Langley BC Real Estate | Condominums And Town Homes

Buying foreclosed properties is getting more popular and more profitable every day. There are dozens of foreclosed properties hitting the Langley, White Rock and Surrey market every day. These properties can be both gold mines and land mines. In this article, we’ll go over several simple tips to help ensure that your first foreclosure purchase is a successful one.

Opt for a Low-Repair Property for Your First Deal
We’ve all heard about people who make thousands of dollars buying fixer foreclosures and fixing them. The reality is, however, that doing such a deal requires a high degree of expertise.

Do you know how to fix a broken roof? Can you estimate how much it would cost to replace an entire shed? Can you estimate how much the repairs will cost and compare it to your selling price in the end?

Although you can make a lot of money doing fixers in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, you can also make a lot of money just by buying foreclosed properties, doing minor cosmetic repairs and selling them again. For your first foreclosure deal, look for houses that don’t require much work so you can get some experience under your belt.

Research the Markets Surrounding Langley, White Rock and Surrey Real Estate Market
There are generally three reasons you’d buy a foreclosure in Langley, White Rock and Surrey: To rent out, to sell or to live in. If you’re buying to repair and rent out or sell, then market research is absolutely essential.

If you’re buying to rent, it’s important to know what other properties in the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate area are renting for. It’s also important to know what the vacancy rates are. Based on these numbers, you can accurately predict what your cashflow will be like.

If you’re buying to sell, it’s important to know what you can expect to sell your property for once your repairs are completed.

You should know these numbers before you make your purchase. Remember that with any real estate investment in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, the profit is made on the buy end, not the sell end. You must know how much your property is worth or how much you can rent it out for before you can make a profitable investment.

These tips will help you avoid some of the biggest pitfalls beginning investors tend to fall into with their first investments. Foreclosures can be a very lucrative business, but it also has its dangers.

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 at www.mylangleyrealestate.com or www.fraservalleyforeclosures.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@mylangleyrealestate.com .

Let’s face it. Selling your home is probably one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll ever make. Of course you want to do it right. On the other hand, you also want to walk away at the end of the day with the most money possible. Should you hire a real estate agent or should you go with a FSBO? Let’s look at both sides of coin.

On one hand, by not working with an agent you save yourself the 6% in commissions that real estate agents collect. You have complete control over the process. You get to meet all the buyers and negotiate for yourself. You decide everything for yourself.

The two most common reasons people opt for a FSBO are that they want to be in control and they don’t want to pay commissions. That sounds great; but let’s look at the other side of the coin.

Real estate agents have spent hundreds of hours learning how to negotiate, how to market and how to sell homes. If you’re working with a good agent, chances are they have a lot of experience selling homes just like yours.

When it comes down to it, the statistics tell the real story. The statistics are quite drastic and shocking. The reality is, 88% of FSBOs will not sell and end up listed with a real estate agent anyway. Furthermore, sellers that work with real estate agents generally get at least 6% more on their bottom line, which includes paying out commissions.

The reality is, for most sellers working with a real estate agent will result in a faster, more profitable sell. That said, working with an agent may not be for everyone. If you truly believe you can sell the home faster and more profitably or if you must be in control of the process yourself, then perhaps a FSBO really is for you.

On the other hand, if you want to get the most money for your house in the fastest possible timeline, your best bet is probably to work with an experienced real estate agent.

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 at www.mylangleyrealestate.com or 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 .

Buying a home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey for the first time can be very exciting. It can be very tempting to want to jump right into looking at homes, dreaming about your future and making offers. However, it’s important that you cover your bases before you jump into the pool, so to speak. When you’re buying your first Langley, White Rock and Surrey home, there are several steps you should take before making an offer.

Step One - Improve Your Credit Rating
If you’re thinking about buying a house in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, now is the time to start working on your credit. There’s very little you can do a few weeks before closing. However, if you get started six months before you make an offer, you can very likely improve your credit and reduce your interest rate when it comes time to qualify for a loan.

Step Two - Find a Good Real Estate Agent
Working with a real estate agent generally doesn’t cost you anything, because the seller pays all the commissions.

Working with a real estate agent in Langley, White Rock and Surrey gives you a huge advantage. You get access to years of real estate knowledge and experience. You have a trained negotiator to negotiate on your behalf. You have someone with a wide variety of contacts, from lenders to property inspectors you can call on.

