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Mistake #10: Not getting pre-approved before house hunting

Why get your hopes up looking at $500,000 homes, when you can really only afford a $300,000 home? Before you start house hunting, narrow down your price range by getting pre-approved. Shop for a lender or mortgage broker you can trust. The mortgage pro will review your credit, income, assets and debts, and recommend a mortgage with monthly payments that fit your budget. The result is a good faith estimate, a document that spells out the likely terms of your loan, including the interest rate and closing costs. Not only does this let you know how much house you can afford, it also lets sellers know that you're serious about buying.

  

 

Mistake #9: Thinking short-term

The house you purchase should be a place that feels like home to you and your family, but it's important to remember that it's also a huge investment. When shopping for a home, it pays to think about resale down the road. Search for homes in sought-after locations, and look for features that future buyers will want, such as central air conditioning and lots of storage space.

  

 

Mistake #8: Not researching the neighborhood

What good is having your dream home, if you don't like the community where it's located? Before shopping for a home, shop for a neighborhood. Make sure it's a good fit for your lifestyle -- figure out how long you want your work commute to be, how close you want to be to amenities like shopping and nightlife, and which school districts are the best. Even if you don't have children, living near good schools raises your property value. Visit the neighborhood several times and at different times of the day. The biggest incentive for finding a quality community: a great neighborhood will increase your home's value, while a bad one will drag it down.

  

 

Mistake #7: Buying a foreclosure or fixer-upper without doing your research

Some homebuyers are so set on finding a bargain, they overlook the fact that buying a home that needs repairs can be a stressful and expensive endeavor. Before buying a fixer-upper, get estimates on any necessary repairs and renovations and make sure they will pay for themselves in increased property value. The foreclosure market is also full of opportunities, but it's important to be aware of the potential pitfalls before buying a foreclosed property.

  

 

Mistake #6: Buying a house you can't afford

Just because a lender is willing to loan you a fortune doesn't mean you should take it. Buying more home than you can afford can quickly lead to financial trouble. As a rule of thumb, your mortgage payment should be less than 28 percent of your gross monthly income. Besides your mortgage payment, be prepared for the additional costs of homeownership, such as insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance. You may want to scale back the size of the home you're looking for in order to bring the whole package in line with your budget.



Mistake #5: Falling for love at first sight

Buying the first house you like is kind of like marrying the first person you go on a date with: not necessarily a good idea. If you don't shop around and see what else is out there, you could miss out on a good deal or potentially regret your purchase. While you don't need to visit every home in the neighborhood, you should compare at least three homes before you make a decision to ensure that you're getting the right house at the right price.



Mistake #4: Forgoing a home inspection

Even if a home looks flawless, it's a mistake to assume that it's actually problem-free. All homes have defects -- even brand new ones -- so getting a professional inspection before making the commitment to buy is crucial. Be sure to attend the inspection so the inspector can explain any issues.



Mistake #3: Not reading the fine print

If you did your homework, you had your trustworthy real estate attorney review all your paperwork and discuss it with you so you don't get a nasty surprise at closing. Let's face it -- you won't have time to read that six-inch stack of legal documents at the closing table. Fortunately, there are a select few documents and items that are truly critical, and you can request a copy of these in advance. This gives you time to review them and ask questions before closing.



Mistake #2: Making an offer without contingencies

Having a back-out plan is a must for smart home buying. If the home has an irresolvable flaw, it doesn't appraise for the purchase price, or your lender refuses to fund your loan, having contingencies on your contract gives you the right to cancel the transaction. Think about it this way: would you spend $100 in a store that doesn't have a 30-day return policy? If your answer is no, you wouldn't want to put hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line without the right to bail.



Mistake #1: Waiting for the market to improve or not buying at all

No one can predict precisely where the market is going, so trying to time your home purchase with the bottom of the market is futile. If you're financially and emotionally ready to be a homeowner, it's always a good time to buy. Just think: all the time you spend procrastinating on purchasing a home, you could be building equity, getting tax deductions and enjoying the many other benefits of homeownership!

 

http://www.frontdoor.com/Buy/

 

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1. Grab them from the curb.
You've seen them. Buyers hunkered low in their cars in front of your house, doing drive-bys before deciding whether to request a showing or attend an open house. Make these potential buyers fall in love with your home from the street by adding potted plants and flowers, power-washing patios and walkways, weeding the garden and mowing the lawn. It's your first chance to make a good impression, so you've got to make it count.

2. Make it sparkle.
Pretend that your mother or mother-in-law is coming for a visit. Think hotel clean. Mop, dust, vacuum, wash windows, baseboards — even the cat. Remember that people will look in your cupboards, under your sinks and in your closets. Also, pay particular attention to odors. You might even consider consulting a neutral nose by having a friend come by for a smell test.

3. Pay attention to color and light.
You may love hot pink in the living room, but too-bright colors turn buyers off. Neutralize strong colors for the broadest appeal. A neutral home appears larger and has less chance of offending someone. Also, open up blinds and draperies to make sure there's sufficient natural light throughout the home. Remember, lighting is the most effective way to set a mood.

4. Depersonalize.
Few things deter buyers more than a cluttered home. They need to see your home, not your stuff. Excessive personal items like photos, collections, personal awards, electronics and collectibles will make it difficult for buyers to see past your personal style and may deter a sale. Taking yourself out of the picture makes it easier for buyers to imagine themselves, and their stuff, in your space.

5. Consider replacing furnishings.
Think about removing or replacing worn or outdated furnishings and get rid of extra pieces. The time has come to move beyond matching furniture, so break up your sets; dated can easily become eclectic with editing and rearranging. Consider consulting with a professional staging company for design direction and advice on rental furnishings to create an inviting home with broad appeal to a wide range of buyers.

6. Invest in new artwork.
Displaying new artwork is a great way to breathe new life into a room. Photography can be used to contemporize a room and add a splash of color as well.

7. Make repairs.
Make your home a high-maintenance zone. Repair squeaky doors, chipped or smudged paint as well as broken fixtures and fittings that you've neglected.

8. Apply a fresh coat of paint.
It's the best bang for your buck that will quickly refresh a dull, dated room. Slap a fresh, neutral color on the space. Choose a beige or taupe for living spaces and a neutral green or blue for bathrooms.

 9. Don't forget the floors.
Get rid of worn carpets, and consider refinishing shabby hardwood floors. An inexpensive new area rug is a quick fix and can disguise the look of old floors.

10. Spring for new light fixtures.
Renew the look of the room by replacing old or dated light fixtures, door hardware, light switches and outlets. If it's tacky and older than you, get it out of there.

 

 

-http://www.hgtv.com/real-estate/top-10-rules-of-staging-from-the-stagers/index.html

 

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I have listed a new property at 641 Nairn AVE in Winnipeg.
Vacant building lot on Nairn Ave near the Nairn overpass. 30 x 110.5 with older double detached garage in back already. Ready to go, would make for a perfect infill bi-level or 2 story design.
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I have listed a new property at 206 Des Meurons ST in Winnipeg.
Brand new up/down duplex, Currently rented at $1795/month per unit plus utilities, (main til 07/11 & up to 03/11) giving a nice return, compared to many other properties. Also, being brand new means no maintenance or repair bills for many years. Full 5 year new home warranty and one year full warranty included. Both units consist of 2 bedrooms, large open concept living room & dining room with hardwood floors plus spacious kitchen with tons of cupboards with large movable island with hardwood floors. Upstairs unit has a computer nook & garden door to balcony. Both units have finished basements with a 3rd bedroom, rec room and full 3pce bath. Currently on one title, but could be split into 2 titles, can be bought either way. Fully separate utilities with high efficient furnace & central air. 10 New white appliances to be included in the sale price.
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I have listed a new property at 380 Elmhurst RD in Winnipeg.
Offers presented Dec 5th PM. Spacious 1400 sqft family home w/new huge master bedroom loft featuring large ensuite bath & walk-in closet. Two more good sized bedrooms on main floor plus 4pce bath. Large living room/dining room with coved ceilings & hardwood floors & new tri-pane windows in 2010. Basement has been fully re-insulated with spray foam. Rec room features an insulated floor plus 16 pot lights with trey ceiling features plus large bar & built-ins. Energy efficient boiler for heat & hot water. Large laundry area with front loading washer/dryer remaining + lots of storage. Spacious kitchen with cherry stained hardwoods & fridge, dishwasher & new stove remain. Large maintenance free back yard with 3 newer decks with one being covered & patio with fire pit with new fence in 2010. Front drive to double attached garage. Newer 200 amp electrical service. Flexible possession as vendors are moving out of province. Nice modern colours throughout.
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