Durham Region Real Estate Blog

With today’s interest rates at near record lows, many people are recognizing that a mortgage payment on a house can actually be comparable to what they would spend on renting an apartment or home.  Perhaps you’re one of them and are ready to take a step up the property ladder.

For most people, buying a home is the most significant financial investment they’ll ever make, and there’s a lot of planning that goes into a successful transition.  With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you navigate the home buying process:

Consider future needs. Look ahead and anticipate what your family may look like just a few years from now.  If you’re a single buyer, you may someday add a ‘significant other’ to your household.  If you’re a young couple, you may be planning on children.  Or you may already have children whose needs will change within just the next few years.  As they get older, perhaps your children will need a bedroom of their own, or some private play space.  Though additional space may not be needed immediately, it’s important to consider potential future plans for a home.  Keep in mind that there is no such thing as the “perfect” house. Instead, determine what’s essential for the near future – number of bedrooms, approximate square footage, community, etc.  But be cautious.  Look to future needs but don’t overextend yourself buying space you may not ever need.

Remember resale. Purchasing a home is a great long-term investment. However, there are many reasons home buyers may need to move again, such as relocating for a job or a major lifestyle change. Think about the length of time that the home may be owned and during your search, also consider the potential resale value of prospective properties you are viewing.  I can help by sharing such valuable information as the average price of resale homes in the area, how long each property has been on the market and what features increase – or detract – from a home’s value and appeal.

Plan for maintenance and repair costs. Owning a home is a rewarding experience. However, along with a set of house keys come certain responsibilities for upkeep.  A leaky faucet and unkempt lawn won’t take care of themselves, so be sure to include future repairs and maintenance in your household budget.  Keep in mind that certain properties such as condominiums and town homes require less exterior maintenance and might be a good option for those who find the idea of maintaining a yard a bit daunting.

Want to know more about the home buying and selling in the Durham Region?  Contact me so we can talk about the best options for you in today’s market.

Looking after your home will definitely help to maintain the value in it and new paint is a great idea. You can get a completely new feel in each room for a fraction of the cost of new flooring or furniture.

First you must determine how much paint you need.

Measure the perimeter of your room (length and width), and then add the four numbers together.

Multiply the perimeter by the height.

Deduct windows and doors. An average window is approximately 15 sq. ft. and an average door is 21 sq. ft.

Divide by 400 (1 gallon of paint covers about 400 sq. ft.)

Length + length + width + width = total perimeter

Total perimeter x height – doors – windows = Total sq. ft.

Total sq. ft. / 400 = number of gallons needed

Then round up to ensure you have enough paint.

Second, decide which sheen to use. Use a flat paint in a low traffic area then increase the sheen as the amount of traffic increases. Use flat in a living room, flat enamel in a dining room, eggshell in the master bedroom, satin in a hallway, soft gloss in a kitchen, semi gloss in a kids bedrooms and high gloss on doors and trim.  Of course, a satin could work well for walls in all the rooms and then you could just try the semi gloss or high gloss paint on the doors and trim.

Third, decide on a primer. Tempted to skip the primer? Don’t! Primer not only provides a good surface for he paint by helping to even out the surface’s porosity, but is also brings out the paint’s true colour. Some primers have specific formulas to address certain problems such as hard to hide colours, glossy surfaces and stains. Using a high quality primer ensures a durable, even finish with more accurate colours. It can actually save you time and money too!

Fourth, prepare the surface.The great majority of paint failures are attributed to inadequate surface preparation. Clean and dry the surface but removing all dirty, dust and grease and dull the glossy surfaces with a liquid de-glosser or sandpaper. Repair all surface imperfections, fill all cracks and seams with paintable acrylic caulk, fill holes with a patching compound and then scrape or sand any peeling paint. Finally , prime all the areas.

Now it’s time to paint! Use painter’s tape to mask off any areas not peing painted. Cover furniture and floors with drop cloths. Sitr paint throughout the painting process and if you are using multiple cans of the same colour, mix them together for the best uniform colour. Prime the area to promote hide and adhesions. Painit the ceiling first by brushing a 3 inch border then begin in a corner and roll across the ceiling in 3 foot sections. Finish with long, even roller strokes across the entire ceiling. Paint the walls next. Paint only one wall at a time by brushing a 3 inch borger around the ceiling, floor, tim and corners. Always maintain a wet edge. Working in a 3foot x 3 foot area, roll a large “W” onlto the surface. Now fill in the “W”. Work hoizontally across the room, moving from side to side. and continue the pattern across the wall. Finally, paint the trim and remember to leave the windows open for at least one hour to prevent sticking to newly painted sills.

