Storage Ideas For A Less Stressful Move

Here’s another post taken from my ‘News You Can Use’ Preferred Client publication. ____________________________________________________________________________________

Few things are more dreaded than moving day, but new storage solutions can ease some of the stress.

Flexible Timeline If you have a flexible schedule for your next move, a POD (or portable on-demand storage) might be the perfect choice for you. PODs are large shipping-like containers that allow you to pack and unpack at your own pace.  The company will drop the container on your driveway, you load it, and they will pick it up and deliver it to your next location, or store it until you’re ready. PODs are closer to the ground – often at ground level – so they tend to be easier to load and unload than traditional storage methods like moving vans or trailers.

Storage As An Option If you are relocating for a job, downsizing, or planning to move into your new home after vacating your previous home, longer-term on-site storage might make the most sense. Shop around for a local self-storage facility within a short distance of your new home. You may have to ‘move twice’, but it’s a great way to clear the clutter without sacrificing cost.

Ask About Insurance Don’t assume your homeowner’s insurance policy covers belongings in storage. Verify it in advance and/ or inquire about available insurance riders to cover your belongings while they are in storage.
Evaluate Security Always verify the security measures in place at a facility before making a decision on where to store your belongings. Cheaper isn’t always better. Are there security gates that control access to the facility? Are there security cameras? Will anyone else have access to your storage area?

Climate Control If you intend to store valuable antiques, expensive electronics, or other items that may be sensitive to humidity or temperature extremes, consider opting for a climate-controlled unit. It may cost a little more, but do you really want to replace your items after you move?

///…CP

Make Buyers ‘Belong’ In Your Home

Here’s another post taken from my ‘News You Can Use’ Preferred Client publication. ____________________________________________________________________________________

It’s only natural for your home to reflect your personal style, but when it comes time to sell, what makes a house your home can become a major hindrance. Depersonalizing your home can often help you obtain the best price and make buyers feel as though your house could become their home.

Go Neutral Unless your favourite colour scheme is already completely neutral, it’s time to get out the paint and restore the colours of your home to something less noticeable. Eggshell, white tones, and beige are good options. Don’t forget the other senses – in addition to colour, make sure the smell of your home is also neutral. Never assume what you find pleasant smelling will appeal to others. Consider having your home professionally cleaned using an enzymatic treatment that neutralizes all odours, including heavy perfumes and deodorizers.

Minimize Eliminate all unnecessary furniture, belongings, and clutter as much as possible prior to photographing and showing your home. Not only does it allow people to see the property more clearly, it allows prospective buyers to begin seeing your house as their future home.

Highlight Your Home Never showcase personal belongings such as artwork or an antique piece of furniture. Instead, highlight the features of the home itself. Tour your house room by room and rediscover the essence of each area. Create a beautiful view, ambient lighting, or other inviting scenario that attracts visitors without overwhelming them. As much as possible (and reasonable), try to eliminate distractions that identify the home as belonging to you. Remember, it is still your home so you don’t have to denude your home of all belongings, but if you have a ‘family wall’ of photographs dating back three generations you should consider taking some of the photos off the wall.

///…CP

REALTORS® Association of Edmonton – Free Home Buying Seminar

Is homeownership right for me? Am I financially ready? How much will it really cost? What professionals should I call on? How can I find the right home?

Buying a home can be scary. It is likely the biggest thing you will ever buy and there are literally hundreds of details that have to be dealt with. Why not arm yourself with some basic information before you start house-hunting?

The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton is offering a FREE home buyers seminar on Tuesday, October 6 at 7:00pm at the Association Auditorium. The seminar will follow the Homebuying Step-by-Step Guide and Workbook provided by CMHC and will feature video clips from industry experts. A mortgage broker, lawyer, and home inspector will be on hand to answer questions.

This will be a no pressure evening and no salesperson will call you after the fact.

Register for this seminar online at www.ereb.com. There will be free parking and refreshments and there is no charge to register.

FREE Home Buyers Seminar
Tuesday October 6, 2009
7:00pm to 8:30 pm
Free parking and refreshments
Location: 14220 112 Avenue (across from the Telus World of Science)

 

///…CP

Hidden Value In A Home Today

Here’s another post taken from my ‘News You Can Use’ Preferred Client publication. ____________________________________________________________________________________

Changing demographics combined with the economic downturn is creating a trend of getting back to the basics in today’s real estate market. For those seeking maximum value at a minimum price, keep these essentials in mind.

Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Bigger spaces are associated with higher utility bills, increased property taxes, more expensive insurance, and greater maintenance costs. Instead of picking the largest house you can afford, search for the one with the amenities your family will truly use.

Good Neighbours & Neighbourhoods
Friends, family, and great neighbourhoods are major attractions. Research shows that homes located in top-rated school districts routinely fetch 10% or more than similar-sized homes in less-desirable districts. Homes in family-oriented neighbourhoods with parks and other amenities are always popular and tend to maintain their value.

Fruit Trees & Gardens
Throughout Canada, high-maintenance lawns are giving way to eco-friendly (and budget-happy) gardens, fruit trees, and other down-to-earth activities. Less grass means less water, fertilizer, and time to keep it green.

Going Green Is Big
From energy-efficient appliances to environmentally friendly building materials, green is not only “in” but bigger than ever. Save thousands of dollars by searching for homes that have already implemented energy efficiency upgrades like LED lighting, high-efficiency furnaces, and hot water systems.

Entertaining
As economic uncertainty/ recovery persists, people are interested in entertaining, exercising, and eating at home more than ever. Focus on properties that support your interests and lifestyle for today and tomorrow.

Remember, on average people will remain in a home for seven years, so make the right choices today and ensure your next house truly feels like home.

 

///…CP

Should You Buy A Home?

Here’s another post taken from my ‘News You Can Use’ Preferred Client publication. ____________________________________________________________________________________

How do you know if you’re ready to buy a home? Start by doing your research. From there, make a plan and prepare a budget. Here are some questions to consider in making your decision.

“You” Considerations How long do you plan to live in your next home? Does your job or lifestyle require frequent moves? What are your reasons for buying? Do you wish to be a homeowner or are you thinking of ‘trying it out’ as an investment? Remember that home values increase more over the long term so if you’re moving more often than every few years, you may not see significant gains when you sell your home. You will however gain equity in your home as you pay down your mortgage – rent money is gone for good.

Financial Considerations How healthy are your finances? Do you have money for your down payment, closing costs, insurance, property taxes, and a buffer for unexpected expenses that can occur when you own a home? If not, speak with a mortgage broker and/ or your financial advisor to determine the steps you should take to put yourself in the best situation to purchase a home.

Real Estate Market Considerations What is the real estate market doing in the area? What are the current mortgage rates? What kinds of homes are available in your price range? Are they located in neighbourhoods that suit your lifestyle? If you are not able to buy a home as desirable to you as the ones you could rent then consider your willingness to live in a ‘not-quite-my-dream-home’ for a time. The equity you’ll gain can help you upgrade sooner than you could if you continued renting and tried to save the additional money. A licensed REALTOR® can provide you with valuable market information and help you evaluate your options.

///…CP

Tips For Choosing The Right Neighbourhood

Here’s another post taken from my ‘News You Can Use’ Preferred Client publication. ____________________________________________________________________________________

Are you thinking of moving but not sure how to go about picking the right neighbourhood? Once you’ve narrowed down where you think you’d like to put down your roots for the next little while, consider these factors before actually purchasing:

Schools Are there good local schools in the neighbourhood? Whether you have children or not, proximity to good schools tends to increase property values.

Services Does the neighbourhood you’re considering have easy access to the most common services? Consider the location relative to hospitals, public transportation, shopping, parks, recreational facilities, and cultural sites. Extra green space, trails, and walkways are also a benefit.

Crime & Safety How safe is the neighbourhood? Check with police, the local Neighbourhood Watch Program, or go online and review crime statistics for the neighbourhood (EPS Neighbourhood Crime Mapping).

Interaction Are people outside their homes chatting, working in their yards, or walking their dogs? Neighbours who interact with one another create a safer and more pleasant environment.

Popularity Is the area popular? Have prices gone up, down, or stayed the same? Though list price is often a good indicator, ask your REALTOR® and keep an eye out for the number of “For Sale” and “Sold” signs.

Visual Appeal How do the other homes look? Manicured lawns and an obvious sense of care and attention to the landscaping and the maintenance of the other homes in the neighbourhood is often a good indicator this is a good place to live.

