Real Estate EducationReal Estate Education February 21, 2023

First Time Home Buyer

Are you aware of a friend, family member, or colleague who is starting the journey of being a first-time home buyer? This significant milestone can be both thrilling and overwhelming, and having the right support can make all the difference. And I am here to support and educate.

Your first home will NOT be perfect. But it WILL be the perfect first step with your long-term goals in home ownership.

Think about the BEST location for your dollar. Keep it as affordable as you can. Getting IN is still better than sitting on the sidelines. Real Estate wealth is the long-term game.

2021-2022 – High prices, low interest rates

2023 – Low prices, higher interest rates

But really…. THESE rates aren’t anywhere near what we considered “”high”” historically.

Looking past all the media frenzy, the strategy should be:

“𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆, 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒆”

The expectation is, and historical data shows, that pricing is surely going to heat up.

So today’s “lower price” can benefit in the long term. You can always refinance or take a shorter-term mortgage. We have great partners to talk to about finance products that specialize.

But you STILL benefited from a lower purchase price.

Equity growth over time.

Being a first-time home buyer can be hard. Hopefully, this can help your experience.

 

Check out another blog post here! What is Curb Appeal?

Real Estate Education November 24, 2022

When is the Time Right?

When is the time right to sell your property? I feel the best time is when the time is right for your family! I hear often it’s a bad time to buy it’s a bad time to sell. The market will always ebb and flow much like our lives. If you’re considering selling your house in the New Year, you probably have a lot of questions.

  • How much is our house likely to sell for on today’s market? What should the listing price be? What are the selling costs?

 

  • How long will it take to sell? What happens if our house takes longer than expected to sell?

 

  • How do we prepare our house for the sale? Will we need to make any major improvements? Will we need to hire a contractor?

 

  • What’s ‘home staging’? Will we need to hire a professional stager?

 

  • What happens when we get an offer? What if the offer price is lower than we can accept? How does the negotiation process work?

 

  • What happens after an offer is accepted? What happens on closing day?

 

  • How do we find a new home while selling our current one? Besides a good real estate agent, what other professionals do we need? How do we find them?

Once you have answers to these questions, you’ll be able to go into the selling process with a lot more confidence, and the answer to the question, when is the time right?

 

Check out another blog post here! Finding the Right Neighbourhood

November 16, 2022

Halloween Safety

Halloween safety is important for anyone who is going out Trick or Treating! Having a plan and going over safety tips with your loved ones is an important practice. Use these tips to be safe while trick or treating.

  • Placing Reflective strips on Halloween costumes help drivers see people dressed in the dark

 

  • As we know, it is getting dark earlier and chilly at night, so layering like coloured clothing underneath your costume can help keep you warm. And protected from the elements.

 

  • Wear snug-fitting costumes to prevent tripping over them, and stepping on loose clothing. You don’t want to accidentally trip your friends!

 

  • Pre-plan a Trick or Treating route before it’s time to go, and make sure someone knows where you are going, and who you are going with. Try to stick to well-lit areas and avoid streets with no street lights.

 

  • Inspect all candy before allowing your children to eat it, discarding any unwrapped or suspicious-looking treats.

 

With a little preparation and mindfulness, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween experience for everyone involved.

After a responsible night out practicing these Halloween safety tips, settle in and enjoy your well-earned candy. Remember, the best Halloween is a safe one, filled with fun, laughter, and lots of sweet treats!

 

Check out another blog post! Recycling in Your Community

 

November 16, 2022

Be Winter Ready

Be Winter Ready: Preparing Your Property for the Cold Season

As the days grow shorter and the chill begins to set in, it’s essential to take advantage of the remaining bright days to prepare your property for the winter months ahead. Getting your home and garden winter-ready not only protects your investment. But also ensures a smoother transition into the colder season. Here are some key steps to help you get started:

Leaves, Leaves, Leaves – What to Do with Them?

Leaves are a quintessential part of the fall landscape. But they can also pose a challenge. Instead of bagging them all up, consider leaving them where they fall or using them as mulch. Distributing leaves as mulch around bushes and gardens can provide much-needed insulation for your plants during the winter. Helping to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Proper Disposal of Leaves

It’s crucial not to rake leaves into the streets, as this can obstruct drainage systems and create blockages. Leading to flooding and other issues. Additionally, if you live near a waterfront, never rake leaves into the waterways. Leaves can disrupt the natural balance of aquatic ecosystems and contribute to water pollution. Let nature take its course – often, it’s best to leave the natural environment undisturbed and simply enjoy its beauty.

By taking these simple steps, you can ensure your property is well-prepared for winter while also respecting and preserving the natural environment. Enjoy the bright fall days, and take the time to get ready for the winter season ahead!

 

 

Check out another blog post! Your Home Security

Real Estate Education October 13, 2022

Right Sizing Your Home

Right sizing your home is all about finding the perfect fit. Using all the space in the home effectively is important, and keeps your costs lower. To some it could mean upsizing, and to others, downsizing is the way to go! Peterborough has homes that can fit families at every stage they move through in life.

