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The “3 Up” strategy for selling your home quickly. This is a simple strategy, but it works! Learn more here:
The “3 Up” Strategy for Selling Your Home Quickly
There are many reasons why you may need to sell your home quickly: a
sudden job relocation; a change in family situation; or perhaps an
opportunity to purchase a new home that you just can’t pass up.
Whatever the reason, this strategy will help when you need to sell fast. It’s
called the “3 Up” strategy.
• Fix it up.
• Clean it up.
• Spruce it up.
First, you need to fix it up. That simply means getting things repaired around
your property, such as a broken floor tile in the kitchen or a sticking patio
door that’s difficult to open and close. Maintenance issues like these distract
buyers from the appealing qualities of your home. Fortunately, repairs can
usually be done quickly.
Second, clean it up. Obviously, when your home is clean and tidy it’s going
to look its best. You also want to eliminate as much clutter as possible. You
don’t need to make every room look like a magazine cover — but that’s a
good attitude to have when prepping your home for a quick sale!
Finally, spruce it up. That means making any quick improvements that are
going to make your home even more appealing. It might mean replacing the
kitchen counters or giving the main rooms a fresh coat of paint.
Of course, the number one strategy for getting that SOLD sign on your front
yard is to select a great REALTOR®.
Looking for a great REALTOR®? Call today.
How much should you budget for home maintenance? Here are a couple of rules of thumb:
How Much Should You Budget for Home Maintenance?
If you own a car, you know there’s more to the cost-of-ownership than just
finance payments and gas. You also need to budget for maintenance and
repairs. If your car is older, those costs are going to be higher. That’s just
common sense.
The same is true of your home. It’s wise to budget for anticipated repairs
and maintenance. Otherwise, you might be caught by surprise when you
find that your furnace stops working and needs to be replaced. That can
easily be a four-figure expense.
Experts recommend that you set aside 1% of the value of your home for
repairs and maintenance. For a $500,000 property, for example, that would
be $5,000. That is, of course, merely a rule of thumb. If your home is older,
you may need to budget more.
Another recommended method is to budget $1 a square foot. If you have a
2,500 square foot home, that would be a budget of $2,500. Again, that
number would need to be higher for older properties.
When budgeting, consider things that are getting old and will likely need to
be replaced within the next three years. Examples include roof shingles,
furnace, A/C unit, deck, fence, plumbing, and windows. Depending on the
size and model, a new A/C unit will cost at least $5,000. Anticipating that
expense will help you plan accordingly and avoid the shock of an
unpleasant and costly surprise.
Keep in mind that budgeting $2,000 for repairs and maintenance doesn’t
mean you’ll actually spend that money this year. But, if needed, the budget
will be there, and that’s peace-of-mind.
7612 140A Street, Surrey, British Columbia
I just sold this House at 7612 140A Street, Surrey, British Columbia East Newton.
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Wondering if a particular neighbourhood will go up in value? Look for these signs:
Will the neighbourhood go up in value?
When you purchase a home, you’re hoping it will continually go up in value
— just like a good investment.
However, there’s something else that you want to see go up in value as
well: the neighbourhood. In fact, the neighbourhood plays a key role in what
the home will be worth in years to come. If the neighbourhood goes down in
terms of desirability, so will the market value of the home.
That’s why, when shopping for a new home, it’s important to get a feel for
the value of the neighbourhood, and whether or not it’s on the upswing.
How do you do that? One way is to simply take a walk. Look at the
properties. Are they well maintained? Is the landscaping groomed and
attractive? Those are signs of “pride of ownership” — a clear indication that
owners value their homes and the neighbourhood.
Another way is to do some research. Has crime gone up in the
neighbourhood? Are there improvements planned, such as new parks? Is
the neighbourhood attracting the kind of people you want as neighbours?
How does the neighbourhood school rank?
Some of this information may be difficult to get on your own. A good
REALTOR® can help you. Call today.
