Home Sales

spring-home-maintenance-susan-terry

SPRING HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS

It’s the time of year to give your home a complete physical.

Spring has sprung so it’s time to take a good look around your home, both inside and out and conduct some preventative maintenance. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

  1. inspect your attic for rodents and roof leaks
  2. inspect your roof and the flashings around your chimney
  3. check seals around windows/doors and fix damaged screens
  4. repair fences, posts, steps, decks, railings and outdoor furniture
  5. clean out your gutters and make sure all of the downspouts drain away from your foundation

Your home is likely your biggest investment so it’s important to perform regular maintenance in order to keep it in tip-top shape. If you set aside a couple of days now, you’ll be able to sit back, relax and enjoy your home when the summer finally arrives!

college-crib-susan-terry-real-estate

BUYING A COLLEGE CRIB FOR YOUR KID

This exciting life event could be a great investment opportunity!

There’s an air of excitement when your kids move out to study at college or university but it can also be a very expensive time.

Purchasing an investment property may be one way to offset those expenses. The idea is to cover the mortgage payments with the rent collected from roommates while your child manages and maintains the property.

As with any home purchase, you’ll want to carefully evaluate local market conditions so it’s important to select the right real estate agent. If you don’t already have someone you feel comfortable with, let me know and I can refer you to a professional who has a firm grasp of the local market.

Local rents, vacancy rates and zoning laws should also be examined. Finally, it’s important to consider your long-term goals and determine whether you plan on renting it out once your child graduates as this will affect the rate of appreciation.

Specific purchasing details such as co-signing the mortgage or listing your child on title should be discussed with your financial planner and mortgage advisor. There are pros and cons to different ownership scenarios so you’ll want to examine what makes sense for your specific individual situation.

Purchasing an investment property that’s managed by your child is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly but it’s certainly an option worth considering. It could end up being a great opportunity but make sure you do your homework so you can carefully weigh up the risks and rewards. When you crunch the numbers, you may just find that purchasing a campus crib makes great cents 🙂

Port Elgin Real Estate Listing Expert Susan Terry stats

GREY BRUCE REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE

Grey Bruce home sales in line with 10-year average.

Residential sales activity recorded through the MLS® system for the Grey Bruce Owen Sound and Wellington areas totaled 206 units in March 2018.

This was down 32.2% from the record smashing month of March in 2017.

That said, March 2018 sales stood right in line with the 10-year average for that month, and roughly in between the highs and lows of recent years.

On a year-to-date basis, home sales totalled 475 units over the first three months of the year. This was a decline of 22% from the same period in 2017.

The average price of homes sold in March 2018 was $345,310, rising 13.4% from March 2017. The more comprehensive year-to-date average price was $333,918, rising 11.1% from the first three months of 2017.

New residential listings in the region numbered 394 units in March 2018. This was down 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. Overall supply stands at record lows. Active residential listings numbered 696 units at the end of March, down 20% from the end of March 2017.

Months of inventory numbered 3.4 at the end of March 2018, up a bit from the 2.9 months recorded at the end of March 2017 but still well below the long-run average of 9.8 months for this time of year. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

The dollar value of all home sales in March 2018 was $71.1 million, falling 23.1% from the record for the same month in 2017. Sales of all property types numbered 267 units in March 2018; this was a 30.6% decline from March 2017. The total value of all properties sold was $82 million, falling 25.4% from March 2017.

smart-mirrir-susan-terry-real-estate

EXCITING NEW HOUSEHOLD TECH TRENDS

Today’s homes are continuing to get smarter and smarter!

Every year, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas introduces new and exciting technology. Here are a few of the latest innovations in smart home technology:

  1. Laundry Folding Machine – Who’s got time for the tedious task of folding clothes? There’s now a cool new machine that will deliver a fresh pile of perfectly folded laundry!
  2. Smart Loo – The smart home revolution has reached the bathroom with toilets that are equipped with foot warmers, heated seats, mood lighting and music functionality!
  3. Mirror, Mirror – There’s now a mirror that comes with Alexa so now you can ask about the weather or the latest news while you’re getting ready in the morning.

These are just a few of the coolest technologies to hit the market this year. As Port Elgin homes get smarter and more connected, homeowners will continue to benefit by enjoying unprecedented levels of convenience and comfort.

de-clutter

FAST AND FURIOUS DE-CLUTTERING

De-cluttering your home doesn’t have to take all day.

Research suggests that cluttered homes cause stress and anxiety. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start so here are 5 ways to conquer your clutter in less than 5 minutes!

  1. Medicine Cabinet – Check for expired items and carefully dispose of them.
  2. The Junk Drawer – Throw out trash and then try to find a permanent home for everything else.
  3. Clutter Chaos – Clutter is often a result of items that are just left lying around. Grab a box and return toys or magazines back where they belong.
  4. Tupperware Toss – Clear up space by going through your tupperware drawer and recycle anything that doesn’t have a mate.
  5. Car Clutter – If your vehicle’s full of receipts, empty water bottles and crumpled up wrappers then it’s time to clear out the trash and return other items to their home.

Try to always be on the lookout for items you no longer use. For example, if you no longer play DVDs or CDs, donate them so you can gain valuable space! De-cluttering can make a huge impact on our lives because an uncluttered home will promote peace and calm.

pets-susan-terry-real-estate

FOR PETS SAKE, DON’T SOIL YOUR SALE

Make sure your pets don’t become a buyer’s pet peeve.

It’s important to present a top-notch first impression when selling your Port Elgin home. If you share your home with pets though, you’ll need to work extra hard to ensure it looks (and smells) its best!

