Bonnyville Homes Blog

The real estate business is a tricky one to traverse your way through, no matter how much experience you have. There are so many pitfalls that can become even the most experienced buyer and seller, that it’s vital to take quality advice from those in the know.

Buying and selling are both investments in their own right, and making the right moves, rather than the wrong ones, is of the utmost importance.

To help you find your way through this rather confusing maze, here are three real estate tips which are certain to guide you towards success.

Research is Everything

The property market is always ebbing and flowing, and never stays static for very long. The value of properties changes depending upon current market demand and other considerations, which all need to be taken into account. A property is never going to sell for more than the market can hold, so knowing the current state of the market, is vital.

By doing this, you can be confident in your offers (if you’re buying), and your asking prices (if you’re selling). The idea of being ‘forewarned is forearmed’ has never been more pertinent than in the real estate business.

Always Negotiate, Even if The Offer is Low

If you’re selling a property and you receive a low offer, it’s almost second nature to throw aside any offer which is too low, or doesn’t meet your asking price expectations. This is a mistake.

Remember, buyer will offer you what they feel they can afford comfortably, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any room for adjustments. Before you become insulted by any offer and refuse immediately, wait and consider your options. Be open to negotiations and see where it takes you. You could find that your buyer will raise their offer and meet your expectations, based on certain conditions.

Time is of The Essence

Generally speaking, there isn’t a particularly bad time to buy a property, but there are many bad times to sell one. The real estate market goes up and it goes down, it sticks for a short time and then it moves once more. Buying is hardly ever adversely affected by this, but selling certainly is.

The best advice is simple. Buy a property whenever you have the means to do so. Keep it, renovate it, do whatever you need to do. Then wait. Watch the market, assess conditions, and when things are favourable, sell it for a profit on what you bought it for. Simple, yet very effective!

The real estate market is not predictable, unless you have extreme knowledge in the field. Gaining the best advice possible, as well as doing in-depth research is the single best way to ensure you don’t fall foul to one of the many pitfalls that could become a first time, second time, or even more, buyer and seller.

Keep your mind open at all times, check your options, and always assess carefully before making any moves.

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell in the Bonnyville area, for a greater probability of success you need a dedicated professional. I can guide you through the process and be counted on to protect your investment! Get in Touch today!

House hunting is not always a walk in the park, as many people would assume. Potential homebuyers sometimes have a hard time choosing the right one they want for their comfort. Home sellers on the other hand, leave nothing to chance to attract homebuyers. They spruce up the houses, clear any unnecessary trash around the homes, trim the bushes, and mow the lawns among many other things. However, there are many other things to consider before buying a home than what you see on the outside.

Below are five of the things to look for when you go house hunting.

Do Not Judge a Home by its Outside Look

Many of the homes you will come across may look spruced up and very inviting. Do not make a decision to buy based on what you see from the outside. Go inside the house and

check everything in the interior. Check if the paint job is good enough or if it looks like it will peel off after a while. Check out for any cracks in the plumbing work in all the bathrooms and kitchen. Check if the size inside is big enough for your furniture and if the kitchen area is big enough for your taste. Check the countertops, windows, storage facilities and the backyard.

Check the Heating and Cooling Systems

If you are buying a home on resale, chances are that the cooling and heating systems could be older. Cooling and heating systems are not cheap to replace and fix. If they do not work well, they may affect your utility bills negatively. Check out the furnace and make sure it is in good condition.

Location

Do not buy a house you fall in love with at first site if the location is not convenient for you and your family. The home you choose to buy should be close to your place of work, kids’ school and easy to get to from the main road. If you are moving to a new State or town, check out if the home is near all the necessary amenities.  Make sure you know everything about the surroundings. Find out issues like wildfires, floods, crime rates, driveways and security. If you have any pets, check if the area you want to move to is pet friendly.

Price

One of the most important factors to consider is the price of a new home. Consider how much you are willing to spend on a newhome and how high you are willing to go. When you have your budget set, look for homes that are within that range. When making your budget, take into consideration other expenses like realtors’ fees, utility bills, lawyers’ fees, on-going costs and other living costs. Take into consideration moving costs, storage, movers and many other costs.