Step Three - Get Pre-Approval for a Loan
Not only should you get pre-approval, but you should also do your homework on how much of a home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey you can really afford. Although you might get approved for a loan that’s more than your means really are, that doesn’t mean you should do it.

It’s important to figure out how much you can really afford and work from there. Once you have a pre-approval letter, sellers are much more likely to consider your offer seriously.

A buyer who’s worked on his credit, is working with a great agent and has a pre-approval letter has a far better start on buying a house than a buyer who doesn’t. Follow these three steps and you’re well on your way to purchasing a great new home 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 at www.mylangleyrealestate.com . 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@mylangleyrealestate.com .

Staging is one of the most essential parts to successfully selling a home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey. The difference between good staging and bad staging is usually the difference between a house that sells. Here we’ll briefly go over some staging basics, then jump into 3 little known secrets that can really help you increase your staging effectiveness.

Staging Basics

The purpose of staging is to make your house as appealing as possible to the buyer. The first step is to empty the house out, leaving just a few key pieces of furniture to help set the vibe. Make sure all necessary repairs are done.

Clean the carpets, walls and especially the front lawn and your doorway, as that’s your buyer’s first impression.

The 3 Staging Secrets

Secret #1 - Scent. Most people don’t realize how important scent is. Out of the five senses, scent actually has the strongest direct link to our emotions. Since most buyers in Langley, White Rock and Surrey buy based on emotions, it’s vital that you make sure your house smells great.

Secret #2 - Lighting. Most people underestimate how important lighting is when it comes to staging. Open all the curtains and turn on all the lights. If it’s still too dim, get some extra lights to help with lighting. A brightly lit home seems cheery, while a dark come seems gloomy.

Secret #3 - Collect Contract Info and Follow up. Collecting the contact information of your potential buyers or their agent’s contact info allows you to drastically increase the chances of them returning or making an offer. Less experienced real estate agents are less likely to want to make “warm calls” (cold calls from leads,) so be sure you’re working with an agent who’s willing to do this if you want to use this tactic.

If you follow all the common sense tactics of home staging, then on top of that make sure you home has a great scent that accentuates the house, is properly lit and you follow up with your prospects, you’ll be far ahead of the curve when it comes to selling 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 at www.mylangleyrealestate.com . 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@mylangleyrealestate.com .

If you are like many individuals in Langley, White Rock and Surrey that are looking for a great deal on real estate, then you may have a few questions about the Langley, White Rock and Surrey market. There are a lot of homes for sale in Langley, White Rock and Surrey and there is no doubt that there are great deals being made on a daily basis. Here a few common questions answered that will help you find the perfect home of your dreams.

Can I Get a Loan?
It all depends on your current financial situation and your credit score. If you have had problems with debt in the past, it may or may not affect your ability to get a loan for a Langley, White Rock and Surrey home. You will need to get a credit report for you and your spouse if applicable and talk to a loan manager in Langley, White Rock and Surrey. He will look at your financial history and your present income. Sometimes you may not think that you can qualify for a loan and yet walk away from the interview pleasantly surprised!

Do I Need to Use a Real Estate Agent?
Yes, unless you want to end up driving around in circles looking at homes that aren’t worth your time. A real estate agent will help you narrow down your choices so you don’t have to waste any valuable time and energy. You will also have a professional in the field that can negotiate on your behalf to get the best price.

Can I afford it?
It is best for you to work with your financial advisor and Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate agent to help you determine a realistic purchase price that fits into your monthly budget. When this is established you can start your search with confidence and the security of knowing what you really can afford.

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 or 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@mylangleyrealestate.com .

Professional home stagers incorporate interior design principles to transform your home into a warm and beautiful showplace. Home stagers sell more than property, they sell a lifestyle. Their goal is to create an atmosphere with emotional appeal. You want the buyer to imagine their family living in the home.

Below are some tricks the professional home stagers use to make your home more desirable than the competition. If you want to hire a professional home stager, contact me, Andrew Szalontai, Remax Treeland Realty, for a referral. I can be reached at 778.862.5542 or e-mail at andrew@yourperfecthome.ca.

»  Remove clutter from your home. Think, ‘less is more’ and store or get rid of anything you haven’t used in three months or more.

» Remove personal items from the buyer’s eye. Think of it as getting a head start on packing. Put away framed photos of relatives and other family related items.

