KITCHENER-WATERLOO REAL ESTATE-HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

Sellers

Fun Fact on how to keep hornets and bee’s away from your deck. – Kitchener Homes for sale


Here’s another fun fact on how to keep bee’s and hornets away from your deck and backyard area. Not sure if it works but give it a try and let me know your results.

July 6, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seeing Through Home Sellers Camouflage – Kitchener Homes for Sale


If your one of the many Canadians just entering the home buyer’s market. it’s easy to overlook some of the details when looking at for your new place to call home.

In some cases, people are anxious to sell their home and may make a few cosmetic “fixes” to hide some areas where the house may need a little extra care or repairs. Here are some things to watch for:

1. Fresh coat of paint in the basement – You need to ask yourself why is that concrete floor painted? Sometimes basements will leak and they get a mineral stain on them around the concrete. Before selling homeowner’s may want to cover those things up with a coat of paint.  If you think there may be a problem go back for a second visit after a really good rain storm and check again for moisture.

2. Recently pumped septic tank – If it is a rural  property, then look at the septic system. If it has been recently pumped prior to an inspection or listing the property it could give the appearance of a well working system. A problem septic system could cost well over $20,000 to replace so you need to be sure.

3. Unusual smells. – Does the house smell like mould?  Mould is easy to hide visually by a new coat of paint but not so easy to get rid of the smell that it leaves behind.  Take a good “wiff” and see what you smell.

4.Look for things that are out of place – if there is stuff piled up in a  corner of the basement or storage areas, use caution. Take the time to move the items if you can and see what is behind them. The seller may be hiding something that they don’t want you to find out about. Cracks in the foundation or a problem with the flooring for example.

5. Protect yourself – Finally, use your gut instincts. Follow that little voice that is inside each of us, telling us that there is something just not right here. Ask questions and get the answers you are looking for. If you don’t ask them again until you do. Use a written offer with conditions so as to protect yourself. Use a  home inspector and your Realtor to find out about the items in question.  Do your due diligence. It could easily save you thousands in the long run.

June 24, 2010 | Categories: Buyers, Random thoughts, Sellers | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fun Fact on how to avoid bird droppings on your deck or Pool – Kitchener homes for sale.


I heard an interesting “Fun Fact” the other day while swimming with my family at a friends pool. Watch the video and try it out and see if it really works.

June 17, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kitchener Homes for Sale -Do Print ads really work?


As a Realtor, I often get the question… “where do you advertise?” Now I believe we do a great job of promoting our listings online and offline and the focus over the past years is generating more eyes online. The sellers that I talk to expect to see their homes in print, but does this really work to attract buyers? The stats say otherwise.

According to the NAR survey press-release: 

“Buyers use a wide variety of resources in searching for a home: 90 percent use the Internet, 87 percent rely on real estate agents, 59 percent yard signs, 46 percent attend open houses and 40 percent look at print or newspaper ads. Although buyers also use other resources, they generally start the search process online and then contact an agent.

When asked where they first learned about the home purchased, 36 percent of buyers said a real estate agent; 36 percent the Internet; 12 percent from yard signs; 6 percent from a friend, neighbor or relative; 5 percent home builders; 2 percent a print or newspaper ad; 2 percent directly from the seller; and less than 1 percent a home book or magazine.

Eight out of 10 home buyers who used the Internet to search for a home purchased through a real estate agent, in contrast with 63 percent of non-Internet users who were more likely to purchase directly from a builder or from an owner they already knew in a private transaction.”

Let’s recap that…

How did you start your real-estate search??

According a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors(NAR), 90 percent use the Internet. Wow! 90%. Buyers also use other resources; however, they generally start the search process online and then contact an agent.

How did you learn about the home you purchased?

36 percent of buyers said the Internet; 36 percent of buyers said a real estate agent. Only 2 percent from a newspaper.

So why do Realtors do the print ads?

Obviously it’s to keep the sellers happy! It’s an old school way of doing things that may generate a very small percentage of leads but the internet is the place to be.  Focus on the online business and the business will be there in the years to come. When looking for a Realtor ask the most important question… how are you selling houses online? That is the only question that really counts!

June 15, 2010 | Categories: Buyers, Random thoughts, Sellers | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kitchener Homes for Sale – Put your valuables away.


Everybody loves open houses but what you need to remember is that there are strangers walking through your home. So remember when your home is for sale make sure to put your valuables away and out of sight. Remove the temptation and keep your precious things safe.

