Oakville, Ontario: If you were ever looking for the right time to buy in Oakville, don’t wait any longer as now is the time. With record low interest rates, large inventory of houses on the market and stabalizing prices, you might not want to miss out on the great opportunities to buy your Oakville dream property.
Average housing prices in Oakville are gradually catching up to the prices of last year at this time. April 2008 showed an average price of $509,291 where as houses in April 2009 have sold for an average of $506,672 representing only a 1% decrease from last year but a 12% increase from last month. The number of houses sold in Oakville have also climbed since last month, but are still below the numbers of 2008. In April of 2008, 352 houses were sold compared to 304 homes sold in April of 2009.
For everyone who has always dreamed of living in the beautiful area of Oakville, now is the time to find your dream home at a price you can afford!
To stay current with real estate market information in the Oakville area, or any other area of interest, please call or send me an email so I can send this valuable market information to you on a regular basis.
Sean Kavanagh
Have you been fighting the battle of the weeds, brown patches, or sprawling clover? Well, we will look at some lawn care strategies that will help revive your grass into a full, lush, green, weed-free lawn! When real estate professionals talk about curb appeal, it starts with the lawn. Now that spring is upon us and more people are heading out into the yard to tackle the issues left over from a long winter, I have decided to help you out with some tips to regain the health of your lawn.
1) Never cut the grass too short! Leaving the grass longer protects the plant from the sun, keeps it strong and helps resist from weed and clover growth. A thick lawn is the best defence against weeds. Never cut the grass in extreme heat or water shortage as the short grass will burn and kill the plant.
2) When you cut the grass, do not rake or remove the clippings from the lawn. The clipping help keep the moisture in the soil and add nutients back into the ground.
3) Water in the early morning or early evening to increase absorption into the soil and to avoid evaporation from the sun.
4) Speaking of watering, remember to water well! The water needs to penetrate the roots and when the lawn is watered well, you can expect the grass to bounce back.
5) Reseed the lawn every spring and add fertilizer or enriched soil to help out the process.
Following these helpful tips will ensure your grass grows into a full, lush, green lawn.
For more information on buying or selling real estate in Burlington or Oakville, Ontario, or if you have questions about current market trends, mortgages or interest rate information, please visit me again on my website www.seansells.ca or call me at 905-220-9198 and I'd be glad to answer any questions to accommodate all of your real estate needs.
1. Clean house
Make sure your house is clean! Get rid of odours - a huge turnoff for prospective buyers - by opening windows, washing floors and walls and cleaning your rugs and upholstery. Next, de-clutter your space. A jam-packed house not only makes the house look cluttered, it makes the house look smaller. When you are selling, the objective is to make your home look bigger! A lot of sellers these days are actually taking out a third of their furniture to show off more of the space. Place your items in storage, call a local consignment shop or charity to pick things up, or use a relative's garage. Don't use your own garage for storage, because buyers will want to look in there. Having 2 sofas and a chair in your livingroom might crowd the space. Take out one of the sofas to create more space.
2. Give it a fresh coat
If you have a little extra time and money, a paint job offers the most dramatic results. If the paint doesn’t look fresh or if the walls are painted in wild and bold colours, buyers will be turned off. Dark colours also make rooms look smaller. You have to clean up the look of the rooms with a fresh coat and make it look bright with light neutral colours.
3. Add layers
Give your house a soft, lived-in look by adding curtains, blankets and cushions. Cover the old blinds with a fresh new set of curtains. It'll create a luxurious impact that buyers like. Fill three attractive vases with fresh blooms and set one on the dining-room table, one in the entryway and one in the master bedroom, or even in the powder room.
4. Define spaces
If you're trying to sell an open-concept house, make sure you put prospective buyers' minds at ease by clearly defining spaces. Using rugs is one way to establish where one room ends and the other begins. Arrange your furniture in traditional vignettes so buyers can easily grasp your home's layout. People want to walk into a room and envision what each room is used for and how they will fit their furniture in that space. If one of your bedrooms is empty or is being used for other purposes (office or T.V. room), change it back to a bedroom by adding a matress …and make the bed! Even though the listing may say 3 bedrooms, some buyers may not see it that way.
5. Get outside
Don't forget about your home's exterior. Create a good first impression by placing some attractive planters along the steps, cutting the grass and weeding the garden. A fresh coat of paint to the exterior will also brighten things up making yours look like the gem on the street. Colourful annuals really add to the curb appeal, as well. Keep garbage hidden from sight and make sure there is nothing in the driveway so buyers can envision themselves driving in from a hard day at work.
6. Be natural
It's not necessary to set the dining-room table, and don't start baking cookies in the oven before buyers drop by. Anything that's too clichéd or over-the-top will draw skepticism from buyers. Buyers just want to see a nice, clean product that they can see themselves living in.
7. Sleep on it
Everyone knows kitchens and bathrooms are important when it comes to selling your house, but today's buyers are also focusing on bedrooms. So whether you're sprucing things up or refitting with new furniture, don't forget the master bedroom. Nice window coverings, decorative pillows and attractive bedding can inhance the look of the room. If you have dark colours on the wall, repaint it a light neutral colour to make the room look bigger. Also, take some of your clothes out of the closet to create the perception of large bedroom closets.
For more information on staging your home, buying or selling real estate in Hamilton, Burlington or Oakville, Ontario, or if you have questions about current market trends, mortgages or interest rate information, please visit me again on my website www.seansells.ca or call me at 905-220-9198 and I'd be glad to answer any questions to accommodate all of your real estate needs.
