Outdated Plumbing and what to look for when buying an older home.....

When you’re buying a home, there are a lot of factors to consider. Too often buyers get caught up in the granite countertops and hardwood floors, and forget to think about what’s beneath the surface.

 Once you're working with a Realtor, it may not be long before you find a property you’re interested in. Before making an offer there are some steps you should take. First, it’s a good idea to ask your representative to look into not only the age, but of the home’s systems and find out if there have been any upgrades. If the pipes both inside the house and running to the house have been replaced recently, there should be a record of it. Although lead pipes were phased out in the 1970s, lead solder was used to join pipes together until the late 1980s.

In older neighbourhoods the municipal pipes that bring water to the home could include lead as well. For example, in Toronto, most homes built after the mid-1950s receive their water from lead-free pipes. But in some cases only a licensed plumber will be able to find out for sure. Some older homes might also have a small main with a lower capacity. If you have to replace the line into the home anyway, you might consider increasing the capacity as well.

If you want to be absolutely sure that the water supply in a home is safe, testing the water is your best bet. Your real estate representative can ask the sellers to consent to a test, possibly as a condition of your offer. Then you can have peace of mind.

While you’re looking into the presence of lead plumbing, you should also try to determine whether the property has any galvanized steel water pipes. Galvanized steel corrodes undetectably from within and can become obstructed or leak suddenly after many years of use. As a result, some insurers require that galvanized steel pipes be replaced before they will issue an insurance policy.
Of course, the plumbing is just one part of the picture. A home’s electrical, foundation, heating, cooling and other systems are just as important. That’s why, when you make an offer on a property, you should always consider making it conditional on a satisfactory home inspection.  If you do not, you are accepting an element of risk.

Also, while it’s good that you’re concerned about what’s within the walls of the home, you shouldn’t forget to think about what’s outside the home too. When you buy a house you’re also buying a place in a community. Some places are lively, others are quiet. Some places are filled with kids while others are not. Visit the neighbourhood at different times of the day to see if it fits your lifestyle.
When it comes to buying a home, taking the time to consider each step is critical. Think carefully about what matters to you and don’t rush the process.

Contact me today for a complimentary Home Value Report or to find out how to get new home listings before they are on the public MLS system.

Curb Appeal not Only Helps Your Home Sell Faster, It Helps it Sell for More Money!

Curb appeal is that undefinable something that draws you to a home at a glance. It is a combination of visual charm, visibly good upkeep, attention paid to landscaping and, especially, an inviting entry.

If your home lacks curb appeal, many prospective buyers will reject it without looking further. You also may be unable to price it as high as an equivalent home with great exterior appeal.

‘Like a Picture’

In Zillow’s 2014 survey, real estate agents named curb appeal one of the five most important factors in selling a home.

Your house needs to be framed up: It needs to look like a picture when people pull up. They expect to see tasteful paint colors, well-trimmed grass, new bark, fresh flowers – the whole deal.

A small budget goes a long way, especially if you do some jobs yourself. Here are 18 ways to bump up your home’s curb appeal:

1. Bust Clutter

“Clutter,” of course, is in the eye of the beholder, so think of it this way: Buyers need to imagine your home as their own, with their possessions and their style. Go for a clean, streamlined look:

• Remove bikes, skateboards, trash cans, garden tools and other evidence of bustling family life.
• Circle the house with a big garbage can, tossing scraps of paper and plastic, branches, leaves, dog waste and anything else that doesn’t belong in the yard.
• Edit your home’s exterior. Eliminate all but a few carefully chosen pots and pieces of outdoor furniture.

2. Tour the Neighbourhood

Walk, bike or drive around your neighbourhood for inspiration. It’s useful to see what works in the homes surrounding yours; you’ll want it to fit nicely into the neighbourhood style.
Look for simple ideas you can replicate easily for landscaping, paint and plant colors, walkways and entries.

