Best Asking Price for your Home:

Setting a realistic price for your home that reflects current market values will help sell your home quickly and for top dollar.  When you price your home properly, you increase the chances that the offer you receive will nearly match your asking price, and that there will be competing offers—which may net you even more in the long run.   

Your property has the best chance of selling within its first seven weeks on the market.  And, studies indicate that the longer a property stays on the market, the less it will ultimately sell for.  A property priced 10 % more than its market value is significantly less likely to sell within this window than a property priced close to its actual market value.  About three-quarters of homes on the market today are 5-10 % overpriced.  Sellers will usually over-price their homes by this margin if, either, they firmly believe the home is worth more than what the market indicates, or if they want to leave room for negotiation.  Either way, if you choose to over-price your home by this amount, you run the risk of increasing the amount of time your home spends on the market, and decreasing the amount of money you’ll ultimately receive.

At the other end of the selling spectrum are houses that are priced below a fair market value.Under-pricing often occurs when the owner is interested in a quick sell.  You can bargain on these homes attracting multiple offers and ultimately selling quickly at—or above—the asking price.

The knowledge and skills of an experienced Realtor will be invaluable when determining an appropriate asking price.  It is the job of your Realtor to know the current market and market trends inside and out, to be closely connected to the real estate market at large, and to be aware of other properties currently for sale in your particular area.  Based on this range of connections and knowledge, your Realtor should counsel you on how to price your home properly in order to attract the highest price possible, in the shortest period of time.

Before approaching this process, you should first do some homework yourself.  You’ll need to know the workings of the current market before you even begin to think about setting an asking price.  The market will always influence a property’s value, regardless of the state of a home, or its desirability.  Here are the types of market conditions and how they may affect you:

1. Seller’s Market:

A Seller’s market is considered a “hot” market.  This type of market is created when demand is greater than supply—that is, when the number of Buyers exceeds the number of homes on the market.  As a result, these homes usually sell very quickly, and there are often multiple offers.  Many homes will sell above the asking price.

2. Buyer’s Market:

A Buyer’s market is a slower market.  This type of market occurs when supply is greater than demand, the number of homes exceeding the number of Buyers.  Properties are more likely to stay on the market for a longer period of time.  Fewer offers will come in, and with less frequency.  Prices may even decline during this period.  Buyers will have more selection and flexibility in terms of negotiating toward a lower price.  Even if your initial offered price is too low, Sellers will be more likely to come back with a counter-offer.

3. Balanced Market:

In a balanced market, supply equals demand, the number of homes on the market roughly equal to the number of Buyers. When a market is balanced there aren’t any concrete rules guiding whether a Buyer should make an offer at the higher end of his/her range, or the lower end. Prices will be stable, and homes will sell within a reasonable period of time. Buyers will have a decent number of homes to choose from, so Sellers may encounter some competition for offers on their home, or none at all.

Remember, a Realtor is trained to provide clients with this information about the market, helping you make the most informed decision possible.T he right Realtor will guide you through the ups and downs of the market and keep you up-to-date with the types of changes you might expect. Evaluate your house in the

Evaluate your house in the other main areas that affect market value:

1. Location

The proximity of your home to amenities, such as schools, parks, public transportation, and stores will affect its status on the market. Also, the quality of neighbourhood planning and future plans for development and zoning will influence a home’s current market value, as well as the ways in which this value might change.

 
2. Property
 

The age, size, layout, style, and quality of construction of your house will all affect the property’s market value, as well as the size, shape, seclusion and landscaping of the yard. 

3. Condition of the Home

This includes the general condition of your home’s main systems, such as the furnace, central air, electrical system, etc., as well as the appearance and condition of the fixtures, the floor plan of the house, and its first appearances.

4. Comparable Properties

Ask your Realtor to prepare a general market analysis of your neighbourhood, so you can determine a range of value for your property. A market analysis will provide you with a market overview and give you a glimpse at what other similar properties have been selling for in the area.

5. Market Conditions/ Economy

The market value of your home is additionally affected by the number of homes currently on the market, the number of people looking to buy property, current mortgage rates, and the condition of the national and local economy.

Realtor vs For Sale by Owner:

For Sale by Owner

Some sellers try to sell their home on their own, and this is referred to as “For Sale By Owner”, or FSBO for short. Some sellers have success with this, and others have very little.

From A Seller's Standpoint

Marketing is just one of the benefits of using a REALTOR®. Using a REALTOR® gives your property more exposure than you could ever get on your own. We utilize the internet through our own personal websites as well as MLS®, one of the most frequently hit websites in the world. Most agents also use other forms of marketing such as the REALTOR® Showcase, take advantage of the opportunity to hold open houses, and do in-house marketing with other agents.

The other great advantage when you are selling your home is having a professional to guide you in pricing your home. The general public knows what a home is listed for, but it is harder to know what a house actually sells for. You may be leaving money on the table by not using a professional. Sure you save in not having to pay commissions, but the hassle and the possibility of not getting the most you can for your home in the current market should balance out and make using a Real Estate Agent a no-brainer.

