Deciding on the discretionary move

Sometimes we don't have much choice about selling our home and buying another. Circumstances, such as a job relocation, may have made that choice for us.

However, most often the decision to move is discretionary. Sometimes people move simply because they think it's a good idea. They feel that "now" is the right time to find their next dream home.

So how do you make that kind of decision?

There are, of course, many reasons to make a discretionary move. Usually, those reasons fall into one of two categories: need and want.

You may need to find a new home, for example, because you've outgrown your current property. Perhaps you have a growing family and require more space. Maybe you're doing more entertaining and need a larger backyard with a more spacious deck. It could be that the commute to work is arduous and you need to move to a place that's closer. 

Those "needs" may motivate you to move, but sometimes a "want" plays an important role, too.

For example, you may want to live in a quieter neighbourhood or in a newly built home that requires less maintenance. Maybe you simply want a change.

If you're thinking of making a move, take a moment to write down a list of your needs and wants. Seeing them on paper will help make the decision easier.

Looking for expert help? Call today. (204) 990-3467, lukevberg@gmail.com

Curb Appeal

Have you ever driven up to a restaurant and your first impression was disappointing? Perhaps the windows looked dark and gloomy, the façade was worn and unattractive or for some other reason it just didn't look like a tempting place to eat.

It could still be a fantastic restaurant – a real gem. But, your first impression has soured your anticipation. If you still walk through the front door, it will likely be with the expectation of being disappointed.

This scenario often plays out in the real estate market as well. 

A buyer drives up to a home for sale and quickly forms an impression based on what he sees "from the curb". That's why you'll hear real estate experts talk about the importance of "curb appeal". It's one of the most important selling points of a property.

If you plan to put your home on the market, you obviously want your home to look as attractive as possible from the street. Fortunately, there are many simple things you can do to improve curb appeal.

For example, you can trim shrubs and hedges, plant flowers, clean the walkway and driveway, paint the front door and garage door, and clean the exteriors of the windows. All these projects are relatively easy and inexpensive. Yet, each can make a dramatic improvement to how your home looks at first glance.

Don't be like the great restaurant that’s hidden behind an unkept façade. Make sure your curb appeal reflects the overall value of your property.

Looking for more advice on selling your home quickly and for the best price? Call today.

5 Unusual (but effective) Home Staging Ideas

"Staging" your home is all about making the space in your home as appealing as possible to buyers. Many people think staging has to be expensive. It doesn't. Most of these tips are very simple, and cost effective. Even if you aren't selling, these can help make your home more comfortable for you. You really don't have to blow the budget to make a room more comfortable. Don't underestimate the small things! You may already know the basics, such as eliminating clutter. Here are some other tips that are less well known yet very effective:

• Chandeliers. Surprisingly, these are one of the simplest ways to make a foyer, dining room or living room dramatically more eye-catching. You can buy a good-looking chandelier for a few hundred dollars.

• New linen. This is something many home sellers don't consider, but should. Replace any worn linen – sheets, coverings, towels, and even oven mitts with new ones. Believe it or not, new linen makes a big impression on buyers.

• Pedestal sinks. It may not be practical for you to replace a bathroom sink. However, if you are doing a renovation, keep in mind that pedestal sinks – especially in small washrooms – are a big hit with buyers.

• New appliances. A brand new fridge, stove and dishwasher are motivating selling features to buyers. That's because new appliances make the whole kitchen look brand new.

• Avoid multi-use rooms. Have a spare bedroom that doubles as a home office? That's a turnoff to buyers. Whenever possible, stage each room so that it has a singular purpose. A guest bedroom, for example, should be only that.

 Want more tips on how to stage your home so that it attracts buyers? Call today.

House vs Condo: Where Should You Be?

So, you’ve decided to make a move. Maybe it’s your first time, maybe you’re just

ready for a change. There are so many questions to go through. Needs vs. Wants lists

to make. Where do I want to live? What do I want to be close to? Who do I

want to be close to? Should I hire a professional? (Yes, you should!)

