Search

•Contact your bank and get a pre-approval letter as well as a guaranteed interest rate (60-120 day rate hold).

•Contact your REALTOR® and get set up with an autosearch getting you and your REALTOR® familiar at what you are looking for.

•Set up a budget and a timeline for viewing properties with your REALTOR®. It is in this process that you will determine your wants from needs. You may have to give and take on some things and you may end up with something a little different from what you had in mind, but in the end you will have found the right home.

Offer

•Put in an offer on a property, always include conditions of finance and home inspection.

•Be sure to give your REALTOR®  your Lawyer/Mortgage Broker information.  direct to them when your offer is accepted. (If you don’t have a lawyer – ask us for a list of real estate lawyers)

Acceptance

(pending period)

•Once offer is accepted, initial deposit cheque is cashed and will be applied toward your down payment. You will have 5 – 10 days to satisfy conditions

•Arrange appt. with and fax purchase papers to Mortgage Broker/ Lender

•Lender will arrange for appraiser

•Arrange for home inspection, if an older home, have the sewage line tested.

•Finalize finances with bank

•Ensure all conditions are satisfactory and sign a form stating conditions are removed

Sold

•Give second deposit cheque (if required) once conditions are removed

•Our office will send purchase documents directly to your lawyer and mortgage broker Lawyer deals with all legal matters and ensures monies are transferred and will call you to come in and sign papers

•Arrange for all utilities to commence on your possession date.

•Reserve a moving company/truck and reserve the elevator from the management company if it is a condo purchase

•Arrange for insurance.

•Arrange for utilities hook up.

•Notify the post office of your change in address.

•Several weeks before possession, meet with your lawyer to sign the documents…bring in cash to close.

•Keys are released to you on possession day by your REALTOR® – usually around 12noon -2pm

•Enjoy your new pad!!

We have a list of real estate lawyers, mortgage brokers and home inspectors available to you at your request.

Additional “Christy’s Credentials” Articles…

Christy Van Dyke
Associate | REALTOR®
Your Greenview | Hillview Area Specialist
Search Homes For Sale in Greenview | Hillview 

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager
Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

Moving Tips Part One

• After you’ve moved in, it’s a good idea to let all your electrical appliances return to room temperature before plugging them in.
• Don’t forget to be environmentally friendly! Flatten all your moving boxes for recycling. Many moving companies will pick them up after your move.
• Before you begin to unpack, don’t forget to wipe out all cabinets and shelves.
• Boiling Cinnamon sticks will give your kitchen a clean, fresh scent.
• It’s important to tape your microwave shut and remove the glass plate before you move.
• If you’re planning on hiring a mover, but want to keep costs low, consider doing your own packing. You can also save time and purchase your own packing boxes in advance.
• It is wise to arrange for quick cash to cover unexpected or emergency moving-related expenses.
• Make sure that direct debit and billings links to your bank accounts are organized to handle any changes resulting from your move.
• Certain times of the year are busier moving times. It’ wise to plan ahead and make sure there is availability on the day you want to move.
• Most gas, water and electricity companies require several days notice for disconnecting and re-connecting your services.
• Be prepared to order take-out food or eat out on the first couple of nights in your new home. Chances are you’ll feel tired to cook, but even of you do feel like cooking, most of your kitchen appliances will probably still be packed away.

Corrie Harpe

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager
Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

Moving Tips Part 2

• Important documents such as wills or deeds, jewelry, photos, and family videos are impossible to replace. Consider moving these and other important belongings to a safety deposit box while you move.
• Find out if homeowners or renters insurance policy covers your belongings in transit.
• Be sure to settle all bills that may be overlooked in the move a few days before moving day.
• Remember to contact your local post office and fill out forwarding address forms.
• Additionally, leaving a small welcome card with your forwarding address for the new people moving into your old home is a nice way of asking for any additional pieces of your mail to be redirected.
• You should always shut and lock all windows and doors as you leave your old home on moving day.
• Many movers will be able to make special arrangements for transporting your plants and pets.
• If moving into an apartment/ highrise be sure to book the elevator with the management company.
• Avoid loading more than 50 pounds into one box.
• Label each box and indicate the following: which room it should go in, whether it is fragile, and if it should be loaded last so it will be unloaded first.
• Pack medications in a leak proof container.
• Movers are limited by law in what they can give you for lost or damaged goods. To cover potential damage, check with existing homeowner’s or renter’s policy.
• Document an inventory of all your belongings before you pack.

