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Losing Your Ground in Negotiations. The complications and technicalities of a real estate transaction can be very confusing. The goal is to be in the driver's seat, and preparation is critical to protecting your best interests. Call me for more information on how to sell your home, with peace of mind that your interests are being looked after. Cheryl Woolley 250-477-7291.
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Selling in Your Spare Time. Getting your home sold takes more than just putting a sign on the lawn or an ad on the internet. You need to make sure the right prospects know about your home. That one call that you missed could have been "the one that got away". Check back for Mistake #3...If you have any questions concerning the Victoria real estate market, I'd be more than happy to answer them. Call me at 250-477-7291
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MISTAKE #1 - Pricing With Your Heart, Not Your Head. An asking price not based on the most accurate and up-to-date market information can be instant death for a home sale. You need to know if you’re asking too much or much too little. Check back tomorrow for Mistake #2... If you have any questions concerning the Victoria real estate market, I'd be more than happy to answer them. Call me at 250-477-7291.
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Along with the Christmas festivities comes the desire to decorate your home with twinkling lights, wreaths, trees and even yard ornaments featuring the theme of the holidays. If you want to make your next Christmas decorating venture a real holiday treat, consider the following ideas: Homemade Wreath Decorations Create your own lighted wreath by taking a short strand of mini-lights and wrapping them around a plain wreath. You can use either multi-color or clear lights, and this approach can easily be used for both indoor wreaths and garland decorations. Creating A Modern Centerpiece With Classic Holiday Style Use a clear glass vase or bowl as a centerpiece and fill it with round glass ornaments. For Christmas, the combination of silver and gold or red and green will be ideal. When paired with the beauty of a simplistic glass holder, the ornaments will add a very modern twist to a very traditional color combination. Holiday Decorating Scents A nice bowl of fresh fruit, including oranges, tangerines and apples will give a nice welcoming holiday scent to your home. For many, the smell of fresh fruit is reminiscent of the December season as fruit baskets are common gifts that are exchanged during Christmas. You can place the bowl on your dining room table or in the family room, both of which will offer guests the ability to appreciate your style. Display Your Christmas Cards Take some felt or fabric and create a hanging decorative piece to show off all of the Christmas cards you receive. You can use a small safety pin to attach the cards to the fabric, so that the beauty of the front of the card is seen. This can be hung on a wall, or support post or beam or the railing leading up your stairs. Turn Out The Lights Turn out your normal overhead lighting each night, light up the tree and burn candles throughout the house for a peaceful and relaxing setting. Watch your favorite Christmas movie, sing carols and just share good times together. Season Greetings! Cheryl Woolley
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In order to keep up-to-date of real estate trends in Greater Victoria below you will find listing and sale statistics for Saanich and Victoria. For all other areas (Western Communities, Pennisula, etc.) please do not hesitate to contact me at 250-477-7291.
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES – SAANICH
Current Active Listings - 160
New Listings as of Nov. 1/09 – 75
Pending sales & sold as month of Nov. to date – 16
Year to-date Pending sales & sold - Jan. 1/09 - Nov. 24/09) - 1,088
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES – VICTORIA
Current Active Listings - 45
New Listings as of Nov. 1/09 – 25
Pending sales & sold month of Nov. to date – 10
Year to-date Pending sales & sold - Jan. 1/09 - Nov. 24/09) - 362
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Just finished hearing former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speak about economic renewal and outlook of US economy here at the National Association of Realtors Conference in San Diego. (She spent her birthday speaking to 5,000 realtors.) Interesting to get a perspective on how our neighbours to the south are working to recover from the collapse of their housing market.
Realtors are telling me there are still lots of real estate deals out there, particularily bank foreclosures. Looks like their recovery will be awhile yet.
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1ST TIME HOME BUYER SEMINAR
Tuesday, October 20th, 7-9pm
Juan de Fuca Recreation Center
From Pre-Approval to Possession Topics include:
- 1st time homeowner programs
- New rules about using RRSP’s
- Fixed rate versus variable rate
- Pay off your mortgage faster
- Buying a fixer upper
- Becoming a landlord
- Making an offer
- Contract to purchase
- The buying process.
We will review the entire process from Pre-Approval to Possession!
Speakers include a Mortgage Broker and Realtor.
Space is limited for this NO CHARGE information session.
Email or call Cheryl to reserve your seat today. 250-858-1213
cheryl@cherylwoolley.com
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1. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
2. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.
3. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, the equity is tax free when it is your primary residence.
4. Predictability. Unlike rent, your fixed-mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will increase.
5. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.
6. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity. If you are wondering if you can own your own home or if now is a good time to buy, contact me. Cheryl Woolley Office: 250-477-7291 Cell: 250-858-1213
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- Don't be in a hurry. This is a big decision and committment. You want to be sure the property you choose is somewhere you will feel at home for at least the next 2 to five years.
- Know your mortgage options. Talk to a mortgage broker and determine the best mortgage terms for your personal situation. Plan for the future and watch your equity grow.
- Beware of hidden costs. Your realtor and mortgage broker will help guide you through the home buying process and ensure you do not run into any costly surprises.
- Choose your team wisely...know who is representing who. Pay attention to Agency Disclosure when it is explained to you.
- HAVE FUN! Buying your first home can be nerve racking as well as exciting! By being prepared you will enjoy the process so much more! For more information contact me: Cheryl Woolley, DFH Real Estate Ltd. Office: 250-477-7291 Cell: 250-858-1213 email: cheryl@cherylwoolley.com
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Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes and they’re ideal for those who appreciate a maintenance-free lifestyle. But before you buy, make sure you do your due diligence. Here are some important things to consider:
Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to hold extra belongings.
Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you dread yard work, this may be the perfect option for you.
Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home.
Maintenance. Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and let in workers when you’re not home — good news if you like to travel.
Security. Keyed entries are common in most condos. You’re also closer to other people in case of an emergency.
Contingency funds and strata fees. Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, you will have to pay the fees decided by the strata, whether or not you’re interested in the amenity.
Resale. The ease of selling your unit may be dependent on what else is for sale in your building, since units are usually fairly similar.
Condo rules. Although you have a vote, the rules of the strata can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit home-based businesses. Others prohibit pets, or don’t allow owners to rent out their units. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully before you make an offer.
Neighbours. You’re much closer to your neighbors in a condo or town home. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors. www.cherylwoolley.com
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Cordova Bay, Saanich East - Sold in 3 days, over asking price. Call me for a free consultation on how you too can sell your home quickly for top dollars. Cheryl Woolley 250-477-7291. Property information
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Brentwood Bay, Central Saanich - Announcing a price reduction on 7-7120 West Saanich Road, an Integrative Health Clinic. Now $65,000! Property information
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• 1,632 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm 3-level split -  MLS®265280 $639,900 Cordova Bay, Saanich East - OCEAN VIEWS FROM ALL LEVELS!
Ever-changing vistas are yours from this 3 bedroom, 2 bath idyllic home. With 1632 sq.ft. of casual living features include warm cedar beams, Terra Cotta tiles, skylights, 3 big bay windows, 2 gas fireplaces, large open kitchen with family room and attached 2 car garage with workshop.
Enjoy your morning coffee in the south-facing conservatory or on the large sunny garden patio. The mature landscaping has many flowering bushes and trees and offers excellent privacy. Located in a desirable, friendly neighbourhood close to the beach, Lochside trail, golf courses, shopping & restaurants.
Property information
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When selling your home, especially if you’re not living there, you may be tempted to set a security alarm to protect your house. First ask yourself the question which is likely to be the biggest problem: burglars, or the burglar alarm? The alarm will provide some protection while the house is vacant, but will also provide hours of frustration to buyer’s agents who can’t make the alarm work, can’t find it, can’t remember where they wrote the code or generally don’t do well under pressure. I often stick a sign topper on my vacant listings By Appointment Only, hoping to generate the impression that the home is occupied, but also to prevent accidental alarm tripping when agents are tempted to show a vacant without notifying me first. So should you set an alarm when you’re selling your house? Sometimes it may be a good idea: - You know the neighbourhood and have reason to believe the home needs security. - If it's very obvious the house is vacant, an alarm might be a good idea, especially is the area has had problems with break-ins. Reasons to skip setting an alarm: - Eventually an agent is going to set off the alarm and won’t have the code. If your alarm company or police charge for too many false alarms, it could get expensive. - Your alarm code isn’t secret any more. If your agent puts the code in the listing, anyone who can read the agent comments will see it. If your home is getting lots of showings, many realtors and perhaps even their clients now know your alarm code. The more people that know your alarm code, the less secure your home will be. Ultimately it is your decision - but weigh the option carefully - more hassle and fewer potential buyers versus peace of mind.
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Latoria, Colwood - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 647 Granrose Terrace on April 4 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Property information
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