Should you buy a home before you sell your own? Or should you sell first?
Should You Sell First and Buy Later? Or Vice-Versa?
When you’re thinking of selling your home and buying another, you face the
inevitable question: Should I list my property first or buy my new home first?
Let’s take a look at both options.
If you attempt to buy a property before listing your home, you run into a
couple of challenges.
First, sellers may not take you seriously as a potential buyer. After all, you
haven’t put your own home up for sale. As far as they’re concerned, you
might merely be testing the market.
Second, your property might not sell as quickly as you thought it would. If
there is an early closing date on the home you purchased, you might end up
owning, and paying a mortgage on both properties, at least until your home
sells.
If, on the other hand, you list your property before buying a new home,
sellers will know you’re serious. That puts you in a competitive position in
the event of multiple offers.
Also, if your home sells quickly, you’ll have the peace-of-mind of knowing
exactly how much of a new home you can afford. You’ll be able to shop with
confidence.
Of course, like the first option, there is a chance that the closing dates won’t
match and you’ll end up owning two properties for a period of time.
However, solutions such as bridge financing are available to help.
So, there is no perfect answer. A lot depends on the state of the local
market.
Looking for a good REALTOR® who can help you decide which is the best
move for you? Call today.
Wondering if a particular neighbourhood will go up in value? Look for these signs
Will the neighbourhood go up in value?
When you purchase a home, you’re hoping it will continually go up in value
— just like a good investment.
However, there’s something else that you want to see go up in value as
well: the neighbourhood. In fact, the neighbourhood plays a key role in what
the home will be worth in years to come. If the neighbourhood goes down in
terms of desirability, so will the market value of the home.
That’s why, when shopping for a new home, it’s important to get a feel for
the value of the neighbourhood, and whether or not it’s on the upswing.
How do you do that? One way is to simply take a walk. Look at the
properties. Are they well maintained? Is the landscaping groomed and
attractive? Those are signs of “pride of ownership” — a clear indication that
owners value their homes and the neighbourhood.
Another way is to do some research. Has crime gone up in the
neighbourhood? Are there improvements planned, such as new parks? Is
the neighbourhood attracting the kind of people you want as neighbours?
How does the neighbourhood school rank?
Some of this information may be difficult to get on your own. A good
REALTOR® can help you. Call today.
Don’t get confused by real estate jargon on closing day. Here are some common terms and definitions:
“Closing Day” Terminology:
You Need To Know Closing day is an exciting time. After all, you’re moving into your new home! However, it can be stressful as well. The last thing you need is to be confronted with something you don’t understand. So here is a quick list of common “closing day” terms. • Disbursements. This is the allocation of funds to the appropriate parties, such as the seller. Your lawyer will take care of this for you. • Possession. This is the moment on closing day when you are legally able to take possession of your new home. It’s usually when your REALTOR® or lawyer hands you the keys. • Title. This is a legal document that identifies the property and its owner. • Closing costs. These are expenses, excluding the selling cost of the property, that are due on closing day, such as legal fees, reimbursement for pre-paid utilities, utility deposits, insurance, and taxes. • Closing adjustments. These are expenses pre-paid by the seller that need to be reimbursed on closing. There may be other terms you come across on closing day as well. Don’t worry, a good REALTOR® can help make the day go smoothly for you and your family. Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call today.
You Need To Know Closing day is an exciting time. After all, you’re moving into your new home! However, it can be stressful as well. The last thing you need is to be confronted with something you don’t understand. So here is a quick list of common “closing day” terms. • Disbursements. This is the allocation of funds to the appropriate parties, such as the seller. Your lawyer will take care of this for you. • Possession. This is the moment on closing day when you are legally able to take possession of your new home. It’s usually when your REALTOR® or lawyer hands you the keys. • Title. This is a legal document that identifies the property and its owner. • Closing costs. These are expenses, excluding the selling cost of the property, that are due on closing day, such as legal fees, reimbursement for pre-paid utilities, utility deposits, insurance, and taxes. • Closing adjustments. These are expenses pre-paid by the seller that need to be reimbursed on closing. There may be other terms you come across on closing day as well. Don’t worry, a good REALTOR® can help make the day go smoothly for you and your family. Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call today.
