Getting married? How exciting, congratulations! Looking to buy a home? How exciting, congratulations! 

However, those are two massive expenses! How deep are your pockets? 

A report has found that millennials who take destination bachelor trips spend up to 35% of the down payment on the median-priced homes! 

That’s insane!

Let’s be real, we would all love to go party our faces off instead of being an adult 24/7 and worrying about saving and buying a home, and responsibilities, and our RRSP’s, etc.… 

But let’s also remember how important it is to buy a home. 

Destination bachelor and bachelorette parties have become the norm. Whether you are attending or hosting, it adds up fast. Never mind the rest of the wedding expenses again, whether attending or hosting. 

Dipping Into Savings 

You have worked so hard for so long to create that little nest egg for your first home. Your home is an investment; your wedding events are not. Sorry, hate to break it to you so cut and dry, but it’s the truth, and lenders see it that way too. 

Keep your home savings as home savings. If you are planning a wedding, plan for additional savings and save up for the event, do not dip into pre-existing accounts. 

Running Up the Credit Cards 

Also, not a good idea. Depending on your credit, your lender will look into your credit history and when it was at its highest and if it was fully paid off. So again, make sure you have savings for these events. 

 Running up credit cards is never a good idea. So deciding to do a non-financially planned, significant expense event means setting yourself up for trouble. 

Set a Real Budget 

Set a budget to save for this event, what you will have for expenses, and blend it with your regular budget to see where you can make cuts and add to where you want to be for this event. Having a true, honest and realistic budget will be a lifesaver. 

You may not be able to control how wild you get for your big event, but you can be in control of your finances. It is not worth throwing away that first home you’ve been dreaming of to only be able to get into a little you-know-what box. So as exciting as it is, keep your long-term investment safe. 

It's getting into that time of year again! Fall! Leave changing, weather cooling, and days are getting shorter. 

Check out these great tips to cozy up up your home or rental for this season! 

SURPRISE GUEST WITH MORE BLANKETS 

A little extra cozy blanket in the room or on the bed as a throw never hurts! 

PATTERNS

Pumpkins don't always have to be orange. Buy some white pumpkins and use decoupage techniques to get them to match your home interior! 

USE TABLE CLOTHS

Get some lovely flannel table covers and cloths to spruce up your dining space this fall season. 

USE DISPLAY GOURDS IN YOUR KITCHEN

Use gourds for kitchen displays. Swap your suit bowl for a gourd bowl. 

ADD THROW PILLOWS 

Add some lovely flannel throw pillows wherever butts may be planted! 

FALL FLOWER DISPLAYS

Use those warm fall flowers as displays wherever you see as fit in your home! 

HANG WREATHS

Above mantles, or windows or doors. Wherever you see fit! But try not to overdo it. 

 DECK OUT THE FRONT DOOR 

Deck it out with nice fall decor like mums, on pumpkins, and fall foliage. 

ADD FOLIAGE TO PUMPKINS 

Add foliage to pumpkins instead of carving pumpkins. Make for beautiful decor. 

COZY UP WITH THROWS 

Throws everywhere! Everyone likes to be able to grab a blank and cozy up wherever convenient. 

MAKE TREE BRANCH COASTERS 

Find a tree branch that's fallen or been chopped and make some natural wood coasters! 

MAKE A COZY OUTDOOR SPACE

Whether it's the patio or a fire pit, cozy it up for those cool nights with blankets, cautions, throw pillows! 

HANG SEASONAL PLANTS 

Why not hang them instead of displaying them from the ground? 

CHUNKY KNITS

Yes, get those chunky knits out! They never seem to go out of style and certainly will not be out of style this year! 

Fall is such a fun time of year, so embrace it!! Enjoy the colours, the cool air and the sunshine! Have fun with decor and embrace all the fun and family time it can bring! 

Do you want to make sure you are getting top dollar for the sale of your home? Or maybe you are looking to buy a home that needs little to no work and will have a fantastic return on investment as it! Here are a couple of things to look for when upgrading or buying a home today! 

