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10 - Real Estate: The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 5, 2006 Increase your profit potential with a clutter free showing So you're getting ready to put your house on the market. Naturally, you want to real ize the most value for your home. One of the best ways to do so is by putting your home's best face forward. This doesn't necessarily mean going to huge expense. Often you can improve the look of your home - and its profit potential - with a few minor cosmetic adjustments. What makes a house show well? Often it's the little things that add up to a successful sale. First off, be ruthless in your assessment of the pros and cons of your house. Try to look at your house with an unbiased eye. T\vo of the things that most prospective buy ers are looking for are space and evidence the property has been well maintained. You can accomplish both by reducing the clutter inside and outside your home. Outside, make sure that shrubbery is trimmed well back, and every window's view is bright and unobstructed. In the winter, ensure the walkways are shovelled and they're wide enough to allow easy navigation. In the fall, rake leaves every day. And in the summer, make sure you keep the garden well watered. Drooping plants and a shaggy, unkempt lawn can create the wrong impres sion. Bring the same energetic approach to reduce the clutter inside your home. Even if your home is small, creating the illusion of space can make a big difference in your home's resale value. Remember, in this case, less is more. Before people start trooping through your home, pack away anything that's very fragile or holds great sentimental value. As well, you might need to clear out some-furniture to help create that all-important illu sion of space. Perhaps you can even pack up just a few of the bigger, bulkier items first and arrange temporary storage at the in laws, the cottage or the office until the house is sold. Then it's easy to rearrange the remaining furniture to create a spacious and airy feeling, and allow for easy flow through of traffic during showings. While you're in the mood to 'clean up, why not tackle the clutter that's accumulat ed throughout the house? Tidy cupboards and other storage spaces in every room. A good rule of thumb is to get rid of anything that you haven't used in the past two years. Why not having a garage sale now, before it's time to pack up for moving day? Or gather up those still serviceable items and donate GARY REED Real Estate Matters them to charity. If you follow these suggestions, you can be sure that when the "For Sale" sign goes up you've increased the profit potential in your home. And before you know it, that "For Sale" sign will read "SOLD"! Gary Reed, broker/owner of Coldwell Banker Home and Family Realty has 19 years Real Estate experience and is #4 for Coldwell Banker Canada. He can be reached at 905-825-7777. jj ' 8 0 S W fY R E A L E S T A T E L T D ., R E A L T O R www.bosleyrealestate.com oakvliie@bosieyrealestate.coni i , D onA bm a1 H eather Christensen' B ill Pinto' ^ N°5-94 George St. ^T h e Town&Square 1 of service SUPERB LOT IN OLDE OAKVILLE $1,045,000. Reno'd character home close to dwntwn midst prestige prop erties. 4 bdrms, new kit, 3 ensuites, spacious L/R + F/P, sunny deck. II acres . w e s t o a k t r a ils ; $371,000. Gorgeous M attam y "Southcreek" backing onto Greenspace with custom deck, Open concept kitchen/family rm. Huge m aster ; retreat w. luxurious ensuite. MLS 1072686 ENTERTAIN WITH PR ID E $2,995,000. Over 1/2 acre in Olde Oakville. Flooded w. light. Unique antique features for discriminating buyer. 5 bdrms. Sunken great room. 3 w/b F/Fs. ' $790,000. Beautiful custom home to be built just north of 401. Close to 3900 sq ft, 3 car garage, tailor your needs. Master Builder. Quality finishes. Live .large in a home you helped create. M L S#1069331 BR O N W ENC O C K C R O FT (905) 845-9350 bronwen@bosleyrealestate.com CAROL ROGERS (905) 845-9350 crogers@bosleyrealestate.coni JOETTE FIELDING (905) 845-9350 jjfielding@bosleyrealestate.com GILLIAN COCKCROFT (905) 845-9350 www.gilliancockcroft.com LAKEFRONT C O N D O . $284,900. Lovely 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Unit, New Kitchen, Newer Baths, Upgraded Broadloom, Private Balcony. Pics & V-Tour at www.DavidPapple.com. Call Today. - OLDE OAKVILLE $679,900. IN ONE DAY! "B m h , * Sales Repm entutive DAVID PAPPLE (905) 845-9350 www.DavidPappIe.com JOETTE FIELDING (905) 845-9350 www.joettefielding.com jfielding@bosleyrealestate.com. C O L D U ie U L I C e l e b r a t in g * B A N K 6R 0 BEST REAL ESTATE GfumcUer COUSINS $299,450 - EXECUTIVE SEMI in desirable Burlington area. End unit with exterior access to backyard. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. For complete details visit www.5123silvercreek.com On large 90 x 141 ft. lot in Burlington's Aldershot area. Beautiful perennial gardens, woodburning fireplace, hardwood floors, updated kitchen and bathrooms. Large screen home threatre and hot tub Detached 6 years new. Open concept family home on 181 ft. deep ravine lot. This home boasts over 1880 sq. ft. with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Perfect for the dog lover with ravine setting and fenced yard. EXCELLENT VALUE IN MILLCROFT COMMUNITY! Spacious layout featuring open concept eat-in kitchen & family rm with gas FP. Garden patio drs lead you to a premium private yard backing onto greenspace. The 2nd floor features 3 large bdrms, ensuite privileges in mstr bdrm & large main bath. Fully fin. bsmt offers large rec rm, office, bath, cold cellar & storage rm. The perfect family home/neighborhood in a highly desirable location. Steps from schools, parks & amenities. WHY RENT? WHEN YOU CAN OWN? 1 bdrm + den model in Tansley Woods. Open concept layout, insuite laundry, and private balcony, overlooking the courtyard. Call, or email, Anne Damas at (905) 580-2378 or, anne.damas@coldwellbankerbest.com for more information on this property including the cost of carrying this wonderful unit. Call TOBY MACLEOD Call ROD MACDONALD Call KIT WARD Call MANUELA EVANS Call ANNE DAMAS