How To Market Your Home Effectively

What's Involved in Marketing Your Home



In today's fast-paced, high-stakes marketplace, it takes know-how to sell a home. That's why most sellers enlist the services of a REALTOR® - a professional who has the qualifications, experience, skills, time and knowledge to provide the advice and services needed.

A REALTOR® will market your home to your best advantage. He or she will help you set a price that reflects the true value of your home under the current market conditions. They will also explain the selling process and help you close a deal.

But even before you enlist the help of a REALTOR®, it's a good idea to try to understand the steps involved in making a successful sale.

Article Courtesy of OMREB

Sincerely,

Jason Neumann

Candles and more candles

Some tips on how to keep your candles burning long and bright.

Make them burn longer. Pop candles into the fridge for a few hours before lighting them for the first time. It makes the wax harder so the candles last longer.

Give them a trim. Cut wicks down to the 1/4" before lighting your candles. A wick that it is too long makes flames too high and starts to produce dirty soot.

Look for the tear. Your flame should be teardrop shaped. If it's not, your candle isn't burning cleanly and is releasing smoke into the air. For a quick fix, trim the wick and check for any drafts disturbing the flame.

Keep a safe distance. Position candles at least three inches apart to prevent them from melting each other or causing drafts that can make them burn unevenly.

Wax on your tablecloth? Let it harden, then rub the cloth between your hands so most of it chips off. With a warm iron, press between paper towels to absorb the remaining wax.

This article was used with permission from Pillar to Post

Take care and happy waxing!

Sincerely,

Jason Neumann

A Realtor ® is Your Best Ally When Purchasing a Home

A home is the single most important purchase you can make; it often represents years of planning, saving and dreaming. You simply can't afford to make a mistake when so much is at stake.

Most people will need expert help to make sure they make the right choice, and the expert you should turn to is a REALTOR®.

REALTORS® are professionals who know the real estate business inside and out. REALTORS® are licensed real estate salespeople who are also members of a local real estate board or association; as members of their association, they are bound by a professional code of ethics. REALTORS® also have direct access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) - a vast and comprehensive database of homes for sale used by millions across Canada. REALTORS® will guide you through the details of home buying. They know about current housing prices, mortgage rates, appreciation, schools, transit and just about anything else you need to know. In addition, they are adept at identifying other considerations that may affect your search: personal time constraints, finances and so forth.

In short, REALTORS® have at their disposal a wealth of information, experience and advice, and they can be your best ally.

The decision to choose a REALTOR® is almost as important as the decision to buy a home. Without his or her help, it is difficult - if not impossible - to sort through the thousands of properties on the market to find the one that suits your family and your future.

Once you have chosen a REALTOR® to work with you and the two of you have established the type of property you want and need, the REALTOR® will put together an initial list of homes for you to consider. For first-time buyers especially, a REALTORS® experience during this phase can be invaluable. He or she will streamline the hunt, helping narrow down the possibilities to those which best suit your requirements. As well, he or she will be familiar with the neighbourhoods and communities you may be considering and can offer helpful feedback.

Once you have picked out a property you would like to purchase, your REALTOR® will continue to assist you by helping you complete an Offer to Purchase and acting as a "go-between" between you and the vendor and their real estate salesperson.

Those who have used REALTORS® - the vast majority of homeowners - know the close-knit relationship that can develop from the thorough and often lengthy quest to find the perfect home. REALTORS® are accustomed to expending whatever time and effort is needed and frequently spend a great deal of time with their purchasers.

This relationship is precisely why many homebuyers insist on returning to the same REALTOR® when they are in a position to sell their home and buy another.

Multiple Listing Service, MLS®, REALTOR® and REALTORS® are registered trademarks of the Canadian Real Estate Association. REALTOR® identifies a real estate practitioner who is a member of the Association.

