5 Minor Items, With Major Impact, That Home Sellers Forget To Replace

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.02.2022

1. Furnace Filter – Change your furnace filter and leave the package nearby in clear view of the furnace. You will want to book an appointment with your tenant for this if the home is a rental.
2. Weather Stripping – Especially if you live in a location where you experience all four seasons, you will want to ensure you have fresh weather stripping on all exterior doors of the property.
3. Caulking – Take a close look at the caulking throughout your home, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Often times it is deteriorated or discolored and is a very inexpensive replacement cost, usually around $5, and fresh white caulking is outstanding for improving showing quality.
4. Smoke Detectors – While this is not immediately impactful during showings, these will be tested during a home inspection so make sure they are functional, and you have the appropriate amount for the size of your home.
5. Light Bulbs – Even if the room is only used for storage, a missing light bulb in any space will disrupt the flow of a showing and trigger a flag in the mind of potential buyers. Although the flag may be small, considering the cost of light bulbs, it is a worthy replacement.

What To Expect When Selling Your Home In 2022

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.01.2022

1. A Seller’s Market – Unless another global event alters the real estate market, like that of the pandemic, you will most likely experience Seller’s Market conditions in 2022. It is crucial that you work with a REALTOR® to capitalize on these conditions by following a sales strategy that is unique to your home type and location.
2. Numerous Showings – Depending on your sales strategy, you may have to vacate your house for the entire first day of it being on the market for back-to-back showings. You might also have showings before it hits the market or numerous showings throughout the first week of it being on the market before you get an offer. Be flexible with your schedule for this reason.
3. Pandemic Precautions – Hundreds of thousands of homes have been safely sold since the pandemic began. Talk to your REALTOR® about any specific precautions you would like taken during showings, however the most common include masks, sanitize, minimum attendees, and lights to be left on.
4. Aggressive Offers – Prior to the pandemic, offers coming through over asking price were almost impossible short of a “Presentation of Offers” scenario but in 2021 offers at or over asking price became the norm. Of course, this is an expectation that is entirely dependent on your sales strategy which includes pricing according to market data.
5. Competing Offers – If your sales strategy was successful, you will end of receiving more than one offer on the first day. You can discuss the pros and cons of each offer with your REALTOR® to ensure you are cognizant of any terms that might diminish the value of the offer. Remember that the highest price does not always equate to the best offer.
6. Unqualified Offers – Sometimes during the hustle and bustle of buying a house, buyer’s overlook due diligence such as working with an experienced mortgage broker and/or REALTOR® so make sure your REALTOR® is screening for qualified buyers. An unqualified buyer can waste weeks of valuable market time and effectively lose several thousand dollars in would-be equity.

Call or text Tanya LaRose at 306-380-REAL(7325) to start your home selling process now for 2022.

5 Disastrous Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Your First Home

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.12.2021

1. Unrealistic Expectations – Securing your first home and your dream home in one shot is nearly impossible. In fact, very few First-Time Home Buyer’s fall in love with their property at the beginning. Sometimes they have very old finishes, shingles that need replacing, or some other item(s) that need updating. Be prepared to be underwhelmed but remember that most homeowners level up every five years or so and get closer to a home that has everything on their Wish List!
2. Shopping Mortgage Brokers – While it is recommended that you review your options for lending institutions, as well as interviewing the mortgage associate directly, it is not recommended that you complete a full mortgage application process with each one. Each time you complete a mortgage application, your credit will be pulled therefore damaging it more with each additional application.
3. Using Numerous REALTORS® – You will end up exhausted, confused, and there will be a lot of wasted time. The importance of using one professional is that there is one strategy that is being utilized to bring your real estate dreams to reality. You have full confidence in that professional and they understand your objectives clearly. You may even run into one of the other REALTORS® you were using during negotiations, so you lose your negotiating leverage.
4. Furniture Shopping Before Possession – Picture this… you bought your dream home! Your possession date is in one month, so you decide to go furniture shopping and complete a full charge at your favourite furniture store. New couches, new bedroom set, table and chairs, your new home will look stellar. A week later, your possession date rolls around but it is not completed because your debt ratio is no longer approved by your mortgage lender.
5. Viewing Homes Before Your Mortgage Qualification – You are wasting your time, your REALTORS® time, the sellers time, and the selling REALTORS® It is like going to a golf tournament with no clubs, it makes no sense and is an act in futility. You are also setting yourself up for disappointment in the event where you fall in love with the home, but you cannot make an offer because your finances are not in order.

