Recipe for a Successful Relocation to any Destination around the World

At this time of year, many corporations are planning or in the midst of relocating employees. The most common relocation in Canada over the 1^st six months of the year is Military Relocations. Whether you are planning a DND relocation or a move across our country or the world for work, or to be with loved ones, there is a long list of items that one must consider. The job of a real estate agent at both ends of the move is critical for a number of reasons. At the current location, preparation of the home for sale, the value and the timing is critical information for the transferee. In many cases, part of the family is left behind and this can become a stressful situation to say the least. At the destination, counseling the transferee can be even more critical. Here are some tips that we have passed along to our recent relocation families. You can visit any of our helpful websites for more information including DNDrelocationsystems.com or WinipegRelocationSystems.com. These sites have been created to help. Items to consider: Know your companies corporate relocation policies to understand and identify expenses that are covered, for example: travel, accommodation, services for purchasing a home, food, childcare, lawyer and realtor fees. Prior to leaving on your house hunting trip it is also a good idea to speak with your banker or mortgage representative so you are familiar with Bridge Financing, Title Insurance, Closing Costs and Lines of Credit. I would recommend that you familiarize yourself with the laws in your new jurisdiction. Manitoba, for instance has a wait of 21-30 days for the title to be registered, whereas most other provinces do not. It is good to know the Agency Laws, Home Inspection options and closing costs. One other large component of the equation that is commonly overlooked is the tax laws. Many people I speak with are not aware that you can write off all of your costs to relocate provided you meet he guidelines set by CRA. The distance of the move must be a minimum of 40 kilometers. As a previous blog alluded to, the best surprise is no surprise. Call or email us today to help you with your relocation. A High Level of Service is Not Expensive…Its Priceless! 

47 Kirby Drive Winnipeg Manitoba Excellent Heritage Park Home

Thanks for considering this stunning 1404 Sq Ft bungalow on a quiet family friendly street in Heritage Park. This impressive home has been completely remodeled recently and features an elegant kitchen complete with a breakfast bar. This area has been transformed into an open concept feature area. There are four bedrooms on the main level, all with double closets. The master suite features a renovated 2 piece ensuite and a generous sized walk in closet. The L shaped living/dining room is bright, spacious and features solid oak hardwood floors with a walnut stain refinished very recently. The lower level is also finished adding 1000 Sq Ft of living including a massive rec room with dry bar, a 3 piece bathroom and a multi use room perfect for an office or future bedroom. Other features of this home include: central air, central vac, roof shingles replaced 4 years ago, upgraded windows, 3 bathrooms all remodeled, refinished hardwoods in all bedrooms, recent paint, complete interior & exterior, all new lighting fixtures, mouldings, flooring, turn key opportunity in special neighbourhood. For more information on how to buy this home with as little as Zero down payment or to arrange a private viewing, please give Michael Leclerc a call at 792-6453 or send us an email.
More pictures and information can be found at WinnipegRelocationSystems.com

862 Banning Street West End Winnipeg Manitoba Solid Turn Of the Century Home

Incredible turn of the century home in excellent condition & solid as a rock. This spacious home has undergone many recent upgrades and remodeling. This is a wonderful area on a great street on a quiet block between Sargent & Wellington. Upon entering this spacious home you are greeted by bright cheery rooms and ample area for a large family. The spacious living/dining room combinations feature large windows and hardwood floors. The kitchen has been transformed into a modern area complete with cherry wood cabinets, ample counter and built in appliances. The 2nd level features 2 or 3 bedrooms as one room is currently used as an office. There is a 4 piece bathroom, nursery room or computer room. The upper level features 2 generous sized bedrooms. Recent renovations include hi eff furnace & central air 2004, roof shingles 2003, main floor bathrooms 2009, upgraded electrical 2011, flooring, kitchen 2006, alarm system 2000, deck and fencing 2002. The lower level features a normal height ceiling and a partially developed area which could be used as a rec room or additional living area. Solid home in a fantastic location perfect for a large or growing family. For more information on how to buy this home with as little as Zero down payment or to arrange a private viewing, please give Michael Leclerc a call at 792-6453 or send us an email.

