Mississauga Real Estate | Buying a Home in Mississauga

Everyone knows what to look into when buying a home. Is it in your price range? Does it have a nice school next to it? What’s the neighborhood like? Etc. But, if you are moving to Canada, there are a host of other issues you need to look into, before choosing the home that you want to live in. For you internationals out there, Canada is an entirely different beast than what you are used to (yes, little brothers down south, that includes you), so you need all the help you can get. Welcome to Canada (no, I will not say “eh”); you are going to love it here!

1. Check the Roof Quality

First off, if you didn’t already know, Canada is cold. I mean really cold. There aren’t a lot of places here that don’t get snow, and there are even fewer where isn’t raining a good portion of the year; and, as we all know, with snow/rain comes a need for structural integrity. If the home you are looking at has weak points, is over 20 years old, or just doesn’t seem like it is in great shape structurally, you may want to reevaluate your choices. All it takes is one powerful snow storm for your newly bought home’s roof to simply cave in, and that’s after you go through the “summer” of drop buckets and roof patches. Trust me; the roof should be one of the first things you look at. If you don’t, you may end up regretting it. Bonus Check: Also make sure you check window seals and quality. You do not want a leaky window, as you may end up with property damage and higher electricity bills.

2. Temper your Expectations

This one’s more for our friends out of the Red, White, and Blue, but it can pertain to many other countries, especially those with low property values; don’t expect a beautiful 4,000 square foot home in Toronto on middling salary, because you are going to be disappointed. Though Canada offers citizens incredible health care, beautiful and clean cities, and—of course—a quality of living that isn’t matched almost anywhere else, that all comes with a cost, and the brunt of that cost is found in Canadian Real Estate. Even smaller houses can garner huge prices, particularly if you are close to major living centers (like Calgary or Toronto). On top of that, bills in general are much more expensive than you’ll find in the US, so you will find yourself facing mountainous utility bills if you aren’t careful. Trust me; Canada Real Estate, particularly Toronto and Calgary real estate, is exceedingly expensive, so don’t expect Five Star living in terms of realty if you come from a less than comfortable background. You may have to settle for less.

3. Research the Neighborhood Well

Okay, this might be cheating because you have to do this no matter where you live; but, I include this because many of you might have unrealistic expectations when it comes to living in Canada. Many of the people I talk to always allude to the “sorry” illusion, that everyone in Canada is “so nice” and that, obviously, it’s a great place to live because you never have to worry about walking around at night or keeping your door open. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to break you of that illusion. Canada, contrary to popular belief, isn’t the land of Mana, nor is it the Emerald Kingdom or some other fantasy land where nothing bad happens. We have crime, just like everyone else, just as we have bad neighborhoods; thus, you need to do your own investigation before you get yourself into a terrible situation. Visit your home at all times of the day (especially at night) and walk around the neighborhood a bit. Talk to the people, see the sights, and investigate crime rates; whatever you have to do. The more you know about your prospective neighborhood, the more safe you will be, and the better chance you’ll have of realizing that you’re in a “bad neighborhood” before you mistakenly buy a house there. Like all major city centers, Canada has a host of neighborhoods that you might not want to live in, even if our crime rates are lower than most places.

So, stay informed, make smart decisions, and be careful! Buying a house is a major responsibility, and this is just as true in Canada as it is anywhere else. Good luck!

A first time buyer should gather sufficient knowledge about home purchase before he jumps into this market. If required, seek help of a real estate agent so that you can find the house as per your requirement. Thus, you need to keep in mind the above-discussed things if you are a new buyer and purchasing house for the first time.

Buying a first home is a big step in a married couples’ new life. Traditionally, a first home purchase was a tiny bungalow or small ranch house, a place to start small and dream big. However, as both the culture of home aesthetics evolves and as young buyers look towards a home they can stay in for more than a few years, the market has shifted. Young home shoppers are more certain of their needs and more aggressive in pursuing what they want. In fact, these days, custom-built, expansive and expensive homes are often starter homes.

Younger couples tend to be earning two incomes and they have a strong sense of what they want in their home. They do not want to wait for the design and convenience features they desire long-term. Additionally, as many of these couples plan to have children, they want a home they can grow into and, therefore, tend to buy larger than what those houses traditionally classified as starter homes offer in terms of space and number of rooms. In fact, with an improving mortgage market, some young buyers are building their own custom homes, complete with many of the latest emerging design features.

Foremost amongst the design features that young couple’s desire is outdoor living and entertaining space. This trend, emerging over the last decade, encourages homeowners to create spaces that have more of the feeling and function of an indoor room; design considerations include better flooring, quality furnishings, fire pits, and even audio systems. In fact, this trend also includes fully functional outdoor “rooms”, with walls and windows for greater energy efficiency. The emergence of outdoor living also drives an increased interest in outdoor food preparation. The available options range from basic grills to complete outdoor kitchens, including stoves, refrigerators, and running water. Emerging in tandem with these outdoor cooking areas are vegetable gardens, further utilizing more outdoor space. Garden design allows homeowners to grow and produce the very foods they are most likely to consume.

As young homeowners look to merge their indoor and outdoor living spaces, they are also paying significant attention to energy efficient design solutions and to living a more “green” lifestyle. Design considerations include using sustainable products when choosing countertops and flooring. For example, many buyers are opting for countertops constructed with recycled bottles, crushed glass, and concrete. Flooring choices veer towards bamboo and cork. In this milieu, solar energy systems are growing in popularity and their designs are evolving to be seamless with the overall design of the residence. Tax incentives are often available for the purchase and installation of such systems. Other popular conservation considerations for these homes include low-water appliances, improved insulation, and the use of gray water for irrigation needs.