For more tips on how to make your first home purchase a success, contact Tanya LaRose at 306-380-7325.

Top 5 Things To Avoid When Preparing To Sell Your House

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.11.2021

1. Selling Without A REALTOR® - The instant gratitication of bypassing REALTOR® fees may be appealing, however it can be misleading in the big picture. The benefits of a skilled REALTOR® to the sale of your home typically includes selling at a higher price, more time available for yourself, and less stress. Often times homeowners will attempt to sell on their own, only to hire a REALTOR® due to frustration or failed deals, which means they spend even more money!
2. Extensive Renovations - While some renovations or upgrades are great for resale, some are completely unnesseccary in the sense that the money put in will not directly add to the resale value. Yet another reason why it is so important to use a REALTOR®, you can save money before your house even hits the market.
3. Forgetting To Clean - Clean is a subjective term so ensure that you clean the home even more than you usually would to satiate even the most discriminating buyer. Clean it with disinfectant, tidy it so everything is put in its place, and purge as much as possible so the space appears larger. One of the most efffective buyer turn-offs during a showing is a home that looks and smells like it is not clean.
4. Forgetting Staging - Furniture placement to sell is sometimes different than furniture placement to live in. You can consult your REALTOR®, a professional staging company, or a Feng Shui professional for more tips on this. It is a direct factor in showing quality and showing quality is a direct factor in the amount buyers will offer.
5. Keeping Up Family Photos - Depersonalizing your home is crucial so buyers can picture themselves in the home. Often times putting up more mirrors may allow for this visualization even more so. Along with taking down family photos, home owners should also take down any heavy religious or cultural decor, as this also play a considerable psychological factor during showings.

 

5 Safety Measures to Selling Your House During a Pandemic

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.10.2021

1. Mask Requirement – As the mask mandates have been fluctuating since the pandemic began, those guidelines are followed by the real estate industry as well. Even if the provincial mandate is removed for masks, a homeowner can still request that masks are required in their home.
2. Hand Sanitizer – While many home buyers already keep hand sanitizer readily available, sellers are welcome to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer at the front door for use during showings.
3. Leave Lights On – Homes look their best when they are well-lit. Therefore, to make sure your home looks its best and reduce unnecessary touching, leave the lights on before you leave for your scheduled showing time. Open those window coverings too!
4. Leave Doors Open – Again, to minimize unnecessary touching - leave bedroom, bathroom, and closet doors open. Between the hand sanitizer and minimal touching measures, you should have added peace of mind.
5. Minimal Attendees – Prior to the pandemic, it was not uncommon for home buyers to bring mom, dad, and the kids for additional perspectives. Given the intricacies of the pandemic, it is now recommended that only the most crucial attendees and signing authorities are in attendance during showings.

For more tips on preparing your home to sell, call Tanya LaRose at 306-380-7325. Stay safe out there!

Why Saskatoon? 5 Reasons Saskatoon Real Estate is an Excellent Investment – In A Nutshell. (Part 1)

