With just the stroke of a few keys, you can find a myriad of resources on the Internet to help you in your search for a new home. Besides property listings, you can find out about specific communities, schools and mortgage options. Prudential Real Estate has made three great resources – Environmental Profile, Property Profile and Value Range Estimate – available on prudential.com/realestate that provide detailed real estate information just by keying in a property address.
With this wealth of information at your disposal, do you really need a real estate professional to represent you? Absolutely. Think of it this way, when you go to an unfamiliar place, sure you could do a self-guided tour. However, your tour is much more rewarding and enriching when you have someone who is familiar with the location to guide you along because he or she has inside knowledge on the history, culture and stories that you may not have otherwise received.
The same can be said about sales professionals. Their role is more than someone to drive you around from property to property. They can be a great resource, especially to homebuyers relocating from other communities. He or she knows the local area including home values, taxes, utility costs, and school data, and may even be knowledgeable about resources pertaining to your special interests or needs. For instance, should you require help relocating an aging parent with you, your real estate professional may be able to direct you to local services or organizations for the elderly.
A sales professional can familiarize you with the processes involved in buying a home, alert you to potential risks, help you determine how much house you can afford, explain alternative financing strategies, as well as provide tremendous moral support.
Another benefit is having a strong advocate during the negotiating process. Sales professionals can help you objectively evaluate an offer then work to negotiate a favorable contract. During the process, he or she will review the contract and obligations before you sign, explain how conditions and clauses work, and so on.
And something easy to overlook is our familiarity with the complexity and risks inherent in the process. In the years I have been practicing I have been continually amazed at how quickly a seemingly simple transaction can grow legally complex and risky. When complex questions arise, a sales professional can help you quickly locate an attorney or other licensed professionals whose services you may require, such as home inspectors, engineers, surveyors and lenders.
As your single point of contact, a sales professional can manage the entire transaction including coordinating inspections, keeping in touch with the other real estate professionals, managing the documentation for the loan process, monitoring deadlines associated with conditions, providing applicable paperwork, estimating closing costs, and helping prepare for a smooth and uneventful closing.
If you’re about to begin the process of buying or selling a home, consider involving a real estate professional. When the stakes are high, it’s comforting to have a specialist by your side.
• 3 bath, 3 bdrm 3-level split - 
MLS® $314,500
WOW! Amazing value for this 3 Level side split with a large pool-sized lot on quiet cul-de-sac in the beautiful town of Ancaster. Many updates through out include the maple kitchen with tumbled marble backsplash,stainless dishwasher, over the range microwave, maple hardwood floors and breakfast bar. New hardwood floors on the main level were installed in '07. Main floor bedroom features 3 piece ensuite and french doors to the back yard.The upper level offers 3 sizable bedrooms and newly renovated main 4 piece bathroom with whirlpool tub. On the lower level you'll find the recreation room with look out windows, an abundance of crawl space/storage, a 2 piece bath and laundry room with walk up to the rear yard. New roof & eaves installed in '07. Electrical has been recently updated. Nothing to do to this fabulous home but drop your bags at the door and move right in!
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A TRUE DEAL!
• 4 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "Open Concept" - MLS® $759,900
West Oak Trails, Oakville - Fantastic family home is located in the popular Westoak Trails and sitting on an oversized landscpaped lot featuring an inground pool with waterfalls and sprinklers, surrounded by patterned concrete and beautiful landscaping...it's the ideal spot for summer fun and entertaining! This stone and brick home boasts all the extras plus more. Four large bedrooms, two-storey family room, hardwood floors through out the main level and solid oak staircase, two-way gas fireplace through family room and main floor den. Large eat-in kitchen, seperate formal living room and seperate dining room with coiffered ceiling,The basement is untouched and is open for the budding designer to create. Custom walkout from this level leads to the pool area.
It truly is a magnificent "National Homes" built property and is ready waitng for the descerning buyer to move on in!
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Home-price adjustments in markets around the country have opened doors of opportunity for many renters. If you are transitioning from renter to homeowner, the prospect of making such a large investment may be exciting, while at the same time overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are six common mistakes to avoid.
1. Not understanding the homebuying process. Educate yourself. Find a homebuyer seminar that you can attend or research online. The Canada Mortgage And Housing Corporation Web site (www.chmc.ca ) has an entire section devoted to homebuyers with common questions of first-time homebuyers, mortgage and home-buying programs information, and tools such as a wish list and home-shopping checklist, tips on selecting a real estate professional, etc. Likewise, Prudential Real Estate’s popular Web site, prudential.com/realestate, offers consumers brand-new tools for the homebuying process, such as free home environmental reports, Value Range Estimates and Property Profiles, among other resources.