What is downsizing?

Downsizing is when you move to a smaller-sized property. Perhaps your children have grown or headed off to post-secondary school, and you are finding you have too much unused space. Create some extra time for you to enjoy your hobbies instead of maintaining an oversized home and large yard that no longer suits your lifestyle.

What is upsizing?

Is your family outgrowing your current home? Upsizing is when you need to move into a home that is larger than the one you are currently living in. Growing and blended families need room to roam! Maybe you are needing to create some extra living space for aging parents.

An important part of Right Sizing your home is determining your wants and needs. This makes creating your search criteria easier, so you are notified immediately when a new opportunity becomes available. We will work as a team to find the perfect spot.

Check out another blog post here Real Estate Market Types

October 13, 2022

Fall is in Peterborough

Fall is in! I welcome October with openness. For me, I always take this time to pause and reflect. I enjoy the fresh air that is continuing to get colder, and taking in the changing fall colours.

The busyness of September has turned into a little bit of routine. In other news, we are back from our Century 21 National Conference in  Newfoundland.

Yes, I officially Screeched in!

Connecting and learning from leaders in the industry from across Canada is truly inspiring. Therefore I am continuing to build my knowledge by meeting more agents. It’s also valuable to meet other businesses that assist in real estate transactions. As a result, my clients are better served and become more knowledgeable. 

Our brokerage in Peterborough celebrated. We ranked 20th Globally out of 86 Countries and Territories and 14,000 offices.

Being part of this organization and working alongside my fellow Century 21 United agents is humbling! The compassion and collaborative spirit among the team create an inspiring and supportive environment. I enjoy the privilege of coming to work every day in this amazing office. To constantly learn and grow both professionally and personally. The dedication and expertise of my colleagues motivate me to strive for excellence in all my endeavours.

 

Enjoy while fall is in!

 

 

Check out another blog post Your Home Equity

 

October 3, 2022

Prepare Your Home for Sale

When thinking about selling your home you might start to feel overwhelmed. Before you start the process of working with a realtor you can consider doing a few things to prepare your home for sale. Here are some important items to prepare your home for sale:

  • Putting a fresh coat of paint on your walls can instantly brighten any space, and allow a blank canvas.
  • Deep clean your entire house. Having a clean house can greatly benefit the rest of the preparation process, especially the stagers!
  • Remove all of your family photos from your home. It’s hard for buyers to picture themselves living in your house, and its for your privacy.
  • Repair small damages around your home. Fixing chipped paint, or re-caulking the bathroom, can all make a difference in how a buyer views your home.
  • Rent a storage unit to store your bigger items. While showings are taking place putting your extra boxes, furniture, etc. into storage can make your home present better!

Preparing your home for sale involves a variety of tasks that can significantly impact the selling process. Even small changes and improvements can make a world of difference in attracting potential buyers and achieving a successful sale. Taking the time to focus on these details can greatly enhance your home’s appeal and increase its market value.

 

Check out another blog post here Your Home Winter Checklist

Real Estate Education October 3, 2022

Real Estate Market Types

If you have been around the real estate world, you have probably heard the term ‘ real estate market types’ and wondered about the different types.

Sellers Market

A Sellers Market means that the inventory of homes on the market is smaller than the amount of buyers that are looking to purchase a home. This can put sellers in “control” as they receive multiple offers, creating competition between buyers. This can make home prices start to increase.

 

Buyers Market

In a Buyers Market, the inventory of houses on the market is higher than the amount of buyers looking to purchase. This can put the buyer in “control” as they are able to pick and choose which properties they want to offer on. Buyers can also include more conditions in their offers to protect themselves.

 

Balanced Market

A balanced market happens when the inventory of homes for sale matches the amount of buyers that are looking to make a purchase. When the market is balanced, sellers and buyers are equals, with neither side facing harsher market conditions than the other.

 

Many factors can contribute to real estate market types. Lender and employment rates, and construction, are just some examples that can have an effect on the market conditions.

 

 

Check out another blog post here What is Curb Appeal?

Another Month Gone.... October 3, 2022

September Thoughts

Awwww September!

It always arrives with a new perspective. New schedules, new beginnings, and a fresh sense of optimism. As a result,  the kids are back to school and we are back to business. I love to watch my grandkids join new groups and learn fun things. As a matter of fact, my eldest grandchild was invited to join the Youth Orchestra this year. I am just as excited as she is!

I am also preparing and educating myself to help my clients for the Fall Real Estate Market – this is high on my list. It is crucial to align yourself with a professional who continues to upgrade through learning and attending conferences to enhance your experience. I am committed to staying informed about the latest trends, strategies, and technologies in the real estate industry. By participating in webinars, workshops, and industry events, I can provide you with the most up-to-date advice and support.

At the present time, I am working on a program for which I will receive a designation. The BoundryWise™ curriculum is designed to equip Real Estate Professionals with the knowledge to mitigate boundary, easement, and title risks. As a result, it is beneficial to both Seller and Buyer Clients. Enjoy September!

 

Check out another blog post here Spring has Sprung!