All Blog Entries by Justin Havre

A seller's market is a market condition that occurs when there are fewer homes than buyers, and many buyers are in a good position to compete with one another for homes. In a seller's market, home prices are high, and can go higher because of bidding wars. Buyers who want to be successful must be fast when they make their offer, and offers they make must be good. Here's what you need to know.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Know What You Want

A buyer who knows exactly what they want can make an offer confidently. A buyer who knows exactly what they want may also feel more comfortable making a more competitive offer as a result.

Mould can be a persistent concern for homes in humid regions or areas with a lot of precipitation. It often shows up in places homeowners cannot see, behind walls or under flooring. Prevention is key, as well as prompt attention to any sign of mould. Prolonged exposure to mould can create long-term health problems for families. With this information, homeowners will know how to determine if they have mould, things they can do to help eliminate it, and when to call a professional.

Common Sources of Mould

Mould is a growth that happens in buildings without adequate moisture control. It thrives in a dark, damp environment. Homeowners can watch out for more obvious symptoms of mould growth:

• musty odours
• leaks in the basement, roof, or

Lighting affects the way the home looks and the way it feels to spend time in the home. Good lighting can make the home seem cheerful, inviting and warm. Poor lighting can make the home seem dark and small. Fortunately, good lighting is something that every homeowner can achieve, if they're willing to take the time for home improvement. If you're a homeowner who would like to improve the value of your home, these suggestions can help.

Best Kitchen Lighting

Variety of lighting is very important when lighting the kitchen, because people engage in so many different activities in the kitchen. Task lighting under cabinets helps homeowners when cutting food and reading recipes. Dimmers give people the ability to make the kitchen a more pleasant

Millennials are currently the largest demographic cohort, but there are still a lot of misperceptions about their habits, especially when it comes to home buying. As a result, many people in this age group are getting the wrong idea about whether they should buy a house or whether they even can. Learning the truth behind some common myths can help Millennials better understand the best choices when buying a home:

"Millennials Just Don't Buy Houses."

Many pundits believe that Millennials are breaking from the habits of their parents are are foregoing home purchases altogether. However, the facts show something different. On average, Millennials tend to rent about six years before venturing into homeownership. During their parents' era, the

It's no secret that the Cochrane Canadian housing market is tight. Borrowers need to make themselves very attractive to banks to be approved for a loan, especially in cities like Vancouver and Toronto. Part of this is securing a high credit score. Understanding what goes into a credit score and how it affects an individual's mortgage outlook is imperative for informed home buyers.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

What is a credit score?

A credit score is the three digit number distilled from a number of factors that influence an individual's creditworthiness. These include:

• the length of their credit history.
• how much debt they

Selling land is very different from selling a pre-existing home. The market is slower, buyers look for different things and the staging process is very different as well. Understanding the process can help land owners sell their property more quickly and for the best price possible.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Be Ready for a Wait

Land takes longer to sell than a pre-existing home. There are fewer people in the market for land, because many people want to move into a home without putting in the effort to build. Land will sell over time if it is offered at a fair and competitive price, but the land owner must go through a

Before a home purchase can be complete, closing costs will be paid. Closing costs can amount to quite a bit of money, and can sneak up on buyers who aren't prepared. Altogether, closing costs may cost as much as 3 or 4% of the sale price of the home. For this reason, it's important to know what closing costs are and when they are due.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

What You Need To Know About Closing Costs

Closing costs are the administrative fees associated with the sale of a home. Many different entities will charge a fee at the time a home sells, and these fees can vary from one place to another and from one home sale to another.

An outdoor room not only supplies additional living and entertaining space, but can also add substantial value and drama to a home. Depending on how the outdoor space is decorated, it can extend seasonal enjoyment of a home's yard and garden, become a functional and comfortable room for year-round entertaining, or simply serve as a private retreat for reading and quiet conversation.

Work With an Existing Patio

Many homeowners look to renovate existing patio space: Whether a patio is large or small, covered or uncovered, there are numerous ways to extend the square footage and shelter an outdoor room at least partially from sun and rain. It's usually not difficult to extend an existing roof, add a beamed ramada for shade, or blend old and new

A buyer's real estate agent is their greatest ally during the search for a new home. A good real estate professional will provide critical advice during the negotiation process while also helping the home buyer to narrow their search and stay focused on properties that provide the best value. Without a good real estate agent, the home buyer may find the buying experience to be overwhelming and also challenging. It's difficult to find success in home buying when no one is there to help.

Clearly then, there is a real need to find a real estate agent who is capable and knowledgeable about market fluctuations. Finding the right real estate professional isn't always easy. These tips can help home buyers find the right real estate professional for

Staging a home means getting it ready for sale by putting its best foot forward. Sellers should know that staging their home for sale often takes some sacrifices and creates some inconveniences. It also, however, can result in a quicker sale and a higher return. Staging is part art, part decorating and part sales psychology.

Deep Clean

Staging a home starts with a deep cleaning. Everything from carpets to window sills should be cleaned like it was Spring. Some sellers will find that having a home professionally cleaned can be worth the investment.

Make a Good First Impression

The first 30 seconds can be critical in creating a favorable impression of your home. It is why many professionals will recommend purchasing a new steel front door