Remember the last time you had a family discussion about what to have for dinner? Chances are, there were some disagreements! In fact, it might have been agonizing trying to get everyone to settle on the same dish. Now imagine getting everyone to agree on what type of home to buy!

Obviously, you want family members to be in harmony when looking for a new home. The more everyone is on the same page, the smoother the process will be.

Here are some tips worth trying:

Make a list. Have everyone list the top three features they want in a new home. You might find that family members are closer to agreement than you thought. Also, family members will likely not be disappointed if they get two out of the three features they want.

Have a family meeting. Set a goal to have a clear profile of the kind of home you want by the end of the meeting. Be prepared for some lively discussion, but also be firm that a decision needs to be made.

Be understanding. If a family member insists on a particular feature, ask why. It might be trivial, such as having a shopping mall within walking distance when driving or taking transit is relatively easy. On the other hand, the desired feature might be something truly important and worth considering.

Manage expectations. Explain that not everyone will get what they want and that you (or you and your significant other) will do your best to accommodate everyone’s wishes. There’s no perfect solution.

Depending on your family, it might be difficult to make sure everyone is happy with the home you end up buying. However, by using these tips you can ensure that everyone will at least feel they’ve been heard. Then, once you start building memories in your new place, everyone will start to feel like it’s home!

Have you ever considered selling your home and moving out-of-town? One concern that might be holding you back is the uncertainty involved in finding a home in an unfamiliar place. What are the best neighbourhoods? What are homes selling for in that area? What is it like to live there?

There are many ways to find out.

- If possible, spend a day in the area. Walk some of the neighbourhoods. Visit schools and parks. Check out the local shopping and other amenities.

- Talk to someone who lives there. This will give you firsthand insights into the area. You can facilitate this through a Facebook post where you ask to chat with a local resident.

- View current listings in the area online. Most listings include helpful data on safety, demographics and other information.

- Get a handle on home prices by finding out what a home like yours is currently selling for in that area. That will give you a baseline to determine what you can expect to pay.

What’s the bottom line? There’s no need to let uncertainty about finding a home in a different town or city hold you back.

Is there a neighbourhood you drive through occasionally and think, “Wow. I’d love to live here. What a fantastic area”?

Why don’t you take that thought any further? Maybe you think getting into that neighbourhood just isn’t doable – at least, not right now.

Perhaps you’re worried about the home prices or the current lack of homes for sale in that area. Maybe there’s some other reason, such as the possibility of higher mortgage payments.

Of course, those are all valid concerns. But why not find out whether or not they would genuinely hold you back?

For example, if you’re wondering whether you can afford a home in that neighbourhood, you can find that out with a reasonable degree of certainty. You can:

• Get a current market value assessment so you know, approximately, what you’d likely get for your home.

• Find out the average selling price of homes in the target neighbourhood.

• Calculate what you’d be able to put down on a new home.

• Find out how much mortgage you’ll need and what your payments would be.

Once you’ve taken a closer look at the actual numbers, you might discover that a nice home in your desired neighbourhood is within reach.

So, get the facts you need instead of assuming you can’t get into the neighbourhood you want.
The fact might be, you can!

Call today if you’d like to explore that possibility. I can help you get the facts you need.

When you’re shopping for a new home, you’re not just buying a property, you’re also “buying” into the neighbourhood. So, it’s a smart idea to get to know the neighbourhood before you consider purchasing a home. 

There are many ways to do that. Here are the easiest three: 

1. Check MLS. The Multiple Listing Service system provides a wealth of information about a neighbourhood, including demographics, noise levels, distance to shopping and other amenities, local schools, and more. 

2. Walk the area. You can really get a feel for a neighbourhood by walking around and exploring. So, get out of your car and stroll along the streets. Experience the look, feel, and vibe of the area firsthand. 

3. Talk to a local homeowner. Someone who knows the neighbourhood can give you insights that go beyond the data. They can give you a true sense of what it’s like to live there.

If you find you like the area, then you’re halfway to finding a house you’ll love.

When you’re shopping for a home, you may become interested in a property for sale that someone else is also considering. In fact, there may be several other buyers entertaining the idea of making an offer.

In such a competitive situation, what should you do if you really love that home?

