Did you know that when we look at data from pre-pandemic we are pretty darn normal right now?
It feels off, it feels so different after the crazy that we had for 2 years, but most of what is happening in our market is quite normal.
So, whether you are buying or selling, keep your cool, we are here for you to guide you through the intricacies of the market and what to expect.
Pets and selling your home.🐾
It is a tricky and annoying thing to deal with, but what you have to remember is that it is all about the future buyer of your home and them envisioning themself in your space..... and their vision may not include pets. They may hate pets, they may have allergies, and so much more.
At the end of the day, it is all about neutral, in every way, and that includes pets. We are talking a lot about it this month, so hang around, make sure you have all the tips on selling your home with pets.
5 tips for paying your mortgage faster:
Make biweekly payments instead of monthly. This will help pay off an extra month's worth of payments each year
Round up your payment. Every little bit counts and this can add up over time.
Make extra principal payments whenever you an/ This will reduce the overall amount of interest you pay.
When interest rates drop, refinance to gran a lower rate
Consider a shorter loan term. This may mean higher monthly payments, but you will pay it off faster and save interest.
And then, live mortgage free!
Matte white?
These beautiful appliances are all the rage right now, and it is also making white a comeback after years of stainless steel winning the race.
What is your opinion? Comment below if you would love some matte white appliances in your kitchen!
Let’s say your rent is $2000/mo and you’re considering a $2500/mo mortgage payment.
Before shopping for houses, spend 3-4 months practicing that payment.
When you go to pay your rent, immediately put $500 in a separate account. It’s gone with your rent.
How does the rest of your month feel?
Are you still living your best life or do things feel tight?
Adjust accordingly.
Bonus: now you have more $$$ saved for a down payment, closing costs or any other costs associated with buying your next home.
When meeting with buyers I often get asked about timelines, concerned about how long I am willing to work with one person.
The answer: I have had some buy the first home they see and others have taken years to buy. I move at your pace. Sometimes what you need is super unique and it will take time to find that right place. Other times there are loads to choose from and we can come at it fast and furious and the journey will be done super quick.
But there are no rules, no timelines for what we will or won't work with. We love our clients and working with you is all that matters, not your timelines.
Some people can be confused when we are asking someone that isn't on title to sign off on the offer to purchase, whats more we have to do that in a private room without the person on title present.
It is a piece that gets some people's backs up, but also a piece that if not done properly can completely halt the sale of your home. Not everyone can gather the signature either, you have to have your commissioner of oaths to get that signature, which sometimes can mean the individual has to meet someone else at a later date to sign off if the Realtor doesn't have their commissioner of oaths.
It is a simple yet big and important thing, and if you have questions know that we are there for you.
Things we will never do as your realtor:
Pressure you to buy - we are about you finding the right home for you, it is a big decision and that might take time. There is no timeline on how fast you have to buy when working with us.
Rent shame - we won't give you grief if you are renting. There is a time and a place for it, let's make sure you are buying when the time is right for you.
Take on business outside of our expertise - We know where we are great, and we know where you might be in better hands with someone else. We have great referral connections that we will send you to if it isn't an area that we are experts in.
Prioritize profit - we love you and will find what is right for you when it is right for you. It isn't about pushing you towards something that is right for us, it is about you.
We hear it often, "I want to wait till rates go down" "It is too expensive to buy right now" "It feels scary I want to wait"
Lots of buyers are sitting on the fence, they don't want to pay these rates.... but let's sit down and talk, what do you think will happen when the rates go down?
When we saw a rate HOLD this past winter... just a hold... things went a bit bananas, everyone got super excited, let out a big sigh of relief and jumped into the market, and the price of homes went up. After that happened the Bank of Canada saw it and was like "We need to calm things down more" and we have now seen more rate increases.
So, in the future when rates go down, what will happen to home prices? Most likely they will go way up. All these buyers who have been sitting and waiting for the rates to go down will jump, both feet in and it will be a feeding frenzy again.
So.... buy now, do a short-term mortgage or a variable, and then wait for the rates to go down. Buy when the market isn't crazy, buy when others are sitting back scared, take advantage, and then sit back and relax in your new home when everyone else jumps into the market.
