buying agent: How Much Can You Really Afford? - 12/14/15 08:56 AM
“Can we afford it?” That’s the first thought that comes to mind when shopping for your next dream home. Fortunately it’s an easy question to answer if you consider your lifestyle, financial goals, expenses and mortgage eligibility.
Lifestyle
There’s more to life than just paying the mortgage and other living expenses. Hobbies, entertainment, vacations, family adventures, and charitable causes are also important. Don’t be house poor. Think of your “lifestyle” as another bill you must pay — to yourself.
Financial Goals
Your new home is not just a place to live. It’s also an investment. Make sure it fits with your overall investment plan, which … (0 comments)

buying agent: Is It A Mountain? Or A Molehill? - 12/11/15 09:30 PM
There’s an old expression: Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. It refers, of course, to putting a problem or issue in the right perspective. Some things just aren’t worth worrying that much about – the molehills. However, there are other things that you do need to be concerned about – the mountains.
What does all this have to do with buying a home?
It’s difficult to find a property on the market that is absolutely perfect and has no issues what-so-ever. Even if you find a home that you fall in love with and that meets all your requirements, there are … (3 comments)

buying agent: It’s All About Personal Service - 12/08/15 08:36 PM
In Real Estate, it’s understood that personalized service really makes a difference.
That’s why you are entitled to expect value-added, cost-free information and advice on real estate subjects that interest you. Here are a few examples of topics you might find worthwhile:
Financial and market trends Neighbourhood property activity Renovations and décor ideas Taxation and other municipal issues If you want to be kept “up to speed” on a particular real estate issue, just call to make an appointment to set up a monitoring program that’s right for you. Here’s how it works:
You define the issues that are most meaningful to … (3 comments)

buying agent: How To Handle Offers - 12/04/15 10:12 PM
You obviously have experience purchasing a home. But you may not have had an opportunity, yet, to be on the other side of the transaction: putting your house on the market and entertaining offers.
Offers, in particular, can intimidate first time sellers (even those who have bought and sold a few times). After all, the stakes are high. If you don’t accept the offer, deciding to counter-offer instead, the buyer may lose interest. If you take the offer, you may do so at a lower price than you could have otherwise negotiated.
Let your REALTOR® help you steer clear of both those dangers.
An … (2 comments)

buying agent: Buying a Home That Needs Work - 11/30/15 07:43 PM
When you’re shopping for a new home, you may come across properties that require repairs or renovations. Are these houses worth the added expense? Will you get your money back if you decide to sell the house in the future?
According to market studies, certain renovations and repairs do add more value to a home than the repairs typically cost. These include kitchen and bathroom renovations, new or improved landscaping, and electrical and plumbing repairs.
 
Your Real Estate Connection:
Marina Gavrylyuk
Real Estate Agent with Sutton Group Summit Realty
www.MarinaG.ca
Marina.Realtor
RentListingService.com - Condos and Houses for rent
… (0 comments)

buying agent: Understanding the Home Buying Process - 11/29/15 07:50 PM
The more you know about the best way to reach a goal, the more likely you are to get the result you want. So, whether you’re hunting for a new job, assembling a backyard BBQ, or training for a 3 mile run, you’ll want to use a proven process to help you get there.
That certainly holds true when shopping for a new home. There is a proven process to getting the home you want, in the neighbourhood you want, at a price you can afford. Here are the highlights:
Get ready
There’s a lot you must do before you pack … (0 comments)

buying agent: The Advantage of Getting Pre-Approved - 11/28/15 10:47 PM
One of the best things you can do to ensure you get the home you want is to arrange for financing before you go shopping. This is often referred to as getting “pre-approved”.
Getting pre-approved simply means that your lender has calculated how much of a mortgage they’re willing to offer you, depending on your down payment and current financial situation.
There are two advantages to having a pre-approved mortgage. First, you know exactly what you can afford when shopping for a new home. Second, when you make an offer, you’re likely to be taken more seriously.
Your Real Estate Connection:
Marina Gavrylyuk
… (3 comments)