#1 Curb Appeal 

 You have probably heard this one before, but we will repeat it. Curb appeal really matters! Spending a little bit of extra cheddar on your landscaping can go a long way to get top dollar for your home. Be sure to invest in some beautiful perennials, and be sure to weed the garden before the photographer is arranged to come! 

#2 Energy Efficiency 

 Being on Vancouver Island in the beautiful Comox Valley, we are blessed with the weather we get throughout the year. As a result, we require minimal heating and cooling compared to many of our neighbouring provinces. However, when we do need heating and A/C, is it best when it is efficient. Replace your baseboard heaters with a high-efficiency central air system that heats and cools. It goes a long way when buying and selling! 

#3 Local Food & Beverage Amenities 

Yes, that's right, the local scene will affect the value of your home! Do you live near dive bars or five stars? It can affect the value of your home based on the judgement of what kind of neighbourhood it's in.

#4 Internet Access

Since the global pandemic in 2020, this factor has become more critical than ever before. People need to have access to 24/7 high-speed internet. So, what kind of internet setup can be crucial to some buyers. 

#5 Home Office Space

Internet and home office space goes a bit hand in hand. With the crazy new demand for home office spaces, don't be afraid to stage a spare room as a home office to show potential buyers the opportunity to see its functionality in your area. 

#6 Schools 

 Did you know parents are willing to spend larger than the budgeted amount to ensure their children will be in a good area or the required area for top schools? This alone can be a huge seller's advantage and buyer's advantage in the future for their investment. 

#7 Water Front or Walking Distance 

As we get closer to the water, the more a value of a home increases. In the Comox Valley, we are surrounded by beautiful beaches and lakes, allowing for many options when buying and selling. 

#8 Community & Culture 

Living close to sports centers, the downtown, parks, community centers, etc., can significantly affect the price! Community matters and what communities offer are essential to people in a community. So, the culture will make a massive difference in the value of the communities you are starting your home search in. 

#9 Weeds

Weeds can significantly decrease the value of your home. In short, the more work someone else has to do when moving in, the less valuable your home is. On the other hand, spending an afternoon weeding before the photographer comes can add a lot of value to your house quickly. 

#10 Unpleasant History & Crime

Bad history such as murders, robberies, and hauntings can put a buyer off purchasing. A high amount of crime in a neighbourhood can too. 

#11 Security Systems 

Due to #10, security systems add lots of value to your home! Whether you are on a pleasant side of town or not-so-friendly side of town, buyers always appreciate feeling safe in their new home, and sellers can have the peace of mind that someone is willing to pay more for a security system. 

#12 Nuisance Neighbours 

 Yes, your noisy, messy, loud neighbours can significantly affect the value of your home, especially during a showing. 

#13 Air & Noise Pollution 

Busy streets, railways, and airports can add noise and unwanted air pollution, lowering your home's value. 

#14 Improvements Without Permission 

"Improvements" made to the property without the town's permission can actually be hindering instead of helping! Make sure sellers; you are getting permits and all the documentation in doing so to add value to your home. No paperwork = a lot less money. Buyers, make sure to ask for the paperwork before you end up on the line for the previous owner's neglect. 

#15 Niche Improvements 

 Niche improvements such as a gothic theme, or a superman cave, or a 70's throwback, can significantly affect the sale of a home and its asking price! Therefore, it is essential to stay current with home trends and ensure you are styling your home so that others will find it attractive when buying and that you love. 

#16 Structural or Water Damage 

Cracks, leaks and any other structural damage on a property can put buyers off from buying.

#17 Poor Property Maintenance and Clutter 

Ever heard someone decides whether they like you or not in the first 10 seconds of meeting you? It's the same with a house and takes about 10 seconds for someone to decide whether they like the look of your home. If it is dirty, full of mess, has bad smells, has too many personal items, and is poorly maintained, it can very quickly put a buyer off. 

#18 Demographics 

 The types of buyers currently in or interested in a neighbourhood can affect the selling price. 

