So you’ve signed the loan agreement and officially bought the house.

Congratulations!

But while you’ve got a lot to celebrate, there’s still one more hurdle standing between you and the house of your dreams:

You have to figure out the logistics of your move. 

What steps can you take to simplify the process? Is there anything you can do to make moving your entire house a smoother experience?

Here are four of our best tips for preparing for your move.

Tip #1: Make a Moving Inventory

One of the things most people don’t realize about moving is that the relocation effort is almost always going to be a lot more chaotic than expected.

For starters, there are going to be tons of boxes. There’s always junk, clothes you don’t wear that often, and a bunch of additional items that you don’t remember buying.

And that’s before we start talking about the difficulties of packing up and transporting a heavy-duty coffeemaker without the original packaging.

A moving checklist and inventory allow you to keep making progress while avoiding that whole “What should I do next with this moving day deadline approaching?” feeling that can sometimes creep up when you know you’ve got more to do but you can’t remember what. Your list will let you know exactly what you should be doing and it’ll free you up to pursue your goals accordingly.

Tip #2: Orient Yourself Financially

Homeownership is a major step for multiple reasons: 

You have tons of independence, the pursuit of the homeowning dream, and the ability to point to your personal castle and say “I own this.”.

That means a lot at the end of the day.

But for all the perks that come with ditching the landlord-tenant relationship and saying goodbye to following the rules set by the condo board, there are also major responsibilities.

Owning a house costs a lot of money.

Stovetops and microwaves will need to be upgraded and replaced. There are no guarantees that the furnace won’t need replacing within the next ten years. And then there are all the property taxes that you’ll be receiving in your mailbox every 12 months.

In 2018, the average net saving for all Canadian households was $852. Even if you’ve already had your mortgage approved, giving yourself a financial tuneup can only help. Steps like taking care to download your credit report every once in a while or to check and see if your credit accounts are actually working for you can do a lot to simplify the financial changes that come with being a homeowner. 

Tip #3: Figure out Your First Day Must-Haves

There’s nothing worse than moving into a new house only to find out that things just aren’t set up the way you need them to be. Maybe the internet won’t be hooked up for a few days even though you work from home. Or maybe you’re moving with small children or pets but your baby gate won’t fit your new staircase. 

A key part of reducing moving day stress is knowing what’s needed to hit the ground running. When you’re able to focus on unpacking without worrying about the safety of your kids or what you’re going to do for work hovering in the background, it becomes a lot easier to focus on settling in. 

Tip #4: Hoard Moving Supplies . . . and Then Hoard Some More

Even when you’ve done what’s necessary to be organized, a funny thing often happens when you’re moving:

The moving supplies always run out. There’s always one more item that you forgot to pack or a set of valuables that needed way more bubble wrap than you anticipated. That’s why it’s generally a good idea to buy more boxes, more tape, and more staples than you think you’ll need . . . and then buy a few more for good measure.

It’s often possible to return unused materials. But if your future self is packing up the night before the move and you find yourself running low on boxes, you’ll be glad that you grabbed those extra supplies.

Conclusion 

Moving into a new house is the type of project that can make you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of endless tasks. On a very real level, there’s a lot to like about being a homeowner. But to turn that house into a home, you have to deal with the whole process of actually relocating. 

Thankfully, with the help of the tips we’ve just given you, planning and pulling off your move has the potential to become a lot easier.

Written by: Adriane Thompson, Finance Writer& Blogger

Marketing plays a key role in generating interest in a property.  That’s why you need an agent that thinks outside the box.

Tada!! Click on the link 20 Daly Avenue to see this beautiful condo for sale on Daly Avenue. It will not dissapoint!

Enjoy use of the sprawling backyard, complete with lounge seating, an eating area and loads of green space.

Short-term rentals: $2,500 / month

Virtual Tour

A great update presented to Realtors on Stage 1 and 2 of Ottawa new LRT, as well as real estate impacts and developments.

Check it out here, LRT Update 2018

Why do you need a storyteller?

Every home has a story – how it is shared makes a difference.

Most homes have a great story -

• Mom and Dad bought this home 40 years ago, and raised their 4 kids here and now have the joy of watching their grandchildren run around the same yard, splash in the same bathtub.
• This log home was built on an old homestead and remodeled to its former glory.

Maybe your home doesn’t have a long rich history, but having a Realtor who is an excellent storytelling is an important step in marketing your home.

I will find out as much as I can about your home, the builder, the finishes, the neighbourhood – absolutely anything that will help me tell the story of your home, and make it more appealing to the most amount of buyers possible.

