The Brantford Home Info Blog!

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

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Use Technology During Your Brantford Home Search!

Technology is everywhere today. People are reading books on their tech tablets, using apps for just about everything and beginning their Brantford home search online. As a Brantford Real Estate Agent, I not only do everything that I can to stay on top of the tech trends myself, but I also advise my clients to use the technology available to them to ensure that their transaction goes smoothly. There are a number of ways that you can accomplish this, including apps, social media sites and online directories.

I consider it one of my responsibilities as a Brantford Real Estate resource to let my seller and buyer clients know about all of the tech tools that they can use to make their transaction easier. Here are a few of my favorite tech-friendly ways of starting your home search:

•    Facebook Marketplace. Think about it: almost everyone is on Facebook. Why not tell your Brantford Real Estate Agent to market your listing on there, or use it to start looking for some potential properties? You’d likely know the person who is selling or buying the property because they would be part of, or connected to, someone in your immediate network. Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with others, and you can use those connections in day-to-day business transactions, too. Besides, you’d feel better about closing a transaction if you knew and trusted the other party, and using a social media site can help you guarantee that.

•    The New Home Buyers Network iPad app. This app is perfect because it is specific to people who live in Ontario, making it ideal for those looking to buy a home in Brantford. This iPad app, which was launched on Tuesday, is aimed to help local buyers find new condos and houses in the area. You can view floor plans, share listings and “favorite” properties that you want to see again for a closer look. Today’s home buyer is on-the-go, so these tech tablet applications are perfect for that.

•    Kijiji. Before you shy away due to the eBay connection, keep in mind that easy-to-use online classified sites aren’t the worst place to start looking. This site is free to use, and you can peruse ads for everything from real estate to jobs to automobiles. Sub-categories help you narrow down your search even further. You will have to be more careful in using these sites to answer ads that are legitimate, but if you learn to read between the lines, then you can find the perfect property for you. You should also get your Brantford Real Estate Agent to use Kijiji in order to expose your listing to even more potential buyers.

I consider it one of my main responsibilities, as a Brantford Real Estate resource, to let people know about some of the ways in which they can use technology to help guide them through their transaction. Whether you prefer to utilize your tech tablet on-the-go, log on to social media sites or peruse a classified ad online, all of the methods listed above will both ensure that your Brantford home gets more exposure and make it easier for you to find a new one.

If you have any questions on how you can use technology to your benefit during a Brantford Real Estate transaction, don’t hesitate to contact me! I would be happy to meet with you to discuss your options. I hope to hear from you soon!

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

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Thursday, April 19, 2012

Avoid These Common Mistakes After Applying For Your Brantford Mortgage

Despite the fact that lending restrictions are easing up on the Brantford Real Estate market, obtaining funding for a home purchase is still not easy. After submitting a loan application on a Brantford home, lenders go through the slow review process and determine whether or not you are eligible for a loan. The process of applying for a mortgage is complicated, and you want to make sure that you are on a positive note with the lenders. That means that even after the application is submitted, you have to be on your best “financial behavior” for awhile.

Many Brantford home buyers tend to make common errors immediately after submitting a loan application that could result in them getting denied a mortgage. If you avoid them, then the likelihood is that you will obtain your Brantford home loan without a hitch. Here are some of the most common mistakes that people make immediately after submitting their loan application:

•    Don’t deposit large amounts of cash into your bank account. Lenders need to be able to source your money, and cash isn’t really traceable. Making small deposits is okay, but if you’re receiving large cash gifts from family members you may want to refrain from making the deposit for awhile. It makes it more difficult for a lender to track your assets.

•    Don’t make any large purchases. New cars, large amounts of furniture and other large-scale purchases raise a red flag to lenders if they are bought too close to when you submitted your application. These sorts of purchases tend to require additional funding over large periods of time, and that could interfere with a potential mortgage payment. In order to avoid any questions about your spending, save the large-scale purchases for AFTER you receive funding.

•    Don’t co-sign loans for anyone else. Even if you’re not going to be paying the monthly payments on another loan, you are still obligated since your name is on the paperwork. The lenders will count this against you, so doing this when you’re trying to obtain a mortgage may not work in your favor.

•    Refrain from changing bank accounts. Lenders track assets. If you’re switching bank accounts immediately after applying for a mortgage, this task is made much more difficult due to a lack of consistency within the accounts. If you’re going to do this around the time you submit a loan application, make sure you talk to your lender first.

