The Brantford Home Info Blog!: Brant County Real Estate

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Your Brantford/Brant County Home’s Pre-Inspection Checklist!

The home inspection is one of the most anxiety-provoking aspects of a real estate transaction, particularly from the seller’s perspective. As a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent, I do everything that I can to ease my clients’ worries about this particular step in the process by preparing them for the inspection itself.

There are a number of things that you need to remember to do in order to prepare your home for inspection. None of these items are steps to be taken lightly. A poor home inspection can result in a decrease in the amount buyers are willing to offer. You could also run into issues during negotiations if certain things aren’t taken care of prior to inspection, as buyers will have more leeway and cause for concern. That’s why I’ve come up with this quick pre-inspection checklist. If you take care of these important steps before the inspector arrives, then there will be less of a chance for problems after they leave.

•    Make sure all utilities are turned on and functional. If you’re already living in the Brantford/Brant County property you’re trying to sell, then this shouldn’t be a problem, but if you’re selling it after you’ve moved out, then make sure you take care of this early-on.
•    If there is natural gas or propane service, then all pilot lights should be lit.
•    All wood-burning stoves and fireplaces should be cleaned. Please don’t use any of these appliances 24 hours before inspection. Appliance manuals and WETT Certificates should be handy, if they are available to you.
•    Make sure your attic is readily accessible. All stored items should be removed so the inspector can move about the space.
•    All crawl entrance spaces should be readily accessible.
•    Furnace and water heaters should be accessible and operational.
•    Sinks should be clear of all dishes.
•    Showers and bathrooms should be clear of all personal items.
•    Built-in appliances are operational and user manuals are readily available.
•    Do not lock or block electrical panels. The inspector will remove the cover and examine the system, so the more clearly accessible those are, the better.
•    Have a site plan identifying where your well and septic field are located, if you have a well or septic tank. Find out when the tank was last pumped and how old the various components are, too.
•    All areas of the home should be accessible and vacant. Don’t have any locked doors or closed off areas throughout the property. The inspector needs to be able to access every square inch of your home.
•    If you have pets, make sure they are either secured in cages or removed from the property.
•    Building permits and receipts for repairs and improvements on the home should be readily available.
•    Schedule at least three hours for your home inspection.

If you take the steps listed above to prepare your home for inspection, then there’s a much better likelihood that you’ll pass. A smooth inspection can make your Brantford/Brant County Real Estate transaction proceed in a timely fashion. As your local real estate professional, my main concern is guiding you through a stress-free transaction. The best defense is a good offense, so before you face that dreaded home inspection, take the steps to make your home as perfect as possible.

If you have any questions about what you need to do to prepare your home for sale in the Brantford/Brant County real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m happy to help!

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Thursday, November 1, 2012

Never Neglect Your Brantford/Brant County Home’s Curb Appeal!

Whether you’re an investor who is planning on flipping a Brantford/Brant County property or a homeowner preparing to list their home on the local real estate market, there is one thing that you should never forget, and that’s curb appeal. First impressions are everything, and the immediate vibe that someone gets when they lay eyes on your Brantford/Brant County home or investment will determine whether or not they’re interested in considering it or not. That’s why, no matter how low your property value is, you have to dedicate time and care to curb appeal. It could prove to be a major return on your investment.

As a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate agent, I think that it’s important to remind my clients about the importance of curb appeal. The better maintained your property appears to be, the more a buyer will be willing to offer for it. Here are a few quick curb appeal tips to make your Brantford/Brant County home or investment property look its best:

Clean up your yard. Do you have fall leaves all over your front lawn? Is the grass overgrown? Are there toys and bicycles along your front walkway? Make sure you rake, mow and clean up your yard before you start showing your property. The entryway to your Brantford/Brant County home should be clear and easily accessible.

Repaint. Nothing makes a house look more neglected than peeling paint. It’s imperative to give a little extra TLC to the places on your home’s exterior where the paint is unsightly or lacking. Go above and beyond to give those spots a fresh coat of paint. The front door is another great place to present a freshly painted surface. The newer it looks, the more valuable your home will be to a buyer.

Put out a fresh Welcome mat. It sounds silly, but it does add a nice touch to your entryway. Remember: the more inviting your home looks, the more enticing it will be to potential buyers.

Clean out your gutters. Now that it’s fall, you will likely have a buildup of fallen leaves, twigs and other debris in your gutters. It’s important to do your best to clean these out BEFORE showing time. This might not seem like something that would be incredibly noticeable, but you’d be surprised how many buyers pick up on it. Remember: buyers are visiting your home with an incredibly critical eye. They’ll notice EVERY detail, so make those little finishing touches count.

If you have any questions about what you need to do to sell your home in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to guide you throughout the entire selling process, from contract to close. I hope to hear from you soon!

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Friday, October 26, 2012

PRICE REDUCED: 4-616 Grey Street-Superb Two Bedroom Condo in Excellent Condition!

JUST LISTED BY WALLY DUFRAT AT RE/MAX TWIN CITY REALTY, INC:

Listed At: $119,500
Number of Bedrooms: 2
Number of Bathrooms:1

Welcome to this superb 2 bedroom condo! In excellent condition, this property is a steal, even cheaper than rent! Ideal for the the first time home buyer or empty nester, this condo features an oak eat-in kitchen, lots of cupboards, and a good living room. Enjoy nice Brantford days on your private balcony. This pet friendly building is in a great neighbourhood and situated in a quiet area close to parks and schools. The building faces away from the street. Don't miss your chance to see everything this excellent condo has to offer!

Property Features

Cable TV	Balcony	Phone
Electricity	Eat-in Kitchen	Natural Gas
High-Speed Internet	Central A/C, Central Heat	Whirlpool Tub

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Monday, October 22, 2012

PRICE REDUCED-257 Oakland Road: Welcome to this Great Country Property Complete with Small Stream!

JUST LISTED BY WALLY DUFRAT AT RE/MAX TWIN CITY REALTY, INC:

Listed At: $179,927
Number of Bedrooms: 2
Number of Bathrooms:1

Welcome to this great country property with a small stream at the back of the lot! The seller bought his home because it is an ideal place to raise children. It provides a small town feel with friendly neighbors. Park your car in the 1.5 car garage, attached to the property. The many improvements include a bathroom updated in 2010, kitchen updated in 2012, living room floor updated in 2011, central vacuum updated in 2005 and doors updated in 2012. Create culinary concoctions in the eat-in kitchen, complete with newer windows. Escape to your full, unspoiled basement that has ample room for another bedroom and rec room. You can enjoy a quiet location situated near excellent schools!

Property Features

Cable TV	Unspoiled Basement	Yard
Electricity	Eat-in Kitchen	Natural Gas
High-Speed Internet	Central A/C, Forced Air Heat	Attached Garage

Photos

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