Buyer’s Guide – Things to Consider Outside the House Itself

January 17th, 2020

homebuyers to consider when looking for that dream home.

public transit bus driving down the road

Public Transportation – Do you own a car? Do you need access to public transit? This may be important to consider when looking at your potential house. Is it within walking distance? How long will it take to get from home to work? Unless you don’t need public transit, this is something that may make or break a decision.

Family-Friendly Attractions – Most people who looking to buy a home are either seeking to upgrade their existing home or because their family is expanding. Consider when you are buying a home what kind of family necessities you will need. How far or close are the schools? Parks? Community centres? Is your dream home in a community that has other families or not?

Traffic and Roads – Will your new home be on a busy street or road? How loud is the traffic? If you have a young family, you don’t want a home that is necessarily on a busy road or that will be loud. Consider the neighbourhood and the traffic.

safety first sign in the clouds

Safety – Some neighbourhoods naturally have a reputation; therefore, it is important to consider how safety the area is. This is information that can be found on a simple neighbourhood website.

While in a perfect world it would be nice to take our dream home and move it to where we want, that isn’t the case. It is for this reason it is important to consider the location and the surrounding area of the house of interest. Maybe the neighbourhood isn’t perfect but the house is – don’t feel discouraged, there will be another home for you!

 

Posted in Bonnyville, Buying, Real Estate, Tips | Comments Closed

Seller’s Tips – Prepping Your Home for a Buyer

January 9th, 2020

Preparing your home for a potential buyer? While some may think that a simple dusting and hiding of laundry is sufficient enough, there are actually a few things you can do to help attract potential buyers into seeing the potential in your home. A potential buyer does not want to see YOU and your family in the home, they want to be able to imagine them and their family – doing this will help attract them to wanting to possibly bid on your home.nicely staged house ready for sale

Tips to help elevate your home and prepare it for a potential buyer, you can:

Consider furniture arrangement – Have an oversize couch? A leader lazy-boy in the centre of the family room? One of the worst things a potential seller can do is make a room look smaller than it actually is. Consider the furniture you have, it’s placement and how you can make it so that the space is clutter free and spacious. This will help buyers see the potential and envision their furniture in the space.

Highlight the natural beauty of the home– Have you been hiding the marked hardwood floors? Maybe you’ve hidden those large hall windows with curtains because it’s too bright – these finishes are ones that a potential buyer is looking for and at. By highlighting the natural beauty of the space may just attract a potential buyer who grew up in a home with hardwood floors or large bay windows. Your dislike, may be another’s like.

declutter in blocks and a coffee

Declutter the clutter – What you consider organized chaos may come across as just messy to another. Before a showing, put away those small items that can pile up. For example, have an avid reader in the home? Put them on a shelf or stack them up nicely. Magazines? Loose papers? Stick them in a pile or a drawer. You don’t want to make your home seem messy because that may be all they see.

Whether you are selling for the first time, or are seasoned, these tips will help make the process a much more bearable and exciting experience. As a homeowner selling, you want to help a potential buyer see all the potentials in your home, just as you saw the potential in it.

 

Posted in Bonnyville, Real Estate, Selling, Tips | Comments Closed

Real Estate- Is it worth the investment?

December 27th, 2019

increasing investments for homesWhen it comes to investment, many will think that the only way to get a return is to put money in the stock market. While this can sometimes result in significant gains, it is an unpredictable market whereas fast as you earn, you can also lose very quickly.

Looking for a way to see long-term gains and returns on your investment? Real estate is recognized as one of the best investments you can make, from buying low and selling high, to purchasing and flipping a home or turning them into rental properties. Real estate is a venue that offers owners a way to feel safe knowing their investment is working for them.

Where do you start?

monopoly gameBefore you take your savings and start purchasing homes and properties like a game of Monopoly, ensure your finances are in order. Make sure that you have not only a down payment but that you also have security funds just in case.

Once your finances are in order, and you’ve met with a broker or mortgage specialist, do your research in the up and coming areas and neighbourhoods. Knowing the location, you want to invest, and buy-in can help dictate the kind of property you may want. If your property is one that is close to universities, colleges or hospitals, you will most likely have a higher chance of getting those who may be looking to rent. Whereas, if you are further away from the city and in suburbia, you may find your property attracts families who can’t afford to buy a home.

Real estate can sometimes be seen as a risky investment; however, if you do your research and are in it for the long game and not for the short return, it will pay off. Just remember to do your research and ensure you are financially able to manage the responsibilities that come with being a landlord or a real estate investor.

