Halifax Home Inspector - Advice And Tips

September 2nd, 2008 Landlord

Halifax home inspector

The average price of a resale home in Canada fell by 3.6 per cent in July, continuing a trend that started in June, when prices lost ground for the first time in more than nine years. Under the circumstances, expected rising mortgage rates will see home listings sit for longer periods of time.

It’s a buyers’ market, with prospective purchasers able to walk away from a sale, if conditions of a home do not meet their approval.

A pre-listing Halifax home inspection by a qualified Halifax home inspector, therefore, has become even more important than ever! Why wait for a buyer’s Halifax home Inspector to uncover hidden defects that could result in a lower negotiated selling price? Beat buyers to the punch by engaging your own Halifax home inspection professional. Any potential defects can be repaired immediately, or disclosed to the buyer during initial negotiations…your choice.

[b]Other advantages for the seller include:[/b]

Halifax home inspector

* The seller can engage their own Halifax home inspector rather than be at the mercy of the buyer’s inspector.
* The seller can schedule|arrange the Halifax home inspection at their convenience.
* It might alert the seller of any items of immediate concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation.
* The seller can assist the inspector during the inspection, something normally not done during a buyer’s inspection.
* The seller can have the inspector correct any errors in the inspection report before it is generated.
* The report can help the seller realistically price the home, should problems exist.
* The report can help the seller justify a higher asking price, if defects don’t exist or have been resolved.
* A seller inspection reveals problems ahead of time which:
o may make the home show better.
o gives the seller time to make repairs and shop for reasonably priced contractors.
o permits the seller to attach repair estimates or paid invoices to the inspection report.
o negates buyer procured estimates from the negotiation table.
* The report might alert the seller to any immediate safety hazards found, before agents and visitors tour the home.
* The report provides a third-party, unbiased opinion to offer to potential buyers.
* A seller inspection produces a clean home inspection report to be used as a marketing tool.
* A seller inspection is the ultimate gesture of good faith on the part of the seller.
* The report might relieve a prospective buyer’s unfounded suspicions, before they walk away.
* A seller inspection eases negotiations in general and eliminates 11th-hour renegotiations arising from the buyers’ inspection report.
* The report might cause the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
* The deal is less likely to fall apart, as can happen when a buyer’s inspection unexpectedly reveals a problem at the last minute.
* The report provides full-disclosure protection from future legal claims.

In summary, more and more people are choosing to have a pre-listing Halifax home inspection in order to avoid any last minute surprises that may prevent the sale from going through. If you want to sell your home for more and get it done faster, then consider the benefits of a pre-listing home inspection today.

Halifax home inspector

Posted in Real Estate News | No Comments »

Rising Prices Of Homes

September 2nd, 2008 Landlord

With condos and homes being so expensive these days, it is inevitable that you may live in a house smaller than you may have planned. This may be all too familiar for many of you as affording a house is definitely not easily accomplishable! With down payments as well as monthly payments being so high, it is often frightening to find that one beautiful home you can love!
Let’s be honest though, while a big house may be great to live in, it is time for married couples to really think about this issue. There are many ways to save money and they are rather very easy if you consciously think about it. For example, providing your children with a kids bunk bed instead of two normal beds may actually save you money. Cutting down unnecessary costs in food, gas, and utilities can also drastically decrease your expenses. Point being, you are in control of the money you spend. Budgeting is something that everyone should consciously do when spending money. By cutting down costs and spending, you will be surprised at how much money you end up saving! Dollars may add up to hundreds to thousands of dollars!

Posted in Real Estate Investment Strategies | No Comments »

Free Criminal Background Checks.

September 1st, 2008 Landlord

Free Criminal Background Checks.

How can the Free Criminal Background Checks help you and do they provide enough good information?

Usually, they provide only the bare basics of the information that is available and often times simply list the various categories that information is available in. This means that for things like business and hiring individuals for important and sensitive jobs such as childcare or home repair where access to the house and family will be necessary may be lacking in information for free checks. This is why it is important to consider paid services for since this is where the information that is detailed and specific will be located. Also free services usually supply older outdated information and do not supply the most current search results.

