Bill McNally

Top Turn Offs for Home Buyers.
by Bill and Lia McNally, real estate sales reps.

We’ve shown hundreds of homes to all sorts of clients in the Halton Hills area and we’ve come to notice what people like and don’t like. Use our list of don’ts to make sure you’re not turning would be buyers off when it comes time to sell your house.

Odors. First impressions count and if a prospective buyer is knocked over by an offensive odor you can bet theirs won’t be good. Stale cigarette smoke, litter boxes, dogs and strong cooking can all cause buyers to turn their noses up at your house. Because you may not even be aware of how your home smells, you may want to ask a neighbor or friend for their HONEST opinion. To remedy the problem you should refrain from trying to mask odors with air fresheners. It doesn’t work! Instead, try getting the carpets cleaned and washing odor trapping fabrics, like bedding, upholstery and drapes. Smoke outside your home, arrange for pets to be elsewhere while you are trying to sell, clean out the litter box every day, and refrain from cooking strong smelling dishes. If you really want to go the extra mile, fill your home with smells that are sure to delight by baking cookies or a fresh loaf of bread.

Neglecting minor repairs. If you haven’t changed burnt out light bulbs or fixed that leaky tap, buyers may begin to thing that you may have neglected the larger things as well. Before you list your home, make sure you tackle all these little jobs. Often they can all be taken care of in less than a day.

Dirty, scuffed walls and old chipped paint. Painting your home in neutral colours is one of the least expensive ways to freshen things up. Don’t forget baseboards and doors. Most often, painting your home will result in your home selling more quickly and for more money. It’s well worth the effort! We can recommend a great painter in the Halton Hills area who provides fast, professional service.

Not cleaning well enough. If your home is dirty and unkept for a SHOWINGS, the prospective buyer will often wonder what your home looks like on a regular day. Don’t let their minds wander down that path. Make sure your home sparkles. Don’t forget closets, basements and garages too.

Too hot or too cold. No one wants to step into a sweltering house on a hot summer day. Luckily, this is an easy one to take care of. Make your home more inviting and comfortable by selecting the right temperature for the season. If its winter and you have gas fireplace, now would be the perfect time to showcase it.

Unkept yards. Landscaping should not be overlooked when it comes to preparing your house for sale. Buyers really notice if your lawn is overgrown and littered with garbage. Take the time to make the outside of your home look presentable.

Family pictures, knick-knacks. Buyers like the clean, uncluttered look. Achieve it by packing up all these items. Just think- you’ll have to pack them anyways, why not get a head start?

About us- Bill & Lia McNally. We’re an energetic and highly productive spousal team committed to building our business through the referrals of satisfied clients. We’ve consistently been among the top performing agents at Johnson Associates making us the logical choice when it comes to listing your home. Call now for a free market evaluation on your home or if you have any real estate questions. No obligation.

www.willsell.ca

"It's worth the drive to Acton." That's a well known saying about Acton, the community immediately next to Georgetown. Acton certainly draws people its famous leather store, the Old Hide House, and Acton has all the amenities you need for the perfect small-town lifestyle.

Acton, a town of fewer than 12,000 people, is actually the smaller part of the bigger municipality of Halton Hills. It's just 72 kilometers west of Toronto and has easy access to the big city via Toronto's suburban train network, at the Georgetown station, or the GO bus network. Although the town is growing quickly, as city residents seek lower-cost housing and a quieter setting, Acton has long thrived as a commercial, industrial, and residential core in its own right. It was founded in 1823 as a mill town and grew quickly toward the end of the 19th century. Many of the stately buildings that bring so much charm to Acton's streets date back to this period.

Downtown Acton also has action. The Leathertown Festival, for example, fills the downtown thoroughfares with street theater, concerts, and vendors selling unique goods. The Harvest Festival, in Georgetown, on the other hand, salutes the end of summer as farmers and craft merchants show off their wares. The town also has abundance of arts activities. Arts Alive has long brought rich culture to the town through dance, music, and comedy shows at the John Elliott Theatre and the Cultural Centre Gallery located in nearby Georgetown (just minutes away).

