The Jay Magnussen Real Estate Team

Having attended and watched hundreds of home inspections, I've had the opportunity to see the good, the bad, and the ugly ones.

Some inspectors really know their stuff, and can catch problems in a house the average person wouldn't. Others don't know what their doing, but somehow seem to get by on a good personality and sense of humour. Some think they aren't doing their job unless they can find a hundred things wrong with the property, and point out some irrelevant stuff.

In my opinion, the best home inspectors have the following skills:

Knowledge of building code, construction, common problems - not just in general, but area specific.

Personality - yep, it's important. Connecting with the new buyers and understanding their position really helps the process go smoothly. Some inspectors are excellent at it, some are plain lousy.

Tact - This is one of the biggest killers of any home inspection business. With a few quick questions, a good inspector quickly learns the buyer's knowledge of construction, as well as their comfort level in the purchase of their home, and treats them accordingly.

For example, if you're dealing with a buyer who knows nothing about homes and you tell them "the roof is failing on this home, I've found water damage in the attic", this will be grave news to them. Is the roof caving in? Structurally unsound? What have they bought? Explaining with some tact as well as keeping in mind who your audience is, will keep problems in perspective, "The roof has signs of a water leak that may be active. Replacing the roof shingles is necessary to correct the problem, costing an average of x dollars on a home this size", would work much better.

However if you were dealing with someone who knows a lot about home or building construction, it matters less how things are explained, and more that problems are not overlooked or not pointed out.

The ultimate bonus about home inspections is not just knowing the condition of what you're buying, but about home maintenance in general. Many first-time buyers know very little or nothing about how to maintain a home.

A good home inspector will show you all the workings of your home, how they work, and what needs to be done, such as: changing furnace & humidifier filters, furnace tune-up intervals, water valve shut-off locations and when to use them, electrical panel locations and identification of circuits in the home, plumbing clean-outs, thermostat use and humidistat functions, exterior grounds maintenance - proper drainage, keeping eaves clean, points of interest, etc, etc.

Home inspectors will answer all the goofy questions you can possibly come up with. Even if there was nothing at all wrong with the home, this bonus alone is worth the money. You'll move into your home with the knowledge of how to maintain it, when you should do it, when you should call someone, and how it's done. That alone brings a lot of peace of mind.

Did I say home inspections are recommended?

Lastly, where can you find a home inspector that possesses all these qualities? That's where we come in. We've seen inspectors that clients have chosen right out of the Yellow Pages, inspectors recommended by Realtors, and inspectors we like and use. We drop the bad ones and scribble in our book the ones that do the job right. That goes for lawyers, mortgage brokers, surveyors, and a ton of other professionals who are part of the process - so ask The Jay Magnussen Real Estate Team for a credible and reliable reference and we'll be happy to oblige.

What if you put your home on the market and then change your mind about selling. Do you still have to sell your home EVEN if you get an offer that matches everything EXACTLY as you asked (date, asking price, inclusions, exclusions)? The answer is... NO! No you do not, but the general public does not know this.

Case in point is a good friend and client of ours. They are interested in a gorgeous condo that has been renovated top to bottom. They would like to put in an offer conditional on the sale of their home. The Seller will not accept a conditional offer as they have just done a major price reduction and feel a conditional sale may scare away a firm sale. I have explained to our client that we can prepare their home for sale (declutter, freshen the home up, rearrange furniture/stage it) and then list it. While their home is on the market, if someone else puts an offer in on the condo they want to buy, then we just take their home off the market. Seems simple doesn't it?

The problem is (and everyone seems to think this)... if they get an offer that matches exactly what they were asking, but the home they want sold before they could put in an offer, they MUST accept the offer on their current home. NO you do NOT have to sell your home, under any circumstance, if you do not want to or if you change your mind. It is akin to getting married - you have arranged the caterer, everyone is sitting in the seats watching the ceremony but until you say "I do" you are not married. If I know my client is sincere about selling and the property they want is no longer available, ultimately we want what is best for our client.

Don't let this common misunderstanding stop you from pursuing a property you are interested in. If you have any questions regarding buying or selling real estate, please don't hesitate to ask us, The Jay Magnussen Real Estate Team. We are here to help and welcome all of your questions.

Question: How can I compare my monthly rental payments to mortgage payments?

Answer: Of course, the amount of your mortgage payments will depend on the price of the home you buy, the size of your down payment, prevailing mortgage rates, and the term and amortization you choose. But it's actually quite easy to estimate typical payments using the simple mortgage calculator available on our website at www.SoldByJ.com.