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.09.2021

1. POST-SECONDARY – Saskatoon attracts students from all over Canada and further. From the University of Saskatchewan to the Saskatchewan Polytechnic to the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, many post-secondary options are available which produces a high demand for student housing. Multi-unit developments, suited homes, and homes with multiple bedrooms are in constant motion in on the Saskatchewan MLS® making it easy for investors to capitalize on this demographic.
2. CURRENT ATTRACTIONS – Did you know some of the artifacts found at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park are older than the pyramids? Saskatoon truly has some gems that are unique all on their own. Search the list created by the team at Tourism Saskatoon and you will be impressed: https://www.tourismsaskatoon.com/things-to-do/
3. UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS – Between a state-of-the-art library and a $12.9 million downtown festival venue, Saskatoon is coming out of its shell in a big way. It is no surprise that Saskatoon’s average population increase has been consistent at 2% annually. Read more about some planning here: https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon-city-councillors-to-mull-12-9-million-downtown-festival-site-1.5304032
4. FESTIVAL CITY – Let the good times roll as Saskatoonians thrive on festivals and celebrations that take the city by storm almost every month of the year in Saskatoon. The most concentrated number of festivals take place during the summer including RibFest, Food Truck Wars, YXE Beer Wars, Fringe Festival, Jazz Festival, Taste of Saskatchewan and so much more! Look at the list, although many are continuously added on a regular basis, and choose your favourite: https://www.todocanada.ca/festivals-in-saskatoon/
5. REAL ESTATE REBATES – The City of Saskatoon offers numerous rebates to home-owners and home builders. Many of them are incentives for continued growth, and geared toward the new development sector, however if that is an option for you as an investor, the value tied into these rebates are worth taking advantage of. The details of these programs can be viewed here: https://www.saskatoon.ca/business-development/land-development/rebate-program

 

The 9 Step Plan: Maximize Your Profit Through Smart Renovations When You Sell Your Home

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.07.2021

 

1. Consult A Professional – Prior to tackling home renovations to increase your homes saleability, you will want to have your trusted REALTOR® come for a walk-through to advise you on your current home value and which upgrades might increase that home value. Ask them about a selling timeline as well. If you need recommendations on trades people, any good REALTOR® will have a rolodex of recommendations for you as well.
2. Review Your Mortgage – Are you allowed to sell free and clear, or do you have a substantial payout penalty? Is your current rate better than any other available rate? Is it a possibility to add some of your renovation capital to your mortgage? Your trusted mortgage broker can advise you accordingly.
3. Start A Home Renovation Binder – Your binder will keep your mind and bank account organized. Include your TO-DO list, minimum/maximum budget, deadlines, contractor information, warranty information, receipts, etc.. You can set this binder out during showings when your house is listed so the buyers know exactly what has been done to the home recently.
4. Create A Budget – Your budget will include minimum and maximum amounts to allow for fluctuating products and services. You can even review second-hand product sources like kijiji.ca or the Market Place on www.facebook.com for added cost cutting. However, cutting corners on products is not recommended, otherwise the cheap quality will dimmish the renovation impact.
5. Interview Trades People – Check their reviews, look for warranties, ask for a formal quote, and find out if they guarantee their work by a certain deadline. Remember that sometimes big companies do not always do great work and sometimes small businesses just starting out will really shine by delivering excellent work. The key word is “sometimes” so be sure to pay your due diligence by interviewing accordingly.
6. Monitor A Timeline – Plan to be complete at least two weeks ahead of your deadline. Human error and unexpected obstacles will undoubtedly leave you with a few touch-ups to circle back to. You will also need a few extra days to declutter and stage your home décor.
7. Pull Permits – While you do not have to call the city and inform them of every stroke of paint, there is a list of home renovation items that must be permitted, and it is up to you to consult your city, town, or RM regarding those.
8. Clean The Mess – Home renovations can be downright filthy! We are talking everything from a thick layer of dust from drywalling to multiple scrap pieces from demolition to foggy windows from landscaping. Cleaning this yourself may be very time consuming so you may have to budget for a professional. Do not forgot to get your ducts cleaned and change your furnace filter.
9. Sweat Equity – The best home equity is sweat equity. Pull up those sleaves and paint those walls, replace those burnt-out light bulbs, and plant some flowers for curb appeal. However, you will want to trust a professional when it comes to many trades like electricians, plumbers, and carpenters.
10. Trade Service – What skills and services do you have? If you are a plumber, maybe you can trade services with an electrician friend. Review your own rolodex of family and friends to see if there is an option to trade services and maximize your end goal profit margin.

The ABC’s On How To Ensure Your Home Sells Quickly!