#19 Street Trees 

 Let's be honest; we all love a nicely landscaped neighbourhood with lovely trees. It definitely helps with neighbourhood appeal. 

#20 Public Transport & Bike Access 

 Public transport can be a significant determining factor in house purchase. So can the ability to ride a bike around town. 

#21 Storage Space

Storage is huge. Being able to store things efficiently can be a huge selling point in a home. Pay the extra little bit for closet organizers, pantry organization, laundry room shelves, and the home's value will go way up! If you can't visually see how a storage space can be organized, hire a professional organizer! They will get the job done right! Or Pinterest, because who doesn't love a good DIY. 

There are many more factors that can affect the value of your home. But don't stress!!! Each buyer is different, and something on this list that may matter a lot to you may not to someone else! During your homeownership time, it is crucial to understand how to preserve and grow your home value, but don't go overboard. Not everything on this list matters to everyone. Pick five that you can make a change in and make it happen before listing your home. The value-added will be beyond worth it! 

In today’s day and age, there is a lot of us who are working from home, and not all of us are fortunate enough to have a new room to dedicate to an office space. Here are some tips to make your any-space a decent home office space! 

1. Lighting

   Lighting is really important in a home office space. For more reasons than one. It can greatly affect your mood and attitude in your working environment, it can affect how productive you are, how much people trust you and how “professional” it makes you look on a zoom call, etc. There is a lot that light alone can affect! So if you are in a dark space, get on Amazon and buy a ring or studio light to go behind your laptop or desktop so customers and employers can see you better! Get some night lighting for around you as well! Or if you do have natural light, make sure you are facing it. It will improve your mood and light up your work meeting! Literally!!!

2. Commit To Your Space

   Don’t move office spaces every day. Pick one, make it functional, have an easy setup/tear down (if needed). Committing to your space ensures proper lighting, proper working routine (mentally and physically), comfortable seating, etc. It is better for your mental well-being to be in a similar “working” spot daily.

3. Declutter & Re-organize

   Yes that’s right, you’ve probably thought it, but here is your sign to ACTUALLY do it! Get rid of all that sh*t you don’t need. All those silly papers you’ve been holding onto. All those stray pens put them in a decorative cup. Tape all your cords down. Etc, etc, etc. You will feel so much better, and your day will be so much more productive!

4. Check What Your Background Looks Like

   Those dirty wine glasses and the bowl of dog food behind you takes away from your professionalism in team meetings or when dealing with clients. Make sure what’s behind you is not a big bright window (because people won’t be able to see you), and that it is nicely staged! Pinterest can be your absolute best friend when looking at home office staging. Get some pin-spo-ration for your home office space today!

5. Set Up Your Space… for You!

   When we all used to work at offices, our meetings and workspaces were always set up with the client primarily in mind. Now you have the chance to cater it to you! Set up some scented candles or some aromatherapy, to create an enjoyable workspace for yourself! Have your soda stream nearby with your favourite flavouring, and your favourite coffee pre-ground and ready to go! Get a piece of art you don’t mind staring at behind your computer all day and invest in a comfortable chair! Get some mood-lifting greengage nearby, you do you and build your happiest home office space. 

The moral of the story, make our space comfortable, functional, and personal! Have fun with it and enjoy making a space your own with no one to tell you what you can and can’t do! Only what you should do! 

Buying a home today faces new challenges than ever before. Housing prices are higher than ever, living costs are crazy, and rentals payments are as large as mortgage payments nowadays. 

So how does one afford to buy a home? 

Here is what you need to know about actually affording a home in Canada today. 

What Are Your Options? 

First thing is first. You need to find out from a mortgage professional what you can afford. Don't ballpark it, don't guesstimate, get pre-approved. This will determine whether or not a lender will consider you as a potential lendee because they may not depend on several of your financial factors. 

If you are a first-time homebuyer, there are many other options for you. So make sure the first thing you do is talk to a mortgage professional and a realtor to help get you on the right path. 

What's Your Credit Score?

Yes, your credit score affects what you get a mortgage for and the rate you can get. Talk to a professional on how to keep your credit score high. Talk to a professional about what you can do personally to raise your score. 

