Archive for the 'Info Center' Category

The Best way to Start Searching for a Home in Langley, White Rock & Surrey, by Andrew Szalontai, Real Estate Expert in Langley, White Rock & Surrey

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The best way of starting your search for a home in Langley, White Rock & Surrey is by contacting an experienced and qualified real estate agent in Langley, White Rock & Surrey. It is so easy to get sidetracked by real estate sites that show beautiful pictures and make every home look like a palace. You can easily become convinced that a Langley, White Rock & Surrey home is right for you by merely seeing some pictures of it, when in reality the house is in shambles, or has underlying structural issues that cause a major problem.

A real estate agent in Langley, White Rock & Surrey can lead you towards homes that are in your current price range and offer the best value for your money. They have been in many of the homes that are shown in these lovely pictures and can tell you quite honestly what these Langley, White Rock & Surrey homes really look like inside.

Real estate agents in Langley, White Rock & Surrey also know what kind of price range you can expect in different locations around Langley, White Rock & Surrey. The same house that costs $550,000 in one area can go for $750,000 to $800,000 at the other end of the city. While you may not be able to take this into account because you do not know the different markets around the city, rest assured that your real estate agent does. He can let you know if the asking price of the house is a reflection of its true market value in Langley, White Rock & Surrey.

You can waste a lot of time and energy looking for a house on your own. Using the services of a good real estate agent in Langley, White Rock & Surrey will save you a lot of time and frustration. The agent will take into account everything you have told him about your desired home and lead you towards houses in Langley, White Rock & Surrey that are in your price range, in a good location and have all or most of the features you require in a home.

Remember that real estate agents in are in business to service you, and if they are not able to do that properly they will make no income. Use their knowledge and guidance to help you find the best home in Langley, White Rock & Surrey that you possibly can.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Langley, White Rock & Surrey real estate. For complete information about the Langley, White Rock & Surrey real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Langley, White Rock & Surrey real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 778.862.5542 or email me at andrew@yourperfecthome.ca .

Three Tips to Help you Sell your Langley, White Rock and Surrey Home Fast, by Andrew Szalontai, Langley, White Rock and Surrey Real Estate Expert

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

There are a lot of things you must keep in mind when you are selling your Langley, White Rock and Surrey home. Sometimes it seems rather overwhelming. Here are a few valuable tips you can use to help you sell your home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey faster and make the most profit on it as well.

#1 - Keep it clean and tidy. This is so important that it must be said again. Keep it clean and tidy. A house that is dirty and unkempt can be almost impossible to sell. Your Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate agent will not want to show your home if it is not up to standards, and it is your responsibility to keep it looking its best for however long it takes to sell. If you have to invest money by hiring a Langley, White Rock and Surrey housekeeping service, then do it you must. It is the most critical part of selling a home, and the small amount it will cost to hire help is nothing compared to how much more money you can make by selling your house quickly.

#2 - Have you ever thought about visiting another open house in the Langley, White Rock and Surrey area and seeing what it is actually like to view another home? You will be quite surprised at what you find. You need to make a mental note of your thought processes as you walk through the Langley, White Rock and Surrey home in order to experience what potential buyers are looking at when they walk through yours. It is quite amazing to see this viewpoint. Visiting a friend’s home for a coffee is quite different from actually inspecting a home.

#3 - Work closely with your Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate agent. He has a lot of valuable advice he can offer and you need to be willing to accept most of it. He has been playing this real estate game for a lot longer than you have, and even though some of his ideas may not seem right to you, he knows what buyers are looking for. There are certain strategies for selling a home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey quickly that only the top agents know about. Follow his advice for a quick sale and you’ll never look back.

Use these tips to your advantage and you will find that your Langley, White Rock and Surrey home can sell very quickly. The bottom line is you must invest the time to make it sell, and the more time you take the faster your Langley, White Rock and Surrey home will sell.

