Almost every offer I write for my Buyers these days, there are othe Buyers who want the same property at the same time! Especially for condos.

This really changes how I approach writing their offer. With the Buyer in agreement, there are steps you can take to prepare to win. prior to the offer presentation time.

1. For Condos, read all the documents you receive from the listing realtor. There are a lot of them! But if you read everything, as I will too, ask lots of questions, get professional opinions if needed, you can approve all the documents in your offer and not make them conditional for 5 to 10 business days

2. You can give your mortgage specialist all the property information and all your personal information prior to submitting your offer and get your financing pre-approved in writing.This lets you know how high your offer can go and still be within your approved range. VERY IMPORTANT.

3. If the condo documents show that the building is in good shape and that the owners are maintaining it properly, you may feel comfortable not having a Home Inspection condition. Even better, you can have an inspection done prior to submitting your offer

4. You can have your deposit check already in hand and a photocopy of it can accompany your offer to show you are a serious buyer!

5.You can find out what moving dates the seller wants and try to accommodate them

And there a few more tricks of the trade to make your offer more appealing. I was happy to help my client win against two other buyers with all of the above preparation in the purchase of the above condo in Kitsilano. We were so happy for her!

When you scroll through the myriad of real estate websites, there are always properties that really catch your eye. It could be the velvety green sofa or the mid-century modern teak dining room table or funky art on the wall.

It most certainly is NOT the close up of the toilet seat up or the pile of dishes next to the kitchen sink! Yes, first impressions are critical, and for real estate websites selling your home, all photographs posted online are first impressions.

That is why, before the photograher comes to your home, decluttering and staging are crucial, unless it already looks like a page from Candian House and Home magazine!

Fortunately for me, I am lucky to have a very gifted sister, Carrie McCarthy, from Carrie McCarthy Studios, who helps me with the decluttering (mostly me lifting heavy boxes!) and the exquisite staging done by her. 

We do things a little differently - we stage with the items you already have in your home, by rearranging furniture, rehanging art, changing up the books and keepsakes in your book shelves and more. All to create a peaceful elegant interior to help Buyers fall in love with your home. 

Go to my listings to see our most recent effort at 1948 Sasamat Place. The service is complimentary.