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Westmount Quebec (QC)Real Estate agent - Donna Harris

I can provide you with valuable information and expertise if you are buying your first home or are a seasoned real estate investor... interested in new home construction or resale homes... moving around the corner or relocating across the country.

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My current property listings

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5 Trade Up Mistakes To Avoid

Unlike the experience of buying a first home, when you're looking to move-up, and already own a home, there are certain factors that can complicate the situation. It's very important for you to consider these issues before you list your home for sale.

Not only is there the issue of financing to consider, but you also have to sell your present home at exactly the right time in order to avoid either the financial burden of owning two homes or, just as bad, the dilemma of having no place to live during the gap between closings.

Five Strategies

In this report, we outline the five most common mistakes homeowners make when moving to a larger home.  Knowledge of these five mistakes, and the strategies to overcome them, will help you make informed choices before you put your existing home on the market.

1. Rose-coloured glasses
   Most of us dream of improving our lifestyle and moving to a larger home. The problem is that there's sometimes a discrepancy between our hearts and our bank accounts. You drive by a home that you fall in love with only to find that it's more than what you are willing to pay. Most homeowners get caught in this hit and miss strategy of house hunting when there's a much easier way of going about the process. For example, find out if your agent offers a Buyer Profile System or "House Hunting Service," which takes the guess work away and helps put you in a home of your dreams. This type of program will cross-match your criteria with ALL available homes on the market and supply you with printed or e-mailed information on an on-going basis. A program like this helps homeowners take off the rose-coloured glasses and, affordably, move into the home of their dreams.
2. Failing to make the necessary improvements
   If you want to get the best price for the home you're selling, there will certainly be things you can do to enhance it in a prospective buyer's eyes. These fix-ups don't necessarily have to be expensive. But even if you do have to make a minor investment, it will often come back to you ten-fold in the price you are able to get when you sell. It's very important that these improvements be made before you put your home on the market. If cash is tight, investigate an equity loan that you can repay on closing.
3. Not selling first
   You should plan to sell before you buy. This way you will not find yourself at a disadvantage at the negotiating table, feeling pressured to accept an offer that is below market value because you have to meet a purchase deadline. If you've already sold your home, you can buy your next one with no strings attached. If you do get a tempting offer on your home but haven't made significant headway on finding your next home, you might want to put in a contingency clause in the sales contract which gives you a reasonable time to find a home to buy. If the market is slow and you find your home is not selling quickly as you anticipated, another option could be renting your home and putting it up on the market later - particularly if you are selling a smaller, starter home. You'll  have to investigate the tax rules if you choose the later option.
4. Failing to get a pre-approved mortgage
   Pre-approval is a very simple process that many homeowners fail to take advantage of. While it doesn't cost or obligate you to anything , pre-approval gives you a significant advantage when you put an offer on the home you want to purchase because you know exactly how much house you can afford, and you already have the green light from your lending institution. With a pre-approved mortgage, your offer will be viewed far more favorably by the seller - sometimes even if it's a little lower than another offer that's contingent on financing. Don't fail to take this important step.
5. Failing to coordinate closings
   With two major transactions to coordinate together with all the people involved such as mortgage experts, appraisers, lawyers, loan officers, title company representatives, home inspectors or pest inspectors the chances of mix-ups and miscommunication go up dramatically. To avoid a logistical nightmare ensure you work closely with your agent.
   

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Agent Referral

If you are a Real Estate Sales Representative whose clients are relocating, I will be extremely pleased to provide your clients with the special service they deserve.