It is therefore recommended that you go for a paid service.

Posted in Tenant Issues | No Comments »

Facts to Know About Real Estate Market

August 30th, 2008 Landlord

How to Sell Your House without a Realtor

The economy is in a slump and the cost of housing still relatively high, is it wise to pay realtors extraordinary amount of money? The good news is that you don’t have to. There are several steps you can take to sell your house yourself. Of course if you are in a hurry to sell and money is no object, then by all means realtor is a huge help. But, for the rest of you I will lay out a step by step process plan.

First, get your house and yard in good shape, making repairs to all those little annoying things you have been putting off. Kitchens and bathrooms are very important and the return on money invested in upgrading them will most likely double or even triple. Freshly painted walls in neutral colors will appeal to the majority of people. Pack up your personal items and do away with clutter.

With your house looking wonderful, take pictures of every room, including the yard, being sure to emphasize the strong points. Upload your photos to your computer and make sure your photos do your house justice. Imagine that you are working for your own site that is to sell the house. Most online property listing services will resize your photos for you, however, your uploading time will drastically be reduced if you optimize or reduce the size of your photos before hand. You can also shoot some video and upload it for free to YouTube.com If you need any help, use the free movie manager for the assistance.

Now you need a website to direct potential buyers to so they can find out all the details about your property and see those wonderful pictures and videos you took. Buyers want to know as much as they can about the property so they can narrow down their search. You can find plenty of free and inexpensive services where you can use your property website. Since not everyone has the expertise and time to build their own website, this free property website service makes it easy to get a professional looking property website up and running in minutes.

And for a limited time you can get your own website for an entire year for free by using the promotion code FreePromo when you register. To build your website, all you have to do is sign up, enter as much information about your house as you want, upload as many photos as you want, enter your YouTube URLs for each of your videos, if you have any, and it immediately generates a great looking website with its own URL, slideshow, photo gallery, embedded videos, printable flyer and ability to track the number of views.

The site is ready, and you are ready to give it out and get the ball rolling. You can start by placing your website name on your For Sale sign in your front yard. And by the way you can look for some nice looking For Sale By Owner signs at a very reasonable price that can be customized with your website name and phone number. You can also pick up a smaller arrow sign at a local hardware store, write you website name on it and place it at the beginning of your street and/or subdivision. You may also want to purchase an info tube to attach to your For Sale sign to help distribute your property flyers that you can print out from your website listing.

Then go to Zillow.com and sign up for a free listing on their site. Your Zillow listing allows you to enter a listing website.

Then go to Craigslist.org. Select your state and city. Click post to classifieds > housing offered > real estate by owner. In your posting description you would add your website name.

You can also out property flyers with website info and place them on bulletin boards at the office and at church. Also hand them out at community events or garage sales. If you have your own garage sale to clean out your clutter, be sure to have your For Sale sign visible and have plenty of flyers to hand out. This is especially important if your subdivision is having a community garage sale. Even those who want to find out how to buy a house after bankruptcy this info might be a trigger.

Pay special attention to the opportunity to advertise in your local newspaper. Be sure to include your website name. Some newspapers also give you the option of having your ad put online.

You can also spread the word to local realtors that you are selling your house yourself, but you are willing to pay 1% to any realtor that finds someone to buy it. Many realtors would rather take the 1% than nothing at all.

Posted in Real Estate News | No Comments »

Deciding Whether A Fixer Upper Home Is A Sensible Financial Venture

August 30th, 2008 Landlord

There are many factors you need to consider when deciding whether you have found a fixer upper home worthy of buying. From location to the purchase price, the list of considerations may seem overwhelming before concluding you have a profitable home on your hands.

Location, Location, Location

The first area of focus is the home’s location. It doesn’t matter what type of property you are investing in or area of the country, if the location isn’t right then you are simply not going to make any significant money on it.

Evaluate the neighborhood, where the house is situated on the street, and its proximity to appealing schools or large businesses. Many people initially filter home options based strictly on its location, and if yours isn’t situated in a popular area, you will have difficulty selling that home.