Upgrades to your home that hold their value
Upgrades That Hold Their Value: Do you have a renovation project in mind – and wonder how much value it
will add to your home? Remodeling Magazine recently did a study of
renovation projects, comparing costs to added value. Here are some of the
results:
Replacing a main entry door has a return on investment of over 95%. After
all, the entrance to a home is one of the first things a prospective buyer
notices.
Adding a new deck also adds a lot of value. Depending on the materials
used, you can expect to get back three-quarters of the money invested.
Another high-payback project is the garage door. This once again
demonstrates the importance of a home’s “curb appeal.”
If you’re tackling a big project, such as a basement renovation, you’ll be
glad to know that, according to the study, a project like this adds a lot of
value.
Finally, minor improvements to bathrooms and kitchens – such as adding
new countertops or cupboards, can also be good investments that mostly
pay back when you sell your home.
Of course, these figures are averages and can vary widely depending on
location, type of property, and other factors.
Need help determining how a particular home improvement might impact
the selling price? Call today
Here’s how to help sell your home quickly
How to Help Sell Your Home Quickly
Usually when you list your home, you would prefer to sell it quickly. It’s like
being the first one served at a crowded ice cream parlour. It’s satisfying.
However, sometimes there’s more to it than that. There may be a truly
urgent reason why you need to find a buyer for your property as soon as
possible, such as a sudden job relocation.
If that’s the case, it’s important to explain your situation to your REALTOR®,
who will be able to put together an action plan for selling your home quickly
and for the best price possible.
During that conversation, ask what you can do to help the process along.
For example, you may be able to:
• Spread the word to your friends and other connections on Facebook.
• Canvass your neighbours and tell them about your listing.
• Stage your home so that it’s more attractive to prospective buyers.
When it comes to price, be prepared to be flexible. That doesn’t mean you
must settle for a price far below your home’s market value. However, you do
need to be prepared to accept a good offer rather than try to hold out for a
great one.
Also be open to as many viewings and open houses as possible. Having
many prospective buyers come through your home within a short period of
time may be a little inconvenient, but the payoff might be an offer!
Finally, work with your REALTOR®. A good REALTOR® will know the local
market well and have many ideas for selling your property fast.
Looking for a good REALTOR® like that? Call today.
Easy-to Miss Home Security Tips for Your Vacation
Easy-to Miss Home Security Tips for Your Vacation :
If you’re relaxing on a Caribbean beach, or enjoying a bus tour through historic Paris, the last thing you want to worry about is your home. Most people know the basics of keeping a home secure while away. Here are some additional tips that are easy to miss: • Tell your kids not to boast about your fabulous vacation plans, especially on social media. The fewer who know that the house will be empty, the better. • Ask a neighbour to pick up any mail and flyers dropped at your doorstep. But don’t rely on that alone. Also call the newspaper and post office to temporarily halt delivery. • You can buy timers to automatically turn lights on and off. However, most will stop working if the power goes out and restart with the incorrect time when the power comes back on. That’s why you should keep at least a couple of lights turned on continuously, and not connected to timers. • If you’re leaving in the evening, or before dawn, don’t forget to open the blinds.
Closed blinds during the day are a dead giveaway that the owners are away. Finally, experts recommend creating a home security checklist, so you don’t forget anything. That will give you peace-of-mind.
