Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Regina Shares 3 Things to Learn From An Open House


3 Things to Learn From an Open House


Are you a professed open house snooper? Do you love popping into open houses even if you’re not looking to sell or buy? While touring an open house is an important step for most buyers, there’s still a lot you can learn even if you’re not presently in the market. For example:


Get staging or design inspiration. 

Most open houses are professionally staged, so checking one out, especially if it’s similar in size or style to your own, can be a great way to get a sense of how different colours and furniture styles look. When it comes time to stage your own for sale, you might have some great ideas.


Get to know your price point. 

Taking a look through different open houses that are either similar to your own, or in a price point you plan to buy in, can give you a reality check. If you keep seeing homes in your price range that just don’t fit the bill, it might be time to increase your budget or be prepared to compromise. The same goes for your current home. If you see similar spaces that sell for a lot less, you might want to rethink your sales strategy.


Learn what doesn’t work. 

Open houses can also be a great chance to see some seriously misguided renovations or decor choices. Did someone take down a wall and lose a valuable potential home office? Undertake a bathroom renovation that just didn’t make sense? Learning what doesn’t work in a similar home, or what features you absolutely couldn’t compromise on can be valuable, too.

Most listing agents know that a certain number of open house visitors are there out of curiosity, not because they’re in the market, so don’t be shy! There’s still a lot you can learn from browsing open houses whether you’re looking to buy immediately or not.



5 Real Estate Tips From Trusted Regina


5 Real Estate Tips 


Thanks to a glam Hollywood treatment and an influx of design and reno shows, the world of real estate can look like a pretty sweet deal. You tour some high-end houses, sign some papers, close a few deals and you’re set. Right? In real life, it’s a little more complicated than that. From emotional sellers to DIY disasters, real estate agents deal with challenges just like any professional. Here’s what they wish you knew about the job:


“Reality” television isn’t that real. 

Shows can make it seem simple and fun to buy a fixer-upper, gut the place and sell it to make a profit, all within a short timeframe. In reality, these projects take much more time and often encounter more complications. Make sure you speak with both a real estate agent and a contractor before deciding if this is the right option for you.


Time is of the essence. 

In Canada, where many housing markets are hot, hot, hot, timing can make all the difference when it comes to scoring your dream home. For buyers, being responsive and filing paperwork on time can be the reason you get—or lose—the place you want.


It pays to keep your emotions in check when selling. 

It only makes sense that when you put down roots in a space you become attached to it. Unfortunately, emotional connections sometimes get in the way of pricing a home at its actual value or accepting a perfectly good offer.


Staging has real benefits. 

People become attached to their things as well as their actual dwellings. But not every potential buyer will be as enthused about your treasured family vacation photos or carefully curated souvenirs. If your agent suggests you use the services of a professional stager, they’re trying to get your home the value it deserves.


Keeping your home tidy helps!

Even in a hot market, going out of your way to make your home as presentable and welcoming as possible is a necessary piece of getting the buyer you want. Spending a few minutes every day to tidy up, wipe down counters and give the floors a quick swiffering makes an agent’s job that much simpler.





5 Tips on How to Let Go of A House You Love From Trusted Regina REALTOR® James Wruth

James Wruth is one of Regina’s most trusted and top-selling Realtors. A member of RE/MAX Crown Real Estate since 2006, James works with families, individuals, investors, and developers in the purchase and sale of residential properties. Since 2006, James has been a consistent Top Producing Realtor, and he has been awarded numerous prestigious distinctions including Re/Max 100% Club distinction, Platinum Sales Award, and Remax Hall of Fame induction. James Wruth is a Trusted Regina Real Estate expert.

Considering Breaking Up With Your Favourite Home? 5 Helpful Tips from James Wruth

I believe that relationships are more important than transactions. I started a career in real estate in 2006, and since that time I have built a Regina real estate business around that philosophy. My goal is a personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you, and your real estate goals, and to be 100% accountable to you. In my latest blog post, I acknowledge that selling a home you love is NOT easy.