The Home Itself

The next factor to evaluate is whether the house is actually a fixer upper at all. Although some homes are advertised as such - making them easy to find - not all are described as homes you can fix up.

Check all homes within your budget, and take a leisurely drive around the city looking for those that may not be advertised in the local newspaper. By talking with friends and networking a bit, you may also be able to locate fixer uppers that aren’t even yet on the market for sale.

Don’t Skip a Professional Inspection

When you do find the home you think you may like to purchase, you will do yourself a huge favor by taking the time and small expenses to have the house professionally inspected. The inspector should check every nook and cranny of the house to let you know exactly what you need to do to fix it up for resale.

Many problems with real estate may go completely unnoticed by a novice investor, but a certified inspector can provide a much more accurate idea of what you will actually have to spend. Along with the inspection, you need a reputable contractor to estimate the projected costs of the repairs. It is important to seek several estimates to determine an average cost and, of course, to help you save money.

Your Buy and Sell Prices

Two of the other most important aspects of knowing whether a home should be a “contender” are the purchase price and the projection of a realistic reselling price. Most fixer uppers are available in a distressed condition, making them more affordable than newer, contemporary homes.

It is not at all unusual buy a fixer upper for at least 20% below market value. That is your profit potential! However you have to ensure you can sell it for a great price once the renovations are completed. Definitely do your best to negotiate a great price when you buy it so that when you do resell, you can do so at a desirable profit.

Posted in Real Estate Investment Strategies | No Comments »

Halifax Home Inspector - Advice And Tips

August 27th, 2008 Landlord

As a first time home buyer, you are constantly being reminded that buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. So that your decision is an informed one, you are also advised to consult with a Halifax home inspection professional. Easier said than done!

With so many independent Halifax Home Inspectors and a myriad of Halifax home inspection franchises, it’s hard to sort out the good from the bad…the amateurs from the professionals.

To assist you in the process, here are:

The 10 Most Important Questions “You” Should Ask
When Hiring A Halifax Home Inspector!

Halifax home inspector

1. How long have they been in the Halifax home inspection business and how many home inspections have they completed?

Try to gain insight into their specific home inspection experience. Determine how many years of actual full time
home inspection experience they may have versus construction or related trade experience. There is a difference!

As a rule, the more inspections completed, the better! There is no substitute for actual experience. Seasoned, professional Halifax home inspectors may have performed more than 1000 inspections.

2. What qualifications does the inspector have?

Beware…home inspection is still totally unregulated in Canada.

Look for people who belong to a provincial association and who have taken inspection courses such as: defect recognition, building sciences, and home construction.

CMHC now recommends that you hire a “Registered Home Inspector” or RHI who is a member in good standing with a Provincial Association.

The highest and most prestigious home inspection designation available today is through the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI). If you hire an inspector who holds the new CAHPI - National Certificate Holder designation, you can be assured that you are dealing with a true Professional who has specialized training in defect recognition and undergone a full peer review test of their inspection expertise, techniques and reporting skills.

3. Do they participate in continuing education programs to keep up their expertise?

An inspectors’ commitment to continuing education is a good measure of their professionalism and expertise. Advanced knowledge is especially important in cases in which a home is older or includes unique elements requiring additional or updated training.

4. Do they specialize in residential inspection?

Make sure the inspector has training and experience in the unique discipline of home inspection, which is very different from inspecting commercial buildings or a construction site. If you are buying a unique property, such as a historic home, you will want to ask whether the inspector has experience with that type of property.

5. Are you permitted to attend the inspection?

The answer should be yes. A home inspection is a valuable educational opportunity for you as the buyer to better understand a home’s condition. An inspector’s refusal to let you attend should raise a red flag.

6. How long will the inspection take?

On average, an inspector working alone inspects a typical single-family house (1800-2500 square feet) in 2-3 hours (dependent on property age and condition). Anything significantly less may not be thorough and should raise a red flag.

