Thursday, March 29, 2012

Canadian Real Estate Starts Strong in 2012

One of the things that made the Brantford Real Estate market stand out most in 2011 was its healthy home prices, solid home buyer activity and record-breaking housing affordability conditions. Some were worried that housing would flounder as we entered 2012, but if the latest statistics are any indication, then the local housing market will continue to prosper in the coming months.

As your Brantford Real Estate Agent, I strongly feel that part of my responsibility is to closely monitor national housing statistics. In order for me to advise my clients on the best course of action for their upcoming real estate transactions, I really need to be in-the-loop about the current market and use the existing trends to give the best advice possible. I feel a responsibility toward my clients to be 100% honest with them about what’s happening in Brantford Real Estate, so if a home buyer or home seller comes to me asking if now is the best time for them to enter a new transaction, I always use the existing statistics to explain my answers. This approach to consulting my clients is another way in which I have become a trusted Brantford Real Estate resource.

Below is a summary of some of the latest housing statistics for Canadian Real Estate:

•    The existing statistics for the start of 2012 show a strong start to the year nationally.
•    For the 11 metropolitan cities that are included in Teranet-National Bank Composite House Price index, home prices were up 0.1% in January as compared to December and up 6% from 2011.
•    The largest January home price gains were seen in metropolitan areas where buyers have been especially active lately—i.e. Toronto and Halifax.

Given what we know about the latest housing statistics, here are a few conclusions that we can safely draw from these national numbers:

•    Modest price gains can give sellers hope. While the Brantford Real Estate market is still more beneficial for buyers, a steady rise in home prices over the past year has made sellers more confident about listing their home on the market. Now would actually be a good time to do so, while prices are still on the rise but affordable for buyers. You would see offers come in at higher values faster.
•    Home buyers should still enter the market. Although there are price gains happening in Brantford Real Estate, mortgage rates and home values are still incredibly affordable for buyers. Many buyers have been feeling a sense of urgency about entering the market because prices are still low and affordable, but they’re also starting to go up. In order to take advantage of the market conditions, home buyers would be wise to enter the market now before prices start entering an unaffordable range.

We’re in a phase of Brantford Real Estate where conditions are decent for sellers and buyers, so it would be a great time to consider entering the market this spring. As your Brantford Real Estate Agent, I feel a responsibility to my clients and community to give them my honest assessment of market trends, and this spring, I’m happy to report that both sellers and buyers have reason to be optimistic.

If you have any questions about entering a Brantford Real Estate transaction, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to help in any way that I can. I hope to hear from you soon.


Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage

Over 518 Real Estate Closings!
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct:  (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Real Estate’s “Golden Rules”: True or False?

Anyone who has been through a real estate transaction in the Brantford area has probably heard at least some of the several common, universal mantras of housing. Many Brantford real estate agents will try and tell you that these common rules of thumb are imperative and completely, 100% true all of the time. I consider it both a priority and a responsibility to be honest with my clients at all times, which is why if I feel some of these golden rules are not so “golden”, I say so. Entering the Brantford real estate market for the first time is never an easy step, and that’s why it’s so important to know which common rules to pay attention to and which you should ignore.

In order to continue to go above and beyond as your Brantford real estate resource, I thought that I’d gather some of the most common mantras you hear people saying about housing and let you know whether they are fact or fiction.

Location, location, location. This is a fact. Think about it: if you hate the area that you buy a house in, you will never be 100% happy with your decision to move there. Location is essential to your ability to enjoy your home, so picking an area that is affordable for you and meets your specific needs will be imperative to being a happy homeowner. This is something that you should absolutely, 100% pay attention to you when you begin the search for the perfect Brantford home. What makes a location “desirable” real estate will change over the years based on what your needs are and the shifts in housing patterns, but it is something that will be important in the long run.

