As well as property size and location, when valuing a property, estate agents will take into consideration:

- Local knowledge, including micro markets

- Knowledge of previous sales and current demand in the housing market

- The quality of decoration and workmanship around the property

- Development opportunities or unique features

A selling agent should always be able to explain how they’ve come up with their valuation and give examples of what comparable properties have sold for.

It can be tempting to blindly choose the estate agent who’s given you the highest valuation. After all, you want the best price for your home! But if a property is priced too high for the market, it won’t sell. The longer a home is on the market, the more likely buyers are to think there’s something wrong with it, and the more likely you are to have to drop the price. An agent should also take into account their knowledge of active buyers in the market; at the end of the day they are the ones who have to be persuaded to pay up! An over-ambitious valuation, although tempting, deters buyers from coming to view, prolongs a sale process and almost always results in a lower selling price.

- Courtsey of struttandparker.com

After the hard work of finding and moving into the perfect home, you’re finally ready for the best part: getting adjusted into your new neighborhood! Here are a few insightful tips for getting you settled in after moving day:

- Get you bills in order: You probably had the essentials switched over to your name so you wouldn’t be without them on move-in day. But you’ll need to make appointments for other services, like cable or home security, right after you move in. Other essentials may also have slipped off your radar, like neighborhood trash pickup dates.

- Find your community online: Nextdoor and neighborhood or community groups on Facebook are an easy way to start following what’s happening in your new neighborhood.

- Study the rules: Before you jump into those home improvement projects, make sure they’re not against any bylaws.

- Get to know the neighborhood: You should make an effort to explore that new neighborhood in order to get to know it better. Whenever you feel like you need a break from unpacking, go for an exploratory trip around your new neighborhood to get a feel of the environment around you.

Choosing a realtor is a personal decision. You may interview several realtors before finding the perfect fit for your personality and specific needs. When interviewing a realtor, there are several questions you may want to ask before entering into an agreement to buy or sell through that realtor. You may consider asking the following:

- How long have you been in real estate?
You may feel more comfortable with the zest and enthusiasm of a newly-licensed realtor or the sage advice of an experienced realtor.

-  What is your average list-to-sales price ratio?
A realtor should have a track record of negotiating sales prices that are very close to list prices.

-  How will your marketing plan meet my needs?

Ask specifically about advertising, online marketing, sample flyers, staging and general approach.

- How will you ensure I find a place I love?
Ask specifically about what steps a realtor will take to meet your criteria.

- Do you have any references?
A realtor should be able and willing to provide you contact information for past client references.

-  What separates you from your competition?
Listen for the traits you value in a trusted advisor and ensure the realtor is comfortable with the channels and

frequency of communication you will want.

-  May I review documents I will be asked to sign?
Good realtors will share important forms with you in advance of signing and will answer your questions about them. Ask to see Agency Disclosure, Listing Agreement and Seller Disclosure forms. 

- What sort of referrals will you make?
Realtors can be a great source for references to related professionals, such as property inspectors, general contractors, or decorators. realtors may be compensated for their referrals.

- What sort of guarantee do you offer?
If you plan to sign a listing or buying agreement with a realtor and are unhappy with the service you receive, will the realtor let you cancel?

- What haven't I asked you that I need to know?
Keep asking questions. The more you ask, the better prepared you'll be to determine if it's the right fit.

1. Site it right. Starting a garden is just like real estate, it's all about location. Place your garden in a part of your yard where you'll see it regularly, that way, you'll be much more likely to spend time in it.
2. Follow the sun. Pay attention to how sunlight plays through your yard before choosing a spot for your garden. Most edible plants, including many vegetables, herbs, and fruits, need at least 6 hours of sun in order to thrive.
3. Stay close to water. Make sure you can run a hose to your garden site, so you don't have to lug water to it each time your plants get thirsty. The best way to tell if plants need watering is to push a finger an inch down into the soil, if it's dry, it's time to water.
4. Choose the right plants. It's important to select plants that match your growing conditions. This means putting sun-loving plants into a sunny spot, and giving ground-gobbling vines like pumpkins and melons ample elbow room (or a trellis to climb).
5. Learn your frost dates. Planting too early (or late) in the season can spell disaster for your garden. You need to know the last average spring frost date for your area so you don't accidentally kill plants by putting them out prematurely. It's also good to know your first average fall frost date so that you get your plants harvested or moved indoors before late-season cold damages them.

To make this year's spring cleaning your most productive yet, here are some of our top spring cleaning tips of all time. Whether your spring cleaning routine is an all-weekend marathon or multiple after-work cleaning sessions, these tips will help get the job done faster and more efficiently!

- Before you begin, declutter your space. An organized home is generally more attractive than an overcrowded one. Decluttering also gives you a better idea of what you already own. Decluttering can help make your home feel cleaner and less chaotic.

- Clean in order. Always clean from the top down, this keeps everything you’ve already cleaned from getting dirty again.

- Mix up your own all-natural cleanser. Here's a simple recipe from Melissa Maker of Clean My Space, which can be used on quartz, granite, and marble counters, plus appliances and sinks.

   - 3/4 cup water

   - 3/4 cup running alcohol 

   - 5 to 10 drops peppermint, lemon, or orange essential oil

   - 1 squirt natural dish soap

           1. Combine all of the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well.

           2. Spray onto the surface and wipe with a clean cloth.

- Dust the efficient way. To cut your dusting time in half, use a universal horse hair vacuum attachment, they suck the dust up instead of moving it around into the air, where it settles and undoes your hard work.