by seoteam | Sep 9, 2019 | Buy a Home, Home and Garden, Real Estate Tips, Selling a Home |
How does your home match up in value against others in your neighbourhood? How do you increase the value of your home? That is not for inexperienced home sellers to know.
Selling your home takes a lot of work. In today’s market where homes sell for a dime a dozen, it’s important to make yours stand out so you get top dollars for your investment.
It is important to choose a committed, experienced realtor who knows how to evaluate your home, weigh its worth against other similar properties in the city and neighbourhood, and help you design an integrated, multi-tiered approach. You need a trustworthy local expert who can plan a pre-listing inspection, home staging, impressive presentation to serious buyers and price it appropriately to earn its true worth. You need a realtor who has a proven track record of home selling success.
If you are interested in selling real estate in Hamilton or surrounding areas, you can rely on Norm Merz to take care of it all smoothly, from start to finish. Norm provides all the support services you need from inspectors for home evaluation to interior designers and photographers for home staging, electricians to mend wiring, plumbers, mortgage brokers, legal experts, the works! The aim is to exceed your expectations by adding value to every real estate transaction, provide information, full-service support and solid advice so you can take an informed decision.
Please fill out the Free Home Evaluation form for your home appraisal. Norm will do the rest to bring you maximum value in minimum time.
by seoteam | Aug 9, 2019 | Buy a Home, Real Estate News, Real Estate Tips, Selling a Home |
Want to buy a home but wondering if it’s worth hiring a real estate agent to help you? Buying a home is a big deal and requires a lot of research to comprehend the complex real estate market. It may seem like the norm to go through the process of buying a home through a real estate agent. But many first time home buyers or even experienced ones, don’t understand why they need a professional real estate agent to help them.
There are many reasons why. Let us take you through the risks of purchasing a home without the help of a real estate agent so you are more aware during your search:
Lose out on a bargain
When you don’t have a professional helping you with the buying process, the home seller may not take you seriously. Negotiation can get you an amazing bargain on a home, however, it can be difficult as a buyer needs to be taken seriously. An experienced professional can do the negotiation for you in a professional way and make you appear like a serious buyer. A real estate agent knows how to get the asking price reduced to fit your budget; however you may not be proficient or comfortable in doing so.
Unaware of market knowledge
The average person doesn’t understand real estate language or how the market works. This is essential when searching for a home so you make the right decision. Although it’s possible to try and learn about real estate online, can you really afford to make a huge life choice based on internet information?
A real estate agent has the proper insights into the market changes, legal issues, various neighbourhoods, and home listings to help you make an informed choice.
Not asking all the questions
Having an expert go through the legal paperwork and answer questions on your behalf can be a lifesaver. An agent knows all the questions you need answers to, from enquiring about seller disclosures to closing costs and maintenance fees. An expert will have the answers ready to questions you may have not even thought of. This will relieve you of the stress of trying to handle every single aspect of home buying yourself, and you enjoy complete peace of mind.
Improper house inspection
Real estate professionals are required to vet a potential property fully for any risks to your health, water damage, and other dangers. They are trained to look for issues that an outsider might miss. Having an expert clear a property for move-in is more reliable for doing it yourself. You never know what you may miss during the house inspection.
Norm Merx is a top real estate agent who can help you find your dream home in a short time! With over 20 years of experience, Norm has the right tools and knowledge to find your property within your budget in no time. Simply fill out your contact information and your search criteria based on price, property type and the neighbourhoods you prefer to get started. If you have any more questions, feel free to call or send an email!
by paula2 | Jul 31, 2019 | Buy a Home |
No one wants to pay more than necessary for a home, whether you’re on a tight budget or have millions of dollars to burn. To make sure you have the tools you need to purchase a home at a fair price, here are six tips to keep in mind.
Compare Other Listings
Whether you’re interested in these homes for sale or not, it’s a good idea to visit different open houses to get an idea of the size, amenities and overall condition you’re considering. You can also compare the prices to determine what seems fair and what’s greatly overpriced compared to market value.
Look at Unsold Comparables
You could find a house for sale you’re interested in, but it’s priced in a similar fashion to unsold homes recently taken off the market. If that’s the case, then the home you’re interested in is probably overpriced. Be sure to check for unsold properties in the areas you’re exploring to evaluate that housing market.
Get Your Realtor’s Opinion
If you’re working with a skilled real estate agent, they likely won’t even need to analyze the data to tell you whether or not a property is worth the asking price. Thanks to years of experience, your realtor will be able to tell you what is and isn’t a fair price for the specific property.
How Does the Price Feel?
A good rule to remember when buying a house is this: don’t buy something you’re not happy with. Purchasing a house is a huge investment, and is something you’ll be stuck with for decades. Don’t buy a house just because the price is great, you’ll soon regret your decision once move-in day arrives. As well, it’s also fine to pay more than the market value suggests if you absolutely love the house.