It costs more to buy a home than it does to rent.
This is fact OR fiction based upon where you live. In the majority of metropolitan areas, rents are actually increasing. With home prices being lower than usual in the Brantford real estate market, in some areas it may actually cost less for you to buy a home. This would be a good matter to discuss with your real estate agent. In some cases, if you’re looking for the most cost-effective and money-saving solutions, buying may be the way to go.

Overprice your home to leave more wiggle room for negotiations. This is absolute fiction. Overpricing your home when you’re first listing it can be one of the worst decisions you could possibly make. Not only will it turn buyers off from the get-go, but it will also make your home sit on the market longer, forcing you to lower the price. The longer your home sits on the market, the more suspicious buyers will be that there is something wrong with the property. The solution? Price your home accurately from the beginning.

Always offer 10% below the asking price. Once again, this “golden rule” isn’t so golden, after all. The reason that this tactic won’t always work is because each listing is different. There are varying conditions and circumstances from property to property. When deciding what to offer on a home that you’re interested in, you need to take every amenity, problem and extenuating circumstance into account. If you simply use this method, you may be offering an amount that is entirely inaccurate. Negotiating an offer is an art form, and it requires thought and analysis, not a simple formula.

Listing your home as a FSBO will save you money.
This is perhaps one of the most common misconceptions in the housing market. In SOME instances, not using a real estate agent may save you money, but for the majority of cases this is not true. Think about it: a Brantford real estate agent will have the knowledge and experience required to guide you through every phase of the transaction. They will negotiate with buyers on your behalf and ensure that all of your marketing efforts and decisions in the transaction are in compliance with local housing laws. If you list your home on your own, without the help of an expert, you may run in to several issues and conflicts that could wind up costing you a lot of money.

As you may have noticed, the majority of these common mantras are actually inaccurate. As your Brantford real estate resource, I felt that I should clarify some of these misconceptions in order to fully prepare you for what to expect and how best to go about each transaction. If you have any questions about how to best market or find your Brantford home, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to help you in any way that I can. I hope to hear from you soon!

Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage

Over 518 Real Estate Closings!
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct:  (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

Friday, March 16, 2012

186 Ontario Street, Brantford, ON N3S-2C8
First Time Home Buyers Look No Further! Four Bedroom in Brantford!


4BR/1BA Single Family House

Price Reduced to $139,900

Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 1 Full
Floors: 2





DESCRIPTION
Excellent value!! First time buyers or folks looking for an inexpensive property. Great investment. Owners bought this home because of location. Close to schools, Grand River Trails, Parsons Park and quiet area. Solid 4 bedroom home with many features. Huge deck 15'x14', 100 amp service, new shingles approx. 3 years ago. Could be a cozy home or as a rental investment.

     
     
     
      


Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct:  (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Three Things Brantford’s First-Time Investors Should Know

One of the things that I pride myself on as a Brantford real estate agent is my well-rounded clientele. Not only do I work with home buyers and sellers in the Brantford area, but I also work with investors who are interested in obtaining distressed properties. Given the high volume of potential investment opportunities throughout Brant County, I’ve made it a priority to help clients who are interested in investing in real estate get their foot in the door. Breaking in to this business isn’t easy, but if you have the right attitude, an understanding of the process and the right professional guiding you, then you will find yourself having a successful career in Brantford real estate investment in no time.

Many first-time investors do everything they can to be as prepared as possible for their first transaction. They will attend the classes and seminars and employ all the right strategies. The key to success in Brantford real estate, however, is experience. Everyone will experience hardships and hiccups throughout their transition into the industry, however keeping the three tips below in mind as you embark in your first few transactions will help you see success earlier. As your Brantford real estate agent, I make it a priority to stay well-rounded in my expertise in order to help my clients throughout many different types of transactions. These quick tips will help the first-time investor stay focused and driven throughout what can be a difficult transition.

