How Long Does it Take to Find a New Home?

If you're planning to look for a new home sometime in the future, you

may be wondering how long the process will take. How much time

should you set aside for viewings? How many of the listed homes

should you see?

 

Of course, the process varies from person to person. According to

the Department of Housing & Urban Development, home buyers view

an average of 15 properties before finally choosing to make an offer

on one of them. That number may be a good benchmark for you.

On a Saturday afternoon, you can comfortably look at three or four

potential properties. You can see more if you want to make a full day

of it. One factor that impacts the home shopping process is how clearly

you know what you're looking for. For example, if you're certain you want a three bedroom backsplit,backing onto a wooded area or ravine, in an upscale neighbourhood,

then the process is going to be fairly simple. You're just going to view

properties that closely meet that criteria. But if you're the kind of person who simply says, "I'll know it when I see it", then you'll need to look at several homes on the market. That

means carving out plenty of room in your schedule for viewings.

 

A good REALTOR can help you understand what's available on the

market and which homes are worth seeing. He or she can also help

you determine how long the process will likely take, and show you

ways to make the process go more quickly and smoothly.

Looking for a good REALTOR? Call today.

 

Team Metherall
RE/MAX Landmark Realty Inc. Brokerage

5 Tips for Selling Your Home Quickly

5 Tips for Selling Your Home Quickly

 

There are several reasons why you may need to sell your home quickly. For

example, a job change may require a speedy relocation to another city, or

you may have purchased another property and don't want to be stuck too

long with two mortgages.

 

Here are some tips that can help get the sold sign on your front lawn

sooner.

 

•Be realistic with price

If you set the listing price higher than the current market value of your home, then you're 

not going to get many, if any, viewers. You want the list price to be attractive, which

means listing at the current market value.

 

•Get things fixed

You probably don't have time for a major renovation. So just make sure everything in your home is in good working order. Deal with any obvious maintenance issues, such as a

leaking faucet or a gate hanging precariously on one hinge.

 

•Ensure your home shows well, inside and out side

Eliminate clutter. Trim hedges. Make sure every room has adequate lighting,

especially the basement. Imagine that a special guest is visiting your

home, then clean up and prepare accordingly.

 

•Be flexible with viewing times

You want as many potential buyers as possible to see your home. So don't restrict viewing times to just Saturdays. Make sure your home is as "available" as possible for showings. This may cause you and your family some inconvenience, but the reward will be selling your property sooner.

 

•Work with a good REALTOR®. 

Find an agent who understands the area and the local market well.

He or she will be able to recommend a variety of strategies that will help sell your home faster, and for a good price. 

 

•

Of course, there's no way to guarantee that you'll sell your home within the time frame you want. But these tips will certainly increase the chances that you will.

 

Thinking of SELLING YOUR HOME? Looking for a good REALTOR® who knows the area well? Call today.

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.