Cheryl Woolley

Costly Selling Mistake #6

2010-03-07T21:23:00Z

Not being aware of what your are signing. Real estate contracts are legally binding, complex & confusing documents. If you are not fully aware of what you are signing, it could cost you thosands of dollars. Do you know what your responsibiities will be in the terms & conditions of an offer? Will there be any problems transferring title to the new buyer? Knowing the answers to these types of questions can save you time, money & headaches.

Tips for Buying in a Tight Market

2010-02-26T21:33:00Z

Anyone who is looking to purchase a property in the Greater Victoria area in the last few months is bound to have noticed how quickly homes are being snapped up, and the rise in instances of multiple offer situations.

I've pulled together the following information to help you increase your chances of homeownership in our hot market. And remember, I am always just a phone call away if you have ANY questions.

Tips for Buying in a Tight Market

Increase your chances of getting your dream house in a competitive housing market, and lower your chances of losing out to another buyer.

1. Get prequalified for a mortgage. You’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and your offer will be more desirable to the seller.

2. Stay in close contact with your real estate agent to find out about the newest listings. Be ready to see a house as soon as it goes on the market — if it’s a great home, it will go fast.

3. Scout out new listings. Check your email notifications daily, and drive through neighborhoods you like to spot For Sale signs. If you see a home you like, write down the address and your real estate agent will schedule a showing.

4. Be ready to make a decision. Spend a lot of time in advance deciding what you must have in a home so you won’t be unsure when you have the chance to make an offer.

5. Bid competitively. You usually only have one chance to make a bid. You may not want to offer the absolute highest price you can afford, but don’t go too low to get a deal. In a tight market, you’ll lose out.

6. Keep contingencies to a minimum. Restrictions such as needing to sell your home before you move or wanting to delay the closing until a certain date can make your offer unappealing. Talk to your lender about financing options if you have a home to sell.

7. Don’t get caught in a buying frenzy. Just because there’s competition doesn’t mean you should just buy it. And even though you want to make your offer attractive, talk to your real estate agent about which conditions would be okay to waive and which you should keep in each situation.

Open House at 560 Walter Ave. on Saturday

2010-02-26T18:17:00Z

Tillicum-Gorge, Saanich West - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 560 Walter on February 27 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Property information

Costly Selling Mistake #4

2010-02-25T19:05:00Z

Opps, just realized I didn't post Selling Mistake #4! Here it is: Finding Out Too Late That Your Buyer Isn't Qualified. How can you tell if an interested buyer is really prepared to buy your home? Wasting time with the wrong person could cost you time in finding the right buyer.

Costly Selling Mistake #5

2010-02-25T19:02:00Z

Forgetting to Set the Stage. Do you know the 10 most common turn offs for prospective buyers? Would you be surprised to know House Odors is the #1 buyer repellent? Sometimes the simpliest changes can make all the difference.

"Let the Countdown to Rising Rates Begin"

2010-02-17T01:06:00Z

http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/fp/Mortgage+Centre+countdown+rising+rates+begin/2559147/story.html

1st Time Home Buyers Seminar

2010-02-16T22:44:00Z

Why pay off your landlord’s mortgage when you could be paying off your own? Join Accredited Mortgage Consultant Elizabeth Prins & myself for an evening of information. You will learn about down payment options, programs for first time home buyers, how to avoid common first time buyer mistakes and much more.

March 17, 2010 @ 7pm
Juan de Fuca Recreation Center
1767 Island Highway
Victoria, BC V9B 1J1

Seating is limited - call or email me to register
250-477-7291
cheryl@cherylwoolley.com

Costly Selling Mistake #3

2010-01-29T07:02:00Z

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.

Costly Mistake #2..

2010-01-09T07:10:00Z

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

Seven Sure-Fire Ways to Make Your Home Sale Self-Destruct And How You Can Avoid Them

2010-01-06T00:04:00Z

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.

Christmas Decorating Ideas

2009-12-11T23:02:00Z

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

Real Estate Trends - Victoria & Saanich

2009-11-24T17:33:00Z

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

California Conference

2009-11-15T02:46:00Z

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.

TIRED OF RENTING?

2009-09-24T07:22:00Z

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

6 REASONS TO OWN YOUR OWN HOME

2009-08-15T00:52:00Z

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

email: cheryl@cherylwoolley.com