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Tuesday 8 November 2016

Are you ready to buy up?



No matter how much you love your current property, you may be dreaming of the day you can buy up into a better home in a better neighbourhood.  Is that day today, or, is it a few years down the road?  Here’s a quick way to make that assessment.

First, make a list of all the practical reasons why it might be time to move up. Those reasons might include features such as: more bedrooms, proximity to work and school, a larger backyard with trees, nearby parks and walking paths and better access to things you enjoy like theatre.

Next, make a list of the emotional reasons for making such a move. Those reasons might include memorable get-togethers with friends on a more spacious deck, an easier and less stressful commute to work, more family time with the kids and enjoyable Saturday golf at a nearby course.

Finally, take a financial snapshot to determine if you can afford to move up. You’ll need to get a good idea of what your current property will sell for in today’s market, average price of homes in your desired neighbourhood, and how much mortgage you’ll need. 

Once you have all that down on paper, you’ll have a clear picture of your readiness. If the practical and emotional reasons for buying up are compelling, and you can afford to make the move, then you have your answer.  The time is now! By the way, if you need help in making this determination – especially figuring out what your home will likely sell for, call today.

Tina August, Royal LePage Top Producers, 204-989-6900 or email me at tinalaugust@gmail.com.

Monday 7 November 2016

Knock, Knock! How to Protect Yourself from Door-to Door Scams!


 
It’s early in the evening and there’s a knock on the door. You answer and are greeted by an official-looking man who claims he needs to see your utility bill to confirm you’re getting your energy rebate.  Do you let him in?  While he may be legitimate, he may also be using deception to sell you something you don’t want.

Here are some suggestions for finding out:

• Ask for a business card. Then, check if it has an address, phone number and website. If the salesperson refuses or just shows you his ID card (which anyone can fake), that’s a red flag.
• Ask for the name of his employer. Sometimes salespeople will say they “represent the phone company”. That doesn’t mean they actually work for it.
• Ask if you can call his company to confirm details before buying. If he refuses, or says the office is closed, shut the door.
• Ask if you can consider the offer and call the office the next day to place your order. 
• If you’re really suspicious, ask him to come back later. Then, call the non-emergency police number. Police are aware of common scams in the area.

Most importantly, use your common sense. Door-to-door salespeople can be pretty persuasive, but if something doesn’t seem right to you, trust your gut. Say, “No thanks.” Of course, if everything checks out with the salesperson, and the offer is a good one, consider taking advantage of it.

Tina August, REALTOR(r), Royal LePage Top Producers, 204-989-6900.  Helping Winnipeg and surrounding areas with all of their Real Estate needs.

#scams #protectyourself


Tuesday 13 September 2016


This year I will be sponsoring the Rescue Haven Adoption Center at the Winnipeg Pet Show, with the lovely Amanda Agostino.  In the spirit of this event, I would like to talk about selling your home when you have pets.  When you are preparing your home for the market, you will likely have a list of things you would like to do to the home before presenting it to potential home buyers.  When you focus on those things that need to be done, sometimes it is easy to forget or think about what you will do when the time comes to start showings and you have a pet.  As a pet owner,  myself, our furry friends are very important to us.  It is important to remember that the selling process will be stressful for our fluffy family members, and also present some extra challenges during the selling process.  Be prepared and make this transition as easy as possible, for you, your pets and your future home purchaser.

Below are some great tips on how to prepare your home before listing.

1.)  Do a deep cleaning:  While most people will do a thorough cleaning, when you have pets it is important to remember those hard to see and easy to forget spots,  Make sure to remember to vacuum or sweep behind all furniture, under area rugs, and inside all the closets. Pet hair and dust can accumulate in all of these areas easily. You may even want to consider having your furnace ducts cleaned.  By doing this, it will help to remove any pet odours in the home.

If cleaning is not your thing, consider hiring a professional company to assist you.  Make sure you let them know that you will want the above things done.  If you would like some referrals for some great cleaning companies in Winnipeg, just let me know.

2.)  Clean up your pet belongings:  Pets or not, it is always a great idea to de-clutter your home.  This is one of the most inexpensive ways to prepare your home for sale. When you have pets, remember to clean up items like the following:  cat towers, toys, blankets, beds, and especially cat litter boxes.  You don't have to remove these items from the home, just make sure they are off to the side and there is no risk that someone will step on a squeaky dog toy, or pass a full cat litter box. Consider putting the pet food and water dishes under the sink for showings, the toys and blankets in a little storage box, and PLEASE, make sure that if the cat litter box can't be removed that it is clean and empty. If you have hamsters or rabbits, ensure that their enclosures are clean and fresh as well.

3.)  Clean up the exterior of your home:  The exterior of your home is usually the first thing a purchaser will see, whether they see your home on line, or they drive by. It is always important that this space be clean, and presentable.  But if you have animals, it is even more important to remember that you need to clean up after your pet.  If your furry buddy uses the back yard as its bathroom, remove all evidence of this.  The LAST thing you want is for potential buyers to step in a pile of you know what.

It's also common for animals that have access to the outdoors to dig. Make sure all holes are filled in. If the grass is damaged in the areas that they use, consider levelling it out and putting in some sod.  During the home selling process, it will be important that your animals doesn't have free reign in the yard to dig up all your hard work.  Make sure you supervise your animals while they are in this area afterwards.

