Understanding the "Paper Trail"

When you make or receive an offer to buy a property, it's important that you read and understand every clause. It is especially important to understand any conditions or any changes that are made to the standard offer.

An offer may contain several types of conditions. The most common are "conditional upon arranging financing" and "conditional upon passing a professional home inspection." However, there may be other conditions as well.

You should be aware of – and fully understand – all of them.

In addition, the wording of an offer may change during the back and forth negotiations that often happen. Aside from changes to the price, other clauses may be added, removed or reworded as well. 

A good agent will always ask you to initial changes. This is done primarily to ensure you know and approve of what you're signing.

A recent newspaper article tells the story of a buyer-seller legal dispute that resulted in a six-figure judgement against the seller. This was due, in part, to a lack of understanding of one of the clauses in the agreement.

You don't want that to happen to you. Take the time to carefully review and understand an offer. And never EVER be afraid to ask your REALTOR (me!) any questions you may have. When it comes to something as important as a home purchase/sale there really is no such thing as a "dumb" question! I'm here to help you!

Want to make sure everything goes smoothly with your next move? Call today. (204) 990-3467, lukevberg@gmail.com.

Be Sure to Plan for the “Pet Issue”

If you have pets, you probably adore them. They're part of the family! But when you're preparing your home for sale, you need to think about how you're going to deal with the "pet issue".

Some potential buyers who view your property may love pets as much as you do. However, others may be turned off by the tell-tale signs of pet ownership – such as kitty litter, dander, and smells.

So be sure to make a plan for how you’re going to deal with your pets.

It's a good idea to keep pets out of the house during viewings. Even if your dog or cat is friendly, some buyers will be uncomfortable around them. So, you'll need to decide where your pets will go when buyers view your property. Consider a local kennel or "pet day camp".  Or at least in a kennel, where they aren't loose to get "underfoot".

"Can't I just take my dog out for a walk?" you might be asking. You could, however, you may not always be available to do that during a viewing. So have alternate plans available.

You should also consider how you will deal with pet dander and everyday pet odours. You're probably used to them. Unfortunately, some buyers will be turned off or even be allergic. So, in addition to cleaning your home before a viewing -- especially in those areas where pets spend time like a favourite cushion or scratching post – consider using specialty air sprays available on the market that will neutralize pet odours.

Finally, it's a good idea to advise buyers that they're viewing a home with pets. That way, they'll be more forgiving if they catch a whiff of cat dander. 

Need more tips on preparing your home for sale? Call today. (204) 990-3467, lukevberg@gmail.com.

102 Melrose Ave West

Welcome to 102 Melrose Ave West. Right in the heart of Transcona, you can't beat this location for convenience! You'll be close to everything you need.
  As you drive up, you can't miss the charming curb appeal of this home. The yard, and the home are very well maintained. The fully fenced back yard is a great place to entertain, or to let the little ones run around, and still leave some room for a cute garden. With a single garage, and a pad, there is ample parking back there too.
  The care taken outside continues as you enter the home. The back entry and hallway with brand new flooring lead to a stunning, modern kitchen with plenty of (custom!) countertop space for all your cooking and baking, as well as loads of storage. All the appliances will stay as well. Just off the kitchen you'll find one of the three bedrooms.
  At the front of the house is the large and comfortable living room, with more than enough space to have the family and friends over! Beside the living room is the dining room (could also be used as a great office space?) with loads of natural light coming in through the two large windows. The main level is completed by the updated full bathroom.
  Going upstairs leads you to the other two bedrooms. Both are spacious and roomy, and have newer windows.
  The basement has a workshop, spare room, and a smaller rec room. It's great space, and could easily be re-arranged for whatever suits you the best. There is a brand new, high efficiency furnace too!
  With all the updates and conveniences, this home is not one you want to miss! Come and check it out. Call me today, (204) 990-3467.

353 Robinson Ave, Selkirk

New listing! Spacious starter in the city of Selkirk! 1181 square foot 1 and a half storey, 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home on a quiet corner, but still close to everything in the beautiful town of Selkirk. The Marine Museum and Selkirk Park are just at the end of the street, and shopping is not far away. If you're into golf, you'll love the Selkirk Golf and Country Club too! 

