Upgrading to a Larger Home – Are you ready?

Many homebuyers face the question of size when looking for their next home. Do they downsize, stay the same, or upgrade to a larger home? To help answer this question, here are some factors to take into consideration when determining if you should upgrade to a larger home.

Affordability

With larger homes come more financial responsibility. Typically larger homes will come with a larger mortgage, repair/maintenance, utilities, and insurance payments as well as increased property taxes. Are you ready financially for these larger expenses? Take into account these estimated expenses when going over your household budget. Remember, ideally you’ll want to be able to maintain a comfortable quality of life and still be able to save for the future when these larger expenses are taken into account with your budget.

Down Payments

There is a need in most cases during the property buying process to make a down payment and to pay for closing costs. You should include these expenses in your estimations while keeping in mind that selling the existing property and accessing equity will yield most or all of the funds that are needed to make a new purchase. Working with a real estate professional and a mortgage broker will help you to get more information about these two factors before making a sound financial decision.

When the time is right for you to upgrade to a larger home, you should consider working with an experienced real estate agent to sell your existing property and help you in the process of buying a new home!

Spring is just around the corner and what better way to introduce it to your home than with Pantone’s Rose Quartz. This lovely colour blends shades of pink to produce a rich, multifaceted colour that provides warmth and a sense of home. It brings a pop of colour that can brighten up even the dullest of rooms. Go all out or try just a few accents. This colour is sure to bring an aura of happiness and comfort to your home. Rose Quartz is a versatile shade that can update the look of your home in a variety of ways.

As an Accent

Small accents of colour throughout a room can have a major visual impact, instantly drawing your eye to key focus points around the room. Try an antique lampshade in your bedroom or a decorative pitcher in your kitchen. Accent pieces are a great way to experiment with a new colour palette without having to make a full commitment to it until you are ready.

To Fill a Room

If you have a room in your home that is looking especially bare, a dash of Rose Quartz can be just what you need to take that room from drab to dynamic. This vibrant colour fills the empty space with warmth, making a somewhat empty room feel inviting. Try a quilt in this welcoming hue in your guest bedroom or a bold wall tapestry in your entryway. The richness of the colour will make your guests feel immediately at home.

For Dramatic Impact

To make a bold statement with Rose Quartz, use it to tile your bathroom. The energy of the shade creates an atmosphere of comfortable luxury that is perfect for lounging in the tub and pampering yourself. For an even more dramatic effect, paint a single wall behind your bed and use bedding in a dark colour. This warm tone will create a romantic atmosphere that is ideally suited to the bedroom.

Moving into a new home can be the ideal time to start thinking about redecorating. Throughout the moving process, you can take inventory of your decor and get rid of anything that no longer fits with the style you have in mind. When you get settled into the new home, it’s like having a blank canvas on which to develop your new decorative theme. If you’re ready to make a move contact us today!

Home renovations may be costly, but they are always worth the time and money. Anybody who is interested in upgrading their Nanaimo home should consider focusing on renovations that are energy efficient. Not only will these upgrades help the resale value of the house, they will also pay for themselves with the amount of money they shave off of power and gas bills over the long run.

New Doors and Windows Can Put a Dent in Power Bills

Old doors and windows have outdated designs and were not always constructed with the idea of saving energy. The evolution in window design has led to windows that can trap the heat from the sun during the winter to keep a room warm naturally with the added bonus of having better seals and more security. Old, wooden doors were originally built to contract and expand as the seasons changed, which left them weathered over time. Drafty doors can be a tremendous drain on the power bill in the coldest months of winter and this simple renovation will save money in the short and long run.

Keep Heat in and Cold out With Proper Insulation

A home works like a well-oiled machine to save energy. Proper doors and windows with a great heating system will do nothing if the warmth keeps escaping due to poor insulation. Over time, older insulation will lose its ability to properly control the home’s temperature and a complete insulation upgrade to newer material will not only pay for itself, but it will fill in areas that may have been passed over the first time. Many older homes have no insulation in the attic, allowing heat to escape very easily. A properly insulated house also has the benefit of removing some strain from heating systems and air conditioners, leading to the possibility of smaller models.

Lower Energy Bills with Efficient Appliances

One of the easiest ways to make a home more energy efficient, cost-effective and more attractive to any potential buyers down the line is by investing in new appliances. Any appliance that is over ten years old is probably a huge drain on energy and creates significantly more waste than newer models designed to save energy and money. Washers, dryers, refrigerators, washing machines, water heaters and air conditioners that are certified by either EnerGuide or Energy Star will lower gas and power bills by a considerable amount, one that makes the investment worthwhile. This has the added benefit of making the home more attractive and raises the value when trying to sell, as any buyer will want top of the line appliances in their new home.