If you need more free information about selling, buying or investing in Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate feel free to contact Andrew Szalontai. For complete information about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market, including the most recent homes for sale, current property values and more, please visit the most complete online website dedicated to meeting all of your Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate needs at www.mylangleyrealestate.com or www.yourperfecthome.ca . Do not hesitate to contact me anytime with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be happy to answer your them for you. Call me on my cell at 778.862.5542 or email me at andrew@yourperfecthome.ca .

Finding the Perfect neighbourhood in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, by Andrew Szalontai, Real Estate Expert in Langley, White Rock and Surrey

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

There is nothing more important when you are looking for the perfect home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey than to find the right neighbourhood. Although it is common to hear the phrase, ‘location, location location’ when discussing real estate, it is very common for the neighbourhood to be a secondary consideration and the home a priority. This can turn out to be very problematic in the long run, and should be addressed right at the beginning of your Langley, White Rock and Surrey house hunting efforts.

Here are a few things you should consider when deciding on a new neighbourhood in Langley, White Rock and Surrey.

#1 - Does it have a school nearby?
Nowadays this is a very important consideration when you have children. If you are at all concerned about their safety if they have to walk a fair distance to get to school then you should look for a neighbourhood with one or more schools situated close to the home.

#2 - Is it a safe neighbourhood?
Sometimes looks can be very deceiving. It is quite common to find a beautiful residential neighbourhood that has been targeted for theft by local criminals. Your real estate agent can let you know how to get access to criminal statistics for different neighbourhoods in Langley, White Rock and Surrey.

#3 - Is there a community center in the area?
Most neighbourhoods in Langley, White Rock and Surrey do have a community center in the area, but some do not. In addition, some neighbourhoods are very large and the community center can be located at the other end of it.

#4 - Is there a local church?
Depending on your church affiliation you could find yourself driving to the other end of the city to get to church. If you have close ties with your church you may want to consider staying close to it.

#5 - Is there convenient shopping close by?
If you are like most people these days you probably find yourself running out to purchase necessities quite frequently. You should check and make sure that the shopping nearby offers the kind of shopping you are accustomed to.

These are a few of the most important things you should consider when looking at different neighbourhoods in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, but you should also put together your own list of what you would like to find in the area. Take this list with you when you visit your Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate agent for the first time and he will be able to properly guide you towards the best neighbourhood in Langley, White Rock and Surrey that will suit your needs.

As a local real estate agent in Langley, White Rock and Surrey I can offer you more free information about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market, including the most recent homes for sale, current property values and more. Feel free to contact me, Andrew Szalontai, anytime with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be happy to answer your them for you. You can visit my website at www.yourperfecthome.ca , which offers complete information about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market. You can also call me on my cell at 778.862.5542 or email me at andrew@yourperfecthome.ca

The Role of the Real Estate Agent when Selling a Home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, by Andrew Szalontai, Real Estate Expert in Langley, White Rock and Surrey

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Do you really need a Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate agent to help you sell your home? After all, other people are doing it themselves, so why can’t you? Well, the truth is that most of the people that are selling their homes in Langley, White Rock and Surrey on their own are losing out on a lot of potential money by not having the guidance and direction of an agent within arm’s reach. Sometimes tens of thousands of dollars.

When you look at the commission your real estate agent will make, versus the profit you can lose, hiring a qualified agent to assist with your sale is a no-brainer. They have been working on behalf of other clients for many years and know from experience what works and what doesn’t when dealing with property sales.

Professional real estate agents are top-notch negotiators that use their expertise to negotiate the best deal possible on your behalf. Using a qualified Langley, White Rock and Surrey agent puts you in the best position when negotiating for the best possible offer on your Langley, White Rock and Surrey house.

Agents also know the tricks of the trades that get homes in Langley, White Rock and Surrey to sell quickly, and for higher amounts. It is possible for one of these Langley, White Rock and Surrey professional agents to come into your home and make a few suggestions that can add up to thousands of dollars in your pocket when the sale is complete.

