First Time Buyer Info

There is some cool info about first time buyers in this link. If you're thinking about buying your first home, it's a good read to see how others are making it work.
  If you're thinking of selling a "starter" home, it's nice to see what the buyers are up to. And, of course, to some degree it can even apply to you as you buy your next home, since some of the factors may still apply! Having info never hurts. If you're even just thinking about buying, selling, or both, call me anytime.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/07/14/home-ownership-canada-infographic-ratehub_n_7794352.html

22 Magnolia

Welcome to 22 Magnolia! Located in beautiful Aspen Lakes of Oakbank, this gorgeous, 1650sf, walk-out bungalow on the creek just about has it all!
  Stunning curb appeal greets you as you pull up to the oversized, triple attached garage, with the fully landscaped, large yard, and lovely exterior finishes.

  Step through the front door, and you'll continue to be impressed! With gleaming hardwoods on the floor, and huge windows throughout the open concept living area, you'll feel right at home. The kitchen features granite countertops, loads of storage, and high-end, stainless steel appliances. Including a gas cooktop with electric oven. There is also access to the 14x20 deck, with views of the creek. In the living room you'll enjoy the inviting gas fireplace and built-in wall units.

 Next you'll find the Master Suite. The bedroom is huge, with a walk in closet, and a stunning ensuite bath, with steam shower, and jetted tub. The second bedroom is also plenty big, with a large closet, and another big window for loads of natural light. The main floor is completed by the second full bath, as well as a mud room and laundry off the garage.
   When you head downstairs, to the walk out basement, you won't feel like you're in a basement at all. With even more huge windows, and views to the creek, as well as access to the 3-season (fully-insulated!) sunroom. The rec-room is enormous, with space for your home entertainment, and a pool table. or other games space. Or just leave it open for the kids to run around!
  Downstairs there are also the 3rd and 4th bedrooms, both very large again, as well as a third full bathroom.
  Outside, the views from both the deck and the sunroom are lovely. The yard is big, with plenty of space the kids to play. There are a number of fully landscaped gardens surrounding the house to enjoy, as well as a patio to sit and enjoy the evenings.
   Not only will you love all the features you can see, this home has a number of features you can't see, but that make living here even better. Including 2x6 construction, heated and insulated garage, 200 amp electrical service, and buried downspouts just to name a few! If you're looking to live in Oakbank, this one is worth your time!

The Importance of Communication

  I once saw a comic strip that went something like this: There is a man standing on the street corner holding a sign that says “THE END IS NEAR”. Drivers keep racing past him yelling about being a relgious nut, and so forth. Then we “hear” cars crashing in the distance. Later the same man changes his sign so that it reads “BRIDGE OUT”. Suddenly everyone’s reaction changes, and he saves people from potential distaster. It’s probably funnier to see than it is to read here.

   Why do I open with this story? Because we constantly hear about the importance of communication, in business, but also in our day to day lives. But I feel there is more to it than just basic “communitcating”. Anyone can say the words, but can you make it understandable? Are you sure you’re sending the RIGHT message?

  In that story, the message is basically the same, but the content makes all the difference. Haven’t you ever had it that you felt totally misunderstood even though you thought you were being perfectly clear? 

  That’s why I feel that it’s about more than just saying the words, it’s about the two-way communication, being able ask questions, to get clarification, and make sure everyone is on the same page. 

  I never want my clients to feel that they can’t ask a question! Sometimes, in the professional world, we get caught using terms (or “jargon”) that we take for granted, but others may not understand.This can be especially true when we start talking stats. 

  My hope is that when I work with someone, they feel free to stop me and get things straightened out! I may not be saving lives, like the man in the story, but I am helping people with a pretty big decision, and I make it my aim to always keep the lines of communication open. It’s a cliche, but there really is no such thing as a stupid question! If you don’t know, ask!!

   If you, or anyone you know, is considering buying or selling (or both!), and is looking for a professional they can trust, and talk to, please feel free to call me anytime, I’m here to help.

