Homes For Sale Nanaimo: 2017

How do home buyers view FSBO's

For Sale By Owner homes are called FSBO homes and are listed without the assistance of a real estate agent so the seller can avoid paying a commission. First time home buyers are often nervous about buying a home and are uncomfortable dealing with someone selling their own home. Without a Realtor guiding them through the unfamiliar steps of buying a home, they often don’t make the purchase.

Buyers know that a FSBO doesn’t pay a Realtor fee, so they may write an offer less that fee . Investors usually work with a Realtor because they are busy people and expect their agent to do the research and present them with opportunities that meet their criteria.

Serious out of town buyers generally work on a tight time constraint and may only have a weekend to find a house. They rely on a Realtor because they don't know the neighbourhoods or the house values and often need someone to drive them around and familiarize them with the area.

Can Feng Shui Decorating be Helpful?

Using Feng Shui decorating to sell your Nanaimo home can make a big difference by creating environments that have the best energy suited to a specific activity and space.

Clear away clutter to release old energy before applying Feng Shui decorating using colours and textures to replace the old energy with a new, vibrant one. Good air quality and light will bring good Feng Shui energy into your home.

Feng Shui decorating focuses on bringing positive energy into your entire home, and also targets the energy of each individual space, depending on what the room or space is used for. Feng Shui decorating in your bedroom will give it a relaxing, romantic energy while your home office needs to have an atmosphere of success and accomplishment.

This Holiday Season Could Be the Right Time To Sell Your Nanaimo Home

There are many reasons you may need to move during the Christmas season, yet your first thought might be that it’s a bad time to put your house on the market. You’re not alone, most people think this is a bad time to sell a home and will take their homes off the market or wait to put them on the market. This leaves less competition for sales and is a good reason to list your home now.

Most holiday house hunters are very often serious home buyers, who wouldn’t be looking during the holiday season unless they really want or need to buy.Your neighbour’s out of town visitors might just see the for sale sign and you could get some interested buyers. Many people get Christmas bonuses and some will likely plan to use theirs as a down payment. If you are planning to be away for the holidays, your home would always be show ready. Contact a qualified Nanaimo real estate agent such as Lynn Donn to facilitate the sale of your home.

Do open houses sell homes?

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.

Things that can go Wrong in a Real Estate Transaction

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

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.

Is It Time To Downsize?

Whether you are retiring or just dreaming of traveling more, a low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for condo or townhome could be the answer for you. Even if you're not financially stressed, there must be better things to do with your money than pay that high heating bill every winter.

If you’ve decided that a smaller home is in your best interests, find out what you want in your new home. Some questions to ask yourself are;

· Will I need a formal living room, or how much storage do I need, are good ones to start with.

· What can I get rid of? Decluttering is often an emotional experience so deciding ahead of time what you no longer want will help with the process.

· What design do I want…one level, smaller garage, basement or no…make a list.

· How much space do I need? Take a good look at what furniture will fit and what won’t. Then hold a garage or yard sale.

As more baby boomers reach retirement age each year and they start selling their big homes to look for something smaller, now might be the time to start downsizing, rather than waiting for everybody else to do it.

Why is Fall a good time to Sell?

Fall is a good time to sell your house because home buyers are back in the game after summer has ended. Those interested in home buying will probably want to get back into house hunting before winter hits.

There will be less competition for buyer attention than in the spring market and this means you’re less likely to compromise on your listing price.

The changing leaves of Fall add natural curb appeal to homes making your house look cozy and comfortable in time for winter.

The Fall real estate market in Nanaimo offers up serious buyers and less competition.

Beautiful Ocean View Condos in Nanaimo

The Cameron Island condos are strategically located within walking distance to Nanaimo Harbour and The Port Theatre where you can enjoy many wonderful live performances. One can also stroll along the ocean promenade, shop in downtown Nanaimo's trendy boutiques and eat at a variety of good restaurants. These condos have stunning ocean and city views. You can also watch the lovely ships sail into the cruise ship terminal. Lush gardens, walkways and a beautiful pond in the centre of the court yard provide a lovely view for units without harbour views. .

