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Selling your property and buying a new home can be a potentially intimidating experience... so much so that these jitters may even prevent some people from making a move!

 

It doesn't have to be that way.

 

A big part of the stress of selling and buying comes from not understanding the process or having unanswered questions. You might worry about how the state of the market will affect the value of your purchase over the long term or what you would do if you found your dream home before receiving any offers on your current property.

 

That's where a good REALTOR® comes in. He or she can explain the process to you, answer all your questions, and show you how to make your move go smoothly.

 

Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call today.

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BY PHILIP DUMOULIN, HGTV


86538960

 

Resale value is now always considered when a potential buyer is deciding upon a home to purchase. The ongoing debate is always - where is one’s money best spent to increase the value of the home? Budgets play a big part in a renovation and I see too many “all-in” renovations... In other words, homeowners blow their entire budget on one room and neglect the rest of the home. At “for sale” time this can leave a bad taste in a purchaser’s mouth, mainly due to the renovation of the one room having dated the rest of the home even more so. Unless you have an unlimited budget, here are some helpful do’s and don’ts that should assist you when coming to the renovation decision.

 

  1. Never...ever...proceed with a cosmetic renovation when there are structural or plumbing/electrical issues with the home. I know these aren’t sexy fixes but they should always be a priority when doing renovations. Let’s face it, there is nothing worse than redoing your master en suite and then having a roof failure and water damage to the ceiling etc. I’m sure you have heard of the expression “good bones”...make sure you start any renovation with a solid foundation/structure.
  2. The biggest mistake I see in renovations are the disconnects, an example being granite counter tops installed on 40 year old bathroom cabinets. You may consider this an upgrade but to a potential buyer they see this as putting “lipstick on a pig”. If you are trying to sell the bathroom as updated, good luck, no buyer will pay for poor renovations, especially when they have to be completely redone.
  3. On a limited budget? Be smart! – consistent renovations are by far the best bang for your buck. In other words, do some mild updating in all of the rooms. You would be surprised how fresh a home looks with new paint, light fixtures/switches and modern baseboards. In most cases, for the average size home this will cost under 10K but it will most certainly add value when it comes time to re-sell.
  4. Changing a traditional floor plan of a home and creating a more functional one is great for resale. Tearing a wall out can create that “open concept layout” one desires and it doesn’t have to be expensive.
  5. Timeless design – when renovating, choose styles and fixtures that will remain current, what you like may not be appealing to the masses.
  6. The kitchen is always the most expensive room in the house to renovate, so proceed cautiously! It can make or break the resale of the home so choose your layout, design and fixtures with care and hiring a designer for input, wouldn’t be the worst decision one could make.

So remember to always have a plan before starting a renovation. There is nothing worse than a half finished kitchen and no money left in the budget to finish it!

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Can a draft through a window or door cause damage? It can. Damage to your bank account!

 

A single, seemingly minor, draft through a window can increase your energy bill by as much as 3%. In addition, a damp draft can make a room feel colder than it really is, while a dry draft can cause dry throats and skin.

 

So it pays to pay attention to drafts in your home.

 

Drafts are most commonly found at windows and doors, but they can also occur through walls with poor or old insulation.

 

Ideally, a draft should be eliminated through a repair or renovation (such as replacing old windows.) When that's not possible, there are a variety of products available that will help you stop drafts in the short term – such as replacement insulation strips for doors.

 

Visit your local home improvement centre. They can recommend products and solutions that can help your particular issues.

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New Home Purchases

 
 

 

On February 17th, 2012 the Government announced the new housing transitional rules for returning to the PST. Below you will find information, and links to the Canada Revenue Agency's notice with the Q&As on these rules.

 

The housing transition rules help ensure when people buy a newly constructed home under the PST, whether built entirely under the HST, entirely under the PST, or partly under HST and partly under the PST, they will generally all pay a consistent and equitable amount of tax. The transition rules provide certainty for new-home construction and sales, particularly during the transition period.

