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Help us Celebrate Royal LePage’s 100th Birthday! Fill out a Ballot at Royal LePage Wolle Realty’s Weekend Open Houses from June 8th- June 22nd 2013 for a chance to WIN!!

The contest starts this Saturday June 8th and will run until Saturday, June 22nd. Ballots can only be filled out at the open houses. You must attend participating open house to participate. There is no purchase necessary and no skill testing question required.  Contest is not open to agents or employees of Royal LePage Wolle Realty. Contest closes at 4pm on June 22nd, 2013. Winners will be announced June 28th, 2013.

 By Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) admin •June 5th, 2013

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (June 4, 2013) –– Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in May were up 16.1 per cent compared to the same time last year. Led by strong sales of single detached homes, it’s the first time sales have surpassed the 700 unit mark in the Month of May since 2007.

A total of 765 residential properties were sold in the month of May compared to 659 the same time last year. Comparing the 5-year average for the month of May shows a 16.3 per cent jump in activity this past month. Year-to-date sales are practically on par with the same time last year nudging up by six residential sales.

“Waterloo region’s residential real estate market was alive and well in May, says Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of KWAR. “On a year-to-date basis, we are seeing sales activity that is right in line with last year’s results and a little above the 5 year average.”

May’s sales included 528 single detached homes (up 17.9 % from last year) 122 condominium units (up 2.5 %), 59 semi-detached (up 20.4 %) and 45 freehold townhouses (up 18.4 %). Year-to-date residential sales were 3.5 per cent above the 5-year average with a total of 2,860 units to date.

The average sale price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS

® System increased 6.9 percent last month to $333,288 compared with May 2012. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $378,473 an increase of 7.4 per cent compared to last year. The average sale price for a condominium was $212,638, an increase of 3.8 percent compared to May 2012.

“The spring home buying season was in full swing in May,” says President Sommerfeld. “This was reflected in the strong price gains and is a sign of the confidence that homebuyers have in the local housing market and Waterloo region as a great place to live and invest.

The KWAR cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Those requiring specific information on property values should contact a local REALTOR®.

(Source)

Q. We are thinking about selling our house on our own, without using a Realtor, to save money. Do you have any advice?

A. If you are thinking of selling your home without a Realtor, there are many things to consider.

• Do you have a background in real estate? Do you know what your house appraises for? Do you know the value of your home compared to other homes in your area? How does your house show compared to other homes in the same price range? How well do you understand real estate contracts? What will it cost you to have your attorney view the offer and other documents?
• What have you budgeted for advertising? How do you intend for others to find out that your home is for sale? Have you checked into the cost of running ads?
• Do you have a plan for showing your home to potential buyers? Are you able to put your life on hold every time someone wants to tour your home? How frustrated will you get if they make multiple appointments to view your home but never show up? Have you considered yours and your family’s safety when letting strangers in to view your home?
• Will your feelings towards potential buyers be affected if they criticize your decorating style, cleanliness or landscaping?
• How are your negotiating skills? Just as you, the seller, want a good deal, so too does the buyer.

Do you have the time to research the answers to the above questions so that you’re well prepared to sell your home yourself?

Sellers may believe that if they sell their home themselves, they’ll get more money for their house. At the same time, the buyer often believes he or she is entitled to a lower price if a Realtor isn’t involved in the transaction. Without a Realtor, when a buyer and seller try to agree on a price, there’s no one to negotiate the deal. The sellers are on one side and the buyer is on another, so the deal falls apart.

Buying and selling a home is a complicated process. Unless you have a background in real estate, you should reconsider selling your own home on your own. Because your home is your most valuable asset, wouldn’t you want professional help so you get the best deal possible when you sell it?

Realtors have all kinds of resources and experience that you may not. They have access to multiple listing services, or the MLS. This is a site many potential homebuyers visit. Many Realtors also have their own websites. Even if you took the time to create your own website about your home, how would potential homebuyers learn about the site to visit it?

There are so many reasons to seek out a professional to help you sell your house. I’ve seen too many deals fall through because sellers try to sell their own home but lack the necessary expertise, and they won’t negotiate with the buyer.

Good luck as you make a decision about selling your home

That’s why I say……Don’t put it on HOLD….call RIZ to get it SOLD!!! ™