There is always a lot of buzz in the real estate world about whether the market is leaning toward a seller’s market or a buyer’s market. It is complex and messy and influenced by many factors! Throughout COVID we saw an unprecedented seller’s market but understanding why things are happening is a huge advantage for potential buyers and sellers. It is important to understand the difference and the factors that influence the prices and availability of homes.

Whether you need a change or are preparing your home for selling, there is no better form of self-satisfaction than enhancing your haven with something you love. Our homes are full of things we need functionally to survive and can be distracting places instead of tranquil, relaxing places we love. However, we often don’t treat ourselves to something we love to give our home a sweet enhancement. You don’t need to go racing to Homesense and break the bank on many beautiful things (although that isn’t always a bad thing!). Read my simple tips on giving your home a little refresh with little touches that go a long way.

If you have a family and are planning a move, every family therapist in the world will encourage you to include all members. But how much? Let’s face it - moving is stressful, and be aware that more family members mean more opinions and added complexity to an already huge decision. Navigating Parenting and Moving together can be a slippery slope of emotions. Supporting your children with a significant life event of moving can be smoother and more inclusive when you appropriately involve them with your house search.

People are working, learning and staying home more than ever since the COVID19 pandemic that kept us home. During those unprecedented times, the economy flailed, and we observed real estate carefully to try to figure out and predict what would happen. ⠀You deserve to have a home that works for you and embodies what you need and love. Regardless of market changes, that is my number one goal for any client.

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The winter months have been given a bad rap regarding preferred listing times for a potential seller. Spring and summer indeed have a greater chance of showing off curb appeal and outdoor spaces, but potential buyers focus on winter month purchases for many reasons. The most important thing that any realtor will tell you to do to prepare to list is to do some purging. Potential buyers are more likely to be willing to search for a home during the cooler months of the year. It may be a myth that the summer months are the best time to search for a home. Be ready.

Mortgage Rates are always a trending conversation or topic in the news. This is because there are so many opinions about how to manage your mortgage best. They come at us from banks, mortgage brokers, financial investors. And that is not all. Our family and friends bring their thoughts, ideas and opinions to us as well. It’s a challenge to discern what is the best choice for us!

Everyone has a different story, circumstances, and factors to consider when managing and making decisions about their mortgage. Therefore, it is not a simple black and white template that works for all. But awareness is power, so read here for common myths about mortgages that may be hindering your decisions.

Real Estate can get a bad rap. I hear the stories of losing money, continually stressed over showings, uncomfortably aggressive negotiating situations and difficult decisions. For many people, real estate is a dreaded experience.

It doesn't have to be that way! It can be incredibly smooth and rewarding. If it is not, change the channel.

Being an experienced realtor in the Brantford area and Norfolk region has taught me many important lessons about making the real estate experience a good one. Call me the eternal optimist, but I truly believe it can be a positive journey! Read more in the blog about the 3 most important things I have learned as a Realtor.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am pretty transparent about my life experiences and who I am. I wear my heart on my sleeve, love hard the people I am blessed to know, and care deeply about my work and community. Recently, a young entrepreneur asked me what my biggest mistake as a realtor in the Brantford, Simcoe and Norfolk Regions was. Naturally, I did not hesitate to respond. I am very aware. Read more about my learning experience and the biggest mistake I made as a Realtor.

Winter is on its way and usually arrives before we are ready for it. I hate to say it, but winterizing and maintaining your home for the Canadian Winter months is an act of necessity and survival. So much so, I devoted this whole blog to it. While I love the cozy nights by the fire with sweaters and blankets, there is an entire checklist of things that have to be done around the house in order to be able to sit back and enjoy them!

My best advice for preparing your home for winter is to get on the maintenance checklist in the fall! If you leave it until winter and you have a problem, the discomfort and irritation are significantly harsher than if you address it in the fall. Read my five fall maintenance tips to help you be prepared for your Canadian Winter.