Lesson #1 Never skip the home inspection
Investing $300-$400 before you take possession could save you thousands after you take possession. If you trust your real estate agent, trust the home inspector they use. It is also advisable to interview other inspectors to make sure you are satisfied the inspector you choose will do the best job for you. Go online and download lists of questions you should be asking so you are involved, as well as getting educated on what is happening in your future home. Remember: the home inspection is not only for the purposes of ensuring you are buying a home void of serious flaws and faults, it is also to help you understand the structure of your home and how the mechanics of your home work. Do you know where the water shut off is in case of a flood? Do you know how to change a furnace filter? How do you know when it’s time to replace the roof?
Remember to always ask for a written report. You should transfer all of the answers to your questions and special notes from the inspector to that report and keep it in a place where you won’t forget it! It will prove to be an invaluable home resource.
Home inspection how-to Check with the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors to find a regulated home inspector in your area who has met the provincial or regional association's certification requirements.
Lesson #2 Take your time
Take your time when you choose your agent and take your time when you choose your house. Buying a home is not only an exciting, joyful experience, it is also one of the biggest investments that you will ever make.
Ask friends and colleagues about their experiences and if they would recommend the agent they used. If the response you get is “yeah, he was alright…I guess”….move on! You want to be satisfied with the knowledge of the agent, but you also have to feel comfortable with that person. There are questions you should be asking your agent and if you don’t feel comfortable asking the necessary questions…..move on! There are a lot of agents who care….but there are a lot of agents who don’t. Be clear on which one you choose!
Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start seriously searching. That gives you a clear idea of what you can afford so you don't end up overspending. As you did with your agent search, interview various lenders as each lender might have different rates and different terms.
Lesson #3 Get ready for negotiation
Limit your conditions to make your offer more attractive. By limiting your conditions and being flexible with closing date may help you get more money off of the list price. However, don’t forget Lesson #1: Never Skip the Home Inspection!
One condition that I always include, regardless of how hot the market, is that the seller provide a warranty that all heating, cooling equipment and appliances are in good working order. Appliances, Air conditioner, and your furnace are all items that were included as part of your offer and you should ensure that they work once you move in. The money that you saved by negotiating a lower price can all go out the window if you have to replace all of the appliances!
Don't make any demands about the closing date. A seller will be less likely to accept your offer if you want to move in sooner than he wants to move out.
Lesson #4 Know who your lawyer is
As with the Home Inspector, don’t go for the cheapest one you can find. I know Lawyers can be expensive, but a good lawyer will ensure your transaction is clean and nothing will be overlooked.
It's important to choose a lawyer who focuses on real estate. You're more likely to get proper service if you deal with a lawyer who specializes in real estate rather than one who's trying to make a few extra bucks on the side and who doesn't deal in this area on a regular basis.
Don't be shy about asking for references. A lawyer's running a business like any other professional and he should be prepared to discuss fees and provide references.
More dos and don'ts
For the buyer
Don't sweat the wall stuff Try not to be discouraged by a bit of peeling paint, cracks or holes. Damage that isn't structural is easily fixed and makes a huge difference.
Budget for extras Normally, realtors advise you to budget up to two per cent for closing costs, but when you buy property in a new development, you may be charged additional fees such as meter installation and sewer service connection. These can add unexpected costs.
For the seller
Make sure the price is right Sellers tend to overestimate what their houses are worth. Just because the house down the block sold for a bundle doesn't mean yours will, too. Do your research, then consult up to three realtors. If you're not satisfied with the realtors' advice, move on to a professional appraiser.
Close the zoo Not everyone viewing your house will love your dog, cat or ferret as much as you do. And pets can be a distraction. Take them out of your home, if possible, when buyers come by, especially during an open house.
Butt Out! If you are a smoker, take it outside. There is only one ‘turn off’ bigger than animal smell, and that is smoke smell. First impressions are vital in real estate and if a potential buyer’s first impression is of the smell and not the lovely job you did refinishing the hardwood floors, you drastically limit your chances of selling your house. Consider this: if you think that 25% of the population still smoke, then 75% don’t! Since a non-smoker is unlikely to buy a house that smells of smoke, your new target market has been reduced by 75%.
Bake sale Leave out a few "hospitality treats," such as coffee and cinnamon buns, for prospective buyers. Even if they don't eat them, the scent of fresh-baked goodies wafting through the house can make your house feel cosy and inviting, leaving a lasting impression.
For more information on buying or selling real estate in Burlington or Oakville, Ontario, or if you have questions about current market trends, mortgages or interest rate information, please visit me again on my website www.seansells.ca or call me at 905-220-9198 and I'd be glad to answer any questions to accommodate all of your real estate needs.
According to MoneySense magazine, Burlington has been ranked the 4th best place to live in all of Canada and the best place to live in the GTA. Burlington was the only GTA city ranked in the top 10, ranked 4th behind Victoria, Ottawa-Gatineau and Kingston.
The lifestyle and investment magazine used criteria such as weather, crime levels, home prices and employment prospects to rank each city. The Mayor, Cam Jackson, say that it was no surprise to the people who live, work and play in Burlington that their city is the best! It’s a city with strong social programs, a stunning natural environment, world-class festivals, a stable and diversified economy and an incredible community spirit.
The magazine focused on factors most likely to affect the long term happiness of the residents. Charming downtowns and beaches are nice, but the factors seemed to be more practical when determining the rankings.
Searching for a ‘Hidden Paradise’? Try moving to Burlington! For more information on life in Burlington or Real Estate opportunities in the area, please call Sean at 905-220-9198 or visit www.seansells.ca
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