 

More pictures and information can be found at WinnipegRelocationSystems.com

 

 

 

Recipe for a Surprise Free Purchase or Sale of a Home in Winnipeg

There is a saying..The best Surprise is no surprise. When it comes to real estate selling and buying, there can be many surprises, some good, some not so good. It is truly a matter of communication and how much time and effort an individual puts into the presentation and follow up process. As mentioned in a previous blog, relocation is very high up on the stress ladder. For this very reason, we have gone through pain staking measures to make sure our clients are well aware of the process at all times. This is done in a number of ways. The most common complaints I hear from home buyers who worked on their own or with another agent once they take possession is about the items that were removed that should have stayed, and the lack of cleanliness compared to when they saw the home. Can these problems be eliminated all together? Yes and no. You can ask that the property be in the same condition on possession as at the time of the offer with a holdback of funds in the event it is not, but this is not practical in a sellers market, unless your offer holds other merits, it will likely be overlooked. Can you guarantee that the appliances and equipment you bargained for are the same ones and in the same condition they were at the time of the offer? Absolutely! Another common concern by many sellers and purchasers is the process from the time they have committed to buying or selling. This is supposed to be a joyous time for both parties, however, with the lack of communication it can quickly become a nightmare of unforeseen costs and surprises. It is for this very reason that I have a Customer Care Coordinator. This person is responsible for keeping the lines of communication open from beginning to end. It is also for this very reason that I have created two very helpful websites to help the consumer with Frequently Asked Questions. PurchaseOfaHome.com and SaleOfahome.com were both created to be helpful to my clients in a number of ways. With help from a lawyer and mortgage broker, we cover the entire process from start to finish. All of these helpful items have been put together for the customer so they are not always guessing. Of course, we are always a phone call, text, blog, tweet or email away should some one need immediate help. Selling or buying a home should be fun with little or NO surprises. A High Level of Service is Not Expensive..It’s Priceless.

Recipe for Preparing your Home for a Showing to Sell

Over the course of a year I am likely to visit between 100-200 homes to help determine values for consumers considering selling or past clients looking for direction with regards to remodeling and upgrading to bring the value up on their current home. Many times I am asked what is the best return on investment. Do I stage my home or not? Do I leave it the way it is and sell it “as is”? All these are great questions and the answer is never the same for each situation. If you are planning on selling your home, in my humble opinion the 3 most critical items you must address are 1) 1^st Impression. This happens from the moment you pull up to the home and you view the home from the street. This 1^st impression moment happens again once you open the front door. 2) Clutter. A cluttered house will almost always make the house look smaller that it really is. This can be even more difficult with a small home. Always remove whatever you can live with out. 3) Cleanliness. This is with out a doubt the best return on investment. The cost of cleaning supplies and the time it will take you to DEEP CLEAN your home will always come back to you in spades. Even hiring a cleaning company and spending $1000 to deep clean your home from top to bottom will invite more interest as a result of the purchasers perception that you truly care for your home. If you are considering doing some renovations and wonder what the best return on investment is, here are The Top Four Greatest Payback Potentials when renovating. Bathrooms 75-100%, Kitchens 75-100%, Interior Painting 50-100%, Exterior Painting 50-100%. Here are the 4 lowest payback potentials, Skylight 0-25%, Swimming Pool 10-40%, Asphalt paving 25-50%, Building a fence, interlocking stone and landscaping 25-50%. (A full list can be provided at your request). Staging a home may separate your home from another and I truly believe it is advantageous to stage a home given the right circumstances. One has to keep in mind that hiring a stager is another cost. If you are going to stage a home, be sure to get some advice from a professional or do lots of surfing for tips and tricks. If you are going to stage a home, you must deep clean it and unclutter it otherwise you might be wasting your time and money. As a part of our service, we offer a Complimentary Staging Consultation. A High Level of Service is Not Expensive..It’s Priceless!

Recipe For Saving Thousands of After Tax Dollars on a Mortgage in Winnipeg

There are so many mortgage options out there for every one, the question is, where do you start? Do you visit your local bank or credit union or do you consult with a mortgage broker. The answer is not the same for every one. Like every other profession, not all bankers or brokers are created equal. Getting information to help you ask questions before you start looking may save you Thousands of after Tax Dollars. Here is some great information to help you. Have you been having trouble finding the perfect house? Did you know that you can purchase a home and get a mortgage for the house and for the improvements you want to make to the house? This is known as a Purchase plus Improvements Mortgage. With this type of mortgage you can make planned renovations, and have the cost included in the mortgage. This can be achieved provided you use it for items that improve the value that cannot be removed from the home. For example: garage, paint, flooring, kitchen, bathroom, and/or windows can be included. Furniture, appliances, and window coverings cannot. This option is available with as little as 5% down payment. How does it work? With an accepted offer and quotes for the improvements the mortgage insurer will determine if the planned work will increase the value of the home by a comparable amount as the renovation costs. For example: If you buy a $300,000 home and add a garage for $20000, will the home be worth $320,000? In most cases smaller renovation projects can be value assessed through the CMHC evaluation program. For larger, costlier projects an appraisal may be required. The client will have 60-120 days to complete their renovation. When they are finished they present their receipts or outstanding invoices to be reimbursed. Generally in smaller projects the receipts are all that is needed. In mid to large projects, an inspection may be required. Another option available in the mortgage world is a Free Down Payment Program. This program is designed as a product for clients that qualify for a mortgage except that do not have the required down payment. Here is a great example, a consumer with excellent job stability, excellent income and good credit...but not enough savings. The benefit to the client is: rather than wait and save the 5% down payment, they can buy a home sooner by getting the down payment from the bank. The client will only be responsible for the closing costs; this is usually 1.5% - 2% of the purchase price. The only condition the lender makes in exchange for receiving the 5% down payment from the bank; the client is required to take a 5 year, fixed rate, closed mortgage at the posted rate (no discounts). I have great lender contacts that are committed to working in the best interest of my/their clients. Email me anytime at realty21@mts.net and I can steer you in the right direction to save Thousands of After Tax Dollars.  A High Level of Service is Not Expensive..It’s Priceless!

