It happens. Desirable home. Desirable neighbourhood. Multiple buyers with offers. It can be a recipe for a bidding war.

So, what do you do if you have your heart set on a home that other people want too?

• Show them the cash – According to a report by Redfin, cash offers were 4 times more likely to win a bidding war. Of course, when considering making a cash offer don’t drain your emergency fund, and weigh factors such as if there is a penalty to pay if you withdraw from a certain account.

• Get pre-approved – Next to cash, getting pre-approved before you shop is the next best option. This way you know what you can afford, and it ups your chances of winning a bidding war because the seller knows you are serious and can close faster.

• Offer over asking – In doing so, make sure you know the highest amount you are willing to offer, thinking in terms of what the monthly payment would be.

• Limit contingencies – Contingencies waived usually apply to inspections, appraisals, finances, and insurance. Be aware that waiving contingencies limits your ability to back out of the deal and you take a potentially serious financial risk.

Navigating a bidding war can be tricky, so you need to be prepared for one before it happens. As an experienced REALTOR®, that’s where I can help. If moving is on your mind, call me today.

Over time, you can become so accustomed to the smell of your home that you may not think twice about it. But when a potential buyer first walks into your home, one of the very first things noticeable to them is the smell. So, you want it to be a good one.

To keep potential buyers sniffing for more use these scent tips:

Good Smells

• Light florals

• Citrus

• Vanilla

• Natural wood (think pine, cedar)

• Natural herbs (think basil, thyme)

• Fragrant plants (think roses, eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary – just make sure they get plenty of light)

Bad Smells

• Strong cooking smells (fish, eggs, garlic, onion, etc.)

• Pet odours (clean all pet paraphernalia also for allergy reasons)

• Strong cleaning chemicals (bleach)

• Smoke (use an air filtration machine)

• Stale, musty smells (open windows to let the fresh air flow in)

• Too many smells (if even they are good) Focus on 1 or 2 scents

Remember, emotions are driven by senses, which play a role in the buying process. The scent of your home will trigger feelings, in your prospective buyer, so make sure it’s good feelings.