» Put items through the ’stranger test’ Ask yourself if a stranger would be interested or use this item. If the answer is no, pack it away.

» Make sure your furniture is arranged logically and that there is plenty of room to walk around.

» Create a vignette. Simply group a few small pieces of furniture together to make a unified grouping.

» Display your best accessories in odd numbered groupings. Keep the number of items to 1, 3 or 5 pieces.

» Keep your fabrics neutral. If curtains and bedspreads are too bold to appeal to the masses, consider replacing them with a more neutral alternative.

» Clear off surfaces, especially in the kitchen. Put out a fruit bowl or other colorful accessory, but don’t over do it. Keep the counters clean and clutter-free.

» Make your kitchen cabinets shine like new with a little orange oil. Consider changing out old cabinet hardware with updated knobs and pulls.

» Clear off the refrigerator. Remove magnets and children’s art. Nothing should be attached to the refrigerator.

» Spruce up your bathrooms. Set out a basket with a few rolled up towels and fancy bath products. Leave out a dish containing a few fancy soaps.

» Don’t forget the outside of your home. In order to get the buyer into your home you need to have an inviting yard and front entrance. Make sure the lawn is mowed and the front entrance is clean. Get rid of weeds and webs. Display a few potted plants and flowers in the front yard.

» The back yard should look like you are about to have guests over. Consider creating an outdoor eating area with a picnic table. Set the table with colorful outdoor dishes.

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 at www.mylangleyrealestate.com or 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 .

While getting out of the Langley, White Rock and Surrey rental market may seem like a daunting task, it is a necessary one if you want to secure your financial future and have a stable environment in which to raise your children. Here are a few of the very important benefits of buying a Langley, White Rock and Surrey home versus renting.

#1 Equity
This may be the most important advantage of purchasing a Langley, White Rock and Surrey home that you can truly call your own. Your rent payments are money gone that will never be seen again. When you purchase a home some of the monthly payments will go towards building up equity in your home. At the beginning, a lot of the money will be put towards interest, but as you continue paying off your Langley, White Rock and Surrey home, more and more of it goes towards paying off the principal. This is basically the same as putting money back into your own bank account.

#2 Payment Stability
When you are renting in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, you need to sign a yearly lease that predictably rises in price each year. With a fixed rate mortgage you will have the security of knowing that your payments will never rise, and you will be able to better plan your future knowing your future monthly costs. It will not take long before your mortgage payment will be less than a rental payment, and the money that you are paying will be put back in the form of equity into your Langley, White Rock and Surrey home.

#3 Freedom
Freedom is something we all strive for, and the freedom of owning your own home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey is incredible. You will have the freedom of choice to decorate or reconstruct your house and make it into the one that you have been dreaming of. You will no longer have to fear a landlord knocking at your door, and you will have certain rights that only a Langley, White Rock and Surrey homeowner can have.

Buying your own house in Langley, White Rock and Surrey just makes sense, and when you consider buying versus renting, then buying in Langley, White Rock and Surrey wins hands down every time.

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 or 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 .

There are two sets of responsibilities that the seller must accept when he is trying to sell his home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey. The first one involves all the technical details of selling, while the second involves the mindset. Both are equally as important, and having them in place will lead to a smooth sale where all participants leave satisfied.

Logistics of the Sale
These are the all-important details of selling the Langley, White Rock and Surrey home. While your real estate agent in Langley, White Rock and Surrey will take responsibility for many aspects of the sale, it is your responsibility to know what is happening along the line. You will be asked to make certain decisions as your agent starts advising you about a home sale, and it is important that you go into the whole process knowing at least a little bit about what it entails. There may be some repairs suggested, some advice about moving furniture and many other little things that will require your participation. You will also be responsible for making the final decision about any offers that are put on the table. The more you know about real estate transactions in Langley, White Rock and Surrey the more you will understand, and the better able you will be to make more informed decisions.

Mindset
This is an important part of selling a Langley, White Rock and Surrey house as well. The most important thing you can do at this point is clear yourself of any doubt of any doubts about the sale. If you have not reached a 100% conclusion that your Langley, White Rock and Surrey home needs to be sold, for whatever reason, this can affect the sale. Both buyers and the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate agent you are working with will be able to pick up on your lack of certainty about selling the house, and the end result will be a slower sale or a sale at a lower price. When you go into the real estate market, go into it knowing that you want to sell your home, and that it will be a fast and smooth transaction.

