Category Archives: Uncategorized

eSolds Reveals an Innovative New Product in Real Estate – eCertificates

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Jesse

eSolds was founded with the sole purpose of providing third party real estate solutions to home sellers and Realtors. eSolds has developed a solution that provides assurance to home buyers that they are getting exactly what they are paying for in a potential real estate transaction. eSolds believes that this innovative new product is going to change the way real estate is sold and purchased throughout Canada.

The product is eCertificates. eCertificates serve only one purpose, in that they provide assurance to the home buyer and leverage to the home seller. By purchasing an eCertificate, the home buyer is guaranteeing that the home for sale is eCertified, which means that it is exactly what it says it is. They are basically stating that the home, as listed, is exactly what they are selling, assuring the home buyer that they are purchasing what they are paying for, and nothing about the home is hidden or misrepresented.

The goal is to make the home purchase transaction a more satisfying experience. By eliminating any buyer’s remorse, an eCertificate provides confidence within the buyer to submit an offer, and at the same time, it markets the home for sale in an innovative way, keeping customers ahead of the competition.

eCertificates were created based on the premise that properties for sale should be certified, just as cars are certified. eCertificates are meant to be irrefutable proof that buyers will get what they have been promised. This means that the home seller can provide reassurance that the home being sold and put on the market is actually what it claims to be. Sellers benefit from this because it increases the salability of their home. Real estate agents benefit in the fact that they will be able to sell homes faster. Home buyers will benefit in the security of knowing that they are getting exactly what they are paying for.

With an eCertified home, not only is the home sold faster, but at the best price possible, and in the end, both the home seller and home buyer, are left smiling, and neither is left with any regrets.

Three Tips to Successful Negotiations in Real Estate

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Jesse

Success in real estate, whether it is buying or selling a house, comes down to negotiations and getting the best deal possible.  The catch is that when it comes to the sale of a home, both the buyer and seller, want to feel as though the outcome favors them, or at the least, represents a fair balance of interests.

In most cases, neither party gets ‘everything’ they want, but a good balance is key to a successful negotiation. ESolds knows how to develop a strong bargaining position, which can help get the most from any real estate transaction. ESolds lists three tips to help develop a successful negotiation strategy.

1.

Know the market.

As with everything else, the real estate market is constantly changing. Sometimes it’s a ‘buyers’ market, and at other times, it’s a ‘sellers’ market. It’s quite obvious that the home seller or home buyer will want to be in the market when it favors their position.

However, there are times when it is possible to go against the market, and still be successful, and this includes when one has ‘leverage’, more than the market would seem to allow.

A good example would be if a property exists in a desirable neighborhood with few sales. Here, the home seller may be able to get a better deal than home sellers located elsewhere. On the other side, for a home buyer who is willing (and able) to quickly close a deal, they gain significant leverage in the eyes of many home sellers. Those who are willing to make it a quick deal by closing faster are utilizing a key bargaining chip, especially if the home seller is in need to sell the home for sale as quick as possible.

2.

Understand leverage

Leverage means everything when it comes to negotiations. If the home buyer knows that the home owner is desperate to sell (maybe because they lost their job, or found a job in another city and need a quick sale), the home buyer has a lot of leeway in the negotiation process. On the other hand, if the home buyer is one of many vying for the home, the home seller then gains the upper hand. Leverage means everything in negotiations and both the home seller and home buyer should be aware of where they stand before stepping in to the bargaining process.

3.

Importance of Finances

Real estate transactions involve a trade, a house for money, and the house is obviously there, but what about the money?

Home buyers who are ‘pre-qualified’ have at least some idea of their ability to finance a home and can be assured that they are at least likely to qualify for some loan programs. This means that the ‘pre-qualified’ home buyer represents less of a risk to a home seller. This becomes useful in negotiations, because a home seller is more likely to accept an offer from a home buyer who has known financial strength.

Two Main Financial Decisions Faced By Home Owners And Home Buyers Today

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Jesse

One of the most important financial decisions an individual will make is often revolved around real estate, mainly buying or refinancing a home. Before doing anything however, ESolds advises the importance of seeking the right advice from trained professionals.

A financial institution can easily let a potential home buyer know what they can afford. But that is about all they can tell the potential home buyer. For more in-depth knowledge and analysis, a potential home buyer, and even a home owner seeking refinancing, should seek out the help of a realtor, who has the training and know-how of the housing market, to guide, the home buyer and home owner, in the right direction.

Esolds addresses two key financial decisions that home buyers and home owners face: Affordability and Refinancing.

