Buying and Selling with the Same Realtor?

Absolutely! Especially if you’re remaining in the same community. Your REALTOR® is already an expert on your needs, so it will save you a lot of time and energy.

Selecting a REALTOR®

There are lots of ways to find a REALTOR®. As you drive through prospective neighbourhoods, jot down the names and numbers of REALTORS® on the For Sale signs. Open Houses are a great way to meet face-to-face. Maybe friends or family members have a REALTOR® they love. Interview two or three and pick the one you think will be your best “business” partner.

How REALTORS® help buyers like you

Review your list of wants and needs to help you determine your price range.
Answer questions about the markets you’re interested in and help you compare homes and neighbourhoods.
Use the local Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®). The MLS® is the single most powerful tool for buying or selling a home. Your REALTOR® will give you access to exclusive features of the MLS® system that the public is not privy to.
Preview properties to ensure you’re only shown homes that meet your needs and budget.
Make appointments and walk you through potential homes, answering all your questions.
Give up-to-the-minute information on financing and explain your mortgage options.
Negotiate with the seller, smooth out any potential conflicts and draw up a legally binding contract.

Agency Relationships Explained

The relationship between a real estate brokerage and a client is called “Agency”, and there are three kinds:Seller (Vendor) Agency
The real estate brokerage and all its REALTORS® represent the seller exclusively and it’s their job to get the best offer on the home. They are legally obliged to tell the seller anything known about a buyer. For instance, if a seller’s REALTOR® knows a buyer will pay more for a property, they must tell the seller.

Buyer (Purchaser) Agency
The real estate brokerage and all its REALTORS® represent the buyer exclusively. They seek out homes that meet the buyer’s needs and help assess the merits and defects of potential homes. They keep the buyer’s information confidential and never disclose information like the maximum amount their buyer is willing to pay.

You may be asked by your REALTOR® to sign a buyer agency agreement. In fact, in some provinces, REALTORS® are required to ask you – for your own protection. This agreement ensures that the REALTOR® and the brokerage can look after your best interests, and helps clarify who is responsible for what.

Dual Agency
Sometimes, a brokerage may have an agency relationship with the buyer and the seller. Both the seller and the buyer must give their informed consent, and the REALTOR® must always provide full and timely disclosure of all pertinent information to both parties.

What Makes Similar Homes More Expensive In Different Locations

There seems to be confusion when it comes to the value of some homes as apposed to others.
How can a 1200sq. foot home in Toronto be of the same value as a 3500 sq. foot house in Mississauga and the lot in Mississauga is 60ft X 120.
The Toronto home boarders unto the sidewalk.
The answer is that old standard Location ,Location ,Location.
The closer to the city you get the higher the price goes and your purchasing power decreases.
One question you should ask yourself is , do I need to be close to the city and live in limited space or do I want to shovel tons of snow cut grass and spend a couple of hours in rush hour traffic. As you see there is a sacrifice to each choice you may make.
Cheaper living in the “burbs` is not really cheaper at all the extra driving, cost of fuel, insurance and perhaps an additional vehicle for the wife to get around .
The decision you make either way comes at a cost.

Making sure you are READY TO BUY

If you’re thinking of buying a home, you’ve come to the right place. This web site can turn you into a house-hunting master. But before we jump right in, you have to make sure three things are ready. You, your bank account, and the real estate market.

Are you ready? Be sure

Few joys can match the pride of owning the roof over your head, but you will have to make some sacrifices. There’s the obvious financial responsibility, but your home will also require constant care. That’s what real pride of ownership is all about.

Is your bank account ready? Check it twice

Your first home will be the biggest financial obligation you’ve ever faced. You should already be an experienced saver, and good at managing debt like student loans or credit cards. Ideally, you’ve also saved up some money for a down payment. Our next step will give you a crystal clear picture about How much you can afford.

Is now a good time to buy? Here’s the hottest market tip you’ll ever get

Markets go up, markets go down and even the smartest experts can’t accurately predict when a market will peak or bottom out. If you’re buying a home as a long-term investment (and for long-term enjoyment), you should be protected from short-term changes in the market. Over time, real estate has almost always increased in value.

All you have to do is pick a home that meets the needs of you and your family. Then you’ll enjoy living in your investment as it grows in value. A home is one of the best financial decisions you can make. If you’re trying to compare what’s the better investment, a home or equities and the stock market – remember, it’s tough to live in a stock portfolio!

Why Organic Lawn Care?

Organic lawn care and gardening begins with a commitment to the environment. Habitat fragmentation is occurring all over Canada, especially around cities, and even in farming communities. Discontinuous land use breaks up large blocks of habitat such as forests, grasslands, and marshes. Subdivisions, roads and fences are being built at a fast rate. The survival of many plants and animals are threatened. Exotic plants have escaped into the wild, threatening native species. Introduced insects such as the imported fire ant have altered entire ecosystems by preying on native microbes, insects, and the young of small animals. A more organic approach to landscape design and gardening is in order. It is no longer a fad!Private residences and other developed properties hold a great potential for restoring quality, quantity, and richness of the plant and wildlife habitat that has been displaced. By maintaining a healthy habitat in our yards, we create healthier living. Plants in richly vegetated spaces absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, thus renewing our air supply. Plant foliage captures dust and other pollutants, purifying the air we breathe. Vegetated areas aid in erosion and soil conservation. Plant roots hold soils in place, while plants impede water runoff.

A diverse landscape containing many species of plants not only supports an abundance of wildlife, it is also less prone to large scale devastation from insect pests or diseases.