10 Things You Need To Know Before Hiring an Agent

It is critical that you make the right decision about who will handle what is probably the single largest financial investment you will ever make.

Not all real estate agents are the same. If you decide to seek the help of an agent when selling or buying your home, you need some good information before you make any moves.

An agent can cost or save you thousands of dollars!

Picking an agent is one of those critical issues that can cost or save you thousands of dollars. There are very specific questions you should be asking to ensure that you get the best representation for your needs. Some agents may prefer that you don’t ask these questions, because the knowledge you’ll gain from their honest answers will give you a very good idea about what outcome you can expect from using this agent. And let’s face it – in real estate, as in life – not all things are created equal.

Hiring a real estate agent is just like any hiring process – with you on the boss’s side of the desk. It’s critical that you make the right decision about who will handle what is probably the single largest financial investment you will ever make.

• What makes you different? Why should I list my home with you?

It’s a much tougher real estate market than it was a decade

Introducing the MLS® Home Price Index

 

What is it?  What can it do for me?  How does it work?  

The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB), Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and four other major real estate boards across Canada have developed a new system to measure and provide clarity on home prices and home price growth: the MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI).

Interesting Article About Basement Apartments

We'd like to share a great article with you regarding basement apartments. If you are an investor, seller, or renting, this article will give you some great insight and pointers you could find informative. 

March 2, 2012 - As Greater Toronto REALTORS®, we recognize that in comparison to other world cities, ours is a clean, safe and affordable place to live, and its allure means that we’ll continue to see greater intensification in the years ahead.
Toronto’s popularity is reflected for example, in the condominium market, which currently has more buildings under construction than in any other city in North America. Basement apartments also play an important role in meeting demand for housing throughout the Greater Toronto Area and if you have ever listed a property with one, you’re probably familiar with the “Seller does not warrant retrofit” clause. Second suites can cause confusion for homebuyers and REALTORS® alike, but this doesn’t have to be the case. 

According to noted home inspectors Carson Dunlop, achieving a ‘legal’ basement apartment involves five areas of consideration:

Arrival of Spring Means...

Our Dear Readers,

We hope that you and your family are having an enjoyable month! Judging by this BEAUTIFUL weather we have been having the last week, spring is coming soon and with it comes more activity in the Real Estate Market.

It can be enticing to see all those FOR SALE signs and open house invitations throughout the area. you might even consider checking out a few properties. If so, give us a call! We would be happy to review the homes available on the market with you.

Let's enjoy this sunshine and get started on the journey of finding your dream home!

Sincerely, 

The Sarwar Team 

Are you fit to sell?

Watch these great short videos that will help you decide whether you are ready to sell...if you think you're ready, but don't know where to start - we can help you get started. Simply give us a call!

Are you fit to sell? 

5 Reasons why you should hire a Selling Agent. 

Top 5 mistakes you will make as a home seller.

The critical role of an agent.

Selling in the winter?

Well, the beautiful green leaves are long gone, sunshine rarely pays us a visit, and cold chilly grey days are ahead of us...

Did you know that selling a house in the winter can be more difficult than in the warmer seasons? The beautiful green lawns are no longer there, and curb appeal just isn't the same, and let's face it - because the days are much shorter, there is a lot less sunlight to show off your home in daylight.

You may have a lot of questions if you

Top 5 Mistakes Home Sellers Make

5 Tips to Getting More for Your Property

Here are five recommendations to give your home an immediate face lift and help you get more for your property. These tips are an inexpensive way to help you bring big returns when the FOR SALE sign goes up on the lawn.

1. Tidy it up! Have a garage sale to dispose of unwanted and unused furniture and appliances, odds and ends you've been saving for a rainy day, and generally anything you haven't used in the last five years. Clear out every closet mercilessly and don't forget the garage. Keep only the things you use regularly. Your home will look more spacious, more organized and more inviting.