Young couples entering the real estate marketplace are changing the perception of a starter home. However, no matter what stage of life one is in, the purchase of a new home is a significant event. Their design decisions flow from their hearts and their budget. In that way, they create a place they can truly call their home.

The author of this article, Eva Duncan, has had over 20 yrs of experience as a real estate advisor and has helped many young couples find their dream home. For more info concerning these topics check out http://ambassadorenergycollege.com/

One of the most frustrating aspects of real estate, as well as other legal ventures, is the expectation that all those who are in any way participating in the exchange of real estate (including renters, owners, landlords, and tenants) are automatically savvy with the associated ‘lingo’. Common complaints of those buying or renting a home is the lack of understanding they initially carry into conversations and negotiations with lenders, agents, or other involved individuals.

The sheer length of an article or exposition laying out all real estate terms would be substantial; if such is needed, a real estate agent or property manager is most likely the better source, but listed below are four commonly misunderstood phrases that perhaps will shed light on some real estate questions or concerns:

Joint and Several Liability

This term comes into play when there is more than one individual on a tenancy agreement. Contracts must be drawn up in such a way that no grey area exists as to who is responsible and accountable for specified roles, particularly payment. When two or more tenants carry Joint and Several Liability, this translates to each individual on the contract being individually responsible for ALL the rent and other associated costs (including that of damages), not just what would compile their share. For instance, if four tenants had signed, if three of them for whatever reason fail to pay, the fourth tenant is responsible for the entire amount, not just 25%.

Forfeiture Clause

This entails a more aggressive grip of ownership and tenancy than per usual. Ordinarily, if a tenant failed to pay rent consistently, a landlord or agent cannot simply take ownership; they must comply with the standard obligations of serving notice and eventually obtaining a court order. However, with a Forfeiture Clause, if 14 days or more have elapsed since the tenant paid their overdue rent, the right is present to actually re-enter the property and take possession of it. This allows a landlord or agent to have more control over their properties, but is done at the expense of the tenant. This might make said tenant slightly less likely to sign the lease or contract.

Access and Inspection

Agents and landlords have the responsibility to carry out inspections on a home; this is a critical role they play legally in the real estate exchange. Because that is part of their right, they are legally given Access and Inspection to houses they steward over, but in order to protect the tenants, a bare minimum of 24 hours must be given to carry out the inspection. Mutual consent must be present, typically at a date and time agreeable to both parties.

Quiet Enjoyment

Very simply put, the right to Quiet Enjoyment connotes that those individuals specifically named on the tenancy agreement have full rights and access to live in a property, at least for a specific amount of time, with zero interference. An agent, landlord, or other person acting on their behalf cannot enter during these periods unless specifically allowed. Be aware that these terms are critical components of housing contracts, and need to be discussed before signing on the dotted line.

Written by Clif, freelance writer for RPM East Valley

If you have decided to sell your home, the stress has probably already started. In theory, it should be easy. People are constantly buying houses and you have one to offer. Those interested buyers should be beating down your door. But, even in the best of times, people can see their houses sit on the market for months with no bites. There is no bulletproof formula for getting your house sold as quickly as possible for the highest price possible. Wouldn’t that be great? But, that does not mean you are totally at the mercy of the real estate gods. You can do several things to increase the appeal of your home. Staging is one such strategy that is particularly powerful.

 If you cannot afford, or would rather not pay for the services of a professional stager, there are some DIY techniques that can make a big difference. At the very least, however, you might consider a consultation with a stager to get some valuable input. She can view your home in a truly objective fashion, something you simply cannot do for a variety of reasons, such as a strong emotional attachment to the space. Remember that staging will present a space the buyer can see himself in, make your home look better online (where 90 percent of people begin their real estate search), and may even lead to a quicker sale at a higher price.

This tip may seem obvious, but many people trying to sell their homes leave much of their stuff right where it is. This is not good for two reasons. Remember—people have a hard time looking past what is. It is hard to see themselves being comfortable in a living room that is filled to the brim with knickknacks, a kitchen that is covered with all sorts of appliances, dishes and cooking utensils, or the family room filled with old magazines and books. Secondly, if your stuff is all over the place, it appears that you do not have enough storage space. If they think there is no room for their ‘’stuff,’’ the house will seem very unappealing.

Painting goes a long way in a DIY staging, and the effect is significant compared to the relatively low cost. You may love your purple living room walls and the funky lime green bathroom, but potential home buyers may not be so enamored. Remember, the name of the game is creating a space that they can see as their own. You do not need hospital-white walls to achieve neutrality. In fact, a bit of color is actually better. Go for sophisticated tones like mocha or ‘’griege.’’ Not only will these tones neutralize the space, it will make the whole room looked pulled together.
The ‘’neutral’’ strategy also applies to the master bedroom. But, here I am not talking about colors, rather gender. It should look like a space that could belong to a man or woman. Comforters and wall treatments can be white or neutral shades like beige. Get rid of all personal items.

Every room in your home should have a clearly defined purpose. This is not too difficult to achieve since most rooms probably already do. But, if that spare bedroom or bonus room has become a graveyard for old furniture or a holding cell for stuff you have not decided what to do with yet, this needs to change really fast. Make the room an office, a spare bedroom, an exercise room, craft room, whatever. Think about what potential buyers in your neighborhood might like to see most here. Picking right is not as important as picking something and getting the room transformed. They can turn it into whatever they want.

Lighting can go a long way in making a space look more attractive. Home staging experts recommend 100 watts of light for every 50 square feet of space. Have multiple sources of light in each room. There is ambient (overhead or general lighting), task lighting (such as a pendant or reading lamp) and accent lighting (such as table lamps.)