 

  • B.C.’s portion of the HST will no longer apply to newly built homes where ownership and possession transfer on or after April 1, 2013.
  • While PST will not apply to the purchase of new homes, builders will once again pay seven per cent PST on their building materials. On average, about two per cent of the home’s purchase price will again be embedded PST.
  • The temporary housing transition measures will be in place for two years, until March 31, 2015.
  • A new temporary housing transition tax of two per cent will generally apply to purchasers of new homes where at least 10 per cent of construction has begun before April 1, 2013, and ownership and possession transfer on or after that date.

The temporary housing transition tax and the temporary housing transition rebate for builders will be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency on behalf of B.C.

 

For newly built homes where construction begins before April 1, 2013, but ownership and possession transfer after, purchasers will not pay the seven per cent provincial portion of the HST. Instead, purchasers will pay a transitional provincial tax of two per cent on the full house price. This ensures equitable treatment among purchasers during the transition between HST and PST and will help mitigate distortive market behaviour. Eligible builders who have paid PST on at least some of the construction materials incorporated into the new housing will receive a transition rebate that helps to offset the PST and helps prevent double-taxation on homebuyers.

 

The act covering the temporary housing transition tax and the temporary housing transition rebate comes into effect on December 1, 2012.

 

Under a newly passed regulation, builders are required to provide specific tax-related information to purchasers to ensure a shared understanding of the taxes and rebates that are included in the contracted purchase price and that apply under the transition rules. Builders who fail to disclose the required information may incur a penalty.

 

  • Average amount of embedded sales tax in newly built homes under PST: two per cent.
  • Provincial portion of the HST paid by purchasers on an $850,000-newly built home after HST rebate: two per cent.
  • Temporary provincial transition tax rate on a newly built home during transition: two per cent.


 

The B.C. new housing rebate threshold has been increased to $850,000, meaning more than 90 per cent of newly built homes may now be eligible for a provincial HST rebate of up to $42,500.

 

It is important to note that the HST does not apply to resale housing.

 

Raising the B.C. HST rebate threshold to $850,000 is expected to save purchasers about $60 million in 2012-13.

The maximum value rises to $42,500 from $26,250, a 60 per cent increase.

 

To help support workers and communities in B.C. that depend on residential recreational development, purchasers of new secondary vacation or recreational homes outside the Greater Vancouver and Capital regional districts priced up to $850,000 are now eligible to claim a provincial grant of up to $42,500 effective April 1, 2012. The Province is administering the grant for new secondary vacation and recreational homes.

 

 

Related Links:


Comprehensive CRA Q&A's on the transition tax, transition rebate, and enhanced new housing rebates: Notice 276: Elimination of the HST in British Columbia in 2013 - Transitional Rules for Real Property Including New Housing.

Ministry of Finance Factsheet: New Housing Transition Tax and Rebate Act and Vendor information Requirements

Tax Information Notice: Enhanced New Housing Rebates and Transitional Rules for the Re-implementation of the British Columbia Provincial Sales Tax. This provides a broad overview of the transitional rules for new housing. For final, specific rules, see the New Housing Transition Tax and Rebate Act and the regulation to the act. In case of any discrepancy, the act and regulation supersede the notice.

Grant for New Secondary or Recreational Residences

B.C. HST New Housing Rebate threshold increase

Application for First-Time Home Buyers' Bonus

 

More Information

If you have questions regarding eligibility requirements for the enhanced new housing rebates or new rental housing rebates or about the application of the B.C. transition tax or B.C. transition rebate, please call the Canada Revenue Agency at 1‐800‐959‐8287 (English) and 1‐800‐959‐8296 (French) or go to:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gi/notice276/README.html

http://www.fin.gc.ca/n12/12-017-eng.asp (English)
http://www.fin.gc.ca/n12/12-017-fra.asp (French)

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There is no doubt about it! Even if the weather is relatively pleasant, your home won’t show as well in the winter as it would in the summer, especially from the outside. Fortunately, there are many ways to make your home look more attractive and appealing to buyers during the winter season.

 

First, before showing your home to a potential buyer, clear your front walkway. Make sure fence doors and gates open freely. Also, clear off the backyard deck or patio area. You want buyers to be able to explore around your property without any obstructions.