Cameron Island condos are made up of three buildings; The Newcastle, The Gabriola and the Beacon. All units have large balconies and some have two. There are a number of different floor plans. The Gabriola Building is pet friendly. The Beacon has a clubhouse, pool and hot tub. Gabriola and Newcastle buildings both have hot tubs.

TIME TO THINK ABOUT 55+ HOUSING

There comes a time in life when couples become empty nester's or just want to be less tied down to a larger house. They may want to travel or are thinking ahead to a time when either age related difficulties or health concerns may require downsizing and a 55+ home may be the answer.

The top choices for 55+ housing in Nanaimo are: Ranchers with low maintenance landscaping, patio homes, manufactured homes in development's like Deerwood Estates and single level townhouse, half duplexes and condos.

The resale potential on these homes will be excellent. As the population ages in Nanaimo, housing for the 55+ age group should be much in demand. Contact me for a full list of available homes

How Pre-Inspections Make Homes for Sale in Nanaimo Sell Faster

When you conduct a pre-listing inspection on your home for sale in Nanaimo, you’ll be able to discover and repair any items that need to be fixed ahead of time. This puts you one step ahead of the competition and you will not be caught off guard or be surprised about the condition of your home for sale. You can, with the approval of your real estate agent, use this as a selling tool when your home does go on the market.

A pre-listing home inspection often demonstrates that you’re serious about selling your home and have made the job of the buyer just a little bit easier.

2-5-10 Home Warranty

The 2-5-10 Home Warranty is run through the Homeowner Protection office. I checked the HPO website and this is what they have regarding the 2-5-10 Home Warranty as it pertains to strata new construction.

Home warranty insurance on new homes includes a minimum of 2 years on labour and materials, 5 years on the building envelope, including water penetration, and 10 years on structure.

If you require additional information on 2-5-10 Home Warranty please give me a call

How long will it take to sell our Nanaimo house?

Get a feel for the state of the Nanaimo real estate market. Knowing what kind of market we are experiencing can help you gauge how long it will take to sell your home.

As your real estate agent, I can calculate the absorption rate of homes by price range in the Nanaimo area. The definition of absorption rates is: the number of weeks it takes to sell the current inventory at the present rate of sales. The numbers will change with each month. In the early spring months , the real estate market can be heavy on listings and light on buyers but should adjust as summer approaches.

Should you list your house when your neighbour's house is also for sale?

Having the neighbour's house for sale is a bonus!

Competition on your own street is called exposure and exposure sells houses. The neighbour's house attracts attention as will your house. There will be interest from buyers, neighbours and other Realtors. Many a home has been sold when a buyer comes into a neighbourhood to view one home only to end up viewing and buying another . When there is an open house or a Realtor office tour at your neighbour’s home, your house will benefit from the exposure.

Don’t hesitate to list your house. Having competition is often a very good thing!

Four inexpensive Kitchen renovations

Resurfacing or repainting old cupboards is the cheapest way to give your kitchen a facelift. Using more glass enlarges and brightens the look of a room. Try replacing a few cupboard doors with glass ones with interior lighting. Changing cabinet hardware makes a big difference to give a modern look to your kitchen. Add a lovely tile backsplash and new wall paint in your kitchen. Linoleum flooring that looks like floor tile is another inexpensive but impressive reno for your kitchen.

For other inexpensive kitchen renovations ideas please give me a call.

Things to consider when pricing your home to sell

When listing your home to sell you will want to consider "What is the market value of my house?" . To help you decide the sale price of your home consider what other similar homes in your area are listed at or what they have sold for. As a Realtor I can supply you with a comparative market analysis (CMA) which looks at homes in the area that have similar design, sq. footage, lot size, age of property etc.

The following statistics may be of interest to you when considering pricing your home; over pricing your property shrinks the prospective buyer pool by more than 50%.and property priced at market value appeals to 60% of the buyer pool. The greatest opportunity you have to attract a buyer for your home is when it is a new listing.

Based on the above information it is easy to see how important pricing your home at market value is when listing your home to sell. For a free Comparative market analysis please give me a call.

Real Estate in Nanaimo - Should I accept the first offer that I get on my home?

Look at the following before accepting an offer or making a counter offer:

How much inventory is currently on the market that competes with your home.

Time of year – the market is generally busiest in spring and early fall.