Flooring cannot be ignored when it comes to staging the home. If you have carpets, at the very least steam-clean them. Depending on the color and state, it may be a worthy investment to lay down new carpet or even hard flooring instead. Refinish wood floors if they look a bit worn. If this is not in the budget, some well-placed accent rugs can go a long way.

Citations:

• Photo Credit

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Signage_g309-Home_For_Sale_p152041.html

Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who enjoys blogging about home improvement and real estate; if you are interested in learning more about selling or buying a home in Canada, she recommends visiting Kanetix.ca.

When you move anywhere, even if it’s just across town, packing can be stressful. But when you have to fit your entire life into a few boxes and ship them across the country, it can be even more intimidating. Before preparing for the big move, put the following items on your checklist to ensure the smoothest move possible.

Cleaning House

This may be something you need to do again once everything is out of the house, but it's important to clean your house beforehand as well. Go through areas that accumulate clutter such as the garage, attic, basement, closets or even utility drawers, and throw away anything you don't really need. At the end of your cleaning, you'll likely have several bags worth of old papers or rarely used items that you can either dispose of or donate to charity. If your old items turn out to have a sizable value, make sure to get a receipt from the charity of your choice for your taxes at the end of the year, which may also offset some of your moving costs.

Clearing out old, unwanted items is also a great way to make some money for the move. List everything online or have a yard sale and sell everything at bargain prices. You’ll likely rid yourself of all of your clutter and will be able to put a little money towards your big move. By lightening your load, you’ll likely save on moving costs as well.

While it may be difficult to part with some items for sentimental sake, try and keep in mind what value these items are really offering you. There will always be some keepsakes that you take along for the long haul, but you probably don't need to haul a broken hat rack to your next home. If you're unsure whether you should keep something, use the one-year rule. If you haven’t used that item at all in the past year, there’s a good chance that you can toss it out or find it a new home.

How To Pack


The first stage of proper packing is organization. Begin by assessing what items you use most often as those will need to stay behind until the last minute. Everything that sees occasional use should get stored away in boxes and labeled by room, and you should aim to pack one room at a time to minimize crossover. To keep from getting overwhelmed, begin your cross-country packing process about two months prior to your moving date. If you don't have access to storage, designate a room or a portion of a room where your items can go in the meantime.

Once you're a week out from the move, begin packing up items until you're down to your absolute essentials. You might think of essentials as things you can store in a suitcase; in fact, a suitcase is an excellent place to store everything you will actually need while you move everything else out. When moving day comes, you can put the suitcase in the cab with you or take it on your plane, depending on how you're planning to get to your new home.

Shipping and Transport

When packing your items, be sure to clearly label anything that is fragile for both your own peace of mind and for movers if you hire help. It’s a good idea to use colored tabs on your boxes to group rooms or to flag boxes that are most critical to getting settled in your new place. When putting together your boxes, ensure that all seams are secure and that the boxes include any important contact information in the event of a transport issue.

If you're moving on your own, being Spartan with your packing will be even more important. If you know someone in the city you're moving to, consider shipping boxes ahead of time to store there so that you have less to haul for the trip. Compare the costs of shipping via the post office to a packing and shipping company rather than purchasing a large truck with high fuel cost. If you do go with a moving company, do your homework on cross-country shipping companies beforehand to ensure a trustworthy and expedient carrier that won't cost you a fortune.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 

-Brandon's a shipping writer with Craters & Freighters.

Due to the current market trends in real estate, residential realtors and commercial real estate brokers are seeing more business in recent months. When things are hot and the trend is up it is not unheard of for multiple buyers to make offers on a single commercial property. So, what happens when a Buyer makes multiple offers and offers that are in alignment with the listing agreement, as well as offers that are above what the listed sales price is?

Commercial real estate brokers have a listing agreement in place that technically allows them to market a seller’s property. However, the listing agreement is not really an offer from the seller to sell their commercial property to a specific buyer. A seller is not bound within a listing agreement to sell their commercial space. A seller is not bound within a listing agreement to accept any offer from any potential buyer, either. This means that the first offer in and first offer out on a commercial property listing do not always apply.

An offer from a buyer that is ready and able to perform and make a purchase may entitle the commercial real estate broker to a commission on the sale. However, would a seller be liable for more than one commission if multiple offers are received by more than one able and willing buyer? In other words, if a seller receives ten different offers on a commercial property and the seller accepts one of them, are they liable for the other nine offers? Within the context of an open listing the seller is not liable for more than one commission on any given sale. An owner in an open listing (non exclusive) has a right to authorize more than one broker in which each broker is independent of the other, in which the seller is not liable to more than one commission when the consummation of the sale is made with one of the brokers.

A commercial real estate broker must prove in this type of agreement that they were the “procuring cause” of the transaction occurring and the commercial real estate property being sold. An open listing agreement is not usually in the best interest of a commercial real estate broker, although it may be of interest to the seller. Most commercial real estate brokers will not take an open listing. Open listings can often lead to issues popping up with marketing the property. Commercial brokers may run into problems with open listings where they end up having to double up their efforts, as well as having to prove they were the procuring cause of the sale of the property. Also, an open listing does release the seller for paying more than one commission if they pay the broker that is not the procuring cause of the sale.

The favored listing agreement is a win-win agreement that is in place that protects both the real estate broker and the seller. This listing would be an “exclusive agency“ listing agreement.

Mike Henry has been involved in the real estate industry in some fashion for over thirty years. He ocassionally blogs online about the current state of the industry, primarily in the southwest. For more information about commercial real estate, please visit http://austin-office.com.

For years I ran under the assumption that buying a home was the automatic choice for anyone in the real estate market. Renting a home was merely a stepping stone, or a last resort if you couldn’t afford the full purchase. This assumption has recently come crashing down, with more and more acquaintances, peers, and even real estate tycoons selecting the rent option.

