Let's say that you get a free t-shirt every time you apply for a credit card.  You are not planning on using the cards but want the free shirts.  Don't go for it.  Applying for credit several times, makes lenders nervous.  If you need to have a solid credit rating for buying a house these wanton applications will lower your credit rating and may cause you to lose something more valuable..... The house of your dreams. Photo credit:  Geek and Graphic T-Shirts 04/20/2011

When it comes to selling a house most owners cannot do a BOGO - buy one get one free or at half price.  Whew.  Okay, maybe a cottage with a bunkie but most urban dwellings to not have a second structure to toss in the sale.  So scratch the BOGO idea but think..... Everyone loves something for free.  Even fabulously rich stars want their loot bags at the Oscars.  When your house is for sale, you might include a bowl of individually wrapped candy by the front door.  I like mint lifesavers.  Is it a candy or a breathe mint?  As you go up the freebie chain, you might include a house inspection, include some of the garden equipment, leave a television, etc.  Be generous and gracious.  Put out a plate of cookies and coffee carafe for second or third bookings or during a home inspection (whic... 04/19/2011

Well, we all know that bunnies drop chocolate eggs.  Right now the only bunnies that you may havearound your home are dust bunnies but even they have a way of attracting and hiding eggs.  Sometimes on Easter morning they will have laid those eggs in very odd spots in the house.  Children are encouraged to find all the eggs.  Often they are chocolate, sometimes they are hard boiled and, the really harried parent may just have hidden a couple of raw eggs in desperation.  Be ready this Easter to track the eggs and chocolate droppings during the egg hunt and ensure that they are all found and removed from hiding. Of course, when your home is for sale you won't want a Buyer to find one or two of those eggs in November - behind the couch or inside the closet or at the back of the cupboard.  ... 04/18/2011

The title says it all.  Do NOT (repeat after me) do not buy furniture before you move in.  Even when you know there is room for more furniture, you are not going to be sure how it will fit or where exactly it should go until you are living in the house.  Okay, you likely have a few months between when you buy the house and when you take possession.  The temptation is HUGE to get some new stuff.  I think you should do the shopping and scouting and make your lists BUT only buy furniture after you have been in the house a bit.   Also know that you are going to want to buy furniture because delivery is often 6 - 12 weeks after you buy some pieces.  Unless you have been working with an interior decorator or designer or can return everything, resist getting things until you can measure twice... 04/17/2011

A sweet grandmother telephoned St. Joseph 's Hospital. She timidly asked,"Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing?"The operator said "I'll be glad to help, dear. What's the name and room number?" The grandmother in her weak tremulous voice said, "Norma Findlay, Room 302." The operator replied, "Let me place you on hold while I check with her nurse."After a few minutes the operator returned to the phone and said, "Oh, I have good news, her nurse just told me that Norma is doing very well. Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came back as normal and her physician, Dr.Cohen, has scheduled her to be discharged on Tuesday."The grandmother said, "Thank you. That's wonderful! I was so worried! God bless you for the good news." The operator replied,... 04/16/2011

Your house is on fire....  The standard Purchase Agreement has a clause saying that the sale is conditional upon the buyer being able to get the home insured. If you have never had home insurance then start shopping for insurance (through an insurance broker) at the same time as you shop for your mortgage.  It takes time.  You want the right coverage and the right price.  Make sure that you get insured on the day of possession at 12.00AM, even if you don't get the keys until 6:00 PM.  You cannot get a mortgage for an uninsured home. Photo credit:  ladybug 04/16/2011

The other day I received an email from one of my clients in Victoria B.C. See below for a copy: Thank you for the listings.  It is great to look and it is starting to feel real.  We rented a storage unit and are de-cluttering this weekend.  Net week we hopefully have a few realtors coming to look at our place.  Any tips we should ask? I thought this would make a great post since many of my relocation clients ask me the same question frequently.  The following tips are also useful even if you're selling your home here in Ottawa.   Here's a few things to keep in mind when interviewing some Realtors: 1- Ask the agent how long he/she has been in the industry and how frequently they sell homes in your neighborhood. You don't need to pick someone that is the top agent in your neighborhood; bu... 04/15/2011

