The Brantford Home Info Blog!: Brant County Real Estate Market

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Use a Small Space to Your Advantage in Brantford/Brant County Real Estate

Ten years ago, having a small home was considered a disadvantage in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market. Mega-mansions were more of an appeal for home buyers in the area. Rather than efficiency, the focus was more on having a spacious, impressive property with luxurious amenities and an abundance of room for material goods. It was more about having an aesthetic appeal than a home that would age well. This has started to change.

One of my primary responsibilities as a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent is to monitor trends in the local market, and that includes what today’s buyers want. Over the past couple of years, more buyers have been interested in finding smaller, more compact and energy efficient homes than they are in remaining in a mega-mansion. In fact, many are actually looking to downsize! If you own a small condo or home in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market, then you’re actually at an advantage.

There are a number of reasons why today’s home buyer prefers to live in a smaller space. These are just a few of them:

They’re less expensive. There is a slow economic recovery happening internationally, but many are still struggling to afford a luxury property. A lot of smaller sized homes are priced in a lower range, making them more affordable to a variety of people.

You can save money on your energy bills. The smaller your living space, the less money you’ll have to spend on water, heat, and electric. Many home buyers who are interested in going green actually look for a smaller space in order to reduce their carbon footprint. With environmental awareness being an important issue, this is a major reason that many choose to downsize.

You cut back on maintenance costs. The financial responsibilities surrounding home ownership go far beyond monthly mortgage payments. You also have to consider homeowners insurance, property taxes and maintenance costs. In order to eventually sell the home you buy in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market, you’re going to have to do a great job of maintaining it. In order to make sure that your home stays in the right condition, you’re going to have to spend money, and the smaller your property, the less maintenance will be involved.

As a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent, it’s important that I know how to appropriately market and sell the homes I list. In the past, selling a smaller space proved to be a more difficult task than it is today. Now, I can market smaller properties as a way to save money and reduce impact on the environment, and for many buyers this is a huge benefit.

If you 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 help in any way 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

Over 529 Real Estate Closings!

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

Connect with Me

Thursday, October 4, 2012

A Quick Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Update!

As a Brantford/Brant County real estate agent, one of my missions is to keep the entire community in the know about the state of the housing market. I feel that the more a buyer or seller knows about the current real estate trends, the easier it will be for them to make a decision about whether or not now is the best time to enter in to a transaction. My constant attention to what’s happening in Brantford/Brant County Real Estate is one of my biggest assets as an agent. People feel comfortable coming to me for advice about their housing situation because I’m knowledgeable about the existing real estate climate in Canada.

The third quarter saw an interesting mixture of activity in the Brantford/Brant County real estate market. To begin with, home buyer activity slowed down. This is largely due to the recent restrictions placed on lenders when giving mortgage financing. It has become more difficult for home buyers to be able to get the loans that they need to go through the transaction. As a result, the number of home sales dropped drastically in the third quarter, falling 9% year over year in August. First time home buyers have been especially hit by the recent restrictions, and since those transactions represent one third to one half of market activity, that strongly contributed to the slowdown in home sales.

Despite the lag in sales activity, home prices in the Brantford/Brant County area continued to rise, up anywhere between 1.8%-4.8% nationwide. The recent increase in price is another factor that is stopping the first time home buyer market from entering in to a transaction. Over the next few months, however, many industry experts expect that home sellers in the area will start to adjust their asking prices based upon buyer demand.

Despite the notion that home buyers will continue to suffer from the new mortgage lending restrictions, it is more likely that they will eventually adjust to the new rules and find a way to finance their homes around it. Overall, the Brantford/Brant County real estate market will remain strong over the coming year. The new lending restrictions are presenting an issue that has more to do with how people are transitioning to the new rules.

Overall, the strong sellers market that has been present throughout the Canadian real estate market is slowly transitioning into a buyer’s market. Once buyers become acclimated to the new lending restrictions, the activity will increase again and sellers will be able to continue to price their homes higher.

If you 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 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 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!

Connect with Me

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Your Brantford Home Maintenance Checklist for September!

Well, summer has officially come to an end. The days are starting to get shorter, school has begun and it’s time for that ever-irritating chore: fall cleaning.

As a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate agent, I encourage homeowners to do some serious maintenance during the fall and spring seasons because it’s imperative to keeping their property in tip-top shape. Even if you plan on living in your home for several years to come, you won’t live in it forever. When the time comes to list your home in the Brantford/Brant County real estate market, your home will need to have been well taken care-of and maintained in order for you to sell it quickly.