The following article represents thoughts for and against both buying and renting:

Why should I rent?
Bottom line: it’s affordable. It is, and will always be, cheaper on a monthly budget to rent a home than to buy it. For the majority of home-users who don’t have excess funds, the ability to live in a place that fits their financial constraints will always be number one. This simple and fundamental fact is unavoidable, and its relevance cannot be overstated.
A close second to affordability is manageability. Because the title, tax burdens, etc. are not in the name of renter, the multitude of responsibilities involved in maintaining a home and keep/increasing its property value has nothing to do with the renter. They lock into a price and duration via contract, and little outside of that contract really concerns them. If something big breaks, often the owner or property manager has to foot the bill.

Why should I buy?
Because it’s an investment. You know all those rich people that you know? They’re rich because in one form or another, they invest. They own things…homes, cars, businesses…and those things they own make them money. Independent of their daily work schedule, their money works for them. The paycheck is not the only form of income.
Buying a home also provides a protection against the unknown. If unexpected medical bills, a lawsuit, or even death occurred, something exists in your inventory that can be leveraged to create big dollars in a hurry. Of course leveraging your equity in a home to pay for something you didn’t want to happen may not be a happy thought, but here’s a happy thought: Leveraging that same equity or resale value for something you do want to have happen (getting out of debt, a second home, lasting wealth…)

Why shouldn’t I rent?
Renting may be a workable short-term fix, but it provides nothing in regards of retirement or long-term stability. Like an inexpensive oil change, it feels nice on the wallet, but going too long without addressing the larger issue of long-lasting independence will ultimately result in a train wreck if things aren’t proactively taken care of.

Why shouldn’t I buy?
The first thing out of any new homeowner’s mouth is something to the effect of: “Wow, I didn’t realize how many small expenses and unplanned things I need to take care of. This is pricier than just the mortgage.” Owning a home puts you behind the eight-ball for just about everything…taxes, HOAs, insurance, repairs, etc. With homes, there is always something new that requires work and/or attention. Always.
These four paragraphs were intentionally written to be inconclusive. There is no concluding statement that declares that this option is better than the rest. Hopefully all four thoughts are persuasive, yet objective. From here, it’s up to you…

Written by Clif, freelance writer for RPM East Valley.

• Process is easier, no involvement of middleman.
• Commission free sale, as there’s no fee to pay any agent.
• The property’s condition is not much of a concern as these companies will buy them as is.
• It can be in any location.
• Sale is concluded within 2-3 days from the initial valuation.
• No listings required, companies have their own investors.
• Certain companies even cover legal costs of the sale.

Article by Michael @ Solution Strategies ~ more info at Twitter https://twitter.com/mmartinssllc.

Short of finding a good rental home to pursue, the most important decision a home-renter will likely make is selecting a good property manager. Like an employee, it is absolutely worth the time to thoroughly investigate and interview. In fact, it may be helpful to consider a property manager or property management company as just that, an employee.

These are the individuals that will be stewards for something very expensive, very worthwhile, and very versatile.  A plethora of legal considerations, property codes, and Home Owners Association criteria need to be considered, to the degree that anyone who works full-time and rents/owns property needs to hire someone to proactively care for these assets.

When employment superiors and administrators go into an interview, they are almost always equipped with specific, well-thought questions and scenarios in order to test the readiness and capability of a potential candidate. Going along with this metaphor, here are questions an employer (home renter) should ask when potentially hiring an employee (property manager):

How much do you need to be paid, and is that price warranted?
Both individual managers and property management companies tend to utilize a monthly fee for their services. To give a ballpark estimate of how much they should be charging, percentages typically range from 5% to approximately 20%. It goes without saying that frugality is important, but also remember that you get what you pay for. Using a median amount between the two extremes is a good starting point.

Are you skilled and experienced at the tasks needed for this arrangement?
Maintenance, repairs, and yard work are some of the ‘bread and butter’ tasks associated with property management. It is important to know if a maintenance crew is directly employed, or if they contract that work out to some kind of handyman or other service. Significant ramifications exist within this distinction: How much do they cost? Are they equipped to handle everything involved with your land or home? What happens if or when they’re not? In addition, you need to know how hands-on you want to be in regards to more expensive work, and enquire as to their willingness to keep you in the proper loop.

How would you handle an extended vacancy? How about an unexpected eviction?
Good employees step up to the plate when bad things happen. To the degree to which they rise to the occasion says a lot. If a vacancy were to go longer than anticipated, you need to know if some type of fee or charge would be coming your way, and what that would be. Same thing with evictions: If that were to occur, what out-of-pocket money would you have to forfeit?

Do you have the accounting and monetary habits that gel with how I want to exchange funds with you?
With the usual primary motivator being profit, it is important to clearly lay out exactly how those profits will be collected, and how liabilities will be paid. Things as simple as the date each month you’ll receive payment, whether it will be via check or other money form, and if they have some reserves to survive temporary hardship are often overlooked, to the detriment of the rent. Advertising factors into this as well, in that if a vacancy is trying to be filled, money will be exchanged more frequently in order to find a renter.

Written by Clif, freelance writer for RPM East Valley.

It seems that the only true way to find a home that is absolutely perfect in every manner for you personally is to make the decision to build it yourself. Although not everyone has the financial luxury to be able to do this; it is growing in popularity thanks to TV shows such as grand designs and, for some at least, represents the perfect way to find the home of their dreams.

Not that anyone was thinking it would be, but going through the process of designing and then planning the construction of a home is not easy. There is so much to think about along the way and there is sure to be more than a few stressful periods where you begin to question the decision you have made. However, the end product will undoubtedly be something that brings about immense pride and accomplishment and you then have the rest of your life to enjoy it.