REALTORS® have the advantage of weekly meetings and can preview new listings during these meeting so that each agent in attendance of the meeting can preview your home. This is an advantage to get your home instant exposure and is a great way to have your home showcased to other agents in our company.

Branding is also a key component, and using a REALTOR® gets you attention.

From A Buyer's Standpoint

As a buyer, if you see a property that has a sign in the window, in the newspaper, or online that is being sold by its owner, do not hesitate to ask me about the house. I have the ability to do additional research on the house for you, as well as contact the seller on your behalf and negotiate the terms for you. We can work my commissions into the price so that I am compensated for my work with you on all houses previously shown, and it will not make much of a difference on your payments. Commissions will need to be discussed on a case by case basis.

With a market as busy as our real estate market, there are a lot of “For Sale By Owner” homes on the market. As a buyer you need to be aware of potential risks with buying privately. From a buyer/seller perspective, you as the buyer are the one taking all of the risk in the deal. By working with a REALTOR® you are protected, as all of our forms are legal and we make all sellers fill out and sign a Property Condition Disclosure Statement which gives you ALL the information they are aware of; if it doesn't, you are protected under the contract, and your lawyer has the ability to fight on your behalf. If a vendor refuses to sign this form, there may be a reasonable explanation (ie: revenue property, therefore they don’t know as much about it). We, as agents, will do research on the property, as research is essential.

So, beware of FSBO’s. As buyers and as sellers you are not professionals, so why not use our experience and resources to do the job for you? It IS the largest investment of your lives. Would you use someone other than a professional to fix your car, perform surgery, etc?  

We can help you with financing options, help you locate potential properties, provide you with objective information about the property and the area in which it is located, negotiate on your behalf with things such as price, financing, inclusion/exclusion of repairs, furnishing, fixtures, etc., and all of the final closing procedures such as communicating with the lenders, lawyers, vendors, and so on.

Choosing a Trusted Regina REALTOR truly is a smart and simple choice.

Living through a renovation can be stressful, but there are five tips you can consider that will help the process go smoothly.

1. Set a realistic budget. The most common mistake homeowners make is operating at their maximum budget allowance and not saving extra for those unexpected costs or splurge items. A realistic budget should be 80% of what you can actually afford, leaving 10% for surprises (even the best contractors can’t know what hides behind walls), and 10% for decorating once the project is completed.

2. Determine your desired timeline for completion. Keep in mind that delays often happen, regardless of how well you have planned. Materials get backordered, bad weather can delay exterior work and trades people may get sick or require extra time to make sure the job is done properly.  

3. Hire construction experts for anything you are unsure of. It is always best to hire licensed professionals because they are bonded and insured. You want to hire someone who works with a formal contract and can provide references. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Select someone who you can communicate clearly about all aspects of the project. Write down a list of questions as you think of them, such as, ‘What payments do I have to make and when? Am I coordinating the trades or will they be your responsibility? Contact local associations for referrals if you do not know where to start.  

4. Be realistic about living through a renovation. Can you segregate yourself to another area and be comfortable? Do you need to move out for a little while? Keep in mind that most contractors and trades keep construction hours of 7 am to 3 or 4 pm. Will this be disruptive to you or your family members?

Also consider the levels of dust and how they affect those children, pets and those afflicted with respiratory difficulties. Moving out during a renovation is often a good idea. It also means the job site can operate more efficiently if you and your family are not in the way. 

5. The design aspects of your project. Are you creating something that will look dated in five years or can it be easily adapted to current trends as they change? This is where hiring professional interior designers , decorators and architects are a good investment. Not only can they help you define your style, they can mediate between you and the contractor and trades which will alleviate a lot of the renovation stress. These professionals typically cost approximately 5% of your renovation budget and they make sure that your visions for your renovation become a reality.

This Trusted Regina Hotel is the prime hotel in the North part of the city of Regina. Conveniently located just 10 minutes from Regina’s International Airport and 5 minutes from downtown Regina. The hotel features 157 spacious guest rooms, including 3 family suites that feature extra room for your comfort. Their Indoor Sea slide Courtyard pool is fun for everyone, featuring a heated swimming pool and 240-foot water slide for all guests to enjoy. BEST WESTERN Seven Oaks hotel is proud to have the only Ricky’s Restaurant and Lounge in Regina just down the hall from your guest room; a great place for a quiet conversation or a late night snack. The hotel is considered one of the Best Family Fun Hotels in Regina Saskatchewan.

Best Western Seven Oaks are a Trusted Regina Family Hotel

Trusted Regina Weddings & Events Show - Questions for Best Western Seven Oaks:

Part 2:

Q: Lois Kulach: What is your largest reception area?

A: Lois, we can host up to 150 guest at the same time banquet style.

Q: Wanda Goertzen Bedell: Do you offer any packages for large groups? Do you have a meal package for wedding guests?

A:  Never just buy a package. Remember this is your big night and it only happens once a live time. Sit down with the expert and ask all questions possible. For example: many people forget that many ceremonies start at 2:00pm and after that the couple go away for photos while guests go to hotel for reception. They bring the buffet at 6:00pm and can only leave it there maximum 1 1/2 hrs. After this the buffet is removed and people go drinking and dance and around 9:00 – 9:30 guests are hungry once again.

