When the time comes to sell your home, you may be tempted to sell it yourself. There is only one reason for doing so, and that is saving on a real estate commission. Other motivation could be a personal challenge or learning experience, but basically the desire to save money is the main motivator. You may indeed save money, but on the other hand, the saving could be an expensive illusion.

Based on my  professional experience, there are some general disadvantages of selling a home yourself, as opposed to using a carefully selected and experienced Realtor. The following remarks are not intended to dissuade you from attempting to sell your own home, but rather to place the process in a realistic perspective. These comments apply whether you are selling

It is important to determine the real motivation for the owner wants to sell the property. This will assist you in knowing how to negotiate in terms of your offer price and terms and general strategies. The motivation for sale could be a positive or negative one. If the vendor is selling in a buyer’s market, be particularly thorough in finding out why the vendor is selling in a market that is clearly disadvantageous in terms of the negotiating climate and eventual sale price.

Why Principal Residence Properties Might Be For Sale

• Separation or divorce.
• Death of owner or co-owner.
• Loss of job of principal wage earner or of one of two wage earners, when two wage earners are necessary to pay for the home expenses.
• Job relocation.
• Ill

Swimming Pools.. Good idea?

I know its still winter but are you looking for a home with a pool? Here are some facts!!

Sparkling blue water, especially when it's lit up at night – what's not to love about a swimming pool in your backyard? If you have one, you may feel blessed. If you don't, and are considering adding one, hang on a minute.

Who Wants a Pool?

According to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, middle-aged buyers with teenagers at home comprise the biggest market segment for homes with swimming pools. This makes sense when you consider how dangerous an un-fenced pool is for families with toddlers.

Another segment of home buyers who may find a pool desirable are younger couples who entertain frequently. There has been a lot

The Canadian Real Estate Association has updated its forecast for 2016, with two provinces expected to lead the way.

“Since CREA’s last forecast published in September, housing markets in British Columbia and Ontario have strengthened further,” CREA said in its updated housing forecast. “As a result, CREA has raised sales and average price forecasts for these provinces.”

National sales for the rest of the year have also been revised higher.

Home sales in Ontario are expected to rise by 9.3%, which would be higher if prices in the GTA were more affordable, CREA said.

“British Columbia is projected to post the largest annual increase in sales activity in 2015 (+21.4 per cent), while Alberta (-21.4 per cent), Saskatchewan (-10.8 per cent), and Nova

Whether you purchased your home four years ago or 40, selling for the first time can be tricky. Here are some important points to consider when you list your home for sale.

Selling a home is nothing like buying one. Whether you’ve been in the home for four years or 40, first-time sellers need to consider some important points before getting started.

You need the right agent

Unless you’re offering the home For Sale by Owner, you will need to sign an agreement with a real estate agent and their brokerage. You’ll also have to pay a commission. Because the agreement contractually ties you to your agent for three to six months, choosing the right one is more important this time around. Unlike when you were a buyer, you can’t simply come in and out

Two out of three adult Canadians do not have a will. One out of four Canadians will die suddenly. You can’t take the risk that the Canada Revenue Agency or your provincial government will end up with your money because of poor tax planning and lack of a will. However, there are some classic pitfalls to avoid when preparing your will and doing your estate planning.

# 1 – Not Having a Will or Not Updating your Will and Not Also Having the other Two Key Documents Many people do up a will and forget about updating it. So much can change in terms of your circumstances, assets, beneficiaries and wishes that you need to review your will on an annual basis at a set time, eg. your birthday, the first of the new year or some other memorable time. Also review

Spring is the busiest selling season when it comes to real estate and the latest headlines show that even with the significantly lower price of oil, homes in Toronto and Vancouver are selling like hotcakes. (Real estate in other cities across Canada have already experienced a cooling market, prompting confirmation of the predicted soft landing I discussed back in December.)

But if you’re in the market to sell your home this spring—whether you’re in a soft, balanced or seller’s market—do you really need to refresh, clean and stage your home? If you accept the studies regarding retail sales then the is: Yes.

According to a March 2015 study published in the International Journal of Marketing Studies, “cleanliness, scent, lighting and colour,” were all

How To Increase The Value Of Your Home

If you are a homeowner who wants to sell your home, you probably have a lot of questions. Some of the most common questions are based on how to make ones house sell for more. This article gives several tips on increasing the value of your home and helping it to sell faster.

It is important to pick the right realtor. Both the real estate agency and the realtor can make a big difference in how your house sells. You should pick an agency that is close to your property this enables them to show it more often. It is also important to find an agent who is enthusiastic and optimistic.The realtor should take quality pictures that will be posted on the internet. Most people won’t even look at an announcement if it doe

Conventional wisdom says wait until the warmer months to put your house on the market. Here are a few reasons to rethink that idea.

Thousands of homeowners speak to their real estate agent this time of year to consider their sale options — typically for the spring. It takes a few months for the agent and seller to plan and prep to list the home, so starting now makes sense. There's a common misconception that the only time to buy a home is in the spring and summer, with plenty of homes on the market, you're bound to find the right house, but if you just can't wait, don't fret. Here's why you should reevaluate your idea of the home buying seasons.

Over the years, I’ve asked sellers if they would consider listing their home in January, right after the

Electromagnetic fields...it may sound like a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, but they are VERY real.

Opinions differ on the effects and limits of Electromagnetic fields all over the world. In fact, Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can cause symptoms of illness in infants, children and adults, particularly those who already experience low immunity.

"In Israel, it is illegal to sell a house that has more than a 10 mG magnetic field"

If you are sensitive to EMF's, you may experience symptoms like:1

• Nervous system symptoms, like fatigue, stress and sleep disturbances
• Skin symptoms, like facial prickling, burning sensations and rashes
• Body symptoms, like pains and aches in your muscles
• Eye symptoms, such as burning sensations
• Foggy thinking