3. Freshen the Entry

• Clean the front door and give it a couple of coats of paint. Repair, replace or remove damaged screen or storm doors.
• Remove everything, including furniture and pots, from the porch, deck or entry and give the entire area a thorough cleaning. Include: decking or floor, around and above the door, rafters, railings, moldings and steps. Repaint or touch up where needed.
• Consider a new or custom front door to give the home a well-tended look. Polish metal knobs and fixtures. Place a big planted pot on each side of the front door.

4. Add Front Door Color

A bright note of contrasting color can bring a home’s front door to life. The trick is to choose colors that complement your home’s exterior landscaping and colors.
House Beautiful’s slide show offers ideas for contemporary paint color choices. Better Homes & Gardens explains how to choose a front door color that works with your home.

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5. Add Living Space Outdoors

If your porch, deck or garden allows, install furnishings that expand the home’s living space into the outdoors. Outdoor rooms are a trendy attraction for homebuyers. Suggestions: Add an inexpensive indoor-outdoor rug, a porch swing, deck furniture, mood lighting, dining or barbecuing areas or an outdoor bar.

6. Repaint the Exterior

Repainting the outside of your home isn’t a low-budget option. But if the home is ready for a paint job and you can swing it, boy, does a new coat of paint ever pump up the curb appeal. Use your neighbourhood tour to research colors and shades that appeal to you and fit in with neighbors’ homes. If you see a paint color you like, ask the homeowner for the color name and brand.

7. Paint Trim

If you can’t paint the entire home, paint the trim – or just the window trim – in an accent color for plenty of pop.

8. Replace Entry Fixtures

It’s amazing how new exterior light fixtures can update a home. The old fixtures may seem dated and unappealing to a buyer.

While you’re at it, replace the house numbers, the entry door lock set and front-door mailbox with new ones in the same style. Brushed nickel gives a contemporary look, while an oiled bronze finish works well in traditional homes.

9. Power Wash

Rent a power washer if you don’t own one and clean decks, carport and pavement. If you can’t repaint, use a power washer carefully to clean and brighten the home’s siding. Power washers can damage wood if used incorrectly, so get instructions from your rental company.

10. Clean & Repair Paving

Patch and repair concrete and asphalt paving. Apply a new coat of sealer to asphalt. Spread a fresh layer of gravel on gravel drive and paths.

11. Clean the Windows

Have windows cleaned or do it yourself, but don’t put your home on the market without sparkling windows, inside and out.

12. Clean & Repair the Roof

If your roof has moss, weeds or mold, clean it until it looks great from the street. Replace missing or broken shakes or tiles. Clean the gutters.

13. Mow, Weed & Trim

Keep the lawn carefully mowed. Spend a weekend shaping, pruning and cutting back overgrown shrubs. Mow neglected and overgrown areas. Prune trees and remove limbs hanging over the house. Weed gardens thoroughly and cover beds in mulch or compost.

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14. Add High-Impact Landscaping

Tasteful landscaping can define a home’s exterior. Better Homes & Gardens says, in a slide show on boosting curb appeal, “Surround a walkway with midsize shrubs and flowers; passers-by will notice plant groupings more than individual flowers, making greater streetside impact.”

Also, get instant results by installing a few trees in pots to fill holes or bare spots in the landscaping. Frame the front door or entrance with symmetrical pots holding small trees or medium-sized perennial plants. If your budget is limited, concentrate your purchases on buying plants to create a beautiful entrance.

15. Improve the Lawn

It’s hard to make a home look great when the lawn is weedy or sickly. Boost your lawn’s health:

• Fertilize with compost or a spare application of commercial fertilizer.
• Set mower blades high.
• Keep the mower well maintained and the blades sharp.
• Water once or twice a week, a total of an inch a week, in the early morning.
• Let clippings fall onto the lawn for nourishment.
• Replace the lawn with new sod if the damage is intensive.

16. Shrink the Lawn

Homebuyers today are all about low maintenance. Reduce the maintenance and the water bill by removing a section of lawn and replacing it with drought-tolerant landscaping.
Create new garden beds filled with low-water plantings, stone pavers and gravel paths. Another low-maintenance amenity sure to prove attractive to buyers: Install an irrigation system.