2. Not asking questions. There are many facets and intricacies to the homebuying process, so although you may gain a basic knowledge, you will still have questions. Don’t hesitate to let your real estate professional know that you are new to the process. Make sure you choose a sales professional who is willing to spend time with you and walk you through the entire process. He or she will expect you to have questions at each step—from house hunting, to making an offer to the closing. Remember, this is one of the largest financial transactions of your life, so you want to have a clear understanding of what’s going on.
3. Buying on impulse. Don't feel pressured into making an offer on the first home you see. Buyers, especially first-timers, may be impressed by the first two or three homes they view. Look at a good selection. List the positives and negatives about each home. Narrow the prospects to three or four and then return for a closer look. When you decide to make a bid on a property, work with your real estate professional to get all of your questions answered before making an offer. But don't wait too long to make an offer. The longer you wait, the greater the chance other prospective buyers may place offers, making it harder for you to negotiate a good deal.
4. Looking outside your price range. Before beginning your home search, consider getting pre-qualified to so get an idea of how much you may be able to borrow. Use this information as a starting point in determining your price range. Then take into consideration other factors that will affect your monthly budget once you are a homeowner, such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, mortgage insurance and maintenance.
5. Not planning ahead. Think about personal changes you are planning in the next five to seven years. For instance, are you starting a family, and if so, is the home large enough and will it continue to be? If this will be a starter home or if you think you’ll be relocating in a few years, you’ll probably want to pay closer attention to appreciation and resale value. If a double-income is necessary to qualify for financing and to make your payments, do your plans foresee an income sufficient to continue making payments?
6. Failure to focus on location. Don’t just focus on the house. Examine the community. Does it suit your lifestyle? Is the area safe, well-maintained, close to work, stores and schools? Find out about zoning and what new construction is planned on vacant land in the immediate area. Also consider the property marketability when it’s time to sell.
Above all, remember knowledge is key. No question is a silly question. Your real estate professional can be an invaluable asset throughout the process. Making smart home buying decisions will make the home-buying process less scary and your first home purchase a rewarding experience.
Just Move In!!
• 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "Centre Hallway Plan" - MLS® $539,500 - Wow!
Ancaster, Hamilton - Absolutely pristine home in the prestigious "Lovers Lane" area of Ancaster. This two storey sits on a fabulous mature lot, beautifully landcaped and finished with a solar-heated in-ground pool. Elegant centre hall plan leads to the main level principle rooms which include a bright eat-in kitchen with ceramic floors and built-in window seat, overlooking the family room with gas fireplace and sliding patio to backyard, living/dining room with gleaming hardwood floors and a den, perfect for your "at-home" office. Bathrooms have been renovated with new lights, fixtures and granite counters. Four spacious bedrooms complement the upper level. Plantation shutters through-out add to the clean contemporary decor. The growing family will appreciate the professionally finished lower level complete with playroom and recreation room with fireplace and surround sound system, a door walking up to the backyard leads to the "oasis" that awaits you! A beautifully finished home is just waiting for the discerning buyer who wants nothing to do but move on in and enjoy!
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Fabulous Ravine Lot!!
• 4 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $614,500 - Great Value!
Glen Abbey, Oakville - Spacious Executive home in beautiful Glen Abbey on a private pool sized lot backing onto true lush ravine and on a quiet kid friendly street. Walk in through the two storey foyer to the grand sweeping oak staircase that leads up and down stairs and to the main level that features a large dining room, family room with fireplace and seperate formal living room with fireplace and french doors, all of these rooms are complemented by gleaming hardwood floors and crown moulding. The eat-in kitchen is the perfect size for entertaining, offers plenty of cuboard space and patio doors to the newly built deck and backyard. The work at home enthusiast will delight in the main floor den. Laundry and Powder Room complete this level. The upper level offers sizable bedrooms. The master suite comes with "His & Hers" walk-in closet and a glorious 5 piece ensuite with seperate shower and soaker tub. The front bedroom comes with its own 2 piece bath and a 5 piece main bath makes it ideal for your growing family. The basement is unspoiled and just awaits your designer touch!
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Eco-friendly. Carbon footprint. Global warming. Energy-efficient. These catch phrases have become part of our lexicon as we’ve become more aware of our impact on the environment and our role in protecting it. As a homeowner, there are some simple, inexpensive steps you can take to make your home energy-efficient. Get started on the road to being “green” with these five tips:
Change Your Light Bulbs
By replacing just five incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, you can save $100 per year on electric bills while using up to 75 percent less energy and removing greenhouse gases from the environment.