For the same reason as staging your home helps buyers to picture themselves in your home, a great story draws the buyer in. Giving them a connection to the home that may be important to their decision-making process.

]]> http://maureenyates.com/2018/01/17/im-a-storyteller/feed/ 0 http://maureenyates.com/2018/01/11/pay-the-best-price-for-your-new-home/ http://maureenyates.com/2018/01/11/pay-the-best-price-for-your-new-home/#comments Thu, 11 Jan 2018 18:31:58 +0000 http://ezddf.com/maureenyates/?p=13686

There is very rarely a time when you want to pay too much for a product or service. In fact, I’m having trouble thinking of a time that I would be happy to overpay for something.

Let alone, a new home.

It’s natural that a Buyer will to want to pay the lowest price for the best house. And, it’s expected that a Seller will want to get the most amount of money for their home. How do we find the magic number that satisfies both Buyer and Seller? Generally, it’s a bit of a compromise, and each side has to give a little.

Of course, there are sometimes exceptions to this “rule” –  you might find yourself in a Buyer’s Market, or a Seller’s Market – which inevitably affects the outcome of the home buying process.

How do you know if you are in a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market?

If you are buying or selling a home and find there is is an abundance of homes to choose from, with fewer instances of multiple offers, fewer showings – you are probably in a Buyer’s Market. Homes spend longer on the market, and might sell for under the asking price. This is the result of less demand for more product. The Buyer’s hold more power in this case.

If you are buying or selling a home and find there is are less homes to choose from, many buyer’s visiting homes, more homes being sold in multiple offers – you are probably in a Seller’s Market. Homes sell quickly, and will usually sell for at least the asking price, if not more. This is the result of more demand, for less product. The Seller’s hold more power in this case. 

We can’t forget about a Balanced Market – there is equal demand for the product available.

How do we settle on the right number?

There is a bit of an art to it – knowing what kind of market we are in does help, however an in depth knowledge of the area and sales history for the home and neighbourhood in which you hope to buy or sell is very important.

I will look for any number of things when settling on the right price for a home. Anything from the size of the home, to neighbourhood features, to walkability.

My goal, as your Realtor, is to make sure that you are buying or selling your home at the absolute best number possible. Let’s talk more about how that can happen.

Have you ever been driving down the street and noticed a “For Sale” sign with SOLD plastered across it, that seemed to pop up out of nowhere?

Spoken with a friend who just bought the BEST house that you never even saw come on the market?

There are many reasons why you might miss a home that’s come to the market – but I want to make sure you don’t miss a single potential home! That’s why I spend my days visiting homes, searching Realtor.ca, finding exclusive listings that are listed by owners, writing offers and researching market trends.

By knowing your wants and needs, I will be able to weed through all the homes that are on the market, and those that haven’t yet made it to market to find you the best home possible.

Having me as a personal shopper is nothing but beneficial! It’s just one of the many ways that I will help as your Realtor!

From before our first meeting to after the closing of your new purchase, I am always working to find you the best house, the best deal, and the best terms – and then, to make sure that your new home stays in the best shape, and maintains it’s value.

How do I find you the best house? While Realtor.ca is a great place to look for your next home, a Realtor will go beyond that and use their connections with other Realtors, past clients, and business contacts to find a home that will be the perfect fit for you.

How do I find the best deal? There is more to consider than just the kitchen finishes and the number of bedrooms. While you like the house itself, there are other factors to take into account and a Realtor will know how each of these factors affects the value of the home, making sure you get the best price.

How do I get the best terms? How do you know which terms and conditions should you include in your offer, and then how do we get the other side to agree to our terms? Realtors know what should be included in your offer and how best to present it to the other side. And, if there are any special or unusual terms to be included, we will write them and consult with lawyers if needed.

Now, you’ve bought the house! How does your Realtor help you after the deal is closed and you are enjoying your beautiful new home?

How do I help keep your new home in the best shape? Realtors are constantly making new contacts with contractors: flooring experts, plumbers, electricians, etc. We are always happy to refer one of our many connections to you.

How do I help you maintain the value of your home? As the years go on, and you’ve been enjoying your home, it’s important to do regular maintenance and updates. Asking your Realtor for their opinion on upgrades to your home can be very helpful in the long run as we can provide insight on what buyers are looking for, and how those updates will affect the long-term value.

This is just a handful of the ways that a Realtor will help you throughout your home buying journey. The list of possibilities is endless, and as your #ConciergeForRealEstate, the list is always growing. Ask me how I can help!