Obviously, you’ll need to move quickly and make some fast decisions.

Start by making certain the property fits within your price range. The last thing you want is to have an offer accepted and find out it is beyond your budget. That’s why it’s a good idea to arrange for financing before you go home shopping.

Next, you want to make an offer that is so enticing to the sellers that they’ll put your offer at the top of the pile, if not close to it. So, what makes an offer enticing?

Obviously, price is a big factor. You want to go in at a price that’s attractive to the sellers. Imagine finding out later that the winning offer was only a few thousands more! Ouch!

Find out what similar homes in the area recently sold for — what real estate agents call “comparables” — and use those as a guide.

It’s also important that your offer contains few, if any, issues that may be concerning to the sellers. The ideal offer will feature:

A closing date that’s convenient for the seller.
A deposit amount that shows you’re a serious buyer.
Acceptance of any of the buyer’s “exclusions”. (For example, they want to take the fridge and stove with them.)
Evidence you can get financing. (Many lenders offer a “Mortgage Pre-approval Certificate”.)

Although a “no conditions” offer is the most attractive, avoid adding other conditions, such as “subject to the sale of buyer’s existing property”.

If you want to increase the likelihood that you’ll find — and, more importantly, get — your next dream home, call today.

When you’re shopping for a new home, you probably want the property to be as “move in ready” as possible. That way, you can... well... just move in!

However, there might be quite a few fantastic properties on the market that need some work. For example, you might see a home that has everything you need, but the kitchen is long overdue for a renovation. Or, you might view a property that requires a lot of repairs and painting — tasks that, at first glance, seem overwhelming.

You don’t want to just pass on a property that might be a great buy for you just because it needs work. On the other hand, you don’t want to purchase a home, only to end up with more renovations, repairs and expenses than you anticipated.

What’s the solution? Here’s an idea.

When you view a home that needs work, make a note of exactly what needs to be done. Stick to the important “must have” improvements and leave “nice to have” improvements for a later time. Chances are, you’ll identify just one or two projects — such as “paint all the walls” or “replace the countertops in the kitchen”.

Once you have that list, you’ll be in a better position to determine how long the work will likely take and the approximate cost. This will give you some needed perspective on whether or not to buy the home.

If a home you’re considering needs $15,000 in work that can probably be completed within two months, that might make the property worth buying. In fact, it probably would!

So, when you see an otherwise ideal home that needs some work, don’t let your imagination make that work into more than it is. Take notes and get estimates.

Depending on where you’re looking, you may be shopping for a home or property in an area where the market is highly competitive, which is just about everywhere now! The good news is, there is plenty you can do to increase your chances of getting the home you love – and can afford.

1. Know exactly what you want. Get crystal clear on the type of home you’re looking for, including size, location, old, new, #bedrooms, garage, parking, etc. This will help narrow your focus on listings that are a good fit.

2. Get your financing pre-approved. In a competitive market, getting your financing pre-approved will give you an advantage at offer time. So don’t leave this to the last minute, do this now.

3. Be prepared to act fast. When the market is busy, good listings don’t last long. You don’t want to miss out! When you see a listing you like, review everything available online first, then schedule a viewing right away if you feel it could be the one.

4. Know your “no-regrets” price. Great homes in a seller’s market will often get multiple offers and sell over asking price. Ask yourself this – what is the highest amount you are willing to pay for this property with no regrets? Losing out on a home for an amount you would have been comfortable with is disappointing. Be sure to run any numbers by your bank / lender / mortgage broker.

5. Consider writing a letter or doing a video telling the sellers how much you love their house. Homeowners are emotionally attached to their homes. They take great pride in every room, every upgrade and feature and want their home to go to someone who will love it just as much as they do.

For more information or to book your complimentary consult, contact me today. Or click here to see my availability so we can avoid the back and forth of finding a time to chat!

Imagine you view three properties for sale. Each one has at least one desirable feature and is generally the kind of home you’re seeking. However, each property also has something that nags at you.

When you get home, guess what you’re most likely to remember about those properties? Will you remember the desirable features and the “right fit” characteristics?

Unfortunately, no. Chances are, what you’ll recall are the negatives.