Question: How do I know how big a mortgage I will qualify for?

Answer: A mortgage pre-approval is a great way to know how much you can borrow for your home. This, in turn, helps you set a price that's realistic for your financial situation. It's important to note that having your mortgage pre-approved doesn't obligate you to buy a home: it's simply a way to know how much your mortgage lender will approve you for. A mortgage specialist will be able to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Question: I want to become a homeowner as quickly as possible but I haven't saved a large down payment. Any suggestions?

Answer: You will be glad to know there are different options available, depending on how much of a down payment you can afford. A low down payment mortgage is required when your down payment is less than 20%. All low down payment mortgages require mortgage default insurance. Mortgage default insurance premiums can either be paid up front or added to the amount you borrow.

With the federal government's Home Buyers' Plan you can use up to $25,000 in RRSP savings ($50,000 for a couple) to help pay for your down payment on your first home. You then have up to 15 years to repay your RRSP.

Question: Where can I find up-to-date information on home prices and the Real Estate market in my area?

Answer: The best and easiest place to search for homes for sale is at www.SoldByJ.com where we offer easy-to-use search settings that give you instant and complete access to all Multiple Listing Service (MLS) listings. We offer custom account settings where you can save your previous searches, bookmark your favorite properties, and much more. You can also visit www.mls.ca today and see what properties are currently available.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) website helps you look at average home prices in communities across Canada and locate a realtor in your area. The site also includes useful home-buying tips and a glossary of common real estate terms. Go to www.crea.ca and check out what is happening in your local real estate market.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation(CMHC) provides a content-rich website with detailed, step-by-step information on buying, selling, and renovating a home, as well as up-to-the-minute news of interest to home buyers and sellers. Visit www.cmhc.ca and click on "Buying or Renting a Home".

For more information on buying a home, contact Jay Magnussen, Kim Daniel or Savannah Magnussen from The Jay Magnussen Team today. We will be happy to speak to you over the phone, through email or set up a no-obligation meeting at your convenience.

In today's real estate market, sellers are looking for more ways to set their homes apart from the droves of other properties for sale. But how do you get buyers to look twice when your home is comparable to other listings in your neighborhood in the same price range?

Here's a thought: Go green.

Many homeowners are looking for eco-friendly ways to reduce their family's impact on the environment - and save money! Appealing to this sensibility not only differentiates your home from the rest, but it also saves you money on monthly utility bills.

People sometimes have a misconception of what being green is all about. There are three elements to it: 1 - Saving money through energy efficiency and conservation of natural resources 2 - Using sustainable products that are good for our planet 3 - Understanding how certain products and materials can be unhealthy to people

Here are some basic tips for greening your home at various costs:

Minimal-cost green updates

• Install more insulation, which helps reduce energy and heating costs.
• Properly seal the envelope of your home (windows, doors, etc.) with caulking and weather stripping.
• Install low-flow water fixtures on faucets and showers, and dual-flushing toilets to reduce water consumption.
• Choose products and paints with reduced Volatile Organic Compounds (or VOCs).
• Unplug electronics when not in use, which will lower the utility bills potential buyers will see. These items use power when plugged in, even if they're not turned on.

Moderate-cost green updates

• Choose earth-friendly, wood alternative flooring, furniture, cabinetry and other materials made locally, which lessens the carbon footprint of having items manufactured and transported from abroad.
• Replace heating and cooling systems with high-efficiency HVAC units.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR appliances, which use up to 40 percent less energy than conventional appliances.
• Install a high-efficiency water heater and keep the setting down a few degrees. Many local and state governments offer incentives for purchasing energy-efficient appliances.

The key to successfully buying or selling a green home is to work with The Jay Magnussen Real Estate Team with specialized training.

RE/MAX has become one of just three fundraising sponsors to reach $100 million in total donations to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

In a final push to reach the $100 million mark, RE/MAX real estate agents defied a global recession to raise more than $7 million through the Miracle Home program by making personal donations and sponsoring community fundraisers such as golf tournaments, auctions and more.

RE/MAX agents who participate in the Miracle Home program pledge to make a donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals upon completion of your home sale or purchase. And the funds stay local, benefiting the Children's Miracle Network Hospital our community.

Ask us, The Jay Magnussen Real Estate Team from RE/MAX First, about the Miracle Home program. To find out if an agent participates in this program, select "Children's Miracle Network" under "Civic Activities" as you set your search criteria.

Together, we can make miracles happen.