How to Take the Best Pictures of Your Home.

Get a good, high-resolution digital camera.Sure, those take-n-toss cameras are cheap and easy, but this task requires a camera with a good flash and different settings to truly capture the essence of a room, no matter what its lighting situation is. Digital cameras are convenient so you may go back and retake the picture as many times as necessary to nail that perfect shot. With a digicam you can quite easily see what you are taking a picture of via the display on the back, whereas a disposable camera will leave you, basically, in the dark. Since most of your photos will likely end up on the web for potential buyers to view, resolution is important. Digicams offer different resolution sizes to take the pictures in. This comes in handy if the pictures need to be scaled down–high resolution pictures will not lose their details or crispness this way. Another point of ease: simply take out the storage card in the digital camera and your Real Estate agent can download your pictures directly from it.

Tidy up the house.When people are looking at pictures of your home, they are envisioning themselves and their family inside of it. They are trying to picture where their furniture will go, and admire the character different rooms offer. When they see your mess, not only is it unprofessional, but the person viewing the photos will go through them that much quicker so they don’t have to see it. This is crucial for rooms that have exceptional features that need to have attention drawn to them–not your personal things lying about. This rule also applies to people; make sure everyone moves out of the pictures completely.

Take photos of the house’s best features. When taking pictures of the outside of the house. Make sure you get a wide shot of the house and yard from the front and from the back. Take photos of good selling points such as garages, shops, porches or water features. It’s really tempting to just point and shoot at the standard rooms in the house, but remember: every house has bedrooms and a dining room and a living room. It’s important to get those shots too, but if your home has exposed beams or wrought iron detailing or fantastic custom tile, be sure to get some snapshots of these things as well. That stained glass window in the stairwell could be just what someone was looking for!Yard shots are also important for the people that have children and pets. Don’t neglect the pool, or that big shade tree in the front of your house. Potential buyers want to know how much property they’re going to have, or if they’ll have to trim hedges, mow lawns, and pay for sprinklers to water the yard. Don’t accidentally mislead the public!

If you don’t think you’re up to the task, get a professional.Most real estate agents are more than glad to take photos of your home if you don’t feel your capabilities as a photographer are all that commendable. In fact, there are probably a lot of folks out there that would rather not have to deal with the hassle and simply want to sell their house as quickly as possible. Just keep in mind when entrusting this task to someone else that they haven’t lived in your house and don’t know its special characteristics as well as you do. Going around with them and pointing out the house’s key features is recommended.

 

Sasktoon Real Estate Review for 2011

Saskatoon MLS Statistics for Jan 1st – Dec 31st, 2011
Houses Listed 7,051
Houses Sold 4,027
Avg Selling Price $309,835
Avg Selling Price on Dec.31st $296,378
Avg Sell Price Increase +4.5%
Avg Days to Sell 39

 

Avg Sale Price Changes in Saskatoon by Area
Area 1 (East of Circle Drive) +4.4%  from $328,976 to $343,470
Area 2 (Eastside between river an Circle Dr) +1.9%  from $317,807 to $324,004
Area 3 (North End and Downtown) +5.1%  from $285,331 to $299,915
Area 4 (Between Idywyld and Circle Dr West) +4.5%  from $191,565 to $200,243
Area 5 (West of Circle Dr) +7.9%  from $274,274 to $296,056
Area 6-9 (Rural) +8.7% from $257,426 to $279,861

8 Common Hot Tub Questions

With winter here, many clients ask us about hot tubs for their homes. We have complied the 8 most common questions about hot tubs.

Will a hot tub increase the value of my property?

It may and it may not, it depends on where you are located and the type of property you are selling. However the most reliable answer would be no. Most people see hot tubs as an added expense, and to be high maintenance.

What is the difference between a hot tub, spa, whirlpool and Jacuzzi®?

A hot tub is an open-topped tank filled with circulated, filtered and chemically treated water. A hot tub is considered portable, as it is a totally self-contained unit that is typically found outdoors. On average, the water in a hot tub is drained once a quarter for regular maintenance purposes. A spa typically refers to an in-ground unit that is constructed on-site, and is most often part of a pool/spa combination. A whirlpool tub is commonly found indoors in the master bathroom or in other indoor facilities. Whirlpool tubs are filled and drained after each use and are not chemically treated. Jacuzzi® is a brand name that describes only those products manufactured by the Jacuzzi Company.

