Seller's Guide

Your Home Seller’s Guide

FROM JUST LISTED TO

d l o S

With The Leblanc & Associates Team

This is not intended to solicit anyone currently under contract.

It Takes A Team!

As a team, our goal is to establish lifelong relationships with our buyers by dedicating a strong and supportive partnership that provides guidance, resources and extensive knowledge at all stages of your real estate transaction.

Most agents are a “solo show” with limited time and energy, juggling several clients with little help. Our team ALWAYS has time for you!

Our unique TEAM approach means you get a highly qualified staff of individuals, each with their own specialized knowledge and area of expertise. And hey... We're told we are even fun to be around!

You get all of our team, all WORKING FOR YOU!

Contents

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Meet The Team Why Choose Us? Seller’s Roadmap Working With A REALTOR® How To Prepare Your Home For Sale Competitive Market Analysis Setting The Price The Risk Of Overpricing 14 Point Selling Action Plan Benefits Of Professional Staging Professional Marketing Material Showings - What to Expect Accepted Offer - Now What?

Royal LePage - A National Brand Client Referral Program Sample Forms

All this information and more can be found on our website yourmoveinhalifax.com

Meet The

m a Te

Melanie has earned her title as THE relocation specialist, having worked closely with hundreds of military, RCMP, and work relocation clients. Drawing from her personal experience as a military veteran, Melanie understands the challenges of moving from miles away. This firsthand knowledge empowers her to create systems that minimize stress and ensure you stay two steps ahead during your house-hunting journey.

MELANIE LEBLANC Team Lead / REALTOR®

Meet Melanie, your dedicated real estate ally with an impressive 17+ years of experience and a track record of successfully navigating countless transactions. There's no challenge too big for Melanie—she tackles every situation head-on.

Renowned in the industry for her impeccable knowledge, Melanie stands out for her thorough communication, candid feedback, and top-notch transaction management systems. She's not just a REALTOR®; she's your go-to expert for those difficult conversations and tough negotiations, excelling in what she does best.

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Beyond her professional achievements, Melanie is a passionate advocate for dogs, with four furry companions of her own. Volunteering for ElderDog Canada, she dedicates her time to supporting our four-legged friends. In her role as a wife and mom of two boys, Melanie brings the same commitment and care to her personal life as she does to her real estate career.

Choose Melanie for a personable, engaging, and experienced approach to real estate that goes beyond the transaction—because your journey is her priority.

Bilingual (English & French) Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR)

STEVE ARSENAULT

KIM DEMPSEY

REALTOR®

REALTOR®

Steve is someone who has always thrived on aligning himself with excellence. With a rich background in hospitality, Steve served as a restaurant manager for the renowned Bertossi Group and The Canteen on Portland, where he honed the art of delivering unparalleled client service and building lasting relationships.

Meet Kim, your dynamic real estate partner with a background rich in experiences and a passion for community. Born and raised in the coastal haven of Herring Cove, just outside of Halifax, Kim now proudly calls the area of Waverley her "home."

He seamlessly transitions his passion, enthusiasm, and dedication from the hospitality industry to this award-winning real estate team where he takes great pride in upholding the same standards of excellence that he's always been accustomed to.

Steve's commitment goes beyond the ordinary; he strives and thrives in going the extra mile to ensure a seamless experience at every stage of the real estate journey. For Steve, client satisfaction isn't just a goal—it's his ultimate reward.

Beyond his professional life, Steve and his partner enjoy hosting guests or indulging in the vibrant local dining scene. No matter where he goes, Steve always manages to know someone, spreading smiles with his warm and welcoming demeanour.

Kim's professional background includes real estate paralegal and assistant, retail, sales, branding, digital marketing, merchandising, and even a little event planning. These diverse experiences have created a skill set that now fuels her thriving career as an award-winning REALTOR®, allowing her to seamlessly blend her varied expertise to assist clients with their real estate needs.

Over the last 6+ years as a licensed real estate agent, she has cherished the opportunity to get to know her clients and their families along the way while creating genuine connections that extend beyond the transaction.

On a personal note, Kim is a first-time mom, shop local advocate and connoisseur and the host of Connected Mastermind Group for entrepreneurs looking to grow their business!

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Why Choose Us?

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1

We are a team of agents with over 80% of its business coming from repeat clients & referrals.

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We have a combined wealth of knowledge of over 28 years of real estate sales experience in the Halifax market.

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We are highly skilled negotiators working on your behalf.

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We are a team of full-time agents who are familiar with the ins and outs of the Halifax market and surrounding areas.

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We have a professional administrative team handling everything behind the scenes so our agents can prioritize you!

d r a w A Winning Team!

An

2020-2021

2019

2022

2023

This award recognizes the top 1% of Royal LePage REALTORS® nationally, based on closed GCI and/or units sold.

This is an incredible achievement that we are very proud of and wouldn’t be possible without the support of our clients and business partners!

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SELLER’S ROADMAP

Decide To Sell

Sign Listing Contract And Prepare Property For The Market Complimentary Staging Consult

Collect Documents

Get Measurements and Plans Made

Get Professional Marketing Material

Finalize List Price

Market "Coming Soon"

Activate On MLS® - Showings Start

Present Offers and Explain Details

Accept, Reject Or Counter Offer

Conditional Period

Lawyer

Home Inspection

Septic, Well & Water (If Applicable)

Insurance

Conditions Satisfied - Hang Sold Sign

CLOSING DAY 8

Financing Approval

Melanie's professionalism and understanding of the Military Move process made the sale of our house stress-free. We immediately felt at ease with her, as she made us feel like we had known her forever. She was quick to guide us but left the decision-making up to us. WE ARE SO HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND YOU!!! An outcan posting, last minute posting message plus a global pandemic and YOU sold our house in 4 days!!! Your understanding and patience in the military process were “God sent”. You and your team took over and lifted the stress off our shoulders and could not have been more understanding and supportive. We are easily walking away from this transaction knowing we have made a lifelong friend.

- Bill G.

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Understanding The Value Of A REALTOR® Homeowners attempting to sell their home without the assistance of a REALTOR® generally do so for one reason - to avoid paying a commission. Is it worth it? Experience has shown us that many homeowners feel that it is not worth it. Before making a costly mistake, consider the benefit that you'll receive from working with us! Here is just a sample of some of the things we do:

Prep For Listings

Competitive Market Analysis

Provide a FREE staging consult Schedule a professional photographer at no cost to you Analyze and sort photos, videos etc to best showcase your home Collect any seasonal photos from you Collect all listing docs such as power usage, taxes, location certificate, etc.

Input listing information into the MLS system Prepare all marketing material Order lawn sign Look into zoning Write overview Prepare a list of upgrades

Research recent sales and current listings Consult with agents on recent market activities and sold homes in your neighbourhood Analyze current competing listing features Research neighbourhood demographics and local school catchments

Active Listing Monitor and report MLS client portal listing activity Suggest marketing changes as needed Continue to be available for all showing requests

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Advertising We pay all advertising costs Create unique Facebook /Instagram advertisements and monitor ad spend Create unique Facebook and Instagram audiences, monitor organic reach on these platforms Promote via personal real estate connections Pay for a professional For Sale sign for out front

Showings Manage all showing requests via ShowingTime Collect feedback from showing agents Provide you with feedback from showings Answer any questions from buyer’s agents Provide buyer’s agents with any docs such as power usage, location certificate, taxes, etc.

Under Offer Make certain deposit is handled correctly Consult with you regarding any preparations for the inspections Negotiate through any challenges Work with appraisers and financial requests Review all additional paperwork Ensure all paperwork is sent to you Send all paperwork to our brokerage admins for processing so it ensures the status of the listing is accurate

Offers

After Firm

Review all offers Present and explain all offers to you Negotiate based on extensive sales training and experience Notify agents of offer status

Be available for any questions from you, the co-operating agent, office, Provide you with the next steps through the process Make sure that any terms of the offer are completed and receipts and paperwork is sent to the lawyer Follow up with you 7-14 days before closing

The commission is also a very important part of the strategy of selling your property. It is part of an incentive for buyer's agents to sell your property.

Offering no commission may reduce the amount of traffic and invite more unqualified buyers who think they can get a better deal without an agent.

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Advice On How To Prepare

How To Prepare Your Home For The Market

Tips from the Team!

Not every home or every space in your home is going to need a fresh coat of paint! However, if you haven't painted your walls, trim or ceilings in years - it's time to freshen things up!

Buyers need to envision how your spaces can work for their needs & lifestyle. When the space already looks "lived in" it's harder for them to do so. I'm not saying to go crazy here, more than likely you still have to live in these spaces! However, take a look around each room and reset the space - like guests are coming!

Clean Like You Are Getting Paid To Do It!

A clean and organized space gives the impression that the home is well maintained and it sets the stage to shine in our professional photography & video marketing.

To grab a FREE copy of our full 7-Step Listing Prep Plan

Scan the Code 12

Melanie Leblanc and her team smashed the sale our our home out of the park with outstanding commitment to us as a customer. She and her team were dedicated to my family's being while I was on tour with the Military and ensured every detail was taken care of in the most professional manner possible to ensure the best possible outcome for the sale of our home. She provided professional guidance and advice and answered all our questions in a timely fashion. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Melanie and her team to anyone— absolutely a fantastic experience with a fantastic realty team.

- Rick L. 13

Competitive Marlket Analysis Typically, REALTORS® would comb through historical sales data of properties similar to yours, to come up with a price range that your property would likely sell for. But in a seller's market, relying on historical data or CMA’s for pricing isn't accurate beyond 30 days. The final sale price depends on the number of offers received and how much a buyer is willing to pay.

In recent years, 85% of sellers in HRM received their asking price or above, but did they truly maximize their return? This is where EXPERIENCE PAYS! Behind the scenes, a lot happens, and with an inexperienced agent, you risk missing out on maximizing your investment return.

What’s your home worth?

Find out here

MISTAKES TO AVOID IN ANY HOUSING MARKET

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Highest Price

For Sale By Owner

Lack Of Experience

You should never choose a REALTOR® based on who will list your property for the highest selling price.

There is a lot of strategy that goes into setting a list price and often a lower list price will bring in more buyers which may lead to more offers and ultimately a higher sale price. List price is simply the line in the sand to introduce your property to a set of buyers.

Yes, you can sell a house on your own and avoid paying REALTOR® fees, but in trying to save a few thousand, it would likely cost you thousands more.

By not being MLS® listed, you miss out on getting the highest number of buyers interested in your property, and potentially missing out on more offers. You are also more likely to receive more negative offers. In a seller's market, you need the MAXIMUM exposure for the most benefits!

Everyone dreams of getting asking price or above for their property.

Would you be happy with $50,000 above asking?

Most people would probably say yes, but what if a lack of experience in an agent prevented you from getting $100,000 over asking. Do you want to take the chance on missing out on all the benefits of the market? We have experience with 100's of transactions!

Proactive, efficient, professional and attentive are only a few characteristics that define the team and level of customer service at Leblanc and Associates. Going above and beyond to accommodate our many requests ...Melanie is truly the standard by which all others should be measured

- Melanie Q.

Kim was excellent to work with. She was professional, knowledgeable, and responsive. Not once did I have to prompt Kim for updates during the sale of my property – she knew exactly when to provide me with additional information or updates to keep me informed so that I never felt out of the loop. I felt extremely comfortable during the whole process as Kim kept my best interest in mind. I would not hesitate to refer Kim to any of my family, friends, or colleagues as the level of service she provided exceeded what my REALTOR® expectations were. Thank you for making this such a smooth and easy process!

- Lucas R.

SETTING

e c i r P e h t Location The location and setting of your home will influence the value. A home inside a quiet subdivision typically sells for more than an identical home on a busy street. Remote areas sell for less than properties in city centers, close to amenities. Obviously, you have no control over the location when you sell.

Condition New homes enjoy a marketing edge over resale homes because they are shiny and new. Our goal is to make sure your home is as close as possible to a model home while still being sensitive to costs. You will have complete control over the property's condition and have the ability to increase or decrease the value by being the best it can be from the onset.

Competition Typically, prospective buyers would compare your property's condition and pricing to other listings in your neighbourhood to try to determine the value of your property. When there is very little competition, it is more about what someone is willing to offer than actual market value. Supply and demand ALWAYS drive prices. We use our experience and knowledge to strategize the pricing to achieve the highest returns for you.

