How to tell if a neighbourhood is improving

When you’re looking to buy a home, you want to find one in a great

neighbourhood – or, at least, in a neighbourhood that is on the upswing.

How can you tell if a particular area is improving? Here are some common

indicators:

 

 

•Pride of ownership

. Take a walk around the neighbourhood. Do you get a

sense that people take good care of their homes? Are the lawns mowed?

Is the landscaping trimmed? Are flowers planted? Homeowners

are morelikely to look after their properties when they like where they are living.

 

 

•Home improvements

. Are people investing in their homes? Are they

getting their driveways re-done? Their windows replaced? Are there signs

of home improvement projects? If so, this is a clear indication that

homeowners like the area enough to invest in their properties.

 

 

•Real estate sales activity

. Do homes tend to sell quickly in the area?

Do they sell for a good price? If so, the neighbourhood is probably in demand.

If people want to live there, it’s a desirable area.

 

 

•Business investment

. Are businesses investing in the surrounding area?

Is there an increase in the number of upscale shops, health clubs,

restaurants, and other commercial enterprises that often locate near

desirable neighbourhoods?

 

 

•Community involvement

. Are there signs that the community plays an

active role in the look and lifestyle of the neighbourhood?

Are there neighbourhood picnics, yard sales and other get-togethers?

Check Facebook.com to see if the neighbourhood has a community

page.

 

 

•City plans

. Find out what plans the city has for the area. Will there be road

improvements done in the near future? Are there any major construction

projects on the schedule, such as a new school or community centre.

Although such projects can be disruptive in the short term, they may

improve the neighbourhood and, as a result, boost the value of any home

you buy in the long term.

 

 

Of course, the best way to find out the desirability of a neighbourhood is to

talk to a good REALTOR® who knows the area. Call today.

 

Team Metherall
RE/MAX Landmark Realty Inc. Keswick Brokerage

How to Discourage Buyers from Buying Your Home

If you're listing your home for sale, then of course you’ll want to make

the best impression possible on potential home buyers. But, just to

have a little fun, say you don't want to sell your property. What could

you do to discourage those who view your home?

 

 

Well, you could have your pets in the home during viewings. That will

certainly make it uncomfortable for some buyers especially those

with pet allergies.

 

 

 

Clutter in bedrooms, closets and other areas of the home will

make those spaces feel less spacious than they really are, as well

as make visitors feel uncomfortable.

 

 

If you really want to turn off a buyer, then put off doing any minor

repairs. A dripping tap, flickering light, dent in the wall, or other

maintenance issues are certain to gain a buyer's attention.

 

 

If all that doesn't shoo away a buyer from your home, then stick

around during a viewing and follow him and his family from room to

room. That will certainly make him feel uneasy.

 

 

Of course, we're just having a bit of fun here. When you put your

home on the market, you want to sell it.

 

 

It’s easy to avoid all the pitfalls described above and ensure potential

buyers appreciate the full value of your home.

 

 

So when you’re preparing for a showing, think of ways you can make your property

appear its best, and make the buyer feel welcomed and comfortable viewing it.

 

 

Want more ideas on how to sell your home quickly and for the best

price? Call today.

 

Team Metherall

RE/MAX Landmark Realty Inc., Brokerage

 

Homes for sale in Keswick, Georgina & the surrounding area

 

Keswick Office 905 476-4111

The fastest way to lower your energy bill

Did you know that, next to heating and air conditioning, your lights consume

most of the energy in your home? In fact, you can lower your electricity bill

quickly and substantially simply by being smarter about lighting.

 

 

First, consider replacing your conventional light bulbs with the energy

saving variety. You've probably seen these at your local home improvement

centre. Compact florescent light bulbs, for example, use up to 75% less energy.

 

 

Second, lower the wattage in some outlets. Is it necessary to have a 100

watt bulb in the furnace room? Try a 60 watt bulb.

 

 

Finally, think before you turn on the lights. Do you really need them on?

Perhaps there's an alternative, such as opening a window blind to let in

more sunlight.

