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 | Aug 1, 2018 | Real Estate Tips, Selling a Home |
One of the most important – and trickiest – considerations when selling your home is listing it for the right price! An overpriced home is the number one reason it won’t sell. When it’s priced too high it can sit on the market for far too long and turn into a stale listing. Here are some ways to best find out how much your house is worth.
Nice price
Pricing is all about supply and demand and turning to someone with experience in the market will really make a difference. Real estate agents are professionals with in-depth knowledge and can guide you to set the price just right. Also getting a licensed appraisal done by an expert appraiser is a great way to get professional advice to make this important decision.
Neighbourhood sales
The best place to start determining what your home is worth is to check the sale prices of homes in your neighbourhood, known as ‘comparables’. Look at every home that’s been listed in your area in the last three months. Keep in mind you want to compare apples to apples, so find homes listed with similar age and square footage. You’ll have to adjust prices for lot size variances, configuration and upgrades. Also, compare the original list price to final sale price to see any price reductions.
Market watch
Another key factor is knowing where the market’s at. In a seller’s market, you might add 10 per cent more to the last comparable sale, because when there are little inventory and lots of buyers, you can ask for more. In a neutral market, you may want to set your price at the last comparable sale.
And remember to leave a bit of a cushion for negotiation. Buyers love to haggle, so don’t start out with the absolute lowest price your willing to go.
by paula2 | Feb 7, 2018 | Real Estate Tips, Selling a Home |
Buying or selling a home is a complex process that involves different issues, multiple parties, conflicting interests, and emotions. So having a real estate agent on your side to do your negotiating is your best bet!
Negotiations begin with a written offer, and the agents for the buyers and sellers go back and forth. It’s not just the price – everything is negotiable, including closing date, repairs, appliances, and inspection.
When choosing to work with a real estate agent, their negotiating skills are an important factor. They can help persuade and influence the other party to accept your terms and handle any conflicts that come up through the negotiation process.
Agents are trained and can use their skills to negotiate well because they can remove themselves from the emotional side of things. They bring a more professional approach to the negotiations and in the end they achieve better results with faster sales and a higher net profit.
Agents have confidence in their skills and have the experience behind them. They come to the negotiations prepared for whatever objections may come up through the process and they know how to handle them to get you the very best result. This is their expertise and they know the market well and all of the ins and outs.
So remember, when heading into this process, negotiation skills are fundamental to success. Choose a real estate agent to help you get the best results possible in the sale or purchase of your property.
by paula2 | Oct 8, 2017 | Buy a Home, Moving Tips, Real Estate Tips, Selling a Home |
As a consumer, you take your time when making a major purchase, researching products, asking for opinions and weighing the pros and cons of the many different options available. When it comes to making life’s biggest purchase – a new home – you’ve likely done the same. You’ve visited the neighbourhoods you’re interested in and have an idea of the average market price. You may have toured a few open houses and have your mind set on the ideal floor plan and style of home you prefer.
It’s true – there’s a lot to think about and even more to understand when buying a home and what you see when you walk from room to room is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s for this reason that finding a seasoned professional to guide you every step of the way is a smart decision for house hunters. Even if you’ve owned a home before and feel confident in your ability to find “the right house”, a real estate salesperson has the breadth of knowledge and a special skill set that comes only with experience – they are dealing with the sale and acquisition of homes on a daily basis.
Here are just a few of the things that a realtor will be looking for during your hunt for a new home:
Wiring – Homes built up until the 1940’s were likely outfitted with knob and tube wiring. In the 60’s, aluminum wire became a popular choice. Both are considered a fire hazard and today many insurance companies will refuse to insure a home with one of these types of electrical wiring or will charge a higher premium. Your realtor will be able to tell if a home has knob and tube or aluminum wiring. Replacing the electrical wiring in an entire house can cost anywhere from $7,000 – $15,000.
HVAC system – A salesperson will be able to tell you the exact age of the furnace and air conditioner and may be able to tell you if these systems have been properly maintained.
Plumbing – Sump pumps, septic tanks, wells and sewer systems….your realtor will be able to explain each of these features in detail.
by paula2 | Sep 8, 2017 | Real Estate Tips, Selling a Home |
If you’re thinking of selling your home in the next six months, year or even two years, it’s never too soon to start thinking re-sale value. Improvements to your home will almost always add value so it’s in your best interest to choose upgrades that are of good quality and have universal appeal – converting a spare bedroom to a luxurious master suite will attract a select few potential buyers but may actually be viewed negatively by the majority of buyers. Here’s a look at some household features that many buyers are looking for in 2017.
- Smart Home Technology – More and more buyers are looking for a home that boasts smart home features and technology. Included are items in three general categories: features for practical and functional use (i.e. kitchen appliances with LED touchscreen displays, NEST thermostats and remote-controlled shades), features for lifestyle and entertainment (i.e. built-in sound systems and automated lighting systems) and items for safety and security (i.e. smart locks, Wi-Fi video doorbells and security cameras).
- Hardwood Flooring – It’s estimated that 80% of buyers have hardwood floors included in their list of must-haves when house-hunting. Durable, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing, hardwood is one of the most expensive flooring options available but also one of the best investments from a resale value standpoint.
- Updated Kitchen and Bathrooms – We all know that kitchens and bathrooms sell a home, so if you have reno dollars to spend, it’s wise to shell out the cash to upgrade the heart of the home and bathrooms. Updated cabinets, quartz or granite countertops and newer appliances are all something that potential buyers will be looking for when house-hunting. When it comes to bathrooms, more and more buyers are seeking a little luxury. Freestanding tubs, high-tech toilets, unique tile shapes and heated floors will appeal to discerning buyers.
- Outdoor Living Space – With such a short hot and sunny season here in Canada, many homeowners want to take advantage of the summer weather while it’s here, making fancy outdoor kitchens and living spaces a hot commodity.