Buy ENERGY STAR® Appliances
ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, such as refrigerators, washers and air conditioners, meet a higher level of energy efficiency set by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy than standard models. According to ENERGY STAR, if just one in 10 homes used ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, the impact could be compared to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees. And, switching to these appliances is not only good for the environment, but easy on your pocketbook. Although these appliances may costs more, you can reduce your energy bill by $80 per year.
Seal Up
Cracks and air leaks represent cash seeping from your doors and windows. Get rid of air leaks in doors, windows and other areas by caulking gaps and cracks. This will help decrease your heating and air conditioning bill. But make sure you use silicone sealants. Acrylic caulk tends to shrink, while silicone sealants are waterproof and won’t shrink or crack, creating less waste.
Use Less Water
Did you know that roughly 60 percent of a home's water consumption takes place in the bathroom? The largest culprit is the toilet, which accounts for 27 percent of your household supply every year. By installing low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets, you can save thousands of gallons of water each year. In addition, replace leaky fixtures. That slow-dripping faucet can waste as much as 2,400 gallons of water per year.
Adjust the Thermostat
When adjusting your home’s thermostat, the rule of thumb should be: turn up the dial in the summer and down in the winter. Lowering the temperature by just one degree will reduce your electrical costs. And if you use a programmable thermostat, you can program your air-conditioning and heating systems to reduce output while no one is at home or at night while you sleep. Ceiling fans are also helpful in circulating the air to keep the room cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Going green doesn’t have to be overwhelming or costly. By making just a few small changes within your home, you can help decrease energy consumption and help make the world a “greener” place.
You want to get the best price for your home, plus sell it in the least amount of time. In a buyers’ market such as the one emerging now, homes will take longer to sell. Therefore, it’s important that you make the right moves at the very beginning of your homeselling process to remain competitive.
Here are some common traps that many homeowners fall into and how to avoid them.
1. Over-pricing — It’s easy to think your home is worth more than the current market may support, particularly after the long run-up in home prices. Since home prices have cooled in markets around the country, home sellers must be prepared to negotiate on price and terms, and stay flexible to other stipulations benefiting the buyer. Sellers must also keep their emotions in check during the process. After all, your home is special to you and your family, and you’re proud of the improvements you’ve made over the years. But, how does your home really stand up to the others? And are those improvements important to a potential buyer?
To determine a reasonable listing price, get sales statistics on homes in the neighborhood including listing prices and actual sales prices, how long it took for the homes to sell, and government valuation comparisons. You’ll also want a market appraisal on your property. Visit homes for sale in your area and compare what you see in terms of sales appeal.
2. Negligent Housekeeping — Buyers need to be able to envision themselves living in the home. Take a good, objective look at the condition of your home. Clean, well-kept homes with an updated appearance always stand out, and a little decorating appeal can go a long way. You don't have to buy new furniture to create charm, but you can put toys and clutter away, freshen up paint and carpet, make the most of window coverings, and add a few key accessories in order to send out welcoming signals.
3. Failing to Fix-It — Buyers, unless they are looking for a fixer-upper, would prefer to move into a home that is in perfect or near-perfect condition. If they have to fix the roof, a broken tile floor, the garage door, worn carpet or just about anything, this may give them pause about buying. At the very least, it may lower the value of the home in the prospective buyer's mind.
4. Not Identifying Exclusions — This can be a cause of contention just at a critical point in the sale. Be sure to specify any special sales considerations or exclusions from the fixtures and furnishings list. Generally, anything permanently fixed to the house is an asset that stays with the home after the sale. So if you intend to take your grandmother's antique chandelier that’s hanging in the dining room, clearly specify that the chandelier is not included in the sale price.
5. Not Understanding the Agent Agreement — Your sales endeavor will go smoothest when all parties have a clear understanding of what is expected. Understand the types of agency agreements when you sign with a real estate professional or company.
Be sure to check on fees, commission percentages, marketing plans and timeframes. Most importantly, get everything in writing.
Moving into a new home, but don’t want to handle the job of packing or transporting your belongings yourself? Then consider hiring a professional mover. Using the services of a professional can allow you to use your time and energy concentrating on other aspects of your move.
When selecting a mover, make sure that you choose a reliable and reputable company. Ask your real estate professional, neighbours, family and friends for a recommendation. In addition, check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against the moving company.
Once you have narrowed down your selection, ask the following questions:
· How long has the company been in business?
· Is the moving agent certified?
· How long has the estimator been in the industry?