Article courtesy of OMREB

Sincerely,

Jason Neumann

Bring in the "Local Expert"

Buying or selling a home is a complicated business transaction. It's not a purchase or sale you want to regret. So take the time to select in advance an experienced team of experts you can trust. The expertise you need will include the services of a REALTOR®, and may also include a lender, a lawyer, a home inspector and an insurance broker. By involving these individuals at the right time, you can ensure that everything goes smoothly and that you don't pay a big personal and financial penalty.

Whether selling or buying, selecting a REALTOR® to act on your behalf has many distinct advantages. As a professional in the field of real estate, a REALTOR® has skills, knowledge and experience that most buyers and sellers don't have. In British Columbia, only real estate professionals who are members of the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) can call themselves REALTORS®. When you enlist the services of a REALTOR®, you are asked to sign an agency agreement which legally obliges him or her to look after your best interests as a buyer or seller. A REALTOR® will not only adhere to provincial laws, but to a code of ethics that assures you will receive only the highest level of service, honesty and integrity.

Knowing that a REALTOR® is working for you and acting as your advocate during a real estate transaction will help you get the best deal possible. Before selecting a REALTOR®, interview several who are familiar with the area you want to buy or sell in.

Ask about their track record, their knowledge of the neighbourhood, selling or buying prices in the surrounding area and how they will handle a sale or purchase on your behalf. Also be sure to discuss the REALTORS® commission or fees.


Bringing in other experts:

If you are selling ...

To help you decide on an asking price, your REALTOR® will analyze your home and compare it with similar houses for sale or recently sold in the area. The price you decide on will be based primarily on the home's fair market value. But your decision will also be affected by the strength and trend of the real estate market, interest rates and consumer demand for your type of property.

Your REALTOR® will then develop a marketing plan that may include open houses, advertising and listing options. He or she will also provide you with tips to make your home "show" better to prospective buyers. Once your home has been "listed", it is wise to have a lawyer or notary standing by to help ensure your rights and interests are fully protected and to complete the sale successfully when you find a buyer.

Select a legal professional you have used before for real estate transactions, or someone who is recommended by people you know and trust. Your REALTOR® can give you the names of several to contact, but he or she cannot recommend or endorse anyone specific. Be sure to ask about their fees and do shop around.

If you are buying ...

When buying a home, your REALTOR® will assess your needs, wants and overall budget and help you identify what you can afford.

Once you've decided on the kind of home and neighbourhood you want and how much you can afford, select a legal professional to stand-by. The Offer to Purchase and other related documents can be complex. When you are purchasing property, it is important to have a legal professional to act in your best interests.

Most home buyers lack the funds needed to buy a home without assistance from a bank or other financial institution. If you are buying a home and need to borrow money, your REALTOR® can help you evaluate mortgage options and obtain financing at the best available rates and terms.

When deciding on which financial institution to deal with, start with your own bank, credit union or trust company - people who already know you. But ,with so many options and rates to choose from these days, it pays to shop around. Your REALTOR® will be able to help you understand your options better.

Insurance on the home you buy is almost always required by mortgage lenders and must be in place before any purchase can be finalized. To select an insurance broker, you may want to consider the same broker you use for other insurance needs, or you can shop around for the best rates. Be sure that the insurance you get covers all your needs.

As a new homeowner, you want to avoid any expensive surprises. One way is to bring in a home inspector as a condition of your offer to purchase, or even before you put in an offer. Having the home you plan to buy inspected will make you aware of any serious problems and help you decide if you want to buy the property for the price you are considering, or at all.

Multiple Listing Service, MLS®, REALTOR® and REALTORS® are registered trademarks of the Canadian Real Estate Association. REALTOR® identifies a real estate practitioner who is a member of the Association.

Article courtesy of OMREB

Sincerely,


Jason Neumann

Use a REALTOR® or Go It Alone?

