This approach isn’t for everyone, but it can save you time, reduce your up-front costs and speed up the selling process. That said, it’s important to know that you’ll likely need to accept a lower price and potentially a smaller pool of buyers. If selling “as is” feels right, here’s how to make it work for you.

Be honest about the condition. Honesty is key. Disclose any known issues up front to avoid legal issues later. Buyers will appreciate the clarity, and serious ones are more likely to stick around.

Consider a pre-listing inspection. Even if you’re not making repairs, a home inspection can be a helpful selling tool. It gives potential buyers a clear understanding of the home’s condition, which builds trust and can lead to quicker offers.

Price it right. Work with a trusted agent to set a competitive price based on local market conditions and the home’s current state. A fair price attracts serious buyers, even if the home needs work.

Highlight what’s great. Does your home have a fantastic location, rustic charm or positive quirks? Make sure those positives shine in your listing.

Tidy it up. Small improvements go a long way. Clean thoroughly, declutter, and consider a fresh coat of paint to help your home make the best impression.

Thinking of selling your home “as is”? Get in touch today and I can help you start the process.

The joint report from independent groups The Jump, ARUP and C40 Cities has found that everyday individuals can directly influence 25 to 27 percent of the emission reduction required by 2030 to avoid an ecological catastrophe. We clearly have much more control than we realize. According to the research, here are a few things you can do to do your bit.

Eat plant-based. Switching to a plant-based diet can contribute towards 12 percent of the emission savings required by North America and Europe.

More vintage, less fast fashion. Shifting towards retro fashion from vintage clothing stores rather than always buying the new trends can help cut six percent of emissions.

Holidays by train. Taking the train when possible instead of flying to your vacation destination can help reduce emissions by two percent.

Keep and repair electronics. Using your electronics for the full duration of their usable life spans rather than upgrading every time a new model is out makes an enormous environmental difference.

Use your voice. The remaining 73 percent of emissions are in the hands of industry, government and corporations, but we as citizens can take action to speak up, encourage and support them shifting towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Serves 6

Add garlic. Cook 1 minute longer.

Stir in tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper and oregano.

Simmer, uncovered, until excess liquid is evaporated.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Serve.

To turn this into a main dish: add mozzarella and bread crumbs, broil until golden brown or add linguine (6 ounces) cooked al dente then stir through.

Do I need to change my entire lifestyle to save? Not necessarily. Take a good look at your monthly income and spending. Can you cut back on a few nonessentials? Daily coffee runs, unused subscriptions, impulse buys … redirect those dollars toward your down payment fund and treat it like any other essential bill that gets paid first.

How can I reduce my current bills to help save? It’s good to be mindful of how much you’re spending on utilities and everyday household costs. Small changes such as turning off lights, unplugging electronics, or adjusting the thermostat can reduce your bills and free up more money for savings.

How should I set my savings goals? Start by figuring out how much you’ll need for your down payment, then break that number into smaller monthly savings targets. These bite-sized goals make progress feel more achievable and help you stay motivated along the way.

How do I stay motivated to save? One fun technique is to set yourself personal no-spend challenges, skipping nonessential purchases for a set time: a week, a month, or weekends. These short-term resets can build better habits and help your savings grow faster than you’d expect.

Does saving mean I have to live a boring life? No! Saving doesn’t mean giving up on fun. Host a potluck instead of dining out, enjoy free community events or plan a local staycation instead of booking far-flung travel. Finding joy in low-cost activities stops saving from feeling like a sacrifice.

Need more advice on how to save for your down payment? Call or email me today, and I’ll be happy to advise.

As children, we were much more open with our feelings of disappointment, whether that meant bursting into tears or running to a parent for comfort. But as adults, through social conditioning, we’ve attached shame to open shows of disappointment; things like openly weeping in a public space or having a time-out in the corner of the office are not always seen as socially acceptable.

As a result, we don’t allow ourselves to process disappointment, which can lead to us failing to take ownership of our shortcomings. Allowing yourself the emotional space to feel disappointment after a failure can help you to comfort yourself, recognize where you went wrong and, in turn, stop you from shifting blame to someone else.

Another important mindset to get into is one of growth. If you’ve had a loss or failure on a large scale, the natural human instinct is very often to focus on what you lost rather than everything you had achieved up to that point. Focusing solely on your failure can stop you from noticing what you might actually have gained from the situation.

So treating each loss as just another step on the path of life helps you to use your experience to build towards something even better next time around while appreciating things you might otherwise have taken for granted.