Once the room is painted and the clean up is done, take a picture and email it to me (I’d love to see the new room) then sit back and enjoy your handiwork!

By all accounts, the Canadian economy is humming along at a healthy pace, adding pressure on the Bank of Canada to raise interest rates. The Bank must weigh our healthy, domestic economy against a bleak global backdrop, including signs of a stagnate economy in the U.S.

The central bank’s second quarter business outlook survey shows high hiring intentions by businesses and there is an upbeat outlook on sales, investments and financing. Housing starts in June, 2011 surged well past espectations.

All this would normally point toward a rate hike by the Bank of Canada but the global situation has worsend – weak U.S. employments, rising Chinese inflation and new euro zone woes – so the Bank of Canada may rethink how sustainable our good news is.

So where will interest rates go? No one knows for sure and any answer given today could change tomorrow. That’s how volitile the market is. The safest thing you can do is this: get qualified for your mortgage at 6%. Then sign up for the lowest rate that suits you (whether it is a fixed or variable rate mortgage) and make your payments as if the interest was at 6%. You’ll pay down your mortgage much faster and if rates go up, you’ll be o.k. Since you’ll be used to making payments at the increased rate, you’ll suffer no ill effects from the changes.

Need more information? Call me today!

We hope you enjoy this little newsletter!

Email newsletter – June 11 pdf

Johnny’s room. Do not enter! We’ve all seen the sign that signals a teenager is in the house, occupies this room and wants his privacy. Have you ever wondered about the room though, when Johnny (now known as John) is the chief executive officer of a large manufacturing company in a town 300 km away from this house? And though the days are long past, the room is an homage to a time when Johnny played hockey in the street with other neighbourhood children.

Maybe it’s time to rethink the purpose of some rooms in your home. Just because a room has a closet in it, doesn’t mean it must be used as a bedroom. The possibilities here really are endless; the bedroom is essentially a box that needs to be emptied and reconsidered. The closet can become a storage space, have open shelving, or a cupboard at the bottom and shelving at the top. (But don’t permanently remove the closet if you need to show the room as a bedroom when it comes time to sell.)

If space is limited, a multi-functional room can be created. You may want an office but worry that Johnny will have no place to stay when he comes to visit; relegated to sleep on the uncomfortable couch in the basement. Not a bad option if you’re angry at Johnny! However, it is possible to accommodate your current needs and the needs of your guests.

The Murphy bed is a great invention and, in my opinion, it is not used enough. It takes up very little floor space when in its upright position, just remember to measure the height requirements! There are also Murphy beds that attach to the wall along the side of the bed, which may be easier for you to manoeuvre. The latest beds look like floor to ceilings cabinets, which are a great look when changing your spare room into an office.

Having a room completely devoted to guests is great, especially if you have the room to spare. But bear in mind that the number of days you have people stay overnight will be relatively few compared with the number of days you will be using the room yourself. I believe you should focus on yourself first.

You could also change your spare room into a private retreat or den. One place in the house for you to get away and indulge your passion for music or reading. With a center table and a love seat, a couple of big, comfortable chairs and some floor lamps, the room becomes a wonderful place to curl up with a good book.

If you would like to use the closet as a storage area, it doesn’t have to be readily accessible. It could hold clothes that are overflowing from the other closets, perhaps. But I would advise a trip to the thrift store instead and suggest using the closet for the summer-winter clothes switch. In that case, you would need to access the closet only twice a year, and a little furniture shift would be acceptable. A room divider can be put in front of the door and an easy chair in from of that.

So take down the hockey posters, magazine photos and Union Jack flag and replace them with a soothing paint colour and nice pieces of art. Oh, and one more thing, if that ugly light fixture, you know, the one that looks like a square plate that’s only good for catching dead flies, is still up, invest in some great track lighting or pot lights. You won’t regret it!

As a real estate agent I am constantly being told ask for the business, ask for the offer, ask for the referral. I’m not so great at the asking. Sure I’m out there and when I’m out on a listing interview or working with a buyer I always ask if they are ready to put something on paper, but I think I don’t put it out there enough. I love my job and have a real passion for helping my clients buy and sell houses at the time and in the price range that is right for them. But I need to keep asking. This isn’t my hobby, it’s my full time, all in, sink or swim job and I need your help.