According to neuroscientists, our brains are hard-wired to remember and be influenced by negatives more than positives. When it comes to shopping for a home, that phenomenon can rob you of some good opportunities.

A simple way around this is to write down what you like about a home you’re viewing. You can do this on your smartphone. By jotting down what you like about a property, you’re letting your notes remember for you instead of you relying on your memory. That will ultimately help you make the right decision about whether or not to make an offer.

How do you find the home of your dreams within a price range you can afford?

Most buyers start by making a “wish list”. But, it’s easy to get frustrated when you have a long wish list and expect you’ll be able to find a home with every one of those features. You might, for example, have “mature backyard tree” as number 23 on your list, and become disappointed when an otherwise ideal property doesn’t have one.

But when you really think about it, your ideal home probably comes down to just three or four core characteristics. For example:

1. Nice, safe, family-oriented neighbourhood.

2. Good-sized backyard.

3. Four bedrooms and two baths.

Sure, there might be other features you were hoping for, such as “move in ready”, or that big tree, but your “big three” are the ones you really can’t do without.

So, when you’re shopping for a new home, yes, definitely make a long list of features and characteristics you desire. After all, there might be properties available on the market that check off most, if not all, of those boxes.

But also circle those three or four characteristics that are at the core of what you want. That will help make your property search much more focused and you’ll be more likely to find your next dream home.

Another advantage of coming up with your big three (or four) is that you’ll be able to quickly discover how much homes with those characteristics are selling for on today’s market. Once you know that price range, you’ll be able to talk with a mortgage advisor to pre-arrange financing. That will make your offer on that dream home even stronger.

Whatever you choose for your “big three”, I can help you find and buy that home. Call me.

Imagine you’ve dreamed of living in a particular neighbourhood, perhaps for years, and then, when you're finally ready to make a move, finding out that the area is competitive and buying there is definitely a challenge.

A disappointment? Not necessarily.

There is a lot you can do to buy into a popular neighbourhood, even in competitive offer situations.

Your first step is to start targeting that area now. Find out about property types, prices and trends. In particular, you’ll need to know what price range you should be thinking about, and making sure that it’s going to fit your budget. To do that, you might need to get a determination of the Fair Market Value of your current home.
Next, begin making preparations so you can get a jump on opportunities in that neighbourhood quickly. You don't want to see a great property come on the market and not be ready to make a move. So, get your current home in order so it’s ready for a quick listing.

If possible, make arrangements to get alerted to new listings as soon as they come on the market. Keep in mind that a new listing may not appear online for a few days. By getting advance notice, you can be among the first buyers to see the home and have an early advantage over other buyers.

If it's likely there's going to be competing offers for the home you want, there are many strategies that can increase your chances of winning. These involve going in at the right price, minimizing conditions to the offer, presenting the offer appropriately, and negotiating effectively.

Is there a neighbourhood you want to get into? I can help make it happen. Call today.

Imagine you have a major project at work, you have to deal with home schooling and you still need to deal with groceries, laundry and dinner. Whoa! That's a busy life.

Can you still find and buy a new home with such a tight schedule? The good news is, you can. In fact, there's plenty you can do to save time.

Consider these tips:

• Get specific about the home you want to buy. Think about property type (for example, "two story, detached"), number of bedrooms and bathrooms, special features, etc.

• Target areas you'd like to live in. That will avoid trips to see listings in areas that aren't a good fit for you.

• Get the financing arranged. You'll be able to shop for a new home with more confidence when you have a pre-arranged mortgage. It will also make your offers stronger.

• Make seeing homes a priority by putting it on your schedule. Look at pictures and watch virtual tours carefully to help narrow down the number of homes you need to visit. Try to block time on the weekend, and ideally one or two evenings a week, to view homes without other distractions.

• Get all the information you need when viewing a property. Take notes. Ask questions. Thoroughly explore the home, yard, and neighbourhood. Get enough information to make a decision without needing to see the home a second time.

While these time-saving tips can help, the best way to find a home on a busy schedule is to work with a good real estate agent.

Want more advice on buying your next dream home? Call today.

Imagine you're looking for a new home. You have a list of all the features you want, just like you would have a grocery shopping list. However, when you explore the homes currently on the market, none meets all your criteria. 