Acton is set apart with several natural amenities. close at hand is the famous Bruce Trail that passes through the Niagara Escarpment. The trail, combined with the Credit River Valley, will give you ample of opportunities to enjoy horseback riding, hiking, cross-country skiing, cycling, and fishing. In many ways, Acton offers the best of rural and urban living. The country is at your doorstep, but you're always close to stores and services in town or in the big cities of the Greater Toronto Area and Toronto itself.

Why use a Buyer Agent in Halton Hills?

By Lia and Bill McNally

When you decide the time is right to start looking for real estate in Halton Hills, choosing the right buyer agent to have on your side is the first logical step. While there are different ways to be represented during a real estate transaction, none offers the benefits of having a buyer agent. This is the only arrangement in which your interests are put first.

What is a Buyer Agency? A buyer agency is an arrangement between a real estate brokerage and a prospective buyer for the purpose of finding a home. All real estate contracts are between the brokerage in which the salesperson is an employed and you, the client. Usually you will both sign a contract for a specific time frame. Your brokerage (represented by the particular agent you select) agrees to assist you in:

-Finding properties that meet your search criteria.

-Preparing a comparative market analysis to ensure you make fully informed decisions so you can take appropriate actions.

-Accurately preparing offers and other documents.

-Negotiations and helping to devise strategies to advance your interests.

-Getting the best possible price and the best possible terms.

-Dealing with mortgage lenders, home inspectors and other professionals.

-Preparing amendments, notices and other forms related to the agreement.

When you sign the buyer representation agreement you agree to:

-Work exclusively with the one particular brokerage.

-Advise the brokerage of any properties you are interested in.

-Not hold the brokerage accountable for any property defects or for failing to show you every home, as it is often not feasible.

Who Pays? In the majority of transactions the seller pays the buyer agent and the buyer pays nothing. There are a few unique situations in which you could be responsible for paying commission. The agent you select will go over them before you sign any documents.

Why not Approach the Selling Agent Directly? You can do this but you must remember that the Agent owes certain duties to the seller. If you agree to be represented by the selling agent as a customer, keep in mind that the agent is obligated to disclose any information he/she finds out about you. So, if you tell the agent how high you are willing to go to buy the house, they have to relay this information to the seller. This puts you at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to negotiations.

If you choose to be represented by the selling agent as a client, the agent owes both you and the buyer the same duties, therefore his/her loyalties are split between you both. The agent will be focusing more on coming to a mutual agreement, rather than trying to get you the absolute best terms.

Bill and Lia McNally of Johnson Associates offer buyer representation services. Each of their clients receives premium customer service. Their business is referral based, so you can be sure they'll go the extra distance to ensure you'll be singing their praises long after you've settled into your new house. Call them at 905-877-5165 if you're ready to shop or if you'd like more information at no obligation.

www.willsell.ca

Acton, Ontario from Past to Present

By Lia and Bill McNally

In 1844 Acton was a settlement originally known as both Danville and Adamville. When Acton was amalgamated in 1873 into a village, it was home to a little over 700 residents. The Adam's brothers were the founding settlers and they named many of the town's streets after members of their family. In fact, Zenas Adam's home, which is now over 150 years old, still stands on the corner of Main and Church Street East.

Back then the largest employer in Acton was the Beardmore Tannery which opened its doors for business in 1865. At the beginning of the 20^th century it had a combined floor space of almost a million square feet.

Today, Acton pays tribute to its rich heritage by taking the name Leathertown, made known by its famous retailer, The Olde Hide House. The old building, which is home to the store, was originally used as a warehouse to store Beardmore tannery's tanned hides waiting to be shipped out, by train.

The Olde Hide House's famous advertising tagline "It's worth the drive to Acton" may elicit exasperation from Acton residents simply due to its repetition, but one step inside the grand building and its hard to deny how true it rings. The massive brick and beamed building has been thoughtfully restored to reflect a century of history. An impressive selection of leather goods including high quality furniture and garments draws visitors from all over Ontario.

Now home to 8000 residents, Acton offers numerous annual events that celebrate small town living. The widely attended Acton Fall Fair has been a September tradition for more than 93 years. Church Bazaars are also customary in the fall and the downtown Leathertown Festival is celebrating its 14^th year in August. The Leathertown festival offers a taste of what Acton has to offer by way of culinary delights, various groups and businesses, and even local talent. The Truck Sale, basically a community garage sale, runs every Saturday morning from May to October.

www.willsell.ca