Here are some of the important maintenance tasks that you need to take care of before the month is over, most of which involve getting ready for the harsh winter weather:

Add weatherstripping to doors and windows. The job of weatherstrips is to close any gaps in your home and keep the cold air and moisture where it belongs: outside. The best way to spot if this needs to be repaired is to look around the doors and windows of your home. If the side stripping appears to be worn-down or gone, you’ll need to replace it.

Check storm windows. Repair and clean storm windows that are cracked or dirty.

Get winter-fighting plywood ready for battle. Set aside some strips of plywood. When the weatherman starts predicting harsh winter storms, set the wood against the basement vents of the side of your home that bears the biggest brunt of inclement weather. This will help prevent frozen pipes in your home.

Inspect your insulation. Fall is the ideal time to check on how well-insulated your home is. You might need more, particularly if your home is a bit older.

Check your gutters. Do a quick once-over and ensure that all gutters are clear. Once the autumn leaves start falling and the rain starts to pour, they’ll be doing double duty, so you want them to be as clean as possible.

Avoid the need to call the exterminator. Now that the weather is cooling off, household pests such as mice are searching for a place to hide out all winter. Make sure your house isn’t that place. Check that all exterior vents are screened and fix gaps in doors and windows.

These are just a few of the things that you should do this month to ensure that your home is in tip-top shape for cold weather. The more diligent you are about caring for your home, the better condition it will be in when you decide to take the plunge and list it in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market. This way, home buyers will be more drawn to your home and you’ll stand out from other properties on the market that haven’t received as much TLC.

If you have any questions regarding your Brantford/Brant County Real Estate needs, don’t hesitate to contact me and ask! I’m happy to help you. I hope to hear from you soon!

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

Connect with Me

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Reduce the Carbon Footprint in Your Brantford Home’s Kitchen!

There’s more that comes to mind than just “food” when you think of the kitchen as a room. For many Brantford/Brant County homes, the kitchen is the heart and soul of their property. It’s the place where families come together to enjoy a meal and discuss their day. It symbolizes togetherness with your loved ones. It’s also, unfortunately, the room that tends to use up the most energy in your home.

As a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate agent, I’ve noticed that many buyers on the market are looking for more energy-efficient properties. It’s an important step in raising the value of your home, however there’s no question that it’s a bit costly. The kitchen is the most expensive room to renovate and remodel, however if you take a few small steps to make your cooking space more “green”, then you can raise the value of your home AND save some money on your energy bills at the same time.

Instead of using an oven, which uses way more energy than it needs to cook food, try using a toaster oven or your cook-top instead. You should also practice more passive cooking techniques. Figure out how long it takes your oven to preheat to certain temperatures and factor that into your cooking time. Turn the oven off a few minutes before your meal finishes cooking. The built-up heat will complete the cooking process without continuing to use unnecessary energy. It’s little fixes like these that will save you money on your energy bill and allow you to use it for more practical, value-raising renovations.

As much as most green food lovers hate microwaves, it really does use much less energy than a stove, and it doesn’t heat up your kitchen, which would cause many to turn up their air conditioning. For defrosting, thaw in the fridge overnight. The less energy you use, the more money you’ll have for important home upgrades.

Another tip? Get rid of the excess waste you incur at the supermarket. Unless you have a huge family to feed, avoid buying in bulk, reuse plastic bags and buy fresh, unwrapped produce. If you can, compost your organic waste. These are environmentally-friendly tips and tricks that will help rid your home of unwanted clutter while reducing your carbon footprint on Mother Earth.

Did you know that most kitchen cleaners have toxic, harmful chemicals in them? Making your own household cleaning products out of baking soda, lemon juice and other kitchen staples rids your home of chemicals that are detrimental to your health. This will make your Brantford/Brant County home’s overall atmosphere far cleaner and healthier.

A green home is a money-saving, healthier, cleaner option, and it will help you reel buyers in as you start your Brantford/Brant County home sale. The more money you save on your energy bills, the more you’ll have for necessary upgrades that will raise the value of your home. As a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate expert, I wanted to share these quick tips with you to help you get on the green bandwagon.

If you have any questions about buying or selling a home in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me and ask! 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!

Connect with Me

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

Connect with Me

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

Connect with Me

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Great Skills to Know When Owning a Brantford/Brant County Home

When you own a home in Brantford/Brant County there are many things to think about. Most of the time home buyers are thinking of the big things like furniture and appliances. However, there are certain skills every homeowner should know in order to take care of their home properly.

One skill that every homeowner should have is being able to locate a stud within your wall. This is extremely helpful when decorating and putting nails in the wall. While having an electronic stud finder is great, you can’t always depend on it. A great way to find studs is to start at the corner, where there will always be a stud, and then measure out every 16 inches. Studs are placed 16 inches apart so once you locate one, finding the rest will be simple.