What do you do? You have a few good options. 

First, you can take a second look at your list. Does your new home need every single feature on it? Are there one or two features you can do without? For example, can you settle for a smaller kitchen assuming the property has everything else you want? 

Often, buying a home that's close to perfect is perfect enough. 

Second, consider what features you might be able to add to a home later, by way of a renovation or other improvement. If a property doesn't have a finished basement, for example, you might be able to get that done down the road. Indeed, there are probably many features you can add later to an otherwise desirable property. 

Finally, consider the current level of activity in the local real estate market. Is it likely that a lot of new homes will be coming on the market soon? If so, your perfect home may come up on the market within the next few weeks. 

Maybe even tomorrow! 

In that situation, make sure you arrange to get immediate alerts for newly listed homes that meet your criteria. You'll want to jump on each new opportunity before other buyers learn of the listing. 

The good news is, in most cases you should be able to find and buy a great home, with most — if not all — of the features you want. 

As you've probably noticed, credit card companies regularly offer bonuses to get you to apply for their cards. For example, one such card company offers opportunities to buy tickets to concerts and other events ahead of everyone else. It's their "front of the line" service. 

When you’re searching for a new home, wouldn't it be great if you could get to the front of the line on desirable properties – before other buyers get the chance? 
Well, in a way, you can. 

The first thing you need to do is create a profile for the specific type of home you're looking to buy. That profile will need to include the basics, such as type of home (e.g. detached), size and rooms (e.g. 2000-2,500 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths), and your target neighbourhoods. 

You'll also want to add any additional features you're looking for, such as a finished basement or in-ground pool. 

Next, you want to work with a real estate agent like me who understands the local market and can arrange for you to receive immediate alerts for newly listed homes that meet your criteria. 

It's not uncommon for homes to become available for sale before the listing information gets published on the MLS. In fact, in some circumstances, it could take a couple of days before such listings become available online. 

So, if you get an alert soon after a listing comes on the market, you get a head-start on seeing that home and making an offer. And, you don't need to apply for a special credit card to make that happen! Just give me a call. I can help you find the right home for you. 

When you’re in the market looking for a resale home, you’re bound to come across listings that advertise “move-in-ready”. That simply means that there is little, if any, work that needs to be done after you’ve purchased the home. You should expect that it is freshly painted, there are no maintenance issues and everything works.
 
That can be a big advantage when buying a new home. You can move in and start enjoying the place right away! However, some listings may be priced a little higher because they are move-in ready. They also tend to show better and, therefore, attract more buyers – increasing the likelihood of multiple offers.
Is it worth paying a little more for a move-in-ready home? It depends. Consider the following:
 

1.What is the value in terms of convenience and time-savings of not having to do a lot of clean up, painting and other work when you move in?

2.What is the cost savings from not having to get repairs, renovations and other work done by a contractor or other professional?

When you factor those in, paying a bit more for a move-in- ready home may be a bargain!

Buying an older property definitely has its advantages. The neighbourhood will already be well-established, so you’ll be able to get a sense of the community. The trees will be grown. The area will have a defined character. This combination of an older home and established community may be something you like, or even love.
 
However, when you’re viewing an older home for sale, there are a few extra things you need to be sure to check. Here are the most important:
 
Needed replacements. Nothing lasts forever. In any home, there are items that will eventually need to be replaced. The most common include roofing shingles, furnace, water heater, air conditioner, windows, deck, and fencing. When viewing an older property, ask about the age of each of these items. You’ll get an idea of probable upcoming replacement expenses.
 
Building issues. Homes were built differently decades ago than they are today. So, there may be issues that need to be addressed by a new owner. Some can be serious, such as water leakage and structural problems. Others, less so, such as old electrical outlets that need to be updated. If there are issues like these, they’ll likely be identified during the professional home inspection.
 
Drafts. Drafts are common in older homes. Of course, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be fixed. Even modest infiltration of air through an old window or door with worn weather- stripping could add hundreds of wasted dollars to your energy bill each year. Look for signs of drafts when viewing a home.
 
The good news is, the overwhelming majority of these issues can be fixed easily. Don’t let them dissuade you from buying an older home you otherwise like.