As much as I am able to help you find a great place to live or to sell your existing home, regardless of the reason why, I need your help. If I did a good job and you have enjoyed working with me in the past, please pass my name and number along to your family, friends and neighbours who are looking to make a move. If I did a crappy job for you, please let me know so I can grow in my business and in my service to my clients.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk a little about my shameless plug for new listings and how this is good news for those of you thinking about selling. There are buyers out there, searching for a home in the Durham Region, all over the Region! The problem for buyers is that there aren’t many listings on the market right now. Total active listings for the month of March, 2011 was 1,415, down 717 listings from March, 2010 and down over 1,000 listings from the 2006 to 2009 numbers. Is it any wonder why prices are increasing? Lack of competition is driving the price higher in most neighbourhoods with each passing month. It is fairly common now to see listings sell within three days of being listed, often in multiple offers and for 100% or more of the list price.  Buyers are discerning, but they have money, interest rates are low and they want to buy now, so if you’re thinking of selling, you might just want to get your house on the market sooner rather than later.

If you are going to sell, know that though there are plenty of buyers around, they are picky. Today’s buyer is used to having what they want right away. Gone are the days when you could leave in the green, shag carpet and orange and brown wallpaper. The buyer today is used to seeing great decorating, pared down furniture and clean homes. Your home needs to have its best foot forward or the buyer will walk in and out of your place without glancing to see if the house is actually perfect for them.  Call me and I’ll come by to talk to you about getting your home sold in today’s market – even if you’re just curious. It’s a good idea to know your home’s worth and what you can do to maximize your profits.

I expect that as the weather warms buyers will have more choices as new homes get listed. If a move is in your future this year, give me a call. We can discuss when it will be the right time for you to sell. And if you’re going to be selling soon, then let’s get your home listed while the competition is sleeping!

It’s a good thing my house is not for sale right now. No one would want to buy this little piece of dirt with a roof over it. But now that I’m thinking about it, maybe I should put my house up for sale just so I would be motivated to keep it clean!

I have a great appreciation for my sellers who have spotless houses. I can call to book a showing and they are ready in 15 minutes! Not convenient, I know, but that is the reality of having your home for sale in today’s market. Most people, when looking for their next house, want to buy something clean and well kept. We live in a me-centered, immediate gratification society. If they wanted a dirty, tired-looking mess, they’d stay in their current home! Nope. They want to buy your home with its clean floors and spotless bathrooms! If you are selling you’d better clean up the messes.

Harsh words coming from me now, but this is the reality of selling today. Buyers are smart and busy. They spend hours away at jobs and then are trying to fit in time for their children and themselves. There’s no time left for renovations and fixing up their new home. Especially when you think of the effort required to move. If the buyer of your home has a house to sell, they will be fixing the leaking faucet and cleaning the dirty windows, packing excess decorations and repainting that Maple Leaf blue bedroom (you know the colour I’m talking about; might even have that colour in your house). Once they finally have a moving date, there’s the whole packing and cleaning, and cleaning and unpacking to do. Who has any energy left for renovations at the new house?

So, if you are thinking of selling, prepare yourself for the work that is to come. Clean those areas of your home that you haven’t cleaned in a long time. Fix the faucet and wash the windows (and the window tracks). Repair the wall where the door handle created a hole and touch-up the paint; pare down on furniture and cute country decorations. Then make sure you don’t leave dirty socks on the floor or a pile of dishes in the sink because the next phone call you get might be me, calling to say that I have a potential buyer for you home and we’d like to come see it in the next 15 minutes!

A brand new home. Not just new to you, but one that is built just for you. How exciting and nerve racking all at once! You step into the sales office of the new home site and begin the journey that will hopefully lead to a fantastic home in the neighbourhood that fits you perfectly. But how do you decide with so many choices offered?

I can help. I’ve been selling new homes for over 10 years now so I have extensive knowledge on how a new home builder thinks and how their offers work. Did you know that many of the sales representatives work for the builder and as such, they represent his interests in the new home sale? There are often sales reps who are unable to represent your interests due to contractual obligations. How do you know that you are being protected? I don’t think many buyers think of enlisting the aid of a REALTOR® when they look at new home purchases, but maybe it is a step you should consider.

Here’s the best part – it won’t cost you a dime. Most new home builder’s pay a referral fee to a Buyer’s REALTOR® so you don’t have to worry about inconveniencing your salesperson. They’ll get paid for the job they do. Your agent can look over the contract for you (though it is wise to also have a lawyer read the contract – the contract is written by a lawyer paid for by the builder, so it is definitely written in the builder’s best interest), and help you negotiate the best possible deal based on recent sales and market value. Your agent can also research the surrounding vacant lands to see what the municipalities have planned for that land. Sure it’s a lovely green space now, but did you know that there are plans to install a nuclear power plant or garbage incinerator there in the near future? Do you think the builder’s sales person will tell you the plans? They’ll be quick to mention plans of parks and walking trails, but not so quick to mention schools, gas stations and night clubs!