Posted in Bonnyville, Buying, Real Estate, Tips | Comments Closed

Real Estate 101 – Preparing to Sell Your Condo

December 20th, 2019

Did you know that when it comes to selling your condo over a townhouse or detached home, there are certain things you as a condo homeowner can do to help entice sellers?

Here are three tips to help you ensure your condo is prepared for the real estate market, but that is the one that buyers want.

organized closet

Declutter – When we are about to sell or move, we will often find ourselves in cleaning and decluttering mood. It is essential that when you are preparing to showcase your stunning condo that

 you declutter. It’s important because a condo can sometimes be as expensive as a house in suburbia with a car garage and picket fence. One needs to show the potential buyer all the possible space they can have if they buy your condo.

Condo Pricing – Chances are there may be more than one or two other condos in your building or near-by yours that may be on the market at the same time. It is important that you not only work with a real estate agent who is familiar with the area and type of listing but that they can help you price out your condo. This means knowing what will help a potential make an informed purchase. Installed a marble countertop? New appliances? These details can help price your condo over others.

Added Bonuses – Does your condo have a gym? Pool? Is there parking? Front door service? Storage? These are what are considered bonuses, and while to some, they may seem trivial, to a potential buyer, these are essential features they are looking for. Make sure when you work with a real estate agent, they highlight these but also when you are doing a showing, demonstrate the benefits of these bonuses. For example, having a front door service provides added security.

Remember, when it comes to selling your condo, you want to be as competitive as the other properties in the market. You want to demonstrate why your home is the home for them.

Posted in Bonnyville, Real Estate, Selling, Tips | Comments Closed

Real Estate 101 – Selling Your First Home and Buying Your Second

December 13th, 2019

Your family of three is growing and becoming a family of 4 – or maybe you are just only looking to add more space to your household. Whatever the reason is, when it comes to upgrading your home, no one wants to be paying a mortgage on two homes.

When it comes to selling your first home and buying your second, there are a few things to consider.

Timing – You want to ensure that you can sell and buy your new home relatively close to one another. Whether that is having a closing date that allows for a perfect transition to your ideal move-in date, be aware of the timing over buying and selling your home.

Buyers or Seller’s Market – The real estate market is one that often will swing back and forth from a buyer’s market to that of a seller’s market. A buyer’s market is where there are more homes in the market than there are buyers. A seller’s market is when there are more buyers than homes to be purchased. When it is a seller’s market, this can sometimes result in above-asking prices and bidding wars.

Budget – Some homeowners think that because they’ve owned a home before that, they can afford a bigger house. This may be true, but it also may not be. It’s essential to consider your budget, family sitting together making the shape of a homefrom what your existing home will sell for to what you can afford. If you are looking to move because your family is growing – chances are you will need a bigger house, yes, but your budget will also change.

When you enter the real estate market, mortgage brokers and real estate agents often share that the average time a homeowner spends in their first home will be between 3 – 5 years. For some, they’d like to think their first home is their forever home. While that is hopeful, it is important not to close the door on the possibility you may find yourself looking to sell and buy at the same time.

Posted in Bonnyville, Real Estate, Selling, Tips | Comments Closed

Is 2019 Your Year to Buy a Home?

December 6th, 2019

Finally got that job promotion you’ve been waiting for? Maybe you and your partner and ready to start a family or take the next big step – could this be the year to buy into the real estate market?

A few things you should consider when looking to buy a home in 2019 are:2019 in lights

Don’t be afraid to look at multiple listings and to make various offers. Some newbie homebuyers think that they have only to put an offer in one house at a time. False, you can put as many offers in. The one thing to be cautious about is if you start getting selected; therefore, consider the homes you put offers in. Are you likely to get chosen over another potential buyer? Or is this home one where there will be a bidding war? Consider this and remember, it’s okay to place multiple offers on different listings.

Don’t be discouraged if the home you “wanted” get bought by someone other than you. The market is hot right now, and sometimes, realtors selling will price a home low to start a bidding war. Don’t be discouraged if that lovely two-car garage with the home theatre system gets purchased above asking because chances are there is another home for you about to enter the market.

fingerless gloves holding cardboard homeKnow your budget and STICK TO IT! Sometimes we think that we can make accommodations and work a higher mortgage into our budget. As a homeowner and one whose friends have also bought homes – don’t fall into this trap. Do you want to buy a home and find yourself “house poor”? Or do you want to buy a home within your budget and not have to worry about money constraints?

The real estate market is one that requires patience, understanding and resilience. Don’t be discouraged if your first home isn’t exactly how you envisioned your home being – buying a home is a great way to build equity and invest in your future long term.