 

In short, do everything you can to make the experience of walking up to your front door and around your property as pleasant as possible.

 

Second, clear away any boots, shoes and other outerwear from the front foyer. You want buyers to focus on your beautiful home, not a cluttered entranceway. Also, have mats on both the outside and inside of your main entranceway. This will give buyers – as well as you and your family – a chance to wipe their boots and shoes.

 

Next, adjust your thermostat. You want your home to feel warm, cozy and comfortable for potential buyers.

 

Finally, remember that in the winter, homes show much better during the day. In the evening, it may be too dark to fully appreciate your property. So work with your REALTOR® to schedule viewings during the day whenever possible. If you can, also have pictures of your property available that showcase what it looks like in the summer. That takes planning. So if you're even just casually thinking of the possibility of selling your home, take some good "summer" pictures.

 

And one more thing... Ho Ho Hold the Christmas decorations! This falls under the category of clutter and you have to keep in mind that people of other faiths may be viewing your home!

 

Want more advice on how to sell your home in the winter? Call today.

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Home Warranty Insurance

Requirements for New Homes

To increase consumer protection for new home buyers, the Homeowner Protection Act regulations for residential builder licensing and mandatory, third-party home warranty insurance were implemented on July 1, 1999. As a result, all new homes constructed with building permits applied for on or after July 1, 1999 must be built by residential builders licensed with the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) and covered by a policy of home warranty insurance. In geographic areas where building permits are not required, licensing and home warranty insurance is required for new home construction commenced on or after July 1, 1999. Home warranty insurance can only be provided by insurance companies that have been approved by the Financial Institutions Commission (ficom) and meet the requirements of the Homeowner Protection Act. See the HPO’s online guide entitled Guide to Home Warranty Insurance in British Columbia for further information. Standards of coverage, commencement dates, exclusions and limits on coverage are now set by government to ensure clarity and a consistent base-level of consumer protection.

 

Minimum Standards of Coverage Required: 2-5-10

Home warranty insurance on new homes includes a minimum of 2 years on labour and materials (some limits apply), 5 years on the building envelope, including water penetration, and 10 years on structure.

 

The 2-year labour and materials coverage is broken down as follows:

 

Any defect in materials and labour:
• 12 months on detached homes and on noncommon property in strata units (includes fee
simple homes)
• 15 months on common property of strata
buildings


Defects in materials and labour related to the delivery and distribution systems (electrical, plumbing, heating ventilation, air conditioning, etc.):
• 24 months for all buildings.

 

Commencement Dates:

Commencement dates on home warranty insurance are:

 

Fee simple (primarily detached dwelling units):
• Custom homes: date of first occupancy or date of first occupancy permit, whichever transpires first.
• Spec. homes: Date of first occupancy or date of transfer of legal title to first owner, whichever transpires first.


Strata homes:
• Strata unit: earliest of date of first occupancy or date of transfer of legal title to first owner.
• Common property: earliest of date of first-unit occupancy in strata building or date of transfer of legal title to first owner in building

 

Home Warranty Insurance Exclusions

The Homeowner Protection Act regulations specify what the home warranty insurance companies can exclude from their policies.

 

General exclusions can include: landscaping; nonresidential detached structures (however, parking structures, recreational and amenity facilities in multi-unit buildings are covered); commercial use areas; roads, curbs and lanes (however, driveways are covered); site grading and surface drainage; the operation of municipal services; septic tanks and fields; and water quality and quantity.


Defect related exclusions can include: normal wear and tear; normal shrinkage of materials from construction; use of new home for non-residential purposes; materials, labour and design supplied by the owner; damage caused by anyone other than the residential builder; damage caused by insects or rodents; failure of an owner to prevent or minimize damage and acts of nature.


Homeowners can search the HPO’s online Residential Construction Performance Guide to help determine whether a possible defect in design, labour or materials in their new home may be covered by home warranty insurance. Visit the HPO website to view this guide.