Think New York City cabs and the Yellow Pages, hazard signs and emergency vehicles.  Now try to think like Buyers and see if they will want to be living in something as startling as sunshine yellow.  Chances are - not likely.  Do you really like bright yellow?  Add touches with daffodils, a yellow rubber ducky, a bowl of lemons, a bunch of bananas or a vase full of yellow and white daisies.  When choosing paint colours to get your home ready for sale, it is best to stay with a more mellow yellow. Quite Rightly Photo credit:  New York Cabs 04/15/2011

Are you fighting to get a king size duvet in a duvet cover?  It is a Herculean task - too much sheet with too short arms.  Tempted to toss that duvet out the window?  Stop.  You too can have a duvet without the work. This tip will save you aggravation and minutes of time.  To get that hotel look:  Give away your duvet cover - you are never going to use it again. Buy 2 flat sheets bigger than the duvet and a fitted mattress sheet (plus any number of pillow cases that you want).  After putting the fitted sheet on the mattress, put one of the flat sheet on the bed, then the duvet, then the other flat sheet.  Tuck the bottom between the mattress and box spring.  Fold back the two flat sheets so that the top of the duvet is encased.  Toss a throw on the bed to make it look like a hotel bed.... 04/14/2011

Yesterday I got my Bell phone bill and guess what.  For my Blackberry for the past month, I managed to get over $550.00 in charges and 98% is data related and almost $400.00 if for roaming charges.  Remember, I spent almost a week in Arizona/ Nevada?  Well, that little sucker trip racked up the charges.  Now, I am a little technologically challenged so I had no idea this was happening.  I turned the BB on a couple of times a day for just a short period to find out how things were going back in Canada.   Things were going just fine but so were the charges. I don't want to say I whined when I call Bell because that would be pathetic but I did call Ma Bell and ask about the charges.  Apparently I needed a traveler data package as AT&T was billing like crazy in the States to find me and my... 04/13/2011

I went for a walk today past the Ornamental Gardens and there was a nice patch of crocuses/crocui.  I thought that Mother Nature never fails to delight the senses.  The early flowers of spring are a welcome relief from the dust and dirt left over from the snow melting.  This just brings happiness to everyone. This photo is from last April because I didn't think there would be anything out today to photograph.  There was and these and last year's flowers are beautiful.  04/12/2011

Blogs and Comments You read a post that gets your blood boiling. With what you believe is righteous indignation you craft a snide and clever reply and your pointer is poised above the post button.  STOP. Insert a pause not another clause.    Don't write a wrong. This is your chance to delete the best comment you never sent.  _______________________________________________ Now I must be the luckiest AR member as I have a neice and a cousin who are fabulous photographers and allow me to use their photos.  Now, I want you to know that this post is a take on my brother's regular "Zinger's at Work".  David is an internationally known expert in Employee Engagement.  If you want to see that a brother and sister have a similar sense of humour and style, sign up for his "Engaging Ideas"   Wheth... 04/12/2011

KEYS When you finally put your house on the market, the real estate agent is going to ask you for a set of keys that prospective Buyers and their agent can use to get in the house and the yard.  Well in advance of the sale, make sure that you have that set of keys made and then put away all the other keys that are scattered everywhere in your house. Managing keys reduces time you spend every day locating keys that you need or looking at keys and wondering what they open.  Also, it is a security risk to leave keys all over the house when you have an Open House or unattended visitors.  Here are 5 tips on how to manage your keys. Always put your keys in the same spot in your purse or briefcase and, when you get home, in the same spot in the house.  This will save you months of time over t... 04/11/2011

The risk with this post is sounding like a pompous twit.  If you saw how I dress then you will know that, when it comes to these rules, it is often a case of "Do as I say, Not as I do."  I love Rule 2 because it has stopped me from making some really odd purchases.  My mother is looking down at me right now about Rule 3 - Overdressing.  This one was drilled into me.   Finally, when I left the government Rule 4 helped me thin (pun) out my suits wardrobe and start a real estate wardrobe.   Rule 1.  The 20 - 10 - 70 Rule (Quality not Quantity).  This is my hardest rule.  I love clothes and buying clothes.  However, I (and you) probably only wear 20% of my wardrobe regularly, 10% on an occasional basis and 70% are never worn or used at all.  So, if we only wear 30% of what we own, shouldn't... 04/10/2011