Owning a house is like 'being in a long-term relationship', so it can be hard to break up!

You grew up in that home, or you raised your own family inside those four walls, so when it’s time to move on, downsize or sell for a multitude of reasons, it can be very hard emotionally to let go! 

Another reason why a breakup with your home is hard to go through can be explained by the Endowment Effect. This economic theory finds that people overvalue what they already own. They are comfortable with the status quo and feel threatened by change and the unfamiliar, which makes losing or parting from what they have particularly difficult. Now, they believe that their loss is more than it actually is.

Sure, this house was perfect, but the home selling and buying process isn’t finding “the one” that sticks around forever. It’s more about finding the home that fits your needs best based on your current situation. That gets easier if you can feel good about your next decision and give yourself closure over the past—so let’s dive into 5 tips to help you work through it.

Tip #1: Make sure you’re ready to ' FOLD It' from a financial perspective


When you mix money and love, things get complicated. Just ask the 1 in 5 partners who choose to keep their finances separate. Applying this division of church and state to selling the house can suck some of the emotion out of the process.

Above how you feel about the selling situation, you need to figure out the hard financials and timing of this sale. Can you afford to sell this home and buy another, and is now the time to do it?

You can start by getting a ballpark figure for what your home would go for in the current market. Then, factor in your expenses like home prep, repairs, and agent commissions. Make sure that after you sell the house, you’ll have enough money to pay off the mortgage and then some, ideally enough for a sizable down payment on the next house.

Then, find out if it’s the best time to sell your home in your market. Depending on where you live, seasonality makes a big impact—in fact, data shows that selling at an opportune moment can help you increase your profits significantly.

Take Away? Similar to a relationship break-up, selling a home shouldn't be a rash, spur of the moment decision. 

Tip#2: Reframe your mindset to focus on your ‘Why’


The first question I ask my seller clients is, “Why Are you Selling?”

Maybe you crave the carefree lifestyle that apartment/condo living can provide, perhaps you want to move to be closer to the grandkids, or maybe you have to buy somewhere bigger to give your family more breathing room.

Take Away? Focusing on the logic of your reason and your why makes it easier to harness your attention to the future. Reframe your home sale as change (good change!) rather than loss. Then, selling your house becomes an opportunity for you to move on to a different chapter of your life.

Tip #3: Keep living your best life BUT keep on keeping up with the Jones's


The last thing you want to do after you decide to sell your house is to wallow in regrets and neglect home-selling responsibilities.

Oftentimes, home sellers are also buyers, so their home purchase is contingent on their home sale. You must make sure that your home looks its best. Then, take steps to detach from what you used to call your home. Trust your real estate agent and start the staging process. See how furniture works in different arrangements, change up the decor and paint the walls neutral colours to begin depersonalizing the house without giving yourself whiplash. You can find some helpful tips on curating curb appeal in the Regina real estate article I wrote about Selling A Home in A Slow Market.

Once you have put effort into making the property look its very best, you can channel your emotions and efforts toward figuring out what your future will look like, in terms of the house and your new neighbourhood. That way, your next home becomes a productive distraction that will help you get over the initial home sale.

Take Away? Be sure to keep up with maintenance and to work with your realtor to get the best price for both your existing property AND the new one!  

Tip #4: Do the Emotional Work


So, when you sell your house, don’t be afraid to:
  • Walk through your home and revisit old memories.

  • Reflect on how the house has served its purpose for however long you lived there.

  • Talk about how you loved living here with your spouse, children, and family members.

This type of processing helps you to accept your emotions throughout the home sale. If you want to keep a snapshot of the home, take photos and use those as emotional anchors for you to look back on in the future.

Take Away? It is healthy to mourn a loss! 

Tip #5: Get proper closure


When selling a house, you don’t want to walk away with unfinished business or bitterness. You might not be emotionally prepared for the change, but don’t demand buyers to overpay for your home or leave the home in a sloppy state. Be respectful to the next set of homeowners, and take the time to get everything in shipshape for the final walkthrough.

