Are you looking to purchase a home? Here are some top strategies for purchasing a home in 2022.

 

  1. If you need financing, set up an appointment with a mortgage broker and discuss your options. Do a full financial analysis with your mortgage professional that includes a credit check, income, and down payment verification. This ensures you are in the strongest position possible when you find the perfect home. Doing the financing portion after you find a home is too late in this market.
  2. Have realistic expectations. The key is to get into the market. Waiting for a “deal” is not going to happen. Everyone else is also waiting for a “deal” which means that a property with a price to good to be true is going to get bid up.
  3. As a first-time home buyer it is important to get into the market. This doesn’t have to be, and likely won’t be, your forever home. Home ownership is the gateway to financial freedom. As my friend and trusted industry professional Dustan Woodhouse, says. BRRR – Buy, renovate, rent, repeat.
  4. Stay positive and don’t get discouraged. Some people are on their 11th or 12th offer. Regroup, keep going, be strategic in what you can offer and figure out how to make your offers as strong and enticing as possible.
  5. The list price is a starting price, it is not the selling price. If you find your dream house, or your forever home, you will be paying a premium in this market. Discover and discuss your comfort level on paying over the list price for getting into a home.
  6. Create the best buyers package for the seller that you can. This is where I can help. My job is to help get your offer accepted by presenting the strongest, most viable, least risky package to the seller.

 

Are you planning on selling your home in 2022? Here are some top strategies for selling your home in the Comox Valley in 2022.

 

  1. Walk through your home as if you are a buyer and fix all the small items that could distract a buyer from seeing the bones of your home.
  2. Be realistic on your price. Even in a seller’s market there is only so much someone will pay for a property. List the house at the minimum you would accept and be happy. If it gets bid up, great. If it doesn’t get bid up and sells at the asking price, you will still be satisfied.
  3. Make the decision as easy as possible for the buyer. Bring in professional cleaners, remove or pack everything in the home except the basics. Clean out cupboards, closets, shelves. Remove excess furniture, tools and ensure your home is staged for selling (which is very different than staged for living).
  4. Have a very flexible schedule for the first few weeks after listing the property. People are actively looking for homes so once your house hits the market people will want to see it. Be prepared.
  5. Ensure appliances are working, hot water tank is not expired and anything that requires servicing is done and up to date. Keep receipts to show what has been done on the home over the past few years. If you can do a pre-home inspection to see what the red flags are and fix those in advance it will show buyers that you care and have pride of ownership. Buyers like buying houses from sellers who care because it is less risky to the buyer.