Professional Home Inspection

Sometimes it is not easy for just one person to cover all areas of the home and determine what is good and what is not good. Tobe sure that you are choosing the best, enlist the services of a professional to go through all of the finer details. A professional will check everything from the strength of the foundation, wiring and electric systems and the roofing among many other things. Once you get your assurance that all is fine, then you can go ahead with your purchase.

Wrapping it up

The most important thing is to invest in a home that you will feel comfortable in and a home that will not deplete your budget. By checking and confirming that all the necessary things are in good condition, you stand a better chance of reducing many costs and enjoying your new home.

Looking for your next dream home? Get in touch with Gerry Storoschuk, Bonnyville REALTOR® and find your next Bonnyville Dream Home.

A smart home seller will always conduct research and interview a few potential real estate agents before finally deciding which one will be a good fit. But just as you are doing this, keep in mind that the real estate agent will be forming their judgment as well. It’s important that you be wary of professionals that seem disinterested, don’t seem eager for your motivation or don’t ask questions.

Not every real estate agent will welcome the idea of being interviewed by potential clients and very well-established, top agents will not fill out surveys either. Here we take a look at some questions you can ask prospective real estate agents:

How Much Experience Do You Have In This Industry?

While it’s true that experienced agents will be more knowledgeable and have better skills related to buying and selling properties, it doesn’t mean that newly licensed agents don’t have the same abilities. The training they receive and whether they’ve been mentored by competent professionals have a lot to do with the quality of services they provide.

A newbie will have far more time to dedicate to you. However, if he is holding down another job, he might be strapped for time and won’t be able to concentrate as much. This is something you should be asking the agent you interview. An agent that has completed more sales will also have deeper knowledge.

What is the Marketing Strategy You Have Planned For My Requirements?

When you are selling a home, you need to know exactly how the agent plans to go about it. Which avenues will they use to advertise and are they using direct mail or just focusing on online listings and digital marketing techniques? What measures are they taking in order to prepare your property for sale?

Could You Please Provide Some References?

It’s rare to find a real estate agent but cannot provide references. Even a new agent will be able to provide references from their previous employer/s. It’s important that you ask for these references and make it a point to call some of these previous clients to get a better understanding of the services of professional provides. If the real estate agent is well established and has a number of reviews online, you might not need these references at all. As mentioned before, an experienced agent might take affront to the fact that you are asking them for references. However, it is important that you get all your doubts clarified before you hire an agent.

Accessibility And Communication

These are very important aspects, and you need to be assured the real estate agent you work with is easily accessible. Find out whether they are good communicators and if they use your preferred form of communication such as e-mail, message or phone.

The other aspect to keep in view is that the real estate agent you eventually work with should also be in sync with your requirements. After all, they would be interacting with you for a certain period of time, and you want the association to be amicable and fruitful.

If you’re looking for a realtor that can provide you with the tools to sell your home, or find your next dream home, look no further! Get In Touch with Gerry Storoschuk, Bonnyville REALTOR® today!

When home buyers are looking for their first home, many feel that they will make the wrong decision. They also wonder exactly how they will know whether they have found the right house for their needs. Here are some signs that you have finally found the house of your dreams:

You Feel Encouraged To Enter The House

Looking for a house can be quite an exciting time and part of that excitement comes from not ready knowing which house can be your new home when you drive up to the curb. Sometimes, when you approach a particular house you have a gut feeling that it’s the one for you, and that can be a sign. It means there’s something special about this house that attracts you to it and its curb appeal talks to you.

You feel a sense of comfort the moment you enter the house

It isn’t difficult for you to sense whether the house is welcoming on not. All it takes is a few seconds to know whether a house that you have entered feels comforting and warm. Do the spaces speak to you and look inviting? Do you feel encouraged to explore the space and does it feel just right? If yes then it probably is the house that you will eventually end up buying.

The Bathroom Spaces Feel Good Too

There are times when prospective home buyers feel extremely uncomfortable when they approach the bathroom areas and they won’t walk into the bathroom at all. They simply stand outside and don’t feel inclined to walk in and look around or check the fittings and fixtures. However, if you walk into a bathroom and feel the urge to run your hands over the vanity granite or even open the shower stall, this may be the house for you.