So before you embark on this mammoth adventure; here is some helpful advice you may want to think about along the way.
Temporary Accommodation –
The chances are that you will have had to sell your current home, or are in the process of doing so, in order to help fund the project and therefore you need to think carefully about where you are going to live during the process. Depending on the size of your build it is likely to take a good few months (maybe even years) until your new home is in a state to be lived in and so you should choose your temporary accommodation carefully.

Some people will elect to move in with friends and family but those who want to be close to the action and always involved often choose to stay onsite in a caravan or any other kind of mobile home.

Save In The Right Places –
You are almost definitely only going to go through this process once in your life and so you will want to go about it the right way. And so if you are spending large amounts of your hard earned money on the project anyway then it seems pointless to try and cut corners. Attempting to save money on materials and the building process itself could well backfire in the future, leaving you heartbroken, and so you should look to save in the right areas.

Make the exterior as structurally sound and impressive as possible and then make the relevant cut backs (if they are needed) on the furniture and systems you put on the inside.

Go Green –
After spending an unthinkable amount of money on your new home; it is a good idea to look at how you can take advantage of relevant measures that will help save you money in the future. The best way to do this is to create the most energy efficient home you can; something that has become a modern trend with a lot of people who choose to build their dream home from scratch. There are many green procedures that have been made a mandatory part of the construction process in recent years but the further you take these the more energy saving capabilities your home will have.

Procedures such as air permeability testing (establishing how much air escapes from your home) and SAP calculation (creating an energy performance certificate for the property) are now part of government regulations to ensure all new dwellings reach a nation standard. However, there is no reason to stop at being ‘standard’ on your quest to save money on energy bills throughout the rest of your life.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 

Chris Mayhew would love to build the house of his dreams but is just looking for ways to raise the funds. He would recommend ATSPACE to anyone looking for a trusted building control partner.

Buying a home is one of the most important experiences in a person's lifetime. Considering this, if you are in the market for a new place to call your own, you want to be certain you've seen all your options and covered as much ground as possible before you make the final decision and begin to settle in. One of the best chances you have of doing this is by doing an MLS search, a well-known and popular tool in the real estate industry. Often thought just to benefit sellers, the MLS listing database actually provides buyers with many advantages as well.

Ability to Work With One Agent
Before the MLS (multiple listing service) was created, real estate agencies worked to sell only the listings that they had access to from the sellers they worked with unless granted permission from another agent or company to show one of their properties. This means clients working with one agency were rarely able to view a home if it was not listed with that particular company or they were forced to work with multiple agents if they ever wanted to see a variety of options. Now, any agent subscribed to the service is able to be connected to all the properties listed within an area, and a simple MLS search will show buyers a multitude of possibilities. This allows a buyer to develop a close and trusting relationship with one agent, have all of their paperwork handled in one place and not worry about the competitive nature of the business. Read more about the origin of MLS here.

Less Research, More Compatibility
One of the biggest benefits of an MLS search for buyers is the ability to cut out all the properties that don't match the criteria they require. Once your agent gets you hooked up to the database, you are free to customize your search to homes that are within your budget, have the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you desire, stand in certain zip codes and specific school districts and contain whatever numerous other features that you can think of, leaving you only with results that will truly peak your interest.

Most Updated Information
Our society is turning to the Internet for everything we need these days, and a good portion of the time we can find exactly what we need. While the Internet is heavily utilized by those scoping out real estate listings as well, potential home buyers could possibly be wasting their time and not getting the most updated information on a property that they come across online. Having your real estate agent set you up to do an MLS search will get you the most comprehensive report on the available homes in your market and the most up-to-date details.

If a house is up for sale, it's most likely listed in the MLS. That makes it equivalent to a one stop shop for buyers. Driving around hoping to see "for sale" signs on your own or going off of a few listings you find online won't get you nearly as far or give you as many options as an MLS search can.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 
•  License: Image author owned 

By Tiffany Olson
Tiffany Olson has taken a recent interest in real estate and has hit the ground running. She loves to write and share about real estate with others via social media and blogging. 

Preparing to relocate can oftentimes feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve got a young family in tow and a house to somehow condense into boxes and bags. There’s a great deal to consider, including just how you plan on transporting your life from point A to point B, how much money you can spend on your move, what you can get rid of before you go and how long it will take you to pack up, load up and move on. But before you become buried beneath stressful questions, consider consulting professionals for advice. Whether you’re merely renting out a moving vehicle or are hiring a team of pros to help through the entire process, most specialized companies can offer you a few key tips to prepare for your relocation. Nonetheless, here are some things to keep in mind, as you get ready to box up your life and ship it off to somewhere new.

Pre-planning and preparation tips: Consider making a timeline and setting goals for yourself. Spacing out each step of your move will make it far easier and significantly less stressful. You will also be able to better prepare around other day-to-day responsibilities without feeling like you’ve booked too much into a single afternoon. Two months before you move, assess your home and consider what you need to take with you and what you will not need. Plan a garage sale or box unwanted items for donation. Try and finish at least one major task a week; for example, one week, aim to box away the kitchen and during another week, aim to clear the attic.

Packing tips: Pack in segments and determine what can be boxed away immediately and what needs to be used until the day of departure. You can easily pack away decorative items, books, toys and photo albums far ahead of time, while you will need certain clothing and personal care items throughout the move. Plan out what you need and begin packing away the rest. Evaluate which rooms will be the biggest packing challenge and start there; you want to make sure you have plenty of time to address each room, one by one. Throw out (or recycle!) any unnecessary clutter that may have accumulated over time.

