When it comes to deciding where to buy a house, one of the smartest tips is this: buy in an area you know.
Introduction
The real estate market is still pretty strong in most parts of the country, and even a slight slowdown can’t stop people from continuing to buy property. But with the exciting and profitable experience of investing in a house, buying a house in an area you know might be your best bet.
Invest in a place where you’ve done your research
When you’re buying a home, there are many factors to consider. You need to do research before you make an offer on any property. Being aware of the neighborhood is important, but there are also other things to keep in mind when determining what kind of house you want to buy:
- Know the market.
- Know the house itself for sale and its condition (or potential for renovation).
- Know about taxes, utilities, and other expenses that come with owning a home like that one.
There are three areas to know to make a smart decision, you need to know the neighborhood and market. You also need to know the house itself.
The Neighborhood
The neighborhood is where you live and play, so it’s important to get the right feel for your surroundings. Do you like the vibe? Are there any problems with crime or traffic? Is it easy to get around? How about schools or shopping nearby? The answers will help you decide if this is where you want to live for years to come.
The Market
A market is an area that has certain characteristics like size, age of residents, housing prices, and inventory as well as other features such as employment opportunities and amenities like open space that attract people who want those things in their community. A hot market might have low inventory because people can’t find what they’re looking for; maybe it’s because older folks are downsizing after raising families so there are lots of smaller homes on sale but few larger ones available. It could be because younger buyers are seeking out smaller communities where they can enjoy living near nature while still having access to services and entertainment options within minutes instead of hours away by car or bus or train.
The neighborhood
Before you buy a home, it’s important to know the area well. Get out on foot and meet your neighbors; talk to them about what they like (and don’t like) about the neighborhood. They can be your best resource in determining whether or not this is a good place for you to live.
The first thing you should ask yourself when looking at neighborhoods is this: Is it safe? You want kids running around outside playing on the sidewalks and streets— Look up crime statistics online if possible so that you can get an idea of how safe each neighborhood is before deciding where to buy.
If there are amenities nearby, such as parks with playgrounds, grocery stores/pharmacies that are open late at night or early in the morning, restaurants within walking distance from where most people live (or driving distance), public transportation options nearby (buses/trains), etc., then those will be important considerations too—especially if children live in those homes!
The market
The market is the supply and demand of a particular area.
The market is always changing, so it’s difficult to predict what will happen in the future. There are several factors that contribute to the movement of the market:
- Supply and demand
- Interest rates (which can be affected by Federal policies)
- Economy
The house itself
The house itself:
- It should be in good shape, both structurally and cosmetically.
- It should be located in a safe neighborhood with good schools and good neighbors.
Know the area before you close on the house
As you make your home buying decision, it’s important to know the area and all of its pros and cons. You can start by asking yourself some pointed questions:
- Do I want a big house in a quiet neighborhood, or do I want something smaller with less crime?
- How much maintenance will my new house need? How much time can I devote to maintaining it? Will this monthly task be too much for me?
- Does the school district have good reputation among local parents?
Conclusion
This is one of the most important things to do in order to make money from your investment. If you are buying a home with the hope of reselling it for a higher price in the future, then you need to make sure that you know exactly what it’s worth before choosing an area or making any decisions at all about where or when.
For more information about buying a house in Burnaby call Geoff Jarman at 604-313-7280
For more information on Geoff Jarman and his services click here
Learn more about Burnaby here!
Ideas for Staging Your House
There are a lot of things to consider when you decide to sell your home. Proper staging is one of the most important. Your REALTOR® must have expertise in “staging” a home that emphasizes its strengths and improves its weaknesses to entice potential buyers when viewing your home. Home staging is the best way to make a dramatic impact without the Seller spending a lot of money! Contact Geoff to find out more.
When your home is attractive and welcoming, potential buyers are more likely to check it out. It’s also important to keep in mind what time of year you’re listing your house for sale. Regardless of the time of year, there are several ways to make your house more desirable to potential buyers. Continue reading to find out how!
source: Unsplash
What to Remember When Staging Your Home
Before staging your home, it’s important to discuss the improvements with your REALTOR® and to think about what you’ll be selling. Be honest with yourself and decide what you want. Do you want a lot of people coming in to see it? Or do you want to sell quickly for a certain price point? If the latter, then maybe less is more when it comes to staging. However, if you’re looking for buyers to come through your home and shop around, then designating a “showroom” space with furniture and decor will draw them in.
Ideas for Staging Your House in Summer
source: Unsplash
For summer staging, the goal is to make it look as airy and inviting as possible. Taking down or covering up any heavy curtains, including window treatments and drapes, is the best way to accomplish this. By doing this, you’ll be able to let more light into the room, making your house feel brighter and more spacious.
The other way you can stage your home for summertime is by rearranging furniture. Moving furniture from one room to another gives a new look and feel to rooms that may have felt over-cluttered or too “lived-in” before. It also makes new spaces feel more accessible and welcoming. For example, by moving a coffee table from the living room to an unused bedroom, you could open up additional living room space.