Don’t be so desperate, starting off. Since the key to steady business in the investment world is experience, many first-time investors will enter their first transaction thinking to themselves, “I just want a deal to get experience.” This attitude will only set you up for frustration. While it’s awesome to be motivated and driven, the point of entering investment as a career is to make money, not close a bunch of deals. Investing in a property that won’t be profitable will only cause you to lose money. In this case, quality is far more important than quantity, so wait for the right property to come along before taking the plunge.

Choose the right real estate professional to guide you through the transaction. If you’re looking to invest in an apartment complex, you don’t want to work with an investment coach or real estate agent who works with distressed properties. Figure out what your bottom line is and find the local agent or coach who specializes in that. You don’t want to be mentored or guided through your first few transactions by someone who is only looking to profit off of you and sell you a bunch of unnecessary services. You’re going to want to work with the Brantford real estate agent who has your best interest at heart and will take their time to help you find the right property to invest in.

Education is important, but you don’t have to overdo it.
There is a webinar for practically everything right now. I’m all about continuing to learn and educating myself about the latest real estate trends, but I only participate in those that I find completely necessary. There are a lot of “bright shiny objects” and “hot new techniques” that people may try to sell you, but you should always ask yourself how beneficial this will REALLY be for your business. Remember, if you’re just starting out, you don’t want to spend all of your money on education that you don’t need, so weigh your options wisely.

As a Brantford real estate agent who works with investors, I think that as a first-time or new client it’s imperative to keep these three things in mind. Real estate investment can be a difficult industry to break in to, and it’s imperative to know when to take risks and when to proceed with caution. Having the right real estate professional guide you through the transaction will only help you see success even sooner.

If you have any questions about how to find the perfect distressed property for your first Brantford real estate investment, don’t hesitate to contact me! I will show you the foreclosures that will get you the most return on your investment. I hope to hear from you soon!



Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct:  (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantfordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Get Great Deals on Brantford Foreclosures!

Foreclosures have become a prominent element of Brantford real estate. The current economic and market conditions suggest that there are several distressed properties on the market that are available for sale, and Brantford home buyers are excited about it. Distressed properties tend to be offered for a lower, more affordable price, so people who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to afford a home on the Brantford real estate market could fulfill their dreams of being a homeowner. As a Brantford real estate agent, I work with many people in this situation and do everything that I can to help them find the best foreclosure properties available on the market.

In order to get the best deal possible on foreclosure properties in Brantford, you need to be a very savvy home buyer. One of the best things that you can do in these situations is hire the right real estate professional to help you find, negotiate and land the best foreclosure property available within your budget. In the interest of helping home buyers in Brantford find the right foreclosure for their next home, I thought that I’d share a few of the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years about how to find the best deal possible.

1.    Don’t make low-ball offers on just-listed properties. If a property has only been on the market for a few days, it’s useless to make low-ball offers to lenders. Think about it: if a home that you were selling only sat on the market for a few days, and someone offered it to you for a price well below what you were listing it for, you would think to yourself that the home hasn’t been marketed for very long and you will want to hold out for a better offer. My suggestion is to wait a few months and check back on the property then. If it is still for sale, chances are the price will be reduced and you can make your low offer then.
2.    If you can, avoid bidding wars. When it comes to foreclosure properties, many agents will set the listing price well below what the home is actually worth in order to attract a buyer’s attention. This results in more interest for the property, meaning more competition and the potential for you to lose out on the house to somebody else. The solution to this? Do your homework and find out what the property is actually worth using comparable sales figures for the area.
3.    Do extensive research to reach the bargains first. If you’re constantly researching distressed properties on the Brantford real estate market, then you will likely be one of the first to find the perfect bargain. If you wait too long to act on it, then vulture buyers will show up and bidding wars will begin. Staying on top of your research will allow you to be the first to get the great deals on the properties you want!
4.    Cash is king. If you can, you should pay for foreclosure properties in cash. One of the key tools to snagging a bargain in the current market is a cash offer. Buyers who need mortgages typically take between 30 and 60 days to close, and most lenders prefer to get foreclosed properties off the market as soon as possible. This is one tactic that will give you a leg-up over others who may be interested in the property.
5.    Write a clean, simple offer. As I mentioned above, lenders on the Brantford real estate market prefer to close quickly. Writing a clean, straightforward offer with little demands and terms will give your offer priority over other buyers on the market. Typically, bank-owned properties are sold as-is, anyway, so asking for repairs or adding clauses to your offer would likely only delay the process.