Corrie Harpe

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager
Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

My Name is Friday and I am available for Adoption!

So you are determined to find a place that can accommodate you and  Poochie. Sometimes the journey is not always easy – nor simple. However – knowing what to expect and how to go about getting your Poochie approved  by the Condo Board is worth knowing before you head out on your search.

A few things to consider regarding Pet Policies:

• All condo boards have some sort of Pet Policy in place. And in most cases where they DO allow pets – it is still with Board Approval.
• Pet height and weight restriction: usually 18-20 pounds and no bigger than 12 inches in height.
• Cats – usually no more than two allowed.
• Birds and other critters still need board approval.
• Usually when a condo is first built – there is no formal board formed to give any direction on a Pet Policy – so many critters can be ‘grandfathered’ into a building if the condo board later decides to restrict pets.
• Townhouses – are usually alittle more lax on the pet approval process…most all allow cats and small dogs …with approval.
• Duplexes – you are the master of your own pet policy…no restrictions. Except that you will be living in close quarters to your neighbor – SO you still want to be a responsible pet owner 🙂

Procedure for Pet Approval

Take a picture of your furry friend, along with a short description of the type and temperament of dog, and submit it to the person on the condo board that takes care of pet approvals. In most cases this is all done via email. A good idea in this email – is to describe how you care for your pet – and to give reassurance of your responsibility as a pet owner. This can go along way on the good will bandwagon to pet approval.

Exceptions to the Rule:

If for medical reasons , ie. epilepsy, diabetes, etc. you require a certain breed that exceeds the 18lbs 12inch rule – you can, along with a medical note from your doctor, override a pet policy. I had a client – with diabetes – that had a small Shepard – and we got her approval with a note from her doctor.

Final Note…

For the most part pet owners are responsible. It’s the odd ones out that make things difficult for the rest. This is usually the case when a condo board decides to make the building a strictly no pet zone – in the long run of re-saleability – this is not a good thing. For instance – most of the high rises along Victoria Promenade do NOT allow pets. Wow = when you think of the demographic wanting to move into these buildings, have pets. They are either downsizing and want to bring their existing Poochie family member with them – or they are single – widowed – divorced  and want a furry friend for comfort and companionship. Pet friendly condos will have the upper hand in resale down the road. Pet owners are a demographic growing in size – builders and condo boards beware!

It’s a lifestyle that’s on the rise….

Looking for a Pet Friendly condo? We can help!

Our furry friend pictured above is currently available for adoption!

Contact Rescue for Life  or SCARS for more info on adoption. A life spared, a life of love to give …adopt a pet today:)

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

Here are the pro’s and con’s of using an increased deposit from both the buyers and sellers point of view.

Seller: From a Seller’s point of view an increased deposit reflects the seriousness and sincerity of the buyers efforts in securing the deal. His good faith in proceeding with the deal.

Buyer:  From a buyer’s point of view, it may give them an edge over a competing buyer’s offer in a multiple offer situation.

Negative: only to a Buyer – if they remove all of their conditions – and then decide to back out of the deal – in which case their deposit would be forfeited.

Generally speaking the sellers want to be assured that the buyer is serious and sincere about the offer and seeing it through to possession. The size of the deposit is a litmus test for a buyers sincerity to see the offer through to completion. In addition the seller will be taking their home off the market – whilst the property is waiting for possession. If the buyer is not able to fulfill the terms of the contract (after all conditions have been met) then the deposit is often times the only recourse a seller will receive.

Additional “AGENT 101” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

You are probably thinking …what possible con’s could there be in a multiple offer situation? Surprisingly there are a few things on both sides of the fence to consider…

Starting with the Pros:

1. You are in a good position to get your asking price.
2. Negotiations are usually quick and uneventful or unemotional.
3. You will be able to pick the offer that best suits all of your terms: price and possession date.