You Feel Very Possessive About A Particular House

Sometimes an agent will point out a particular flaw and says something like ‘The frame is askew’ and you take personal affront to it. You can’t stand the idea that someone has something negative to say about the house. Even when you are aware of and notice the flaws, these aren’t really important because the house has appealed to your senses.

You Start To Envision How Your Furniture Will Fit In

If you walk into the living room space in a house and immediately begin to envision your comfortable couch in a particular spot, it might be the house for you. You may find feel that your outdoor chaise will fit beautifully next to the fire pit by the poolside or that the space under the stairway will be perfect to put up your Christmas tree. All of these are signs that you’re hooked!!

It isn’t possible that a particular house would have every single feature you expect it to have. But as long as it has all the basic requirements, it means you might have just zeroed-in on your future home.

If you are in the market for a new home in the Bonnyville area, get in touch with Gerry Storoschuk, Bonnyville REALTOR®

When you’re planning to buy a new home, it’s obvious you want one that suits your needs. But you also want to make sure you are getting the best deal on your new home. Here are some things you can do up your chances of getting the house of your dreams at a very good price.

1. Get Your Finances in Place

This is one of the very first steps to take. It’s important that you start looking for a home only after you have gotten your finances in order. Your buying offer will be far more persuasive when it includes a mortgage pre-approval. Well-established real estate agents don’t show homes to potential buyers until they have been pre-approved. In some cases, this process can take several months, which is why it’s important to focus on getting pre-approval before you start house-hunting.

2. Make Sure Your Offer Isn’t Based On The Listing Price, But The Value Of The Home

Be aware of what the recent sale prices in that neighbourhood have been. This information will help you judge what the value of a house is. For example, if the price of a certain property is already lower than the market value, it isn’t likely the homeowners will be interested in an offer that’s below their asking price. If you find the price of a house that’s been on the market for quite a while, is very high, you may be able to quote a lower offer price and get a good deal. This is why it becomes important to work with a good real estate agent- they have good knowledge and the latest information about house sales.

3. Act Quickly Once You See Home You Like

When properties are listed on the market, they tend to get sold quickly. In a seller’s market, it’s important that your first offer be your best one. Taking too many chances only increases the possibility of you striking out. This is because there will always be buyers that make lower offers when they miss out on the first few properties they look at.

4. A Home Inspection Doesn’t Guarantee Price Negotiation

Most prospective homeowners are now waking up to the advantages of getting a home inspection done before committing to purchase a property. However, it’s a common misconception that a home inspection automatically opens the doors to price negotiations. If the building inspector’s report indicates there are major problems, it’s definitely acceptable for you to lower your offer price.

But if the market is very tight, you may not always get a credit. Today, it’s unlikely for sellers to carry out major repairs, and it’s far better to simply ask for a credit at the point of closing. This means you can hire a contractor and get the work done as per your needs.

The best way to improve your chances of getting a good deal is to be aware of the seller’s circumstances. Find out why they’re moving and whether they are in a hurry to do so etc. This can give you the upper hand when you are making an offer on a house you particularly like.

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell in the Bonnyville area, for a greater probability of success you need a dedicated professional. I can guide you through the process and be counted on to protect your investment!

Buying a home isn’t something you can take lightly. It’s probably one of the biggest investments you will make your life and you need to ensure but you make a smart decision. One of the best ways to find a great house is to hire the services of an experienced real estate agent. It also very important that you ask the agent certain questions about buying a home. Here are some of them:

Why Is This Owner Selling Their Property?

While the real estate agent doesn’t really have to answer this question, they might give you a hint at what the exact circumstances are. You may be able to find out whether the owner is hard-pressed to sell the property because they need me to move to a different location for a new work position, or due to some other reason. This may mean they are willing to accept a lower price.

Is There Anything Specific I Need To Know About The House?

Most people that are buying a new home are concerned that they may not be aware of a significant negative factor the most others are aware of. For example, very noisy neighbours, a local train station in close proximity, or some other similar aspect that can affect the comfort levels in your home. If you harbour any doubts about a particular property, it’s best to ask local shopkeepers or even next door neighbours for their opinion.

