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Selling Your Home – Know Your Rights

Friday, November 29th, 2019

Ready to take the next step in purchasing a bigger home for you and your family? Maybe you are looking to downsize now that the kids have moved out – whatever your reason, it’s time to sell. There are a few things to consider though when it comes to selling.

Standing in front of sold home

As a homeowner, your home is your most prized possession. Depending on how long you have lived in that house, you have made some changes to personalize but also make it feel like home for you and your family. These changes cost money; therefore, when it comes to selling, a homeowner is most likely going to want to factor that in the sale price. When the time comes to pricing, don’t feel pressured to undervalue your home. While your real estate agent should have your best interest in mind, it is important to have them factor in the money that has been invested.

A homeowner does not want to sell their home for than less than it’s worth which is why, as a homeowner, it is important to do your own research and see what other homes in the area are worth.

Sellers also have a right to add clauses – for example, from ensuring that a deadline for papers to be signed. If these clauses aren’t respected, a seller has a right to deny their papers. More importantly, a seller has a right to know about the offers bring presented.

Selling a home can be exciting because it means a new chapter is about to start; therefore, it’s important to know your rights and use the people around you. From your broker to real estate agent. Remember they work with you, and while the agent will get a percentage of the cut when you sell, this is motivation for them to make sure you, as their client get the best outcome possible.

Why Staging Your Home Before Selling is a Great Idea

Friday, April 12th, 2019

Selling a property isn’t always as easy as you might think. The real estate industry is full of pitfalls for both buyers and sellers, but there are some great ways you can increase your chances of a sale, which won’t set you back a huge amount of dollars.

Have you thought about staging your home?

Staging is basically putting your home on stage. Literally. You’re making it look the best it can be for potential buyers to come and look at. It’s goes beyond tidying up and getting rid of clutter, and encompasses decorating, and creating a welcoming space for anyone viewing your house.

You might ask why you would bother spending extra cash on a house that you’re just going to leave, but there are some very valid arguments into why staging before selling is a great idea in general.

Staging Gives You More Chance of a Sale

You want to sell your home fast, and at a good price. Staging can help you do that. We are visual creatures, and when anyone comes to view your home, they’re going to be far more impressed if it’s been staged beforehand, compared to a home which has been cleared out and left empty. Emptiness doesn’t look welcoming, preparing for new owners does.

Staging Makes Buyers Think Your Home is Well Looked After

Buyers will be looking at every aspect of your home, and if it’s been staged, there is less chance of them finding something which puts them off buying in the first place. Fix the things which are broken, add a few cosmetic hints here and there, and paint areas which need it. This gives the impression that your home is well looked after, and therefore is going to need very little maintenance if they choose to buy it.

Staging Gives The Illusion of Space

Getting rid of clutter and making sure everything is painted and fixed actually makes your home look larger. It’s an optical illusion in many ways, but it works wonderfully well. A home which has less in the way of furniture and general belongings will look huge compared to a home which has all the furniture still inside, as well as general clutter here and there.

Staging Helps Buyers See Potential

A house which is staged, prepared, and ready to move into helps the buyer see themselves in there. Suddenly they can decide what room is going to be used for what purpose, and it’s not dictated to them by what you decided to use each room for. Every room has potential and that creates a sense of excitement within a buyer. Of course, this means a sale is much more likely.

Staging might take time and a little effort, as well as a little cash, but it will certainly increase your chances of a sale, as well as receiving the asking price you want. In a busy and competitive market, every angle is worth looking at.

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

5 Steps to Follow When Buying A Home

Friday, October 12th, 2018

Purchasing a home can be quite a complex proposition.  Here we take a look at the steps involved in the home buying process, and what you can do to make it simpler.

  1. Deciding To Purchase a Home

You have to make numerous decisions while purchasing a new home. The most important of them being the duration for which you are planning to stay there. It is advised to buy a house only if you are planning to live there for between 2-5 years. In many places, you may find renting to be much more affordable than owning the house.

Aside from mortgage payments, there are many more responsibilities that come with a property purchase such as, paying for insurance, sticking to a budget and also repairs. Consider what reasons are making you more inclined towards buying a home. Tired of renting places and want to have a place of your own? Starting a family? Or trying to make some money in real estate?

  1. Checking Out All Your Options

If you are a first-time borrower it isn’t mandatory to make a down payment. However, you will end up saving a considerable amount of money on your mortgage if you choose to make a down payment. Typically, it should be 20% of the price of your house. After evaluating home prices in different areas, you may find some places to be a lot more affordable than others.

Take what experts say into consideration on whether the prices will increase or decrease.  By using a home affordability calculator you can determine how much money you can spend on the purchase. Take a look different mortgage rates and then calculate a few of the basic mortgage options. You can then determine whether the rates will increases or decrease in a couple of years.