However, in buyer’s market there are some things to consider ..now the Con’s:

1. In a buyer’s market, buyer’s are averse to getting into bidding war – they see it as an unnecessary evil. Especially at a time when they should be getting a deal – not giving a deal to a seller. Often times buyer’s will walk away from a deal in order to find a home that they do not have to compete for.
2. If you come back with an over confident (counter) offer – you may risk offending or alienating your buyer. This is a tricky one to navigate. Proceed with caution and rely on your REALTOR®

Additional “Christy’s Credentials” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Christy Van Dyke
Associate | REALTOR®
Your Greenview | Hillview Area Specialist
Search Homes For Sale in Greenview | Hillview 

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager
Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

Looking ahead these Real Estate trends will be here for a while. Find out what types of Real Estate investing is on the forefront of buyer’s minds and pocket books!

1. Housing recovery: unlikely, however cautious optimism remains. A few more foreclosures have yet to flush through the market(s).

2. Mc Mansions are out: compact housing is it. Baby boomers are downsizing to more manageable homes. Generation “x” is interested in vibrant, walkable neighborhoods, smaller compact homes. smaller homes with more pizazz..

3. Home buyers are thinking long term: 1st time home buyers are now thinking a decade in advance. Repeat buyers 15 years in advance. Homeowners are simply planning on staying longer.

4. Prices still have further to drop:  Increase in foreclosures. The 500,000 plus market (larger older homes)and conditionally and location challenged unsold properties will still need to adjust price or condition or both in order to sell. Price competitively or price it to compel a buyer to choose your property over the gazillion other choices they may have.

5. More foreclosure to come: still shaking out the over bought/over extended home owners from the boom of 2005-07. Some home owners that bought in 2005-07 are now needing to sell/move for one reason or another. Some can’t afford to move because their mortgages are worth more than what the market will bear for their home and that leads to more foreclosures.

6. Mortgage rates to remain low: Long term rates will begin to rise mid to late 2012. Rates will eventually have to go up in order for governments to begin to recover their own debt loads.

7. Mortgage Rules/Standards taking on new shape: Shorter amortization periods: no more 50 year mortgages, now down to 25 year mortgages as the norm. Increase minimum downs: more and more lenders are tightening their purse strings and will be requiring more money for down payments in order to secure financing. Longer probation periods: stricter qualifying standards over all, especially the self- employed.

8. New Construction concerns: lower new construction starts in this market could lead to a housing shortage in the future.

9. Investor opportunity: CASH investors will rock especially for bank /foreclosure sales.

10. Housing recovery dependent on employment rate: housing recovery maybe delayed due to in part of current employment rate.

Although not written in stone the above Real Estate Trends for 2013 are a guideline as to the direction the market is headed. Smaller homes, tighter financing regulations, and a few more foreclosures to get through are all what we can generally expect to see in the near future. But always remember: a good home well located, presented and priced will sell in any market!

Happy Investing!

Corrie Harpe

I have told this story a number of times but I think it bares repeating because it encompasses the essence of any successful business relationship.

My Father has over the years given me some pretty useful advice. He ran a successful Law practice in his day, that thrived on repeat business: referrals. However, alot of these referrals he had never met before. As you can imagine a Lawyer – not unlike a Realtor – client relationship involves a two way trust understanding.

My Father would always start off the conversation with something like this:
“You don’t know me from Adam, and I don’t know you from Adam. You have to trust me because you have no other choice and I have to trust you because I have no other choice. As long as we understand that – we can move mountains together. If we don’t , we can’t put one foot in front of another.”

Trust is  fundamental in any relationship. Once you can establish that with your clients – and for your clients to understand that you require that of them too- there begins a successful journey.

I have often shared this story with my clients – yup – and they were referrals I had not met before…thanks Dad.