Unclogging a sink is another great skill to have as a home owner. You see commercials everyday for products that will unclog your drain, but there are ways of unclogging it by yourself. A great way to do this is by using a flat head plunger to try to plunge the clog out of the drain. Another helpful tip, if you know for a fact that hair is causing the clog, bending a meal coat hanger into a hook, you can scoop the hair out, relieving the clog.

Burnt out light bulbs can be a pain, but it is even worse when you go to remove it, and the base of the bulb stays in the lamp. Due to the sharp glass it is not wise to just try to unscrew it with your bare hands. A handy tip is to get an uncooked potato, preferably one that fits comfortably in your hand, cut the potato in half and then stick the open end onto the leftover bulb, then screw it out the bulb.

Know your circuit board. When the power goes out, and you head to your circuit board with a flashlight, you should know which switches to flip, and which ones not to. Flipping the wrong switches can cause more damage than originally occurred.

Being friendly with your neighbors is also a good idea. When you first move into your Brantford/Brant County home, getting to know the people around you will give you a sense of comfort. Knowing your surroundings is always an excellent idea.

If you have any questions, or are interested in buying or selling Brantford/Brant County real estate, feel free to contact me! I look forward to hearing from 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 Websites at:
www.BrantfordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!

Connect with Me

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Where Is The Market Headed After New Mortgage Laws Announced

While many believe that these new mortgage laws have come a little too late, their creators are hoping that this will soften the blow and not make the market crash as hard as some are predicting it will. The Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market, like the rest of Canada, is hoping to benefit from these changes.

One of the biggest parts of the new law has to do with the amount of money a buyer can take in a loan when paying for a house. Now at 80% from 85%, this rate will give the buyer less debt in the long run, however many analysts are reporting that this decrease will make it more difficult for people to purchase homes, possibly leading them to rent rather than buy. Along with the lower rate for borrowing money, the payback period has dropped to 25 years from 30 years. This would give home owners a chance to pay back anything owed in 25 years, and after that would be debt free. Some reports are showing though that most Canadians only have 15 years left on their mortgage, saying this part of the law is not beneficial in the long run.

While the government is hoping that these changes will help home owners with their debt, many are saying they waited too long in order to do any real help. With less time to repay loans, many officials are predicting higher payments will be required. With higher payments, homeowners may not be able to reach the unrealistic goals and won't be able to back their borrowed money in a reasonable amount of time.

With stricter mortgage rules, many first time homebuyers will feel that renting is a better idea than buying. Although rental prices are reported to increase due to the laws, it is leaving first time buyers in a financial bind. While more renters mean more money in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market, it is also predicted to reduce prices once the rush of buyers has dropped off.

If you have any questions regarding the new mortgage laws, or are interested in buying or selling Brantford/Brant County Real Estate, feel free to contact me! I look forward to hearing from 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 Websites at:
www.BrantfordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!

Connect with Me

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Don’t Fall Victim to Common Deal-Breakers During Your Brantford or Brant County Real Estate Transaction!

Many buyers and sellers in the Brantford or Brant County Real Estate market believe that once the contract is signed and an agreement is reached that everything is finished. All they have to do is go to the closing table, sign a few papers and get the keys. This is a nice thought, and in a perfect world, it would be the case. My many years of experience as a Brantford or Brant County Real Estate Agent, however, have taught me otherwise.

There are a number of things that can go wrong before a transaction is completed. About 29% of all contracts signed in the Brantford or Brant County Real Estate market never make it to the closing table. Nearly three out of ten transactions in which the buyer and seller have come to terms with the entire agreement fall apart. In a healthy real estate market, about 90% of agreed upon deals make it to close. This begs the question: why do some deals fall apart? If you can identify the common factors and work with the right Brantford or Brant County Real Estate Agent, you can spot these deal-breakers early-on and work to rectify the issue before the deal is done.

The short sale: it isn’t always so short. In theory, short sales should move quickly: buyers can lowball an offer and a seller doesn’t care because they get no money out of the deal anyway. The problem in these transactions is the lender. They won’t accept just any offer on the property. If they’re going to accept the sale for less than what is owed on the home, they need to make sure it’s worth their while. This results in appraisals, negotiations and rejected offers. It can take months to process these transactions, and it could result in impatient buyers backing out of the deal.

Appraisal issues are abound in today’s market. There are more appraisals coming in short than any other time in history. With the number of foreclosures, short sales and distressed situations on the market today, the comparables on different properties in the area are dragging home values down, resulting in lower offers from buyers and dissatisfied sellers.

