Sunday 29 July 2012

Preparing for a far-away move

Preparing for a far-away move

Moving can be a complicated process, especially when the new home is far away, whether its to another part of the province, or right across Canada.  Buyers must research the town, school systems, job market, and neighbourhood all before settling on a new location.  I recommend taking the following steps to ensure that when it comes time to move to a distant location, the process goes as smoothly as possible.

First, Get Organized. When moving many miles away it makes sense to compile a list of the key information required before deciding where to live.  Other Important questions include:

·         What is the cost of living? How does it compare against where we’re living now?

·         What is the price of a similar sized house in the new location?

·         What is the community like? Are the neighbourhoods safe?  

·         Where are the schools located?

·         What is the noise factor?

·         Will this be a good area for my spouse to find work?

·         What is the public transportation system like?

            ·         How long will the commute be?

Due Diligence. To learn about the typical lifestyle of the town, as well as community events and safety, get a few back copies of the local newspaper, or log on to their Web site.  This third party information, and more facts from the local Chamber of Commerce, will give a sense of the area.

Use the Internet. When it comes to the home itself, the Web is an invaluable tool. Web sites such as www.coldwellbanker.ca can provide visitors with a wealth of useful information. Features like the Coldwell Banker Home Price Comparison Index can help you approximate how much a comparable house will be worth in the new market.  This information also provides some insight into the local cost of living.  Visitors can find a variety of community information including median age and income, percentages of married couples and children, recent home sales, and more.    

Find a local real estate professional.  Begin to work with a real estate sales representative early on when visiting the new city. If you don’t have a real estate representative in your target area, I can help put you in touch with an experienced professional who will be a good ‘fit’ for you and your needs. 

Feet on the Street.  Look to see how much new construction and renovation work is taking place. This will indicate whether the neighbourhood is growing and developing, and whether current residents plan to stay. Let your sales representative take you through the neighbourhood “after hours” to see what it looks like when all have returned from work and school.  

Chat time.  If possible, try to have a few conversations with local residents who live nearby.  They have their fingers on the pulse of the neighbourhood and the community at large.

Want to know more about choosing the right community? Please feel free to contact me tomflatt@coldwellbanker.ca or 905-768-7717.  

Monday 23 July 2012

Five Questions Sellers Should Ask When Choosing a Real Estate Representative

Five Questions Sellers Should Ask When Choosing a Real Estate Representative 

Selecting a real estate representative to assist in the largest financial transaction a person will likely ever make is a critical part of the home selling process. In a challenging economic environment where competition among real estate companies is on the rise, choosing the agent that’s right for you can be a confusing task.

I suggest home sellers start by interviewing several real estate agents to find someone with whom they “connect.”  However, chemistry is not the only variable to consider. The length of time an agent has been in the business, his or her home sale success rate and knowledge of the local market can also play a significant role in the decision-making process.

To jump-start the conversation, I suggest five essential questions home sellers should ask before selecting a real estate representative.  

1.     How long have you been in the real estate business and what has your success rate been in terms of home sales over the past 12 months? The length of time a real estate representative has been in the business and their home sale success rate demonstrates their knowledge and expertise in the industry. Ideally, a home seller will want to work with an agent who has a high percentage of completed transactions within your home’s price range.

2.     What was the average amount of time it took to sell those listings? Comparing marketing times between the agents you are interviewing will provide you with an indication of how well that agent markets homes.

3.     What was your list-price to sale-price ratio? Significant differences between original listing prices and ultimate sale prices can be an indication that the list prices quoted at the outset were unrealistic.

4.      What is your online marketing plan to sell my property? In Canada, the vast majority of home buyers begin their home search on the Internet. Therefore, the real estate representative you select should have a strong online marketing presence as well as be visible through social media outlets in order to reach the widest possible audience. Websites such as Coldwell Banker On Location, a branded YouTube™ channel, the Real Estate Channel, V-Tour websites, allow real estate agents to showcase their listings and local knowledge by tapping into the power of video and offering consumers a new way to search for homes online.

5.     Do you have references you can share from past clients? References allow you to gain additional insight into the day-to-day workings with the real estate agent. Gathering reputable references will help ensure that you select the best real estate representative for your needs.

Want to know more about where to find a great real estate representative anywhere across Canada?  Visit www.coldwellbanker.ca or ask me, to view details for thousands of real estate professionals. 

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Five Tips for Single Home Buyers

Five Tips for Single Home Buyers

Canada’s housing environment has more single home buyers entering the market than ever before.  With inventory levels improving in many markets, and interest rates near record lows many people across the country who may have never considered buying a home in the past are recognizing that a mortgage payment on a house can actually be the same or less than what they would spend on renting.

 For most Canadians, buying a home is the most significant financial investment they will ever make, and perhaps even more so for singles who are making the transition on their own. With that in mind, Coldwell Banker has come up with five tips to help single home buyers navigate the home buying process:

Keep an eye on the future. A family of one is much more likely to upsize rather than downsize. Some day someone who is single may add a significant other to their family and possibly even children. Though additional space may not be needed immediately, it’s important to consider potential future plans for a home.  Keep in mind that there is no such thing as the "perfect" house. Instead, determine what is essential – number of bedrooms, approximate square footage, neighbourhood, etc.  And when you do move up, your first home can provide you with equity to purchase your next home or it can be kept as an investment.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage. A pre-approval will let single home buyers know where they stand financially while informing the mortgage company that they are ready to buy. Additionally, this step will demonstrate to everyone involved in the purchase that the home buyer is serious and well qualified.

Location, location, location. The golden rule of real estate applies to single home buyers as well.  Factors such as proximity to work, family and nightlife often play a role in the decision of where to purchase a home. Speaking with a Coldwell Banker sales representative can help narrow the search to find the location that best suits a home buyer’s needs and lifestyle.

Plan ahead for maintenance fees. Owning a home is a rewarding experience. However, being the only person with a set of house keys also means being the only person responsible for maintenance. A leaky faucet and unkempt lawn won’t take care of themselves, so be sure to include future repairs and maintenance in the budget. Also keep in mind that certain properties such as condominiums and townhomes require less exterior maintenance and might be a good option for those single home buyers who find the idea of maintaining a yard a bit daunting.
Consider resale value and longevity. Purchasing a home has historically been a great long-term investment. However, there are many reasons single home buyers may need to move, such as relocating for a job or a lifestyle change. Therefore, it is important to think about the length of time that the home will be owned and also consider the resale value of prospective properties during the search. Your local Coldwell Banker real estate representative can share the average home price of properties in the area, how long each property has been on the market and what features increase a home’s value and appeal.

Sunday 1 July 2012

CAYUGA COUNTRY HOME BUNGALOW-$234,900

CAYUGA COUNTRY SIDE RD has this custom built all brick bungalow with no lots of space between neighbours and gorgeous country views from every angle. Open concept design, spacious oak eat-in kitchen, separate dining room. Cozy main floor living room. Convenient mud room including main floor laundry & powder room with doors from garage and rear yard. Den has patio doors to deck overlooking yard. Deep double garage perfect for the handyman/hobbyist. Minutes to Cayuga on a quiet secondary road and only 30 minutes to Hamilton. http://www.realestatechannel.ca/24372