17. Install Outdoor Lighting

Path lighting is an inexpensive, high-impact upgrade. You can install it yourself. Use a low-voltage outdoor system or skip the wiring altogether and use individual solar path lights. The solar lights are less bright but path lighting doesn’t require blazing light, only visual cues for safety and attractiveness.
Another lighting upgrade: Replace or add lighting fixtures on the home or garage exterior. Again, skip glaring floodlights. They can be blinding, creating a hazard.

18. Edge the Garden

Adding a border or edging to paths and garden beds gives landscaping a clean, professional appearance and adds to curb appeal. You have a choice of many materials, including stone, concrete, manufactured stone, wood, brick and metal edging. Be wary of plastic edging. It can look cheap and flimsy, turning off buyers.

Contact me today for a complimentary Home Value Report.

Top 10 Red Flags for Homebuyers

 

Sellers don't always disclose the whole truth to potential homebuyers, especially if they're eager to sell (or "motivated" in real estate lingo). But you can't afford to get a professional inspection of every house you tour. So before you spring for the pro, narrow down your choices by doing your own pre-inspection to spot potential problems.

 

 

1. Mass Exodus From the Neighbourhood
   Don't let a home's curb appeal keep you from glancing down the street. Are there several other homes for sale? Are nearby businesses boarded up or vandalized? Get the scoop from the neighbours. If everyone else wants to leave the street, maybe you should, too. Just do it before you're stuck with a bad investment.
   How to choose a neighbourhood
2. Mediocre Maintenance
   Three layers of roofing and gutters with plants growing in them are signs the owners aren't big on maintaining their home. What else did they neglect?
      
3. Foundation Failures
   Check out the yard grading. If the yard slopes toward the house, it could cause water to run down the foundation walls or into the basement, which will be costly to repair. Scour the foundation for damage. Bulges or cracks bigger than one-third inch can mean the house has serious structural issues.
      
4. Bad Smells (Inside or Outside)
   Take a big whiff of the air inside and outside the house. Do you smell anything funky? If you can't smell anything but the huge baskets of potpourri all over the house, this could be a red flag.
      
5. Faulty or Old Wiring
   While you're probably not an electrician, make sure all the switches and outlets in the house function properly. Flickering lights, circuits that don't work and warm or hot outlets or faceplates are all symptoms of wiring problems.
      
6. Fresh Paint on One Wall
   New paint can really spruce up drab walls, but it can also hide bigger problems, like water damage, mildew or mold. If the room smells strange or if you see stains or saggy walls or ceilings, have an inspector look for mold and leaks.
      
7. Locked Doors and Blockades
   Ask about any rooms that are "off limits" during your home tour, and arrange to see them later if you're interested in the house.
      
8. Foggy or Nonfunctioning Windows
   Check for water in between double-paned windows and make sure all the windows are functional.
      
9. Structural Walls or Floors Have Been Removed
   Sure you love the open floor plan, but was the house always open or did the homeowners renovate? If they removed a load-bearing wall without adjusting the framing, it can shift weight to other parts of the house. Hire a structural engineer if you think any renovations are questionable.
      
10. Bugs!
    No one wants a house with a pest problem, be it roaches, mice or, worst of all, termites. Be on the lookout for unwelcome creatures as you tour the house. Even if no foes pop out while you're there, consider a separate termite inspection if you're thinking of purchasing the property.

BOTTOM LINE: Always get a professional inspection

 Yeah, it's a little expensive, but it's worth every penny. Skipping a home inspection is not a good way to cut homebuying costs. You'll end up paying more in the long run when problems inevitably arise.

Contact me today for a complimentary Home Value Report or to find out how you can see new homes listed for sale before they hit the public MLS system!

5 Ways to Maximize Space in a Small Kitchen

Optimizing Your Small Kitchen to Reach Its Potential

Small kitchens can be difficult to work in, especially when you need to cook meals for families or host parties. You need everything to be accessible, and you don’t want to be squeezing past others as you’re preparing meals. You’d like a bigger space, but the cost of a complete kitchen remodel might not be in your budget. So how do you compromise?