How do I know what type of hot tub to purchase?

Evaluate what the hot tub will be used for. If exercise and therapy will be the focus, consider a hot tub with depth and room for movement. If the hot tub will be used recreationally, choose a model with four or more seats. HotTubLiving.com’s interactive “Your HotTub Profile” program allows users to learn about the variety of hot-tub options and features that are available to best suit their needs.

How should I prepare the location where I plan to install my hot tub?

There is very little site preparation for a self-contained hot tub. Decide on a strong, level area that can support the heavy weight of the unit once it’s filled with water. If you’re placing the hot tub outdoors, do not place the unit within 10 feet of overhead power lines and ensure that the installation meets all city and local safety codes. Homeowners will also require a dedicated electrical outlet (110- or 220-volt outlet) and a nearby garden hose. Many people choose to install tile, gazebos, custom wood decking or flora around their hot tubs to create a private oasis.

If you install indoors, pay close attention to flooring and wall construction as it could possibly cause moisture damage.

Are there any hidden costs?

A local retailer should specify all of the costs associated with the purchase of the hot tub unit, any necessary equipment or parts, installation, shipping and delivery. Ask a local retailer for an estimate on maintenance costs to ensure the hot tub is being kept in optimal condition.

How will the addition of my hot tub affect my electric bill?

While electrical costs vary by region, model and quality of insulation, a recent study found that the average hot tub costs only $10 to $30 per month to operate. A local retailer can provide more specific information.

Will it be difficult to maintain the proper chemical balance in my hot tub?

With just a little reading, users can easily and quickly maintain the proper chemical balance in their hot tub. Most manufacturers recommend chlorine tablets be used about once a week. A local retailer can aid in chemical selection.

I have small children and I’m concerned about installing a hot tub in my home. The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) recommends that all portable hot tub owners have a safety cover that locks. Check to see if such a cover is included in the price of the unit, and make sure the cover meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International) F1346-91 safety standard. A local retailer can identify options that complement specific hot-tub models. And, always remember that there is no substitute for constant adult supervision when children are around water.

Are outdoor hot tubs limited to certain seasons?

Outdoor hot tubs can be used year-round in any climate. For especially cold climes consider a winterizing kit. A winterizing kit is comprised of insulation for the unit, pipes and equipment, an insulated cover to retain heat and a device that is monitored by a thermostat or timer that will protect the hot tub from freezing.

Are hot tubs difficult to clean or maintain?

How often should I clean my hot tub? In a recent survey conducted by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, 77 percent of current hot tub owners said they think their hot tubs are easy to clean and maintain.

In addition to quick and easy water testing before each use, hot tub manufacturers recommend using sanitizing or chlorine tablets once a week. The filter should be cleaned at least once a month with a hose and, if needed, filter cleaning solution. The safety cover should also be wiped down about once a month. Drain and refill the hot tub with fresh water once every three months. Wipe down the hot tub skirting with a sponge as needed. To prolong the life of the hot tub follow the manufacturer’s instructions for water and filter maintenance.

Ten Tips to Successful House Flipping.

 

Buying, renovating and selling a house for profit, known as house flipping, is the latest buzzword in real estate. There is no magical formula to ensure success at flipping houses. However, there are essential tips to help investors earn more money.

1. Do not get emotional about house flipping. It is after all a business. If the numbers do not work, proceed to the next property. Some investors commit the mistake of being too attached to the flip that they sell at a high price and end up holding the flip longer thus reducing profit.

2. First impressions count. Pay attention not just to the inside of the house but the outside as well. You cannot show off all the upgrades done inside the house if potential buyers are turned off by the outside appearance of the house and its surroundings.

3. Personal tastes are a no-no in a flipped property. Your flip needs to be attractive to buyers, not you. You should define who your target buyer is and what is his/her preferences. Color is a vital part of flipping houses. Stick to neutral colors especially when it comes to painting and laying the carpet.

4. Spruce up the kitchens and the bathrooms. They will noticeably increase the price of a house. But be sure that fixtures and appliances match the target price range. If the kitchen and bathrooms look clean, sleek and updated, the house will sell faster and for a higher profit.

5. In house flipping, time is money. After making a detailed list of renovations to be done, come up with a timeline. A timeline is an important way to let contractors know when the next group of workers needs to be in a specific part of the house. One rule of thumb is to work from top to bottom and tackle the big work projects first.