///…CP

A Great Opportunity For First-Time Buyers

Here’s another post taken from my ‘News You Can Use’ Preferred Client publication. ____________________________________________________________________________________

While lower real estate prices and interest rates might be bad news for the economy, now might just be the best buying opportunity of a lifetime for first-time home buyers.

Establish A Realistic BudgetOwning a home involves more costs than most expect. In addition to mortgage, taxes, and insurance, wise home buyers set aside money for routine maintenance and unexpected emergency repairs.
Buy What You Need While real estate is typically an excellent investment, it’s important to purchase as much home as you need – bigger isn’t always better. Buying bigger usually just means more expense; higher taxes, bigger insurance bills, and more maintenance costs. So buy what you need unless you’re planning ahead.

Plan For Growth First-time buyers can also be too modest when it comes to purchasing their first home. If you intend to begin a family, plan for growth to ensure you will be as happy in the home tomorrow as you are today.

Understand Appreciation Although you don’t want to base the purchase of your home solely upon appreciation, it’s important to recognize that the future value of your home is likely to impact your ability to move up later in life. When the time comes to move up, a home with long-term appreciation provides greater buying options later. Search for neighbourhoods and homes expected to rise in value over time.

Work With A Reputable Agent A great REALTOR® is often worth their weight in gold, which is why most investors never fly solo. Many first-time buyers are under the mistaken impression they can save money by helping the seller eliminate or reduce the commission. Research shows this is rarely the case. A good REALTOR® will help you make the right choice, negotiate on your behalf, and eliminate missteps and oversights that may cost you more in the long run.

///…CP

An Urban Myth: Foreclosures Are Always A Bargain

The following has been reprinted with permission from the Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA) and is copyright of AREA. AREA makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of this information.
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For Canadians, it’s mind-boggling to hear about the prices foreclosures are going for in the United States. Fifty thousand dollars for a 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom, single-family, semi-detached home with enough closet space to hold fifty thousand pairs of shoes…Where do I sign?!

Typically, foreclosures aren’t as glorious in Canada as they are south of the border. Why? In Canada, there are two methods for lenders to recover mortgage debt:

• Judicial Sale – Lenders must receive the court’s permission before they can sell the property; and
• Power of Sale – Lenders can sell the property without the court’s involvement.

Judicial sale is the primary debt-recovery method used in Alberta

Two other important factors differentiate Canadian foreclosures from those in the United States. In Canada:

• Properties cannot be sold under market value; and
• Properties must be accompanied by an appraisal.

Aside from the likelihood that the foreclosure isn’t a great bargain, purchasers of foreclosure properties face several other risks. For example, banks have the ability to sell or dispose of property “as is”. This means that before putting a property on the market, banks don’t have to remediate or repair structural defects, environmental or health hazards, or homes that have been condemned.

Before packing their shoes or reaching for their wallets, buyers should be advised to seek professional assessments. It’s never wise to buy something sight unseen. And if profit is the motivation behind purchasing foreclosures, Canadian buyers may be disappointed.

 

///…CP

A Word or Two About Home Inspections

Here’s another post taken from my ‘News You Can Use’ Preferred Client publication. ____________________________________________________________________________________

Buyers are often tempted to cut corners on things like home inspections to save money for fun items like new furniture or a big-screen television. Don’t! A home inspection is one of the best investments you can make when purchasing a home.

Plan and Prepare Think of a home inspection as a fact-finding mission. Having a complete and independent home inspection performed is an important step toward finding out everything there is to know about the property. Hidden home defects often become apparent, including poorly performed repairs, forgotten faults, structural damage, or other potential pitfalls that could transform your dream home into a nightmare.

Save Money Almost every property has a few defects – even new homes – and buyers are often surprised how seemingly insignificant items can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the price of a home after the fact. Having an independent inspection performed often saves more money than it costs since you can often have the sellers remedy the problem(s) or renegotiate the price based upon the new information. Remember, once a latent/ hidden defect is known the sellers are legally bound to disclose it to all prospective buyers.

Negotiate Motivated sellers may not have the time or interest to fix all the problems on a property. If you have more time than money, a home inspection provides a strong rationale to renegotiate the purchase price or work out other alternatives while the home is being repaired or renovated.

Most of my Clients take my recommendation and use Rick Varadi of Key Home Inspections.

As with everything when purchasing your new home, it is important to have your REALTOR® guide you through the process following a home inspection. This is especially true if a number of defects have been identified.

///…CP