  PHYSICAL NATURE OF CLOTHES CLOSETS If you are in the enviable position of designing a home with a huge closet, remaking your current closet, or just looking for anything that will help you find your clothes quicker then here are some things about closets that may help you.  Hangers - the days of the wire hanger are over.  They are worthless.  Buy good wood hangers and thick plastichangers.  You might want to buy a second colour for your spouse (if you have to share a closet with her). Lighting - Use the blue tone fluorescent bulbs if possible.  Halogen lights and the old incandescent bulbs go give off heat.  How long do you stand inside the closet trying to decide what to wear?  It can get warm.  Can you wire the light so that it goes on and off when the doors are open or shut? Paint ... 04/09/2011

You are getting your house ready to sell.  You have read a lot of advice on things that you should do and buy in order to improve your home and its appearance.  Oh, those ideas are so wonderful but you have at least 3 problems with those ideas.  First: there is going to be a change and change is difficult.  We just get very comfortable with the way things are and making a change is a little like rattling our brains.  Second:  Getting the house ready might cost money.  No, not might, it will cost money.  The amount depends on you, the Seller, your ability to make money available and the current state of your home.  It might be a case of spend a little now to get a much better return later. Third:  It is not just that it is work to do but it will take your time and physical effort.  Pain... 04/08/2011

Welcome to a years worth of contests with Christiane Lafleur REAL ESTATE :) How does the April Contest works?! Every month you will be able to enter a contest to win some awesome prizes and gift cards! SPRING IS HERE and it's time to get cleaning! What would you do with a $50 gift card from Canadian Tire??? Top up on your cleaning supplies? Purchase outdoor paint? Add to your landscaping? Help with a new patio set? Spruce up your garden? To enter for your chance to win you just have to comment on this post and let us know what you would do with your gift card?! The choice is yours! Feel free to comment as many times as you’d like until April 30th at 10AM. Each comment you submit counts as one entry (as long as each comment has a different use each time). You can also get additional con... 04/07/2011

Buyers look everywhere in a house that is for sale.  When looking in closets, they want to see if there is room for their things.  The bigger and airier the closet appears, the more appealing it is to Buyers.  You, as a Seller, have an opportunity before putting your house on the market to declutter and purge things from your closet that are just taking up valuable real estate.  Sometimes it is difficult to know what to toss and what to keep.  Here are 7 categories of clothes that you can just get rid of without an internal debate: Old but not antique clothes.  Take a serious look at any clothing that you bought more than 15 years ago.  Why you are keeping it or why you are still wearing it - even if it is in perfect shape it is likely not in the right colour, cut or size.  Men should ... 04/07/2011

I am a firm believer in getting control of information in and around the home.  One thing that many Organizers suggest is a family binder.  It could be a file or a box of clipped papers but the contents are those things that the family will want to have access to frequently or when there is an emergency.  The first section or page of the family binder is a list of important phone numbers.  Here is my list of the phone numbers, by alphabetic type only, that I have in my binder.:  EMERGENCY :                            FIRE - AMBULANCE - POLICE - 911 AMBULANCE:                              CABLE COMPANY:                     CREDIT CARD STOLEN:           DENTIST:                                       DOCTORS:                                      DOG EMERGENCIES:               Different fr... 04/06/2011

  Yesterday I was finally moved to do something that I have put off for years.  Yes, years.  I have wooden blinds on many of the windows in the house.  They get dusted and occasionally vacuumed on a semi-regular basis.  They do not get washed.  Now, I notice dirty blinds in homes that Buyers and I look at and also those in my own home. Real dirt can accumulate on blinds as they get their fair share of household grease, dust, sprays, air born pollutants, etc.  Over time, dusting no long does a good job.   Maybe it is because I want spring to really get underway or maybe it is genetic programming to do some spring cleaning but yesterday I finally got the wherewith-all to start washing the wooden blinds. Oh sure, there are those of you who have metal blinds that you pop in the tub or take... 04/05/2011