Make Enough Money to Save

Making enough to save for a home can be difficult. After all the expenses, and let's be honest, some funny money, it isn't easy to have room to save unless you are a two-income home. With high living expenses, too, it can make it even more challenging. 

For saving tips and our first-time homebuyer guide, please email us at brycehansenremax@gmail.com for your free guide. 

Ensure you have enough saved up for closing costs, the down payment, and six months' living expenses before buying a home. 

20% is Not Necessary 

"Brain Blows Up"… What? Really? Yes really. Although it is preferred, it is not required. When you do not put above 20% down, you do end up paying mortgage insurance. Witch is something you may need to do in order to get into the market. Once you are in the market, it only becomes easier. So if you need to pay a bit extra for mortgage insurance, so be it. 

Know Your Needs and Deal Breakers, But Remain Adaptable 

You may need to downsize, and you may need to locate further away from work and commute, you may need to move closer to the south side of town, etc. Know what your boundaries are and where you might be accepting to save a buck or two. 

All in all, be flexible. You might not get exactly what you want, but you can always work for it. 

As mentioned above, buying a home today, whether you are already in the market or not, can be challenging. Talk to your realtor or moorage professional to make plans to work towards your dream home or even just a home to meet your financial needs. 

Renovations are a great way to add value to your home and let's be real - who doesn’t want a shiny new kitchen?

But when it comes to home improvements, they can be pricy… 

Here is what you need to know about saving and planning for home renovations.

Every home project will almost always cost you more than you thought and take longer than you thought. So always keep that in mind and budget accordingly. A great way of planning for a home renovation is to take 10%-15% of whatever the total of your renovation is and add that into the budget. 

HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND ON MY RENOVATION?

For a rule of thumb, you should spend about 5% to 15% of your home value on kitchen renovations, 3% to 7% of your home value on bathroom renovations, and avoid over renovating by following similar guidelines. Over renovating is a serious problem that needs to be kept in mind when renovating! If you over renovate your home in for your neighbourhood, you will “lose money” on your home renovation because your neighbourhood also has a ceiling price as well as your home itself. You would hate to put a $150,000 kitchen, into a home that’s only worth $300,000. You won’t make money on that renovation. 

WHAT AM I SPENDING MONEY ON?

Materials 

Labour 

Accommodation

You defiantly do not really want to cheap out on materials or labour. 

It is always best to purchase materials that will have some kind of warranty, just in case. If something happens you’ll be glad you spent the extra on the materials with warranties instead of doing it all over again. When you go to sell, providing the buyers with these warranties is a huge plus!

Labour is pure and simple, you get what you pay for. Don’t forget it. 

Accommodations whether you are staying with family, at a hotel, in the trailer, or just going out every meal to get food, you will need to be accommodated in some way shape or form. So make sure you budget accordingly. 

There are three major things affecting the cost of your renovation project:

1. How much work you are willing and able to do yourself PROPERLY
2. The materials
3. The complexity of the project 

Labour is another huge part but it carries dramatically based on location and the complexity of the project. 

HOW DO I PAY FOR THE RENOS?

There are several options to pay for renovations, all with varying benefits and consequences. 

SAVINGS 

One of the most economical ways to pay for renovations is from a reserve fund or savings that you have saved for this specific project. You do not need to pay interest on it, depending on the savings account withdrawn from. 

HOME EQUITY/LINE OF CREDIT 

Homeowners with a good amount of equity in their home and with good credit can get a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Many people can get a personal line of credit at a higher interest rate to help pay for such projects. You will pay interest, but less interest than a credit card depending on your credit. 

CASH

Everyone likes cash. Talk to your contractor and see what they are able to do for you if you pay straight cash. 

CREDIT CARD

About 1 in 3 homeowners pay for their home renovations on their credit card. This is the most unfavourable way to pay for renovations because of the amount of interest you will pay on it. If you are paying for your renovations on your credit card, make sure that you budget for the extra interest that will be charged. Some contractors may not be able to take credit so you may end up paying cash advance fees on your credit card. Witch is much less than favourable. 