A proper goodbye can also include a “house-cooling party” that lets you invite friends and family to your home for one last time before handing over the keys. Those who are important to you also have a chance to say goodbye to you and the home. Just don't go crazy, as the last thing you want is wine stains on those newly cleaned carpets! 

Take Away? Ready to sell the house you love? Partner up with me, I’m a top Regina RE/MAX Agent, and as an experienced Regina REALTOR® I can support you by inserting a degree of professional separation.

Have questions about selling your Regina property?

Contact me today, I am here to help!


If you are looking for a Regina Realtor who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, James will be an expert at your side. 

Trusted Regina REALTOR® James Wruth Shares Advice on Becoming a Landlord

James Wruth is one of Regina’s most trusted and top-selling Realtors. A member of RE/MAX Crown Real Estate since 2006, James works with families, individuals, investors, and developers in the purchase and sale of residential properties. Since 2006, James has been a consistent Top Producing Realtor, and he has been awarded numerous prestigious distinctions including Re/Max 100% Club distinction, Platinum Sales Award, and Remax Hall of Fame induction. James Wruth is a Trusted Regina Real Estate expert.

So You Want To Become A Landlord In Regina?

I believe that relationships are more important than transactions. I started a career in real estate in 2006, and since that time I have built a Regina real estate business around that philosophy. My goal is a personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you, your real estate goals, and to be 100% accountable to you. In my latest blog post, I share advice for folks considering investing in revenue properties in Regina, with a view to becoming a landlord. 

Things you need to know before you become a landlord.

If you’re looking to become a landlord, investing in Regina real estate is a solid way to generate passive income! However, before you invest in Regina revenue property, it’s wise to know if you’re getting a good deal.

Here are some tips to consider when buying an investment property in Regina. 

1. Buy the right Regina property that is sure to rent easily

- Select Your Target Regina Neighbourhoods Carefully - remember this is not where YOU are going to live

Consider the following before you invest:
  • Is it a safe neighbourhood? ( Check out Regina Police Crime Map ) 
  • What amenities are found locally
  • What is the rental vacancy rate in that neighbourhood?
  • How close are you to local shops, parks or recreational facilities? 
  • How far away are you from the bus stop or transportation hub?
  • If you are considering buying property suitable for a family are you close to schools? 
You may want to consider duplexes for the peace of mind they bring. With duplexes, you have two units, so if you go for a while without a tenant, it’s usually just one apartment, not both, so you still have some revenue coming in. As an experienced Regina realtor, I can provide a lot of support in your search! 

2. Treat your rental like a business

You can make good money being a landlord, through both monthly cash flow and appreciation on your property. But it’s not like buying a mutual fund. You need to be ready to handle the types of struggles you’d face with any business. You must have a budget for emergency fixes for example! 

Know your rights as a landlord in Regina! 

3. Be sure to properly screen potential tenants

We’ve all read stories of nightmare tenants who generate endless noise complaints, damage property and even stop paying rent. To protect yourself, I recommend credit checks (available through agencies like Equifax and TransUnion) and asking for references from employers and past landlords. I also recommend matching landlord references to the credit check, which shows past addresses, to ensure the applicant is being truthful. Once you’ve found great tenants, you’ll want to hold on to them for as long as possible.

4. Check your insurance coverage

If you’re renting an apartment within your home, your existing home insurance policy could be enough coverage. But if you’re renting a building that you don’t live in, you’ll need to look into additional insurance While it’s not legal to require your tenants to purchase insurance, it’s important they know that they’re not covered by your policy. It’s a good practice to recommend they take out their own tenant insurance policy so their personal property is covered.

5. If you aren't handy or good at DIY - find folks you can trust who are! 

You can save even more time by making sure you’re set up for success from day one. Build a network of professionals — electricians, plumbers, handypeople. This way you can handle most routine problems, like a leaky faucet, with a simple phone call.

