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18 The Independent, Canadian Statesman Weekender, Bowmanville, Saturday, June 25,1994 Open Houses Provide Unique Sales Opportunity This article is provided by local Realtors and the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) for the benefit of consumers in the real estate market. If you've ever bought or sold a home, you're probably familiar with open houses and the role they can play in the sale or purchase of a home. Open houses are a marketing tool which can help give a home exposure, exposure, allowing several potential purchasers to view properties over the course of a day or two - usually on a weekend. In addition to holding open houses for the public, real estate practitioners practitioners also conduct open houses for oth : er real estate professionals. This gives them a chance to promote their listings with other practitioners who may have suitable buyers who would be interested in these particular properties. properties. Hints for Vendors If you're a vendor, your real estate professional will provide you with some helpful hints on how to make your property more marketable. First of all, your property should be in top-notch condition to create a favourable and lasting first impression impression with potential buyers. Keep your lawn trimmed and tidy. Also make sure that all trees, hedges and shrubs look neat - not unruly. Trim branches that block the view of your home or hide, some of its best assets. Repair any unsightly cracks or holes in your walkway or steps that could prove to be a safety hazard. And don't leave tools and toys strewn around the front or backyards. These detract from your home, making making it look like an obstacle course. They could also prove to be hazardous hazardous if someone tripped over them. If your trim or siding looks dirty, wash it using an appropriate cleaning solution. (Your hardware store can probably give you tips on what's best to use.) And if your paintwork is peeling or blistering, it's time for some cosmetic surgery. A little paint can go a long way to enhance the marketability and curb appeal of your home. If you're unable to tackle the job yourself, hire a professional for best results. Indoors Indoors, open up curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. This helps show your home to its best advantage. And be sure to move any clutter out of sight and rearrange furniture that might impede impede traffic flow. Rooms should also be thoroughly aired and as fresh as possible - particularly particularly if you have pets or someone in your family is a smoker. Vacate the Premises for the Day Your Realtor will recommend that you leave the premises during the open house to help make prospective prospective buyers feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible. If you're in the house, purchasers are likely to be more intimidated and reluctant to give your home the thorough viewing it deserves. You want people to fully appreciate appreciate all the attributes your home has to offer - and they may not feel like opening closets and cupboards or talking about decorating possibilities if you're in the house. Make arrangements for you, your children and pets to have a day-long outing during the open house. (After all, you don't want Fido jumping on or barking at prospective buyers - and you certainly don't want purchasers purchasers to mistakenly let Fluffy, your indoor cat, out the back door.) Secure Valuables Before you leave, put all personal property like jewelry, medications and fragile items well out of harm's way, in a safe, secure storage place. Don't leave any money lying around. To make sure everything is secure and ready to receive visitors, quickly inspect your home with your Realtor just before you leave. Realtors know that it's important to control traffic in and out of open houses and to have a register for all visitors to sign. If you have any particular concerns concerns about the open house, don't be afraid to talk to your Realtor to see what suggestions he or she might have. Tips for Buyers On the flip side of the coin, if you're a buyer attending open houses, houses, keep in mind that viewing an open house is a privilege. Also keep in mind that the Realtor on duty is acting as host of the open house on the