port elgin real estate

BUYING FIRST VS. SELLING FIRST

The Grey Bruce real estate market continues to shift so it’s important to plan your next move.

If you’re a current homeowner who’s thinking about making a move, you’ll have to decide whether to sell your existing home first or risk carrying two homes at once.

Selling first means you’ll know exactly how much you’ll be able to put towards your next home.

It also allows you to present a much stronger offer as it won’t be conditional on the sale of your current home.

Finally, selling first helps eliminate the air of desperation that both buyers and agents can sense.

Once your home sells though, the clock starts ticking. You’ll only have a limited amount of time to find the perfect place. You don’t want to overpay or settle for something less than ideal so you may have to be somewhat flexible when it comes to moving dates.

If you’re looking for a very specific home that only comes up occasionally, you may have to buy first and arrange a longer closing to allow time for your current home to sell. To avoid carrying both homes at once, your house should be priced competitively from the start in order to generate maximum interest.

Local market conditions are also an important factor so it’s important to determine whether it’s a buyer’s market or a seller’s market and whether or not prices are rising or falling.

In a buyer’s market where there’s a wide selection, people usually prefer to sell first so they have a bit of breathing room.

In a seller’s market where good homes are hard to find and sell quickly, you may want to buy first in order to lock down your dream home.

There’s really no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to buying first vs. selling first as it depends on your personal circumstances, your financial situation and local market conditions.

Whatever your thoughts may be, it’s important to seek professional advice from a knowledgeable, local real estate agent as market conditions can change rapidly.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you ever have any questions about the Grey Bruce real estate market, or real estate in general – it’d be great to hear from you!

CACHING IN ON GREY BRUCE COUNTY!

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt where a GPS app is used to locate hidden caches that are stashed away in parks, trails and other out-of-the-way areas.

This world-renowned activity is an amazing way to get active with your family while exploring the great outdoors in and around the Grey Bruce area!

Caches, which are created by people in the geocaching community, are hidden stashes that contain small treasures such as toys and trinkets. They range in size but are usually small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

Once you locate a geocache, you can either put the treasure back or replace it with something of your own. Then, before heading off, you can write down your details in the logbook and register your find online!

To get started, check out Geocaching.com as it lists all of the geocaches in our area and beyond so whether you’re staying in town or heading further afield, it’s the perfect way to enjoy some “off the beaten path” adventures!

The website also offers an app that you can install on your smartphone to take along with you on your travels as well as answers to commonly asked questions.

If you plan on sticking close to home this summer, exploring local parks and trails will take on a whole new meaning and the best part is that geocaching doesn’t cost a cent!

Instead of searching around for the remote this Sunday afternoon, head outdoors into nature and kick off your geocaching journey.

HOW TO AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE

A bit of advanced planning will help you avoid buyer’s remorse.

Buying a home can be an emotional roller coaster which is why it’s so easy to make mistakes. Here are a few common buyer blunders to be aware of:

Not Thinking Ahead – If you’re hoping to start a family in your new home one day, it pays to consider features like local parks and school zones.
Buying a Home that’s too Expensive – Buyers who overextend themselves are often forced to sell at a loss. Avoid temptation by only viewing homes that are in your price range.
Bad Location, Bad Location, Bad Location – Determining the location that best suits your lifestyle is critical so consider proximity to public transit, schools and other amenities.
Choosing the Wrong Home – Make a list of all the features that are essential to you. It’s easy to be taken in by curb appeal, but walk away if it lacks anything that you’re unable to live without.
Uninspected Circumstances – Just because a house looks solid doesn’t mean all is well behind the scenes. Making an offer conditional on a home inspection will help eliminate any regrets.
Acting too Slowly – The home you fall in love with could be gone tomorrow if you wait too long. Do your research ahead of time so you’ll have the confidence to act swiftly when the time comes.
Not Using an Agent – It’s important to have an agent to help you make crucial decisions, negotiate the offer and explain the conditions in order to have a positive experience and avoid buyer’s remorse.

Buying your Port Elgin home can be an extremely emotional process so it’s important to stay grounded in order to avoid errors that could cause regret. If you conduct your research ahead of time and are well aware of your wants and needs you’ll be able to move forward with confidence and peace of mind. If you ever have any questions about Port Elgin real estate, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

THINKING BIG IN SMALL SPACES

With a little help, you can still live large in a small space!

If you live in a small space, it’s important that you don’t feel boxed in. The following tips will help transform your cramped quarters into something more expansive:

Shady Solutions – Painting walls a soft shade and the ceiling bright white will give the illusion of added height.
Is That a Door In Your Pocket? – Installing pocket doors is an easy and inexpensive way to create lots of extra useable space.
Lighten Up – Keep window areas clear of heavy drapes to expand wall area and let the sun shine in as it helps a space feel larger.
Mirror Mirror – Strategically placed mirrors will create the illusion of added space and they’ll also reflect light into adjoining rooms.
Cut a Rug – Having the same type of flooring throughout your home will make it feel more spacious so avoid using too many area rugs.
Hide & Seek – Maximize every hidden space you have by using shelving pockets behind doors or bed risers for that all important under the bed storage.
Cut the Clutter – Have a place for everything so that the surfaces in your home don’t get cluttered. Storage baskets for example are great for hiding remotes & magazines.
Open Up – Arrange your furniture so you can see as much of the floor as possible. Rooms with blocked views can feel cramped so move furniture away from entrances.

Whether you’re getting ready to put your home on the market or you just want to create more space for yourself, these easy and inexpensive tips will help give you a little extra breathing room. By thinking big and getting creative, you can comfortably live large in even the smallest of spaces.

THE LATEST GARDEN & LANDSCAPING TRENDS

Get the dirt on this year’s latest and greatest gardening trends!

It’s the time of year when many of us start coming up with ideas on how to jazz up our outdoor space. If you’re the type who can’t wait to get your hands dirty, here are a few ideas to inspire you:

Natural Materials – Wood and rocks are popular gardening materials as people are moving towards a more organic and authentic look.
Cozy Comfort – The Danish concept of Hygge is about creating comfortable gathering areas for friends and family such as pillow chairs that surround an outdoor fireplace.
Grow Local – Sprawling lawns are being replaced with edible landscapes so homeowners can organically grow their own fruits, vegetables and herbs.
eGardening – Smartphone apps make it easy to plan and grow your garden based on your climate zone. They can even alert you if a cold snap’s coming so you can cover your plants.
Gardening Gadgets – Robot grass mowers and customizable sprinkler systems that monitor the weather and adjust watering schedules are helpful for those who love lush lawns.
Polly Plants – Create an inviting garden by planting bright, nectar rich flowers that will attract a variety of pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds.

Gardening is a great way to get outside and get in touch with mother nature so it’s no surprise in this ever-connected digital world that taking a break to work on our gardens is growing in popularity. Regardless of whether or not you follow the latest trends this spring, here’s to digging in and getting your hands dirty!