A Realtor.... for FREE?? Yup... that's right... you can get a Realtor for FREE!! Help, advice, guidance, negotiations, and so much more all for zero dollars. DM us, we would love to help you buy your next home... and all for FREE!
Should you spend the money to stage your home?? I think nearly 100% of the time the answer is yes. It can be a hard one to wrap your head around, to spend that money in hopes of a return, but it is so worth it.
It helps the buyer envision themselves there
It helps add depth and warmth to the home
It makes the photos and videos look better
It shows the possibilities
It is amazing, and I almost always recommend staging.
Need contacts for staging? Have questions? We are here for you. DM us!
You heard the news and all the scary info and media headlines that the mortgage rates went up again right??
Now, calm down, don't panic...
We live in Winnipeg, and here our market is strong and steady, we don't have high peaks and valleys. When these changes happen we don't feel it as much as where these headlines are coming from
If you are a buyer and have already been pre-approved you likely have a locked-in rate, so you are good for a while yet to buy a home without having your rate go up
If you are in a fixed-rate mortgage right now you are unchanged, you can ignore the news
If you are in a variable (Like me) then your mortgage payments are going up, riding out the storm till it comes back down and you can enjoy the lower rates
If you are a seller, don't stress that the market is going to plummet, there are still loads of buyers out there looking for a roof over their heads, and all we need to worry about is pricing your home correctly.
What's happening in the real estate market in River Park South? Right now, more than ever, strategy is the key when selling your home. Reach out, talk to us and we can guide you through!
Are you buying a home with a friend? Venturing out to pool your resources to jump into home ownership together? It is smart and amazing, but you also need to protect yourself.
A cohabitation agreement is something that should be drawn up to make sure that both of you are protected if there is a split. What happens if one person wants out? If you have disagreements? This legal document will keep you both safe if anything goes sideways.
Did you know there are different types of wiring? The most common is copper, but aluminum is another option. It was commonly used in the 70s as it was more cost-effective. Generally, it is fine, but it does take a bit more work when it comes to home insurance to make sure that your provider is happy.
If you are buying a home from the 70s or have one and have questions, let me know, we are here to help you.
This is what a team is all about, different personalities, people who work in different ways, and who connect with clients differently.
On our team we try to connect you with the right fit for you, getting to know your style, how you like to communicate, and the type of person you are. We listen, and then we match you. We make sure you will be with the right person that you will get along with along your journey because sometimes the real estate journey can be long and hard, and if you are with the wrong person it isn't fun.
So, DM us, let us know more about you, your hobbies, interests, and the kind of person you want to work with to sell or buy your next home, and we will match you up to make sure your journey is as close to perfect as it can possibly be.
3 happy faces, especially the pup who is now off to a bigger and better yard in their new home.
I will forever be in awe of this couple and how hard and fast they worked to get their home ready for the market. It wasn't until after it was sold I found out that they nearly didn't sleep one day in order to get it all done.
Thank you for all the hard work you put in, your hard work helped lead to your success and I am so jealous of the new backyard that you are moving off to!
So you're buying a home (maybe it is this penthouse condo) You got your pre-approval done, and you are financially ready to start the search... so you're all in the clear.... right?? Well, that pre-approval was based on your current financial situation, which means you can't change it.
This means:
Don't change jobs
Don't get new credit
Don't close credit
Don't buy a car
Don't make large deposits
Basically.... make sure you keep things the same... because even with that pre-approval a lender can change their mind and decline you if you have changed things up financially.
Home buyers tips... Personal letters...This is a never-ending debate, should they be written? Are they an excellent tactic to win? Do they work?
The answer is yes, they can be a great tactic to help you win in multiple offers. We can help you decide what to put in it, but the best ones come from the heart.
If you need any other tips, follow us, or DM us, we would love to help you.
This is what it looks like when families are on their way to making big dreams and big changes happen.
This super sweet family was a delight to work with. They worked hard, prepped their home, and are now off on new adventures! Thank you so much for trusting me with this adventure of yours, I can't wait to help with the 2nd half.
Buying or selling a home is a huge life decision. I am here for you to ensure you make the best decision possible for yourself.