6. Hire a good contractor. You cannot be at the job site all the time. This is where the contractor comes in handy. He can keep a close watch on your time line and also the part of the budget that is his responsibility. He can keep track of problems and readily find solutions. The easiest way to find a good contractor is through referrals.

7. Be ready for paperwork. There are loads of paperwork that accompany house flipping. The most important paperwork you will have to attend to are permits. It takes time to obtain permits so you need to apply for them before work begins. Not having the necessary permits can cause work stoppage and this cost money. Contracts and receipts are doubly important. Be sure to keep them. You also need to obtain insurance coverage not only on the property but the workers as well.

8. Keep track of your progress. Throughout the entire house flipping process, you have to constantly monitor your progress. That way, you will know at any given time where you stand on the project. This will help you keep focused. Time is of the essence in house flipping.

9. Start small or simply, and then work your way up. Your first house flipping project should only entail cosmetic work. You may not get a huge return on your investment but you will surely learn valuable lessons and develop experience. 

10. As with any business venture, expect the unexpected. You will certainly encounter something that you simply did not expect. It may be a problem that appears hours before the transfer of ownership. You will almost always run at least a little over budget or hold the flip a little longer than expected.

Happy Flipping!

Preparing your home before you go on a trip.

With Christmas right around the corner, many people leave on vacations, or on trips to visit the family. We have prepared a quick checklist that you can use to make sure you can leave your house safe for when you return.

• Stop deliveries, especially the newspaper.
• Set up a timed lighting system and turn on your alarm system.
• Turn down phone ringers or set your voicemail/answering machine to pick up after one or two rings.
• Store valuables in safe place.
• Eliminate possible fire hazards-unplug appliances, make sure nothing blocks heat ducts.
• Lock all doors and windows. Deadbolt doors and make sure sliding glass doors have locks and holding bars in place.
• Make sure homeowner’s insurance is up to date.
• Leave a trusted neighbor or family member with a number where you can be reached, in case there is an emergency with your home.
• Arrange for care of pets, lawn and houseplants.
• Empty your refrigerator of perishable foods.
• Take out the trash. If you leave trash out for pickup ask a neighbor to put the trash can back.
• Clean your house and do the dishes. Leave your house the way you want to come back to it. You already have to deal with unpacking, laundry, restocking groceries and a laundry list of other things to do.
• Turn off computers
• Adjust thermostat to save on electricity — but don’t set it too low if it is winter, or you’ll risk coming home to frozen pipes.

Hopefully with this  checklist you can have a less stressful trip and enjoy yourself that much more.

Staging Your Home for a Speedy Sale

These 10 low cost tips will get you started on turning your house into a “show home”. This is critical because if you want to get the most money for your home and sell more quickly, you need potential buyers (and their agents) to feel it’s a “hot property”.

Even if you’re not moving, you will find these tips also make your home more relaxing and enjoyable to live in.

1. Consider the curb appeal.

Landscaping is nice, but not in everyone’s budget. At minimum, lawns should be freshly mowed, leaves raked, or snow shoveled. Consider a hanging or potted plant for the entrance. Sweep the porch, deck and all walk ways and ensure garbage and recycling are tucked neatly away from the front of the house.

Scrub your front door, porch, outside railings and steps. This is cheaper than repainting and makes a world of difference. Once the outside entrance is clean, decide if the paint really needs a touch up.

2. Get rid of clutter!

Pick one closet or area at a time so the task isn’t as daunting. Look at every item with a very critical eye and ask yourself why you’re keeping it.

Forget about hanging onto items for a garage sale. Pick your favorite charity and donate it. You paid for these things long ago, why not just give them away to others who REALLY need them?

You’ll probably have to edit the same closets a number of times to really whittle them down to the “essentials”. If rooms and closets still look cramped, rent a storage locker.

3. Turn excess inventory into cash.

If you have a collection of items for projects you never got around to, return them. This also applies to the two-year supply of light bulbs, canned goods or paper products sitting in your basement.

Without a receipt you won’t get cash, but you will have a store credit that you can use once you move. Less clutter and less stuff to pack, move and unpack again!

4. Watch where the eye goes.

There are speedy and low cost solutions to many of the little problems that together make a home seem shabbier than it needs to.

Walk along each corridor and into every room and check where your eye is drawn (better yet, ask a critical friend or family member). If the eye is drawn to the chipped white paint on the door frame, take some “white out” and fill it in. If it’s those old nail holes in the wall, see if you can hang a picture to cover them.