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THE RISK OF

Overpricing IN ANY MARKET

A property generates the most interest from potential buyers in the first few days it goes on the market.

This is when the number of showings is greatest.

Starting too high and dropping the price later, misses the peak of the excitement and fails to generate as much activity and potentially fewer offers.

Pricing your property competitively will help attract the greatest number of potential buyers.

Buyer Showings

We are NOT the one's who decide how much your home is worth...the market does!

Time On Market 17

14 Point Selling Action Plan

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1

Recommend repairs to the home prior to listing.

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Complimentary staging consult with a professional registered stager.

By making a few crucial adjustments to your home, you can make all the difference in creating a lasting impression.

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Have the property photographed, videoed and a virtual tour created by a professional marketing team. Over 90% of buyers search for properties online before calling their agent and beautiful photos/videos are their first impression.

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Offer a competitive fee to the buyer's agent.

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Extensively market your property online, making sure that your home is advertised where your potential buyers are such as realtor.ca, viewpoint.ca, Facebook, Instagram etc.

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Provide seasonal material and marketing tips to ensure your property has a winning edge over your competition.

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Be available to all co-operating REALTORS® who want to show your home. We will confirm all showings with you and will promptly answer any questions potential buyers or their agents have about your property.

Suggest positive changes based on the feedback that can be made to the property to maximize marketability and buyer appeal.

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Monitor the real estate activity in your neighbourhood and inform you of all important developments. We are in constant communication and check-in at least bi-weekly.

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Work with an extensive network of Canadian REALTORS® to promote your home to relocating buyers who may be interested .

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Promote your property to agents at other brokerages by phone, email, texts, personal meetings, etc.

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Create a compelling story for the house.

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Identify a target market and promote to it.

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Host or manage an Open House if you decide you want one.

Please note that open houses typically DO NOT sell houses, however we will discuss the pros and cons of an open house.

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Our job is to help you make sure that we maximize the number of "eyes" on your property. If there is anything we can improve or tweak, or you have any suggestions, WE WANT TO KNOW!

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Benefits of Professional Staging Elevating the appeal of your home is an art, and staging plays a pivotal role in creating that unforgettable first impression. Within mere seconds of stepping into a property, potential buyers form lasting judgments.

That's why we proudly extend to our sellers a COMPLIMENTARY staging consultation conducted by a seasoned, certified staging professional.

After

Our commitment goes beyond just listing your property; we strive to showcase its full potential. With expert guidance on decor, styling, and furnishings, we ensure every corner captivates buyers from the moment they enter.

It's about crafting an experience that makes your property stand out.

You decide how much staging or decluttering you want, and we'll help you understand how each choice affects your home's value. For example, a $1500 paint job could increase your sale price significantly, even in a competitive market.

Before

Staged homes generally sell faster and for more money. Don't miss out on potential gains from one of your most valuable assets—staging is key! *Ask us about virtual staging options to further enhance your property's appeal!

Staging is not a decorating decision, it's a business decision!

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Professional Photography & Videography

Custom Feature Packages and Websites Including Community Information

Social Media Marketing From Facebook to Instagram, "stories" to newsfeeds, and feature sheets for potential buyers, we take pride in showcasing your home's beauty with professional marketing material.

Professional Marketing Material

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What To Expect During

s g n i w Sho

You’ve worked hard to get your property ready for the market and it’s time to show it off!

We use a system called “ShowingTime” which is the industry's number-one showing management tool! With ShowingTime, sellers can easily confirm/decline showing requests, set the property's availability, see all upcoming appointments and review the showing and feedback activity. Buyer’s agents will request a showing time slot and a notification will be sent to you either via text, email or phone call. You will be prompted on how to respond to confirm or decline. If you confirm, the agent will arrive at your property at the agreed-upon time and date. The agent will gain access to your home with a set of keysMarket that willAnalysis be securely Competitive locked in the lockbox we placed on your property. Only licensed agents have access to the lockboxes. Once the viewing has finished, the agent will ensure that all doors are locked and the key will be securely returned to the lockbox.

