About Halifax, NS

How to sell real estate to kids....

It has always been the assumption that Spring/Summer is the best time to put your house on the market. When looking quickly at the statistics for the most recent 12 months it's easy to make that assumption but I'm always wondering about the probabilites so I took a different look at them. December demonstrates the higher probability of selling than any other time of the year with October and November showing as high as June and August. Ironically, the Spring was the worst time to sell. I"m curious to know if this has always been the case or if like the weather, it's not as predictible as it once was.

I've been writing a little lately about my professional advice vs personal preferences when it comes to owning an average house in an average price point. Even though I know what the majority of potential home buyers are looking for or expecting but I just can't help but wonder why. For example, Granite or marble counter tops.

They are so veryexpensive, beautiful yes, but expensive. What concerns me further is that everyone I speak to who has owned granite or marble counter tops talk about how difficult they are to keep. I don't know personally because I've never owned a home with them but come on, it's a counter top! I'm like everyone else with a busy life, kids, work. Who has the time or inclination for maintenance of a counter top?

Also, what happens when the style or color trend changes? I see some counters where the natural design is sometimes "busy" and I can predict a design change will require replacement in just a few years. That's just not a chance I'm willing to take given the expense.

Again, check out your local supplier for the latest in laminate counter tops. I just replaced my counter top a month ago and at first glance you can't tell that it's not granite. The finish on it is new is much better quality than previously found on the market. And here's another confession, I don't fear cutting a sandwich on my counter and when the design trend changes so will my counter top, very easily and without the high expense.

I have to confess that my upbringing in a time of restraint and reasonable expectations of a standard of living influences my point of view. I didn't grow up with highend products in a home nor did any of my friends. I happen to know as well that we were the majority that didn't live in homes that look like they should be in a magazine. So here's another confession... I prefer carpet.

What's the problem with carpet? I've researched carpets because of allergy sensitivities. I found that carpets keep the dust from being air born unlike hardwood or ceramic floors. Doesn't that make sense? Vacuum regularly with a central vac, vacuum cleaner with a hepa filter or a Dyson and voila, no airborne dust particles and minimized dust mites. Am I crazy or does anyone remember the soft feel beneath their feet, warmth during cold winters, no fear from slips and falls and preventing breakables to, well, break. There is such a variety of carpet products available today that it's quite possible every concern is addressed. Give yourself a little time to go into your local supplier and get re-educated on carpet because above all else the price of carpet and installation is far less than hardwood floors.

So if you're in that dilemma of having to update your flooring and can't afford hardwood floors, my confession? For a busy family home with young children, I'd choose today's laminate or carpet over hardwood any day