This is a good time to start tackling the administrative details. Change your address with the post office and email friends and relatives with your new contact details.

A Few Weeks Before

• Plan meals so all the food in your fridge and freezer gets used up.
• Start getting boxes and packing materials together.
• Pack items you don't regularly use such as books and games.- Arrange for someone to look after your pets on moving day.
• Return library books and DVD materials.

The Final Week

• Water your plants a couple of days before you move.
• Start packing up your belongings and make sure to clearly label the fragile items.
• Gather together all your personal items such as legal documents, photos and other valuables and transport them yourself for safe keeping.
• Label a box of items you'll need for the first few nights. The last thing you'll want to do when you get to your new home is hunt for your toothbrush.

Day of the Move

• Double check the movers have your new address as well as your cell phone number.
• Unscrew light bulbs from all your lamps.- Make sure you have your new keys.
• Have lots of refreshments on hand for your busy helpers!

During a move, you may experience emotions ranging from deep sadness to extreme excitement. Although moving can seem like a daunting task, being prepared and organized will save you a lot of stress. With the help of the above checklist, you can now breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy this exciting new phase of your life!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

If you have young children, flying has likely taken on a whole new meaning and fun probably isn't the word that springs to mind! Having an enjoyable flight with little ones in tow means being prepared and staying relaxed, so read on for some ideas on how to do just that.

Get All the Info - When you book your ticket, ensure you have all the necessary information such as whether or not a car seat's required and if so, what kind. Also, ask about policies regarding strollers and if they can be gate checked. Finally, reserve the bulkhead seats if you're traveling with an infant and ask if they have a baby bed you can use.

How Much Stuff?! - Before you leave, make sure each child has their own backpack to take some of the pressure off yourself. Bring more of everything including snacks, sticker books, crayons, toys and a change of clothes in case your flight's delayed. Put diapers and wipes in a separate bag so you won't have to lug your entire backpack to the bathroom.

Get a Move On - One effective strategy for coping with the confined space during the flight is to keep your children moving from the moment you get to the airport right up until you board the plane. They'll burn up lots of energy which will keep them from kicking the poor person's chair in front of you.

Fasten Your Seatbelts - Once you've boarded the plane, put some items in the seat pockets so you're able to reach them in case there's a period of turbulence and you're unable to access the overhead compartment. A familiar blanket or stuffed toy will also come in handy if your child becomes frightened. Don't forget to give the little ones a drink to relieve ear pressure during take off and landing.

Despite the faster pace of life that goes along with parenthood, it takes so much longer to do anything with kids in tow so leave lots of extra time. Although you may think you'll have an eternity at the airport with check-in, snack time, bathroom breaks and other activities, it'll be time to board before you know it. Keep a cool head, breathe deeply and you're sure to enjoy a smooth, fun ride!

The Perfect Picnic

With the warm weather upon us, why not spend a day with friends and family enjoying some outdoor fun! Local parks and nature areas offer picnic shelters which usually include a covered area, picnic tables and grilling equipment. One of the hardest parts of organizing a picnic is remembering everything so make a checklist which should include:

• food, drinks & condiments
• plates, cups & paper towel
• seating & serving utensils
• a cooler with lots of ice
• BBQ equipment
• garbage bags for clean-up & ziploc bags for leftovers
• blankets and/or chairs and lots of games

Parks and other natural areas offer a great opportunity for children to have fun exploring and most will have all the amenities required to host a great event but make sure to reserve ahead of time just to be sure. If you're throwing a children's birthday party you could even plan a nature activity or treasure hunt for the younger ones. Remember your checklist and have fun!