The answer: small kitchens can be bigger if you’re willing to make adjustments and downsize in a few areas. Here are some recommendations for optimizing your small kitchen space so everyone can cook without compromise:

Create more storage space

To make sure all of your spices, herbs and dinnerware are easily accessible in a small area, optimize your cabinets by installing lazy susans and pull-out shelves. That way you can easily roll them out without having to be right in front of the cabinet, and you’ll have more room for storage than just what you can reach in the cabinet with your hands. It’s quick, efficient and doesn’t require installing new cabinets.


Install built-in cabinets


To save on space around the kitchen and avoid hitting your head, built-in cabinets are an effective storage option. They are long and tall, but they’ll be a bit thinner. A cabinet specialist can also cut out a space in the wall itself for additional shelving. That will maximize space while still optimizing for storage. Other built-in cabinet options include underneath the countertops, sink or an island. They should open up space for more storage rather than eliminate room.


Add more by decreasing sink size
Sinks are good for washing vegetables, meat, fruits and sometimes dishes. However, they don’t need to be as large as they often are when installed in kitchens, especially small ones. Consider replacing your large sink with a smaller one to save counter space. You will still have room in the sink to wash vegetables and meat, and there’s an even better appliances for washing dishes: a dishwasher.


Consider a pull-out countertop extension

image via Kopke Home Enhancement, Inc
If you need more countertop space for preparing meats, pastries or other dishes for dinner, it’s always possible to have a pull-out countertop installed underneath the edge of the counter to use when needed. That way you optimize the kitchen space while having the added luxury of more prep space. It will take a countertop professional to install this, but it won’t take them long or require being out of the kitchen like a remodel would.


Replace some appliances with their smaller counterparts

Large appliances—stoves, ovens, ranges, dishwashers, refrigerators—take up a good amount of space and can take away from other items living in a small kitchen. It might serve you better to replace some with smaller alternatives. If you don’t need to do dishes very often, it might be better to have a smaller dishwasher. If you don’t need a lot of groceries at any one time, consider a smaller refrigerator. The same applies if you don’t cook very often with stoves, ovens and ranges. One of the best options for microwaves is to install a built-in one above your range, which will save on countertop space without compromising on kitchen necessities.

Buying your first home can be like putting together a challenging puzzle.

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Buying your first home can be like putting together a challenging puzzle. In the beginning, there are so many pieces that you may not know where to start. But as you get informed, all of those seemingly small, yet critically important pieces of the home buying puzzle will begin to come together.
Here are three first-time homebuyer questions that you may not have yet considered.

Do I have to sign a buyer representation agreement?
The short answer is no. You don’t have to sign a buyer representation agreement (BRA) with a brokerage, but you should consider the benefits it offers you as a home buyer.

A BRA defines the relationship between the buyer (you) and the real estate brokerage you are working with, including the broker or salesperson. It sets out the property type and geographic location for your potential new home, lists the services to be provided, addresses the issue of commission that may be payable to the brokerage, and it also specifies the duration of the agreement.

Signing a BRA confirms in writing that you are a client of the brokerage and documents the terms and obligations of the brokerage-client relationship. As a client, the brokerage has a special responsibility to you, called fiduciary duty. This means your representative has a duty to follow your instructions, protect your confidential information and promote and protect your best interests.

To make the most of this relationship, it's important to identify your needs and expectations. Discuss what services you are looking for and determine whether the brokerage and the salesperson or broker you’ll be working with are the right match for you. To avoid misunderstandings later on, it's important not to make any assumptions and list all details in writing. You should also take time to ask what the broker or salesperson expects from you and what your obligations are.

If you’re not comfortable with the terms of the BRA, you can enter into a Buyer Customer Service Agreement with the brokerage. In this scenario, the obligations of the brokerage are different. The brokerage will not have to promote and protect your best interests, but they will still be obligated to act fairly, honestly and with integrity and provide conscientious service. Keep in mind, a brokerage can choose to decline your business if you choose not to enter into a BRA.