Do you really need a REALTOR® when you sell your home, or can you do it yourself? Selling a home is one of the biggest financial transactions most of us will ever make. REALTOR®S have the qualifications and experience to help make that transaction as smooth and painless as possible. Handling a real estate transaction on your own can be like trying to repair your own car; you may have all the right parts and tools, but unless you have the skill of a professional, you may end up making a very costly mistake. Most people who buy and sell their homes do enlist the services of a REALTOR®. Those who go the "do it yourself' route often wind up changing their minds and contacting a REALTOR® when they discover the process is more complex, time-consuming and intimidating than they thought.

Saving money?

The main reason people attempt to sell their own homes is to save on the real estate commission. But will you really save money if you sell your home yourself? Maybe not. Most buyers expect a discount from the Seller because you aren't paying a real estate commission and, as a result, may offer you less than fair market value for your home. Determining the fair market value is one area requiring a REALTORS® extensive knowledge and training. If you set your price too high, you may frighten off potential buyers; set it too low and you could lose thousands of dollars needlessly. One of your REALTORS® most important tasks will be to help you decide upon a realistic market value for your home; one that will enable you to sell it quickly and for the best possible price.

Getting exposure

Through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®), your REALTOR® will ensure your home gets maximum exposure to other REALTORS® and their potential buyers. This is just one of the many ways a REALTOR® will market your home. He or she may also advertise in newspapers, on television and/or on the Internet. Your marketing plan may also include open houses just for other REALTORS® and also for the public. A REALTOR® will work with you to develop a marketing plan that meets your needs.

Time commitment

Do you really have the time it takes to sell your home? A REALTOR® will write and pay for the ads to market your home, remain available day and night for calls from prospects, host open houses on the weekends, show your property on short notice, screen potential buyers, fill out all the paperwork, handle the negotiations and do the dozens of other things required to sell a home. When you consider the amount of time invested, are you really saving any money by going it alone?

Negotiating skills

Many homeowners lack the skill to negotiate the best price for their home. Selling your home can be a highly emotional experience, making it almost impossible to remain neutral when potential buyers make negative comments about the property. A REALTOR® is a skilled negotiator who can remain impartial during the negotiations - a job that allows you to keep your stress levels to a minimum.

Use a REALTOR® to sell your home

When you consider all the services they provide - marketing, negotiating, dealing with contracts and legal issues - it pays to have a REALTOR® on your side. Working with a REALTOR® - a licensed real estate professional who is a member of his or her local real estate Board and the British Columbia Real Estate Association - entitles you to access a vast array of services and benefits you will not get when you "do it yourself'.

Multiple Listing Service, MLS®, REALTOR® and REALTORS® are registered trademarks of the Canadian Real Estate Association. REALTOR® identifies a real estate practitioner who is a member of the Association.

Article courteousy of OMREB

Sincerely,

Jason Neumann

The Zero Money down 40 year Amortization Mortgages run out effective October 15,2008.

In an effort to protect and strengthen the Canadian housing market, the Governement of Canada has put a deadline on 40 year amortized mortgages. As of October 15,2008 it will a little more difficult for first time buyers to qualify for larger mortgages. It would be a massive understatement to suggest that this measure is being taken to avoid a similar crisis as the US real estate market is currently experiencing. Thankfully, our government recognizes the dangers of making high-ratio financing for buyers today. The following blog post I found on BCMortgage.ca explains in greater detail all the changes being made to the mortgage industry in general by October 15,2008. My hope would be that first time buyers that truly require this type of this mortgage product will do so while they still can.

Sincerely,

Jason Neumann

Snow has begun to fall at Big White Ski Resort!

Yes, it's true! I just got off the phone with a friend that lives at the resort. It wouldappear that a very early snow fall has begun. Perhaps, we could all be hitting the ski slopes by Halloween. Big White has not updated their site yet for the snowfall, I would imagine it will take more than a few centimetres before they report it!

With summer all but gone, let's get ready for some wonderful "champagne powder" riding!

Sincerely,

Jason Neumann