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.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Advantages of Buying a Duplex, Triplex or Fourplex

There’s Strength in Numbers, Especially When It Comes To Making Mortgage Payments

So you’ve been renting for several years and you’ve worked your way into a sound financial situation. Time to buy a house, right? Absolutely. But the important question is: what kind of a house? After sharing buildings with other tenants you’ll probably be imagining moving your family into a snug little single dwelling castle of your own. However, that isn’t necessarily the wisest decision for everyone. Of course, there is something undeniably appealing about having a place all to yourself – but don’t forget to consider the charms of sheltering a tenant or two under your newly purchased roof. Buying a Duplex, Triplex or Fourplex can have a huge impact on your future as a…

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Home Selling Mistakes that are stopping you from selling your home

You listed your Kamloops home for sale and it seems as if one problem after another reared its ugly head.

Avoiding common home selling mistakes can determine the outcome of your home sale and whether or not you sell your home fast and for top dollar, all while reducing excess stress; now that’s good news, don’t you think?! We all like to avoid mistakes! I can almost hear your anxiety as you’re imagining experiencing these mistakes, but don’t worry, because today I’m going to tell you all about these common mistakes and just how to avoid them when selling your home. Keep reading to discover the mistakes you’ll definitely want to avoid:

1. You told your Real Estate Agent what price that you want to sell your home for and they quickly agreed – Why…

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Home Appraisal Tips for Refinancing

When you refinance your mortgage, a very important stage in this process is getting a great home appraisal.

This can make the difference between getting a good deal or losing even more money. While your home’s location is something that can add up value (or not) to the final price, there are many things you can do to drive the price up.

Here are few home appraisal tips

Do your homework

Don’t let the appraiser do all the ‘digging‘ (especially if he’s not from the area). Even if you get to work with a very well prepared professional, knowing the price for similar houses in your area and what’s cool and new in the neighborhood, can set you up for a better appraisal. It all matters: housing prices, a new restaurant, a great high-school etc. Make…

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