HOW DO I BUDGET FOR A HOME RENOVATION?

First off, go into it with a clear plan of what you want to be done. Do some research and see what it might work out to be. 

Second, now that you have an idea of what you want to be done and an estimated price, get a true estimate from a minimum of three contractors. Figure out their abilities, recommendations, timelines, and cost etc. 

Third, after meeting the contractors, pick the one you like best and start working with them. Chances are they are booking for a couple of months out or you can book for a couple of months out so you can have time to save for the project. 

Then make a BUDGET. It is NECESSARY. See where in your life you can temporarily cut out of your normal budget (like movies, dinner nights, camping trips, etc), to save for your big renovation. Make sure to budget interest and an extra 10% or so for wiggle room. 

There is no perfect way to make a budget. Everyones financial and personal situations are different. But make sure you can afford the renovation and it makes sense to do in your home. Find a solution that works best for you and meets your renovation needs. Taking the time to do the project right and save properly for it, will be wildly worth it for your financial future. 

Whether you are remodelling, thinking of remodelling, or just want to know more about what your flooring in your home is worth, here is a list of the best kinds of flooring to have in your home. 

In the first quarter (not half, quarter!!!) of 2021, $353 billion was spent in North America on remodelling projects. How much of that do you think accounted for flooring? 

Hardwood Flooring is Still King.

Solid hardwood (oak, maple or walnut) is still some of the highest valued types of flooring to this day. Solid hardwood flooring is known to stand the test of time lasting up to 100 years when properly taken care of.
Hardwood flooring has the best return on investment with an average of 106%. The beauty of hardwood flooring is you can always refinish it to change its look without having to replace the entire floor again. Making hardwood the most durable and cost-effective type of flooring. 

Harwood is best when kept away from water and humidity. So the location of the home will make a huge difference in durability. It is best kept away from kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements. 

Hardwood is difficult to install so make sure to not use it to test a DIY project. Hire an expert floorer to install all areas of hardwood. Hardwood does require more maintenance than other types of flooring. Make sure to ask your expert installer the best products to use on preserving and cleaning the floors. Stay away from any products that might strip the flooring.

Engineered Hardwood is a Great Choice. 

Engineered wood flooring looks similar to hardwood but is constructed differently. It is constructed with some hardwood on the top, plywood in the middle, and more hardwood on the bottom. 

Engineered hardwood can last between 20 - 40 years (depending on the environment, use, and care), and can be refinished once or twice depending on the quality and finishing changes. 

Engineered hardwood is much more water-resistant making it better for places like kitchens and laundry rooms. 

One of the biggest perks of engineered hardwood is it is cheaper than hardwood for more reasons than one! The return on investment difference between engineered hardwood and hardwood is minimal! So depending on your lifestyle, ability to maintain, if you have pets, etc, engineered hardwood may be the way to go! Engineered hardwood, similar to hardwood, is tricky to install. So same protocol goes for hiring a pro and asking necessary questions.

Exotic Wood Flooring 

Back in the 90’s & early 00’s exotic flooring like teak, cypress, bamboo, cork and pecan were popular choices. If you haven’t seen them before they have beautiful, unique, bright in colours and designs. And they are more expensive than traditional hardwood. They quickly fell out of popularity with the growing concern of the environmental impacts of removing these slow-growing types of wood from their native habitats. 

Depending on wood type, all characteristics vary. For installation, always ensure to hire an exotic wood specialist. Living in rural areas and choosing this type of wood may be difficult due to the availability of specialists as well as specialized cleaning and maintenance supplies. Be sure if you’re choosing this variety of wood you have access to all the specialized care it may need. 

Luxury Vinyl Too Look Like Hardwood for Less

Luxury vinyl is a great cost-effective option with amazing durability. It looks like hardwood but is waterproof, won’t grow mould, won’t warp, and won’t take in water. It works perfectly in all areas hardwood is not recommended such as kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms and basements. 

