When you hire an agent to help you sell your house, you expect that person to understand your needs and preferences, communicate clearly and often, and work with you to sell your house quickly for as much money as possible. While most agents meet those expectations, sometimes things don’t work out. If you find yourself in that situation, you may decide to switch to a different agent. Signs That You...
If you are selling your home, your REALTORⓇ will likely hold an open house. Potential buyers will come into your home during an open house and explore the space, room by room. The problem with an open house is that you never know who will show up, including strangers and thieves. Removing certain items from your for-sale home will assure your belongings, or identity, aren’t damaged or stolen. Here are...
Your attic can serve many different roles in your home. Families often place boxes of old clothing, books and holiday decorations in the attic and rarely go up there. But, in some cases, an attic can be so much more than just storage space. If you need additional living space, converting the attic might be the solution, but there are potential problems to consider. Explore the pros and cons of converting...
Some homeowners decide to sell a house themselves rather than getting help from a real estate agent. Buying a house listed as “for sale by owner” (FSBO) may have pros and cons. What Is a “For Sale by Owner” Listing? If a house is listed as “for sale by owner,” that means the homeowner is selling it without assistance from a real estate agent. Owners of FSBO properties generally want to...
Everyone is familiar with "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs, but now and again, you might be driving down a street and see a sign sitting in front of a house with the words "Coming Soon" instead. So, what if it happens to be a house that you would love to own? The National Association of REALTORS® defines a "coming soon" property as one that's listed or unlisted that is not available for showing or...
Real estate agents are paid by commission, which is a percentage of the sale price. If you’re looking for an agent to sell your home, you may be tempted to choose one with a low commission to save money, but that could backfire. Here’s why: You May Get Inferior Service A low-priced agent may not do everything possible to attract a buyer and sell your home for a competitive price. You may save money...
Sure, there are plenty of people ready to offer you advise and share stories of their home-buying experience, but you’ll need to make the final call on everything, and that often means thinking with your head and not your heart. Here are some things that you should consider when in the process of house hunting. Be Willing to Walk Away You may have come across the perfect house, but no matter how...
The decor in your home says a lot about you. Your favourite sports teams, colours, even your political beliefs often make their presence known through your home’s decor. And when it comes time to sell your home, potential buyers can be easily swayed by the decor rather than the home itself. So before you open up your home for a tour, even for video or photos for the listing, be sure to remove these...
Over the summer of 2020, refinances of existing mortgages rose over 200 percent, according to Realtor.com. Driven by the lowest interest rates and the highest home prices in recent history, many homeowners are opting to skip the frustrations of moving in favour of lowering their current monthly mortgage payments. Investopedia.com warns that refinancing could be a bad idea if it’s done for the wrong...
If you are one of the Canadians / Quebecois who is working from home at least half of the time, you have probably set up a home office. Whether it’s at the kitchen table, in the corner of the living room or a designated room of its own, health professionals and interior designers say the right office gear can boost health and productivity and are well worth the splurge. Quality Task Lighting –...