When you work with both of these responsibilities and accept them fully you will find that the process is quite easy, and in most cases quite fast. Your ability to handle the whole situation will manifest itself as a positive result. Work closely with your Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate agent and let him know that you are willing to accept full responsibility for the sale of your home. This way you will both be on the same page.

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 or 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 .

Unfortunately not all builders are reputable. Luckily there are measures a buyer can take to reduce the chances of hiring a shady home builder.

The first step towards finding a reputable builder in the Langley, White Rock and Surrey area is to hire a real estate expert. The professionals at Remax Treeland Realty can help you find a builder to meet your needs.

Licenses and Credentials
The government and industry associations have set up a system of checks and balances to evaluate those individuals who call themselves home builders. Successful completion of requirements by these agencies will result in a license or designation by the association. A quality builder will have these credentials and make them available for your review. They include licensing by the state they operate in and certification from groups and associations they are members of. Another precaution to take is to go to the Langley, White Rock and Surrey building inspector and ask questions. Is the building inspector familiar with this builder? Does this builder pull the proper permits needed?

Consumer Protection Groups
Be sure to contact the Better Business Bureau to learn if there are any complaints against any builder prior to hiring them.

References
One of the most obvious measures you can take to evaluate a builder’s reputation is to check out their references. Even unscrupulous builders will have a list of references. The shady builders bank on the fact that most clients will not take that extra step to actually contact the people on the reference list. Don’t be fooled! Do your homework and check out their references. Contact people who have used this builder recently as well as clients from several years ago. Find out if they are still happy with builder after being in the home for a while. Ask the people on the reference list if they would hire the builder again. Contact any subcontractors to make sure the builder pays his bills on time.

Works in Progress
Visit job sites the builder is currently working on. Make observations about the overall look of the project as well as how it is being run. Does the job site look organized? Are the workers productive and efficient? Evaluate the overall quality of the workmanship.

Financial Issues
Determine how long the builder has been in business in the Langley, White Rock and Surrey area. Make sure they have adequate financial backing to complete your job as well as other jobs currently under contract. After all, you don’t want a builder to go bankrupt in the middle of your new construction project. Ask what kind of insurance the builder carries. Are they bonded? Do they have insurance for their workmen? Obtain a detailed list of what is included in the builder’s price. Ask if any guarantees are provided. A reputable builder will put this in writing.

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 new home construction, 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 at www.mylangleyrealestate.com or 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 .

Don’t underestimate the importance of landscaping when selling your house in Langley, White Rock and Surrey. After all, your yard is the first thing a potential buyer will see. The exterior appearance of a house for sale is perceived as a reflection of the interior of the house, according to Andrew Szalontai, professional real estate agent in the Langley, White Rock and Surrey area. A neglected yard sends up a red flag to potential buyers. On the other hand, a well landscaped property gives potential buyers the impression the rest of the house will be well maintained as well. Proper landscaping implies the seller cares about this property.

There is more to landscaping than just a green lawn. These days buyers are looking for outdoor living areas. Outdoor kitchens and ‘living rooms’ are becoming popular in the Langley, White Rock and Surrey area. Some houses have elaborate outdoor living spaces and others accomplish this with modest fixtures and hardscaping. Whichever way the landscape is completed, having a well thought out design that compliments the house will aid in a quicker sale.

Several landscaping trends are popular in the Langley, White Rock and Surrey area, according to Andrew Szalontai. They are water displays, outdoor kitchens, and outdoor living rooms.

Water Displays
Water displays are popular these days. From fountains and waterfalls to koi ponds, creating a water feature is a trendy landscape option. For a more elaborate water feature, add some aquatic plants and fish for visual interest.

Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens bring the full dining experience outdoors. An outdoor kitchen may include from a fire pit or bar-b-que to high end stainless steel fixtures built into the hardscape.

Outdoor Living Rooms
Outdoor living rooms take patio furniture to the next level. An outdoor living space blends the feel of an interior living room with the openness of the outdoors, creating additional living space, and therefore, the perception of a larger home.

Blending a well maintained landscape with a few key outdoor elements can increase the value of your house. Additionally, well landscaped properties sell quicker 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 everything Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate at www.mylangleyrealestate.com or 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.com .