It's a big decision whether or not to relocate for a job - in some cases, moving spouse and kids across the province, the country, or even offshore. In the current economy - with both spouses needing their jobs and an affordable place to live - making that relocation decision is harder than ever. For example, last month my colleague's sister-in-law, a lawyer with Nortel, was relieved to learn she ...
Posted by Don Lawby
on September 10, 2009
With flat-panel TVs mounted on walls, and stainless steel appliances strategically used to stage homes, buyers are including more chattels and fixtures in their offers to purchase these days.
(Examples of chattels: fridge, stove, microwave, Fixtures: Built-in dishwasher, exhaust fan, faucet and hardware.) Is it safe to assume that if a fixture is not listed as an exclusion in the purchase agreement, ...
Posted by Ray Petro
on July 31, 2009
Let's say, with a growing family, you want to sell your home and move to a bigger place. Don't you just hate that last-minute call from your realtor: "I have people who want to come by in the next hour." You have to drop everything, run around picking up toys and doing a quick vacuum, pack the kids in the car to the local fast food joint. It would be so much easier if the house was vacant so ...
Posted by Don Lawby
on July 20, 2009
The exterior of a home can be a real asset - or a real liability - when trying to resell a property. Keeping the lawn well-maintained and green is especially important at this time, and sellers are often keen on dumping chemicals and pesticides to ensure their lawn looks healthy and green.
But there are other ways to keep your lawn green while being more "green" yourself. And that means avoiding ...
Posted by Rebecca Sargent
on July 5, 2009
Quite the find by Mike Stewart, sales representative with Century 21 In Town Realty in Vancouver, the other day: He discovered a blog titled "It's Lovely! I'll Take it!" written by Sara Lorimer, an American who describes herself on Blogger as "I'm just trying to keep myself sane while we decide if we should move, remodel, or make do." Her blog, subtitled "A Collection of Poorly Chosen Photos from ...
Posted by Don Lawby
on June 21, 2009
In tough economic times, it may be tempting to sell your home privately, thereby bypassing the commission paid to a realtor...
Jeff Gingerich, a sale representative at Century 21 Home Realty Inc. in Waterloo, ON, shares his anecdotes from last decade's tough market that points out the risk inherent in this approach. Several of his clients selling in the early '90s had bought in a private sale ...
Posted by Don Lawby
on June 10, 2009
Judy and Dave want to sell their home... Or do they? It took Judy six months to convince Dave they needed to move, as the home had become unbearably small for the family. Yet Dave delayed in doing the renovations needed to get their house market-ready. He reluctantly, finally agreed to have the home evaluated. They sought opinions of value from three different realtors. Judy felt the two of the ...
Posted by Eugene Pilato
on May 29, 2009
Did you know that, regardless of the market, there are 2 types of list prices?
No question, today's real estate market requires a more aggressive pricing strategy to not only get your home sold, but to get it sold for the best price and in a reasonable period of time.
So Here is the Secret...
No matter what the market, there are 2 types of list prices:
1. There's the average list price of listed ...
Posted by Eugene Pilato
on April 20, 2009
You put your house up for sale and the listing expired without a sale. What went wrong? The majority of houses sell during the initial listing time, usually a period of three months or more. But - as you've found out - some don't sell.
What should you do now? If your listing has expired and now you really want results, we can help. Don't get spooked by the death of the ...
Posted by Eugene Pilato
on November 12, 2008