Posted in Bonnyville, Buying, Real Estate, Tips | Comments Closed

Selling Your Home – Know Your Rights

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.

Posted in Bonnyville, Real Estate, Selling, Tips, Uncategorized | Comments Closed

Home Inspections – Why You Should Never Skip It

November 22nd, 2019

When it comes to buying a home, before the deal gets closed a potential homebuyer should always have it inspected. This means having it checked thoroughly from top to bottom. What could they be inspecting?

Inspecting Home Foundation

Foundation – For newer homes, the foundation may not be a big deal; however, for older ones or homes in areas where earthquakes, flooding and other natural disasters may be common the foundation could be jeopardized. The last thing a new homeowner wants to have to deal with after a home purchase is issues with the home.

Moulds and water damage – Know what lies behind the paint of the master bedroom? A thorough inspection can make sure that the home is free from an asbestos, mould or hidden damages. When a home has experienced any major damages or upgrades, a potential buyer has to be informed of such repairs or upgrades.

Home inspections can sometimes be done before an actual buyer has shown interest – typically a sign of being proactive; however, it does not hurt to spend that extra $200 or so to have an inspection done by someone the homebuyer has chosen.

Buying a home is an investment – it’s important to do what you can to ensure you protect yourself and mitigate any potential costly errors.

Posted in Bonnyville, Real Estate, Tips | Comments Closed

Considerations When Entering the Real Estate Market

November 15th, 2019

Ready to take the next step and enter the real estate market? Do you know what to look for? Or rather, did you know that when it comes to buying a home, there are a few things to consider?

We share 5 things to consider when buying a house…

Couple looking at offer

  • Use a trusted realtor – When it comes to the real estate market it is essential to surround yourself with people you trust. This means a trusted real estate agent and broker. Having people,you trust will help deciding and doing the research to find that dream home easy.
  • Buy a home for the future, not today – While it’s easy to walk into a brand-new home and feel like it’s the perfect place, remember you are buying a home for the future. Looking to have kids? Think about the space you will need when it comes to buying a home unless you plan on moving before you have children. Keeping this in mind will help determine the size of home you need but also the location.
  • Buying a home is a commitment – For the most part, most homeowners will live in a home on average 3-5 years before considering to relocate, upgrade or downgrade. Remember, just like fashion, don’t buy for the now but rather for the future.
  • Focus on the home not the price – The price you see when you are looking for a home, isn’t always the price you may end up paying. Sometimes, best case, it may go down, in some situations, it could go up. It is important to not focus or obsess too much on the price. Focus on the home – and work from there.
  • Look beyond aesthetics – Just as it is important to look beyond the price, it is important to also look beyond the aesthetics. When you go to an open-house, focus on the foundation, the structure, the size of the rooms and not the color of the wall or the curtains hanging. Those are aspects that can be changed and that can be modified to suit personal preference.

The real estate market is vast and it can be overwhelming. Do your research but more importantly, know what it is you are looking for, this will make the process a lot easier and less stressful.

Posted in Bonnyville, Buying, Real Estate, Selling, Tips | Comments Closed

Is 2019 Your Year to Buy a Home?

November 8th, 2019

Finally got that job promotion you’ve been waiting for? Maybe you and your partner and ready to start a family or take the next big step – could this be the year to buy into the real estate market?

A few things you should consider when looking to buy a home in 2019 are:2019 in lights

Don’t be afraid to look at multiple listings and to make various offers. Some newbie homebuyers think that they have only to put an offer in one house at a time. False, you can put as many offers in. The one thing to be cautious about is if you start getting selected; therefore, consider the homes you put offers in. Are you likely to get chosen over another potential buyer? Or is this home one where there will be a bidding war? Consider this and remember, it’s okay to place multiple offers on different listings.

Don’t be discouraged if the home you “wanted” get bought by someone other than you. The market is hot right now, and sometimes, realtors selling will price a home low to start a bidding war. Don’t be discouraged if that lovely two-car garage with the home theatre system gets purchased above asking because chances are there is another home for you about to enter the market.

fingerless gloves holding cardboard homeKnow your budget and STICK TO IT! Sometimes we think that we can make accommodations and work a higher mortgage into our budget. As a homeowner and one whose friends have also bought homes – don’t fall into this trap. Do you want to buy a home and find yourself “house poor”? Or do you want to buy a home within your budget and not have to worry about money constraints?

The real estate market is one that requires patience, understanding and resilience. Don’t be discouraged if your first home isn’t exactly how you envisioned your home being – buying a home is a great way to build equity and invest in your future long term.

Posted in Bonnyville, Buying, Real Estate, Tips | Comments Closed

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »