You’ve Inherited Some Kamloops Real Estate. Now What?

Canadian Estate Sale

A tough time when family are faced with an Estate Sale, it's an emotional time and there are a number of factors to take into consideration. Most executors have to deal with selling some personal or household items for an estate and then the home itself. As most executors are new at that  job, they may have questions about how to proceed. This post will explore ideas for selling the house and items properly, without short-changing the estate or getting the executor into trouble. A huge benefit to an executor is a professional Realtor who has the communication skills to work with all involved and make it as stress free and open as possible.

Unlike the U.S., Canada no longer has any form of estate or inheritance tax. Yet despite…

3661 Views, 0 Comments

7 things you may not know about mortgages

A mortgage is a huge undertaking

Just getting one sometimes can be hard. You have got your mortgage but did you look at the small print and read it? Here are some handy facts that you may not know.

1. How much of your payments go toward interest

Most mortgage payments are what they call blended payments, which combine repayments of the principal as well as the interest at once. When you start paying off your mortgage, a significant part of your payments are going toward the interest, not the principal. Over time, however, the principal of your loan decreases, which means that the amount you will owe in interest decreases as well. As such, the portion of your payment that goes toward the interest will decrease over time, and the amount that…

2347 Views, 0 Comments

Is now a good time to get a mortgage?

January is the time for resolutions, and for many people, one of those resolutions is getting a mortgage and buying a house.

But if you’ve been keeping abreast of the recent changes in the mortgage industry or even casually following economic forecasts, then the prospect of 2017 may have you a little wary.
 

Assessing your personal situation

Only about half of Canadians think that this this is a good time to buy a home or a condominium in their community, according to a survey that was part of the latest Annual State of the Residential Mortgage Market in Canada.
 
“The fall 2016 responses to this question have been contrasted with consumer opinions on how the new mortgage insurance rules would affect their ability to buy a home or condominium.…

2168 Views, 0 Comments

Royal LePage shares expectations for home prices in 2017

2017 Royal LePage real estate forecast

Canada’s residential real estate market saw significant year-over-year home price appreciation in the fourth quarter of 2016, supported by considerable gains in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Greater Vancouver, according to the latest Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast.

The prediction for 2017 isn't as dire as some experts would have you believe; in the year ahead, Royal LePage expects the regional extremes in house price appreciation to narrow in 2017, primarily due to a price correction in the Greater Vancouver housing market, strong but moderating price appreciation in the GTA, and welcomed upward price trends in Quebec, Atlantic Canada and Alberta.

“The disparity in home price…

2304 Views, 0 Comments

A kitchen SELLS a house..simple low cost tips to help your home sell

Home Staging Tips for the Kitchen

Kitchens are the first things you’ll hear about when you ask someone what they’re looking for in their dream house. A kitchen can sell a home or keep a home from selling. The importance placed on kitchens is a good reason to take the staging of your kitchen seriously. You want to show your kitchen in the best light possible. These home staging tips for the kitchen should help you get started.

1. Cleaning Tips for Your Kitchen

We spend a great deal of time in the kitchen. All of the baking, grilling, and deep frying can leave marks on your kitchen by adding dirt and grease to places you might not consider when doing your usual cleaning. Clean the baseboards, areas under the cabinets, top shelves, areas above…

2083 Views, 0 Comments

Do You Need a Listing Agent and a Buying Agent?

Do you need two agents to buy and sell?

A listing agent and a buying agent? Because very few buyers and sellers really understand how real estate agents operate, this huge question often pops up over and over: "How many agents do I need when listing and buying at the same time?" Should one agent represent you in both transactions? Or should you hire a buying agent to help you buy and a listing agent to help you sell?

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SELLING AGENT AND A BUYERS AGENT

Before you can adequately weigh the two scenarios, let's look at what each of those job descriptions entails. Many ​agents excel at either selling or listing and promote themselves in that manner. It's not out of the question for an agent to specialize only in listing…

2528 Views, 0 Comments

How to Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time

Now that the real estate market is picking up again, many people are looking to sell their homes at last.

But when you sell, you have to move somewhere — which usually means buying another home. Buying and selling at the same time brings up a whole new set of challenges, but those who plan well in advance can make it happen smoothly.

DO YOU NEED TWO REALTORS TO BUY AND SELL A HOME

Before you start ask your self some questions.

Question 1. Is your home ready to buy? 

Prep your house to make a great impression on your potential buyers.

• Make small and large home fixes and improve curb appeal
• Know the comps for your neighborhood and price range
• Select a real estate agent to sell your home
• Optimize the interior space: remove…

1816 Views, 0 Comments

Low Housing Inventory - Should I sell my Kamloops Real Estate now?

So what does LOW HOUSING INVENTORY mean to you?

Real estate is always subject to cycles, especially around growing and expanding communities like Kamloops. The reality is this area is now facing a shortage of housing inventory. If your a buyer moving to the area it is key to find a local experienced realtor who can get you up to speed on your knowledge of Kamloops real estate market, its not all doom and gloom as we show in this article. If you are a seller then the local "know-how" of a realtor is key in getting your house listed at the correct price with the best exposure possible. If you are selling and buying within Kamloops then there is even more need for a great local Realtor to get you the best of both sides of your deal.

From the Bank of…

3000 Views, 0 Comments

Appraisal Value vs Assessment Value in Kamloops

I am frequently asked from home owners (as well as some buyers) what is the difference between an appraisal and the assessment value of a property?

The two are completely different and are used for different reasons. They have no correlation to each other at the current time. KAMLOOPS 2017 Property Tax Estimator

Assessment Value

What is Property Assessment?

Property assessment for taxation purposes and its administration is a complex and technical process that is vital to the financial health of local government. Property Assessment is the process of establishing a dollar value for property for property tax purposes. Property tax is an “ad valorem” tax based on the principle that the amount of tax paid should depend on the value of the…

3059 Views, 0 Comments

Five Questions To Ask Your Realtor Before They Sell Your Home

Finding the right realtor is the first and most important step of selling your home.

With a large choice of Realtors in Kamloops, choosing the right one should be based on more than just a gut feeling. By asking the right questions, you can ensure your realtor will be committed to your needs before you hire them.

1. How will they promote your home?

How do they plan on marketing your listing? Since many, but not all, buyers and agents search online listings first, your agent needs to use both online and traditional marketing media to capture the widest audience. Check to see whether they’ll be conducting open houses, using signs, or advertising in print in addition to online listings. They also need professional-quality photos and video to ensure…

1582 Views, 0 Comments