Just think you can be one of the elite with your luxury home listed with Christine Higgins at Coldwell Banker.  We reach across the globe to get you the best exposure for your property!

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What is my property worth?

If a number immediately popped into your head when you read this question, I have a few more questions for you:

 
• How did you arrive at that value—detailed research, neighbourhood gossip, property tax market assessment or a comparative market evaluation from your local real estate professional?Why do you think real estate value for a specific property can be represented by one number and not a range of values based on the variety of value factors and prospective buyers for your property?
• How important is it for you to know the value of what is probably your principal asset and, therefore, to understand your full real estate purchasing power in this market?
•  What are the consequences of being wrong about the value you’re so sure of?

 

If you have no idea of your property’s value or little confidence in what you know, why have you not taken advantage of free opportunities to determine the current market value of your real estate?

Real estate brokers and salespersons routinely offer their services for a ”free market evaluation.  What could that evaluation include:

Solds: A property is worth exactly what a buyer is ready to pay for it. Analysing actual solds for your location and for properties similar to yours in surrounding neighbourhoods will provide solid ground for establishing value.  

Expireds: These are listings which terminated at the end of the usual thirty- to ninety-day period without a sale. Expireds are typically considered to be over-priced for the market, based on the condition of the property and current buyer patterns. These listings can also represent insight into marketing strategies to avoid or to adopt in your area.

Currents: If your property were listed, how would it compare with the other houses or condominiums that buyers shopping that location or that price range would be shown? It’s buyers’ needs, wants and what’s “in,” not sellers’ costs, that determine value.

Value Boosters: Repairs, modernizations and improvements to your property can boost value. The real estate professional will offer some simple, cosmetic suggestions and others which may involve investment with a predictable return. Listening to these suggestions is the beginning of learning to separate pride of ownership from investment realities. What you love is not necessarily what buyers will pay top dollar for in your location.

 The real estate professional will explain why market value is a range rather than an absolute value. The relationship between that value and property-tax market value will also be discussed since local variations are significant. As part of the evaluation, real estate professionals usually outline their services. Don’t discount this as a sales pitch. It may be, but it is also an important opportunity for you to learn what you’d get for your money—the commission. If you’ve been out of the market for a while, this is a valuable education. Technology provides sellers and buyers with more access to listing information than ever before. Brokerage services and standards have also changed. Bring yourself up to date.

Real estate professionals welcome opportunities to “talk real estate” and to share their expertise or they would not offer the free evaluation service. Get a head start on the spring market by learning what your real estate represents in purchasing power.

How much will you get: Max: $8,000 first time buyers and Max for repeat buyers $6,500

Are there income limits: Yes

Who Qualifies: First time buyers and/or have not owned a residence for the past 3 years. Repeat buyers: principal residence for 5 consecutive years within the last 8 years. 

How do you get the benefit: buyers can appliy the credit to their 2009 tax returns, amended 2009 returns or apply the credit to 2010