Have questions about buying revenue properties?
Contact me today, I am here to help!


If you are looking for a Regina Realtor who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, James will be an expert at your side. 

6 Tips To Help Your Home Stand Out From Trusted Regina REALTOR® James Wruth

James Wruth is one of Regina’s most trusted and top-selling Realtors. A member of RE/MAX Crown Real Estate since 2006, James works with families, individuals, investors, and developers in the purchase and sale of residential properties. Since 2006, James has been a consistent Top Producing Realtor, and he has been awarded numerous prestigious distinctions including Re/Max 100% Club distinction, Platinum Sales Award, and Remax Hall of Fame induction. James Wruth is a Trusted Regina Real Estate expert.

6 Tips To Help Your Home Stand Out From The Crowd This Fall

I believe that relationships are more important than transactions. I started a career in real estate in 2006, and since that time I have built a Regina real estate business around that philosophy. My goal is a personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you, your real estate goals, and to be 100% accountable to you. In my latest blog post, I share 6 ways you can ensure your home stands out to buyers this fall in Regina!

The summer selling-season frenzy is over, but fall has just as much (if not more) sales-inducing mojo to offer. The crisp autumn weather gives home hunters a new incentive to find that perfect house to snuggle into before the snow comes. Here are some surefire season-sensitive tips to make sure it’s yours that they choose.

Clean Up The Yard

Get out that rake and move those newly fallen leaves off the lawn tout suite. Making sure potential buyers can see the potential of a summer garden is a big selling point. Cut back bushes and dead flowers, and make sure vegetation isn’t blocking any windows or paths. Also, check for any trees that have grown up with the warm weather and are now blocking views or sunlight.

Fall Flowers / Displays

Boosting autumn-time curb appeal starts with a few strategically-placed planters filled with flowering fall favourites such as chrysanthemums, marigolds and mini sunflowers. They come in yellows, oranges, reds and browns and instantly brighten up walkways, steps, window boxes and doorways. A grouping of seasonal gourds by the front steps wouldn’t go amiss either. Autumn ushers in memories of a bountiful harvest, children dressed in colourful costumes and thankful families sharing a meal. As you spruce up your porch, the realization that fall is finally here brings the excitement of the season to your home.

Wash Those Windows

After a Saskatchewan summer filled with hot, dusty days and warm breezes, windows can start to look filmy and streaked, while window screens are plugged with dirt and unlucky insects. You may not notice the buildup since it happened over a few months but buyers will. Dig out that power washer or hire a window-washing company to tackle the job and get those windows sparkling clean. It is well worth the investment.

Top Notch HVAC

The furnace probably hasn’t been used all summer so now’s the time to have it looked at by a specialist and prepped for winter use. A potential buyer will have an inspector look at it anyways so it’s better to fix any potential problems prior to the house going on the market. Before anyone steps foot through the door, you’ll want the air flowing through the home smelling fresh and the heating system doing its job.

Squeaky Clean Fireplace

A wood-burning fireplace is on a lot of buyers’ must-have list – but they want one that they can light up the day they get the keys. Get the chimney professionally cleaned and scrub down the stove and brickwork. As soon as you list the house, hold off on lighting it and instead set up a display of attractive logs, large pinecones or pillar candles.

Open House Details

Fall is a favourite time for many people so when you do open your doors, make sure they get a season’s greeting. Before they arrive, simmer hot apple cider on the stove to fill the house with a welcoming scent, then fill up a thermos and put out paper cups so visitors can sip on cider while they tour your tastefully staged rooms. Fill a bowl with fresh apples and set out a tray of ginger cookies for potential buyers to take home as a sweet reminder of how much they love fall – and would love to buy your home.

Your home is one of the biggest investments of your life. When you’re ready to buy or sell, choose wisely—choose me, James Wruth REMAX Crown Regina Real Estate Agent.

If you are looking for a Regina Realtor who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, James will be an expert at your side. 

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