Test the Waters
If a property you’re interested in is priced at market value, that doesn’t mean you can’t submit an offer that’s lower than the asking price. If it’s still close to the asking price, the sellers might accept it or start negotiations. However, don’t offer something that’s too low, as you might insult the seller and they’ll reject your offer entirely, seizing your ability to purchase the house.
Have the Home Appraised
To protect the house’s financial interests, the lender with have a property appraisal done once you’re under contract. This is to ensure that, if you stop making mortgage payments, a reasonable amount of money can still be made upon foreclosure. If the appraisal is much lower than the offering price, then you’re likely not getting much of a deal.
At Norm Merz Remax Centre, we’re ready to match all commission rates from our competitors. With over 20 years of experience selling real estate and an unconditional 30-day listing guarantee, be sure to call us if you’re looking to sell your home. Interested in buying a home instead? We can help with that as well! For more information, visit our website today!
by paula2 | Apr 6, 2018 | Buy a Home, Moving Tips, Real Estate Tips |
There is so much to remember and take in when searching for a home to purchase and going through multiple viewings. Do you know what you need to look for? Here is a checklist to help you remember all of the important things you’ll want to find out during house hunting:
Basic facts you’ll want to know about the home:
Year built
Asking price
Property taxes
Other condo fees etc.
Home type
Home finish (brick, wood, siding etc.)
Square footage
Lot size
Parking
# of bedrooms
# of bathrooms
Type of heating system
Type of water system
While you view the home, you’ll want to keep a record if each of these home features are in good condition or need work or replacing. Check the age and condition of:
Foundation
Roof
Driveway
Windows
Doors
Garage
Fencing
Floors
Walls and ceilings
Basement
Electric system
Finally, here are a few things to check if the community offers:
Public transportation
Schools
Shopping
Parks
Hospitals
Pet friendliness
You can also create a separate list of what your wants and needs are in your perfect home. This will help remind you and your realtor of your priorities. Keep both of these lists handy as you view homes to help you through the process to find the one that’s right for you.
by paula2 | Dec 10, 2017 | Buy a Home |
After dedicating months to searching for the perfect house that checks off every box on your want and need list, it might be time to pursue another avenue. We’ve all seen the reality shows where homeowners purchase an old, run down house and then at the end of the hour you see it transition into a spectacular, dream home. If they can do it, why can’t you?
It is important to remember that you don’t always see the good, the bad and the ugly while watching a TV show, so be prepared for some hard work and possibly unexpected situations. Here are just a few things to consider before signing on that dotted line:
You don’t have to out source everything – One of the best and easiest ways to save some money when working through an expensive renovation project is to get your own hands dirty and take on some of the work. Whether you are taking on a larger demolition, refinishing hardwood floors, painting or assembling cabinetry, any task you take on yourself saves you money on labour costs.
Living in chaos – If you are forced to live in your house while renovating, be prepared to live in chaos, especially if you have children. Dust, microwavable meals, take out and living out of boxes are just some of the crossroads you may cross. But if you can fight through the undesirable for a short time, you will have memories to last you a lifetime in a new space you will love!
Budget and then budget some more – If you are a fan of HGTV you know that something unexpected almost always happens, which results in unforeseen expenses. Any number of issues can come up whether it be plumbing, electrical or foundation, so be sure to set aside some money in a reserve fund should something come up.
Sometimes the only way that you can find the house of your dreams is to put in some old fashioned hard work, but be sure you understand everything you could be getting yourself into before finalizing the deal.
by paula2 | Nov 6, 2017 | Buy a Home |
When it comes to buying a home or renegotiating your mortgage come renewal time, you have a couple of options. You can visit the bank that currently holds your mortgage and speak with a mortgage specialist. Or, you can visit a mortgage broker, who will look at current rates from lenders across the country and offer you a few options to choose from.
So which is better?
It’s really a personal preference. A mortgage broker is a trained professional who will represent you and find the best borrowing rates from hundreds of lenders such as chartered banks, credit unions, trust companies and private lenders. Their services are free to homebuyers as they are paid by the lender, and therefore privy to the lowest borrowing rates.
A broker may be particularly beneficial to buyers with lower credit or high debt as brokers are often able to secure loans from alternative lenders. In addition to their connections and experience, they also offer convenience. Brokers do the legwork for you. They can help with every aspect of a mortgage, from determining out how much you can afford, to choosing the best mortgage product, to finding ways to save money and pay off your mortgage faster. Something to keep in mind: since brokers are paid by the very lenders who you are trying to get the best deal from, lenders may pay financial incentives to brokers who send them a certain amount of volume. In addition, if you are a long-term customer with a financial institution, you may have already developed a strong relationship with your own bank. As a loyal customer, you may be rewarded with lower borrowing options, special interest rates or waived home appraisal fees, as gratitude for committed service.
When it comes to choosing a mortgage broker, talk to someone in the know. Ideally, contact your real estate salesperson and ask who their preferred vendors are. They will be able to provide you contact information for one or two reputable brokers in your area.