If you are confused about whether to opt for a fixed rate or adjustable mortgage rate, speak with a few of the people living in the area that have bought homes in the last few months. Asking them for some advice on some of the challenges they had to face and what tips they can offer may prove to be effective while making your final decision.

  1. Get A Mortgage Pre-Approval

First, start off by comparing different mortgage rates online. You can visit websites of online lenders which will help you estimate different mortgage options. You can also evaluate options with a local bank or credit union. A lot of companies offer “pre-qualify” systems that help you estimate what you can afford and what you cant. This is an excellent step for evaluating the different lenders.  However, it isn’t the same as pre-approving. After narrowing down your search to just a couple of lenders, you can then apply for a pre-approved mortgage with each of the companies. Every application causes a drop in your credit score, this is why it’s advisable to apply with moderation.

  1. Shop For A Great Home

Compile a list of all the different features that you are looking for in a home, like the number of bedrooms or closets and take this with you every time you visit a house. Looking at different properties each day makes it difficult to differentiate one from the other. Write down notes on every house you visit, this will make it easier for you to make a final decision. Take a note of all places that require repairs and calculate the amount of money it will take you to fix them, this can help when you are negotiating the price of the house.

  1. Finalize The Deal

Organize a home inspection, as this is an important step before purchasing a home.  Spending up to $200- 400 on an inspection can bring to light any potentially serious problems in the structure. In fact, you can use the home inspection report to negotiate a better buying price if you are keen on purchasing the property. Evaluate all your homeowner’s warranty and insurance options and look for ones that give you the best deal. Contact your mortgage lender for your final loan approval.

Ensure that all closing documents are in place by getting them reviewed by your attorney or agent. Following these steps is essential to making a smart property purchase. Let me help make your next Real Estate transaction a successful one!

Questions To Ask Your Agent About Selling Your Home

Friday, October 5th, 2018

If you are planning to sell your home, it is important to hire the right agent. A good agent has the experience that can help you sell your house faster and for a lot more money as well. You can visit online sites, search for good agents in your area and read some of the reviews that they’ve received from older clients. You can then decide whether you want to hire their services or not. Here are a few questions to ask an agent while selling your home:

  1. What Are Your Qualifications?

The agent you hire should have a state license. If they belong to any local real estate trade associations, they will have access to multiple listing services. This means that they would be able to list your home on various sites which will get it the visibility it needs.

  1. How Many Sales Did You Close The Previous Year?

Even though past success doesn’t necessarily mean you will have a quick sale, it does give you some assurance that the professional knows what he/she is doing. Inquiring about the price range the agent has sold other properties is necessary. You need someone who knows exactly what features buyers in that specific income bracket are looking for.

  1. Do You Have Local Real Estate Experience?

Hiring the services of a local real estate professional can prove to be a huge advantage, as they have the knowledge of all upcoming developments and amenities that may have an impact on the value of your home. You will want the services of an agent who knows the market in your neighborhood. The agent you hire not only has to sell your house but also your neighborhood as well.

  1. How Do You Zero-In On The Right Listing Price?

The money aspect and your agents negotiating abilities will decide what listing price will work best in the existing market. If your house is priced much above the market rate it just won’t sell and will be a turn-off for potential buyers. Contrastingly if you price it too low you will end up getting far less than what it is actually worth. Make sure that the agent you hire has the solid market knowledge and has handled sales of properties similar to yours in the recent past.

  1. Will I Be Working Directly With You?

It is important for you to know whether you’ll be working with just one specific agent or some member of his team. There are both good and bad aspects to each; for example, if you’re working with a team of agents, it makes the showings a lot easier. However specific requests which are made by the seller may go unnoticed within a team.

  1. How Much Money Is It Going To Cost Me To Sell My Home?

Knowing the costs that you will end up paying for the broker’s commission, closing fees and any other additional expenses can help you plan accordingly. You can also compare one agent’s charges with another.

  1. What Sales Strategy Will You Use?

Every agent should have a written down strategy for how they are going to market your house, from social media to listing services to open houses. Relying on mailers isn’t enough. Consider using the services of an agent that provides professional photography, a custom designed website or even videos.

  1. What Do I Need To Focus On While Readying My House For Sale?

Take their advice and make additional upgrades or repairs, follow other useful hacks they suggest for impactful yet easy-on-the-budget improvements. If they suggest staging, you might want to consider using it. At times, just de-cluttering and cleaning may get the job done.

  1. What Will Be Our Mode Of Communication?

It’s important to ensure that the agent uses the same mode of communication that you prefer. For example, if you prefer a telephonic conversation over texting, the agent you choose should be able to cater to that need. The communication frequency and method between you and the agent are important aspects when it comes to making a successful house sale.

Getting answers to these questions and any other relevant ones, are crucial to the success of your house sale. Start off with a FREE home evaluation!

Hello world!

Thursday, May 10th, 2018

Welcome to my new blog! I look forward to sharing new and exciting updates about the Real Estate Market and what is happening around town! Stay tuned for new posts coming soon!