The first key decision is in regards to the home buyer and whether or not they can afford a house for sale. Almost everyone that buys a home needs to borrow some money to pay for it. The simplest way to determine affordability for a home is to determine how much money can be borrowed as a mortgage loan, which should involve a consultation with a lending institution. The institutions apply specific standard tests, based on family income and taking into account debts owed, in order to determine the amount of money available for a loan.

Once a potential home buyer determines how much they can actually afford, they should then seek out the assistance of a realtor. A realtor has intimate knowledge of the local real estate market, and also has access to Multiple Listing Service, which they can utilize to create a personalized list of homes for sale that meet the needs of the potential home buyer.

The second key decision lies with the home owner and is in regards to refinancing. ESolds advises that the home owner take into account three basic factors before deciding on refinancing. These factors are: interest rate, length of stay within current home, and the actual goal to be accomplished by refinancing.

A standard rule-of-thumb is to refinance if current mortgage rates are at least 1.5 to 2.5 percent points below the existing rate. This is because the home owner will need an adequate rate reduction to compensate for the expense of refinancing. Costs that are directly associated with refinancing are penalty fees, fees for appraisal and other related services.

Another factor tied into interest rate is how long the home owner plans on living in their home. Here, it is simply determining how long it would take to recoup the refinancing costs through the monthly savings from a lower interest rate.

The final factor is to determine financial goals. There are a lot of reasons why a home owner may choose to refinance. Some, especially those nearing retirement, may want to pay off the mortgage earlier and usually choose to refinance to a shorter term. Others, such as those who are facing financial difficulties, may choose to reduce monthly payments. Many home owners with variable rate mortgages choose to refinance when rates are low, due to the fact that it provides security and peace of mind.

Ten Reasons for Using a Realtor when Selling a Home

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Jesse

It is actually quite surprising the number of people who attempt the do-it-yourself approach, when selling a home. For a lot, however, this approach would not even be an option, as they would not likely take the chance to gamble with what is and can be the single most important investment that they will ever make.

Selling a home without the help of realtor is not as easy as it may appear, and usually turns out to be a stressful and time-consuming process. Usually, the do-it-yourself home seller, doesn’t address important questions that come naturally to the the realtor. Questions such as true market value of the home, legal issues, suitable financing, finding a qualified buyer, negotiations, and the list goes on.

Selling a home today demands expertise and market resources that are not available to those trying the do-it-yourself approach. Here are several reasons why a home seller should enlist the services of professional realtors.

1. The home for sale will sell a lot faster when a realtor is used, due to the fact that they can identify qualified buyers more quickly and also because the realtor has resources that a person trying the do-it-yourself approach, does not.

2. The realtor will undoubtedly get a higher price for the home than if the home seller tried to sell it themselves.

3. The realtor not only has the resources and tools to help the home sell faster and for a better price, but they also possess the necessary knowledge to do so.

4. The realtor knows the neighborhood, and unlike the do-it-yourself home seller, the realtor is assessing market conditions and property values on almost a daily basis.

5. The realtor knows and understands the complexity of legal issues faced when selling a home and is better trained to put together a legally binding contract.

6. When it comes to negotiations, the do-it-yourself home seller needs to understand that negotiations are an art, an art that professional realtors take years to master.

7. The realtor is available 24/7, day and night, weekdays and weekends, all with the sole goal of selling the home for sale. That being said, they will inevitably have the flexibility in time to show the home whenever it needs to be shown, unlike the do-it-yourself home seller, who inevitably will be tied up for a number of hours during the day.

8. The realtor is aware of the options available for financing the sale and also has the latest information on mortgages.

9. Only the realtor can list the home for sale on MLS , which means that the home will get the widest possible exposure, and will bring in the qualified buyers and best offers, the home otherwise wouldn’t be able to get.

10. Finally, the home seller will obviously be looking for a new home, either before or after the sale, and that’s where the realtor is there to help again. The realtor can show the home seller thousands of homes through MLS, providing them with a list of homes suited to their needs, wants and budget.

If the home seller is genuinely serious about not only selling a home, but also selling it fast and getting the highest possible offer, then they should enlist the services of a professional realtor. At the end of the day, selling that home can lead to a financial reward, a big one at that, and the home seller should never leave anything to chance.

Four Key Advantages of Buying an Older Home

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Jesse

A potential home buyer needs to assess exactly what it is they ‘need’ and ‘want’ in their real estate investment, before actually beginning their search, as this will ease the buying process, and make the end goal that much more fulfilling. Most home buyers go out looking for something new, something fresh. What they are unaware of however, are that older homes provide just as many benefits, if not more, than a new home does.