 

Limits on Coverage

Coverage on claims is as follows:


Fee simple (primarily detached dwelling units):
• The lesser of the first owner’s purchase price or $200,000.

 

Strata homes:
• Strata unit: lesser of the first owner’s purchase price or $100,000.
• Common property: the lesser $100,000 times the number of dwelling units in the building or $2.5 million per building

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While this article by Barbara Corcoran, who you may recognize as one of the investor's on the tv show Shark Tank, refers to the American housing economy in 2009, it can also be applied to the current housing situation in BC, where sales have slowed considerably. These are great tips that can help you get a good deal in this Buyer's market!

Cash in: Tricks for buying a home at the bottom

Barbara Corcoran shares insider tips to help homebuyers in this market

 

While others argue over whether this really is the bottom, savvy buyers are taking advantage of the best market in years to purchase a home. If you’re an aspiring homeowner, here’s the know-how you need to snatch up a bargain — where to look, what to watch out for, and how to get financing that will make your home-ownership dreams come true. 

 

The best kinds of homes to look for


1. A property with a clear ending! That is, a clear ending when it comes to estates, trusts, divorces and foreclosures.

 

2. A seller in trouble. Sellers who are behind on their property taxes, have a failed business or just need cash.

 

3. A scorned homeowner. Just like a scorned lover, the homeowner had another buyer who just backed out. They will almost always sell the house for even less.

 

4. A shopworn listing. A home that’s been on the market for more than 60 days or a home that’s had numerous or aggressive price drops always signals a good deal to be had.

 

5. A home with an overgrown yard. It always means the homeowner is ready to give up. 

 

6. A vacant home. No one likes to pay a mortgage on an empty house.

 

Some don’ts to keep in mind


7. Don’t go for a short sale unless you have plenty of time. They can drag on and on because of the bidding process and you can end up paying the same money or more, with all the increased costs, repairs and the rise in interest rates, while waiting to close.

 

8. Don’t compromise on what you’re looking for just to get a “good deal.” It’s no deal if it doesn’t meet the criteria you want in your home.

 

Insider tips to spot the seller ready to take a low bid


1. Check the closets. See if the wife’s or husband’s clothes are no longer there.

 

2. Check the tax records. Find out how much the seller owes. You can get the records at the county clerk’s office, and in some municipalities the town records are online.

 

3. Look for give-away words. In advertising, words like “bring offer” or “drastically reduced” mean exactly that.

 

4. Ask your agent to pull the listing history on the house. It includes how many times the home has been listed and what the price reductions have been.

 

5. Let the seller talk! If the sellers are home at the showing, let them talk. Often they’ll say more than they should, like, “We close on our new home next month.”

 

How to get the financing you need as a buyer


1. Order the house appraisal first. The appraisal may come in lower than the price you plan to bid!

 

2. Ask the seller to pay part of your closing costs. It reduces the cash you need up front.

 

3. Ask not-for-profit organizations about financing. They’re good advocates for consumers who otherwise get overlooked or taken advantage of by major banks and mortgage companies. Check out NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corp. of America), NHS (Neighborhood Housing Services) in your part of the country, and ACORN.

 

4. Review your own credit report early. Correct any errors in the report and fix everything possible before you shop for a home.

 

5. Ask for owner financing. Many older homeowners are not buying another home and like the idea of a steady 5 percent return using their old home as collateral.

 

6. Ask for a family contribution. Many parents are very happy to help the first-time homebuyer and their grandchildren secure their first home.

 

7. Prequalify for financing with your lender or mortgage broker before you begin your search. 

 

8. Don’t take no for an answer. If you’re turned down by a local bank, you may still be approved by a national mortgage lender. If you’re turned down by a national lender, you’re often approved by your local bank.

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The living room and dining room are areas of the home where a lot of activities occur, where we entertain guests and hold dinners or parties, and where the family gathers for meals and entertainment. But the bedroom is our private sanctuary, the place where we can retreat for privacy, and where we spend time resting and rejuvenating our tired bodies at night, making sure we are refreshed and ready to face the next day. This is why in home staging, it is also important to freshen up your bedroom and get it ready for buyers.