June 8, 2010 | Categories: Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DEMAND FOR PRICIER HOMES PUSHING UP AVERAGES IN KITCHENER-WATERLOO AND AREA


From Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Board
DEMAND FOR PRICIER HOMES PUSHING UP AVERAGES IN KITCHENER-WATERLOO AND AREA
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (June 3, 2010) – Increased demand for more expensive homes pushed the average price of detached homes up 11.2 percent to $338,209 on a year-over-year comparison.
There was a 50.7 percent increase in the number of homes selling for more than $400,000, with a total of 98 transactions through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board (KWREB) in May compared to 65 transactions in the same month last year.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Real Estate Association recently announced its revised forecast for national activity. The average home price is expected to climb 1.6 percent for homes across Canada, reaching a record $325,400. To date in 2010, the average price of all homes sold in Kitchener-Waterloo and area has increased 10.3 percent to $ 283,423.
Last month, there was a total of 703 sales of all property types, a solid May, according to the President of the KWREB, and evidence of continued strength in the local real estate market.
May’s residential sales included 432 detached homes, 114 condominium units, 58 semis, and 44 townhouses.
“2010 is poised to be a record breaking year for home sales,” said, Ted Scharf, President of the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board. “Since January, sales have been posting well ahead of all previous years on a year-to-date basis.”
With the Bank of Canada’s recent decision to raise its overnight lending rate by 25 basis points to a half a percent, experts are predicting that interest rates will rise, but slowly, keeping home financing within reach for many consumers.
May’s activity brings the total number of residential sales on a year-to-date basis to 3,095, a 25.5 percent increase over 2009.

June 7, 2010 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kitchener Homes for sale – H.S.T. Update


I was talking to my broker (www.remaxtwincity.com) the other day to find out what is happening with the H.S.T. during the transitional period. He gave me some great news. What the video to check it out. 

May 27, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kitchener Homes for sale – 5 Inexpensive ways to get your home ready for sale.


If you are thinking of selling your home in the near future, here are 5 inexpensive ways to get it ready for the rush of buyers. Keep in mind, first impressions are very important so make them count.

May 12, 2010 | Categories: Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kitchener Homes for sale- H.S.T. Update


The Harmonized Sales Tax will be officially here on July 1st, but did you know that you may already be paying the tax on certain items?
Have a look at the video and see some things that are already subject ot the H.S.T.

May 4, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kitchener homes for sale -Read Before You Sign


I attended a mortgage seminar this morning and it really opened my eyes to what some banks are doing to consumers.

 My advice to buyers has always been to talk to a professional and get great advice. Now I am going to take that a step further and tell them to make sure to read any and all documents before they sign, especially mortgage documents. Make sure you know what you are getting into before you proceed and if you have any questions at all…..ASK THEM!  If you don’t get the answers that you are looking for then ASK THEM AGAIN!

It is your job as an educated buyer to get the information you need to make the correct decision for you and your family.

Watch the video to see my thoughts on what you should look for and please feel free to leave your comments.

March 9, 2010 | Categories: Buyers, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Kitchener Homes for sale -Does your Realtor do this full time?


I had a listing appointment yesterday and the most important question that the clients had was one I don’t get very often.  Do I sell homes full time? The average realtor in Canada sells 4 homes per year and the majority of those people don’t do it full time.

As a seller you need to be aware if your realtor has another job or if he/she only sells homes part-time. I myself do this full time and sometimes more than that. The life of a Realtor is not a glamorous one but definitely one where you have to be available when your clients need you or are available.

So ask the question the next time you are interviewing agents to sell your home, and make sure you get the answers you are looking for.

Check out the video that I did in January for my thoughts and please leave your comments.

February 28, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kitchener Homes for sale -New Mortgage Rules For Real Estate Investment


If you are a new or active real estate investor the announcement this morning from Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will have an effect on how you qualify and purchase property. In a release this morning he is making 3 significant changes to Mortgage insurance rules:

1. Variable mortgages qualified at five year fixed rate;

2. Refinancing limited to 90% instead of 95%;

3. Non owner occupied residences require 20% down payment;

“There is no clear evidence of a housing bubble, but we’re taking a proactive, prudent and cautious steps today to help prevent one. Our Government is acting to help prevent Canadian households from getting overextended, and acting to help prevent some lenders from facilitating it.” Say’s Flaherty.

So what does all that mean? Well as of April 19th these new rules will affect buying a home and more specifically investment property. Flaherty said that it is not meant to focus on investment property but speculators out there that are in multiple condo developments. I believe that this will help tighten the requirements so that people don’t get in over their head and over leveraged in the event that rates start to creep up.

I understand that you can still take advantage of the current structure until April 19th so give me a call to discuss if you have any questions.

Click hear to watch my video on the changes to the rules

February 16, 2010 | Categories: Buyers, Sellers | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

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