What’s Exactly Included In This Sale?

Check whether the greenhouse, garden shed or other temporary outdoor features are included in the sale. You also need to check whether the fittings and fixtures are going to be part of it and where the property boundary line is. It’s important that you have clear visibility of what you are buying. It isn’t uncommon for some contents, not to be included in the sale.

How Long Has This House Been On The Market?

If the property has been on the market for three months or more, it crucial that you ask the agent why it isn’t selling. There can be certain problems that other potential buyers have noticed, but you haven’t. Sometimes a higher price tag may be the reason for it languishing on the market. If this is the case, it’s possible the seller would accept a much lower price.

For What Duration Have These Owners Lived In The House?

If you find out that the owners are moving within a very short period of time, it’s necessary for you to find out exactly why. Find out whether there had been any specific problems due to which they are moving.

Has this Property Changed Hands Repeatedly?

If a particular property has changed hands very frequently, that can be an indication of some serious problems. Find out why some of the previous owners moved out. It also a good idea to try to contact them to determine the exact reason for them leaving the place.

How Have you Decided on an Asking Price?

A great agent will always provide you with the reason for the asking price. This will help you make a better judgment. Sometimes, you might be lucky enough and an agent may tell you they feel the seller is overvaluing the property. In any case, it a good idea to visit other properties that are on sale in that same neighbourhood. This would give you a feel of the market price in that area and determine whether what you’re paying is right.

What’s The Minimum Price The Seller Will Accept?

Not many potential buyers realize this, but it important to ask whether the seller is willing to negotiate even on their minimum price. The real estate agents generally give you an indication as they benefit when they are making a sale, albeit at a lower price. It’s very simple really; if they don’t sell, they just won’t get paid.

These are just a few of the questions you should be asking your real estate agent while buying a new home. While it’s a good idea to get these answers from the agent, it also important that you conduct a certain amount of independent research before making your final decision.  Start off on the right foot and let me help you find your dream home today!

We all can understand the need to sell our home at the price we bought them for, or at a price that is very near to the original figure. However, in real life, hardly anyone gets the luxury of doing that. If you are looking to buy a house, you are more than likely to come across overpriced houses. How to identify them is the real question here. This post deals with some ideas on how you can figure out if a listing is overpriced when you are house hunting. Overpriced houses are quite common in real estate. The reason for this is not very difficult to understand. Over the years, we grow attached to our house and we think it is better and hence, worth more than the others in the neighbourhood. However, that is a wrong approach. The sellers need to understand the market value of the house and decide on a reasonable price. Check out some of the ways on how you can identify overpriced properties.

Compare with Other Listings in the Area

Take a look at the other houses in the market that are similar to yours. Check out their condition and the price they are asking. It is better if you can track it for a few weeks before making a decision. It is better if you can also pull up information on the sold properties in the area. Your agent might be willing to help you with this.

Period of Time the Property on the Market

If a property is really worth the money it has been priced at, it will be grabbed up in an instant. If it has been sitting in the market for quite some time, chances are that it is a bit overpriced. Additionally, if you don’t see any offers or inspections booked for the property, it is possible that the house is indeed overpriced.

Condition of the House

Check out the condition of the property and see if it has been properly maintained. Also, check whether you would need to make any repairs immediately. If yes, you should probably choose to pay more and get a better house rather than getting it for a lower rate and then spending a fortune on repairs.  Some house may have had complete renovations and remodelling. Bathroom and kitchen remodelling can be a great price booster. However, at times, some buyers are just looking to buy a good house at a reasonable rate. The expensive finish and upgrades will not matter to them.

Does the Location Suit the Price?

One of the best ways to determine if a property is overpriced is to see whether it fits into the location. A good house in an undesirable location will put a damper on the buyer’s spirits. And if it’s priced high, there a very high possibility that it really is not worth it. To put it simply, the better the neighbourhood, the more the price will be.

Still unsure if a property is overpriced? Let Bonnyville Homes help you navigate the real estate market. Get in touch today!