Although you consider your pets part of the family, potential buyers will likely view them as a smelly nuisance. If you own pets, here are a few tips that will help when it comes time to sell your home:Deep Clean – Steam clean all carpets, rugs and couches and be sure to vacuum your home every day.

  1. Do the Doo Doo – Don’t forget to clean up outside before showings as people exploring your garden will be turned off by seeing it or even worse, stepping in it.
  2. Gone to the Dogs – Most people don’t want to be greeted by a barking dog when they enter a home. A whining dog in a crate is also a huge distraction so take Fido out for a walk if you’re unable to make other arrangements.
  3. Creepy Critters – Some buyers may be too scared to tour a room that contains pets such as snakes or rodents. They may even decide to leave your home altogether so try and remove any creepy creatures before putting your home on the market.
  4. Fur Real – Clean pet hair out from under the stove, tables, blinds and all crevices. Aside from its unsightly appearance, many people suffer from allergies and you don’t want them sniffling and sneezing while they’re viewing your home.
  5. Scratch the Surface – You’re probably so used to your scratched and chewed up furniture that you don’t even notice, but buyers will. Inspect your home thoroughly and repair scratched areas including window frames, doors, furniture and floors.
  6. Breathe Easy – Few smells are as offensive as those associated with animals. Buyers will be exploring the basement so make sure any litter trays are clean. Open up windows and simmer a few cinnamon sticks in water as buyers may be allergic to artificial scents.

It’s also important to de-clutter and depersonalize your home before showings so don’t forget to clear away pet beds, feeding bowls and toys from both inside and outside your home. Even animal lovers will be put off by the hair, smell and mess that pets can make so take these tips into account to ensure your furry friends don’t soil your sale!

westlinks ground breaking

Breaking Ground at Westlinks!

Spring is in the air and shovels have now broken ground at Westlinks!

The new development will include 42 bungalow townhomes, 60 single family homes, apartments and commercial space.

READ MORE >

 

Port Elgin Real Estate Listing Expert Susan Terry stats

GREY BRUCE REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE

Grey Bruce home sales down from same time last year.

Residential sales activity recorded through the Ontario Collective MLS® system for the Grey Bruce Owen Sound and Wellington areas was down in February 2018 from the record for the month in 2017.

Home sales numbered 132 units in February, down 23.3% from February 2017. The February 2018 sales figure was right in line with the 10-year average for the month.

On a year-to-date basis home sales totaled 253 units over the first two months of the year. This was a decrease of 10.6% from the same period in 2017.

The average price of homes sold in February 2018 was $322,108, up 12.3% year-over-year compared to February 2017. The year-to-date average price rose 15.1% from January and February 2017 to reach $324,284.

New residential listings in the region numbered 199 units in February 2018. This was down 13.5% compared to February 2017 and marks the lowest level of new residential listings for the month of February on record.

Overall supply also stands at record lows. Active residential listings totalled just 508 units at the end of February, down 35.4% from February 2017.

The number of months of inventory stood at just 3.8 at the end of February 2018, down from the 4.6 months recorded a year earlier and the lowest level on record for this time of year. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

The dollar value of all home sales in February 2018 was $42.5 million, down 13.8% from February 2017.

Sales of all types of properties numbered 162 units in February 2018, down 23.9% from the previous February. The total value of all properties sold in February 2018 was $51.6 million, down 10% from levels recorded in February 2017.

minimalist-bedrooms-susan-terry-real-estate

HOT HOME TRENDS FOR 2018

Curious about what’s trending in homes and gardens this year?

It’s that time of year when homeowners are thinking about revamping and refreshing their space.  Here are a few of the latest trends and styles that are gaining steam:

  1. Ziggity Zag – Geometric patterns are making a comeback! It could be as simple as adding a few accent pillows or for a bolder statement, consider some patterned wallpaper.
  2. Concrete Ideas – This versatile material is becoming increasingly popular for sinks but can also be used in more unique ways such as furnishings, wallcoverings and tile.
  3. Sleep Easy – Embrace minimalist bedrooms this year with soothing neutrals and plain furniture pieces. Keeping the space simple will help you enjoy a restful night’s sleep.
  4. Full House – Multigenerational living is a major home design trend for 2018. Additional kitchens, basement renovations, and seperate entrances are just some of the ways homes are reflecting this trend.
  5. The Heart of the Home – Homeowners are injecting warmer, brighter tones on their kitchen walls and cabinets. Sinks made with materials like stone, copper, concrete or granite will also steal the spotlight in 2018.

If you’re thinking about breathing some new life into your Port Elgin home with a new year’s makeover, be sure to take the latest trends into account during the planning stage. Hopefully these ideas have given you inspiration to inject some new style into your home!

smoke-detectors-susan-terry-real-estate

SMOKE ALARM SMARTS

Smoke detectors are important but they’re often overlooked.

Countless tragedies are prevented each year by smoke detectors. Here are a few tips to ensure your smoke detectors are in full working order:

  1. Test each alarm regularly by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds.
  2. Blow the dust out of the alarm whenever you check or change the batteries.
  3. Don’t “borrow” the batteries for the TV remote as you’ll likely forget to replace them.
  4. Smoke alarms should be replaced at least every ten years to ensure proper working order.
  5. Don’t install alarms near windows or doors as drafts could stop smoke from reaching the alarm system.

There should be at least one alarm installed on each floor including the basement and preferably every bedroom.

Alarms can be hard wired, battery powered or preferably a combination of both. Interconnected smoke alarms are best because when one alarm goes off, they all do. If you have any questions, Saugeen Shores fire department will be more than happy to help.

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