As with any legal contract, take the time to read and understand each clause of the BRA. If you’re unsure about something, ask questions or consider seeking legal advice before signing. You must understand that with the rights that come with any agreement, there are also obligations.

Do I have to be pre-approved for financing to put in an offer on a home?
Again, the quick answer is no – you don’t have to be pre-approved for financing to put an offer on a home. Getting a pre-approval for a mortgage is a good idea though, as it will let you know how much you qualify for and will help ensure that you are looking at properties that you can afford.

You don’t want to fall in love with a property, only to find out that it’s out of reach. One of the other benefits of pre-approval is that it may provide you more flexibility to move quickly when you do find the perfect home. Your registered real estate professional can be a good resource to help you budget not only for the purchase price of the home but all of the additional expenses that come with home ownership.

How do I know what government programs and rebates I qualify for?
There are several government initiatives available to help first-time home buyers. Eligibility for each program depends on a number of criteria, so it’s always a good idea to speak with your registered real estate professional to determine whether you qualify. Here are a few of the programs that may apply.

The Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) is a federal program that allows you, as a first-time homebuyer, to withdraw funds from your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) to help pay for the purchase of your home. Under the HBP, you can withdraw up to $25,000 to use towards the purchase. If your spouse also qualifies, they can also withdraw up to $25,000, for a total of up to $50,000.

You may have also heard of the First-time Home Buyers' Tax Credit (HBTC). This is a tax credit that you or your spouse may be able to claim on your annual income tax return. For details about your eligibility for either the HBP or the HBTC, visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca.

In Ontario, the provincial government collects a Land Transfer Tax. Depending on eligibility, you may receive a refund for part or all of the tax. To learn more, visit www.fin.gov.on.ca. Additionally, if you are buying a home in the City of Toronto, there is a Municipal Land Transfer Tax. To learn more about your eligibility for a rebate, visit www.toronto.ca.

As your home buying puzzle begins to take shape, don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek out more resources.

Contact me today to find out how I can help advise and guide you in your home purchase or even just to chat about the current real estate market.

Whether you like big yards or hip nightclubs, there's a community type that fits your lifestyle.

12 Kinds of Neighbourhoods

                                

 

1. Urban Core (Downtown)


Where to find it:
Downtown, the heart of major metros

What you can call home:
Aging single family homes and apartments, modern luxury lofts and condos converted from old warehouses and above businesses

Your Neighbours:
Ethnically diverse mix of young single professionals, low to middle income families and seniors

Why You'll Like It:
Affordable housing, eclectic mix of high-end and modest, close to nightlife and city attractions

Why You May Not:
Little to no public parking, typically has higher rate of crime, transients

______________________________________________________________________________

2. Urban Pioneer (Up-and-Coming)


Where to find it:
Near downtown and inner-ring suburbs

What you can call home:
Fixer uppers, older single family homes ranging in style from ranch to modern, garden-style apartment buildings

Your Neighbours:
Ethnically diverse mix of young singles and couples, recently divorced and single parents, aging retirees who have lived in the neighborhood for years, immigrants

Why You'll Like It:
Cheaper homes that are likely to increase in value, working-class sensibility, new development

Why You May Not:
Construction noise and eyesores, neighbors who can't renovate their homes

_______________________________________________________________________________

3. New Urban


Where to find it:
Near a business hub other than the city's main downtown

What you can call home:
New single family homes in retro styles, upscale apartments and condos, lofts above businesses

Your Neighbours:
Educated, affluent-to-middle income couples with no or few children, young single professionals

Why You'll Like It:
Close to work, shopping and nightlife

Why You May Not:
Too many hipsters, inflated home prices push some buyers out of the market

________________________________________________________________________________

4. Cul-de-sacs & Kids (Bedroom)


Where to find it:
Suburbs and new subdivisions

What you can call home:
Large single family homes with manicured lawns and finished basements, tract homes, newly built homes

Your Neighbours:
Middle-aged soccer moms and dads whose lives revolve around their children