Moving tips: By this point, you should know whether or not you will be using a vehicle or professional movers, but if you’re looking for a little guidance on this front, you may want to consult someone with serious know-how. With years of experience, the pros can help you determine the most economical way to get you where you’re going. If you’re moving a short distance, a DIY move with a rented portable storage unit is likely ideal, while if you’re in the midst of planning a national or international relocation, seasoned movers can assist in both the organization and labor of your move.

These are just a few tips to prepare you for your latest adventure, but do contact the guys and gals who know best and consult one of your local moving companies.

Martha’s friends often call her “Martha Stewart” because she is so savvy about all things home related, including organization and moving. She is happy to share her packing and moving hints and tricks, in hopes that they will help individuals and families relocate in more comfort and with more organization.

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: 

Andrew is an author with over 10 years experience. He loves to write about home improvement and fashion, especially bedroom refurbishment.

So you’ve made your treehouse. It’s secured in place, the floors and walls have been completed, your steps or rope ladder have been attached. To all practical intents and purposes your treehouse is complete, now you just have the aesthetics to worry about. You need things to do, things to look at, things to turn your treehouse into a tree home.

Decorations for a treehouse are different decorating a regular house. For a start, your treehouse decorations are probably going to be a lot more open to the elements than furnishings for something more indoorsy. However at the same time you also have a lot more freedom to be creative, with some crazy patterns and colour combinations on the table.

So here are some ideas worth playing around with:

Decide On A Theme
Deciding on your theme beforehand is a great way to pull everything ideas. Treebound pirate ship? Go with lots of unpainted wood, stick up a Jolly Roger or two and find a treasure-chest shaped box to store things in. Secret spy base? Go with a camouflage paint scheme with some netting for the windows. Space station? Paint the ceiling black and add some glow in the dark stars while painting everything else battleship grey. Alternatively just go all out and use as many bright and eye-catching colours as you can, just because you can!

Recycle
Any leftovers you have are fair game for treehouse decorations. Got some old fabric lying around? Smashing, now your treehouse has curtains. Left over carpet samples or trimmings? Now you’ve got an awesome patchwork carpet! Anything out of place or leftover can be repurposed into some cool. Check out pinterest or google “Upcycling” to find some truly fantastic inspirations.

Pay Attention to the Windows
A treehouse can be anywhere between two things. It can be a wide open platform for kids to enjoy the outdoors air when they go out to play in the garden, or it can be a dark and secret den for the to hide in. The biggest factor in this is going to be the size of the windows, the bigger the windows, the more outdoorsy the treehouse will feel. Adding curtains gives you a bit of flexibility on this point as well, but it’s worth remembering that the less they can see out of the treehouse, the harder it is for you to keep an eye on them as well!

Pay Attention to the Signs
Of course, the other fun thing that’s fun to do with treehouses is signpost them. With a few reasonably sized bits of wood and some paints you can have great fun making these signs with your kids. Everything from TOP SECRET: KEEP OUT to NO GROWNUPS ALLOWED to SECRET LAB are all options.

Protect it from the Elements
The odds are your treehouse is made of wood, and so water can soak through wood. This can be bad, especially if you’re storing things in there. Fortunately there are steps you can take to prevent it. If you want the natural look than moss and tree bark are excellent natural water repellents. If you want to look a bit more space age, there are waterproof blankets and specialised paints you can use instead to prevent your interior decorating from being washed away!

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 

Sam Wright is a freelance writer who likes nothing better than sitting in his treehouse. He works with luxury treehouse company Flights of Fantasy.

•  A Push Towards Automation- New technologies have made it possible to automate more and more everyday tasks. Not only has automation become more prevalent in recent years, but it has also become more affordable. Automation could involve installing systems that control a home’s temperature, lighting, security systems, appliances, and more. Additionally, enormously popular electronic devices such as the smartphone and the tablet have begun incorporating and accommodating home automation possibilities.

• Multi-Purpose Furniture and Accessories- As families are often tending to move into smaller homes or live together in one home, space has become an increasingly important commodity. This has led to home designs and home accessories that often attempt to maximize storage capabilities at the same time as fulfilling other functions. Nowadays, it isn’t uncommon to see couches with foldout beds, coffee tables that can be converting to dining room tables, and ottomans and chairs that can also serve as storage accessories.

• Sustainability- As homeowners become increasingly environmentally conscious, they seek to infuse their homes with recyclable or renewable products, sustainably produced materials, and heating and air conditioning systems that use as little energy as possible. Even experimental home designs involving earth homes or building materials such as adobe have attracted attention. These alternative methods of constructing homes are often both more sustainable and cheaper than traditional constructions, and they even save money into the future when they cut back on utility costs through improved insulation and other energy-saving techniques.

• Prefabricated Designs- While the concept of prefabricated design has often called to mind mundane, unattractive structures, prefabricated design has come a long way in recent years. Prefabricated designs can save money, but they can now set trends as architects devise bold new designs that are both practical and distinctive.

•  Flexible Plans to Accommodate Living Arrangements- Many features of contemporary homes allow homeowners to make adjustments for lifestyle or family changes. Those on the market for real estate Monte Carlo might be looking for such flexibility in the property they hope to find. Such features include wide hallways and sliding doors. The term “universal design” has caught on to describe this trend of creating a home so that it is open to many possibilities and so that it is accessible to everyone.

•           Avoid bright-colored sinks, toilets, bathtubs and tile
•           Don’t do wallpaper – paint is much easier to customize
•           Avoid busy patterns on walls and flooring
•           Stick to neutral tones and natural materials

There will always be those who find a way to make a profit in any situation. The necessity for survival will always help man to look outside the box of the everyday and find a new way to make ends meet. The historic housing crash of 2007 has created an epic opportunity for many. In the past 6 years, the housing market has morphed from a form of shelter to one of the most popular, tradable assets. With a limited number of distressed properties and a huge influx of investors, it should come as no surprise that the housing market is now nearly as volatile as the stock market. Glenn Kelman, CEO of Redfin, and online real estate sales company stated that, “We've seen more volatility in the real estate in the past five years than we have in the past 500.” Could this be the start of a new normal?


