JJ & Ainsley Gordon, The Gordon Group

Thinking about starting a home search or selling your home soon? The 2016 real estate season is upon us, and if you are anticipating a home search, or selling a property, here are some top tips to help you navigate the real estate market in your area this summer.    Buyers: Don't go overboard with an offer While you might be inclined to get into a bidding war over your dream home (the market is pretty competitive), don't overspend to the point where if the market stabilizes your home will have an overly inflated price and make it difficult to resell in the future. If you plan on living in the property for a long time, paying a high price isn't a bad thing, but it's a good idea to set a limit on how high you're willing to bid for a home. Start your search ready If you're already looking into purchasing a home or property, and you know you'll need a mortgage, you should already be shopping for a loan. Buyers with a mortgage pre-approval are a

Appearance is everything when selling a home and a properly staged home is an important part of getting your home ready to sell.   The good news is there are many things you can do to spruce up the look of your home without shelling out a lot of money. These home staging tips will not only help attract more potential buyers to a property on the market but they can also be used to spruce up a home you're planning on staying in. Enhance Your Entry It’s the first thing buyers see, and most likely serves as the first impression of your house. Utilize the entry by updating the front door color, change out the door hardware (or clean and polish the current hardware). Make potential buyers welcome with a nice mat and some potted plants or flowers. Clean Out Clutter The majority of us have too much stuff, and clutter is a huge killer for potential buyers. Be ruthless when it comes to clutter — if you haven’t used it in three months, box it up. If you haven’t used it in a year,