vendor's behalf. The salesperson should be treated with the same respect you would give the vendor. When asked to identify yourself at an open house, you should sign the guest register. The vendor has the right to request that you sign the register, register, providing your name, address and telephone number. It's also important to refrain from wandering through the house without the salesperson present. If the Realtor is busy, wait until he or she is able to show you around. After all, the real estate professional will be able to point out the features of the home and answer any questions you may have. When attending open houses, it's also important to clarify up front who you're working with - particularly if you've been viewing homes with another another real estate professional. Keep in mind that the Realtor you're working with has gone to a lot of effort on your behalf and won't get paid a commission if you switch to another Realtor. 123 King Street East, Bowmanville Hockin Ken Hockin Real Estate Ltd. Realtor 623-4115 RENEWED! RESTORED! REFRESHED! Brad Hockin Rob Perkin Bill Whyte In town, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, plus rec room. Replaced or refreshed is wiring, walls, insulation, shingles, eaves, soffits, floors, kitchen cupboards, plumbing, furnace (gas). Taxes, mortgage, water, sewer, electricity = just over $200.00 per month. $139,900. Al Beard 987-4035. Jack Ricard George Wallace Marg Bain Pat Marjerrison Al Beard PETER KOWAL Real Estate Limited Broker 52 King St. W., Bowmanville 623-2453 si:R \ ixc no w ma xvii.u: AM) AREA SEX CE 1955 FRANK REALTOR W. FRANK REAL ESTATE LIMITED Over 30 Years Quality Real Estate Service BUILDING LOT Rack Island, Rice Lake. Deeded mainland docking and parking. The time is right! THE PRICE IS RIGHT! $45,000. BUILDING LOT Hwy. 2 - East of Newcastle Village. 118 ft. frontage and drilled well. ASKING $59,900. Try a trade I COTTAGE Cozy 2 bedroom cottage completely furnished and airtight woodstove. Good well and septic. Nicely treed lakefront lot on Cordova Lake, near Marmora. LIST PRICE $89,000. Don't delay. BOWMANVILLE SEMI Great starter home in Central area of Town. 1 1/2 storey with 2 bedrooms up and living room, dining room and kitchen on main floor. Small house?? SMALL PRICE $73,500. CALL TODAY-623-2453 FOR "KOWALITY" SERVICE© 234 King Street East, Bowmanville Telephone 623-3393 Toronto Line 686-1035 REALTOR Iris Fowler* 623-3393 MORE MONEY DAILY - BOWMANVILLE Make your move to a better location. King Street frontage, parking, good signage, 1600 sq. ft. $1800./Month. AN EYE PLEASER 8 year old bungalow with attached garage. Has 4th bedroom down, skylight in bath, separate dining room. The finished rec room has a wakout to patio. Economical gas heat. Very wel decorated and immaculate! $127,900. Millbrook. Call Iris Fowler* for an appointment. (905) 623-3393 or (705) 932-2621. John Shewchuk' 623-3393 CUSTOM BUILDING LOT $89,900. Minutes from downtown Bowmanville. 1.3 acres in a prime location. Call John Shewchuk* (905) 623-3393 or (905) 623-5927. JANETVILLE FARM 149 ACRES 3 bedroom brick bungalow, lots of potential. Vendor will take back. Beautiful property. Reduced $209,000. Call Carol Martin* 623-3393 or 705-324-9216 VIEW LAKE $127,000. 3 + 1 brick bungalow. Lot 75 x 200. 2nd kitchen down, walk to beach and. golf course. Don't wait! Carol Martin* 623-3393 or 705-324-9216. Carol Martin* ^ 623-3393 GREAT STARTER $104,000. 2 bedroom completely renovated, lake access, walk to golf course. 40 minutes from Oshawa. View Lake.. Carol Martin* 623-3393 or 705-324-9216. I- 'Ll • THE HORSEMAN'S 10 ACRES - ORONO Spotless custom bungalow, finished up and down, double car garage, 6 stall barn, 3 paddocks, super location, $267,900. Charlie Reid* (905) 623-3393 or (905)983-5914. Charlie Reid* 3 APARTMENTS - 2 STORES 623 3393 JUST LISTED Bringing in $1910 monthly. Health forces sale. $119,900. Call Charlie Reid* at (905) 623-3393 or (905) 983-5914. Rozmin AWADIA 623-2207 C. Malcolm BLISS 985-3298 Helen BONNET 623-8536 Josie DOXTATER 623-9557 Iris FOWLER (705) 932-2621 Chet JACKSON 263-8377 Joe JERONIMO 623-6920 Carol MARTIN (705)324-9216 Charlie REID 983-5914 John SHEWCHUK .623-5927 Doreen TILLSON 432-4804 Ann VAN DYK 623-4638 Leonard WELLS 623-7817 Terry WITHERSPOON 983-8296 JohnWOLTERS 986-4303 ©