4.) Repair any interior damage:  Your home is their home too, and floors usually take a bit of a beating when you have animals.  Make sure that floors are in good condition.  If they are full of scratches, you may want to consider replacing them, if that is in your budget.  If not, be prepared for potential purchasers to take into consideration that they will have to be the ones that do so.  If your pet has chewed on any furniture, walls, etc, make sure that these areas are fixed as well. Check and replace and torn or ripped window screens, lower trim work, cabinet doors etc.

5.)  Don't restrict showings because of your pets!:  Our Real Estate market in Winnipeg is strong, and if your home is properly represented, and priced, the average days on market isn't anything crazy long.  One of the worst things a seller can do, after the home is listed, is to restrict the times showings are allowed, due to their animals.  The primary reason why restricting the times your home can be shown can be detrimental is due to the fact that a buyer will not stop their home search because they cannot get into your home.  You will miss opportunities by doing this.  BE PREPARED.  Make sure you have a plan of action for your pets during the showing part of the process.  Either arrange alternative arrangements for your pets during the day, when you are at work, or make sure you will be able to go home and take them out for a walk or car ride.  You can also consider a kennel, or day care services for your pet.

6.)  Secure your pets:  If you are unable, or unwilling to do the above, please make sure that you restrict your animals to a kennel or crate in the home,  Don't give them free access to roam the home while showings are happening.  Many people have a fear of animals, and/or would be uncomfortable around someone elses pets.   Also, you risk your pets escaping the house, or even worse, hurting a potential buyer, Realtor, or themselves.  Believe me, I have shown many homes that have remarks such as, please don't let the cat/dog out!  Well, if they get out, it's not fun chasing it around the neighbourhood, and unlikely they will listen to a stranger telling them to come back.  Imagine how horrible it would be getting a call at work saying Fido got out during a showing.

7.)  Final thoughts:  Selling a home with pets does add extra challenges to the process, but that doesn't mean that it has to be a stressful experience.  Follow the above suggestions, and I promise you, it will be smooth sailing for you, your furry family member and the many people that will be coming through your home.

For all of your Real Estate questions or needs, feel free to contact me anytime.  Tina August, REALTOR(r), Royal LePage Top Producers. 204-989-6900.





Friday 3 June 2016

51 Jewett Bay, Winnipeg, MB Home for Sale



51 Jewett Bay, Winnipeg, MB
Neighborhood: Charleswood, River West Park
$379,900
MLS# 1614684

For more information, or to book your viewing today, please call Tina August, Royal LePage Top Producers, 204-989-6900, or check out the full listing at www.tinaaugust.ca.

S/S June 3rd. Offers reviewed, evening, June 9th. The long time home owners of 51 Jewett Bay have decided that it is time for a new family to enjoy this beautiful home, nestled in on a quiet Charleswood Bay. The curb appeal on this property will leave you smiling, with it's lovely landscaped front yard, and tasteful combination of brick, wood and stucco siding. Inside you will find a generous 1800 sqft, offering 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, family room w/a beautiful brick fireplace, living room & formal dining room with gleaming hardwood flooring, eat-in kitchen with newer cupboards and counter tops, and a fully finished basement with two additional rooms that are currently being used as a playroom and an office. If having an amazing back yard is important to you, you will love this one! Private & fenced, it features a large deck and tons of hilly green space. Close to Assiniboine Park/Forest, shopping & more. C/A, newer furnace, hwt, shingles+. A must see!

For more photos visit, www.tinaaugust.ca

Listing brought to you by Tina August, Royal LePage Top Producers.  Photo & Video credit to Scott Ziekle Photography.

#51JewettBay #TinaAugust #ScottZielkePhotography #WinnipegRealEstate

Tuesday 2 February 2016

The importance of a home inspection

 So we've found a house you love. Great backyard, gleaming hardwood, and the kitchen of your dreams. But what about the furnace? The wiring? Leaks in the basement? Before you buy, have the home inspected; no matter how experienced you are as a homeowner, it’s the best way to make sure you really know what you’re getting into.

A home inspection will give you the information you need to make an informed decision. The inspector will determine the condition of the house you’re thinking about buying, and let you know if there are any problems. (And the great thing is, the inspector doesn’t care if you buy the house or not, so you can be sure he or she is being objective, even if you’re not.) If you have to make an offer before having a home inspection, make it conditional on a satisfactory inspection.

 
FREE HOME INSPECTION

When you purchase your home with me, I will provide a FREE Home Inspection done with Clear Vision Inspections. Protect yourself, your family and the largest investment you will likely make in your lifetime.  Know the home inside and out, before you make your decision. Your best interest is always my TOP priority. 

Terms and Conditions apply.  For more information please give me a call. Tina August, Royal LePage Top Producers, 204-989-6900!

Friday 8 January 2016

Because the 'To Do' List just keeps getting longer!



It's 2016 and that means a clean slate, a fresh start, resolutions and motivation to do all of those things you have been meaning to do. 

We all do it, start a home project with full intentions of completing them in a timely manner. Then, BAM, life happens and presses the PAUSE button on those jobs.  Months later, we sit back and think to ourselves, 'I will do it next week, I swear'. 

Is your TO DO list around the house just getting longer and longer? Do you need some help crossing some of those projects off your list? My services to you don't stop once you move into your new home.  If you need help, give me a call today and I can provide a list of reliable and professional companies that offer their services, to you, at a DISCOUNT!  These services range anywhere from interior and exterior painting, home cleaning, home staging, home storage needs, lawn care, furniture & appliance purchases, home alarm monitoring and more.

Don't procrastinate any longer.  Get those jobs done and SAVE $$$ doing them too!

Because Helping you is What I Do!



                                                                          204.989.6900