Joan Ball - Your Community Connection

For Buyers


FINDING THE PERFECT NEIGHBOURHOOD

Choosing the right neighbourhood is an important part of finding a home. If you love the house but hate the neighbours, or have the perfect kitchen but have an agonizing two-hour commute; you’re never going to feel completely comfortable living there.  Your best bet is to figure out if your neighbourhood is a good fit with your family before you start looking for a home there (or certainly before you put in an offer). Spend some time there; take a walk through the streets, visit local shops and restaurants, and pick up a community paper to get a sense of the area’s personality.


Here are few questions that can help you figure out if a neighbourhood is right for you:


What does the area look like? Do homes look cared for? Even in moderately-priced areas, pride of ownership helps keep property values up. Keep an eye out for signs of neglect like overgrown laws, houses in need of paint and vacant lots (which can be zoned for commercial use, or end up getting used as dumps). On the other hand, if an area has a lot of neglected-looking homes but you notice that a number look like they’ve been recently renovated, that may be a sign that the neighbourhood is becoming gentrified; buying a home there and fixing it up can be a good long-term investment.


What types of people live there? Families? Retirees? First-time homeowners? Professionals with no kids? An area populated mainly by young families, for example, will feel very different from one with lots of college and university students.


How convenient is it? Figure out how far you’ll have to travel to do everyday stuff like grocery shopping. Where’s the closest gym? Dry cleaner? Post office? What about parks and recreational facilities? Being close to amenities isn’t important to everyone, but it’s a real day-to-day time saver, and can make the difference in the feel of a neighbourhood; a place where people walk to the store and the library has a very different flavour than an area where people have to drive everywhere they need to go.


Is it a safe place to live? Vandalism and deterrents like “Beware of dog” signs or bars on windows can mean there’s a high crime rate in the area. Keep an eye out for graffiti, too – it could be a sign of gang activity. Check with local police for info about crimes in the area; they’ll also be able to tell you about how active area residents are in terms of crime prevention and community policing.


Are there schools nearby? If you have kids, proximity and quality of schools is a major consideration. Talk with people who live in the area, and call local schools or check online to get test scores and ratings. Figure out exactly where schools are located to see if your kids can walk or if they’ll have to be driven or bussed.


How long will it take to get to work? Do a dry run of your commute in rush hour. Figure out how often buses run past your house or how far you are from a major highway. If you need access to the airport, is it easy to get there by car, bus or taxi?


What are the property values like? Your home is an investment, so it pays to buy in an area where properties will increase in value. Ask your REALTOR® for info on property values in the area for the last 10 years so you can get a sense of how much they have gone up over time.


What’s in store for the area? Development can change the personality of a neighbourhood, and increase taxes and traffic. Look for new construction in the area and check with city hall or the local chamber of commerce for planned housing developments, new facilities, new retailers, etc.


Is it quiet or noisy? Visit the area at different times of day to get a sense of the noise level. A quiet street may be party central once the sun goes down, and an area near a highway may be fine at most times, but noisy at rush hour. Listen for barking dogs, traffic noise, overhead planes, and loud music.


Finding a neighbourhood you like is just as important as living in a home you love. Good neighbour, great amenities, nice schools and cool shops can make or break how you feel about your house or condo. So talk to a REALTOR® who specializes in the area you’re interested in, do your research, and you should be able to find a community that fits your needs and your lifestyle.


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Mortgage: Pre-Qualification Versus Pre-Approval

These two terms are often misused and this may cause some confusion.  It is very important upon beginning the home buying process that you understand the difference; it can mean landing the home of your dreams or losing out because your financing was not in place.


Pre-Qualification can be done quickly in person, over the phone or even online.  It is simply a preliminary gathering of basic financial information to give you an approximate calculation of how much you may be approved for.  You would provide details such as income, assets and liabilities. 