Many home buyers now sway towards the option of an older home, because of the various benefits that an older home provides.  Here are four key benefits that come with buying an older home.

1. When it comes to an older home, the home buyer knows that what they see is what they get. There will inevitably be structural faults, and they will be much easier to see, thus there will be no way to hide any faults or deficiencies, so the home buyer knows exactly what they are getting if they go ahead and make the purchase.

2. Another aspect when buying an older home is that the neighborhood that the older home resides is actually established. With a new home, the neighborhood still has yet to be established, so a lot remains uncertain. With an older home, there is no uncertainty as the home buyer will know exactly where the schools are, the malls, etc.

3. Usually, as well, a variety of local services within the neighborhood of an older home, are already established.

4. One last aspect of buying an older home is that there are generally fewer move-in costs. Basic features such as drapery tracks, and special lighting fixtures, are already installed, and often included in the sale of the older home.

Regardless of which type of home for sale the home buyer chooses, there are benefits that come along with both an older home and a new one.  These benefits aren’t all listed here so the home buyer should take the opportunity to seek the help of a professional realtor, who can simply lay out everything there is to need to know about a home, whether new or old.

Increase In Real Estate Sales For July 2013

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Jesse

The month of July was a good one for real estate. Home sales across the GTA reached some of their highest levels for that summer month since 2009. There was an approximate 16 percent increase in house sales, making it, according to the Toronto Real Estate Board, one of the best July’s for sales on record.

According to figures release by TREB, the average selling price of a home also increased to $513, 246. This is largely based on sales of low-rise homes. Condo transactions, and prices as well, went up with a sales increase of about 10 percent across the Greater Toronto Area, compared to the same time last year. The average price of condos sold in July was approximately $338, 854.

“We are forecasting continued average price growth for the remainder of 2013 and through 2014 as well, says TREB senior manager of market analysis, Jason Mercer. “Months of inventory for low-rise homes remain near record lows, suggesting that sellers’ market conditions will remain in place the second half of 2013.”

This sudden surge in sales isn’t simply by chance. A year ago, the market softened, especially condo sales, in light of tougher mortgage lending rules that had been imposed by the government. This led to many first time buyers second guessing making a home purchase.

This July, the year 2013, was different however, as potential home buyers reached into their pockets to land the home of their dreams.

Another factor that may have come into play is weather. The spring market was a washout as the GTA saw some of the heaviest rainfall it has seen in decades. The past winter didn’t help as well, as the cold weather kept potential home buyers indoors, and most likely only searching for homes online rather than actively looking to purchase one.

Highest growth was shown for semi-detached homes, whose sales were up 26.4 per cent in July over the same month in 2012, according to TREB figures. There was a 29 percent spike in sales in the City of Toronto alone.

First time buyers have appeared to have adjusted to the mortgage lending rule changes, and seem to now have the confidence (and the savings) and seem to be out there buying real estate again.

As for the condo market, it is holding up better than observers first expected, and is now seeing firming up of prices, and the number of units for sale remains high.

Five Tips To Help Sell Your Home

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Jesse

When the time comes to sell a home, the home seller can easily get tempted to pursue the do-it-yourself approach, with the hope being that they will save on the real estate commission they’d otherwise pay with the use of a realtor. Selling a home without the services of a professional, will not necessarily save the home seller money, and could also inevitably lead to problems that would otherwise not be faced when using a professional.

Anyone selling a home look over the following five tips, before doing so.

1. Is the home seller a good negotiator? Negotiations are key to gaining the upper hand in the final outcome, whether it be buying or selling.

2. Most home sellers lack a genuine network of contacts, which real estate professionals do. A real estate brokerage possesses the right set of contacts that can produce potential home buyers for the home for sale, but moreover, will be able to block out unqualified prospects, who could possibly waste valuable time during the home selling process.

3. Does the home seller have enough knowledge of the current market to price the home properly and put it on the market at a price that will be attractive to both the home seller and any potential home buyers? Again, this is highly unlikely, but not for real estate professionals, who know the market, and know when it’s the best time to buy or sell a home.

4. Does the home seller have the time to show the home to potential home buyers and is the home seller available seven days a week? Most likely not, but here, again, a real estate brokerage can help, as they usually run 24-hours, with around the clock availability.

5. Does the home seller have the necessary skills and finances to advertise and market the home for sale effectively? Here, a real estate brokerage not only has the skills and financial resources to advertise, but they are also available on a 24-hour basis to handle calls. Another key point, and one of the biggest, is that only a realtor can list a home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to ensure that it receives the widest possible exposure, and thus the best possible price.