Why You'll Like It:
Lots of curb appeal, playmates for your children, active neighbourhood associations

Why You May Not:
You're single or don't have children, not close to city hotspots

________________________________________________________________________________

5. Pedestrian


Where to find it:
Small pockets in major metros

What you can call home:
Cozy condos and apartments, lofts above businesses

Your Neighbours:
Hipsters and single professionals

Why You'll Like It:
You don't need a car to get what you need

Why You May Not:
Little to no parking, noise, density

________________________________________________________________________________

6. Historic


Where to find it:
Anywhere

What you can call home:
Large, well-preserved, older single family homes known for their architectural styles ranging from Victorian/Queen Anne to Colonial Revival

Your Neighbours:
Style-conscious middle-aged couples, aging adults who grew up in the neighborhood, home-improvement buffs

Why You'll Like It:
Lots of curb appeal, history and character

Why You May Not:
Stringent home maintenance and style requirements

_______________________________________________________________________________

7. Status/Destination


Where to find it:
In the hills or mountains, by water, behind gates

What you can call home:
Large, custom-built single family homes and McMansions on the lake, on the beach, with city views, in gated communities; plush penthouses and lofts in trendy, urban areas

Your Neighbours:
Affluent high-powered executives and wannabes, upper-middle income achievers, celebrities, millionaires

Why You'll Like It:
Status, exclusivity, privacy, security

Why You May Not:
Keeping up with the Jones is hard work

______________________________________________________________________________

8. Ethnic


Where to find it:
Near downtowns in major metros

What you can call home:
Small apartments, older single family homes

Your Neighbours:
Immigrants from a particular ethnicity, young couples, budget-conscious singles

Why You'll Like It:
Affordable housing, interesting cuisine and products

Why You May Not:
If you're not the same ethnicity, you may feel like an outsider

_______________________________________________________________________________

9. Active/Resort


Where to find it:
Sunbelt and coastal cities, in the desert, by water or in the mountains

What you can call home:
Large single-family homes in newer architectural styles, luxury cabins, upscale condos

Your Neighbours:
Affluent and active middle-aged adults and seniors

Why You'll Like It:
Outdoor activities to fit your lifestyle, tons of places to get a tan, go fishing or hiking

Why You May Not:
You're a couch potato

________________________________________________________________________________

10. Golf


Where to find it:
New subdivision surrounding a golf course

What you can call home:
Upscale single family homes and condos in mostly contemporary styles

Your Neighbours:
Families with young children, retirees, golf fanatics

Why You'll Like It:
You love golf, tons of amenities

Why You May Not:
You hate golf

________________________________________________________________________________

11. Retirement


Where to find it:
Sunbelt and coastal cities as well as in pockets of outlying areas from cities (mini subdivisions)

What you can call home:
Small, low-maintenance apartments and condos with all kinds of amenities

Your Neighbors:
Empty nesters, single seniors

Why You'll Like It:
Weather, organized activities and social events

Why You May Not:
You're young and single

_________________________________________________________________________________

12. Rural


Where to find it:
Miles from the city

What you can call home:
Custom-built homes with lots of acreage and room to grow

Your Neighbors:
Nature

Why You'll Like It:
Space and privacy

Why You May Not:
Far from everything

Average Home Sale Prices Continue to Increase in Kitchener - Waterloo

The average sale price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS® System increased 6.8 percent to $348,962 compared with June 2013. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $396,370 an increase of 6.4 percent compared to last year. Looking strictly at transactions within the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, the average sale price of a residential property increased a more modest 1.9% to $333,560 in June, and single detached homes increased 1.4% to $386,982 compared to the same month last year.



The number of sales through the MLS system in the area last month reached 714 units, representing an 8.8 percent increase over the same period last year, and the highest sales activity for the month of June since 2009.

On a year-to-date basis, home sales during the first half of 2014 totaled 3,398, a 3.2 percent decrease compared to last year, though in line with the previous 10-year average.

“The housing market in Kitchener-Waterloo and area continues to perform well,” says Lynn Bebenek President of the KWAR. “Home buying activity in the region is supported by low mortgage interest rates and the confidence consumers have in Waterloo region as a great place to put down roots.”