LVP requires little to no maintenance and has less expensive maintenance supplies. 

You do not get as much return on investment for LVP but as long as it looks well-maintained people will likely not be too fussy. 

Vinyl is much easier to install. If you are a handy DIY’er you may consider taking this project on your own, or you may still consider hiring a professional.

Laminate Flooring 

Laminate flooring is made of synthetic materials and is highly resistant to scratches, stains, and water. It is great flooring to have for people who are on the go and rough on their floors with no time for floor maintenance. This is a great choice of flooring for young families who live busy and active lifestyles with kids and pets. 

Laminate flooring is easy to install and can be done by a handy DIY’er. 

Laminate flooring has a vast variety of colours and patterns to pick from. 

Carpets

Do everyone a favour and rip out all wall-to-wall carpets. It is a trend of the ’50s. It is the cheapest flooring material per square foot and the easiest to install. 

If you are selling your home, know, that every time someone walks in and sees the wall-to-wall carpet, they add in the expense of ripping it out and replacing it with some kind of wood flooring. 

For areas like bedrooms where most like some carpet, consider area rugs or depending on your budget, heated floors. 

Carpets decrease the value of your home. People stress about odours, allergens, stains and much more. 

Tile

Tiles, when done right and following trends, can add tremendous value to your home! Tile is great in high traffic areas or areas that receive a lot of moisture like kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms and entranceways. They are also great in more humid climates. 

Depending on tile choice, there is very minimal maintenance required. Tiles offer a wides range of choices with styles, shapes, colours. If you think it, there is probably a tile for it! 

The most expensive part of the tile is the installation. If you are a go-getter, have all the tools, and know-how, then have fun with your installation! 

Your next tile project can have a great return on investment. 

Stone

When it comes to stone flooring, similar to tile, there are many different options. The ones that are most popular and hold their value the most are travertine, granite, marble and terrazzo. Again, very similarly to tile, stone floors are perfect for humid environments or areas with large moisture exposure. 

The downside of stone flooring is the high upfront cost for both materials and installation, as well as some kinds, which may require lots of maintenance to avoid staining and cracking. 

Stone still typically has a higher return on investment than most flooring, but be cautioned to choose wisely based on lifestyle needs. 

The best way to choose your new flooring is based on your lifestyle, budget, and overall look of your home (you don’t want the floor to be out of place, keep it current with updates). Remember too, there are costs for demolition and removal. Make sure you budget accordingly for your project. Also, don’t overdo it! By that, we mean to keep in mind your home's price point. If you are in a neighbourhood of homes worth $200,000 don’t do a $700,000 upgrade. Your home likely won’t be worth $900,000 when it’s done because of the neighbourhood it’s in. And finally, think about how this project will affect your lifestyle. If you are living with contractors in your kitchen for a week, what expenses might you incur with the cost of eating out and whatnot. 

But finally, best of luck if you choose to re-do your flooring! 

Are you thinking about buying or selling? Yay! How exciting! Here are 11 reasons to have an experienced Realtor to help you through your home buying or selling process!

1. MLS & The Who You Know GOLDMINE

   Having access to MLS is huge. MLS is the first place everyone goes for their home search, making it crucial for your listing to be on it and stand out.  However, actually having the “Know Who” is another powerful tool. Real Estate Agents are well connected and help each other help you. Between the two powerful searches (both internal & external) that your Realtor does for you, there is no doubt your home will be sold, or your dream home will be found in no time.
   
   

2. Are You a Wiz in the Marketing BIZ?

   Realtors have access to professional marketing to advertise you're home properly and efficiently to get the job done, without you having to spend money to market it yourself. Realtors have literally everything set up from social media, websites, Google Ads, etc to make sure your home is literally EVERYWHERE! Often, realtors may refuse to show homes that are “For Sale by Owner”, due to the fact they know they are not dealing with a professional on the other end to make the process as easy for their client as possible. If you are looking to be taken seriously by buyer's agents, not miss key steps in the process, and not be at risk of a lawsuit, use a realtor.
   