When you look at the model homes, do you see the upgrades the builder has installed? Are you sure you will get the same windows and doors, trim, flooring and kitchen cabinets? Builders were the first to use stagers. Sure they called them decorators and interior designers, but it’s the same thing. Staging to make the house show as a dream house (and not the reality, builder basic house you are buying). I worked for a builder years ago who had a great designer/interior decorator. She was so well known in the area that when a new model home opened, people flocked to it just to see what she did! And several houses were sold to people who “just popped by to see what Sharon did here”.

So if you are living or thinking of buying a home in the Durham Region and you’d like a new home, give me a call. We can get together to chat about the ups and downs of buying a new home. You don’t have to enlist my help, just pick my brain over a cup of coffee or glass of wine. If you think I can help you, we’ll go look at some great new homes. Happy house hunting!

Each season it is your well-maintained entryway that gracefully welcomes friends and family to your home. The fact that most passers by can see it readily provides plenty of incentive for homeowners to make this first impression a good one.

Clean and clear walkways, pretty landscaping and plenty of lighting will all enhance your home’s main feature, a gracious entrance. But here we will focus on the doorway itself.

Have you thought about replacing your front door? If is is poorly hung or has an improper fit, not only will you have a disappointing first impression, it could contribute to energy loss and security risks. In these cases, the door requires replacing. You may wish to consider a complete entry system, instead of just a door exchange. With the system, the door is pre-hung in its frame, with each of its components designed to work reliably together – your best bet when it comes to dependable energy efficiency and overall strength.

Your existing door may be in great shape, so a simple update may be all that is required. Painting will allow you to change the colour in the future, while staining a wood door will lend to a sophisticated, formal entrance.

In choosing a paint colour for the front door, it is important to decide on the overall look and feel you wish to achieve. Do you want to draw attention to the entrance as a bold focal point? Then choose a standout colour that contrasts (but is complimentary) to the exterior of the house.

If you prefer to have a discreet front door, then opt for a more subtle colour. Choose this option if your door is awkwardly placed so as to avoid disturbing the overall balance of your home.

Classic black makes a formal and grand statement. Navy blue and deep green work beautifully with terracotta brick exteriors, while stone or siding in grey looks best with a selection from the red family. Keep in mind that secondary doors and garages should not compete with the front door. For these areas, use an entirely different colour or one that blends closely with the exterior.

And don’t forget the hardware. As your top priority choose security over aesthetics. You want protection for any forced entry attacks. But there are several great options in the market today. Coordinate door knockers, kick-plates, house numbers, mail slots and light fixtures for a harmonious appearance.

An improved appearance pays dividends in enjoyments and will increase the resale value of your home. Buyers will spend some time waiting for their agent to open the lockbox to obtain the key for your home. You want them to be able to see a pretty door, that is well-maintained, giving them a preview of what to expect when they see the inside of your home. So go ahead and splurge a little. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression!

Your bathroom is an important room in the house and should never be underestimated. Often it’s in the smallest room in the house that we get to mke the biggest impact. And bathroom renovations can bolster the saleability of your home. No longer just a place to wash and go, bathroooms can provide sanctuary from the chaos of life. So let’s start with a few – Absolutely Do Not Do items.

1. Carpets. These nasty fibers can hold a multitude of fluids so opt for surfaces that can be wiped clean.

2. Coloured fixtures. Avocado is not back in style! A chocolate brown toilet is not the way to go. Stick with white fixtures and inject your colour elsewhere.

3. Cheap laminate flooring. Some of these products are nothing more than a photograph of wood grain on top of compressed fiber board or chipboard. When you add water they expand. Opt for water-resistant products.

4. Toiletries on display. No one wants to see how many pills and potions you use. Ick! Choose a mix of open and closed storage so your Chanel toiletries will be on display and your unmentionable creams won’t!

5. Wallpaper. Yes, there are papers out now that can handle the humidity levels in your bathroom, but why would you when there are so many great paints on the market? Add drama with great towels or artwork, storage boxes or candles. All these can easily be rearranged or changed to suit your mood.

So what if you have some issues with your lavatory and can’t afford to change the big ticket items? Work with what you’ve got. If you have a gold toilet, tub and sink, go with it! Make them poart of your colour scheme.

Match dominant colours to create a uniform and calming look. Bright colours that compete can create a chaotic mood. Do you have dark brown tiles? Get a luxurious chocolate brown shower curtain in canvas and some brushed nickel accessories for a streamlined hotel look. Keep your eye out for great towels in neutral colours that don’t compete with your bold fixtures. Candles and hand-milled soaps can offer an inexpensive decorative touch.

Before you know it, you’ll have a bathroom to envy whether you are selling or staying put!