All Blog Entries by Steve Harmer

Found 586 blog entries published by Steve Harmer.

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
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Swimming Pools.. Good idea?

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

Swimminig Pools effect on home valueSparkling 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

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Canadian Real Estate AssociationThe 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

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Whats my home worth in Kamloops?

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

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Make a willTwo 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

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Spring selling seasonSpring 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

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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.

Choosing a realtorIt 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

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

Sell or buy your home in the winterThousands 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

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

Electro Magnetic Fields

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
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Listing your home is enough to make anyone want to run and hide. But if it’s time to sell, you’ll have to face your fears.

Is it time to sell your homeSelling a home is one of the most challenging activities we undertake in life. It’s a huge transaction with financial, emotional and practical implications. Not unlike meeting with your CPA or going to the dentist, the thought of putting your home on the market may be enough to make you run for the hills.

If this is true for you, rest assured — you’re not alone. Here are five big fears many sellers face, and ways to cope with them.

 

My home won’t sell

The home sitting on the market is the number one fear of most sellers. Particularly if they need the money to buy another house or move on, the fear of the home not

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