Congratulations! You have just bought a house! Now whats next?

It's easy to get caught up in all the excitement of the S O L D sign officially being put up but there is still lots to do between now & possession day. Below is a list of items to help you prepare for the big possession day:

Set up Utilities:

• Electricity

• Gas

• Water & Garbage Services

• Cable & Internet

• Insurance

• Security System (if applicable)

Always have these items arranged to be set up for possession day, however sometimes key release from the lawyers is unpredictable have the cable & internet guy arranged for the day after to avoid having to rearrange the appointment.

Other things to consider when changing your address:

• Licences & ID's (Drivers, Fire Arm, Fishing & Hunting)

• Banks & Financial Instituations

• Insurance Companies (Life, Auto, Home, etc.)

• Work Place

• Doctor

• Optometrist

• Lawyers

• Pharmacy

• Schools

• Clubs or Organizations

If you are moving to Alberta from another province check out the link below for more details: http://www.albertacanada.com/opportunity/move/from-within-canada.aspx

#moving #preparing #possession #utilities #realestate #grandeprairierealestate #ChangingAddress

As mortgages become harder to obtain over the years the big debate is whether it makes more financial sense to rent or buy. Before weighing the pros & cons why not ask yourself these questions:

What is the real estate market like in the city you plan on being in?

Take the time to talk to a professional about the current buying & rental market in the area.

How long do you expect to live there?

If you only have short term plans right now, renting is probably your best option financially. If you are ready to call the place home for as long as 10 years chances are buying is the best investment, one that can increase in value.

Do you have enough saved?

Buying a home requires more than just a down payment. As a buyer you will have additional fee's such as an inspector, lawyer fee's, moving costs & initial repairs or improvement's to the property.

Buying Pro's:

• Buying is a sound investment: Home owners build equity over time.

• Stability: Home ownership brings a sense of stability, belonging to a community & pride of ownership.

• Creative Freedom: Decorate & renovate as you please.

• Potential Rental Income: Even if not initial purpose, your property can turn into a source of income.

Buying Con's:

• Potential Financial Loss: Buying & Selling in the wrong market can equate to financial loss.

• Maintenance & Repairs: As a home owner you're responsible for all maintenance & repairs required.

• Higher upfront costs: Home ownership requires more money upfront than renting.

Renting Pro's:

• Maintenance & Repairs: Unlike owning renters are not responsible for maintenance or repair costs unless agreed to in rental agreement.

• Easier to Relocate: If you are unsure of your long term plans rentals are often short term agreements.

• Financial Stability: Your monthly costs often don't fluctuate throughout rental agreement especially if utilities are included.

• Credit Requirements: Most landlords require credit checks however these are much less strict than mortgage requirement's

Renting Con's:

• No Equity Being Built: Unless you are part taking in rent to own you are putting equity into some one else's mortgage.

• Rent Increase's: Landlords have the ability to increase rent once current lease expires

• Security: Landlords can evict tenant's (with adequate notice) and give no option to renew lease.

Make sure to take all aspects into consideration as both owning & renting have their benefits & disadvantages and the weighing factor is whether or not they fit your lifestyle & needs.

*Please note this blog is opinionated content and may differ from professional to professional* #RealEstate #renting #buying #owning

Working with first time home buyer's or seller's we often hear the phrase "Sorry for asking so many questions". But let me tell you here first, please ask away! We Realtors® would much rather see client's ask questions & gain knowledge throughout the transaction instead of being confused & often upset because they feel they were not informed fully. Here is an overview of commonly asked question's for both buyer's & sellers

Buyer's Question's:

• How do I know how much I can afford? This depends of course on your income & other financial obligations. To get an idea there are many mortgage calculators available to get a ballpark number, however it is always best to meet with a professional bank or mortgage broker to get pre approved for a loan amount. If your unsure where to start call your real estate professional.

• How many houses should I view before deciding? This is 100% up to you the buyer and if you are comfortable with moving forward. Some people take hours to find their dream home others take months. With online marketing buyers view far less properties than in the past but this doesn't mean you shouldn't consider all your options. 

• Do buyers pay their realtors commission? Sellers are in charge of paying a set percentage of the sale price that the buying & selling realtor's split. This often is considered when setting a list price. 

• Do I have to view each house with the listing realtor of that property? No, despite working for different companies a realtor has the ability to show all active listings on the MLS, no matter the listing company.

• How long does it take to buy a home? Depending on the sellers  the average start to finish is roughly 30 to 45 days. Depending on the situation possession can fluctuate.

• What other costs should I expect? There are many fluctuating costs associated with this process. In most cases you should expect costs of a initial deposit, a property inspection, lawyer for closing costs, moving costs & any initial upfront costs associated with the specific property. For a more specific list ask a local agent to help iron a rough estimate.

Seller's Questions:

• When is the best time to sell my house? This question does not have a generalized answer. Every market is different and therefor differs from place to place. Make sure to ask your Realtor® for their professional opinion. 

• How do I prepare my home to sell? There are multiple was to ready your home for the market. A simple system to get your home show ready is focusing on the "3 D's";  Declutter, Depersonalize & Deep Clean.

• What is important to tell potential buyers? Buyers are always interested in knowing some house history, try to compile a little "cheat sheet" for the counter tops that buyers can snoop through. This will also show the buyers you are organized. If there is anything that doesn't work or needs to be fixed always get this done before listing to avoid any issues come inspection. 

• Should I be present when my property is being shown? The easy answer is no! There are many reasons why you shouldn't be present but the biggest reason is you always want the buyers to feel comfortable and free to speak their mind in their potentially future home. 

These certainly are not the only frequently asked questions however they start a good flow in the mind for the creation of more questions. For any other questions or elaboration on the ones above feel free to contact me anytime and I'd be happy to provide you with information & answers you are looking for!

*Please note this  blog is opinionated content and may differ from professional to professional*

Are you thinking of listing your home but are nervous because of how much Pintrest research you have done about home staging and preparing your home for the market? Well unless your home is a million dollar property don't stress. Here are the basics: Clean, Declutter, Organize, Depersonalize, & finish minor repairs.

Take a walk through the house and think about the following:

The Kitchen: Often this will be a huge selling feature of the house! Keep it clean! That means all appliances, sinks, counter tops & floors. If your looking to make subtle great impression, eliminate all smells with a lemon like scent & organize/face all cabinet & fridge contents forward.

The Living Room: Make this room simple and keep the clutter out. Arrange furniture to accentuate the size. This may not be most convenient for daily use, but will certainly catch a buyers eye. It is also best to depersonalize your home, remove the family pictures. This will allow the buyers to picture themselves in the home and not just you.

Bedrooms: Make these rooms look as big as possible, take out unnecessary items that cramp the room. Make the bed daily, organize your closets & don't leave any clothes out.

*Kid's Bedrooms: Try your best to keep these rooms uncluttered! Arrange all toys in an attractive display to give off a cute kid look. (Don't leave lego lying around)

The Bathrooms: Keep the bathroom clean & uncluttered. Ensure the toilets are closed for showing's. To give it something extra have all towels match. Give it the "hotel bathroom" look.

The Garage: Organize! Many people looking at house's look at the garage as a main attraction. If possible keep all items on shelves or hanging hooks.

These tips may seem minor but they add up to make a great first impression on all buyers.

*Please note this blog is opinionated content and may differ from professional to professional* #HouseStaging #RealEstate #stagingtips #Staging #selling