Are you thinking about moving?  Before you put your house on the market, there are some steps to take to help ensure your home is presented in the best possible light and that you have set yourself up for success:

1. Know why you really want to go - Some reasons are obvious, such as the need to sell if you're moving to another city or putting in an offer on a new home.  Other needs may be less definite, such as outgrowing your space or concerns about cash flow.  By working with a mortgage professional, you can assess financing options and the costs of moving against the costs of staying and make the best choice.
2. Set your expectations - Get a professional assessment of your homes' value to help you determine reasonable price expectations before you even list your home.  This is especially important if you're planning to finance a new home.
3. See your home through others' eyes - Try to see your home through a strangers' critical eye.  Make a list of major and minor improvements to make.  A real estate professional can point out your home's best features and be frank with you about its worst.
4. Do your fix-ups - Repaint or at least touch up interior and exterior paint for a fresh, polished look.  Replace items that show wear and tear.  You can instantly modernize a room with upgrades to faucets and drawer handles.  Make sure light fixtures and windows are clean and bright to cast a good light on your home.
5. Maintain the mechanicals - It's not quite the glamorous stuff of decor magazines, but your home's mechanical systems can make or break a sale with some buyers.  Have the chimney and furnace inspected and cleaned.  Check drains and ductwork.  Fix any plumbing problems.  Energy-efficient systems may increase your home's appeal.
6. Clean and declutter - You can't hear this too many times.  An open room will help buyers picture their own belongings in the space.
7. Make a seasonal album - Help potential buyers appreciate your gorgeous perennial garden or your lush balcony view out of season by preparing a photo album.
8. Have a copy of your property survey - A land survey can be a plus for marketing your property in a competitive market.  An existing survey should suffice, depending on when it was completed or what physical changes have been made.  Some buyers may need this to meet their lender's requirement of a survey before approving a mortgage loan on the property.
9. Brush up on your curb appeal - First impressions are everything in a competitive housing market, so show off your home's best face.  Tidy up landscaping, invest in high-quality porchch lights and house numbers, can choose a few tasteful accessories to create an inviting entranceway.
10. Put together a team of professionals - A real estate professional will help you target potential buyers and get you serious offers.  You can also count on them to help you negotiate and close the deal.  A mortgage professional is another important member of your sales team.  These professionals can help potential buyers understand how affordable your home is and help you explore financing options for the home you're moving to.

Ready to get started?  Find a trusted and knowledgeable Manitoba Mortgage Broker at One Link Mortgage today!  We are here to help.