There are many other things that a home seller should understand before deciding upon the do-it-yourself approach. Closing a sale involves many steps, there a legal issues, such as a legally enforceable contracts, all of which a real estate brokerage is ready to handle.

To get the best possible value and also avoid undue stress that comes along with the sale of a home, the home seller should leave it to the professionals, and just sit back, relax, and wait for the offers to start rolling in.

The ‘need-to-know’ about FSBO

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Jesse

Not sure if you’re able to sell your own home?

For Sale By Owner is a growing trend in the real estate market which could save you thousands in real estate fees. Going the FSBO route, home sellers skip out on listing agent costs and instead list and sell it themselves. After all who knows your home better than you!

Although you will save on listing your home, you must still be prepared to give your buyers listing agent a commission. A tip to take advantage of your lowered real estate fees is to increase the commission to the buyer agent by a bit more than the average, as incentive for real estate agents to bring more buyers to your home.

Being your own agent requires you to become knowledgeable in the market your selling in. Understanding fair market value is crucial for the pricing of your home. The best way to establish this is to look at recently sold comparable MLS Listings. It’s important to know for how much similar homes in area with common features, have been sold for in the current market. This will help you to price your home competitively.

When you are the only point of contact for interested buyers you will have more of a sense of how your home is being perceived. You will be there for the showings, open houses, and be the one negotiating purchase contract yourself. When you have direct contact with your buyers and less agent back-and–forth negotiations, closing a deal is quicker and easier.

When your selling you home, you’re also in control of all the major decisions including where and how to advertise. According to the National Association of Realtors, over 77% of homebuyers use the Internet to search for homes. There are many sites (including this one!) which are focused on advertising for sale by owner homes to ensure you get the most exposure.

All of the tools you need to sell your home are at your fingertips. Now it’s up to you to take them and save money!

Steps To Take When Looking To Buy A Home

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Jesse

Looking for real estate can seem like a daunting task, but that doesn’t have to be the case, if the home buyer takes the time to do their research and understand themselves and their needs, before the search for a home even begins.

All home buyers should be aware of one thing, which is by far the most paramount thing, when looking for a home, which is that the potential home buyer carefully think out exactly what they want, or at least have an idea, before starting their home search.

It is actually as simple as listing the number of bedrooms desired, number of bathrooms, garage or no garage, amenities such as a pool, as well as also listing certain desires, such as the need for a school nearby, a shopping mall within walking distance, and the list goes on.

It’s important for home buyers to make a wish list that prioritizes their “must haves” with their “would likes”. Having a list that clearly identifies “wants” can help the home buyer and the real estate agent, understand exactly what types of properties that should be looked for.

Real Estate has long been and will continue to be one of the most secure investments for the future. It provides security and a sense of well-being that cannot be equaled by any other purchase. And although buying a home can seem like a daunting process, it doesn’t have to be. Search Realty can help by assuring that the process runs more smoothly, and the final goal made much more clear and easier to obtain.

Home Buyers are Now Going Online to Find a Home

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Jesse

The value of an online presence, in terms of real estate, has never been more important, as more and more people are finding homes for sale online. Marketing a home today is not like it was in days past. Home buyers rely less on newspapers and open houses, and more on online resources, in order to obtain valuable home buying information, which they require in order to go about purchasing a home.

Home buyers want to learn as much as possible about the home buying process by relying on online content, compared to the past, when they’d more than likely turn to friends and family to compare notes. Searching online for a home has basically become the standard, and more and more people are heading to their desktops and laptops when that thought of buying a home slips into their mind.

There are exceptions however. Those over the age of 50, looking to buy a home, are more likely to stick to older traditions, and grab a newspaper or make a quick phone call to a realtor. By contrast, those under the age of 50, especially those within their 20s and 30s, are inevitably going to begin their search for a new home online.

Online real estate has not however, sped up the home buying process. Unlike a site such as Amazon or eBay, you can’t just simply add a home to a cart and click checkout. Online search for homes is basically considered a starting point for potential home buyers, in that, an online search can help a potential home buyer get a sense for what is out there, and more importantly, narrow the list of potential homes to purchase.

There are many advantages to purchasing a home online. It allows the home buyer quickly see a large number of homes for sale, and obtain details about each, as well as the asking price. If the home buyer has narrowed down their search to a specific neighborhood or area, the home buyer can focus a search for a home to that specific area. And finally, through searching for a home online, list details are provided and the home buyer can easily follow up once a promising home is found.