As we are heading into the traditionally heady spring boom of the real estate market in what can be described as an optimal buyer's market how does a home owner ensure that their home is going to have the best chance of being the belle of the ball?  If you want to ensure the most dance partners it is paramount to have the right packaging.  First and foremost, find a Realtor you like and trust.  You will have to work as a team to ensure success in this competitive market.  If you find yourself viewing your Realtor in an adversarial role, you will likely have difficulty working as a team.  After all, your Realtor has the same goal as you, maximising your chances of a sale.  Setting a realistic price will give you the best chance of that.  Automated Internet searches only pull listings that fit the exact search parameters the buyer selects.  A home priced even one, single cent above their search budget is a listing they will never see. 
Home prices in Victoria are stable, but there has been a slight dip.  A drop of one percent is nothing to be overly concerned about but does represent a dollar value of $5000 on a  $500,000 home.  If  your home is listed at $500,000 when all the similar homes are listed at $495,000 today's educated and cautious buyers  will do their research and set their searches to top out at $495,000 and they may never even see what could be the perfect home for their family.  Setting a realistic price means more eyes on your listing, increasing the chances of a sale.
Now for the fun part of getting ready for any party, making sure you have the perfect dress.  Anything too complicated makes it hard to have fun and too flashy can overwhelm natural charms.  Toned down,elegant and simple is always a safe bet.  Get rid of the clutter and subdue the quirks if you can.  Tidy surfaces, neutral colours and a well kept exterior will showcase your home's full potential.  Just like on a first date, put your best foot forward, let the buyer picture their own family enjoying life there when they think of the home.  If all they think of when they remember their time in the kitchen is the duck figurine collection, they might not be able to make the commitment to a serious relationship.  For more helpful tips on buying or selling, check out my website:  www.angeliquetroyer.ca

January, 2013, a new beginning.

As January 2013 comes to a close, we begin to settle into the new year that starts to feel like your new favourite jeans finally being perfectly broken in.  We can all look back and safely say the world didn't end as so many people outwardly scoffed but cringed nervously on the inside.  We can now look forward to a more stable year as housing prices and unit sales stabilise and mortgage rates stay low.  For buyers it is a great time to get your feet wet in the market or at least dip your toes in and sit down with a mortgage broker and take a look at the options currently available.  As prices have become more appealing it means that the reality of home ownership becomes more feasible but it's like wanting to drive across the US from coast to coast.  You can just point yourself in the correct direction and start the engine and eventually you'll arrive at the opposite coast but there will probably be many detours and you might not land where you had originally hoped to, or you can sit down with a detailed map and plan your course before you leave to ensure the shortest and most direct route between where you are and where you want to end up.  A qualified and knowledgeable mortgage specialist can give you the road map that will give you the best possible chance at a successful outcome, and point out any obstacles, hidden or simply forgotten about, like a completely overlooked old cell bill that never got resolved, so the bumps can be smoothed over and ensure a more comfortable journey.  It's time to get focused on the years to come and take advantage of the fantastically low mortgage rates and our very stable housing market before it jumps back to a sellers market, as it will inevitably will.  www.primemortgageworks.com