For an idea of where to start, EnerGuide performs home evaluations for Canadians that are endorsed by the government. They will give the home a complete inspection and provide the owner with a comprehensive guide on which areas can be improved and how much they can save with those improvements. If you would simply like some more information on how your home would compare on the market if it was energy efficient, feel free to reach out to us.

HUGE LOCAL EXPOSURE

1. A custom property Facebook page will be created
2. A custom color property brochure will be created
3. A detailed description of the property with color photographs and a link to my website will appear on the Multiple Listing Service, Re/Max local, National, International and Yegishome.ca
4. Over 500 just listed cards will be mailed to area residents
5. A custom E-mail blast with photos and a link to the property website will be sent to agents (encompasses all major real estate offices)
6. With the owner’s permission, an Open House for the Entire Brokerage community will be held
7. With the owner’s permission, a For Sale sign will be placed on the property

PRINT ADVERTISING

1. The property will be advertized in the MLS guide with a full page color advertisement.
2. Custom property postcards will be designed and mailed to the area.

INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE

1. Re/Max International

24-HOUR INTERNET EXPOSURE

The property will be featured on this Internet on the following real estate websites:
1. AminSai.com
2. Yegishome.ca
3. MLS.ca
4. RedFin.com

The property will be featured on Amina Sai’s social networks:
1. Facebook.com
2. Twitter.com
3. Instagram.com
4. Pintrest.com

Ask Amina – Nobody does real estate better!

Selling Your Home During A Recession

An economic downturn or a recession is just a normal part of life that one should live with. It may affect your investments and business dealings but instead of worrying about it, things can be done to make a recession work to your advantage. House selling during a recession may require more work than when the market is at its peak. However, there are still plenty of people out there who need homes to live in and houses to provide for their families. Here are some suggestions on how to sell your house during a recession period. Let these tried and tested strategies help you rise up to the challenge and stand strong even when the real estate market is on a downward spin.

IMPROVE YOUR HOUSE APPEARANCE

Does the house look attractive enough for buyers to call you and schedule an appointment? Perhaps you need to improve the curb appeal of your house as well as its interior design. Plant flowers, cut grass and paint the fence. Likewise, renovate the interior if the home needs reworking. Check the kitchen and bathroom and make all necessary repairs. Clean the house, fix it, redesign it and make it look very attractive for buyers. Doing these things is absolutely essential in selling a home at a good price.

DO A MARKET RESEARCH

Don’t expect people to call you when your house is priced to high. When home buyers shop for houses, they usually look at several properties and yours may be crossed out of the list if your house is priced expensively. Thus, knowing what the current market rate is an advantage as well as pricing your house within the range that the market dictates.

INCREASE THE COMMISSION OF YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT

This is a common trick that investors usually do when a particular property has been sitting in the market for too long. Instead of lowering the price of the house, investors would rather increase the spread of their real estate agents. You just might be surprised at how this can quickly sell your house.

INCLUDE FREE ITEMS WITH THE HOUSE

You can perhaps include a large flat screen TV with your house for sale or a golf cart when the house is near a golf course. You can also include a recreational vehicle, boat or motorcycle. What item do you think you have that you can add as a freebie to your house that’s for sale? Sell a house with something of great value so that buyers will be motivated to buy the property from you.

ADVERTISE! ADVERTISE!

You can run ads in the papers, install a very visible “For Sale” sign in the front yard, distribute flyers, advertise the property in social networking sites and stage an open house. Market the property well and place ads that stand out in order to sell your house. Be creative in your sales pitch. Instead of writing “house for sale”, write instead “Hansel and Gretel Cottage” or “Shabby Chic Elegance in the City”.

A recession is not the time to be fearful of the real estate market but to be more creative in coming up with ways to sell your house. Even with a recession, people will always have the need to have a home to live in. Job relocation, sudden divorce, death in the family and many other factors can bring about a home buyer. So be imaginative in selling a home. Improve the house, offer additional benefits to your real estate agent and include valuable items in the sale. Selling your home during a recession can be done with creativity, perseverance and dedication.

Safe Home Selling Tips

I am sure you have heard about people being robbed and attacked when they have placed ads in the paper for everything from puppies to vehicles. Why do you think this cannot or has not happened to people selling their homes?

How many strangers have you given your home phone number or invited into your home?

This is what you do when you put your home phone number on a sign and place it on your front lawn or at the corner of your street. Then you invite a perfect stranger or strangers into your home where anything can happen.

Here are a few tips on protecting yourself in the event your would be buyer is not who you think he or she is.

FOR YOUR PERSONAL SECURITY REASONS

* Use your cell phone number on any for sale signs and indicate that it is a cell phone.

* If someone calls to set up a showing, NEVER tell them you will not be there at a certain time. This just sets you up for a burglary. Make an excuse that does not take you away from the residence such as you have company coming.