Q: Cheryl Slowski: What kind of packages do you have for weddings, ie: banquet room, meals, honeymoon suite, etc.

A: Please send me an e-mail to: ted@bwsevenoaks.com with the date and the number of guests. 

Q: Chelsea Derkach: Do you guys provide a bartender for reception or would I need to get a liquor license? Also do you provide drinks and coffee?

Answer:

· Most of the time its better for the establishment to provide the liquor and you pay the hotel

  best on consumption

· You can bring your own liquor but then you have to buy a liquor license

· Pay for bartenders ($14.00 per hr.)

· Pay corkage ($5.50 [per person) includes chilling

· Bring your own liquor

· Return all non-used liquor 

Q: Jana Bendelin – Why should I choose Best Western as a venue to hold events vs other hotels in the city?

A: Depending on the capacity  

Rapid Lawn Landscape Solutions in Regina is a family owned business that has helped their customers achieve sod quality lawns at less than half the price.They also do conventional seeding and are suppliers of all types of turf grass seed, native grass seed and low maintenance grass seed products.

Rapid Lawn - The EASY and ECONOMICAL way to GROW GRASS

Rapid Lawn Landscape Solutions are your Trusted Regina Turf and Lawn Experts! 

Here they share a tip on RTF Water Saver Canada Open for Business in Vancouver: 

RTF Water Saver Canada is Open for Business in Vancouver

There’s no doubt about it, homeowners and landscapers alike in Western Canada want new eco-safe solutions when it comes to lawn care.

This is why RTF Water Saver Canada, distributors of RTF Water Saver Grass Seed, are becoming more active in the West, and now have a new locale in Vancouver to conduct even more business with consumers eager to make a positive difference for the environment.

RTF stands for Rhizomatous Tall Fescue, and is now the rave right across the country.

Just ask Monty Dobson, the owner of Rapid Lawn Landscape Solutions and Erosion Control in White City, SK, who says that the new RTF Water Saver Grass Seed “is the best in the west.”

RTF Water Saver Grass SeedRTF Water Saver Grass Seed

“For the past few years I have been trying all sorts of different seed products out there, but they didn’t do what they claimed to do and they took forever to establish,” says Dobson. “My customers in the end were not happy, and in business this is not a good thing. So, I recently did some research and discovered information about RTF Water Saver Grass Seed, and the rest is history.”

Dobson says his company has used the new RTF Water Saver Grass Seed for a large number of residential and commercial products. All his customers are more than pleased with the results.

“For a seed it sure does some amazing things,” says Dobson. “It germinates and emerges very quickly. RTF Water Saver Grass Seed makes a lawn look like a sod lawn.”

Dobson feels that this new seed is the wave of the future for Western Canada. While a pesticide ban may soon become a reality in Saskatchewan, RTF is one step ahead of the game for his company and others. As well, RTF is beneficial from a water conservation standpoint as the roots of the seed go as deep as six feet, so it’s more of a water sipper.

“This is an aggressive grass seed: it chokes out weeds and insects hate it. It’s a great fit around here. With using RTF Water Saver Grass Seed, it means using less pesticides and less water. It’s innovative, indeed.” 

He adds, “I think RTF has so much to offer. Sure, sod farms are great. But lawns I am prepping are going to look nicer with a seed like RTF. It's environmentally friendly too and will be a hit in the West.”

The seed is also getting plenty of media attention. Carson Arthur, renowned landscape architect, just recommended that Canadians should use this new seed during his recent broadcast on CityLine TV Talk Show ‘How to Save Water and Cash in Your Garden’. RTF Water Saver Grass Seed was also recently featured as a latest and greatest must have product by Owen Reeves, a gardening expert on the Marilyn Denis Show (CTV).

Ryan Streatch, National Sales Agent and Spokesperson for RTF Water Saver Canada, is elated now to have a strong presence in the West.

“Western Canadians are looking for new solutions in a more hyper-environmental world,” he says. “While new environmental regulations exist in the lawn care industry right across Canada, RTF Water Waver Grass Seed serves as a new and viable solution.”

He then adds, “In our pesticide-free environment, consumers are looking for products that offer resilience to insects and disease. RTF's high content of endophyte helps reduce damage caused by pests. Bugs do not like it, but lawns and sports fields respond well and stay healthy.” 

Streatch recently even launched a new campaign to educate Canadians on the new solutions out there. Called Save Our Lawns, the campaign is on Facebook as a voice for homeowners and professionals to engage and be informed. Professionals in the landscape industry have already joined Streatch’s cause and they too want to educate homeowners on new lawn solutions, including RTF. Green and healthy lawns after all do play a very critical part in our everyday life. Not only in our peace-of-mind, but also in safety, economic and eco-benefits; from C02 sequestration, water filtration to energy savings. 

 Rapid Lawn Landscape Solutions has several tips to help you with your landscaping.

Connect with Rapid Lawn Landscape Solutions on Facebook here!