When you make an offer on a home, it’s a smart idea to have a professional home inspector check it out from top to bottom. This inspection will ensure that the property doesn’t have any unexpected “issues”. After all, you don’t want to buy a home only to discover that the roof needs to be replaced, immediately, for thousands of dollars.

That being said, you might question whether you really need to invest the few hundred dollars it costs for a professional home inspection. “The home we want to buy looks like it’s in very good shape,” you might be thinking. “I can’t see anything wrong with it.”

However, a professional home inspector can see things you can’t. When you view a property that’s on the market, you might be able to notice obvious issues, like a crack in the foundation or a dripping faucet. If you’re experienced with home maintenance, you might even notice roofing tiles that look like they’re overdue for replacement.

But you won’t pick up all the issues a home inspector can.

A home inspector will, for example, use a special device to check for moisture build-up in the washrooms – which can be an indication of mould. He or she will also inspect wiring to make sure everything is safe and compliant with the building code.

That’s not all.

Like a determined detective, a home inspector will investigate the property’s structure, electrical and plumbing systems, insulation, and other components — and then report the findings to you.

 In the end, a professional home inspection gives you peace-of-mind and protects your investment. So getting one is highly recommended — even for recently built homes.

A good REALTOR® can recommend a trusted home inspector for you.

Looking for more ideas on making smart decisions when buying a home? Call today.

Simple Ways to Reduce Your Monthly Utility Costs

Many homeowners think there’s not much they can do about telephone, heating, water and other utility expenses. Sure, you may grumble about a high heating bill one month, but what can you do about it?

Turns out, you can do plenty. There are several ways to reduce monthly utility costs that can save you tens or even hundreds of dollars. For example:

·       Shop around for a better phone plan. Then contact your phone company. They might match the rates.

·       Turn down the thermostat on your water heater. You likely don’t need tap water to be that hot.

·       Clean the screen on your outside air conditioning unit regularly. (Gently with the water hose.) Dirt and leaves can build up on it, reducing the unit’s efficiency.

·       Leverage the sun. Open curtains in the winter to gain heat. Block direct sunlight in summer to keep the cool air inside.

·       Scrutinize your bill. There may be extras you’re paying for that you don’t need.

·       Play with the thermostat. Experiment with setting the temperature a couple of degrees lower. You might not notice any difference.

It’s worth paying attention to your utility costs. Just a few smart moves can save you some serious money.

Kim Hardie 

RE/MAX Saskatoon 

Should You “High Ball” Your Listing Price? One of the most important decisions you make when selling your home is setting the listing price. That can be tricky. After all, if you price your property too low, you leave money on the table — perhaps thousands of dollars. On the other hand, if you price your home too high, many buyers won’t even bother to see it, believing it is too expensive. Even with that reality, there are some sellers who contemplate setting a high listing price in the hopes of a windfall. They want some unsuspecting buyer to fall in love with the home and buy it — even though it’s overpriced. That rarely, if ever, happens. Instead, the listing often languishes on the market because its listing price is conspicuously much higher than its market value. Think about it. If two similar homes, side-by-side, are for sale, and one is priced $40,000 higher than the other, wouldn’t you wonder what was going on? That’s exactly what the market thinks. “Why is that home priced so high?” Of course, many buyers, who might otherwise be interested in the property, won’t even consider seeing it, simply because it’s outside their price range. It gets worse. When an overpriced home sits on the market with no offers for several weeks, the price will often need to be adjusted down. That helps the situation a little. However, you’ve lost the excitement created by a “new listing.” Yours is now an old listing struggling to get attention. There’s a better way… Setting your list price at or near the market value is much more likely to generate interest from qualified buyers and maximize how much you make on your home. That market value may even be higher than you think! Interested in finding out how much? Call today.

 Kim Hardie - RE/MAX Saskatoon

If you see a haze of condensation on your window, should you be concerned? Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on a number of factors.

First of all, an occasional build-up of condensation is normal and often the result of fluctuating humidity in the home. Usually, it’s nothing to worry about. If you’re using a humidifier, try adjusting the levels. If the humidity is being generated naturally, try placing a dehumidifier nearby. Also, remove any plants and firewood from the area, as they can release a surprising volume of moisture into the air.

Do you see moisture in between the panes of glass that make up the window? If so, that means the seal has failed and moisture has crept in. Double and triple pane windows often contain a gas (argon, for example) that boosts the insulating qualities of the window. When the seal fails, the gas disappears, making the glass colder and often allowing condensation to creep in. Eventually, you’ll want to get it replaced.

