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Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team March Newsletter

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In case you haven’t already noticed, there has been a little more action in the real estate market lately. This activity is common during the spring and summer months. After all, summer is an ideal time to make a move. If you have any questions about what’s going on in the real estate market – please give me a call, I’d be glad to help.

Thinking of Moving? Two Things You Need to Know

If you’re thinking of making a move within the next few months, there are two important things you 0316Article1need to know.

The first is the market value of your current property. That’s the amount your home will likely sell for in today’s market. When you know its market value, you’ll have a better idea of how much money will be available to invest in a new home.

The second is an overview of what’s available on the market. Which of the homes currently available for sale meet your criteria with respect to the type of home, its special features (such as a big kitchen or pool), the neighbourhood, etc? How much are these homes selling for?

With those two pieces of information, you’ll be able to make a better decision. FREE Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation

Making the Right Offer

You’ve shopped around and attended a few select viewings. Now you’ve found the home of your dreams. 0316Article2It’s yours – as long as you make the right offer!

So how do you make the right offer? That’s a very important question to consider.

If your offer is too low, you risk the seller turning you down. You may not get a chance to make a second offer, especially if there are already multiple offers for the property.

If your offer is too high, you’ll leave thousands of dollars on the table… money that could have been used for other important things, like renovations or a family vacation.

So before deciding how much to offer for a home you want, we need to talk. Contact me for more information.

We will discuss what goes into a good offer and other ways to strengthen your offer, such as getting a pre-approved mortgage certificate. How to Avoid 9 Common Buyer Traps BEFORE Buying a Home

Hiring the Right Moving Company

How do you select the best moving company for your needs?0316Article3

Ask for recommendations.
Beware of fly-by-night operations. They may seem like a bargain, but you get what you pay for.

Request a written estimate and contract. (Beware of movers that just give you a price over the phone.)
Confirm they are covered by insurance, and clarify their policy regarding lost or broken items. Make sure you receive a copy of their insurance certificate.

Finally, always ask what circumstances would result in extra charges being applied. The number one complaint received about movers by the Better Business Bureau is unexpected extra charges.

Questions about moving? Call today.

 

notable, quotable… quotes!

“The road to someday leads to the town of nowhere.”

Tony Robbins

“Learn to listen. Opportunity could be knocking at your door very softly!”

Frank Tyger

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

February 2016 Marketwatch

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Track the Winnipeg Real Estate Market!! Free Automated Email Service allows you to track the MLS market in real time. Follow the values in any neighborhood in Winnipeg. Find out what your neighbor’s house down the street sold for. Follow Winnipeg MLS listings in real time. Visit Winnipeg Market Tracker!

 
This information is courtesy of:
The Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team
Royal LePage Top Producers
Winnipeg MB
Phone: (204) 792-6453

Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team February Newsletter

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When you’re involved in real estate, the focus is always on the future. So, even though it feels like time moves slowly at this time of year – it’s the perfect time to look ahead to the Spring. If you would like a professional perspective on the current real estate market and expectations for 2016, please give me a call, text or send me an email. After all, the Spring market really is just around the corner.

How Do You Determine What You Need to Do?

Say you’re a homeowner wanting to sell your two-storey, detached home. You sit down and make a list of things that need to get done to make your property as attractive as possible to buyers.

You consider the backyard. “Hmm,” you think. “Doesn’t our deck need a new finish and our flowerbed need new edging stones?”

Then you think about the living room. “The carpeting is old. We really should replace it.”

Then you step into the kitchen and think, “Our kitchen cabinets look worn. We should get a contractor to quote on replacing them. Maybe we should install a brand new shiny sink and faucet too. That should increase the resale value of our home, shouldn’t it?”

Before you know it, you have a long list of updates, repairs and renovations that you think should be done before listing and you haven’t even reached the second floor!

It’s easy to get carried away with a list of repairs and upgrades that need to be done to prepare your home for the market. But, you don’t want to end up spending more money than you’ll ever get back from the eventual sale. So, how do you determine what improvements you should be making in order to get your property ready to be listed?

That’s easy. Talk to us.

We can inspect your property and advise you of the repairs and upgrades you need to make. We will know what buyers are looking for, and will also have a good idea of the return on investment you can expect from a particular improvement.

We may also be able to recommend reputable tradespeople and other professionals to assist you in making those improvements.

So go ahead and make that long list. Then, let’s review it, so you can make an informed decision on how to get your property ready for sale.