 

When showing your home to potential buyers, they will check out the bedroom in an attempt to imagine themselves spending a lot of personal time in that intimate space. If they have kids, they would also want the bedroom to be easily adaptable to their children’s interests and age-appropriate hobbies or activities.

 

 

Your bedroom staging plans would depend a lot on your budget as well as the time that can be allotted for major or minor redesigns of the bedroom spaces. It is important to note as well that any investments or purchases you make towards updating your bedroom can either be factored into the price during negotiations, or taken with you to your new home (window treatments, fixtures, furniture).

 

If you have limited resources and time, there are simple tips you can try to make your bedroom look newer, more contemporary, and inviting. Some suggestions include:

 

  • Bursts of colour. Paint is relatively inexpensive and easy to finish, whether you do it yourself or have a professional complete the job. This is especially helpful if some parts of the wall are already peeling or damaged. You can opt for more neutral, subdued hues and pastels if you plan to experiment with bright-collared furniture and window treatments. Alternatively, placing a a couple bright pieces of art to a relatively bare wall can make a huge difference!
  • Rehash the lightingBedroom lighting is ideally not too harsh, but not too dim that people cannot move around comfortably. Affordable light fixtures and dimmers instantly change the ambience and aura of your bedroom; cost-efficiency and environmental sustainability should also be considered. Meanwhile, the right drapes or shades can be installed in the windows to allow the right amount of light and air during the daytime.
  • Freshen up the bedWhen was the last time you bought new beddings or pillows? New linens that fit the overall theme or décor of your bedroom will leave a very good impression in buyers’ minds. New pillows and decorative throw pillows add character to your bed; also, check if the headboard or bedposts need repairs or repainting.
  • Create space. Look around your bedroom and see if there are furniture items that do not need to be there. Should there be two dressers where one is enough? Are there too many lamps that are no longer necessary and just add to the clutter? Keep in mind that when potential buyers look at the bedroom, they are also imagining where their own stuff would go, and they may not be able to see just how much space is in your bedroom if there is too much furniture taking up the space.
  • DE-CLUTTER! Decluttering is the process of reclaiming the space in your house from years of collecting and storing. Don't expect the buyers to ignore all this and imagine your house in its clutter-free state. Buyers sometimes see dozens of houses in one day and their brains are overtaxed. Declutter so the buyers can see your house, not your mess. If you do nothing else to improve the value of your house, at least do this. Remarkably, decluttering is free (it just takes time and elbow grease) yet a lot of sellers don't put enough effort into it!
  • DE-PERSONALIZE! This is very important. You want your buyers to visualize themselves live in your house, not you living in it. Personal artifacts distract so you have to put them away – photographs, souvenirs, trophies, medals and certificates, posters, religious items, and family heirlooms. If you’re a collector, then pack away your collectibles and valuables. Don’t forget your refrigerator’s door as it is one of the most common place to hang cute magnets, memos, postcards and all sorts of personal stuff.
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By Barb Schwarz, Stagedhomes.com

 

This time a year I am often asked by real estate professionals and stagers whether they should stage their client’s homes for sale in a special way for the holidays.

 

My answer? Yes.

 

It’s absolutely essential that we stage according to the season we are in. Here are some suggestions to consider:

 

Keep it warm


The key to staging for the holidays is to keep homes warm and inviting. Prospective home buyers will not take their time to explore the home if they are cold. This is especially important to keep in mind if a property is vacant. I recommend making the investment to keep the home heated during the cold months.

 

Keep it light


This time a year our homes become darker. Therefore, use ample lighting throughout the home.  Make the investment to make sure timers are on in every room.

 

Keep it basic


As you may have heard me share before, how we live in our home is and should be different from how we sell a home. That certainly applies when it comes to holiday decorations. Remember, you want home buyers to see the home, not allow decorations to grab their attention away from envisioning what it would be like to live there.

For the holidays we decorate our homes to celebrate our faith. When staging a home for a sale, my suggestion is to keep the faith-based decorations to a minimum. For example, you might choose to display a Christmas tree, a nice wreath on the door, and a centerpiece on the table.