Pre-Approval is a significantly more involved process.  During this process you will be asked to provide in depth information regarding your employment, income, assets and liabilities.  The financial institution will run a credit report and verify all information that you provide, then they review your whole application and either approve or decline it.  The process can be somewhat time consuming, however, it will make the home buying process run much smoother and without delays.  Pre-Approval approves the Buyer’s credit worthiness, however the actual ‘mortgage’ is still subject to the property being approved by the lender.  As you can imagine, there are several benefits to getting pre-approved:

  • You will know exactly how much you can afford and look at appropriately priced options.
  • You will have an advantage if put in a ‘multiple offer’ situation.  Your offer would look much more appealing to the sellers over another offer put in by someone not pre-approved.
  • Pre-approvals (and rates) are valid for up to 120 days.

8 Things To Look For When You Buy
When you fall in love with a home, the things you like about it can blind you to its problems. Next time you go to an open house or tour a property with an agent, keep your eyes open with these top tips:

1. Take a look at general upkeep. Is it clean? Are lawns left uncut? Do walls need paint? If the small stuff hasn’t been taken care of, there’s a good chance that bigger issues have been ignored as well.

2. Test it. Try out lights, faucets, toilets, air conditioning and major appliances.

3. Check for water damage. Look at ceilings and drywall for stains and bulges. Water that works its way in through a leaky roof or a cracked foundation can rot wood, create mildew and destroy possessions.

4. Watch for "spongy" floors. Take note of soft, springy sections, squeaky or uneven areas - these can be a sign that costly floor repairs are needed.

5. Check doors and windows. Make sure they fit snugly in their jambs and operate smoothly. Feel for drafts. Look for flaked paint and loose caulking - if wood isn’t protected from moisture, it will rot.

6. Look at the foundation. If you see deep cracks or loose mortar and bricks, there may be a significant structural problem. Soggy areas near the foundation are also a warning sign.

7. Make sure there’s enough storage space. If you are moving from a home with large closets and a shed, make sure your new house is able to store an equivalent amount of belongings.

8. Measure. Make sure your furniture will fit into your new house.

These tips are for your own first (or second) look at a home. For true peace of mind, you should always hire a certified home inspector before you buy.

 
Protect Yourself With A Home Inspection

That gorgeous house on the corner lot may look great, but it could be hiding all sorts of expensive, annoying problems, from a leaky roof to faulty wiring to a mouldy basement.

Make sure your home is solid and secure inside and out before you buy it. A home inspector will determine structural and mechanical soundness, identify problem areas, provide cost estimates for any work required, and generate a report. It’s a great way to avoid headaches and costly problems that can turn a dream home into a money pit.

If you decide to go ahead and buy a home with issues that have been flagged by your inspector, you can base your offer on how much potential repairs and upgrades may cost.

Home inspection costs range according to size, age and location of the home. Your Royal LePage sales representative can recommend a reputable home inspection service or arrange for an inspector to visit your property.


Understanding Market Conditions

The real estate market is always changing, and it helps to understand how market conditions can affect your position as a buyer. Your agent can provide you with info on current conditions and explain their impact on you.

Buyers’ Market
The supply of homes on the market exceeds demand.

Characteristics

  • High inventory of homes
  • Few buyers compared to availability
  • Homes on the market longer
  • Prices tend to drop

Implications

  • More time to look for a home
  • More negotiating leverage


Sellers’ Market
The number of buyers wanting homes exceeds the supply of homes on the market.

Characteristics

  • Smaller inventory of homes
  • Many buyers
  • Homes sell quickly
  • Prices usually increase

Implications

  • May have to pay more
  • Must make decisions quickly
  • Conditional offers may be rejected


Balanced Market
The number of homes on the market is equal to the number of buyers.

Characteristics

  • Sellers accept reasonable offers
  • Homes sell within an acceptable time period
  • Prices generally stable

Implications

  • More relaxed atmosphere
  • Reasonable number of homes to choose from

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