   

3. Pricing Bullseye

   Do you know what goes into pricing a home? A lot more than a dollar amount that you want to see, and someone is willing to pay. Factors such as; what neighbourhood you live in, what direction your backyard (or windows if in a condo) face, views from your home, nearby amenities, waterfront or near, railroad or airport nearby, quality of nearby schools, home size and unusable vs. useable space, age of home, condition of the home, recent interior and exterior upgrades, the local market, economic indicators, etc etc. The list goes on and on…. Your realtor knows how to price your home based on all of the above and much more to ensure a quick and efficient sale, while still ensuring you receive top dollar for your initial investment.
   
   

4. Above Average Professional Negotiations

   Do you think you can handle going up to the negotiation table against a realtor? Likely not. Realtors are extremely skilled in negotiations to ensure their client(s) are more than satisfied. To ensure you are getting what you want from a deal, make sure to communicate with your realtor exactly what you are looking for, willing to pay, and of course, what you are willing to bend on. Remember, lots can be negotiated in the sale of a home, so never be afraid to ask what might be able to be included or disclosed from a sale. You will likely be surprised.
   
   

5. Objective Info & Opinions

   Sometimes, an outside perspective can be extremely beneficial.
   
   
   

6. Up-To-Date Experience

   Your realtor knows exactly what is happening in the market, the community, and the status of the deals all the time! They make sure you are not chasing homes that are already off the market, over budget, or not in your best interest. They are held to a high standard of ethics and performance set out RECBC (Real Estate Council of British Columbia), with no room for error. Your experienced realtor will provide you with all the up-to-date experience to make the sale or your home or purchase of your home painless and efficient.
   
   

7. Be Your Emotional Rock

   Home buying and selling can be stressful. But it does not have to be, and in reality, it shouldn’t be. Home buying and selling is extremely exciting! It is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make with the potential for a huge return. However, somewhere in the mix of home buying and selling, people can get emotional. And that is because of the unknown. The unknown of how to do this paperwork you have never done, or don’t understand or are unfamiliar with, or if your offer will be accepted, or what you’ll get approved for, etc. Whoa horse! Stop right there. Realtors do that stuff every, single, day. We work in your absolute best interest and will help you through every single step. We turn the confusion, into a phone call with answers to provide relief. We take the scary stuff and turn it into you smiling when getting your keys to your home on move-in day. We understand the emotion behind buying a home and are here to support you through all you might be feeling.
   
   

8. Fair, Ethical Treatment

   Each and every person receives the same treatment. Period. It doesn’t matter if you are a seller or a buyer, you are seen and treated the same. We are here to help you get into your dream home and smoothly and efficiently as possible. And that’s all there is to it.

9. Local Knowledge

   There is no one that knows what’s up in a community as a realtor! They know everyone, know the business owners, know the locals, know the very best restaurants and schools, know what events are happening when etc. If you talk to your realtor about your life, what you like, what’s important to you and/or your family, they will make it a priority to bring you to homes in an area that is best suited to you.
   
   

10. Legal Protection!!

    There is A LOT of paperwork involved in buying a home. Lots of processes, lots of paper, lots of coordinating. Do you truly understand it all? Do you understand where you stand legally? Do you understand what you are legally able to ask for when buying a home? Do you understand what legal processes to take if and when things go south from doing it yourself? Realtors do! They know what to look for, how to combat it, and always make sure it’s done in your very best interest.
    
    

11. Expert Guidance Through the Process

    As mentioned and listed everywhere above, one point to sum it all up is expert guidance. From legalities, local knowledge, contracts, negotiation, marketing, pricing, levelling emotions, and a friend to help you find exactly what you want, where you want, to build your perfect future.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY… 

Make sure you pick a realtor you like and will get the job done to your standard. The most experienced (and successful) realtors will have a Real Estate Team who are all working to get you exactly what you need as efficiently as possible. They will have multiple agents so you can pick who you want to work with the most, while still having the benefit of the whole team supporting you for maximum success. 