· Is the company insured? Do they have worker’s compensation? If not, and one of their workers is hurt in your home, you may end up having to not only pay for your move, but their medical expenses too!
Next, get an estimate for the costs of the move at least eight weeks before your move. For local moves, your costs are usually based on the number of movers and truck multiplied by the number of hours. For long distance moves your costs are charged mainly on the weight of your items and the distance they need to be moved. In both cases, there may be additional components that will factor into the costs.
To get a more accurate estimate, have a representative from the company come to your home to take an inventory of your belongings. Be prepared to give a description of your new residence. Are there stairs or any restrictions?
Get a written copy of the estimate with the costs components detailed out. Examples of moving cost components are packing (labour and materials), special handling of antiques, art and other fragile items, transportation charges, additional insurance while in transit or storage, and accessory charges including number of stairs, distance from the truck to home, ease of entry, etc. Getting a written estimate does three things. First, it will alleviate any surprise charges after the move is complete. Second, it protects you from a would-be unscrupulous vendor trying to understate costs to get your business. And lastly, in most cases a mover can only collect within a certain percentage of the estimate on delivery.
After you have an estimate of costs, schedule a move date no less than two weeks before the move. However, the earlier the better, especially if you are moving during the busy season, May to September. If your move is across provinces or into the US, you may need to plan extra days into your move. This is because most companies’ rates on inter-province/US moves are based on fully-loaded trailers. And unless all of your household goods fill the trailer, there may be other household shipments on there as well, so you have to be flexible on the dates for both loading and delivery.
Make sure the mover gives you an estimated time for arrival so that you can have someone at your new destination to receive your items, otherwise your items will be placed in storage and you will have to pay for storage and for redelivery.
Using professional movers can take the stress out of moving day, but make sure you do your homework first!
• 4 bath, 3 bdrm 3 story - MLS® $389,500 - Executive Townhome!
River Oaks, Oakville - Stunning 3 storey executive townhouse situated in the heart of Morrison Village in Riveroaks. The elegant main level comprises of a spacious living/dining room with a double sided gas fireplace through to the family room and all nicely finished with gleaming hardwood floors. The gourmet kitchen features granite counters, washed oak cabinetry, centre island, California shutters and is complete with stainless steel appliances. Large master suite on the top level of the home offers huge walk-in closet, full ensuite, seperate den and sliding doors to the balcony. The level below is complete with 2 bedrooms, one with a walk-in closet and ensuite, full bathroom and laundry room. The basement is fully finished offering an abundance of additional space. Neutral broadloom through out. This home shows beautifully!
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• 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $324,900
Beaty Area, Milton - BEAUTIFUL MATTAMY-BUILT SEMI-DETACHED HOME IN NEWER SUBDIVISION OF MILTON, CLOSE TO SCHOOLS, SHOPPING, "GO" TRANSIT AND 401. SPACIOUS LIVING ROOM WITH RED OAK HARDWOOD FLOORS, EAT-IN KIT WITH CERAMIC FLOORS AND OAK CABINETRY, SEPERATE DINING ROOM. LARGE MASTER BEDROOMS FEATURES WALK-IN CLOSET AND ENSUITE WITH SOAKER TUB AND SEPERATE SHOWER. ABSOLUTELY IMMACULATE CONDITION. LANDSCAPED FRONT YARD ADDS TO THE CURB APPEAL. IT'S THE IDEAL SPOT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
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Shopping for a home is an exciting adventure and it’s easy to get lost in a sea of dazzling for-sale homes and all of their fabulous amenities – which can cause you to temporarily forget that a large backyard is your top priority. To keep yourself focused, take time to identify and organize exactly what you’re looking for in a home by creating thorough “must-have” and “wish” lists before you begin home shopping. You may also want to make a third list that details your dislikes.
To get started ask yourself these questions: Which items and features must your home have? Which items and features would you like to have, but could live without? What would your dream house include? And, what features or issue must you avoid?
For the must-have list, try to focus on essentials and hard-to-change details, like a home’s layout. If you must have a three-bedroom, two-bath house, put it on the list. Ranking your must-haves in order of importance is also a good idea.
Hard-to-change, must-have features can include the type of house, for example a two-story colonial or sprawling rancher; the number of rooms and square footage; the home’s proximity to shopping; or its overall condition. Your must-have list can’t be too detailed because it aims to itemize the features that are most important to you and your family.
Your wish list is the flexible and fun list. Wish lists are good for cosmetic features that would be great to have, but that can be changed. Hardwood floors can replace old wall-to-wall carpeting. If the yard is large enough and has adequate open space, a pool can be installed later. And landscaping can be a work in progress. Since the wish list is secondary, there are no limits so be sure to also include your dream amenities.