Title challenges are delaying deals. The analysis of Permits and Certificates of Occupancy are at an all-time high, and potential complications are creating delays that will tempt impatient buyers or sellers to back out of the transaction.

Some pre-qualifications are done poorly. Some lenders don’t take the time to accurately review a buyer’s tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements and other important financial information before pre-approving a loan. Then, once the application is submitted and an issue is found, the buyer doesn’t end up getting the loan and the deal falls apart.

Unforeseen circumstances are always a factor. Buyers remorse, property damage and job loss are all unforeseen incidences that can occur at any point during the transaction. Sometimes, it can seem like every day a new, debilitating factor pops up.

Now that you can identify what some of the most common deal-breakers are, you can keep your eye out for potential issues early-on in the transaction. If you work with the right Brantford or Brant County Real Estate professional, then you will find that you have an advocate on your side that spots and fixes these issues on your behalf quickly. Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense, and knowing about these potential problems ahead of time will only allow you to easier prevent them should they arise during your Brantford or Brant County Real Estate transaction.

If you have any questions about buying or selling a home on the Brantford or Brant County Real Estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me. I will help you through every phase of the transaction, from list to close. 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 Websites at:
www.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!

Connect with Me

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Find the Right Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent in Five Steps

Selling a home is a huge decision, and quite frankly, it’s also very stressful. That’s why so many people decide to hire a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent to help them throughout their transaction. Each step of the process is tricky and complicated to navigate if you don’t have any experience, and hiring a professional takes that additional stress-factor off of your shoulders. Your agent will take care of everything on your behalf and give you the advice and guidance you need to prepare your home for sale. It’s a lot of responsibility to entrust to someone, which is why when you go to hire an agent, you have to be very careful about whom you select.

If you want to start your Brantford/Brant County Real Estate transaction on the right foot, then you’re going to want to take the necessary steps to finding the perfect agent for the job. Here are five things that you need to do to ensure that you find the right real estate agent for your home sale:

1.    Create a list of possible prospects. You can utilize websites like Trulia, Zillow and REALTOR.com to research various agents in your area of service. It would also be beneficial to get referrals from family and friends. It’s important to read reviews of the agents you’re considering and get a list of names from trusted sources. You’ll want to narrow down the list you make based upon the agent’s niche in the local market. You want the expert who will be the most familiar with your particular type of transaction.
2.    Don’t skimp on the tough questions during your interview. When you sit down and interview a potential Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent, you want to ask basic questions about their background and experience, but you also want to ask them some more difficult, probing questions that give you a sense of their work style and methodology. How familiar is the agent with your neighborhood? What is their plan to market your home? You’re going to want to hire someone who has a strong familiarity with your area and a clear-cut plan for marketing your listing.
3.    Get an idea of each agent’s agency relationship. Some real estate agents in the area participate in what is called dual agency, or representation of a buyer and seller at the same time during a transaction. This isn’t a bad thing, but you will ideally want someone who will only work on your, the seller’s, behalf. You’re going to want somebody who will go to bat for you and look out for your best interests, and that can get complicated when your agent is also representing the other party in the transaction.
4.    Does your agent have any backup? Most real estate professionals are incredibly busy. They’re always on the go. Since they’re supposed to be worrying about showing your home and negotiating with the buyers, they may not have the time needed to get the paperwork and administrative tasks done in a timely fashion. That’s why it’d be ideal for your agent to have an assistant or marketing team. They can be a point of contact for you, and you know that your agent has the manpower to get things done on your behalf quickly.
5.    Set your expectations. Before you sign a contract with an agent, you need to make sure that you have a clear idea of the timeline that will be in place to get your listing off the market. Most agents will ask for three to six months to sell a home. If you live in a luxury property, it may be up to a year. You need to know this ahead of time in order to know what to expect.

As an experienced Brantford/Brant County Real Estate professional, I believe that this is the best way to go about finding the right person to sell your home on your behalf. If you make a careful, thorough decision, then you are more likely to be happy with your quality of service. Feel free to contact me at any time if you’d like to know how to go about preparing your Brantford/Brant County Home for sale. I’d be happy to help you and answer any questions that you may have. 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 Websites at:
www.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!

Connect with Me

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Find the Right Mortgage For Your Brantford Home

It can be difficult enough to understand the intricacies of your mortgage loan, but when you are given a bunch of different options to choose from, things can get even more complicated. As a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent, I have to be familiar with the various types of loan options in order to help my clients figure out which would be the best for their financial situation. I also have developed relationships with a number of lenders in the area, all of which I refer my clients to for top-notch and superior loan advice.