Tips: You should leave. Buyers want to be able to look around and discuss your home candidly. Take the dogs with you and any unfriendly cats. Provide clear instructions on how to deal with any remaining pets (ie: is your cat an escape artist when the front door opens?).

In addition to the usual tidying, make sure your home is inviting. Turn up/down the temperature. Leave the lights on. Open the blinds where appropriate. Leave inside doors open.

Be as flexible as you can in trying to accommodate the buyer’s schedule.

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Accepted Offer...

Now What?

During the next 7-10 business days, the buyers will have several conditions to meet before they can finalize to purchase your property. As your real estate professionals, we will do everything possible to make this part of the process go as smoothly as possible.

Financing

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A copy of the purchase and sale agreement will be sent to their mortgage company for approval.

Utility Cost

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Property Disclosure Statement (PDS)

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This form is filled out by the owner (you) and outlines the condition of your home. The buyers will review the PDS you would have already filled out at the time of listing and make sure they are satisfied with the information or require more information/details.

Deposit

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Home Inspection

3

The purpose of the home inspection is to identify any structural, electrical or mechanical issues.

Insurance

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We will provide a statement of the past 12 months of heating and electrical usage for the buyers to review.

A certified cheque is written to Royal LePage Atlantic "in trust" or a bank to bank transfer or etransfer is done. The buyer will have an agreed upon number of days to provide the deposit into the brokerages "trust" account where it will be held until closing.

Water and Septic

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This depends on where the home is located and/or if it is hooked up to well water and septic. The purpose is to identify that everything is in full working order and identify any issues that may adversely affect the buyer's enjoyment of the property.

The buyers must confirm they will be able to obtain insurance on your property.

Once all conditions have been satisfied, then the deal is considered firm and we can put up the SOLD SIGN! 23

A National Brand #1 In Atlantic Canada and in 200 markets nationwide¹

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royallepage.ca reached million visits² in 2022

Client Referral Program

Marketing to new clients costs tons of time, money and energy. Like any company, we need new clients to stay in business. Over the years, we have found that looking for new clients takes away from the time we would be spending working for you and other clients.

If we have helped you in the purchase or sale of real estate, then you know how well we serve our clients. The reason why we try so hard is so we can earn your respect and confidence in recommending our services to your friends, neighbours, and relatives. The ultimate reward is your word-of-mouth referral!

With this program, we are asking you to share your experience with others. If you refer your friends, relatives or co-workers, everyone benefits. They will receive the highest level of service and for thinking of us, you will receive a special token of our gratitude.

Moving With

Pets?

Moving can be a stressful experience for anyone, but especially our furry friends! Scan the QR Code below for our 5 tips on a stress free move with pets!

Scan the QR Code above to read our 10 Tips to prepare kids (and yourself!) for a move.

Moving With Kids?

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Sample Forms Working With The Real Estate Industry Seller Designated Brokerage Agreement Residential Input Form Property Disclosure Statement (PDS) Equipment Schedule (ES) Agreement of Purchase & Sale Counter Offer Buyer Waiver of Conditions

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Working With The Real Estate Industry This is the form used to explain the different types of agency you can have with a REALTOR® and their brokerage and outlines the responsibilities of the seller and agent.

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Sellers Designated Brokerage Agreement This form is used to establish agency between the seller(s) and the REALTOR®

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Residential Input Form This form is used to add all the information about your property on the MLS® system.

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Property Disclosure Statement (PDS) This is the form that sellers fill out to disclose any pertinent information about the property to potential buyers.

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Equipment Schedule (ES) This is the form sellers fill out to identify if there are any financed/leased/rented equipment at the property and allows the buyer(s) to accept, reject the terms or propose new terms.

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Agreement Of Purchase and Sale This is a standard purchase and sale agreement which outlines the terms of the offer and covers the most common conditions buyers would like satisfied when purchasing a property.

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Counter Offer This form is used to request different terms or conditions of the purchase and sale agreement to the buyer(s).

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Buyer Waiver Of Conditions This is the form used to confirm that the buyers are satisfied with all conditions and that the deal is firm and legally binding.

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Knowledgeable.

Efficient.

Attentive.

Leblanc & Associates │ 902.830.4093 │ yourmoveinhalifax.com