The amount of volatility in the housing market is proved over and over again. When news last week surfaced that sales of newly built homes had plunged over 13 percent in July, another report showed healthy gains in sales of existing homes in July. Rising mortgage rates and home prices, low confidence, tight credit and even short supply were on the short list of woes from real estate investors, but one thing stood out, investors have started pulling out of the housing market. Investors made up only 16 percent of home buyers nationally in July, according to the National  Association of Realtors, compared with the 22 percent in February and 25 percent in 2009. During the worst part of the foreclosure crisis, in some of the hardest hit markets, investors had made up more than half of all buyers.

Reports show that large funds like Colony Capital, Waypoint and Blackstone have been buying thousands of properties, are driving prices higher and faster than most expected, and are currently trying to fill those houses with renters. Buying has become more attractive for larger firms because smaller investors are moving away from housing and lessening the competition. Last year, the amount of institutional investment activity exploded, and what we're seeing now is the natural progression of such exponential growth. This means a slowdown in how many homes they aquire, or letting employees go in areas where there is less demand.

With rising home prices and interest rates, many private real estate investors have started backing out of the real estate scene. Many companies give seminars to small “armchair” investors on how to buy and manage single family rentals, and most seminars are packed  with wannabe real estate investors. But with the influx of larger companies in the real estate market, it makes investing that much harder for the everyday joe.
We've seen a lot happen in real estate in the past few years. The housing crash, the huge influx of investors. Then, the bulls became bears and single investors began pulling out of the housing market. One thing is for sure, all eyes are watching to see what happens next in a volatile housing market, and just where the investing can go from here.

Citations:

• Olick, Diana. “As Investors Shift, Housing is the New Stock Market.” CNBC, 27 August 2013

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 

By Jeffry Evans - I bring you the top resources to get your real estate license. If you're looking to become a real estate agent check out my site www.realestatelicense.org to see the requirements and resources your state has.

Keeping your home safe is an essential thing for anyone to take care of. The thought of someone breaking into your house is a scary one and it is important to take measures in order to prevent this from ever happening.

Here are some top tips to help you make sure your house if safe.

It is really important to make sure your house isn’t unattended for long periods, for instance when you go on a holiday. Try to have a friend check out the house regularly doing your holiday to make it look like you aren’t away, as well as to make sure any problems are immediately noticed.
Huffington Post also reminds you shouldn’t announce your upcoming holidays on social media. This information can get into the wrong hands and attract burglars to try and attack your home.

You should also get yourself an alarm system. You don’t need to go for the fancy and complex alarm systems, even one that makes a lot of noise when an intruder is spotted can be enough to scare the burglar away and get the attention of your neighbours for instance.
You should also install motor sensor lighting in your house. This is another great way of scaring away the burglars and it can also get your attention as well. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when doing the set up so you don’t end up with a light on the porch that gets triggered by a gust of wind.
If having a friend visit the house is not an option you could also set an automatic light system or even a radio system to go off at certain times to make it seem like there is someone in the house.

Whether you live in an apartment block or in a semi-attached house it is important to have a peephole in the door to ensure you can always check the person knocking at your door. Don’t open the door if you are at all unsure who the person is and they refuse to give you a reason why they are there.
It is also important, especially in an apartment block with an intercom door system, that you don’t let people in that you don’t know. Always ask why they want to enter the building. This is to guarantee not just your own safety but also the safety of other people living in the building.

Of course you also need to ensure you have adequate home insurance to help you out in case something goes wrong. When you are getting a home insurance it is important that you fully evaluate your items and get a cover that adequately matches your possessions.
If you underinsure your items you won’t be able to claim for the full amount and can thus end up loosing, not just your items, but a lot of money as well.
Look around for different insurance companies to ensure you make the best possible deal. There are often nice offers available and it is a good idea to always contact insurance companies directly and ask for a quote. Check out XYZ Insurance for great home insurance deals.

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900442456.jpg

Mark is a security enthusiast who wants to make sure people keep themselves and their properties safe. He is also a big fan of martial arts and loves to teach young children martial arts in order to provide them with a healthy hobby.

The more pricey the prospective apartment, the higher the chance it will be appealing. More money tends to get you more amenities, a larger space, and a better location. Know your budget and stick to it to avoid the temptation to sign on for something that will be hard to afford. It can help to only look at homes that fall into your price range. If the floorplan you can afford isn’t available, then walk away without seeing what else is offered. Other costs should be factored into how much you’ll end up paying each month. Some apartment communities cover the bill for certain utilities and services, and others expect the renter to pay for everything from water to pest control and landscaping fees. Estimate what your total monthly expenses will be, and make sure that the number fits comfortably into your housing budget.

Once you know how much you want to spend, create a list of absolute necessities. Have a large dog? It’s essential that the apartment you lease allows large pets. Some don’t allow animals at all, and others have a maximum pound allowed. Know all the details before you find yourself putting Fido on a diet just to keep eyebrows down. What else is on your list? Dishwashers, laundry machines and balconies are not standard in every home. If you choose a home without a washer and dryer, find out if there is a community coin operated laundry room, or be prepared to make frequent visits to the laundromat. Other things to consider are square footage, outdoor space, number of bathrooms, storage space, kitchen size, location, and parking availability. Think about this for a while and make your own personalized list, as everyone’s needs are different.

