When you make or receive an offer to buy a property, it's important that you read and understand every clause. It is especially important to understand any conditions or any changes that are made to the standard offer.

An offer may contain several types of conditions. The most common are "conditional upon arranging financing" and "conditional upon passing a professional home inspection." However, there may be other conditions and/or terms as well.

You should be aware of – and fully understand – all of them.

In addition, the wording of an offer may change during the back and forth negotiations that often happen. Aside from changes to the price, other clauses may be added, removed or reworded as well.

A good agent will always ask you to initial…

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If you have pets, you probably adore them. They're part of the family! But when you're preparing your home for sale, you need to think about how you're going to deal with the "pet issue".  Some potential buyers who view your property may love pets as much as you do. However, others may be turned off by the tell-tale signs of pet ownership – such as kitty litter, dander, and smells.  So be sure to make a plan for how you’re going to deal with your pets.  It's a good idea to keep pets out of the house during viewings. Even if your dog or cat is friendly, some buyers will be uncomfortable around them. So, you'll need to decide where your pets will go when buyers view your property. Consider a local kennel or "pet day camp".   "Can't I just take my dog out…

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Items that remind us of special people, events, milestones and interests are an important part of what makes a home a home. Pictures on the fireplace mantle, for example, showcase family and friends that are important to us. You might also have trophies, certificates, greeting cards, and other mementoes on display in key places.  Of course, all of those things add warmth and meaning to your home.   However, if you're preparing your home for sale, it's a good idea to pack those memories away - at least until you've sold your property and moved to your new home.

Why? Because those pleasant mementoes that mean so much to you may actually turn off potential buyers.  You see, when buyers view your property, you want them to be able to clearly picture…

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Even homeowners who have moved a few times can be intimidated by the real estate market in general, and the buying and selling process in particular.  First of all, making a decision to sell your home can be difficult. There are so many questions, such as:

  • Is "now" a good time to list?

  • How much can you expect to get for your property? 

  • How long will it take to sell – and what if it doesn't?

 Then there's the buying and selling process: 

 • How do you prepare your home for sale?

 • How do you find homes that meet your criteria and are within your price range?

 • How do you prepare your home for viewings?

 Yes, there's a lot to think about. That's why finding a good REALTOR® who is an expert on the local market is so…

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Have you ever attended an "Open House" advertised in your area or in a community you like? Most people have. Even if you're not serious about moving, viewing a few properties in a neighbourhood you like is a great way to get a sense of the market.  Who knows? You might stumble upon your next dream home!  To get the most out of an open house, follow these guidelines:

 • Most open houses will have a handout available containing the list price and other property information. Be sure to keep a copy.

  • Don't just view the rooms. Explore the entire property, including the backyard.

  • Don't be shy about asking the listing agent (or whoever is hosting the open house) questions about the property. 

 • Ask about the area. Are there schools nearby?…

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If you're like most people, you go to see a doctor when you're not feeling well or have a health concern. However, you may also visit your doctor for a check-up, or to ask questions about healthy living.  In fact, consulting your doctor for anything health-related is a smart idea.  The same holds true when it comes to real estate.  Many people only call a REALTOR® when they're planning on selling their property or buying a new home, or both. While that's an important reason to speak to a REALTOR®, it's not the only reason.  Indeed, there are many good reasons for you to give a good REALTOR® a call. For example:

  • If you have a question about the state of the local real estate market. (Remember that it may be very different from what you hear on the…

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Unless you're a real estate expert, you probably look at the market and think things are pretty confusing. Even a bit crazy! You hear news about “bubbles bursting”, “higher or lower home sales in a particular month”, “new home starts” that are up or down, and on and on it goes.  It’s a lot of news and a lot of jargon.   If you're thinking of selling your home within the next year or two, you will want to understand what's happening in the market so you can make the right decisions and get a clear sense of what to expect. So, how do you make sense of it all?   That's where a good REALTOR® can help.  Even if you don't have any definite plans to move in the near future, a REALTOR® who is an expert in the local marketplace can help you understand what homes…

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Many people only see a doctor when they're sick or have some other health concern. On the other hand, some people visit a doctor regularly for check- ups, to ask questions and get advice, and to maintain good health.  Which do you think is the better approach? Obviously, the second one!  The same thing is true when it comes to real estate. Even if you have no current plans to buy or sell a home, there are many reasons to talk to a REALTOR® regularly in order to maintain your good "real estate" health. For example, you can: 

• Get an assessment of the current market value of your home, so you can make an informed decision about whether to stay or move.

 • Ask about the state of the local real estate market (which may be vastly different than what you…

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