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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stonebridge, Saskatoon
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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
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We invite everyone to visit our open house at 622 Klassen Crescent on
March 22
from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Property information
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Willowgrove, Saskatoon
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We invite everyone to visit our open house at 132 Shepherd Crescent on
March 21
from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Property information
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The RE/MAX Fit To Sell program is designed to help you prepare your home so it sells faster and for a better price. As a courtesy to my clients I can provide a copy of the Fit To Sell package which includes a dvd with 10 videos featuring Carla Woolnough for viewing from RE/MAX of Western Canada.
Preparing your home to be as presentable as possible is an important role you can play to ensure your home sells quickly and for the highest possible price.
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.
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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.
Property information
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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.
Property information