There are also things that he can point out that can save you a lot of money. Sometimes repairs and paint jobs are put into the home that do not really raise the value of the Langley, White Rock and Surrey property significantly. As with anything, using an experienced advisor can save you time and money in the end. Use your Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate agent for all he is worth and make more money on your home.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate. For complete information about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 778.862.5542 or email me at andrew@yourperfecthome.ca

The Basics of Preparing for a Real Estate Purchase in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, by Andrew Szalontai, Real Estate Expert in Langley, White Rock and Surrey

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Financial awareness is a big part of the real estate game. It is important to realize that there are a few things you can do before even starting your house hunting in Langley, White Rock and Surrey that can get you prepared for the final sale.

Make a Plan
It is unfortunate that many homebuyers rush into a purchase without ever having devised a solid game plan. There are a lot of variables involved when buying Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate, and knowing what is involved and planning for them will save you time, energy and quite possibly a lot of money in the end.

Use Self Discipline
You have given yourself a budget, now you need to stick to it. Don’t waste your time looking at Langley, White Rock and Surrey homes that are out of your price range - no matter what! There are often costs associated with a property purchase that you may have forgotten to plan, and you need to make certain that the process is completed smoothly. The last thing you need is to find yourself in a compromised financial decision.

Find a Good Langley, White Rock and Surrey Real Estate Agent
Your real estate agent in Langley, White Rock and Surrey can be a lifesaver in both the searching and purchasing of a home. His guidance and knowledge is invaluable and can end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long run. Use the time you have with your agent wisely - ask questions and get all the information you can about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey property before making the final purchase.

When you take the time to plan, you lessen the risks involved, and can make decisions with certainty and confidence. Take the time to really assess your finances and what you are looking for in a Langley, White Rock and Surrey home. Upon close examination you may find that you have a much clearer vision of what you are looking for in your future Langley, White Rock and Surrey home and neighborhood.

As a local real estate agent in Langley, White Rock and Surrey I can offer you more free information about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market, including the most recent homes for sale, current property values and more. Feel free to contact me, Andrew Szalontai, anytime with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be happy to answer your them for you. You can visit my website at www.mylangleyrealestate.com , which offers complete information about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market. You can also call me on my cell at 778.862.5542 or email me at andrew@yourperfecthome.ca .

The Cost of Refinancing a Mortgage in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, by Andrew Szalontai, Real Estate Expert in Langley, White Rock and Surrey

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Refinancing a mortgage for a Langley, White Rock and Surrey home can sometimes end up costing more than what it should if you haven’t properly researched a few things. There are many costs involved with refinancing, and by doing a bit of homework first you can cut these costs considerably. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you want to refinance your mortgage in Langley, White Rock and Surrey.

#1 - Consider getting a short-term mortgage
Usually the costs involved are much less when you opt for a short-term mortgage for a Langley, White Rock and Surrey home versus a long-term one. A short-term mortgage is generally fifteen years in length, while a long-term one is about thirty. A short-term loan is often less costly because the lender is carrying less risk on the home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey. Even though you will be paying a much higher monthly rate, your initial costs will be less and you will be paying less interest overall.

#2 - Private mortgage insurance
PMI, (private mortgage insurance), is usually required if you are borrowing more than 80% of the value of your Langley, White Rock and Surrey home. It is very costly and is only useful for the lender. For the homeowner it does no good at all, so avoiding this costly expense will reduce the overall cost of refinancing. You can ask your lender if he requires PMI if you are borrowing over 80% of the Langley, White Rock and Surrey house value. If it is required, you may want to try to find another lender that will not demand it.

#3 - Get more than one quote
Every Langley, White Rock and Surrey lending institution has its own rules and guidelines it follows when refinancing a mortgage. There are many different financial institutions in Langley, White Rock and Surrey that you can approach, and once you get your quote be sure to read through all the fine print and be certain you understand it fully. One difference between two quotes can add up to thousands of dollars in the long run.

Many people in are choosing to refinance their Langley, White Rock and Surrey house mortgage during this post economic crisis. By following these few simple tips you can end up saving a lot of money on costs.

