First Time Home Buyer’s Checklist

Your first home purchase is exciting, but it can also be stressful. Here are some tips to limit the trauma and help you find the home of your dreams the first time around.

The most important step in selecting a home is knowing how much you can spend. If you already use an electronic budgeting system, you’re ahead of the game. If not, track your expenses for the past several months to a year. Try to quantify the “gray areas” of cash withdrawals that disappear on small purchases. Now add up your current rent and other related expenses. If you’ve been saving money toward your down payment, note that, as well. Finally, ask yourself where you can tighten your belt with your existing discretionary purchases. This is the maximum amount you could pay per month. Now ask yourself if this is reasonable, given your current savings and possible expenses. Only you know the answer to that. When you’ve arrived at a comfortable number, write it down, and save your calculations. You’ll take this to the bank when you apply for loan preapproval. For now, you have an estimated payment you can use while shopping online.
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Three Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

Buyers only get one first look at a property, and they don’t want to use their imagination. They assume the house they see is as good as it’s going to get. If you want your home to sell, step out of your comfort zone and think like a buyer. Here are three ways to help you turn your house into the home of someone else’s dreams. We’ve broken down each category into low-cost, “Basic” tips and tricks, and an “All-Out” blow-the-budget transformation. How far you take it is up to you.
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Executives’ Monthly

May 2012

Well, where is the best place in the world to be active in the real estate market? I am going to venture a guess, and say Saskatoon! If my opinion means nothing to you, how about we look at the numbers. The month of April 2012 is now a record-setting month for the Greater Saskatoon Area! At 4.5% better than last month, and a whopping 8% better than only a year ago, the average price for a property climbed over $341,000.00. WOW!

With 1,145 listings as of the end of April and over 400 homes selling last month, we are surely slipping into a seller’s market where you can expect more strength and stability to these ever-rising prices.

If any of you, our valued clients, friends & followers were thinking of selling your properties this year, I emplore you – NOW is the time. We are never too busy for any of your questions, business or referrals. We have a team of very dedicated Realtors that would love nothing more than to prove our valour!

Essentially, whatever you are looking for, one of our friendly agents will be able to find it for you! Please do not hesitate to call us or email us at the contact numbers at the top of the page.

‘Til next month,

the eXecutives

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