What would you do for an extra $1,000, maybe $5,000, or maybe even $10,000+? Here are a couple reasons why a seller may not choose the highest dollar value offer. 

1. Cash Offers > Loan
   
   

   Cash offers are a whole lot more reliable than any offer with a loan. Especially a loan-contingent offer. If the seller has a priority to close quickly, they may be more inclined to accept a cash offer even if it was lower than an offer with a loan.
   
   
   

2. Contingencies Kill
   
   

   Contingencies can kill a deal. Even the highest of offers can be turned down if they have too many or “all the wrong” contingencies. A lower offer with less to no contingencies can offer peace of mind to the seller and less complications. If prospected buyers wave inspections, appraisals, financing, then you know the odds of them backing out are slim.
   
   
   

3. Qualification
   
   

   A well-qualified buyer may be your very best bet. A qualified buyer may start low, but expresses serious interest in your home. They may be the best and safest bet. Ask your realtor to qualify each buyers potential. The ones with the most potential and who have expressed high interest may be the best to offer a counter offer.
   
   
   

4. Time
   
   

   Your time is valuable. Chances are, if you're selling a home, you are working with an important deadline. If you need to stay as long as you can so you can save money on rent and storage, choosing an offer that allows for that may be the best choice.
   
   
   

5. Personal Property
   
   

   If there are multiple offers, do not ask for personal property, especially personal property that was listed as not available. Your offer could be similar to many others and asking for additional personal property can get you booted from the runnings.

   
    

Keep in mind these helpful tips when making an offer on a home. They could get you the home of your dreams, and make for an easy move for the seller! It’s a double win! 

We have all been thinking it… “man, if I listed my home this year, I would be so happy with the price I would get!…”. For those of you (and by you, I mean me too!) that are still on the fence wither they should sell or not, here are four great reasons to sell your home before the summer is over. 

1. Your House Will Sell Quickly

   A recent market update from Ocean Pacific Remax in Courtenay showed an average of home staying on the market for 17 days in June of 2021, and 25 days in July of 2021. Having a low amount of average days on the market is a very strong indicator of buyer competition, meaning, buyers are more willing than ever to do what it takes to buy their perfect home (being your home!).

2. Buyers Are Willing to Compete for Your Home

   Multiple offers (as scary and threatening as they may feel) are a constant reality in this market. It can be a bit menacing to buyers, although it does not need to be, however it is a great situation to be in for sellers! The National Association of Realtors is reporting sellers seeing an average of five “competitive offers”. This is a wonderful situation to be in as a seller because you can select whatever offer makes the most sense for you in your situation.

3. When There Is a Low Market Supply, There Is a Hight Market Demand for Homes Like Yours!

   As more homes become available on the market as the months of 2021 go on, we see less and less competition in the market. Meaning less competitive offers, less multiple offers, and less flexible offers coming in. When the supply is low (as it still is now), more competitive offers, higher priced offers, and unconditional offers keep flowing in! Homes that are new on the market stand out like shining stars (when priced correctly). As we move along in 2021 and into 2022, we will see a lot more inventory become available meaning less people interested in your home if you miss the window of opportunity.

4. Higher Home Equity, Lower Interest Payments

   Currently, in the months of August and September 2021, your home will likely sell for a higher price due to market demand. You will therefor have more equity in your home, increasing your buying power. This higher home equity combined with low interest rates strengthens your overall buying power to buy a new home closer to the home of your dreams.

What If I Sell My House and Find Nothing I Want To Buy or Keep Getting Out Bit?

Always make sure you go into selling your home with a plan. Know roughly where you are going to move, have a backup, know for roughly how long, and how much you want to spend and can spend. In such a competitive market place, you may even want to consider moving back in with your parents or in-laws temporarily, renting, or even going full hippie ad moving into a trailer for a couple months. The world is your oyster and you are the one who needs to figure out what is realistic for you and your situation. There is currently more and more inventory becoming available on the market every week. It all just depends on your wants and needs. 

If you are thinking of selling, call your trusted realtor and see what makes the most sense for you.