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. 

COLDWELL BANKER in new Hagersville Office @ Northview Building Site

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.

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HAGERSVILLE 'END UNIT' TOWNHOME-Builder will hold mortgage @ 5% with only $2,000 down!!! 30 mins to Hamilton- http://www.realestatechannel.ca/24005

HAGERSVILLE 'END UNIT' TOWNHOME-Builder will hold mortgage @ 5% with only $2,000 down!!! 30 mins to Hamilton-
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Moving with Pets is a Family Affair

Moving with Pets is a Family Affair

While moving to a new home is very exciting, relocating can be a stressful process for every member of the family – including pets.  More often than not, a move means that all familiarity is gone.  From where to hide a bone to where to nap in the sun, the pet’s sense of security and comfort has suddenly been altered.

Below are five suggestions from Coldwell Banker and Petfinder.com for how to make moving a little less ‘ruff’ for four-legged members of the family.

Plan ahead. From start to finish, moving to a new home involves a lot of planning.  You should decide as soon as possible where their pet’s belongings – toys, water dishes, beds, etc., — will go in the new home.  If the pet’s only car ride has been to the veterinarian, you can help your pet become accustomed to traveling by bringing them along on visits to the future home, as well as to other places with a more positive association, like a dog park or pet store.

Take them on a walk-through to get them acclimated. For home buyers with pets in tow, it is important to help their companions become acclimated to their new life early on. During a visit to the future home, you should take your four-legged friend on a personal tour, showing them their new play area and “bathroom.”  By scoping out all of the new scents and sights, the pet will start to acquaint itself with their new digs.  Cats may feel more comfortable exploring one room at a time so start in the bathroom, a smaller space, and let them take their time coming out of the carrier to explore.

Get new pet tags. With doors opening and closing and people entering and exiting, pets will likely have more opportunities to get loose during a move than they did while living in the previous home.  As soon as the contract is signed, home buyers should purchase a new tag with their pet’s name, new address and phone number.  If the pet has a microchip, pet parents should also contact the company and have their pet’s ID information updated in their database. If a pet escaped during the move, it would be very difficult for them to find their way back to a home they barely know.

Be extra security conscious. The first few days in a new home can spook even the most laid-back pet.  Make sure your pet’s collar fits securely and, unless the backyard at the new home is completely fenced in, keep your pet on a leash when heading outdoors. Take a full inspection of the house, looking for openings a pet can crawl into or other safety hazards before letting them explore.  Once they’re off their leash or out of their carrier, be sure to keep a close eye on them.

Continue with business as usual.  After moving into the new home, try to stick to your pet’s daily routine as closely as possible by feeding them, playing with them and walking them at the same times they did when in the previous home. Such consistency will enable pets to get used to their new life more quickly.

* These tips were adapted from a chapter in The Adopted Dog Bible, written by Kim Saunders, vice president of shelter outreach for Petfinder.com, the largest online database of adoptable pets.

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HAGERSVILLE TOWNHOME-Builder will hold mortgage @ 5% with only $2,000 down!!! 30 mins to Hamilton- http://www.realestatechannel.ca/24005