Hidden Costs When Buying A Home In Canada

Now that you have finally started to save for a home of your own, it’s important that you look into every single detail that is involved with purchasing. It’s not as simple as picking a house you like and moving in. Buying a house is actually a lot of work.

I am sure you have many friends and family members that are always telling you that you should move into your own place. They say that the mortgage would be the same price or less than your monthly rent but did they tell you about the other costs involved in owning a home?

There are so many fees involved with buying your own house such as land transfer tax, lawyers fees etc. Not to mention a 20% down payment!

Let’s not forget that if something goes wrong with the house, like the roof is…

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Should Sellers Get a Home Inspection Before Listing

Most buyers understand the importance of getting a home inspection prior to finalizing their new home purchase. Otherwise, they risk potential costly repairs, usually related to the electrical, foundation or any structure that is not visible to the naked eye. After inspections, buyers can negotiate with sellers to come to a fair sale price that covers the cost of damages or agree to repairs prior to closing. Without an inspection, the purchase price does not reflect the potential cost of thousands of dollars needed to achieve a safe, functional dwelling. One of the reasons why fixer-uppers are often on the low end of median home prices in any given region.

Sellers on the other hand can hire an inspector to complete a pre-inspection to ensure their…

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Top 10 Reasons Why For Sale By Owners (FSBOs) Fail In Real Estate

A FSBO, also known as a for sale by owner, can easily be described as a homeowner selling their property without the representation of a real estate agent or broker. 

There are many reasons why homeowners attempt to sell their home on their own.  A few of the most popular reasons for FSBOs are they want to save the money that would be spent on real estate commissions or that they feel they don’t need a real estate professional to sell their home.  No matter the reason, according to the National Association of Realtors, less than 10% of FSBOs actually sell.

There are many reasons why FSBOs fail and do not sell.  Whether it is because the FSBO doesn’t understand how to price their home or whether it’s because they don’t know how to screen potential…

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10 Problems Your House May Be Trying to Show You

Ignore some of these signs and you may end up with major issues.

We tell you which are normal and which are cause for concern

Your home is trying to tell you all sorts of things. The way it sounds; the way it smells. And there are plenty of visual cues to tip you off that something isn’t right. “Everything is moving all the time, expanding and contracting at different rates, reacting to heat, rain and wind. A house is moving and breathing,” says Tapley Dawson, a partner at The Home Doctors in Novato, California. In other words, a house is something you've got to take care of.

Dawson recommends that you do a good walk around the house every fall before the rainy season begins, checking for cracks, clogged gutters or anything that just doesn't look…

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“I Found a Kamloops Home to Buy – How Much Money Do I Offer?”

How much money should I offer for a Kamloops home

Great question! And, a very common question.

You find a home to buy and you wonder, should I offer the full list price, should I come in low or just what should I do?!

Today I’m going to tell you how to crack the code on knowing just how much money you’ll offer the Seller for the home they’re selling. We’ll be analyzing the local Real Estate market where the home resides, how close to perfection is the home you want to buy, what type of Buyer representation do you have and is time on your side, to name a few. Once you understand and recognize these circumstances you’ll be well equipped to be on your way to buying a home in Kamloops or neighboring communities, for that matter! This will affect all…

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Things Every Seller Should Know About Today's Home Buyers

The internet has changed the way we buy and sell our homes.  

If you're ready to sell your home, here are some things you should understand about today's buyers.

Today's Home Buyers are Informed 

The internet has made it easy to access information about the real estate market.  Home Buyers can and will find out what you paid for your home and when you bought it.  They will know what similar homes have sold for.  With so much information at their fingertips, they will avoid your home if you over-price it.     

Don't Rely on Computer Generated Home Values When Pricing Your Home

Buyers are likely to check the online estimates of your home's value.  Unfortunately, the information they are viewing isn't always accurate, the market changes…

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B.C. housing affordability crisis is regionwide

It’s not just Vancouver residents who are angry and frustrated about increasingly out-of-control housing costs, says an NDP MLA leading the charge on the issue.

The much bigger scope of the problem will be obvious, David Eby says, when people come out to B.C. housing forums he’s organizing for Victoria, Maple Ridge, Surrey and elsewhere that are similar to the one held in Vancouver this week.

“This is a regionwide affordability crisis we’re facing,” said Mr. Eby, whose event for his Vancouver-Point Grey riding Wednesday drew about 600 residents concerned about everything from the lack of rentals to money laundering that is allowing foreign speculators to drive up local housing costs.

“It’s the number one issue in Metro,” he said.

NDP Leader…

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Is Now the Best Time to Sell My Kamloops Home?

Selling your home is not only a big decision financially, but also emotionally.

Your home is no longer the bricks, drywall, and hardwood floors you fell in love with when you bought it. You have tackled some of life’s many milestones and made memories inside the house you now call a home. Whether you have simply grown out of the house, are choosing to downsize, or you’re looking for a new location, there are many factors that may influence your decision to sell your house. Currently (1st half 2016) we are in a sellers market, inventory of homes is low and interest rates are as low!

Check your Finances: Do some research to determine the payoff amount of your loan so you can determine what your sales proceeds will be after you have paid off your…

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A Checklist For First-Time Homebuyers

Once you decide that you’re ready for home ownership, develop a home buying checklist.

The list should be wants and needs to help your realtor find your dream home. Buying a house brings up many questions and ideas of what’s important.

Which Neighborhood?

Choosing a home isn’t just about selecting or building your dream house, it’s also about finding the right neighborhood for you.

Things to consider when choosing your neighborhood:

• Do you want to be in a family neighborhood?
• Do you want to be near a playground?
• Do you want to be close to your child’s school?
• Do you want to bike along the lake?
• Do you want to be close to public transportation?
• Do you want entertainment within reach?
• Do you have easy access to loved…

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Single Woman’s Tips for Buying a Home

Single in 21st century is not a stigma; it’s a sign of independence. Women nowadays are their own bosses. They take leading positions and are in control of their own lives. So, why wait for “Mr. Perfect” to come around in order to buy a home? This is a big step that may appear challenging for a single person at the beginning. But it’s not impossible!

Can you buy on your own? Should you? This single woman’s guide to buying a new home will help you determine if you are ready. Here is how smart girls do it.

Planning to buy a home

Buying a home is an overwhelming experience, especially when you do it alone. List all the important issues and activities related to your new purchase. Schedule a time to search for homes, to meet with real estate agents,…

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