Anyone who has looked at my site, may wonder why I have a blog at all?

Obviously I am not a "blogger".

I prefer to be out, meeting people and talking face to face, then typing up something that may or may not be read?

However, I thought I would post some information about the market here on the Sunshine Coast, for those folks who are interested to know specifics.

As of today, August 21, 2013 there are 834 active listings of detached homes for sale.

This does not include condo's or bareland.

Of these are the following:

• Single family - 570
• Acreage - 96
• Waterfront - 168

This my friends means we have "a lot" of inventory!

Since January 1, 2013 there have been 340 properties that have sold, again detached homes.

Of these sales are the following:

• Waterfront - 43
• Homes up to $400k - 168
• Homes from $401k to $500k - 49
• Homes from $501k to $600k - 34
• Homes from $601k to $800k - 29
• Homes over $800k - 17

Well, as everyone knows, spring is one of the busiest times of the year for real estate sales.

Many folks are looking to move into their new homes, once the children are out for summer holidays.

As we gear up for a whirl wind of activity, please remember a few key details to help keep the process smooth.

If your looking to sell your present home :

- please clean up! I can't stress this enough, a clean, de-cluttered home shows much better to potential buyers. 

- it is not necessary to put away "absolutely" every personal item, but try to imagine how a buyer will view your home.

- clean out those closets! Give away all those clothes/shoes that you don't wear, we all have the "skinny" clothes we are hoping to fit into at some point in the future, but, perhaps giving them to charity would be more beneficial. A closet that is not "jam packed" with stuff, gives the illusion of space.

- don't forget the window's! Very important to keep clean, including the tracks, clean up those dead flys :-)

- think about how your homes smells? Do you smoke inside? Is it musty? Do you ever open the windows to let fresh air in? Smell is a very strong sense, and can have a negative impact on a first impression.

- try to have basic maintinance done prior to listing your home, such as, having the furnace serviced, cleaning the gutters, removing moss from the roof. 

- curb appeal, not everyone has a green thumb, but curb appeal is important! This is the first impression of any potential buyer. Keep the grass clipped, rake or sweep up any debris from the yard/driveway, place a few small pots with spring flowers around the front entrance. In general, a clean and tidy yard shows you care and buyers notice!

If your looking to purchase a home :

- talk to several mortgage specialists! You are shopping for financing, just like shopping for a new car, or any other big purchase, this is a big deal! Find out as much information as you can, and work with someone you feel comfortable with, and can offer you a product that works for your individual needs!

-once your pre-qualified, find a Realtor who again, you feel comfortable with. This person should "always" have your best interests in mind. If they are only interested in showing you "their" listings, perhaps you need to work with someone else.

- be realistic about wants versus needs. Even if your budget is unlimited (lucky you) chances of finding a home with "exactly" everything on your wish list, is rare. Be honest with yourself about what you really need.

- be open to looking at homes that might not be at the top of your list, maybe the photo's turned you off? Sometimes people don't know what they want, until they see it. This is often the case. If your working with a good Realtor, who understands you, they may encourage you to view a home that is not on your list. Try to keep an open mind, you never know?

- if you have children, look into the local schools, community involvement and recreation. As they say, location, location, location! This should be important for all members of your family.

- be patient, finding the right home can sometimes take longer than expected.

If you would like more information:

I'm always available to assist you and answer any questions you may have.

Happy Spring :-)

Sincerely,

Louise