While compiling your lists, don’t hesitate to confer with your real estate professional, who is a great source for information about neighborhoods, homes and other pertinent “must-have” information.
Once you’ve determined your must-haves and optional features, create a checklist to take with you during your home tours. Besides helping you stay focused, it will provide an organized review of each house.
Your lists will most likely change as you tour homes and see what the market really has to offer. It’s also unlikely that one house will include all of your must-have features. But, your efforts will be well worth it once you find the perfect house that includes just enough must-haves and even a few wishes. Your perfect home might not include that must-have basement, but its view may be a dream come true.
If you’re ready to buy a home and can afford it, now is a great time to buy. Mortgage interest rates remain very low. In many areas, buyers have a lot of inventory from which to choose and long-term homeownership continues to be one of the best ways for the typical North American to build wealth.
Don’t let all of the negative media attention about the “mortgage meltdown” keep you from pursuing your homeownership dream. Mortgage industry woes are primarily limited to subprime loans and other types of creative and comparatively risky financing products. While the mortgage industry stalled briefly to reconsider its more exotic loans, there is plenty of conventional financing available for qualified homebuyers. Interest rates remain at historically low levels.
Indeed, the market has changed. It’s gone from a frenzied seller’s market to calmer buyer’s market. In fact, buyers haven’t seen a market this strong in years. When the national median home price dropped for the first time on record, the decline made huge albeit misleading headlines. For starters, there is no such thing as a national real estate market. All real estate markets are local and driven by local factors that include the local economy, housing supply and demand factors and other attributes like geography.
The slight decline followed years of unprecedented steep home price appreciation and the reality is that only a handful of markets experienced price declines. Corrections in markets that experienced exorbitant home price appreciation were expected and signal good news for buyers. According to 2007 third-quarter National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) statistics, the vast majority of the nation’s metropolitan areas showed rising or stable home prices with most areas experiencing modest gains.
Right now there are many homes from which to choose and in most areas buyers don’t have to deal with the harried and hurried competition of multiple bids. The changing market has also changed the inventory landscape to include fewer speculative sellers and a larger share of serious and motivated sellers.
Prospective homebuyers have some time to shop inventory and thoroughly compare home types and prices, amenities, neighborhoods, commutes and other important real estate-related features. And buyers have stronger price negotiation power as sellers compete for their attention by offering concessions or other incentives.
While all real estate markets have ups and downs, North Americans continue to consistently build wealth through homeownership. According to the NAR:
· On average, the value of a home doubles every 10 years. During the past three decades, home values have increased an average of 6.6% per year.
· The average homeowner today has 36 times the wealth of the average renter. Homeowners are essentially paying themselves when they pay their mortgages and this means they’re building equity. Homeowners also benefit from some real estate-related tax write-offs like mortgage interest.
· Sixty percent of the average homeowner’s wealth is their home’s equity. For homeowners who’re in their homes for the long-term, home equity typically is their single largest source of wealth.
Because every market is different, it’s a good idea for potential homebuyers to contact a local real estate specialist to learn more about what’s happening in his or her community and real estate market. The bottom line in real estate doesn’t change – if you’re ready to buy and can afford to make a long-term homeownership commitment, it’s always a good time to buy
• 3 bath, 1 bdrm single story - MLS® #H260061 $398,500
Dunville, Ontario, Canada - Spectacular year round residence/cottage located right on shores of Lake Erie. Amazing location close to everything you'll need. The large 30 x 17 ft. deck is perfect for summer barbeques and overlooks the glimmering water that ultimately adds to the soothing ambience. Sweeping panoramic views from all principle rooms which can be enjoyed during the cozy winters from the impressive Florida room that offers you a wall of windows and vaulted ceilings. Enjoy summer evenings on the private beach. Just a 50 minute drive along the highway from Burlington takes you to a world of relaxation! Call for your personal tour...
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• 4-level split "Back split" - MLS® #H274768 $394,500 - Priced to Sell!
Brant Hills, Burlington - Absolutely gorgeous family home on a quiet kid friendly court in North Burlington, close to the 407, shopping, schools and all the amenities you'll need. The multiple features through out consist of skylights, large eat-in kitchen, hardwoods, California shutters, new high efficiency furnace & central air, state of the art in-line water heating system & reverse osmosis purification system. Ground floor family room with wood burning fireplace and patio doors leading to the English country garden that backs on to forest like setting. The fully finished basement adds to the living space and truly makes this home ideal for the growing family! Call to book your personal tour!
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