Curb appeal is a trending theme when it comes to real estate. But it really is true… your home’s curb appeal is the first impression you give to anyone. The outdoors is tricky and the maintenance throughout every season sometimes is overwhelming. Curb appeal means the impression of the attractiveness of an exterior property and its surroundings when viewed from the street. It is one of the most important things you can do, whether your house is for sale or not. It is the first impression of your property before anyone even steps inside. Read my five simple tips to create simple but beautiful curb appeal without breaking the bank.

If you are selling your home, staging will be recommended. You can do it yourself or hire a professional staging service. But rest assured, even the most beautiful homes benefit from staging. Don’t take my word for it. Arguably, it has become a “must-do” for sellers. Twenty years ago, nobody thought about staging as a prerequisite for selling. But today, homes are competing with homes that have been professionally staged and have gained staggering popularity. Buyers have heightened expectations in this market, and the extra cost of home staging is worth every penny!

Choosing the best Community for you is a mix of many factors that guide your decision. Homeowners have different priorities at different stages of their lives that may, like my family, nudge the moving madness at different times. Finding the Community that is best for you depends on what you need and love from it. Ask yourself these questions when thinking about what Community is best for you.

So you are thinking of moving? You may be thinking about making real estate a focus for you or your family in the upcoming year. But trust me it requires a lot of thought because the thought of moving is always a big deal. Any thoughts and plans for selling, buying and moving can be a daunting and overwhelming idea.⠀It doesn't have to be that way. Read these tips to ease the process.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀

Even the most organized and beautiful homes benefit from staging! Minimalism is a thing with home staging but also empty homes demonstrate life and energy which is needed for buyers. If a seller can’t see themselves living there, they are unlikely to make an offer. Homes Staging is such an important part of preparing your home to sell! Homes frequently sell faster and for higher prices than unstaged homes. Read more about my simple home staging tips that can be game-changers to prospective buyers. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

I love getting that call; “I want to buy my first home!”

It is usually quickly followed by “but I have no idea where to start or if I even can!”

You are not alone. It is one of the most common real estate conversations I get. The idea of buying a first home is exciting but daunting! Read how to keep the adrenaline and exhilaration high and the stress points low is to prepare for the process.

No one can fully understand or could have predicted how the Real Estate market turned throughout the pandemic. After more than a year of staying pretty close to home, getting restless to switch it up for travel, play, go to concerts and all the other things we miss is normal. No one expected the pandemic to last as long as it has, nor did the house prices in the real estate market expect to continue to rise. Navigating the real estate market may be easier than you think.

Buying a home can be exciting, but it also can be emotionally draining and exhausting. Add in a seller’s market and buyers beware: this is about to potentially become a rollercoaster of nerve-wracking anticipation, disappointment and exhilaration! A Seller’s market can be very stressful for buyers. And trust me when I say it can be stressful for their agent as well.

“Don’t waste the pandemic,” I have heard people say over the last year. For a global crisis that has affected all of us, we look in the rearview mirror, wondering what we will say about our own experience. Goal setting is not just for New Years’ or a pandemic. Setting and achieving goals about your house investment is hard work but brings great rewards!

My two boys Lennon and Lucas, are the greatest joys of my life. Often I have thought that if I can just be the best mom ever, I will have had the best accomplishment in life. My incredibly passionate Real Estate career is purpose-filled and meaningful. Life is full and wonderful, but that doesn’t mean I am not struggling at times to balance it all and find harmony in all of it. Add the pandemic parenting to the mix, and I will admit it has not been easy to do. It’s hard!

One of my favourite sayings is, “Keep your heels, head and standards high.” Not too consistent with a country girl who would choose a bonfire over a fancy high-heeled affair any day.

As I have branded myself as a realtor in my professional career, one thing has been very evident.

I know who I am. My values are crystal clear to me and everyone who lives, works or relates to me.

So to create an online and professional presence unique to me but consistent with my incredible team, I welcome you to Stacey’s blog, a transparent venture to build on the lifestyle and real estate topics that are dear to my heart and hopefully valuable to you.