Tip: Some home inspection services include not only structural inspection – such as foundation inspection and septic inspection, but “extra services” as well, such as pest inspection, and a check for radon gas. For that reason, it is important to critique a home inspector and ask what services are included before hiring one.

Bottom line…an inspector should be willing to stay, as long as it takes to complete the inspection to professional standards.

7. Will an inspection report be provided and how long will it take?

Ask to see samples and determine whether or not you can understand the inspector’s reporting style. Regardless of the report format, a good report should contain comments specific to the subject property and should offer both observations and recommendations. Remember, it’s not the length of the report…it’s the information contained within that is important!

Equally as important, is the verbal explanations that you receive during the inspection process. Having an experienced inspector who can provide commentary on all aspects of a home, is willing to answer your questions, provide maintenance and energy saving tips, and offer details about remedial actions needed and their approximate costs is worth it’s weight in gold!

Most inspectors provide their full report within 24 hours of the inspection.

Fact: Poor drainage is the most common problem found by home inspectors. To improve drainage, you may have to install a new system of roof gutters and downspouts or have the lot re-graded to better channel water away from the house.

Halifax home inspector

8. Is the inspector associated with any real estate or construction company?

While many real estate professionals provide their clients with names of Registered Home Inspectors who are members of CAHPI, others often recommend inspectors who are not. Knowing whether a suggested reference will prove a truly unbiased opinion is often difficult to determine. It is always suggested that consumers do their own investigation.

CMHC offers tips on hiring a qualified Halifax home inspector, advising consumers to beware of real estate agent recommendations. “The only alliance home inspectors should have is to their professional association,” the CMHC web site states, “and their only allegiance should be to the home buyer.” Ask for qualifications and proof an inspector has a recognized certificate, the CMHC urges.

9. Does the inspector do home repairs or improvements?

Some provinces allow the inspector to provide repair work on problems uncovered during the inspection. However, other provincial associations forbid it as a conflict of interest. Under their professional code of ethics, professional home inspectors are not permitted to be affiliated with any other construction or house related trade. While they may provide you a personal opinion based on past experiences, they should recommend that you obtain 3
independent quotes from qualified contractors.

10. How much does a Halifax Home Inspection Cost?

A question that almost always gets asked first, but, in fact, should be one of the last and least important in your decision process.

Ask all the previous questions first to get a feel for the Halifax home inspector’s level of expertise and professionalism. Most professional, qualified inspectors generally charge from $300 - $500 for an average sized home within the city (fee’s may vary for size and location variations).

At the end of the day, the amount of the fee should be the least of your worries when you consider how much you are planning on investing in a home. A home inspection is no different than many other professional occupations… you generally get what you pay for. Cheaper is rarely the best!

A professional Halifax home inspection is well worth the expense.

Halifax home inspector

Posted in Real Estate News | No Comments »

Come and See Why Life is Just Plain Better in Rowlett, Texas

August 26th, 2008 Landlord

As one of the most sought after places to live in Dallas County, Rowlett, Texas has gained a reputation as one of the best residential spots in the Lone Star State. Each year a growing number of new residents discover the home of their dreams in this serene suburban paradise. A number of home styles and architectural designs that cater to a variety of home buyers can be found in Rowlett. Most appealing, is Rowlett’s small-town charm and commitment to family, friends and community. This commitment is quite evident in Rowlett’s annual special events such as the Festival of Freedom, National Night Out, Noon Exchange Club Holiday Parade and the Tree Lighting Festivities. Check out Rowlett homes for sale, to find your place in this community.

Posted in Real Estate News | No Comments »

Forney is an All-Around Attractive Community

August 26th, 2008 Landlord

Forney, Texas is a very close-knit community that is known as the Antique Capital of Texas, ensuring that antiquing enthusiasts will enjoy this town to the fullest! With the recent park developments that will keep families active, and the sparkling modern Forney Medical Center, new residents can be assured that all of their needs will be met. In addition, upscale shopping, fine dining, and a vibrant nightlife can be easily found just twenty minutes away in the beautiful city of Dallas. Forney is a community that believes in a perfect combination of a peaceful atmosphere and modern convenience. If this sounds like where you want to live, check out Forney homes for sale.