•    Don’t apply for new credit OR cancel existing credit accounts. Your FICO score is affected every time you apply for a new credit card, which could impact your interest rates or result in you getting denied a loan. In regards to canceling existing accounts, depth and length in your credit history matters. If you cancel a long-standing credit card, you score will be affected, which could complicate matters when the lenders are reviewing your application.

As a Brantford Real Estate Agent who frequently works with home buyers, I feel that it’s important to educate my clients on how to put their best foot forward during the loan application process. This can be a complicated and stressful part of any real estate transaction, and avoiding these common errors will ensure a smoother outcome.

If you have any questions about how to start your Brantford home search, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’ll use my years of experience to help you throughout each stage of the transaction. I hope to hear from you soon!

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

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Thursday, April 12, 2012

Buy a Top-Performing Property in Brantford

Many investors on the Brantford Real Estate market see the words “foreclosure”, “estate sale” or “motivated seller” and think that they have found the best deal on a potential money-making property. It’s true that these homes might be priced in a range that is enticing, but as an investor, if you’re looking to succeed, you need to consider factors outside of price point. As a Brantford Real Estate Agent who works with investors frequently, I tell my clients to consider a bunch of different facets of each property before they commit to an investment. Here are a few of the more important elements to consider:

Look at the big picture. How is the national real estate market right now? Is it a good time to invest? What price point SHOULD you be investing in based upon market conditions? These are all very important questions to ask yourself before jumping on the next cheap Brantford foreclosure. Buy what you know, understand and can comfortably afford to take on.

Check out the specific area. Before you invest in one of Brantford’s many properties, you need to consider whether or not it is sustainable long-term. Will people still be living and working in the area 10-15 years from now? Areas thrive and fade all the time and you don’t want to invest in an area that is on the way down. It’s something important to consider.

Location is key. You want your investment property to be close to amenities, transportation and major areas of employment. That’s where you will see the most buyer traffic and a higher likelihood of profit. Do your research on the neighborhood in which the property is in and assess its location before putting in an offer.

Really examine the individual property. When it comes to investing, you need to make sure that the property you are looking to purchase will end up covering all of its costs and the work you will put into it either through resale or tenancy. It’s important to figure out what needs to be done, work-wise, on the features of the home before you choose to invest.

Check out the market. What are other investors in the area paying for their properties? You don’t want to overpay or be too far off from the norm. Do your research and have the stats to back you up during negotiations. Without doing this, you could overpay and end up losing money on the property, so you’re going to want to take this step seriously.

These are only a few of the many factors to consider as you search for the most profitable, high performing investment property on the Brantford Real Estate market. In order to see success in the world of investing, you need to make savvy business decisions that will benefit you, so paying attention to buzzwords that suggest “cheap” properties won’t always give you the best results.

If you have any questions about how to find the right investment property in Brantford, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to show you some of what’s available in the area and help you make the right choice. I hope to hear from you soon!

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

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Friday, April 6, 2012

Just Sold By Wally Dufrat at RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc.: 14-601 Conklin Road, Brantford

JUST SOLD BY WALLY DUFRAT!!!!

Listed At: $249,900
Bedrooms: 2 + 1 in Basement
Bathrooms: 1.5

Condo living at it's best. Quality built Van El home finished from top to bottom. All brick, single car garage, 2+1 beds, 2 baths. Inviting open concept kitchen with island, sliding doors to deck, main floor laundry. Finished lower level with spacious rec room, 3 pc bath, bedroom & 5x6 vapor insulated bar with cooling unit. Appliances negotiable. Quick possession available.

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Living room
Bonus/Rec room	Dishwasher	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Photos

Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8 Direct: (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

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

Connect with Me

Just Sold By Wally Dufrat at RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc.: 186 Ontario Street, Brantford

JUST SOLD BY WALLY DUFRAT!
186 Ontario Street, Brantford, ON N3S-2C8
First Time Home Buyers Look No Further! Four Bedroom in Brantford!

4BR/1BA Single Family House

Listed At $139,900

Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 1 Full
Floors: 2

SOLD!!!

DESCRIPTION
Excellent value!! First time buyers or folks looking for an inexpensive property. Great investment. Owners bought this home because of location. Close to schools, Grand River Trails, Parsons Park and quiet area. Solid 4 bedroom home with many features. Huge deck 15'x14', 100 amp service, new shingles approx. 3 years ago. Could be a cozy home or as a rental investment.

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