Things that can go Wrong in a Real Estate Transaction

An open house is a great way to draw attention to a home through ads online and in the paper as well as additional signage pointing to the house.  A couple of decades ago open houses were one of the few ways buyers could see homes for sale. But the Internet changed all of that, making it easy for buyers to search and view homes online. As a result, open houses have become a less powerful selling tool.

According to the National Association of Realtors, only 9% of buyers found the home they purchased at an open house in 2014. That’s a 16% decline from 2004. The number of buyers that include open houses in their search stood at 44% in 2014, down 51% from 2004.

The stress related to the entire affair and the amount of time and money it costs to prepare for and host an open house has to be weighed against the expected outcome. Do not rule out an open house but it is important to be aware of the pro & cons before holding one.

How to Get More out of an Open House in Nanaimo

Bring your realtor’s card (if you have one) along with you to let the agent on site know that you have a real estate agent representing you.  Not only will everyone appreciate this but you will also be viewed as a more serious prospective buyer than someone just wandering through the front door. 

Before you attend an open house try to get a general idea of what houses in the area have been selling for and what current asking prices are.  Every real estate transaction is unique so if you have this information ahead of time you can judge what makes the home you are viewing different from the rest of the houses on the market.

Drive around the neighbourhood beforehand to see the real home and its surroundings, in addition to reading an advertisement or an MLS printout from your realtor. Pay particular attention to any messy yards, homes with a lot of work that needs to be done, or annoying barking dogs. You may find that this open house area is not really suitable for you.

Nanaimo Offers an Active Lifestyle For Seniors

Nanaimo has mild winters and warm summers. There are hundreds of events and activities year-round for seniors and those looking for a quieter pace of life but still want an active lifestyle.
The Nanaimo Harbour City Seniors is a non-profit and volunteer organization which provides senior citizens in Nanaimo a healthy and active lifestyle with organized activities and events. Each month offers something a little bit different but on a regular basis seniors have the chance to attend fitness and yoga classes, tai chi, country and ballroom dancing, language classes, music classes, arts and crafts, sporting such as bowling, badminton, darts and table tennis, as well as workshops and even game classes. Seniors in Nanaimo enjoy a variety of different clubs such as a book club, computer club, writing club and more. Available dates and classes can be found on the Harbour City Seniors website.

Things that can go Wrong in a Real Estate Transaction

An open house is a great way to draw attention to a home through ads online and in the paper as well as additional signage pointing to the house.  A couple of decades ago open houses were one of the few ways buyers could see homes for sale. But the Internet changed all of that, making it easy for buyers to search and view homes online. As a result, open houses have become a less powerful selling tool.

According to the National Association of Realtors, only 9% of buyers found the home they purchased at an open house in 2014. That’s a 16% decline from 2004. The number of buyers that include open houses in their search stood at 44% in 2014, down 51% from 2004.

The stress related to the entire affair and the amount of time and money it costs to prepare for and host an open house has to be weighed against the expected outcome. Do not rule out an open house but it is important to be aware of the pro & cons before holding one.

Nanaimo is connected to so much untamed beauty

From Nanaimo it is easy to access Vancouver Island’s outdoor attractions in Tofino, Port Alberni, Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park or Mount Washington ski resort as well as Protection Island, Gabriola Island & Newcastle Island . If you can do it outside, you can find it in or around Nanaimo. Whether it is boating, diving or kayaking, the waters are welcoming. Hiking, biking and boating are some more enjoyable activities to take part in close by.

One popular activity is zip lining  which can be found at WildPlay Nanaimo.  The challenges are as widely varied as the people accepting them. If you are a bit conservative a scenic route that does not require much physical effort is available. For a bigger challenge there are zip lines rising to levels as high as 18 metres. 

No matter how you choose to spend your time in British Columbia, Nanaimo offers you many options. If you enjoy spending a day or two here, check out some local properties available for sale, imagine the fun you can have over a life time.

Things that can go Wrong in a Real Estate Transaction

When a buyer is a day away from removing subjects on the sale, delays can happen because something unexpected has gone wrong. Here are 2 things that sellers can do to prepare for a smooth sale.

1.  It’s always better to disclose too much than too little, so be sure to disclose any questionable aspects of your home. The last thing you want is to have a buyer accuse you of not telling the truth, especially after the real estate transaction has completed.

2.  When a buyer finds things wrong during an inspection, it can put doubt in their mind and give them an excuse to not go through with the deal. Do a pre-listing home inspection and take care of deficiencies before you put your Nanaimo home on the market. For more information, contact Lynn Donn, one of the best Nanaimo realtors.

Time to Get your home ready for winter

As winter approaches it’s time to prepare for the colder months ahead, Some ways to do this are:

1.    Inspect your roof for missing shingles or any other factors that may cause a leak.

2.    Keep your home warmer by replacing defective weather stripping .

3.    To make sure heating and ventilation systems are in good working order, clean out accessible ducts and replace filters.

4.    Inspect your chimney for creosote buildup and call a chimney sweep to keep your fireplace safe and functional.

5.    Clean out those rain gutters of any debris then blast the drains clean with a high-powered hose, and repair any leaks you may find along the way.