September 2012

Looking for a Home in Vancouver? Don't Get Distracted by the Irrelevant

 Every real estate agent advises his or her listing clients to clean, de-clutter, and de-personalize their home before it goes on the market. Unfortunately, not all homeowners take that advice.

 The result: You as a homebuyer may become distracted by the irrelevant and fail to recognize a home that could be "just right" for you.

 Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as you view homes:

• Worn carpeting is an opportunity. The price has either been reduced for this defect or you may be able to get a carpet allowance. Either way, it means you can live with brand new carpeting in the color and style you choose. Apply the same thinking to other floor coverings and paint.

Once you have accepted an offer on your home, you and your buyers will face several steps before the closing can take place. If they're getting a loan to purchase the house, one of those steps will be the appraisal.

You might reasonably think that the appraiser will be looking at the home itself and not at your lifestyle, and that's really what an appraiser is paid to do. He or she will be taking measurements, looking at the quality of cabinetry, fixtures, and flooring, and making note of both positive and negative points.

You might also think that you can relax now – that you no longer have to maintain constant vigilance to keep everything neat and tidy inside and out.

But appraisers are human. They form impressions and assumptions just the way

List No Home Before Its Time

When you make the decision to sell your home, the impulse is to get it on the market right away. But that can be a costly mistake. 

Instead, choose a listing agent and come to an agreement on the listing price. Then, before the first buyer or buyer's agent pulls up outside, do what the old folks used to call "Spring Cleaning." 

Make everything from the ceilings to the floor sparkle with cleanliness. Get rid of clutter. Re-arrange the furniture to create a feeling of spaciousness and ease of movement throughout the house – even if it means moving a few pieces of furniture into storage for the time being. Take care of those little "fix-it" jobs that you might have been putting off.

Next, De-personalize so that

Home sellers continue to outnumber buyers in Greater Vancouver's summer housing market

Home sale activity remained below long-term averages in the Greater Vancouver housing market in August.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties reached 1,649 in August, a 30.7 per cent decline compared to the 2,378 sales in August 2011 and a 21.4 per cent decline compared to the 2,098 sales in July 2012.

August sales were the second lowest total for the month in the region since 1998 and 39.2 per cent below the 10-year August sales average of 2,711.

"Home sales this summer have been lower than we've seen for most of the past ten years, yet we continue to see

Viewing Vancouver Open Houses? Be Careful!

 Once you've decided to buy a home here in Vancouver, Lower Mainland, it's natural to want to see them all. If you happen to see an "Open House" sign, it's natural to stop and go in. But be careful.

 The first step is to tell the agent that yes, you do have a buyer's agent.  In fact, it won't hurt to give the listing agent your agent's card, just to reinforce the statement.

 Next, if you fall in love and want the house, take the information and call your own agent immediately. Inform the listing agent that he or she can expect an offer and that it will be coming through your agent.

 Why not purchase from the agent holding the open house?

 For two reasons. First, you probably have a contract with