June’s sales included 490 single detached homes (up 14.2 % from last year) 120 condominium units (down 2.4 % from last year), 48 semi-detached (down 17.2 %) and 47 freehold townhouses (down 34.3 %).

Contact me today for a free Home Value Report to find out what your home is worth!

If You Are Selling Your House - Here is a List of 10 Things to Get Rid of First!

 

Here are 10 things you absolutely need to get rid of before you show your home:

 

1. Poorly maintained exterior: Remove weeds and dead shrubs. A bald lawn, peeling paint, broken concrete or an oil-stained driveway all give the message, whether right or wrong, that this is a home that has been neglected for a long time. Address these outdoor issues, or your potential homebuyer may not even get as far as the front door.

 

2. Odors: We often do not notice the lingering scent of cooked food, cigarette smoke, doggie odors, litter-box smells and even certain pungent foods wafting from the refrigerator in our own homes. The human olfactory sense can trigger a lot of reactions based on associations, and the first rule of home-selling is to create an environment where potential homebuyers can imagine themselves and their own families living. Be sure to have a professional deep-cleaning and deodorizing done; steam clean the flooring, change the baking soda in the fridge and remove pet bedding and litter boxes from the premises during home showings. Like the visuals, keep the smell of your house fresh and neutral.

3. Pets: Most pet owners enjoy other peoples' pets, but contrary to what the Internet leads us to believe, not everyone is a pet owner or pet lover. Some have pets, but they may have distinct preferences. The mastiff owner, for example, may hate chihuahuas and vice versa. Then there are also buyers with pet allergies and asthma or phobias about certain animals. It's best to keep your pets off the premises along with their paraphernalia when potential buyers come to call. Besides, you wouldn't want your boa getting loose by accident and causing a stir.

4. Tacky, worn, or extreme décor: The Addams family had a shark trophy on their drawing room wall with a leg hanging from its mouth. Visitors failed to appreciate the family's unique tastes. If you suspect that your wall hangings are controversial, pack them up to take to your next home before showing your house. If upholstery or rugs are badly worn or torn up by pets, remove the worst offending piece(s) and rearrange what's left. Typically, the less furniture you have, the bigger your rooms will look. The same goes for area rugs -- they tend to chop up the space.

5. Prescription drugs: These have been known to disappear from a homeowner's medicine cabinet during a busy open house. Real estate agents may not be able to keep track of every visitor, especially when they are talking to an interested potential home buyer. Lock up your medications.

6. Bills and other identifying personal documents: Like the unfortunate situation with drugs, anything with your personal information can be taken, or just viewed in passing and later used to steal your identity. Lock files and shred whatever you don't need to keep. Turn off computers when showing the house

7. Valuables or firearms: Make certain that you remove anything that you don't want broken, stolen or remembered for a return pick up when no one is home. If you own firearms or other weapons, keep them well out of sight and locked up, not displayed over your fireplace mantle.

8. Anything politically polarizing. If it's something that has stirred up controversy, it could upset potential buyers. Unless you are planning to sell only to someone who agrees with your strongly held beliefs, do not prominently display those viewpoints on refrigerator magnets, notes, reading materials or photographs -- including personal or autographed photos -- while you're trying to sell your house.

9. Clutter: Have a yard sale, post items on Craigslist and Facebook or give stuff away to your favorite local charity, but make sure you purge the house of excess. Whatever you cannot bear to part with -- but that takes up too much space in your home -- put in a storage unit or pod. Just make sure it's out of the house before you hang out the "for sale" sign.

10. You: Homeowners and their family members or friends should never be present during an open house. Remember, the buyers need to visualize your home as their own. Leave the sales pitch to the agent.

If you're offended that something of yours could be upsetting to potential buyers, chances are those are exactly the things you need to take out of the house before the first house-hunter arrives on your doorstep. Remember, the person who falls in love with your house does not have to fall in love with you.

Contact me today for a free Home Value Report or staging advice.