 

Team Metherall

Keswick Real Estate

 

RE/MAX Landmark Realty Inc., Brokerage

Homes for sale in Keswick, Georgina & surrounding area

 

Recognizing potential major expenses in a new home

When you see a new home you like on the market, it’s

easy to get distracted by all the features you love – the wrap-around

backyard deck or the spacious rec room with plenty of space for

entertaining. You just need to make sure that in all that excitement

you don’t overlook any expensive maintenance issues that could

be just around the corner.

 

Nothing lasts forever. The major components

of every home from the furnace to the roof shingles need to be replaced eventually.

Knowing when such maintenance issues are likely to arise can help you make a

smarter decision about the home you’re considering.

 

 

How do you do that?

 

 

When viewing a property, ask for the age of the major components of the

home, such as the roof shingles, furnace, air conditioner, water heater, and

appliances. Roof shingles may look merely weathered in spots and you

might think they have years of service left when, in fact, they’re due to be

replaced in a year.

 

 

Also pay close attention to the backyard deck, fencing, flooring, and

windows. Do any of those components look aged, worn, and in need of

repair or replacement sometime soon?

 

 

Finally, don’t forget to check the kitchen and bathrooms. Sinks, faucets,

bathtubs, showers, and cabinetry have a life span of about 10-15 years.

 

 

 

Of course, there are things you can’t see, such as wiring, plumbing, venting,

and other components of a property that may require maintenance soon.

That’s why it’s so important to make any offer to purchase a home

conditional on passing an inspection by a qualified home inspector.

 

 

Want more ideas on buying the right home for you? Call today.

 

Team Metherall Keswick Real Estate
RE/MAX Landmark Realty Inc. Brokerage

Thinking of Moving to a new home?

If you’re thinking of making a move within the next few months, there are two important things you need to know.

 

The first is the market value of your current property. That’s the

amount your home will likely sell for on today’s market. When you

know its market value, you’ll have a better idea of how much money

will be available to invest in a new home.

 

The second is an overview of what’s available on the market. Which

of the homes currently available for sale meet your criteria with

respect to type of home, special features (such as a big kitchen or

pool), neighbourhood, etc?

 

How much are these homes selling for?

 

With those two pieces of information, you’ll be able to make a better decision.

 

A good REALTOR® can get that information for you. Call today.

Magnificent Makeovers on a Budget

Have you ever watched those TV shows where some lucky homeowner

gets a room redecorated by a professional? To have something similar done

in your own home you would have to make a serious investment, or become

a TV show guest!

However, there are ways to redecorate a room and make it look great

even spectacular on a budget.

 

Say, for example, you want a living room makeover. If your sofa is worn you

can buy a fitted sofa cover that will make it look almost new. Table cloths on

worn end tables and other surfaces can have a similar affect.

 

Don't forget the most economical redecorating trick of them all: Paint! A

fresh coat of paint can bring a room to life!

 

Hanging a few new pictures can also have a dramatic impact on the look of

a room. You don't have to buy a Rembrandt. Attractive, simply framed

pictures will also add interest and colour.

 

With a little imagination, it's amazing how much you can improve a room on

a little or even no budget.

 

Real Estate in Keswick

Keswick real estate is booming! If you are thinking on selling your home this is defiantly a good time.

Give us a call and find out how our marketing campaign gets your home in front of more buyers. 

-We use leading technology and IDX software to distribute your home across the internet.
-Have weekly newspaper ads
-Multiple monthly mailouts
-Monthly Newsletters

.....and so much more!

When thinking of looking at homes for sale in Keswick, Georgina or the surrounding area, be sure to ask how we are here to help you.

Should You Buy the "Less Than Perfect" Home?

When you’re looking at homes for sale, you want to find a property that has

all the features and characteristics you want. A large deck surrounded by

picturesque landscaping ... a beautiful kitchen with gleaming marble

countertops... a cozy finished basement with fireplace....

 

 You should look for the ideal home. You deserve it! But some home buyers make the mistake of becoming fixated on finding the "perfect" property, and passing too quickly on those homes that don't quite measure up. Why is that a mistake? Because some of those less than perfect properties have the potential of becoming your next dream home.

 

First of all, a home that is lacking some desirable features, such as a

finished basement, will probably cost less. Those savings may be more than

enough to cover any needed upgrade or renovation.