Review of comparative homes and what they are selling for is most helpful when deciding on whether or not to accept an offer.

Pets and Strata in Nanaimo

According to Statistics Canada, there are approximately 3.5 million dogs and 4.5 million cats in the country. About half of all households have at least one pet.

It is understandable that strata councils would be concerned with pet noise but the strata bylaw of ' No Pet's' often limits the prospective condo buyer base. Many people actively searching for condos will not even consider purchasing a condo that doesn’t allow pets.

It is important for everyone to know the pet rules in your strata. A 'No pet's' rule seriously limits the number of prospective buyers available when you decide to sell your unit.

For a list of pet friendly condos in Nanaimo please contact me.

Should you list your house when your neighbour's house is also for sale?

Having the neighbour's house for sale is a bonus!

Don’t hesitate to list your house. Having competition is often a very good thing!

Things to consider when pricing your home to sell

Based on the above information it is easy to see how important pricing your home at market value is when listing your home to sell. For a free Comparative market analysis please give me a call.

Real Estate in Nanaimo - Should I accept the first offer that I get on my home?

Look at the following before accepting an offer or making a counter offer:

·How much inventory is currently on the market that competes with your home.

·Time of year – the market is generally busiest in spring and early fall.

·Review of comparative homes and what they are selling for is most helpful when deciding on

whether or not to accept an offer.

Pets and Strata in Nanaimo

According to Statistics Canada, there are approximately 3.5 million dogs and 4.5 million cats in the country. About half of all households have at least one pet.

It is important for everyone to know the pet rules in your strata. A 'No pet's' rule seriously limits the number of prospective buyers available when you decide to sell your unit.

For a list of pet friendly condos in Nanaimo please contact me.

How Pre-Inspections Make Homes For Sale In Nanaimo Sell Faster

2-5-10 Home Warranty

Home warranty insurance on new homes includes a minimum of 2 years on labour and materials, 5 years on the building envelope, including water penetration, and 10 years on structure.

If you require additional information on 2-5-10 Home Warranty please give me a call.

How Long Will It Take To Sell Our Nanaimo House?

Get a feel for the state of the Nanaimo real estate market. Knowing what kind of market we are experiencing can help you gauge how long it will take to sell your home.

As your Nanaimo real estate agent, I can calculate the absorption rate of homes by price range in the Nanaimo area. The definition of absorption rates is: the number of weeks it takes to sell the current inventory at the present rate of sales. The numbers will change with each month. In the early spring months , the real estate market can be heavy on listings and light on buyers but should adjust as summer approaches.

Four Inexpensive Kitchen Renovations

Resurfacing or repainting old cupboards is the cheapest way to give your kitchen a facelift. Using more glass enlarges and brightens the look of a room. Try replacing a few cupboard doors with glass ones and interior lighting. Changing cabinet hardware makes a big difference to give a modern look to your kitchen. Add a lovely tile backsplash and new wall paint in your kitchen. Linoleum flooring that looks like floor tile is another inexpensive, but impressive reno for your kitchen. All of these factors are important in the field of Nanaimo homes for sale.

For other inexpensive kitchen renovations ideas please give me a call.

Selling Your Home in The Dead Of Winter

Homes are usually harder to sell during winter and although you may not choose to sell your home job transfers or personal situations might make it necessary. Price your home competitively and keep all deferred maintenance items and repairs up to date. If your home is vacant be sure to leave all utilities on for your realtor to make showings as nice as possible. if you're still living in your house the warmth of a fire and the soft glow of accent lights can make a potential buyer feel welcome and imagine that your house is her home. Baking cookies or bread fill the kitchen with enticing aromas to enhance the experience for the buyer.

Staging Tips Using Paint

Staging doesn’t need to be expensive. Here are a few staging tips to transform a room with paint:

1. Avoid bright colors. Neutral colors have a universal appeal.

2. Get rid of wallpaper.

3. A room will look larger if you paint it the same color as the room adjacent to it.

4. Try painting the walls the same color as the drapes to create a seamless contemporary look.

Things to fix before you list your home for sale

Some things really need to be fixed before you sell your house as they can be turn-offs to buyers. Some of these include: chipping or peeling paint, an unkempt lawn, worn or dirty carpets, unusual or odd paint colors. Keep in mind that once you have an offer on your house your buyer will most likely want to do an inspection. A poor inspection can kill a sale and there is nothing more disheartening than a collapsed sale. If you know of things that need repairing it is a good idea to get these things repaired prior to listing your house.

