HOME BUYING TIPS:

When buying a home, you have to juggle three important factors - your prospective home's location, cost and style. Your goal may be to buy a single family detached home for $100,000.00 in an urban neighborhood. But you may have to settle for two out of three. An urban semi-detached home may be available for your price, or you may need to look in the suburbs for the price and style you want.

Your choice of location depends primarily where you work, and your family lifestyle. Do you want to live near recreation facilities such as a golf course or skating rink? How close are your children's schools? Is public transportation available? Other important factors need to be considered when choosing the location of your home. For example, have property values risen or fallen in the neighborhood? Future development can also affect property values and property taxes, so you'll want to consider whether there are any changes to zoning proposed or any major developments planned. Zoning bylaws may also affect your own plans, such as conducting a business from your home.

When trying to decide what style of home to buy, it's a good idea to draw up a master list of all the features you want your new home to have. Try to be honest about what you're looking for. Your vision will likely change based on what is available. This may not be the dream home you'd buy if you won the lottery, but rather the home that your family can afford now and that will meet your needs for the next few years. Consider such questions as: Are you starting a family or having more children? How many bedrooms will you need? Will a home office be required? If you think you'll need more space, consider buying a larger home now or one with the potential for renovation or an addition.
 

HOME SELLING TIPS:

With a little help from you, your home can be sold more quickly and at a better price. These tips have proved invaluable to owners and are worth your special attention:

1. First impressions are lasting. The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it is fresh, and clean looking. Keep lawn trimmed and edged, and the yard free of refuse. Walks, steps, and driveways clear of snow or ice.

2. Decorate for a quick sale.Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal. Why try to tell the prospect how your home could look, when you can show him by redecorating? A quicker sale at a higher price will result.

3. Let the sunshine in. Open draperies and curtains and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be. (Dark rooms do not appeal).

4. Fix the faucet! Dripping water discolours sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.

5. Repairs can make a big difference.Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from home value. Have them fixed.

6. From top to bottom.Display the full value of your attic, basement and other utility space by romoving all unnecessary articles. Brighten dark, dull basements by painting walls.

7. Safety first.Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.
8. Make closets look bigger.Neat well ordered closets show that the space is ample.

9. Bathrooms help sell homes. Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Make this room sparkle.

10. Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture. Use attractive bedspreads and freshly laundered curtains.

11. Can you see the light: Illumination is like a welcome sign. The potential buyer will feel a glowing warmth when you turn on all your lights for an evening inspection.

12. Three's a crowd.Avoid having too many people present during inspections. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.

13. Music is mellow. Turn off the television and have only soft music on the radio or stereo.

14. Pets underfoot? Keep them out of the way, preferable out of the house.

15. Silence is golden. Be courteous, but don't force conversation with the potential buyer. He wants to inspect your house, not pay a social call.

16. A word to the wise: Don't oversell. Your house will sell itself if it's what the buyer is looking for.

Remember the golden rule: Treat your prospective buyer the way you would want to be treated
if you were in their place, you will never go wrong.

SERVICE IS SOVEREIGNTY
- ABDUL MANNAN