If you see moisture build-up anywhere on the frame of the window, particularly at the joints, that could be a sign of water leaking through. That’s an issue you should get checked out immediately by a window contractor.

If you take care to price your home correctly — that is, at a price that is in line with what similar properties in the area have sold for recently — then you have a good chance of selling it at or near your asking price.

That doesn’t mean you won’t get a low-ball offer. You might. So what do you do when that happens?

First, understand that the buyer may not necessarily be trying to steal away your home at a bargain-basement price. He might simply be mistaken about its true market value. Of course, he might also be coming in at a low price in the hopes he’ll get lucky.

You will never actually know the buyer’s motives. So it would be a mistake to get angry or dismiss the offer out-of-hand. That low-ball offer might end up being the beginning of a negotiation that results in you selling your home at a good price.

Your first step is to work with your REALTOR® to determine:

·         How serious the buyer is.

·         How qualified the buyer is. (For example, does he have a pre-approved mortgage?)

·         How amenable the buyer is to a counter-offer that reflects the true market value of your home.

·         What that counter-offer should be.

This isn’t an easy process. It takes knowledge and experience to get it right. That’s why working with a good REALTOR® is essential.

Looking for a REALTOR® who is an expert at this stuff? Call today.

Say you’re viewing a home and are impressed with how it looks. The walls are freshly painted. Everything seems bright and new. You’re considering making an offer.

Then, while standing on a mat in the kitchen, you hear a squeak below your feet. You lift the mat and see that some tiles are broken. Obviously the mat was there to, literally, cover up that defect.

A few broken tiles are not a big deal. But now you’re thinking, “What else might be wrong with this house?”

There’s no reason to worry that every home will have maintenance issues hidden from view. However, it’s smart to do your due diligence to ensure the home you’re considering is truly as good as it looks.

One way is to have a professional home inspector check out the property as a condition of your purchase offer. He or she will inspect the home from top to bottom, inside and out, and point out any issues you should address.

It’s also smart to ask questions. Find out the age of certain features, such as the roof, furnace, and appliances. Ask about any recent renovations, and determine whether they were done by a professional or by the homeowner.

Most importantly, work with a good REALTOR® who can provide you with information on the property that you would have difficulty getting on your own. Your REALTOR® has a stake in making sure you buy a home with your eyes wide open — knowing all the potential maintenance issues you’re likely to encounter.

Want to talk to a good REALTOR®? Call today.

Stonebridge, Saskatoon  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at #212 - 410 Hunter Road on June 6 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

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Martensville, Greater Saskatoon Area  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 622 Klassen Crescent on March 22 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

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Willowgrove, Saskatoon  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 132 Shepherd Crescent on March 21 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

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Is your home Fit To Sell?  Click on the attachment below for a link to a video with some great ideas on getting your home ready to sell. 

Pacific Heights, Saskatoon  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 3937 Centennial Drive. on March 17 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

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Warman, Greater Saskatoon Area  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 621 Thiessen Street on October 15 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

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Desirable Location!

• 1,470 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm bi-level - MLS® $419,000 - Great Price!

Warman, Greater Saskatoon Area  -  Desirable Location!! Walking distance to future middle school, elementary school, recreation complex, walking paths & located in a quiet area. This Gorgeous Bi-level with double concrete drive features a double attached insulated/drywalled garage with direct entry. It has great street appeal with a stone and siding exterior, concrete curbing forming flower beds in the front/back and a fully landscaped front/back yard. The backyard features a pressure treated deck with composite deck boards located off of the dining room through the patio doors and leading onto an exposed concrete patio. The rear yard is completely fenced in & has storage built in under the deck. Home has many upgrades; High efficient furnace with van-ee air exchanger, central vacuum with attachments, central air conditioning and humidifier. The basement has insulated concrete form, drywall and electrical all complete. ICF is actually to the roof. 9 foot ceilings on main and basement. The Kitchen, living room, dining room and hallway feature luxury vinyl tile. The kitchen island has cupboards b/in, electrical outlets and a central sweep. The entrance features a large foyer with built in shelving in the foyer closet. The masterbedroom has a large walkin closet and a 4pc bathroom. Home is complete with stainless steel fridge, stove, b/in dishwasher, microwave and range hood fan. Also included are front loading samsung washer, dryer and all custom window coverings. Seller will complete railing on rear deck. Home professionally appraised at $425,000. Asking $419,000.

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Westmount, Saskatoon  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 1307 Rusholme Road on September 10 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM.

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Meadow Green, Saskatoon  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 338 Avenue Y South on September 10 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

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