“Closing Day” Terminology You Need To Know

Closing day is an exciting time. After all, you’re moving into your new home! However, it can be stressful as well. The last thing you need is to be confronted with something you don’t understand. So here is a quick list of common “closing day” terms.

• Disbursements. This is the allocation of funds to the appropriate parties, such as the seller. Your lawyer will take care of this for you.

• Possession. This is the moment on closing day when you are legally able to take possession of your new home. It’s usually when your REALTOR® or lawyer hands you the keys.

• Title. This is a legal document that identifies the property and its owner.

• Closing costs. These are expenses, excluding the selling cost of the property, that are due on closing day, such as legal fees, reimbursement for pre-paid utilities, utility deposits, insurance, and taxes.

• Closing adjustments. These are expenses pre-paid by the seller that need to be reimbursed on closing. 

There may be other terms you come across on closing day as well. Don’t worry, a good REALTOR® can help make the day go smoothly for you and your family.

Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call today.

March Stats

                                                  

MARCH HAS A SPRING IN ITS STEP

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March MLS® Sales Up 9%

WINNIPEG - More spring-like weather this March compared to the previous few years helped spur more sales activity. MLS® sales climbed over 1,000 and ended up being just 2% off the ten-year March average of 1,025. First quarter sales activity showed a similar pattern, also off 2% from the ten-year average of 2,318 MLS® sales. 

MLS® dollar volume of $276 million was up 11% over March of last year and up 9% over the ten-year average.

New and available listings continue to be impressive when compared to last March.  New listings entered on the MLS® in March increased 33% while the active listings or existing inventory were up 29% to 4,338 MLS® listings. Whatever is being sold is more than being replenished by the entry of new listings on the system.

You have to go back to 1999 to find as many listings available for sale at this time of year and back to 1995 when there were more new listings entered on MLS® in March. For the first quarter, 5,499 listings have been entered on MLS®, an increase of 37% over the 10-year average.

March MLS® unit sales were up 9% (1,005/919) while dollar volume increased 11% ($276.23 million/$249.1 million) in comparison to the same month last year. Year-to-date MLS® sales increased less than 5% (2,265/2,164) while dollar volume was up just over 5% ($600.0 million/$570.9 million). The 5,499 listings entered on MLS® for the first quarter are up 26% from the same period in 2014.

“Conditions are ideal for buyers to take advantage of a healthy supply of listings and historically low mortgage rates,” said David Mackenzie, President of WinnipegREALTORS®.  “Our mortgage brokers are telling us we have likely not seen rates as low as we have now since the 50’s or 60’s.”

MacKenzie added, “The much more balanced market has kept prices totally in line with last year so affordability remains a real strength of our local market compared to other Canadian cities.”

The most active residential-detached price range in March was the $250,000 to $299,999 price range at 19%. It eked out a slight edge over the $200,000 to $249,999 range which represented 18% of total sales. 3 out of 4 residential-detached sales in March were between $150,000 and $350,000.  

For condominium sales activity in March, the busiest price range was from $150,000 to $199,999 at 28%. Not far behind was the range from $200,000 to $249,999 at 25%.

The average days on market for residential-detached sales was 28 days, 6 days quicker than last month and the same pace as March 2014. The average days on market for condominium sales was 45 days, 3 days faster than last month and 13 days off the pace set in March 2014.

March 2015	Above List Price	At List Price	Below List Price
Residential-Detached	21%	9%	70%
Condominium	15%	14%	71%

Established in 1903, WinnipegREALTORS® is a professional association representing over 1,875 real estate brokers, salespeople, appraisers, and financial members active in the Greater Winnipeg Area real estate market.  Its REALTOR® members adhere to a strict code of ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) designed exclusively for REALTORS®. WinnipegREALTORS® serves its members by promoting the benefits of an organized real estate profession.  REALTOR®, MLS® and Multiple Listing Service® are trademarks owned and controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association and are used under licence.

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.