Glue any peeling wallpaper. If it’s really horrible and you can’t afford the time or money to fix it properly, hang pictures and strategically place baskets. You won’t cover the problem entirely (which would be wrong anyway), but you will draw your audience’s attention away from the problem and onto something more visually pleasing to focus on.

5. Find a fix-it person.

Ensure cupboards open and shut and that no taps are dripping. Look in all rooms for things you never got around to fixing and decide which ones might be distracting to potential buyers. No, it’s not OK for door handles to fall off, even if you have learned to ignore it!

6. Clean, clean and clean again.

Most mortals can’t live in a spotless environment all the time. This can be one of the more stressful aspects of having your home on the market— but it’s worth the effort to sell your home for top dollar. You can hire a professional service to come in and deep clean everything; then take 20-30 minutes each day to maintain it.

Appliances should sparkle even if you’re not including them with the house. After all, you might throw them in later as a negotiating tool. Counter tops, taps, sinks and bathtubs should be shiny and free of water spots.

If you have a pedestal sink, don’t forget the dust that collects on top of the plumbing where it attaches to the wall. If the whole sink is spotless and the taps aren’t dripping, it will look new!

Dust shelves and vacuum or “Swiffer” the floors. Naturally, all beds should be made. At a recent open house for a home listed over $500,000 (and over 60 days on the market), they hadn’t even bothered with these two simple steps! It made you wonder what bigger things had been neglected.

Remember clean windows let in more light and look newer. Hire a service if you have to— it’s worth the investment.

7. Let in some air.

Open some windows for at least 10 minutes. There is nothing worse than walking into a stuffy house or one that smells of smoke and pet odors.

8. Let in some light.

It might be mood lighting to you, but if you’re trying to sell your home, keep it bright! Dimly lit rooms tend to look small and dingy— especially during the day.If you have a particularly dark room, consider investing in a floor lamp that will bounce light off the ceiling.

If your walls are so dark that they’re sucking up all the light, consider repainting. You can even buy a small can of a lighter shade of your wall color, mix it with glaze and rub it onto the wall. It will reflect light and give the room a more open feeling. This approach saves much of the preparation and clean up involved in repainting.

9. Depersonalize.

A buyer, coming to view the home, needs to be able to ‘visualize’ themselves in the home, and this become difficult if the buyer is overwhelmed with a multitude of personal items exhibiting the sellers personal life and tastes.

In order to help the potential buyer in their decision, home sellers are well advised to:

• Remove family photos and keepsakes
• Remove personal trophies
• Remove potentially offensive items  (Hunting trophies such as bear-skins, etc)

10. Carefully consider music.

Soft background music can help create a soothing environment and camouflage neighbor and traffic noise. But make sure the volume is very low. Blaring TVs are definitely a no-no, but you’d be surprised how many people leave them on for showings!

Why You Should Hire a Real Estate Professional to Sell Your Home or Help You Buy Part 1

We get this question quite often. With so much information available on the internet many people feel they can do a lot of research and sell and/or buy a home without the assistance of a Real Estate Professional. While anything is possible for the person willing to put in the time and who has the knowledge base as a starting point, the following information is provided to give you something to consider.

Experience and education. A professional real estate agent has both of these. All areas in Canada require agents to complete an educational requirement every year as a condition for their real estate licence. Agents are experts in their field because we do this work every day. We understand the nuances and shifts that can and do occur. I believe it was Henry Ford who said something about people who hire a person smarter than they are about that task are in fact the smarter person. In today’s world we are looking for ways to make smarter use of our time. This is one way.

Agents as a spam filter. None of us like being bombarded with tons of information that may or may not be useful. When buying a house without an agent, you will have many listings to look through never knowing what has been sold or not. When selling a house without an agent, how do you know who is really a potential buyer or a browser? In either situation an agent will sort the ‘wheat from the chaff’.

A guide on price. Contrary to popular opinion, real estate agents don’t decide how much property will sell for. The market conditions determine price and the market is made up of buyers and sellers. During a buyers market it is predominantly the buyer who will determine price and during a sellers market it is predominantly the seller who will determine price. This is not so say that buyers and sellers drive prices up or down drastically just because. Buyers and sellers should be willing to negotiate a fair price that satisfies the needs on both sides. The real estate agents for each party will assist with this.

Next time we will talk more about negotiation, professional networking, what happens after possession.