79 Westwater Drive Winnipeg Manitoba Royalwood Lakefront Executive Home

Welcome to this remarkable lakefront home boasting over 4,000 square feet of striking living area. Upon entering this home the stunning décor, open areas and bright rooms are dramatic & impressive. The main level features a grand foyer and formal dining room, gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, maple cabinets, walk in pantry, breakfast bar & a spacious eating area with beautiful views of the lake, backyard and deck. There are walnut floors throughout the kitchen area and garden door walkout to the 21 x 13 trex deck which is maintenance free with tempered glass railing for non obstructed majestic sunsets and lake views. The great room features a built in entertainment unit, gas fireplace, 12 foot ceilings and a floor to ceiling window for awesome views. There are 3 spacious bedrooms on the main level including the master suite which features a spacious walk in closet, deluxe 5 piece ensuite with jetted tub shower & 2 sinks. The laundry area is generous in size with good storage options. Flowing to the lower level the bright open walkout basement has a wall of windows allowing an abundance of natural light into this area. There are 2 additional bedrooms, a full washroom, a gigantic family room & home theatre room with over 15k of audio/visual equipment & a wet bar. The lower level is built on a wood structural floor on steel grade beam. The list of features in this home is extensive. It includes but not limited to: over $50,000 of professional landscaping, underground sprinkler system, insulated triple car garage 35 x 21, concrete front drive, Hunter Douglas window coverings, the home is built on piles, Ceramic tile floors, walnut hardwoods, hi efficiency furnace with HRV system, central air & central vac, alarm system, circular stairs from the stone patio to the deck. Wrought iron fencing for unobstructed lake views, 9 foot ceilings in the lower level, 9 foot upper level, steel main beam construction, and built in appliances. A truly amazing home amongst executive homes on a prestigious street. For more information on how to buy this home with as little as Zero down payment or to arrange a private viewing, please give Michael Leclerc a call at 792-6453 or send us an email.

 

More pictures and information can be found at WinnipegRelocationSystems.com

When is the best time to buy a home in Winnipeg?

Buying a home in Winnipeg has been a challenge for any buyer looking for a good home in a good neighborhood for the last 10+ years. This is a result of many factors. The economy has been one of the strongest in Canada, a very low unemployment rate, low interest rates, many immigrants settling in Winnipeg, and the ability to purchase with a zero down payment. Put all of these together and it lends itself to a large pool of buyers throughout the year. The busiest time of year continues to be the 1^st 5 months of the year followed by a resurgence towards the end of the year. If you want to purchase a home for under $350,000, you will find yourself competing against the majority of the buyers in Winnipeg. Approx 78% of all the homes purchased in Winnipeg in 2011 was for under $350,000. 5% up to $100,000, 10% for $100-$150,000, 18% for $150-200,000, 23% for $200-$250,000, 17% $250-$300,000 and 10% for $300-$350,000. The rest of the market is active as well and it is not uncommon to hear of homes in the low $400’s going into the upper $400’s as a result of a bid war on a great home in a desirable neighborhood. How to you win this war? Take account of all the variables, identify the best plan of action and dive in. In real estate the ideal situation is to buy low and sell high, this may  not be possible at this time unless you are looking for a fixer upper in a transitional area. The best time of year is typically the summer as people turn their interests to other things; only problem in the summer is there less inventory. Starting with a good understanding of the dynamics of the marketplace, a good understanding of your financial capabilities and a strong plan of action when the right house becomes available will get it done! Not all agents are alike! With some good strategic bargaining, strong paperwork and negotiation skills, it is possible to win and buy your home; you simply need a good trainer in your corner. For a complimentary strategic consultation with no obligation, send us an email to realty21@mts.net and let’s get started on securing the home of your dreams. A High Level of Service is Not Expensive..It’s Priceless