 

Secondly, if you look at a home in terms of its potential, rather than the

features it happens to have now, there will be more properties available on

the market for you to consider.

 

If you're determined to have a large wrap around deck for entertaining, for

example, don't cross homes that don't have this feature off your list. At least

not yet. Instead, view these properties with an eye on potential. Is the

backyard big enough to accommodate a large deck? How would a deck like

that look if added to this particular property? How much would such a renovation cost?

There's no doubt about it. You want to find a home that has all the features and characteristics you want. If you work with a good REALTOR®, there is

a good chance you'll find a property that has most of them. But keep an open mind. Sometimes a "diamond in the rough" can with an upgrade or renovation become a home you'll treasure for years.

How Much Can You Afford?

Why is it so important to know how much you can afford to spend on a

home?

 

 Two reasons.

 

First, you don't want to buy a property and then find out, only after you’ve

moved in, that you can't financially maintain it. That would mean having to

resell it under stressful conditions. 

 

Second, you don't want to settle for a property that's less than ideal, when

you really could have afforded the "dream home" you've always wanted.

So how do you figure out how much you can afford to pay for your next home?

 

The first step is to talk to a good REALTOR®. He or she will help you gain a

clearer understanding of how much your current home will likely sell for in

today's market. That amount, together with other financial resources you

might have (such as savings), will determine your down payment.

 

The next thing you’ll need to figure out is your mortgage. Your REALTOR®

can help you find a lender who will take a variety of factors into account

–

income, credit rating, debts, expected down payment, etc.

–

to calculate the maximum amount of mortgage for which you qualify. Say, through the proceeds of the sale of your home combined with your savings, your expected down payment is $90,000. If the lender authorizes a mortgage of $270,000, then you can afford a $360,000 home. Of course, that doesn't mean you'll need to spend that much. In fact, a home that meets your needs in terms of property type, features, and neighbourhood, may in fact cost you less.

 

One thing is for sure. A good REALTOR® can work with whatever amount

you can afford and show you homes on the market that most closely meet your needs.

 

Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call today.

What to take with you when home shopping

You will want to make the process of shopping for a home as productive

and enjoyable as possible. After all, you'll be on a quest to find your next

dream home. That's why it's important to take the right things with you: 

 

•A digital camera, so you can take pictures of the features you like in

the properties you see.

 

•A notepad, so you can take notes. 

 

•Measurements of your largest pieces of furniture, so you can confirm

they'll fit in the rooms of properties you like.

 

•A measuring tape.

 

•Some healthy snacks and beverages, (especially important if you're

taking the kids along).

 

•A map of the area, so you can check out local parks and other

neighbourhood features.

 

•Clear driving directions to each of the properties you want to see.

 

One of the best ways to shop for a home, and actually enjoy the experience,

is to work with a great REALTOR®.

How to budget for closing costs

If you're shopping for a new home, you're probably aware that there will be

some costs over and above the purchase price. It makes sense to budget

for these costs so you're not surprised and unprepared when you get the bill.

 

Most of these costs fall into a category that the real estate industry calls

"closing costs." The most common types include land transfer tax, lawyer’s

fees and disbursements, sales taxes, and for newly built homes, utility hook ups.

 

You should also consider other expenses you will incur, such as home

insurance and moving expenses. Of course, if your new home is a condominium, you’ll also have to account for the monthly condo fees.

 

Closing costs can vary depending on the type and location of your new

home. A good REALTOR® can help you determine the costs you will incur.

How much does "potential" cost?

When shopping for a new home, it's a good idea to try and see the potential

of the property you're viewing. It may not be exactly what you're looking for

"as is", but it may have the potential to become your dream home after

some redecorating or renovating.

 

The challenge is, judging how much work is required. You don't want to buy

a home with the expectation that it requires a $20,000 renovation, only to

discover that it really needed three times that much!

 

That’s where a good REALTOR® can help.

 

He or she can help you get a realistic estimate of the cost of repairs,

upgrades, and renovations, and even recommend some reputable interior

designers or contractors. That way, when you see a home with "potential", you'll be able to make a more informed decision.

 

Want more tips on finding and buying your next home? Call today

.