In every season cleaning is necessary during staging so don’t forget to clean thoroughly! Vacuuming surfaces like baseboards, windowsills and door casings are all essential. If this doesn’t spruce up the house, then you are ready to put on a fresh coat of paint.
Ideas for Staging Your Home in Fall
source: Unsplash
If you’re preparing to sell your home this fall, the following tips should be helpful.
- Having a warm color scheme can help create a cozy atmosphere for potential buyers. Think about adding a few shades of yellow and orange to your walls and using warm colors for your area rug and sheers. This will make your home feel more welcoming and inviting during the chilly months.
- Choose neutral furnishings that are easy to pack up and move when needed. By choosing these types of furniture, you’ll be able to avoid expensive moving fees if need be. Don’t forget to include any small items such as lamps and picture frames, so they won’t look out of place when you remove them from the walls. Place seasonal flowers in vases or bowls on empty surfaces, such as tables and countertops, throughout the house to add a touch of freshness without adding clutter.
- Clean, organize and declutter every room before showing it. This is particularly important in rooms that guests might not often see, such as closets and bathrooms. Clean and tidy spaces are more appealing than cluttered ones that contain items that are no longer needed or used.
- Prepare the garden and yard for winter. Store the summer toys and furniture.
- All seasons, avoid having pets in the house until a potential buyer expresses interest, so they don’t scare away buyers who have allergies or phobias about animals.
Ideas for Staging Your Home in Winter
source: Unsplash
Buyers are less likely to come by to see your home in the winter, so it’s important to make a good first impression and draw in potential buyers. Here are some tips on how you can stage your house for winter.
- Keep your house warm. A cold home will deter many buyers and make them think twice about coming inside. This is especially important when showing your home during the colder months of November, December, and January. You’ll want to turn up the heat and keep any other drafty areas of your home closed off so that it stays warmer inside.
- Turning on all the lights, and opening all the window treatments makes a home feel brighter and more spacious
- Add holiday décor to the house. A bit of festive decor will show potential buyers that you’re committed to making this property home for their family or their business. You can also use Christmas trees, wreaths, evergreen boughs, ornaments, lights, etc. Anything that shows life and happiness in the home will entice people to get out of their car and come inside!
- Decorate with fireplaces or fire pits outside. Turning on your fireplaces adds to the warmth, plus has an emotional aesthetic appeal. Winter months bring plenty of opportunities for outdoor social gatherings with friends, family members, or even prospective buyers! Decorating your yard with a cozy fire pit will leave an indelible impression on all who pass by!
- Deck out the windows with lights outside. Even if you don’t have any outdoor décor going on outside yet (because it’s still too early for those!), decking out windows with lights will attract the attention of visitors.
Ideas for Staging Your House in Spring
source: Unsplash
Spring is the ideal time to get your home ready for sale. It’s not too cold, but there are flowers blooming and a little rain that will make your house look even better. If required, Burnaby’s local nurseries have a good selection of cooler weather plants like pansies and primroses to add colour to your gardens or planters at your front door.
You should consider these steps at this time of year:
- Clean up the front yard and make it as green as you can.
- Trim any bushes near the house.
- Wash your balconies, patios, and decks
- Place indoor furniture outside on the front porch or curbside to make your home more inviting to buyers.
- Turn on your lights inside and outside at night to display your house’s best features!
Conclusion
source: Unsplash
It can be difficult to stage your house to sell. There are lots of ways to prepare your house for sale, and the process does not have to be complicated or costly.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare your home for sale:
- Think about how you want your home to appear from the outside. It is important for people to be able to see the potential of the interior, but do not forget to leave room for a driveway and a yard.
- Please don’t overthink staging. Just add fresh flowers, a few decorative plants, and some bright colors and you’ve got yourself a great-looking home.
- Don’t forget to clean thoroughly during staging, as it is always necessary.
- Declutter your home! And if you do not know how to tackle decluttering, Geoff has a referral for you!
- You don’t have to make everything perfect. The key to making your home comfortable and inviting is to embrace your style!
- Get an honest opinion on the house by taking a 360-degree tour with a REALTOR®, a friend, or a family member. This is the best way to obtain an objective opinion.
- Keep in mind that it’s just as important to stage the rooms that people won’t see as it is to stage the ones they will see.
- Don’t get frustrated if you’re not completely satisfied with your staging efforts. Staging isn’t easy.
- Contact Geoff at 604-313-7280 and find out how he can help you stage your home, so it is ready to list
Here is the list of the staging professionals:
- Rowena for Decluttering 604 520 9550
- Painter Nathan: 604 341 0570
- Jeff for carpet cleaning 604 240 7787
- Victor from Phoenix flooring 778 865 1756
Nurseries in Burnaby:
