What Are the Biggest Buying and Selling Mistakes in Calgary?

Buying a home? Click here for a full home search. 
Selling a home? Click here for a free Home Value Report. Contact me at (403) 701-8998 for a free real estate buying or selling consultation
Hello everyone, and welcome back to our blog. Today we would like to give you some tips on what to do and what not to do when buying or selling a home. We hope these tips give you a better understanding of the buying and selling process, and can help you out next time you are looking to make a move. 

In the last few years, it's become an increasingly common trend for buyers to get approved for a loan, get a home inspection done, then go out and make large purchases, before the home closes. It might sound like a great idea at the time to pair your new home with new furniture or a new car, but trust us, it's a bad idea in the long run. Lenders do credit checks the day before closing, and if they discover you have made some large purchases, it may affect your credit standing and your mortgage may be revoked. If you decide you have to make a purchase, don't use your credit card. If you can't afford it without your credit card, you definitely shouldn't buy it just yet.

As a buyer, you need to also avoid the "free" unofficial pre-approvals online. They mean nothing and could come back to hurt you when you are out looking for a home. You want to get pre-approved by a reputable lender before you start looking for a home, so you know what you can afford before you go out and start looking. It also allows you to pull the trigger quickly when you find the perfect home.

For sellers, having an accurate home valuation is very important. You can get one almost anywhere online, but keep in mind that an instant home valuation should be used as a starting point, not a final, absolute value. Don't put too much stock into your home's valuation until you talk to a professional about it. We can help you out and help you avoid frustration entirely. 

If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to speaking with you!

Important News for Buyers and Sellers in Calgary

If you're looking to buy a home in Calgary or surrounding areas, click here for a full home search. If you're looking to sell and curious about the market value of your home, click here for a free Home Value Report. Please feel free to contact me at (403) 701-8998 for a free real estate buying or selling consultation to answer any of your questions. 

Today I am going to be addressing some issues that a lot of clients in Calgary have been asking me about. The seller's market that we had in 2014 has faded, but that's not the only thing that you should know.

My advice to buyers in Calgary is to go ahead and get yourselves Pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. This is a special designation that sellers love to see because they know you are serious about
purchasing and that if you extend an offer on a home that you will follow through with it. The verification process has become harder, but if you pass it will only make you stand out more. Your offer should rise to the top with a pre-qualification letter.

If you are a seller in Calgary I would propose that you make sure that the condition and price of your home are comparable. If your price is not right, then you will not be able to attract buyers to your property. Also, if an appraiser from a bank comes in and his price doesn't match your value, then there will be problems and the sale could fall apart.

If you would like to know more about our local market here in Calgary, then please do not hesitate to contact my team for more information. We would be happy to help you.

How Can You Still Lose Thousands Even After Accepting an Offer on Your Calgary Home?

If you're looking to buy a home in Calgary or surrounding areas, click here for a full home search. If you're looking to sell and curious about the market value of your home, click here for a free Home Value Report. Please feel free to contact me at (403) 701-8998 for a free real estate buying or selling consultation to answer any of your questions.

Last time, we spoke about pricing, presentation, and pre-qualifying buyers. Today, we'll discuss how to negotiate for your home when selling.

If a buyer comes over, likes your house, and wants to buy it - how do you negotiate a deal? Do you have the proper set of paperwork, proper disclosures, or a trust account to hold the deposit check? Is the buyer pre-qualified? What conditions do they have in their offer? You need to address all of these questions before the sale happens. 

If you have the answers to these questions, you'll be able to come from the sale to the negotiating process well-equipped - you'll know exactly what to do, what will take place, and every step on the way to closing. 

It's really important to make sure the Offer to Purchase is drawn up correctly, so the lawyers know what it is you're trying to do. Are there gray areas in the deal that might allow the buyer to get out of the contract? Is there something in the property report that might make the buyers uncomfortable and able to get out of that purchase? There are many questions that need to be addressed before the successful sale of your home.  

Because there are a lot of complications leading up to and during negotiations, it's not wise to work with someone who lacks real estate experience. If you want to have an upper hand when negotiating, you need to have an expert representing your best interests. A real estate professional will make sure you don't overprice your home, that your home is presented perfectly, that your buyer is pre-qualified, and that you get the best possible conditions during negotiations. 

If you would like our assistance, we would be pleased to assist you. Give us a call or shoot us an email for all of your Calgary real estate needs - we look forward to hearing from you!

Why Do You Need a Buyer's Agent?

If you're looking to buy a home in Calgary or surrounding areas, click here for a full home search. If you're looking to sell and curious about the market value of your home, click here for a free Home Value Report. Please feel free to contact me at (403) 701-8998 for a free real estate buying or selling consultation to answer any of your questions.

Recently, many friends and clients here in Calgary have asked us why they need to hire a buyer's agent when they can just work with the agent who represents the seller. In short, why bring an extra person in the process?

Many problems could arise when working with the seller's listing agent. For one, that agent is representing the seller and their interests, first and foremost. Your needs take a back seat to the seller's. A buyer's agent levels the playing field - they have your back to ensure you get the best possible deal.

We often hear from people who don't realize that the friendly salesperson in the brand new home aren't representing the buyer. They are getting a paycheck from the builder to showcase the builder's product. In order to see past the sales pitch and make smart decisions, you need to work with someone who is experienced, knows the market, and can help you make informed choices. Sometimes the right move is to simply walk away.

Over the years, we at Best Listings Calgary have developed an extensive list of questions we ask all of our clients before we even begin looking at homes. These questions will help us get a better understanding of your needs, so we can show you homes that fit your particular circumstances. We won't waste your valuable time looking at 60 homes - that only makes the buying process more complicated than it needs to be. We'll put together a list according to your wishes and find you the right home in an efficient matter.

If you have any questions about how we get things done, or are have any real estate questions in general, give us a call or shoot us an email. We would be pleased to assist you!