Nov 2, 2017 | Real Estate 101
Is selling your property the furthest thing from your mind? Well, here are some reasons for listing your property that you might not have considered.
- You might qualify for a better home than you anticipate.
- Perhaps you are tired of your current property and want a change.
- There may be homes on the market in a neighbourhood in which you’ve always wanted to live.
- Your current property may no longer meet your needs.
- Your neighbourhood may have changed in ways that you don’t like.
- You might be ready to downsize or upsize and you no longer want to put that off.
- You may want to sell in the fall so you can have a fresh start in a new home in the new year.
- Depending on the type of home you’re considering, you could end up with lower mortgage payments or no mortgage at all.
- You might want to move to a home that’s more conveniently located near work, family and hobbies.
Of course, you may have your own reasons for listing this month. Why not discuss them with a real estate expert? Me! I can answer your questions and explain the options available to you.
Email Beth for more information
Oct 31, 2017 | Real Estate 101
When buyers shop for a new home, they typically start by viewing properties that meet specific criteria… four bedrooms, a large den, a quiet neighbourhood, etc.
But often there is something special about a home that catches a buyer’s and eye that can tip the scales toward your home.
Think about how many times you have heard someone who has just purchased a home say something like: “Wow, the kitchen is fantastic!” or, “The golf course is just a mile up the road!” or, “There’s a great school just four blocks away!”
So when you list your home for sale, think about the special features that might get a similar reaction from buyers.
For example, you might have a view out your living room window that’s really, really great. There might be a local playground that’s especially well-equipped and clean. Your home might be located near a local sporting centre which is really convenient for families who have kids involved in sports.
So when you create your list of features, highlight those that are really, really great and make sure potential buyers are aware of them. It might just be the one feature that prompts a buyer to make an offer.
Have questions?
Email Beth for more information
Sep 27, 2017 | Real Estate 101
You might naturally assume that it is most important to talk to a Realtor when you’re selling or buying a home. But there are many other circumstances in which it makes sense to give me a call. Here are a few examples.
1. When you’re at the “thinking about it” stage
If you’re just thinking about selling your home, and haven’t made a firm decision yet, you might feel uncomfortable calling a Realtor. Don’t be. In fact, I welcome your call. We can discuss what your current property will likely sell for on today’s market, and determine the type of home you qualify to buy. That way, you’ll have some clarity and be able to make a more informed decision.
2. If you’re nervous about the selling process
If you haven’t sold a home before, you might be concerned about what’s involved in the process. You might even worry that putting your home on the market is going to be a lot of work and create a lot of turbulence for you and your family. Fortunately, selling your home doesn’t need to be scary. In fact, a big part of my job as a Realtor is to make the process as smooth and trouble-free as possible. So if you have concerns about selling your home, you should give me a call.
3. If you have questions
You likely have questions about the local real estate scene from time to time. You might have questions like: “How much did that home around the corner sell for?”; “Is now a good time to make a move, or should I wait until the market changes?”; and, “How much is my current home worth?”
When you have questions like those, you don’t need to dig for answers on your own. You can give me a call. As an expert in the local market, I INFORMED can give you the answers you need.
Email Beth for more information
Jul 19, 2017 | Real Estate 101
Here’s what to do…
Imagine there’s a neighbourhood you’d love to live in someday, but, every time you drive through, you rarely, if ever, see a For Sale sign. It’s as if homes get gobbled up by buyers the moment they get listed.
It’s true, properties do tend to sell quickly in desirable, in-demand neighbourhoods. Does that mean you’re destined to either hope for a lucky break or miss out on ever living there?
Fortunately, no. There are practical things you can do to increase your chances of getting into that neighbourhood.
Your first step is to find out the kind of new home you can afford. You want to get your financial ducks in a row so when a listing does come up in the area, you’re able to respond quickly. Find out the average price range of homes in the neighbourhood. Then, if necessary, talk to your lender or mortgage broker.
The second step is to get your current property ready for sale. You don’t necessary need to list it now, but you want to be in a position to do so quickly, if necessary. You may need to clean up and declutter, get repairs done, and spruce up your home in other ways.
The third step is to talk to me.
You see, listings in popular neighbourhoods often move fast. By the time you see them advertised on the internet, they may be gone. I can closely monitor listings in that area for you, so the moment one comes up that meets your criteria, you can be alerted. This greatly increases your chances of getting that home. So if there is a dream neighbourhood you’d love to get into, give me a call.
Have questions?
Email Beth for more information
Jul 10, 2017 | Real Estate 101
Putting your home on the market may be the last thing you have on your mind.
But, as you know, life happens. Things change. You might unexpectedly find yourself in the position of wanting, or having to quickly sell your home.
It happens more often than you might think. In fact, according to studies into why people sell their homes, more than a third are due to relatively quick and unexpected changes. Something happens – a job relocation, a lifestyle change – and the homeowner finds him or herself making a move.
In these situations, the biggest source of stress is caused by the need to prepare the current home for sale.
If you’ve lived in your house for a few years, or even just a few months, you know how quickly things can pile up. The garage gets filled with stored items. Things needing minor repairs get put on hold.
That’s why it’s a good idea, every so often, to inspect your property and ask yourself, “If I had to put my home on the market this month, what would I need to do?” Then plan to get those things done. That way, if you suddenly find yourself wanting to sell your home quickly and for the best price, you’ll be ready.
Have questions?
Email Beth for more information
Jun 26, 2017 | Real Estate 101
Setting the right list price for a home is a mystery for many sellers. How do you begin to determine what buyers are likely to pay for your property? After all, no two homes are exactly alike.
Yet, setting the right price is crucial. You need to avoid the two price “tipping points” that, if crossed, can cause you a lot of problems.
The first tipping point is a price that’s low enough for buyers to begin thinking something is wrong. They wonder, “Why is your price so low? What are you not telling us about your property?”
But that’s not even the worst problem with this tipping point. If you do get offers at that low price, you’ll have a bigger issue – leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
The other tipping point is setting your price so high it discourages buyers from giving your listing a second look. When your price is that high, you’ll get few enquiries and even fewer people coming to see your property.
Of course, you can lower your price later, if necessary. But experience shows that reduced prices make potential buyers skeptical. Most sellers who price high in the hopes of getting a windfall actually end up selling for much less than they would have if they had priced their properties correctly in the first place.
So what’s the right price to list your property? The answer is somewhere in-between those two tipping points.
Call today for help determining the right price for your property
Email Beth for more information