2. Fix it up! Take care of all the little maintenance tasks you never seem to have time for. Go through the house, room by room, and make a list. Open every door and window, turn on every faucet and check every lamp. Repair leaky faucets, oil squeaky hinges, tighten loose doorknobs, make sure windows and doors open and close smoothly, and change the burnt light bulbs. Buyers notice.

3. Spruce it up! It's amazing how much better your home can look with a fresh coat of paint and how much value it can add, for little cost. You don't have to repaint everything, but do consider freshening up the rooms that need it most. Use neutral colours inside. Outside, a gallon of paint on exterior trim, wooden stairs and banisters can also do wonders for your home's appearance. Label leftover paint cans for the new owners

4. Pretty it up! Curbside appeal is a big drawing card for home buyers. Not only is it the first thing they notice when they arrive, it's the face they'll present to the world if they buy. Make the most of this opportunity and spend a Saturday tending to your lawn and garden. Mow the grass, trim the hedges, plant some flowers and weed the garden. Make sure the driveway and walkways are clear and obstacle-free. Your efforts won't go unnoticed.

5. Clean it up! Now that you've been through cupboards and removed all the needless clutter, get everyone in the family involved and clean the house from top to bottom. Make sure everything sparkles and - here's the hard part - vow to keep it that way! Make sure beds are made and dishes are done before you leave the house in the morning. Interested buyers might stop by on short notice.

I'm selling my place - what should it look like?

Staging Your Home

These tips can help your house make the best impression, every time it is previewed by prospective buyers.

De-personalize

• Buyers should not be reminded that the house they are viewing is someone else's home. They should see themselves in this home. Having personal photographs, for example, can prevent buyers from seeing your home as theirs in the future.

De-clutter

• Accumulated stuff that you haven’t used in over a year? You probably don’t need it. Throwing out and donating things you no longer use will free up space, make your home look more neat and welcoming – and let’s all agree, will make your packing a whole lot easier!

Make the house sparkle

• Wash all the windows
• Clean out cobwebs
• Vacuum and wash the floors
• Dust furniture, light fixtures, ceiling fan blades
• Hang up fresh towels
• Clear out your kitchen counters (the less stuff, the better!)
• Neatly stack books, CDs, and magazines
• Remove all personal belongings out of sight if possible
• Closets? The buyers will look there too.
• They might also open every kitchen cabinet door.
• Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty of room to move around

Interior

• Make beds; clean up dishes; empty wastebaskets
• Remove clutter throughout and put away toys
• Set out “show towels” in baths
• Freshen the air; potpourri or baked bread aroma; deodorize pet areas; set a comfortable temperature
• Do quick vacuuming and dusting
• Arrange fresh flowers throughout
• Fire in fireplace (when appropriate)
• Play soft background music

Exterior

• Remove toys, newspapers, yard tools and other clutter
• Tidy up; pick up after pets
• Park vehicles in the garage or on the street; leave the driveway clear
• Add colour with flowers and potted plants
• Mow the lawn
• Trim the bushes
• Make sure the house number is clearly visible

If you have any questions or need professional help with staging your home, contact The Sarwar Team – we’ll take care of everything for you. 

The Power of Two...Working For You!

Home sweet home...what's it worth?

Countless Canadians diligently check the stock market every day - on TV, online and in print - but fail to that stock of an even weightier investment: their own home. Are you among the 95% of Canadian homeowners who are unaware of the market value of their homes?

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) provided by a real estate professional can bring you up to speed. As the name suggests, a CMA compares your house with similar ones on the market in your neighbourhood during a specified time period. This data, combined with the value of upgrades, will give you an accurate picture of your homes worth. Remember, however, that your personalized CMA is a "snapshot" captured in time, while the real estate market constantly fluctuates; therefore, it's a good idea to obtain a new one each year.

The CMA is the only market-based means of measuring value. When buying, selling or refinancing, a CMA is essential in setting prive and in choosing advantageous timing. Still, there are numerous other reasons to run a CMA - to obtain a realistic picture of your net worth, to provide adequate replacement insurance, or to leverage your equity.