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.06.2021

1. Appropriate Pricing - Market value in 2021 has taken on a life of its own which makes it more important than ever to contact a professional to find out your homes market value. You will also be advised on appropriate sales and marketing strategies to coincide with the final chosen price.
2. Be Flexible With Showings - In a seller's market, you will want to prepare to vacate your home quite often for the first 1-7 days. It is important to accomodate showings requests so that your home gets the maximum amount of exposure. Remember to open all the drapes, turn on all the lights, and put away any unmentionables!
3. Clean Throughout - While homes are selling quickly already, you will  want to ensure your home is clean inside and outside. Just like a dirty car will sell, but you will get a higher price if it is clean. You will need to thoroughly clean it before moving to your next home as well so might as well get ahead of the game.
4. Declutter - Any space will appear larger with less items inside of it. Square footage sells, especially in a pandemic! Consider donating any gently used household items to single mothers in the area by contacting https://www.crystalsgift.ca/.
5. Equip Your REALTOR® - Provide them with all pertinent facts about your home, they are on your side and will protect you in case of any unforeseen issues that a home inspection might find. You are the expert on your home while your REALTOR® is the expert on selling it and they cannot sell it properly if you withhold information from them.
6. Furnishings Matter - If it does not flow with the style of your home or the current decor, you will want to consider putting that old couch that has your napping outline into storage. It is also not recommended that you use old furnture to "stage" you home. If you would like your home staged, you should hire a professional staging company as there are many layers to effectively staging a home to sell.
7. Get Those Walls Patched - If you are particularily handy, or you have a friend who is a bit of a handyperson, you will want to take the time to patch any dented drywall or touch up paint. The two reasons for this is that most contractors are very busy during the spring and smaller improvement items cost minimal in comparison to how much they improve showing value.
8. Hit The Market - Typically the busiest season for real estate is in the sping, followed by the fall. You will want to be cognizant of this to capitalize on an increased number of buyers but also know that in a seller's market, when demand exceeds supply, any time of the year will bode well for your sale as long as the local and global economy continues to support those circumstances.

10 Tips On How To Purge Like A PRO Before Selling Your Home

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 03.05.2021

1. Create A Plan Of Attack – Before beginning the physical purge of items in your home, write down a list of every room in your home. Consider the items in each room and what needs to be done to them to create more space by then noting bullet points check off. For example, you will need to go through all the cabinets in the kitchen, closets or vanities in the bedrooms, and shelves in the garage.
2. Piles On Piles – It has taken many years to accumulate all of your belongings so you will have to be very organized to sort through them in a day or so. The first step is to start with the smaller items of your home like clothing and accessories. Create three piles on the floor: a “YES” pile, a “NO” pile, a “MAYBE” pile, and a “DONATE” pile. Set aside an afternoon to focus all your time and energy into rapidly distributing all your personal belongings into one of these piles.
3. Phantom Needs – Often times when we are torn between whether an item is a “YES” or “NO” we are thinking “well, what if this happens, then I will need it”. The truth is, if you have not used the item in a year or more you probably do not need it and that fictional scenario you have created in your head will never happen. Throw it in the “NO” pile!
4. Emotional Needs – Another reason an item might end up in the “MAYBE” pile is that somehow you have developed an emotional attachment to it. Dive deeper into that item and ask yourself if it is a positive emotional attachment or a negative emotional attachment. If it is positive, set it aside for storage. If it is negative, throw it in the “NO” pile – it is time to purge emotional baggage too!
5. Recycle, Re-Use, Re-Purpose – Almost anything that ends up in the “NO” and “MAYBE” pile has the potential to be of value to someone else. Research different second-hand resources in your community and decide which ones you would like to support with your “DONATE” pile. For example, https://www.crystalsgift.ca/home/ accepts gently used household items to help vulnerable single mothers in need. While https://habitat.ca/en/restore accepts anything from doorknobs to old cabinets which not only helps those with housing needs in the community, but it also helps reduce waste. Almost all communities have a homeless shelter which can be your source for taking clothing and more personal belongings. Donations help make our world a better place!
6. Tackle The Trinkets – While we want to do our part in giving back to the community, we realize that financial needs are real as well and that some items have to be sold to recoup certain expenditures. You can post those items on popular marketplace websites or host a garage sale, depending on what you have the capability of doing.
7. Storage Boxes – If your “YES” pile has items that do not improve the appearance of your décor, grab some storage boxes (recyclable, if possible!) and put them away in your storage room. If your home does not have a storage room, you can stack these boxes in the garage or shed.
8. Large Furniture Items – Sometimes we outgrow furniture, or it outgrows us (like when the kids head off to college). Regardless of the circumstances, this is a great time to take inventory of your furniture. Does it serve a purpose? Is it functional? Does it flow with the rest of your furniture? Forget the piles here, stamp each piece of furniture with a Post-It sticky note that says “STORAGE” or “DONATE”. Having difficulty deciding on furniture? Contact an interior designer for an in-home consult, they can also advise on staging the furniture you keep.
9. Storage Lockers – Now for that couch that has your body shape outlined into it from countless Saturday afternoon naps, it may not be aesthetically pleasing anymore but you are taking it to your new home, you will want to arrange for it to be transferred to a storage unit. You can add any other larger items from your home as well that do not show well in terms of attractive décor.
10. Take Out The Trash – Finally for those items that are irreparably damaged, ensure you dispose of them in the appropriate category. Metals, plastics, and soiled trash are just a few aspects to consider.

How To Sell Your House & Make Top Dollar In A Seller’s Market

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 31.03.2021

Contact A REALTOR® - Contact not just any REALTOR® but a REALTOR® you have intentionally chosen. It is the great thing about the real estate industry - you can pick your home team (e.g. mortgage broker, home inspector, etc.). Do your research to see who will best fit with your personality, needs, wants, and client-care expectations. How do they give back to the community? Questions like these can help you if you are interviewing many potential REALTORS®. Just remember to hire only one so that you do not sabotage your home buying process. 

Prepare Your Product – Just as you would organize and adjust a rack of clothes to sell in a clothing store, you should do the same with your house to the same scale. Buying a basic functioning rack, arranging the clothes in an orderly manner, and possibly even color coordinating is guaranteed to attract more buyers. In the same way, if you need to update a vanity, touchup paint, and purge "stuff" from your house, it will help it to attract more buyers. It is important to strategize preparations because buying a gold plated rack to sell $10 shirts will not make the shirts sell for $80, which then minimizes profit. In other words, your can over-renovate. Most importantly, remember nobody will buy a $100 jacket if they can get the exact same jacket for $50 elsewhere - it is called "Market Value" and is applicable in real estate as well. Being conscious of marketing strategies like these, and implementing them, will ensure you get top dollar for your home. 

Accommodate Showing Requests – Often if there is a tenant, a homeowner may have difficulties approving showing requests. However, in a Seller’s Market it may be worth your while to list it for sale vacant due to the low supply, high-demand, and quick possessions being common factors. Alternatively, if your property has been listed properly, you could be inundated with a few dozen showing requests in a matter of days. Although it can seem daunting to have to constantly be leaving your house, you can rest assure that you are taking every step to ensure it gets the most exposure resulting in a top dollar offer. You can also rest assure that organized real estate abides by local and provincial safety regulations which are enforced by REALTORS®.

Presentation of Offers – While it is a great option if your property has the highest buyer demographic with the lowest supply, it can also drive buyers away. You can always drive away a pool of buyers by forcing timelines upon them. You are also limiting yourself to the pool of buyers at any given time. Whereas if you can capitalize on an entire season, like a busy spring season, one buyer might offer $40,000 above another buyer but several weeks apart. It also confuses buyers sometimes when it is listed low for the Presentation of Offers and it does not sell, then the price is raised which deters more buyers. Often times, a good old fashion market value listing is the most successful option. Your trusted REALTOR® can advise you on strategies like this, and more, to decide on what will be most successful for your unique property. 

If you would like to learn more about capitalizing on the Seller’s Market (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/real-estate-homes-hot-market-1.5951774), call or text Tanya LaRose at 306-380-7325.