 

Making a Good “Second” Impression

stairsYou’ve heard the term “curb appeal”. It refers to the first impression a buyer gets when he or she first arrives at your home and looks at it from the outside.

That first impression is critical. But there is a “second” impression that is also very important. That’s the impression buyers get when they open your front door and look inside. Make sure that everything looks great from that perspective too — clean, bright, uncluttered and welcoming.

 

Little Things Make a Big Difference

kitThere’s no doubt about it. A completely renovated room – especially a kitchen or bathroom – will really impress home buyers. That room will probably look brand new and very stylish.

But you don’t have to do a full “tear-down-the-walls” type of renovation to upgrade the look of a room. In fact, just a few minor improvements can make a big difference.
For example, upgrading wall plates is an easy and inexpensive way to add a lot more style and personality to a room.

In the kitchen, installing new hardware on existing cabinets can have a dramatic impact. So, look around your house to determine where small improvements could make a big difference.

 

 notable, quotable… quotes!

“You were born to win. But to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”

Zig Ziglar

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.”

Tony Robbins

“The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.”

Michelangelo

2015 SALES SOLID WITH PRICES HOLDING FIRM – December Sales Up 4%

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For More Information Contact Michael Leclerc at 204-792-6453

WINNIPEG –   2015 finished on a strong note.  Following on the heels of a record sales month for November, December sales of 642 were up 4% from last December. They are the third highest for this month, and are only behind the best sales years ever by a very modest amount.

 

While sales and even prices have shown consistent and similar results, listings have not chartered the same path. The numbers of listings entered on the MLS® were 24,603 in 2015, up 7% over 2014, and 41% over the 10-year average of 17,433. With an increase in listings but sales remaining consistent, the market’s inventory has also been rising month to month. This is borne out in having over 5 months of inventory available going into 2016.

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An indicator of stiffer competition for selling your home is evident when you see the number of single family home sales selling below list price.  Properties below list accounted for 65% in 2014 but now represent 75% of the market in 2015. In December alone 87% of all single family home sales sold below list price. Of the single family or residential-detached listings which sold in 2015, on average they achieved 98% of the total list price.

 

When 2015 was all said and done a new MLS® dollar volume record was established at $3.5 billion. This resulted in a 2% increase over 2014. Despite sales being higher this December from December 2014, dollar volume actually fell 2.89% when compared to December 2014.

 

It was a tale of different stories when it came to the two primary MLS® property types. Residential-detached performed exceedingly well with sales and dollar volume up 3 and 5% respectively in comparison to 2014. On the other hand, condominiums never recovered from an unexpectedly poor first quarter where sales were off by 20%. By year end this deficit was cut in half but nonetheless represented a 10% decrease compared to 2014.

 

The average sales price for residential-detached was $293, 992, a 2% increase over 2014. The average condominium sales price showed a 1% decrease from $239,171 in 2014 to $236,204 this year.

 

Residential-detached represented nearly 3 out of every 4 properties which sold on MLS® in 2015. Condominium market share was 12.5%. 25% of residential-detached sales in 2015 happened outside Winnipeg in the capital region. The southwest quadrant of Winnipeg was second with 19% of total sales.

 

The most active price range for residential-detached sales in 2015 was $250,000-$299,999 (22% of total sales), followed by the $200,000-$249,999 (17%) and the $300,000-$349,999 (14%).  Average days on the market for residential-detached sales was 33 days, 3 days slower than 2014. The highest-priced residential-detached sale was $2.7 million. The least expensive sale was $8,000.
It pays to know the average price of homes for sale in your neighbourhood, as well as that of homes that have sold, including both over-list and under-list sales. We track all Winnipeg neighbourhoods daily, which allows us to more accurately set list prices on the homes we sell, while also making intelligent offers. If you would like a Free Home Value Appraisal in all areas of Winnipeg, please Contact Us or Call (204) 792-6453. We track the market closely and you can too with Winnipeg Market Tracker.

 

The most active price range for condominiums in 2015 was $150,000-$199,999 (30% of total sales), followed by the $200,000-$249,999 (20%) and the $250,000-$299,999 (18%). Average days on market for condominium sales was 49 days, 9 days off the pace set in 2014. The highest-priced condominium sale was $950,000. The least expensive sale was $57,000.