Today I want to address a question some people may not even think about right away:

Should I buy a House or a Condo?

We’ve all seen the huge increase in condo construction in our fine city, they are

popping up everywhere. Why? Because there is a real market for them! Everything from

small, one bed room “studio” style, to massive, luxury penthouse suites. So, could a

condo be right for you? Let’s find out.

I’ll admit, when I first started home shopping, and before I got into the business of Real

Estate, the idea of a condo never really appealed to me. It just seemed like I’d be living

in a glorified apartment, and paying, in some cases as much as I would for a home. My

thinking was, if I’m going to pay that much, why wouldn’t I want to get a yard and a

basement in the package?

But, after having seen so many, and really learning what they are all about, and what

goes into owning one, I can really see the appeal in them, for a few market

demographics. They certainly aren’t for everyone. If you have a family, or are planning

to soon, condo living likely isn’t right for you. The same goes for someone who loves 
having a yard and/or garden to play with. If you love growing things, you may not enjoy a condo.

However, maybe you’re a young, single, working professional, with long hours and

crazy schedules, (or even a young “power couple”!), or perhaps you’re an “empty

nester” looking to enjoy your retirement years travelling. These are just a few of 

the people that can really benefit from the condo lifestyle. 

There are several advantages - Security: Just lock your door and disappear! No one

will notice your long term absence, and, if it’s properly managed, someone is keeping

an eye on the building. No maintenance: You’ve got no yard to mow, and, in the winter,

no snow to shovel. If you have to be gone long term, or if you keep odd hours, you don’t

need to ask others to cover it, and your property won’t “get away” from you. Insurance:

Your insurance costs will be much lower, as the rules are different for condos.
Utility costs: You’re heating only the space you’re using, and it will

generally only have one or two exterior walls.

Having said all this, you still need to be careful. There are numbers and “features” to

consider: Should I go apartment or townhome style? What’s the difference? Do I get covered/heated parking, or will I be parking outdoors all winter? Is there a storage unit?

What are the monthly condo fees, and what do they cover for that money? Do they

include utilities? Is there a rec area, like a gym, or a common room, or even a pool? And if there is, am I actually likely to make use of those spaces? Does it have in-suite

laundry? If not, are they “coin-operated” machines?

I’d also like to go back to my point about getting more for your money in a home. Lets

do a quick comparison, using rough numbers. (These numbers are by no means

indicative of current market trends, in homes or condos!) Lets say you are paying $200k

for a 900sf house, with full basement and a single garage, vs paying the same $200k for

a 900sf apartment style condo. At first glance, you are getting more “space” for your

money in the home. But think about this: are you likely going to use that (possibly

unfinished) basement? Because if you aren’t, aren’t you really just paying for dead

space? Not to mention the ongoing costs of maintaining and heating/cooling all that

space? And the ongoing maintenance of the yard/property. That can really start to add

up over time. Yes, in a condo you may be paying monthly fees for this. But in many

cases they will be lower in the long run. And yes, some of your fees are going to be

paying someone else, but at the end of the day, it can be a small thing for the

convenience you get. What about equity? Isn’t there more to be gained in home

ownership? Sort of. A home is more likely to appreciate a little faster, and likely sell

faster as well. But condos do give you equity! They are not “throwing money away”.

Again, it will come down to how the numbers play out, and exactly what you want in

your life. Yes, there is a lot to consider, but, with expert help and guidance, the decision

doesn’t have to be scary. 

This post is by no means comprehensive or exact, but if you have any questions or

comments, or if you, or someone you know, is thinking about a move but doesn’t know

where to start, please, get in touch with me, lets look at your options, and talk about

what you’re after. Your home is a huge part of your lifestyle, and it’s worth the

discussion. I’m always happy to sit down and go through any questions or concerns!

(204) 990-3467, lukevberg@gmail.com.

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.