There’s no surefire way to tell if you’re going to be happy with your decision, but taking the time to research and read articles like this one can help prepare you to make your best decision. Just as important as researching how to find your new home is researching what the general attitude is like about the new home you’re eyeing. Talk to management and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. How are repairs handled, and how promptly? What is the noise level like? Talk to residents and ask them how they like the community. Ask them the same questions you asked management and see if you get a consistent answer. Residents are more likely to give you a fair picture of daily life in the complex than the people trying to sell it to you. Finally, consult online ratings, but beware that these can be negatively skewed. You’re unlikely to find a complex with a four star rating, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a one and two star community. Remember that one or two highly negative reviews can drag down the overall rating of an otherwise greatly loved community, so be sure to read through the reviews and use your good judgment.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 
•  License: Creative Commons image source 
•  License: Image author owned 

Carey Howard is an apartment locator in San Antonio, TX. She has written online content for apartment complexes and leasing sites. She highly reccommends apartments in Houston, TX.

Many websites offer databases of foreclosed properties and provide that information through mobile apps for your iPhone or Android. With mobile apps, you can now search for properties while standing in line at the post office. These apps are easy to use and are compatible with iPhones and/or Android phones. While many apps are free, some cost a few dollars. Here are some of the apps you can use to find foreclosed homes.

Complete Foreclosures for the iPhone and Android: This app was created by the mobile applications company Visionary Apps for Apple iPhones and iPads. An app for Android phones is also planned. The app provides foreclosure data from RealtyTrac.com. Complete Foreclosure lists the most recent foreclosures first, so you can easily find the newest listing for your city or state. You can download the basic app for 99 cents.

Foreclosures Search by USHUD: Foreclosures Search lists foreclosed homes that are owned by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), although it is not affiliated with HUD. The app also lists foreclosed properties owned by the major banks. It is compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Foreclosures Real Estate: This app provides information on short sales, auction properties, HUD properties and land including photos for all properties listed. This app also offers Google Maps and directions to each property. It has daily updates. It is compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Homes in Foreclosure: If you're looking for foreclosed townhouses, condominiums or apartment buildings, this foreclosure apps lists these types of properties and single-family homes. The free app is for Android phones only.

Foreclosure Genie: This app lists properties in foreclosure and allows you to save up to 30 of your favorite properties at a time. The app is best for real estate investors who buy and sell rental properties. With Foreclosure Genie, you can also calculate the return on your investment (ROI). The app is only for the iPhone. It costs $2.

Foreclosure Organizer: A good app for real estate investors and professionals, this app provides many features such as tracking saved properties, sending property details via email, searching for tax-lien properties and finding properties by trustee. This app is for iPhone users. It costs about $6.

Foreclosures Canada: This app helps you find foreclosed properties in Canada. It is ideal for investors and real estate agents. The app is for Android phones and free of charge.

ForeclosureRadar: You can get information on foreclosures in your area and daily auction schedules from the ForeclosureRadar mobile app. This app is for the iPhone, iPad and iPod. It has a free trial period, but then is $49.95 a month.

Trulia, Realtor.com, Zillow and Refin all offer mobile apps with details of homes for sale for both Android phones and iPhone and other Apple products. These apps are not specifically for finding foreclosed homes, but all four companies have information about foreclosures on their websites, which is also available on the mobile applications.

Featured images:

•  License: Image author owned 

Larque Goodson is a real estate writer at Reply! with over 15 years of experience in journalism and marketing. For more tips about buying homes in foreclosure, see her article on how to find and buy foreclosed homes.

Feeling anxious about the time and effort required in finding your next apartment home? Don’t be! Read on to discover why hiring an apartment locator can take some of the headache out of your next move.

Nothing! The most important issue to most people is the matter of cost. Why pay someone else to look for your new home when you can do it yourself for free? The answer is that you don’t have to pay most apartment locators to work for you. They make money through deals and compensation from the company they work for and the communities they find renters for. For example, an apartment complex may offer one month’s rent to the locator if they match you to their community, so you pay the complex your standard expected rent, and they turn around and give that first month’s fee to the locator. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

In simple terms, an apartment locator is a professional who takes over most aspects of the apartment search on behalf of their clients. Apartment locators have access to up-to-date information regarding new vacancies and specials running in the different complexes in their territory. Many apartment locators have information about vacancies not posted on the internet, or that haven’t been vacated yet but will be in the near future. They also are experts on location and can generally steer you away from a bad deal in favor of a better one. An apartment locator uses the best tools and most current information to match you to a great fitting home.

As anyone who has ever taken the time to search for an apartment can attest to, finding the right apartment home can be extremely frustrating and time consuming. Many busy people simply don’t have the time to do all of the grunt work associated with pinpointing the perfect home. Apartment locators work part or full time finding homes for clients, so they not only have the time to sift through listings and look around town, but they’re also more skilled and efficient at weeding out bad leads and following promising prospects.

You will likely be spending a few afternoons with your apartment locator, so it’s important that your personalities mesh well. To speed things along and ensure that you’re on the same page, choose a locator that you feel has good communication and listening skills. You want to find someone that will respect your wishes and look for YOUR best home, not their best compensation. If the person you initially hire repeatedly suggests homes outside of your budget, then take this as a hint to look elsewhere and end the relationship. A good locator will be upfront about what you can find in your area within your budget, including what part of town and which amenities you can expect, and which will be out of your price range. Some apartment locators are also real estate agents, and if this appeals to you then be sure to ask for someone with a license. There can be numerous benefits to hiring a real estate agent to search for your apartment home; these professionals may have a better understanding of housing trends and can be a great resource for persons hoping to buy a home in the near future.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 
•  License: Creative Commons image source 
•  License: Image author owned 

Miguel Lopez is an interior designer and writer based out of Sacramento, CA.He suggests that if you're looking to rent that you use apartment locator Houston. He enjoys traveling and visiting museums.