Finding the right mortgage is not an easy process. It takes a lot of thought and planning. You need to be prepared to do a lot of research and weigh a lot of options before deciding on the best plan of action. Using the right mortgage lender in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market and your agent, you will be able to choose the best financing option for your transaction. Here is where you need to start when selecting a mortgage:

•    Ask yourself some important questions. The key is to start with yourself. Don’t focus on interest rates, taxes, homeowner insurance or anything else at the moment. Those numbers are what they are in this market. Your ability to pay those fees depends on your current situation, which is why you need to ask yourself some important questions before you start shopping around for rates. These questions include factors like, “Do I have a financial plan? Do I plan on getting married or starting a family in the near future? How much can I afford to spend on a home in relation to my other expenses?” Notice how these are all questions that relate directly to your personal and professional life, not the particular transaction you’re entering. If you can’t answer these questions confidently and with a plan in place, then now may not be the best time to take on the responsibility that comes along with a mortgage loan.
•    Familiarize yourself with what’s out there. Pre-approved mortgage. Open mortgage. Closed mortgage. Bridge financing. Is your head spinning yet? These are just a few of the many types of mortgages available on the market today. You need to discuss your personal needs with your Brantford/Brant County loan officer and review all of the options available to you. Do your research and familiarize yourself with the various kinds of mortgages on the market. The more you know, the better you will be able to find the plan that will work best for your individual situation.
•    Use your Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent to help. Not only will your agent have the connections to loan officers in the area that can help you, but they’ll also be able to answer basic questions about mortgage loans. They’ll also be able to help you figure out some of the answers to the important questions above as they guide you throughout the entire buyer and seller process. This is one resource that you will definitely want to use!

If you start by focusing on your needs and what is practical for your financial situation, then, with the help of your Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent and loan officer, you will find the right mortgage loan. It’s all about planning ahead and being honest about what you can afford. If you have any questions about how to go about buying a home in the Brantford/Brant County 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

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 Websites at:
www.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!

Connect with Me

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Five Ways to See Investment Success in Brantford!

Many investors in the Brantford area have seen success, but that’s come with years of hard work and experience. If you’re expecting to see the cash start flowing in overnight, then you may be in for some disappointment. There are ways in which your business style and practices can influence how much success you see, so if you’re interested in becoming an investor in the Brantford Real Estate market, you need to make sure that you have the right work ethic and drive.

As a Brantford Real Estate Agent who has worked with investors, I think that it’s important to advise and guide my clients on the best way to navigate the local market. Part of that is developing strong business relationships, so if there’s any way that I can advise my clients on how to best accomplish that, I do so. Here are five things that you, as an investor in Brantford Real Estate, can do to develop the contacts that will help your career in the industry be successful.

Be honest about how much buying power you have. It’s unethical to lie about how much cash you have to put into investments. It’s okay to take some risks sometimes, but people aren’t going to want to work with an investor who spends more than they have. It could cause financial issues down the line, so in order to stay successful, make sure that you stay honest.

Don’t back out of deals on a regular basis. No property is perfect, so if you back out of a deal because of minor issues, you could be seen as unreliable or difficult to work with. It’s important to carefully consider a decision before making a commitment, so if you need some time to think on an investment, take it. That is better than having everything prepared for closing and then backing out at the last minute.

Know what you want. Sure, picking a location and place for your next investment is a huge decision, which is why you should figure out exactly what it is that you want in a Brantford investment property BEFORE you start your search. These transactions will take much longer if you go in blind than if you do your research and have a list of requirements going in to things.

Have goals! The only way that you’re going to continue to expand and grow as a Brantford Real Estate investor is by setting goals for yourself. Appearing to have a lack of motivation and drive will hold you back, and people will sense that you don’t have anything to bring to the table. By setting goals for yourself, you’ll hold yourself accountable for your success and allow yourself to grow.

Communicate openly with your Brantford Real Estate agent. My job as a real estate agent in the Brantford area is to help my clients, and I can only do that if we communicate openly with one another. If you give me a clear-cut, honest idea about what you’re looking to accomplish, I can help you achieve that. Part of seeing success in this industry is communicating well, so in order utilize my experience and skills in Brantford Real Estate to their fullest potential, we need to be able to be open with one another.

If you can implement these five qualities into your day to day operations as a Brantford Real Estate investor, then you will find yourself seeing success in an industry that is difficult to break in to. If you have any questions about how to get started, or would like to see some of the properties available on the Brantford Real Estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! My many years of experience in the industry could help you throughout the entire transaction. I hope to hear from you soon.

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

Over 521 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!

Connect with Me