What kind of real estate market is Nanaimo experiencing, Winter 2017?

Nanaimo continues to be experiencing a seller’s market. A seller’s market is a market where there are more buyer’s than seller’s . Find out more about what is going on in the Nanaimo real estate market.

http://www.nanaimohomes4sale.com/blog/nanaimo-real-estate-market-2017

What happens in a seller’s market?

A seller’s market is a market where the seller has the upper hand or advantage. There are fewer homes available in a market where there is a large pool of buyer’s. Oftentimes sale prices will rise in this type of market. That is exactly what is happening in Nanaimo right now. Buyer’s must act quickly by writing an offer on a home and may find themselves participating in a multiple offer situation. Competing for properties is often what pushes the prices up above the asking price. To find out more about the Nanaimo Real Estate Market, call (778) 654-6374.

Do I need a home inspection on a new construction house?

Having worked in the Nanaimo Realtor for many years, the number one question I get when someone is buying a newly constructed home. Unfortunately, even though it is brand new there are often many issues with new homes. Prior to completing a purchase on a new home, you will have a walk through with the builder. Having a home inspection report in hand, is a great way to review the deficiencies with the builder prior to taking possession of the home.

Selecting from the Best Nanaimo Realtors 2017

When venturing in the area of Nanaimo homes for sale it is imperative to be able to properly choose from the best Nanaimo realtors 2017. Although there are many qualified Nanaimo real estate agents, a few stand out above the rest.

There are many subspecialties of homes for sale Nanaimo. Among these are of course, Nanaimo homes for sale and Nanaimo condominiums for sale. The natural beauty of Nanaimo Island has produced a category of Nanaimo ocean view property.

The best Nanaimo realtor for your needs would be one who has vast experience in all areas of Nanaimo homes for sale. An excellent starting point would be to call Lynn Donn at 778-654-6374.

Ways to take the stress off when buying a home in a seller’s market!

The real estate market in Nanaimo is currently a very active sellers market. It is not a fun time to be a buyer as there is a lot of competition for almost every listing that comes up. There are ways to ease the stress in a competitive market like this, including:

Getting pre-approved BEFORE you shop for a home

Shopping only in your price range

Knowing what your closing costs are going to be and having the money set aside in advance

Choosing which neighbourhoods you want before viewing homes

Working with an experienced Nanaimo Realtor is important as you navigate your way through what can be a very tricky market. Call (778) 654-6374 with any questions you may have. We can help!

Can I add a carriage home to my property in Nanaimo, BC?

Owning a larger property in Nanaimo may also provide the perfect opportunity to build additional real estate, such as a carriage house. Per the secondary suite guide published by the City of Nanaimo; a secondary suite is allowed within an accessory building if:

1. No secondary suite exists within the principal dwelling; AND

2. A minimum of 30 m2 of private outdoor space is provided; AND

3. The lot is a corner lot; OR

4. Accessed by a laneway; OR

5. Is greater than 800 m2 in lot area

Nanaimo Realtors 2017

There approximately 22,000 realtors throughout British Columbia. The task of selecting a Nanaimo realtor can be difficult as there are many subsections of Nanaimo real estate and each realtor has some areas he or she specialize in. While almost are skilled in Nanaimo homes for sale many confine their area of expertise to condominiums for sale while others deal only in oceanfront property.

A good starting point in selecting a Nanaimo realtor would be to consult with Lynn Donn who provides information about the Nanaimo real estate market. All inquiries may be directed to (778) 654-6374.

Don’t delay listing your Nanaimo home for sale until spring

Often people make the simple mistake of waiting until the busy spring housing market to sell their homes. In 2017, Nanaimo is experiencing a seller’s market. A seller’s market occurs when the number of buyers exceeds the number of sellers in the Nanaimo real estate market. As of now the inventory level of homes for sale in Nanaimo is less than it was in peak years. Sellers who place their home on the market and ask for current market value find that these homes for sale go quickly.