* Get as much information as you can over the phone from the “buyer” before you set up a showing.

* While your home is on the market remove your valuables and place them in a safe deposit box, a diversion safe or at the home of a trusted friend or relative.

* If you have a room or area full of valuables you cannot move, think about setting up a hidden camera.

* NEVER show the home alone. A “buyer” could bring several people with him/or her and you cannot keep tract of what they are doing. They could enter other parts of your residence and take small items or view personal papers.

* Which brings to mind, keep any checking account or other personal information out of sight.

* An inconspicuous self defense product such as a pepper spray pen, a stun gun cell phone, or at the least a personal electronic whistle would be a good idea just in case the “buyer/s” turn out to have criminal activity in mind.

* DO NOT sign anything without the advice of a good real estate attorney.

CONSIDER YOUR BUYERS INTEREST

1. DO NOT BE EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED TO THE HOUSE

 It is beneficial to detach yourself from your home. Being detached helps you look at the deal from a financial perspective rather than an emotional one. It is also a good idea to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. If you think of your house as a dream rather than a piece of property, you will stage your home better.

2.  DON’T SET AN UNREALISTIC PRICE:

Most owners tend to price their houses on the higher side. This discourages buyers. However, an accurate price can be set by analyzing the market. Sometimes setting a low price does help in attracting buyers.

3. BEING STRICT ABOUT TIMINGS WITH BUYERS :

 It is beneficial to be flexible with your timings when you are dealing with buyers. You should try to make yourself available when the buyer wants to view your home or meet you.

4. BEING RIGID ABOUT THE PRICE:

Any buyer will look to negotiate and buy the property for a price lower than the quoted price. If you are rigid about your price, it will be difficult for you to sell. It is a good strategy to price it such that there is a margin to bargain.

Personally, I think it would be more prudent to leave the sale of probably your most valuable asset to a professional real estate agent. In any event, use caution and common sense.

Selling a home would seem to be a scary and voluminous process if you’re doing it for the first time. However, you’re opened to multiple options that will help you to sale at a better rate. Before you select the best option for you, decide what is important in the sale. Is it more important to get a higher price or to sell as quickly as possible; do you want control of the sale, or do you want someone else to handle the details; how much money can you afford to pay to locate a buyer?

This report is designed to help you evaluate your options, and make the best selection based on your individual needs and desires. It will provide you with tips for a faster sale, and show you the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative.

You should spend time reading this entire report, then sit down with any other decision makers to decide your best course of action. Remember, the only way to get your house sold is to start the process.

REASONS YOU MAY NEED TO SELL FAST

There are a variety of reasons that homeowners may require a quick sale of their home. You may have just found your “dream home” and you want to move fast before someone else snatches it away. Finding a buyer is hard and you don’t really want to bother with all those details.

Your boss may have decided that you must move to another location and it’s either: live out of a suitcase or sell your current home to buy another.

Another reason could be that home repairs are getting the best of you and you just can’t keep up with them all. Natural disasters are not always fully covered by insurance and those out-of-pocket expenses are eating you alive.

Do any of these sound familiar? If so, then it is time to follow through on your decision to sell. This report will help you make an informed decision.

TIPS FOR A QUICK SALE

Take a step back and look  at your house from your  buyers’ perspective. What do you see? Is it appealing?  Would you have bought  this house if it looked like  this when you were buying?  Walk across the street and look at your house. Is it attractive? Will buyers race to set an appointment to see the house, or race to get away?

The point is to make your house as appealing as possible. Fix it, paint it, clean it. Here are some tips to consider:

1. Remove clutter. You want your house to appear as spacious as possible. The more clutter, the less spacious it appears.
2. Are you afraid of your closets? Well, grab some trash bags, a few boxes, and then clean them out. Use a rummage sale, used clothing  store, community donation center, resale shop, or just take stuff to the dump if it is no longer usable. You can organize  your  closets  in  such a way that they  appear roomy by limiting  the amount of clothing on the rods.
3. Has the floor of your garage seen the light of day recently? If not, then it is time to do some serious hanging up, throwing out, and rearranging.
4. Is there a side to your house that seems to collect stuff? If so, get rid of it. Make your entire yard a pleasant scene.
5. Make sure your house is clean and organized before  each showing to potential buyers. You’ll be amazed at all the stains, fingerprints, pet hair, and dust that have accumulated over the years. Have your entire house professionally cleaned. At the very least, have the carpets steam cleaned.
6. Repair broken items so they do not become a concern for your prospective buyers.
7. Remove personal items from walls and  tables  as  these block  buyers from  seeing your home as their future home.
8. Be sure that children’s rooms are kept neat and tidy. Remove posters of the walls, keep the beds made, closets cleaned, clothes in the hamper, and the floor clear with nothing lying around.