Archive for the 'Info Center' Category

Real Estate Professional Andrew Szalontai Discusses What to do When your Mortgage is Too Much, But you Don’t Want to Move Out

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

Do you want to stay in the same Langley, White Rock and Surrey home you live in now, but you are having problems paying the mortgage? This happens to many people in Langley, White Rock and Surrey and they unfortunately choose to move away from their beloved home to get away from the high mortgage payment. However, there is an option for you to sell to rent back. This is basically you selling your home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey so that you may then rent it back. This is a great option for many people who want to sell their house fast for financial reasons yet continue living in the same home. There are several reasons why you might want to sell your house and then rent it back.

Reason #1 Financial
The biggest reason you would want to sell your home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey and then rent it back would be financial. In many instances, people find they are unable to make their house payment. In this situation, there are not many options. One is to simply quit paying the mortgage and let a foreclosure take place. Or, you could continue sacrificing everything to pay the mortgage yet have no money to afford other things. Selling your house in Langley, White Rock and Surrey to rent back allows you to stay in the home without being financially worried about it.

Reason #2 Comfort
Another reason to sell your home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey fast is so you can continue living there without the financial responsibility. This results in you and your family continuing your comfortable lifestyle. This is definitely one of the reasons why Langley, White Rock and Surrey residents continue to sell and rent back their homes. It is really a convenience to sell the home yet continue living there on a monthly basis.

Reason #3 Embarrassment
Nobody likes to talk about his or her financial situation in front of others. That is especially so for those who are not financially well off. However, if you sell your home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey many will question why and others will simply assume it is for the financial responsibility. You can quietly sell your home quickly and easily and avoid the embarrassment by continuing to live in the same home.

These are just a few of the reasons why you should sell your home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey and rent it back. It really is a great opportunity for you if you find that making the monthly mortgage payments is not feasible for you.

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@mylangleyrealestate.com .

Comparing Needs to Wants When Buying a Home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey By Experienced Real Estate Professional Andrew Szalontai

Saturday, September 11th, 2010

When buying a home, there are many factors to consider. For some people, buying a home can be a very confusing process because so many different things come into play. However, buying a home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey doesn’t have to be hard if you are able to make a good analysis of your personal situation.

You have think about what you can afford, what kind of job you have. What kind of responsibilities you are willing to take on? In a nutshell really you have to assess what you need and what you want. Langley, White Rock and Surrey homes come with many different amenities. Some things you will want and others you will definitely need. However, since you want to be able to reasonably afford the home, you may have to make some tradeoffs. So when thinking about buying a home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, ask yourself these questions: What do you want and what do you need. Hopefully, you can get both of what you need and what you want.

What you have to do is make a list. Make a list of what you absolutely cannot live without in your new home. This list might include a certain number of bathrooms, a good school district, public transportation, and a backyard.

Then make a list of things you want. This list might include things like hardwood floors, a big foyer, skylights, or a fireplace. Then, take the time to prioritize both your list of needs and wants.

This way, you won’t be going strictly on impulse when you decide to choose or turn down a particular home. You’ll notice right away if a home has a lovely fireplace that you want but not the living room entertainment space you definitely need.

It’s very easy to be dazzled by extras like floors and skylights and then forget about the things you know you absolutely can’t live with out. That’s why it’s necessary to get these things written down on paper.

Getting a home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey will be one of the biggest decisions you can make in life, and you don’t want to make it without planning and assessing your personal needs. In order to get a better grasp of the home buying process, it’s a good idea to get the help of a professional who has a lot of experience in selling homes. A good, knowledgeable real estate agent is your best bet. For a good one, you don’t have to look far! I’m an expert at selling homes in the Langley, White Rock and Surrey real estate market. You can reach me at my cell at 778.862.5542 or email me at Andrew@mylangleyrealestate.com . There’s definitely a home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey that’s just right for you! www.mylangleyrealestate.com

What Repairs to Make, and What Repairs to Ignore Before Selling Your Property in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, by Real Estate Professional Andrew Szalontai

Saturday, September 11th, 2010

Repairs can be a big question mark for sellers. On one hand, you’ve probably heard that you should make repairs before you sell your home. On the other hand, it may be unclear which repairs you need to make and which ones you shouldn’t make. Which repairs will give a positive ROI and which ones won’t? To learn what repairs you should make and what repairs you shouldn’t, read on.

The most important repairs are water repairs, heating repairs and electrical repairs. Not making these repairs will prevent your home from selling, period. If the water doesn’t run, if the electrical system isn’t safe or if the heating system is about to break, most buyers will simply stay away.

That said, what other repairs should you make on your Langley, White Rock and Surrey home?

First off, cosmetic repairs are cheap and have a big impact on the perceived value of your home. For example, is there a small hole in the wall? It’s easy to fill and repaint. Do the hinges in your cabinet squeak? It’s easy to spray a little bit of WD-40. Is there a gash in the window screen? It’s cheap to replace the screen and can have a big impact on your sale price.

Making cosmetic repairs arguably has the biggest impact on your bottom line.

One area you should pay special attention to is your front yard and your doorway. This is your buyer’s first impression of your house and should definitely be in good shape.

Before selling your home, it’s best to avoid large renovation projects. Renovating your kitchen completely may or may not be a profitable investment. More likely than not, you’ll end up spending thousands of dollars without much return on your investment.

If you focus on repairing the essentials and the cosmetics, you’ll be well on your way to a very profitable sale.

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@mylangleyrealestate.com .

Important Tips on Buying Your First Foreclosed Property in Langley, White Rock and Surrey by Real Estate & Investing Expert Andrew Szalontai

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

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 .

Real Estate Agent vs. FSBO - Should You Use an Agent to Sell Your Langley, White Rock and Surrey Property? By Andrew Szalontai, Real Estate Expert

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

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 .

3 Things Buyers Must Do BEFORE Buying a First Home in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, by Andrew Szalontai, Langley, White Rock and Surrey Real Estate Expert

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

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 .

3 Little Known Staging Secrets to Help Sell Langley, White Rock and Surrey Properties Quickly, by Langley, White Rock and Surrey Real Estate Agent Andrew Szalontai

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions from Home Buyers in Langley, White Rock and Surrey, by Andrew Szalontai, Real Estate Expert in Langley, White Rock and Surrey

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

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 .

Sell Your Home for Maximum Profit with Tricks the Home Stagers Use, by Andrew Szalontai, Langley, White Rock and Surrey Real Estate Expert

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

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 .

      Why Buying your Own Langley, White Rock and Surrey Home Just Makes Sense, By Langley, White Rock and Surrey Real Estate Advisor Andrew Szalontai

      Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

      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 .