If you’re relaxing on a Caribbean beach, or enjoying a bus tour through historic Paris, the last thing you want to worry about is your home. Most people know the basics of keeping a home secure while away. Here are some additional tips that are easy to miss: • Tell your kids not to boast about your fabulous vacation plans, especially on social media. The fewer who know that the house will be empty, the better. • Ask a neighbour to pick up any mail and flyers dropped at your doorstep. But don’t rely on that alone. Also call the newspaper and post office to temporarily halt delivery. • You can buy timers to automatically turn lights on and off. However, most will stop working if the power goes out and restart with the incorrect time when the power comes back on. That’s why you should keep at least a couple of lights turned on continuously, and not connected to timers. • If you’re leaving in the evening, or before dawn, don’t forget to open the blinds.
Closed blinds during the day are a dead giveaway that the owners are away. Finally, experts recommend creating a home security checklist, so you don’t forget anything. That will give you peace-of-mind.
Stay or Move? How to Decide!
But how do you decide if you should actually move? The first step is to consider whether there are any practical reasons to consider buying a new home. What’s pushing you in that direction?
Carefully consider those things that can’t change unless you move. For example, if a major highway was recently built near you, the ongoing sound of traffic isn’t going to go away. It’s now part of the neighbourhood. If there are no practical reasons for moving, there may still be other reasons for wanting a new home. You may want to move your family to a better neighbourhood, with better schools or you may simply want a bigger home, with a larger backyard, more rooms, and a wider driveway. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with simply wanting a better place than the one you have now. In fact, that is a common reason why many people make a move. The point is, if you’ve been thinking about a new home for a while, perhaps now is the time to take the next step. A good REALTOR® can help you understand your options. Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call today. |
46 15065 58th, Surrey, BC
I just sold this Townhouse at 46 15065 58th, Surrey, BC Sullivan.
View this recently sold Townhouse or see all my home sales
216 5294 204th st, Langley , BC
I just sold this Condo at 216 5294 204th st, Langley , BC .
View this recently sold Condo or see all my home sales
20826 43a, LANGLEY, BC
I just sold this House at 20826 43a, LANGLEY, BC Brookswood.
View this recently sold House or see all my home sales
Some great tips on avoiding moisture problems in your home.
consider these tips:
• Bathrooms are an obvious source of moisture build-up. Contractor
and TV personality Mike Holmes recommends keeping the fan going
for at least a half hour after a shower.
• Check regularly for water infiltration around window and door sills, as
well as other intakes into the home, such as dryer vents and cable
wiring.
• Determine the humidity level in your home. According to the
Environmental Protection Agency, it should be 30-60%. (Keep in
mind that humidity may vary greatly from room to room.)
• Regularly inspect caulking around sinks, tubs and showers. Even a
tiny break can cause water to leak gradually into the wall or floor,
causing damage you may not notice for months.
• Clean up wet spills as soon as possible. On hardwood floors
especially, water can seep through and become trapped.
• Repair leaking faucets, toilets and pipes immediately. A drip can
quickly become a shower.
Being mindful of moisture today can help you avoid potentially high repair
bills later on.
Avoiding moisture problems in the home:
There are many hidden sources of moisture in your home that can lead to
serious problems, such as mould. To keep moisture levels in check,
consider these tips:
• Bathrooms are an obvious source of moisture build-up. Contractor and TV personality Mike Holmes recommends keeping the fan going for at least a half hour after a shower.• Check regularly for water infiltration around window and door sills, as well as other intakes into the home, such as dryer vents and cable wiring.• Determine the humidity level in your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it should be 30-60%. (Keep in mind that humidity may vary greatly from room to room.)• Regularly inspect caulking around sinks, tubs and showers. Even a tiny break can cause water to leak gradually into the wall or floor,causing damage you may not notice for months.• Clean up wet spills as soon as possible. On hardwood floors especially, water can seep through and become trapped.• Repair leaking faucets, toilets and pipes immediately. A drip canquickly become a shower. Being mindful of moisture today can help you avoid potentially high repair bills later on.
