Today, we're diving into an important topic that could make a big difference in the amount of money you net from your home sale.  The market is hot. There are more buyers who need houses than houses for sale. That means your home is in demand and it’s not even listed yet. That sounds like great news for you and it is!


As a result of this, we know potential sellers are thinking… Hmm maybe we should just put a sign up in the front yard and see what happens. The truth is, the worst thing you can do as a seller in a hot market is to do it alone.  So before you head to the local hardware store for that "For Sale By Owner" sign, keep reading. We know you're doing the math and figuring out how much selling your home on your own could potentially save you...…

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You’re getting ready to start the home buying process, browsing through all the real estate websites to see what’s out there and have started your new home wish list. You’ve probably been getting advice from friends and family members about how to get a good deal and things you should do to avoid overpaying. Now you’re wondering how much do you actually offer on a house? Is there some kind of magic formula to follow or do you just throw out a number that you’re comfortable with? Here are a few things to consider before determining how much to offer on a house:

 

Know the Market: Before even considering how much to offer on a home, it’s important that you’re familiar with the market you’re going to be looking in.

 

The market can vary between…

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After helping many first time home buyers successfully buy their dream home, I noticed something that I want to share with as many future first time home buyers as possible. What I noticed was that several of these buyers weren’t aware that they had the ability to use a buyer’s agent to represent them in one of the biggest purchases they will ever make.

I want to put this out there to help educate as many people as possible that you can and should have an agent who works for you when you are ready to buy a home because let’s be honest, buying a home involves a lot more steps than most people realize. So what does a buyer’s agent do? In a nutshell, they help you, the buyers; navigate the entire home buying process one step at a time. But let’s dive in…

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Have you ever wondered why there are so many people involved when you Buy and Sell? What do they all do and how do they get paid? We get this question a lot from first time home Buyers but also from people who have not bought or sold in a while, or the last time they did it was out of province or country. It is different everywhere, so make sure to check with your local Realtor.


Realtors: This can be a single agent, or a team. It is best to get someone who knows the hyper-local market that you are Buying and Selling in. Usually the Buyer has their Agent and the Seller has their own agent and each work for a Real Estate Brokerage. This may be the same person, or the same Brokerage but that is called multiple Representation in Ontario and that requires…

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One of the best things about living in Lanark County is the amount of trails and wilderness available at our doorstep. You can drive minutes to some of the most spectacular views! When you live locally, you don’t always play locally. We all know that we have had more time to explore what our beautiful area has to offer recently and we hope everyone will continue to safely enjoy these fantastic sources of exercise, family time, fresh air and exploring.


One of our favourite things to do with our kids is go for a walk and explore a trail. Being outside is so important to our metal health and is a great place for quiet reflection alone or great conversation with others. We have checked-out a few that I listed below and hope to explore many more in…

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Why is My Home Not Selling?


Hey there! I see that you're selling your home and wondering what the heck is going on when everyone else’s homes selling super-quick! Or maybe you are thinking of selling and want to avoid being the home that sits. Either way, keep on reading!


#1 Condition- If your home is in need of some repairs, that may be why Buyers are overlooking your home and offering on another. Buyers prefer to move right in and avoid having to do small (or big) repairs to a home. If you have neglected items on your maintenance list, this would be a great time to address them. Things like chipped paint, torn screens and over-grown landscaping can make a difference in how a Buyer will view your home. A listing appointment should include any specific items that would…

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Congrats on your home purchase! This is a very exciting time and one you will hopefully look back on with fond memories! Now it’s time to take some pictures in front of the sold sign, pop open some champagne, line-up the trucks for moving day and order the pizza because you are OFFICIALLY a homeowner. Before you do, here are five things you should do first:

Get to know your house:

Review your home inspection to be prepared for immediate fixes that may need completed right away. If they are big jobs, you will need to line-up a contractor. If they are small, you can hit the hardware store to get you supplies ready for move-in/ repair day. Some people prefer or need to, t

o do the repairs BEFORE they move in and if it’s a busy season your…

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Real estate seems like the perfect job. To me it is but I can tell you it has not always been that way. I wish I had more information when I started or at least where to go to get it. Tons of entrepreneurs decide to pursue a career in real estate every year and the Ottawa Real Estate Board alone had 267 new members in 2016. It seems like a dream job where you can make your own hours, take vacations whenever you want, look at beautiful homes, and make lots of money.

Although some of these may be true, many factors affect how this will happen. If you plan on making a solid living, there are a few things to consider when you become newly registered.

1- Make a plan. With all of your newly acquired knowledge, you will surely want to hit the…

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We have all heard that the best time to list your home is in the spring. This is when houses show better, people want a change and you can be settled before the start of school. These are great reasons to sell your home in the spring, for sure. There are also a lot of downsides to list in the spring.


Here are 3 Reasons to NOT wait until everyone else:

A TON OF INVENTORY!  Your house better be show ready because the competition is tight

LOTS OF LOOKY-LOOS!  People are coming out of the winter and can be just curious on pricing their own home, or worse, just looking for decorating ideas

BUSY BUSY! More volume= more issues in a lot of cases. Most families are very busy during this time and it can be challenging to book showings and open…

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This day in age it is very easy to do things online. Literally there is an app for everything, even a virtual assistant! I think this has led to some wonderful conveniences that I many enjoy every day, but I also feel that it has led us down a slippery slope to an industry where there is less and less personal contact – In a service business!! I know, right? This is leaving people to feel they should buy homes on their own.

When people are buying houses and are going at it alone, without the proper information, or guidance it can be a very costly mistake….in a lot of ways. Yes, I know there’s a TON off apps to see which properties are available for sale and this is fantastic- seriously. As a Realtor I love them too. These apps do not give you sold…

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