If you need more free information about selling, buying or investing in Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate feel free to contact Andrew Szalontai. For complete information about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market, including the most recent homes for sale, current property values and more, please visit the most complete online website dedicated to meeting all of your Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate needs at www.mylangleyrealestate.com . Do not hesitate to contact me anytime with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be happy to answer your them for you. Call me on my cell at 778.862.5542 or email me at andrew@yourperfecthome.ca .

Buying Versus Renting in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, by Andrew Szalontai, Langley, White Rock and Surrey Real Estate Expert

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Most people understand the concept that buying a home is a solid investment, but many people still renting may not be clear of the other benefits associated with owning your very own piece of Langley, White Rock and Surrey property. Here are a few of the best benefits of becoming an owner in Langley, White Rock and Surrey and leaving the renter’s world behind.

Housing Costs
Rental costs in Langley, White Rock and Surrey are increasing and will continue to increase for as long as you rent. Taking into consideration how much rent you paid ten years ago, and what you are paying now, will be a good indication of what you can expect to pay ten years from now. A mortgage gives a much more stable option. Buying a home in Langley, White Rock or Surrey with a fixed rate mortgage ensures that your payments will remain the same for the entire length of the loan. Even a mortgage with an adjustable rate will keep your payments in a very stable position.

Future Savings
When you own a Langley, White Rock or Surrey home you are technically saving money for the future. You are not only putting money into a future investment, but as you are paying it off, your Langley, White Rock and Surrey home is raising in value. You are saving money and making money at the same time. It is truly a win-win situation.

If you have never looked into all the savings you can have by investing in your own home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey then take a look at all of the savings and add them up. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that owning can be cheaper than what you are currently paying for rent in Langley, White Rock and Surrey.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate. For complete information about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 778.862.5542 or email me at andrew@yourperfecthome.ca .

Handling the Heartache of Selling your Home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, by Andrew Szalontai, an Experienced Expert in the Langley, White Rock and Surrey Market

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

It is time to sell your Langley, White Rock or Surrey home and you know that you will be leaving memories behind. On top of the stress of moving, you must also deal with the sorrow of saying a final goodbye to the Langley, White Rock or Surrey house you had grown to love as a home. Here are a few tips to help you deal with these emotions and get on with it.

Tip#1 View your Langley, White Rock and Surrey home as a marketable commodity
Hard as it may seem to realize, you are putting a tangible object up for sale. The people that come in to view your home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey are not viewing the memories that you hold; they are looking at the house and the potential it holds for them as a home. Try to take their point of view when selling your home and try to see what they are looking at. This will help you deal with any sadness you may be feeling.

Tip#2 Take pictures – plenty of them
Take some time to walk around your house in Langley, White Rock and Surrey and take some pictures of anything you have become attached to in the home and that you will be leaving behind. Maybe it is a growing chart you kept as your children were growing, with nicks on the wall. Maybe it is a crack or dent in the wall, a special stain on the ceiling, it can be anything that is associated with a positive feeling that you will miss. You may find that some of the pain of leaving dissipates when you take pictures that you can bring with you to your new Langley, White Rock and Surrey home.

Tip#3 Leave the past by focusing on the future
The more attention you give to the immediate present and future, the less time you will have to think of the past. Look at all of the pleasant things you have to look forward to in the future. You are embarking on a new housing experience in Langley, White Rock and Surrey that will begin a new string of memories. Focus on the future as much as you possibly can.

Try these tips when it hurts to part with your Langley, White Rock and Surrey home. They can really help you deal with it.

If you need more free information about selling, buying or investing in Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate feel free to contact Andrew Szalontai. For complete information about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market, including the most recent homes for sale, current property values and more, please visit the most complete online website dedicated to meeting all of your Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate needs at www.yourperfecthome.ca . Do not hesitate to contact me anytime with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be happy to answer them for you. Call me on my cell at 778.862.5542 or email me at andrew@yourperfecthome.ca .

