Thursday, August 30, 2012

PRICE REDUCED-20 Bruce Street, Great Home on a Quiet, Dead-End Street

PRICE REDUCED BY WALLY DUFRAT AT RE/MAX TWIN CITY REALTY, INC:

Listed At:   $132,000
Bedrooms:  3
Bathrooms: 1



Great home on quiet dead end street completely updated with newer windows, doors, floors and cupboards in 2006. A new Fascia and eaves only add to the charm of this wonderful property. With a close proximity to universities and various other amenities around Brantford, this can't-miss property is a super value for the first time home buyer, investor or retiree. 

Property Features

Basement Cable-Ready High-Speed Internet
Storage Space Fenced Yard Living Room
Yard Central A/C, Central Heat Lawn, Off-Street Parking


Photos




































































































































































































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, August 23, 2012

Avoid These Common Mistakes During The Purchase of Your Brantford/Brant County Home!

Unless you have bought and sold a number of homes, you are incredibly prone to mistakes during your Brantford/Brant County Real Estate transaction. It’s easy to see why. Housing laws are always changing, and it’s nearly impossible to stay on top of changes in policy. There are also a number of steps that make up a real estate transaction, and if you don’t take part in them on a regular basis then it’s easy to make a costly mistake during yours.

Throughout my many years as a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate agent, I have worked with a number of home buyers, so as you can imagine, I have seen a number of mistakes made. These are some of the most common ones that can cause your home purchase to fall through:

Don’t try and go it alone. I know that it’s tempting to not involve a third party in your Brantford/Brant County home search, but it really does make your life easier. Using a buyer’s agent will ensure that you have a professional on your side to guide you throughout the process, and they will guarantee that no mistakes are made. You’ll also have someone looking out for your best interest. There’s no doubt that you’ll feel more comfortable about your decisions if an experienced professional validates them. The best part is that in most cases, the seller actually pays the buyer’s agent themselves, so you don’t have to pay for the help.

Don’t be brash, but don’t dawdle either. It’s imperative to move as quickly as possible during the negotiation process while still making the right choices. Moving too slowly gives other buyers time to make an offer, and you could get passed over on the home of your dreams. You also want to make sure that you’re thinking through your choices before acting to protect your own interests. The way to avoid moving too slowly or quickly is to have a plan in place. Have an idea of how much you’re willing to spend and stick to it, and have comparable data to back up any offers that you put on the table.

Don’t fall for love at first sight. The excitement that surrounds a home search is hard to ignore, therefore it’s understandable that people often let their emotions take over when they initially start the process of looking. So many people walk in to the first home they see and immediately say, “we’ll take it!” I strongly advise against this. Even if you’re 99% sure that this property is “the one,” you want to make sure that you’re still looking at what else is out there. Committing too early could cause you to end up with a property that requires a lot of investment or extra legwork. You could also end up missing out on a home that’s even better for your needs. You may very well end up in that first home, but it’s important to see what else is out there first to ensure that you make the best decision.

Avoid these common errors, and you will likely avoid costly mistakes that could slow down your Brantford/Brant County Real Estate transaction. If you ever have any questions about buying or selling a home in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to offer my expertise. I hope to hear from you soon!


Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage
Over 525 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 Website at:
www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Get Approved Quicker

One of the toughest things about purchasing a home is being approved for a mortgage. Even with all the paperwork that needs to be filled out, one of the most difficult parts of the process is waiting to know if you got approved or denied. Throughout my years as a Brantford/Brant real estate agent, I have faced this step with my clients quite frequently.

However, now analysts are predicting that mortgage companies will begin approving, or denying your application much more quickly. Due to new and tighter mortgage rules companies will not have such a heavy influx of applications all at once, making it possible for them to work more efficiently.  Although you may get an answer on your application sooner than expected, it also may not be the answer you want. Banks can more easily weed out the applications they approve from those they deny because of lower amortization periods. 

The loan-to-value ratio is also a contributing factor in how fast you hear an answer on your application. This has to do with how much you need to borrow over the amount of your home. The lower amount you borrow from your home, the more likely you are to get approved.  If you are borrowing less, it shows the bank that you will be able to stay current on the future payments.

With companies making speedy decisions it is allowing perspective Brantford/Brant homeowners more time to apply at other companies in order to make their purchases.  As less people apply for a mortgage, the people that due will be processed quicker. There are still skeptics saying that times will not be shortened due to the new rules. 

If you have any questions about the new rules regarding applying for a mortgage, feel free to ask. Also remember, if you or anyone you know is interested in buying or selling Brantford/Brant real estate, contact me. I look forward to speaking with you!


Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage
Over 525 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 Website at:
www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Improve Your Brantford/Brant County Home This Month!

If there’s one piece of advice that I would give to those who are looking to sell their home in the Brantford/Brant County real estate market, it’s this: improve your home BEFORE listing it. The last thing that you want is for a buyer to give you a list of demands during the negotiation process. There are certain things that you can do throughout the year to keep your Brantford/Brant County home in tip-top shape. If you make an effort to do a few minor home improvement projects each month, then when it comes time to sell, you will see higher offers and a lower amount of contingencies.

Since August has just begun, I thought that I’d outline a few simple tasks that are ideal for this time of year:

Remove any and all pest magnets. There’s nothing like a pest problem to turn a buyer off from making an offer on your home. Summer means heat, and heat means that our favorite unwanted visitors are out to play. Keep the outside entryway clear of debris. Stacks of tools, lawn toys, lumber and yard waste are prime attractions for summertime pests. You can also avoid pests by storing firewood in a dry place that’s at least two feet from the house and 18 inches off the ground. This will eliminate a known hiding place for spiders and other insects. Other solutions include sealing garbage cans tightly, washing and rinsing items you intend to recycle thoroughly and keeping your gutters clear.

Give your lawn a little TLC. Very few people have the money or maintenance tools to achieve a pristine, golf course-style lawn, but you can still keep yours pretty and polished by mowing frequently. If you mow your lawn on the highest frequency that your machine can go, then you will discourage weeds and stimulate a thicker growth, which is appealing to passerby on the street. Using this tactic during lawn maintenance will also cause the roots to retain more water, meaning less watering work for you. If you’re going to fertilize, I’d wait until the end of the month. Doing so during hot weather can actually stimulate weed growth.

Give your water heater a little inspection. Once a year, you should pay attention to your water heater and ensure that everything is running smoothly. Neglecting to care for this particular appliance could cause your flooring to rot and will most likely hike up your energy bills. In order to get the most out of your water heating expenses, insulate yours with a thick blanket. This will keep all the heat in and will stop it from leaking in to the surrounding atmosphere. Next, check all lines and connections to the heat to make sure that they’re running smoothly. You should also keep an eye out for any leaks, as even the smallest amount of moisture can rot your flooring. Make sure to check the valve as well. Any time it gets stuck in an on or off position, it can result in an explosion.

These are just a few of the many things that you can do to keep your Brantford/Brant County home in peak condition. If you have any questions about how to prep your home for sale in the Brantford/Brant County real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me and ask. I’d love to help. I hope to hear from you soon!


Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage
Over 525 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 Website at:
www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!