 As you approach the home, the first thing you'll see is the fantastic yard, complete with a storage shed, and room for gardens. While outside you'll also want to check out the huge double detached garage, and parking area, with room for all your toys. On those nice spring, summer, and fall evenings, why not spend sometime sitting around the fire pit on the perfect patio?

  As you enter the home through the back door, you walk into the kitchen, which has a good amount of work and storage space, and nice countertops, with glass tile backsplash. You'll also see the great eating space. from there, down the short hall you'll find the main floor laundry, and the well appointed bathroom. Entering the living room, you'll notice how warm and comfortable it is, due in part to the large window, and in part to the awesome laminate flooring. That flooring carries into the two main floor bedrooms, both nicely sized, with good closets.

  Heading up the stairs, you enter the huge master loft space. With warm carpet under your feet, and plenty of natural light, it's a great place to wake up every morning! And there's a nice big closet, so there's no shortage of storage.  

The partial basement is also a great place to store all those seasonal items you don't use all the time. As an added bonus, all the appliances are included, and just about all the furniture you'll see in the home is negotiable as well. If you like it, ask for it! If you're looking, you don't want to miss this one! Call me anytime, (204) 990-3467, email lukevberg@gmail.com.

4 Home Hazards You May Not Know About

You have smoke detectors. Your doors have good locks. The bathtub has a slip-free pad. By all accounts, your home is a safe and secure place for your family to live.

However, there are some hazards that many homeowners don't consider or even know about. For instance:

1. Blocked eavestroughs. Eavestroughs clogged with leaves and other debris can cause rainwater to overflow next to your foundation and create a basement leak.

1. Clogged dryer vents. High temperature air combined with lint is a near ideal condition for a fire. Check and clear the dryer vent at least once a year.

1. Dirty faucet heads. Kitchen and bath faucets often have built-in screens to spray the water evenly. Unfortunately, dirt and other contaminates can build up on these and, possibly, affect the quality of the water. Clean faucet heads regularly.

1. Tripping hazards. You could step around a loose section of carpet for years and then one day, in a moment of distraction, trip over it and fall. When you see a potential tripping hazard in your home, don't ignore it. Fix it.

Being diligent about home safety takes a little more time. But, if it prevents one injury or illness, it's worth the effort.

Taking the "scary" out of real estate

Even homeowners who have moved a few times can be intimidated by the real estate market in general, and the buying and selling process in particular.

First of all, making a decision to sell your home can be difficult. There are so many questions, such as:

• Is "now" a good time to list? 
• How much can you expect to get for your property? 
• How long will it take to sell – and what if it doesn't?

Then there's the buying and selling process: 

• How do you prepare your home for sale? 
• How do you find homes that meet your criteria and are within your price range? 
• How do you prepare your home for viewings?

Yes, there's a lot to think about. That's why finding a good REALTOR® who is an expert on the local market is so important. 

A good REALTOR® will help you understand the market, the current market value of your home, and what you can expect should you decide to list. 

A good REALTOR® will also walk you step-by-step through the home selling and buying process, and work hard to make sure everything goes smoothly, before, during, and after the sale and/or purchase.

So if you're considering buying or selling a home, take the time to find a good REALTOR®. It makes all the difference. 

Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call today. (204) 990-3467, lukevberg@gmail.com.

Bathroom Updates

Bathroom upgrades using overlays

If you're considering a bathroom update, you're probably familiar with the typical approaches, such as replacing a countertop or toilet, or removing all the fixtures and finishes to complete a floor-to-ceiling renovation.

However, there is another, far less expensive way to make an older bathroom look brand new: using overlays.

An overlay is simply a new surface applied over an existing one. For example, instead of replacing an old and worn bathtub – which is costly – you can purchase an overlay system (called a tub liner) that fits on top of the existing bathtub. It's a little like giving your tub a facelift! 

You can do the same thing with your bathroom countertops and floors. 

Overlays come in a wide variety of styles and finishes – some of which can make your bathroom look significantly more upscale. Compared to a major renovation, the installation of overlays is relatively straightforward. A tub liner installation, for example, can be done in a day.

You can learn more about overlays at your local home improvement centre and at specialty bathroom showrooms. Or give me a call, and I can put in touch with some great people. For this, and all your Real Estate needs, I'm only a call or email away! (204) 990-3467, lukevberg@gmail.com