buying agent: Surviving A Bidding War - 11/27/15 09:35 PM
You’re about to make an offer on a home. Then, to your despair, you find out that three other offers have also come in for the same property.
Be careful. It’s all too easy to get swept up in the excitement and, like a hand raised one too many times at an auction, end up paying more for the home than you had intended — or can afford.
Working with a good REALTOR® will increase the odds of getting the home at a price that’s right for you.
Call Marina 416-843-1515 today.
Your Real Estate Connection:
Marina Gavrylyuk
Real Estate Agent with Sutton Group … (2 comments)

buying agent: Will Your Furniture Fit? - 11/26/15 07:38 AM
When shopping for a new house or condo, most buyers consider such factors as neighbourhood, proximity to schools, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, size of the kitchen, and more. These are, of course, all important considerations. But there’s one question that few buyers ask – until it’s too late. “Will our furniture fit?”
This may seem like a trivial concern. But if you’ve invested thousands of dollars in a new living room suite, you’re going to be very disappointed if it looks too crowded in your new home.
Here’s a tip: measure rooms in your current home that contain the furniture you like … (1 comments)

buying agent: Getting Schooled On Local Schools - 11/24/15 07:38 PM
If you have kids, the local school will be a big part of your new home buying decision.
That’s why it’s important to get a school’s “vital statistics”, such as:
Safety record Curriculum Accommodation for special needs Awards Average class sizes Extracurricular activities. (sports, arts, crafts, technology, etc.) Scores on standardized achievement tests Daily schedules and vacations Even such seemingly inconsequential details as hours of operation can be important. If school starts a half hour later than you expected, you may not be able to drop off your kids on your way to work and therefore, you will need to make other … (0 comments)

buying agent: Why You Should Order Your Own Credit Report - 11/22/15 08:15 PM
“I don’t have a problem with credit,” a potential new home buyer says. “I pay my bills on time. I never have trouble getting a loan.”
That may be true. However, according to several surveys, most people are surprised by at least one piece of information in their credit report. And it only takes one derogatory item to create an obstacle to getting the lowest mortgage rate possible, or even getting a mortgage at all.
That’s why it’s important to check your credit report before you shop for a new home. You will then have the opportunity to deal with any unexpected issues.
For … (0 comments)

buying agent: Consider Buying a Home With Some “Undesirable” Features - 11/21/15 11:05 PM
When you’re looking for a home, chances are, you have a checklist of things you want. Two bathrooms… a finished basement… a great looking kitchen… an expansive deck…
But what happens when a home you see has a feature that doesn’t quite measure up? Perhaps the basement is poorly renovated. Or the kitchen is small. Or there’s only one bathroom. Should you say “No”?
Here’s something to consider: A home that has a few undesirable features will probably cost less. And, those savings may more than cover the costs of any needed upgrades or renovations.
So don’t pass up on a house simply because … (3 comments)

buying agent: Better Bedrooms. Faster Sale! - 11/16/15 05:11 AM
Here’s a surprising statistic. In several surveys, upwards of 60% of people surveyed listed “bedrooms” as one of the reasons they decided to purchase a particular property. So don’t overlook these rooms when preparing your house for sale. You need to make sure they appear roomy and attractive to potential buyers.
The first step is to make sure every bedroom actually has a bed. Otherwise, you might inadvertently give the impression that your home has fewer bedrooms than it really does. To a potential buyer, a bedroom is often more valuable than the home office or storage room you may have converted … (1 comments)

buying agent: Don’t Forget To Get What You Want - 11/13/15 10:44 PM
Shopping for a new home can be a dizzying experience. There are so many things to think about, it’s all too easy to lose focus on the most important consideration of all: getting the home you really want. Here are five questions to keep front-of-mind:
Is it located in the neighbourhood I want? Where a property is located can have a dramatic impact on how much you enjoy it. Make sure the neighbourhood has the characteristics you’re looking for.
Does it have the look I want? Looks aren’t everything, but they are important. A good looking property, inside and out, can make living … (0 comments)

buying agent: The Benefits of a Less-Than-Perfect Home - 11/10/15 09:19 AM
Do you have a clear image of your perfect dream home? Have you made a list of all the features it must have? Will you walk away from a property that doesn’t have huge mature trees in the back yard, or a wrap-around deck, or a large country-style kitchen, or comfy sunken living room? (Or all of the above?)
It’s okay to have a wish list of features that you want in a home. In fact, it’s a very good idea. It will make shopping that much easier. Plus, you’ll increase the chances of finding a property you like.
But it’s also important … (2 comments)