Additional “AGENT 101” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Jennifer Kennedy
Broker | Owner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

The results are in! We have polled our client base to ask them what they valued the most in their home and neighborhood. Not surprising that backyards, big windows for natural light and quiet location topped the list!

Here are the results:

Best Home Features:

1. Tied for first place: Backyard size and large windows to allow all the natural light in …( FYI – you tend to gravitate in a home where there is the most sunlight – a home with lots of sunny living areas has better resale)

2. Size of the home and layout (large living spaces).

3. Decks deck and more decks, and the covered variety too!

4. Open concept.

5. Renovated rooms: kitchen’s , master ensuite: with upgrades such as anti slam doors, granite and hardwood floors.

6. Kitchen that has direct access to the covered deck.

7. Insuite laundry – from our condo dwellers – this is a HUGE selling feature.

8. Soaker tub: relaxin’ is a good thing…

9. Historical charm.

10. Ensuite and guest ensuite.

Best Neighborhood Features:

1. Tied for tops: Quiet tree lined streets, no crime and with close proximity to all amenities and major transportation accesses.

2. Proximity to parks, trails, walkways and community lake.

3. Strong community atmosphere.

4. Walk-out, corner lot with good neighbors.

5. Cul de sac location.

Additional “AGENT 101” Articles…

Additional “Edmonton Realtor: KENNEDY Real Estate” Articles…

Megan Wagner

KENNEDY Real Estate
Your Edmonton REALTOR® | Edmonton Home Stager

Call us today…780-485-3010 and GET SOLD!
Area Specialists | Lifestyle Marketing

REALTORS® : Looking for a great Team environment to grow your business…see our Brokerage Model for info on how to make that happen!

Have you ever felt that a home just didn’t feel good? Or that it had bad vibes? Sometimes the signs of good and bad Feng Shui are not so obvious. The following outlines what makes for good and bad Feng Shui in a home. You can use these as a general guideline when shopping for a home.

Even when it comes to Feng Shui, it’s still location, location, location. Why? Because you can’t change it! You can change price and condition but not location. SO that is where we will start:

1. Preowned? Good Feng Shui if the previous owners are moving to a bigger house, job promotion and are moving away or won the lottery – this would all be good energy.

2. Lot: wider in the back or square is good Feng Shui. Reverse pie lots are not. Square or rectangular shaped lots are considered ideal.

3. Cul-de-sac: be sure not to be at the T intersection of the cul-de-sac to the road – this considered bad Feng Shui. You will end up getting the glare of headlights into the front of your house in the evenings.

4. Fire Hydrants: can’t have those in front of the house: bad Feng Shui as it represents your wealth being ‘washed’ away.

5. Bedrooms: should not be located over the garage, kitchen or laundry room. In addition beds should not share a common wall with a toilet. Master bedrooms should ideally be north facing and the bed should back onto the south wall facing north. In addition there should be no mirrors across or beside the bed.

6. No bathrooms over a dining room or kitchen. (This would seem obvious – no leaking toilets over my Turkey dinner!)

7. Home office: should be in the southeast portion of the home. Morning sun brings good energy and the south sun provides daytime sunshine to keep you energized throughout the day.

8. Homes facing south and backing north are ideal.

9. The flow of the home is important. The front door should not open up directly to the up or down stairwells. Nor should the front door ‘see’ the back door (have direct line from front door to back door). This allows the chi or energy to walk right on through the back door. The energy should be allowed to meander back and forth throughout the home. You also do not want to see the fireplace from the front door.

10. The kitchen, nor the stove should be in the centre of the home. Nor should the kitchen face a toilet door (bathroom). This door should be closed at all times.

11. Office desks should back onto a solid wall – not a window. Nor should a desk or bed face an angled wall.

12. Living too close to a cemetery brings grief into the air – not a good thing.

Feng Shui’s aim is to balance to all aspects of our lives by creating an environment that has good chi or energy. You can do this by firstly looking for a home that fits the locational aspects. The interior of the home can always be changed. But the more you know up front about good energy – or Feng Shui the sooner you will be able to recognize it in your next home.

Happy House Hunting!

Jackie Stewart

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Perdicaris_Kennedy

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