Current Living Conditions Got You Down?

38 SHERWOOD CRES W – $299,555.00 - MLS# 20120130

Incredible Home & Back Yard!

Public Open House – Sat. Jan. 21/2012 – 1-2:30PM

Or

24/7 – On-Line Open House – Just You Tube the address to see inside.

Jeff van de Bennet - REALTOR®

Associate Broker

Prudential Top 5 Real Estate

1274 - 3rd Ave. South

Lethbridge, AB.

T1J - 0J9

www.top5.ca  

www.homesold.ca

38 Thyrza Burkitt Pl. N. - $300,000.00 - MLS# 20120015

Public Open House - Sat. Jan. 21/2012 - 3-4:15PM

or

24/7 On-line Open House – Just You Tube the Address to see inside

Jeff van de Bennet - REALTOR®

Associate Broker

Prudential Top 5 Real Estate

1274 - 3rd Ave. South

Lethbridge, AB.

T1J - 0J9

www.top5.ca  

www.homesold.ca

Today's sellers may face challenging conditions in many markets, but that doesn't mean choosing to sell is a bad idea. There are many reasons to sell and most are good ones.

Here are ten tips to get you on your way to getting your home sold.

1. Hire a Professional. This is no time to be navigating the rough waters of the real estate market on your own. You want someone who can help you accurately price your home, bring in potential buyers, handle contracts, and market your home to the masses.

2. Fully Disclose. Are you selling because your current home needs more work than you can handle? Are there  problems you'd rather not talk about? You must disclose all of these facts to potential buyers. If they find out after the fact that you withheld information you could be in a whole heap of trouble.

3. Be Realistic about Pricing. It is much wiser to price a home correctly from the start of the selling process than to have an overpriced home sit on the market for months only to have to do a price reduction. You get much more traffic on a well-priced home and newly listed home.

4 . Detach Emotions. Sellers may have the inclination towards adding sentimental value to a home. They see the memories and work they've put into a property and think every buyer should recognize this. This kind of attachment will make it harder to make smart and timely decisions about offers.

5. Be Involved. Yes, you've hired a professional to handle the legwork and legality of your sale, but you'll rest much easier at night if you understand the process and all that is going on. Be sure to have regular conversations with your agent.

6. Stage your Home. Staging is a perfect way to help buyers see the true potential of each room. This may mean, however, that you have to tone down your own style and pack away any clutter or extraneous decor.

7. Don't Hover. Sellers can put a lot of heart and soul into staging and getting a home ready for the market. They might want to hang out during an open house. Resist the urge. This makes it very uncomfortable for buyers. So, during showings of any kind, be sure to make yourself scarce.

8. The Next Step. Are you going to be buying another home? Have you decided to rent? Under normal sales, you'll have plenty of time to make arrangements, but you also might get a buyer who needs to move in right away. Be ready to take your next step.

9. Be Flexible. It's no secret that today's market can be challenging for many sellers. Some markets have seen sharp price declines and shallow buyer pools. This means you need to be flexible on both price and terms. Don't compromise on your bottom line, but understand that you must be willing to negotiate.

10. Positivity. Focus on the good in today's market. Pull your attention to the feedback you get from your agent and prospective buyers! Most of all, don't get discouraged. You will find a buyer!

Selling in today's market can be a tough, but rewarding. So, whether you're selling to move up, downsize, avoid foreclosure, or are following a job, be sure to keep these ten tips in mind for smooth sailing.

Click here to find out

Today’s prospective homebuyers are increasingly interested in a property’s outdoor living space as they are its interior.

Savvy agents understand this powerful trend and are staging homes on two fronts – the terrific indoors and the great outdoors.           

 The following tips will help ensure that your backyard is as distinctive at your home itself. 

·         Make your Backyard Homey: Create a conversation area with some furniture. The area needn’t be elaborate; just two chairs pulled close together with a table between can make even the most basic concrete patio special. Just the idea that an outdoor eating option is possible makes a property more inviting. Adding accessories like a small table, an inexpensive outdoor rug or a few pots filled with flowers will make the area even more attractive.

·         Remember the Kids: If you have an old tree house, fix it up and paint it bright colors or add sporty designs that will make other kids fall in love with it. Just make sure the tree house is safe. Add a tire swing to a tree and keep an orderly basket of balls, flying disks and a jump rope so kids dragged along on the showing can play in the yard. Swing sets that are old and unsightly should be removed or refurbished to look new.

·         Fire is Hot: There’s nothing like sitting around a fire and enjoying the company of friends and loved ones, which explains the growing popularity of fire pits and outdoor hearths. Few home improvements create the “wow” factor that a backyard fireplace will, and many homeowners are adding a fireplace to their outdoor landscape to recreate all the appeal of their home’s interior outside in the backyard.

·         Simple Fixes: You needn’t go overboard with the changes in your yard. Sometimes, the easiest fixes will create a look that people will remember. Do a thorough inspection and replace any damaged boards on your deck or fence, and apply a fresh coat of paint, stain and sealant if the finish requires it. You should also weed and groom your garden and add some perennials for color.

            Creating a backyard sanctuary is one of the smartest things you can do to make your home stand out, so make your outdoor space a destination to remember.

   Jeff van de Bennet can be reached at (403) (327-5555). Prudential Top 5 Real Estate is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Click on the link below to see the video. 

A home that everyone is looking for!

1. There's crazy low interest rates right now - you can own for what you pay in rent - what are you waiting for?
   
2. The market has slowed by as much as 50 per cent in most markets.
    
3. We're pretty much over the buying frenzy that drove up prices and caused bidding wars in markets across Canada. There's been a correction. The dust has settled. Houses that sold overnight are selling in 30 or 120 days. In some markets, houses are now taking much longer.
   
4. The over-priced homes that have failed to sell, are finally off the market, ( Hurray ! ) & the Sellers that "have to sell" are usually more receptive to fair market value offers.
   
5.  No dealing with the hassles of an elbow-to-elbow open houses
   You'll have less competition- because there isn't many buyers out there, so it's defineately a good time to buy.
   
6. Your Realtor has more time for you - because he or she is not competing with as many buyers/sellers for their time - so you'll get more of your Realtor's undivided attention.
   
7. You're also less likely to be pressured - you usually won't hear - "There's another offer coming in" , unless it's a BLOW OUT deal
   
8. You will have your choice of service providers, movers, lawyers, notary public's, mortgage brokers, inspectors, trades, household goodies:
   Everything goes on sale in January. Furniture & appliances are usually half price or better! 
   
9. Don't be a lemming and only act when everybody else gets back into the market in February. Shop the bargains. Take advantage of those misfit stragglers and get a deal
   
10.  Buy Real Estate when it makes the most sense, during the off-seasons like  
     December/January and July/August.