Build Wealth With Real Estate, by Andrew Szalontai, Langley, White Rock and Surrey Real Estate Expert

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Investing in Real Estate can be a great way to build wealth. Of course, like any investment, there are pros and cons. To invest in real estate requires a time commitment and a bit of risk. However, the rewards can be great, according to real estate expert, Andrew Szalontai, of Remax Treeland Realty.

Real estate is not a “get rich quick” scheme. With careful research and investment overtime real estate can appreciate in value and bring the owner profit. Many real estate investors use the equity gained in previous investments to purchase more real estate over time, which further builds their portfolio and overall wealth.

Some properties are better suited for real estate investing than others. The best way to find properties to invest in is to work with a real estate agent that specializes in real estate investing in the Langley, White Rock and Surrey area. A savvy first time buyer can become a real estate investor with the right property. A well chosen first house can appreciate after several years. Rather than selling that first house, a first time homeowner can use the equity to purchase a second home to live in and rent out the first house. This cycle can go on and on in which case the homeowner becomes landlord as they build real estate wealth.

Another way to build wealth through real estate is with multi-unit housing such as duplex and triplex units. The benefit of starting out with a multi-unit house is the other unit(s) can help pay the mortgage costs for the homeowner. This in turn will accelerate the build up of capital to buy the next piece of real estate. At that point the home ownerÕs unit can be rented out and the homeowner can move into their dream house. Throughout the process of investing in real estate, a professional real estate agent is an invaluable asset to the investor. Agents and brokers know the market and trends and can help the investor choose the best areas to purchase real estate in the Langley, White Rock and Surrey area.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate. For complete information about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate at www.yourperfecthome.ca . Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 778.862.5542 or email me at andrew@yourperfecthome.ca .

5 Useful Tips for Selling a Langley, White Rock or Surrey Home Quickly, by Langley, White Rock and Surrey Real Estate Advisor Andrew Szalontai

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Most first-time sellers in Langley, White Rock and Surrey aren’t aware of the basic principles of selling a home fast. While your real estate agent will brief you on these tips, it is a good idea to look them over again so that you are always prepared for a viewing.

#1 - Make your home welcoming
If you have to be there for the viewing then you should have a smile on your face and make the potential Langley, White Rock and Surrey buyer feel welcome. Smile and be happy even if you are in a rotten mood. This is a business transaction, and the better the buyer feels about stepping into the home the more chance there is that he will consider it for a purchase in Langley, White Rock or Surrey.

#2 - Keep it clean
This may seem quite obvious, but as time goes by and the house hasn’t sold, you need to remember on a daily basis to keep it as clean as possible. It can be quite difficult if you have little children running around the house, but do your best. You may want to hire a maid service in Langley, White Rock or Surrey to come on a weekly basis to keep your Langley, White Rock or Surrey house shiny while you are in the midst of selling.

#3 - Keep it smelling fresh
Try to keep your Langley, White Rock or Surrey house smelling fresh. You may want to burn some pot-pourri, which emits a soft subtle fragrance into the air. You can do this at various times during the day so that you are always ready for a surprise viewing.

#4 - Keep your house tidy
Always remember to pick up things as you use them especially while your house is on the Langley, White Rock and Surrey market. It only takes a few things out of order to make the house seem messy.

#5 - Be honest
If the potential buyers ask you any questions about problems in your Langley, White Rock or Surrey house don’t try and cover up. Answer their questions as honestly as you can. It will be appreciated. Even a freshly built home will have minor problems associated with it, and viewers expect your Langley, White Rock or Surrey home to have a few minor problems as well.

These five tips can help you sell your Langley, White Rock or Surrey home much more quickly. Although they are quite simple and basic, you might be surprised at just how often they are overlooked by the seller.

If you need more free information about selling, buying or investing in Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate feel free to contact Andrew Szalontai. For complete information about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market, including the most recent homes for sale, current property values and more, please visit the most complete online website dedicated to meeting all of your Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate needs at www.yourperfecthome.ca . Do not hesitate to contact me anytime with any of your real estate related questions and I will be happy to answer them for you. Call me on my cell at 778.862.5542 or email me at andrew@yourperfecthome.ca .