 

Looking ahead to 2016, Manitoba’s GDP is expected to increase to 2.3% which is an improvement over the expected increase of 2.0% in 2015. In keeping with one of the country’s best GDP’s, Manitoba’s employment is forecast to grow by 1.6% in 2015 and 1% in 2016. This will keep its unemployment rate below 6%. Manitoba had Canada’s second highest population increase of 1% in 2015.

The Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team
Royal LePage Top Producers
Winnipeg MB
Phone: (204) 792-6453

The Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team January Newsletter

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new-yearThe beginning of a New Year is the ideal time to set our sights on achieving the things that really matter to us. My first priority in 2016 is to look after my customers.

I want you to know that I will continue to work hard to earn your confidence and support in the coming year. I will keep you apprised of the Real Estate market in general, and look forward to the opportunity to work directly on your behalf.

 

Finding the Right Professionals
If you’re considering buying a new home, one of your most important tasks is to find the right 1professionals to help you. You’ll need a good REALTOR® and possibly other professionals such as a real estate lawyer, contractor, cleaner, carpet installer, plumber, electrician and a moving company.

How do you find the right people to make your move go smoothly?

First, start with professionals you already know in some way.

You may already know someone – a contractor, for example – that you like and trust. If so, then it makes sense to talk to him or her about your plans.

Also, consider those professionals who have taken the time to reach out to you by way of a visit, phone call or helpful newsletters (like this one). They’re demonstrating their interest in getting to know you and being of service. It makes sense to give them a call.

Another tactic is to ask for recommendations. Ask friends, neighbours, and even other professionals if they can recommend a good company to help you. Chances are, they can.

You’ll find that most professionals, such as REALTORS®, have a network of trusted people and companies they recommend. A good REALTOR® can probably give you all kinds of real estate related referrals.

If you need a recommendation, please call today.

 

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The Emotional Side of Selling

Let’s face it. Selling your home is as much an emotional decision as it is a practical one.2

Sure, in some ways, a property is a “product”. You want to sell that product quickly and for the best price, so you can buy your next dream home.

A home, however, is also a place filled with memories and emotional attachments. You’ll think of the rec room where the kids’ birthday parties were held; the dining room where you had countless family dinners; and the backyard deck where many afternoons were spent enjoying the sunshine.

That’s why managing the emotional side of selling your home is so important. Here are some tips:

  • Have your kids draw pictures of the fun they’ll have in their new home.
  • Remind your kids that they’ll be able to stay in touch with their old friends, while making new ones.
  • Visit neighbourhoods where you’d like to find your next home. Walk around. Get a sense of what it’s going to be like to live there.
  • Consider taking a keepsake with you from your old home to help ease the transition.

Want more ideas for making your next move go smoothly? Call today.

It pays to know the average price of homes for sale in your neighbourhood, as well as that of homes that have sold, including both over-list and under-list sales. We track all Winnipeg neighbourhoods daily, which allow us to be more accurate, set list prices on the homes we sell, while also making intelligent offers. If you would like a Free Home Value Appraisal  of your current home in Winnipeg or surrounding area  , please Contact Us or Call (204) 792-6453. We track the market closely and you can too with Winnipeg Market Tracker.

What To Do When Closing Dates Don’t Match

If you want to sell your current property and purchase your next dream home, you might be concerned that the closing dates need to be on the same day.3

You might be worried about losing a property if the closing dates overlap, or being put out on the street if the dates are far apart!

For the most part, these concerns are unfounded. Thousands of properties change hands every day and usually everything works out just fine. In fact, it’s amazing how often closing dates actually do match!

But what happens if the closing date of the home you want to buy is days or weeks earlier than the closing date of your own property?

Most lenders anticipate this situation and offer something called “Bridge Financing.” This is a special loan that allows you to purchase the property with the earlier closing date. When your current property closes, the bridge financing ends and your new mortgage – if you need one – begins on the new home.

Alternatively, if the home you want has a later closing date, your REALTOR® can help you explore options, such as finding a short-term rental.

Track the Winnipeg Real Estate Market!! Free Automated Email Service allows you to track the MLS market in real time. Follow the values in any neighborhood in Winnipeg. Find out what your neighbor’s house down the street sold for. Follow Winnipeg MLS listings in real time. Visit Winnipeg Market Tracker!

 
This information is courtesy of:
The Michael Leclerc Home Selling Team
Royal LePage Top Producers
Winnipeg MB
Phone: (204) 792-6453