As a Brantford real estate agent, I think that it’s incredibly important to help my clients who are interested in purchasing a bank-owned property find the best deals on the market. In order to ensure success in finding the best properties on the market for the lowest price possible, I take it upon myself to teach my clients how they can be savvy home buyers. Using some of the tips that I listed above will ensure that you land the Brantford foreclosure that you are looking for.

If you have any questions about buying a home on the Brantford real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to help in any way that I can. I hope to hear from you soon!



Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct:  (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Some Do-It-Yourself Ways to Make Your Brantford Home More Energy-Efficient!

One of my responsibilities as a Brantford real estate agent is to stay on top of the latest real estate trends. If I can’t give sellers an accurate description of what home buyers in the Brantford area are looking for, then I’m not living up to my potential as a real estate resource for the area. One recent trend that I have noticed throughout many of my recent transactions is that today’s buyer wants homes that are more energy-efficient. Particularly in a market where home prices are lower than average, it would benefit many Brantford home sellers to invest a little bit of time and money into making some energy-efficient upgrades to their home before attempting to sell it. This would likely raise the value of their Brantford home.

Despite the reputation for being expensive, you can make several eco-friendly fixes to your Brantford home that are budget-friendly and easy to do yourself. In the interest of helping home sellers in the Brant County area raise the value of their property, I thought that I’d give some ideas for simple, energy-efficient fixes that you can make to your home that won’t break the bank.

•    Replace your shower head.
You can find shower heads for as low as $10.00, and this task will only take you about 15 minutes to complete. The result? You will waste a lot less water. In fact, some say that you could save more than 2,300 gallons of water annually. Using less water will cut your energy bills, too.
•    Add aerators to your faucets. Another water-saving maneuver, adding an aerator to each faucet in the house can help you save an additional 500 gallons of water per year. You can choose high or low-flow models, too, so you can have a smaller flow in bathrooms and a higher flow in the kitchen, where you may need more water. This only takes about five minutes per faucet, and each aerator can be found for as low as $2.00 a piece.
•    Install a water-efficient toilet. This project might be a bit more costly and time-consuming; however it is possible to do yourself. Replacing your tried-and-true toilet with a more energy-efficient one can save you up to $90.00 on your energy bills annually. They’re also easily-installed and perform well, according to many performance reviews.
•    Switch to fluorescent light bulbs. Anyone can change a light bulb, and for only $2.00-$15.00 per specialty bulb, you can save a lot of money on your electric bill. As the days get shorter and you need to have the lights on more, this will be especially helpful. Fluorescent bulbs use up to 75% less energy and last up to 10-times longer than incandescent products.
•    Install a programmable thermostat. This trusty tool gives you the ability to preset temperatures in your home for when you really need them, so you can have your home heated or cooled during the times of the day when it’s necessary. This only takes about a half hour to install yourself, and you can find these products for as little as $25.00. If you install and use it correctly, then you can save up to $180 on your energy bills annually.

These five DIY, budget-friendly upgrades are easy to implement, and they will raise the value of your Brantford home. In order to stand out in today’s real estate market; you need to cater to the desires of current buyers. In the present Brantford real estate market, that means energy-efficient homes that will save many people money on their bills. As a Brantford real estate agent, it’s my job to stay on top of what buyers are looking for in order to better serve the sellers in my community.

If you have any questions about how to raise the value of your Brantford home, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d love to help you in any way that I can. I hope to hear from you soon!


Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct:  (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!