216 5294 204TH Street, Langley, British Columbia
I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 216 5294 204TH Street, Langley, British Columbia
This is a great location close to bus stops, IGA, Valley Centre, Willowbrook Shopping Centre, coffee shops, restaurants, Cascades Casino, HD Stafford Secondary, Simmonds Elementary, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, community centre, parks, recreation and much more! Direct access to major transportation routes including Fraser Highway and the Trans-Canada Highway, allows an easy commute to surrounding destinations. This home feature spacious living areas, bay windows to brighten your home, open concept with very efficient use of space. This is a well maintained building offering underground parking, wheelchair access, visitor parking, storage lockers and a common rooftop deck for everyone to enjoy. Very clean,new paint, bright bathroom and very large Master bedroom. Building updated with vinyl siding. Quiet West facing Balcony. Rentals and pets allowed.
402 15241 18TH Ave, South Surrey White Rock, British Columbia
I just sold this Condo at 402 15241 18TH Ave, South Surrey White Rock, British Columbia King George Corridor.
View this recently sold Condo or see all my home sales
Some tips on figuring out how much of a new home you can afford:
How Much of a New Home Can You Afford?
If you’re thinking of shopping for a new home, one of the first considerations
is price range. You want to know what you can reasonably afford.
How do you figure that out?
First of all, you need to determine the initial out-of-pocket costs you will
need to cover. There are often more costs associated with purchasing a
home than its actual price. You need to take into account such additional
expenses as moving costs, legal fees, and a home inspection, not to
mention the costs of prepping your current property for sale.
Experts say you should budget 5-10% above the purchase price for these
items. So if you can afford to spend $470K on a new home, you should be
shopping in the $425-445K range.
Another factor to consider are the potential proceeds from the sale of your
current home. Your REALTOR® can help you determine how much your
property will likely sell for in today’s market. Any existing mortgage will need
to be subtracted from that amount to determine how much cash will be left.
Of course, you should speak to a mortgage broker or lender who can
compute how much of a mortgage you qualify for. Remember, qualifying for
a big mortgage doesn’t necessarily mean you should have one. You also
need to consider your personal finances and desired lifestyle – and whether
or not having a large mortgage is a good idea for you.
Once you have gathered all of your information, you can add any potential
sale proceeds to the amount of mortgage you qualify for, add other sources
of cash available for this purpose and subtract 5-10% for initial expenses,
and you’ll have an idea of the price range you should be considering.
Finally, it’s important to take the time to decide what kind of home you want.
Do you want a large backyard with trees? A quiet, family-oriented
neighbourhood? Four bedrooms and a finished basement? Once you
decide what you want most in a new home, it becomes much easier to find
one that’s in your price range.
Clean up Tips for Balconies and Patios
Clean up Tips for Balconies and Patios
Spring is a great time to repair or restore outdoor surfaces and furniture from damage caused by rust, rot, bird droppings, mould, mildew, etc. Not only does deterioration look unsightly, it can also be unhealthy and dangerous. For example, algae, mould and lichens can trigger allergies, and make wood surfaces, decks, patios and balconies very slippery. You can clean them with a chemical agent (but always test first) or scrub them with a brush and a homemade environmentally friendly solution made of vinegar or lemon juice. To clean vinyl furniture, try a mild detergent/water formula. For metal furniture and railings, use a wire brush to remove rust and paint chips, then coat with a primer before touching up with rust paint.
Spring is a great time to repair or restore outdoor surfaces and furniture from damage caused by rust, rot, bird droppings, mould, mildew, etc. Not only does deterioration look unsightly, it can also be unhealthy and dangerous. For example, algae, mould and lichens can trigger allergies, and make wood surfaces, decks, patios and balconies very slippery. You can clean them with a chemical agent (but always test first) or scrub them with a brush and a homemade environmentally friendly solution made of vinegar or lemon juice. To clean vinyl furniture, try a mild detergent/water formula. For metal furniture and railings, use a wire brush to remove rust and paint chips, then coat with a primer before touching up with rust paint.