 

Keep it clean


In one way, staging a home during the holidays is no different from any other time a year. It is always important and essential to keep a home clean and free from clutter. Keeping it clean can be more difficult during the holiday season. Snow and rain may cause your home to quickly look untidy during a showing.

 

Keep it neat outside


“If you can’t see it, you can’t sell it.” Truth is, we start selling a home before the home buyer enters the home. It is important to look at what greets the visitors from the curb. This time a year, there are snow, branches and leaves that can turn the focus away from even the most beautiful home. Is the home easily visible from the street? Is it well-lit? Is the driveway clear of snow? Once you have cleared the area in front of the home, you may want to add colors by putting a pot of colorful flowers outside and maybe invest in lights.

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Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Market Update

 

Greater Vancouver residential property sale and listing activity below 10-year averages in November

Over the past six months, the Greater Vancouver housing market has seen a reduction in the number of homes listed for sale, a gradual moderation in home prices and a decrease in property sales compared to historical averages.


The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties reached 1,686 on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in November, a 28.6 per cent decline compared to the 2,360 sales in November 2011 and a 12.7 per cent decline compared to the 1,931 home sales in October 2012. November sales were 30.3 per cent below the 10-year November sales average of 2,420.


“Home sellers appear more inclined to remove their properties from the market today rather than lower prices to sell their properties. On the other hand, buyers appear to be expecting prices to moderate,” Eugen Klein, REBGV president said.
 
New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 2,758 in November. This represents a 14.4 per cent decline compared to November 2011 when 3,222 properties were listed for sale on the MLS® and a 36.2 per cent decline compared to the 4,323 new listings in October 2012. 
New listings were 12.9 per cent below the 10-year November average of 3,168. At 15,689, the total number of residential property listings on the MLS® increased 13 per cent from this time last year and declined 9.7 per cent compared to October 2012. Total listings in the region have declined by nearly 3,000 properties since reaching a peak of 18,493 in June. The region’s sales-to-active-listings ratio was unchanged from October at 11 per cent.

 

“Home prices in Greater Vancouver have generally declined between three and five and a half per cent, depending on property type, since reaching a peak six months ago,” Klein said. “Changes in home prices vary per municipality and neighbourhood. It’s good to check local market statistics with your REALTOR®.”


Since reaching a peak in May of $625,100, the MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has declined 4.5 per cent to $596,900. This represents a 1.7 per cent decline when we compared to this time last year.


Sales of detached properties in Greater Vancouver reached 629 in November, a decrease of 31.3 per cent from the 916 detached sales recorded in November 2011, and a 40.1 per cent decrease from the 1,050 units sold in November 2010. Since reaching a peak in May, the benchmark price for a detached property in Greater Vancouver has declined 5.5 per cent to $914,500.


Sales of apartment properties reached 750 in November 2012, a 25 per cent decrease compared to the 1,000 sales in November 2011, and a decrease of 28.7 per cent compared to the 1,052 sales in November 2010. Since reaching a peak in May, the benchmark price for an apartment property in Greater Vancouver has declined 3.9 per cent to $364,900.


Attached property sales in November 2012 totalled 307, a 30.9 per cent decrease compared to the 444 sales in November 2011, and a 24.6 per cent decrease from the 407 attached properties sold in November 2010. Since reaching a peak in April, the benchmark price for an attached property in Greater Vancouver has declined 3.6 per cent to $454,300.


Feature Facts:

  • Of the 15,689 homes currently for sale on the MLS® in Greater Vancouver, 49.6 per cent are listed for $600,000 or less. Of those, 1,321 are detached properties, 5,039 are condominiums and 1,419 are townhomes.
  • Of the 1,686 homes that sold in Greater Vancouver in November, 273 (16%) sold for $1 million or more.

 

Macdonald Realty Market Update

With the Fall Market in full swing, it is important to know that not all agents and not all real estate companies are created equal. When hiring a professional to sell your home, take the time to ask them what their sales model is to ensure that it meshes with your goals.