Posted in Real Estate News | No Comments »

A Few Considerations For Locating A Good Foreclosure Investment Property

August 26th, 2008 Landlord

Finding a good foreclosure investment property is about more than grabbing the first bargain at auction you see. A smart investor considers property quality, location, neighborhood amenities, title liens and much more before jumping into a foreclosure investment.

For information on what to look for in a good real estate investment property, keep reading.

The Fewer Foreclosures, The Better

Don’t buy a foreclosure property in an area that’s riddled with foreclosures. Property values in that area are only decreasing and you’ll have a hard time reselling the property if you’re competing with other foreclosures and short turn-around sales.

Location, Location, Location

Location is key and about 90 percent of every real estate decision. Look for an area with a healthy property value, properties that are actually appreciating in value, good schools and proximity to desirable amenities.

Remember, you can always change the house, but you can’t move the plot of land on which it’s sitting.

No Residents in the House

Most foreclosure investment properties are sold vacant, meaning the bank or lender has already evicted the previous homeowners from the premises.

However, if you purchase a foreclosure property and the previous owners are still living in the home, you will be responsible for evicting them - an undesirable task at best.

This means, you’ll be responsible for the long, expensive and incredibly taxing eviction process. So, look for a property that is not only listed as vacant, but also confirm that fact for yourself before you take over the deed.

No Liens

Ask for a Warranty Deed that states the property has no other liens on it in the form of outstanding taxes or possible building code violations.

Have the Property Inspected

Most foreclosure investment homes and properties are sold “as is.” This means the bank selling them makes no guarantees about the condition of the property, its ability to meet building standards or the land on which it sits.

This is why a good and thorough house inspector is crucial to any foreclosure investment purchase. A quality inspector can tell you, for example, if you’re going to be saddled with a $10,000 roof repair or a termite problem that’s not going to go away.

See The Potential

Don’t walk away from a property just because it doesn’t look good or grab the eye. Instead, look at every property and see the potential, asking yourself how you could improve it with just $1500 or even $500. From washing to a good paint job, you’ll be amazed how far a little investment can go.

Posted in Real Estate Investment Strategies | No Comments »

Apartment Rentals Can Be Frightening When You Have No Idea Where To Start

August 24th, 2008 Landlord

What is an apartment? Well, that’s easy- also known as a flat, this housing unit only occupies a part or a floor of a multi-storage building and there are usually suites of these rooms each with its own cooking facilities, bathroom and bedroom. These units are usually occupied by an owner who bought the place or it is occupied by a tenant that rents the place from an agent on a monthly basis. The apartment rental normally has one, two or three bedrooms.

There are lots of different apartments that are available:

• A studio- this is usually an apartment where all of the living, sleeping and cooking areas are in one room. Normally there are walls that part some of these areas, but the bathroom is always a separate room from those of the living, sleeping and eating areas.

• A one bedroom apartment- It usually has a living and cooking area that is in one room, the bedroom that is separate and the bathroom that is in another room.

• A two or three bedroom apartment has its own living and cooking area, with a separate bathroom and each bedroom that is in another room.

Want to know where you can look for property to let deals?

Well, there are lots of apartments that are available for rent and you can just subscribe to sites that offer you a wide range of comprehensive data of such apartments. The advantage of making use of such a site is that they offer you a wide range of photos from all the apartments available and some even give you a tour of how the apartment looks. If you like an apartment, then these sites usually offers you some kind of notebook where you can keep notes of all the apartments that you like and then you can submit your online rental form. These property websites will serve as your personal real estate agents.

Normally you will get some very useful data with regards to properties that are small and unique and that can not be found easily. If you do not see an apartment which you like, then there is always the option of looking in your local newspaper. Just a warning- please be careful for these advertisements, they are usually placed by rental agents and these apartments are usually much more expensive, because the agent must also get its “cut out of the cake”.

Well, whether it is a studio or a three bedroom apartment you are looking for- there is lots of sources available to make your search easier for you.

Posted in Tenant Issues | No Comments »