How to Prepare Your Icon Condo Unit For Sale

When selling your ICON condo unit, it is extremely important to show it at its potential. Here are a few simple things you can do to increase the attractiveness of your condo unit to potential buyers while still keeping within a budget. Some of these items are do-it yourself projects and some require the help of a professional. Either way these changes will help you get top dollar for your condo unit and also have a great return on investment.

In cost ascending order, here is what you can do to better present your ICON condo unit for sale:

1) De-clutter and de-personalize– This is probably the most cost effective yet easy improvement you can choose to do. When it comes to showing your condo, less is more. Remove religious items, family photos, gadgets and knickknacks. Keep in mind you want the buyer to remember the condo unit and not your extensive collection of DVD’s.

2) Clean – I know you are busy, but grab the vacuum and the glass cleaner and get rid of those dust mites and smudgy windows. People can not envision themselves living in a dirty home.

3) Upgrade hardware - Are those handles on your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors still from the 90’s? Changing the hardware is a simple and cost effective way to give a new, modern look to an old cupboard door.

4) Upgrade light fixtures- Change old, outdated light fixtures and electrical cover plates. These are cheap to replace yet make a huge difference in the appearance of a room. Don’t forget to make sure to replace burnt out light bulbs as well.

5) Paint – Freshen up the interior of your condo unit with a new coat of paint. Use a neutral colour to make the space appear larger than it is and also to allow the buyer to envision their own furniture in the space.

6) Upgrade flooring - If it’s in your budget, replace old broadloom with simple, neutral broadloom or hardwood floors. If hardwood is way out of your budget, opt for laminate.

7) Kitchen Upgrades – One of the first areas in a condo a woman looks at is the kitchen. If it’s not in your budget to re-model the kitchen then consider replacing those old appliances with stainless steel. Stainless steel appliances are sleek and will give your home that modern touch.

In today’s buyers market it is more important than ever to make your ICON condo unit more attractive to potential buyers. After all, you only get one chance at a first impression so why not make it a good one!

Pet Friendly Condos: What you need to know about moving with your pet

One of the things that people overlook when purchasing a condo in Toronto is whether their beloved pet will be allowed to accompany them to their new home. With more and more people choosing the condo lifestyle in Toronto, it can sometimes be very difficult to find a building that will accommodate your pet which in turn makes your condo search a more challenging and more frustrating task.

Many buyers are under the impression that condo policies on pets can be taken lightly because after all you do own the unit, why shouldn’t you be allowed to bring your pet? Unless you want a lawsuit on your hands, abide by the condo corporations rules. To date, there have been many legal battles concerning the pets in condos; therefore it is best to do your research and due diligence prior to purchasing a condo in Toronto if you plan on moving with your pet.

Many condo buildings have rules and regulations that do not allow pets at all or have put restrictions on the size of your pet. Here’s what you can do to ensure you pet can move along with you:

Ask your real estate sales representative to only show you units where pets are permitted. Once you’ve chosen the condo you would like to reside in and you’ve decided to put in an offer, make sure that your real estate sales representative makes the offer conditional on your lawyer’s review of the status certificate. A portion of this document deals specifically with the pet rules and regulations in the condo building, outlining the number, size and type of pets. Even if pets are permitted, any animal that is considered to be a nuisance or dangerous to the health, safety or welfare of the community is prohibited.

If you are interested in knowing which condo buildings in Toronto are pet friendly or if you have a particular building in mind but are not sure about whether your pet is permitted, please feel free to contact us and we will let you know!