SPRING HOUSE HUNTING TIPS

By Shawn Lackie SPECIAL TO THE STANDARD

As we head out of one of the most challenging winters we have seen in years, we head towards the spring market. Some old habits die hard. Used to be that certain parts of the Real Estate cycle were more lucrative than others. And we have all heard ad nauseam about the SPRING MARKET. That would come from potential sellers waiting through the winter until they could list their home for the spring.

Except that over the last decade or so, buyer habits have changed. It's now a 12-month market, and people really do shop in the dead of winter. I sold a home on New Year's Eve one year. I was given a hard time about why I would be showing a home at that time of the year, and guess what? It was sold and sealed in a week. It was a good way to start off the new year.

So, since we are on this topic, how about some tips for house hunting? The best way to start is by doing your homework. Start with your agent. If you have one, you are already on the way. If you don't, you will need to find one that matches your mindset and ideals. It makes life a lot easier.

Be very clear about what you are looking for and make that known to your agent. I can't count the number of times I have been told the client was only looking for bungalows, yet their agent kept sending them listings with two-storeys.

We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Some agents have yet to figure that out. Once you have established the what, why, when and where, you can get to the how and how much.

The most important part: If your budget says one thing, don't ignore that and look at places that would not work. You're wasting your time, the realtor's time, and the seller's time. Keep it simple and to the point. Find a specific area where you want to live and look for any listings that come up.

Research the area. I had one client (former CFL quarterback) who interviewed the athletic directors of the local high schools to find which best suited his kids. Might be a little over the top but at least he knew what he was looking for.

Take the time to plan your showings—not too many in a day. Once you get to the 6th or 7th, it becomes a blur, and they all look the same. Make notes as you go along while you are at the home. It's better to stay fresh, and it will give you great reference for later when you are re-capping the day.

Ask all the right questions about the area: schools, shopping, transit, daycare, proximity to major highways—anything that would influence your lifestyle. Also, have your rep check into what has sold recently and how viable the area is for a possible future sale.

Discuss your exit strategy before your entrance strategy. Just stay diligent and cover all the bases. At the end of the day, do a review with your agent and then agree to discuss among yourselves. You don't have to make regrettable rash or hasty decisions in a balanced market. If you cover all aspects with care and deliberation you should have a positive outcome.Happy Spring Hunting.

As always, if you have any Real Estate questions or suggestions for future stories, feel free to email me at slackie14@hotmail.com. I love to hear from you.