 

Below, I outline what the Macdonald Realty Model entails:

 

The Macdonald Realty Model


For most people, their home represents the single largest investment that they will ever make. In addition, the government encourages home-ownership by making principle residences one of the few investment vehicles on which CRA does not tax capital gains. Because of this, it is important for owners to make an informed decision about how they sell their home.

 

Macdonald Realty has prided itself as being a full-service real estate company since 1944, but what does that mean? Macdonald Realty's full service model means taking a client by-the-hand and guiding them through the process of Evaluation, Marketing, Negotiation, Completion, and Post-Completion to ensure that they receive the best price and conditions for their home, with as little inconvenience as possible, while limiting financial and legal risk.

 

1. Evaluation


A Macdonald Realtor will provide you with a comparative market analysis (CMA) that outlines the strengths and weaknesses of your home, along with the current market conditions, including both recent sales and current listings, so that you may make an educated choice when it comes to pricing. Pricing is an art, and along with this information, your Macdonald Realty agent, as a full-service professional, will be able to explain who the target market is and how to maximize value. Do you price low to attract a competitive offer situation or at market value to ensure you only work with motivated buyers? Perhaps you price high to leave yourself room to negotiate?

 

2. Marketing


Effective marketing is crucial to ensure you get the best price for your home. Marketing doesn't stop at placing a sign on the lawn and posting your house on MLS. A Macdonald Realtor, in consultation with the client, can provide a market analysis and property review to give you suggestions on how you can effectively improve the appearance of your home. In addition, he/she will respond to buyer/realtor inquiries, conduct open houses, qualify buyers for private showings, utilize the Macdonald Realty creative marketing department to create high-quality marketing materials, provide an online presence on Macrealty.com and other channels, utilize print advertising and social media tools, and leverage company programs and affiliations like Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the world's largest residential real estate network with over 140,000 affiliate agents worldwide.

 

Your Macdonald Realty agent will also perform legal tasks like checking title, securing strata documents, and assisting with the property disclosure statement so that your legal and financial interests are fully protected.

 

3. Negotiation


A Macdonald Realtor has been trained to provide advice and guidance throughout this process to ensure that you protect your own interests while maximizing the value for your home. It is important to have a great negotiator on your side and Macdonald Realty has over 350 years of collective managerial experience for our agents to draw upon should a unique situation arise.


Once the deal is accepted, a Macdonald Realty agent will work hard to resolve any issues which may come up before the deal goes firm. If, for any reason, a problem should arise, our agents have the backing of a full-service real estate company to support them. Many times, financing and tenancy issues can be resolved in-house. In instances where they cannot, your agent will be able to assist you in the renegotiation process to maximize your chances of the deal staying on track.

 

4. Completion Services


Once the deal is near completion, a Macdonald Realtor will work to ensure that all required legal documentation is transmitted to their respective legal and governmental bodies. Your agent will assist with solving last minute problems, and possession will be arranged. This is a stressful time and it's important that all closing issues are dealt with efficiently to ensure a smooth transfer.

 

5. Post-Completion


Your Macdonald Realtor's job is not over even though the deal has completed. He/she is still responsible for smoothing over any post-completion issues and being the primary communications conduit between the buyer and seller. In addition, he/she can be called upon to provide any advice with respect to settlement services, trades, and/or troubleshooting that may be required. Being a full-service professional, your Macdonald Realtor will have the answer for you, or know where to get it.


Macdonald Realty believes its model is the best way of protecting the interests of buyers and sellers. With our system, agents only get paid if a buyer and seller agree on the sale of a property. In other words, with Macdonald's business philosophy, our agents are rewarded on performance.

 

Macdonald Realty and its agents invest hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in training, education, market research, program development and agent support to ensure we have the necessary skills to provide our clients with the best service in the industry. Our agents are effective negotiators, knowledgeable professionals, effective marketers, and educated advisors.

 

For an Infographic on the home BUYING process, click here. And visit our Facebook page to see the most recent stats on your neighbourhood.

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Reciprocity Logo The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.