Six tips to ensure a smooth house closing

Real estate closings can be fraught with complications and setbacks, but they can go smoothly and quickly — if planned for carefully.

You may think that an “all cash” deal would go through closing faster than a sale that involves a mortgage — but that is not always the case. Unresolved title issues, such as an unknown mechanics lien from a former building contractor or boundary or unsettled disputes from the past can show up.

Also, serious structural problems with the property may be revealed in an inspection report, and they can cause weeks or even months of delay. The buyer’s cash to close might not arrive to the closing agent in time, or the wrong amount may be received. In order to prevent these potential problems — and others — there are several things you can do.

One common issue that often delays a closing is repair disputes. If you are the seller, it’s a good idea to have a general building inspection before you list your house for sale. You may find problems that you were previously unaware existed, and you can then either correct them, or consider selling your property in an “as is” condition.

Keep in mind, however, that you may be required by law to disclose any “known” structural defects to the new buyer. You may not necessarily have to repair the problem, but you would need to be sure that you make an exclusion for that needed repair in your agreement with the buyer. Prior to closing, be sure that the property is in the condition promised — all required repairs completed and the house and yard cleared of any personal items, including old cars, tools, trash.

Ask a real estate agent, local title company or closing agent to perform a “preliminary title report” for your review — especially if you suspect there is or might be a possibility of a prior lien, estate or divorce problem that could affect your title to the property. If you review this report early on — even before you offer your house for sale — and clear up any existing issues, you will avert a possibly long delay due to title defects.

If you are a buyer who will be getting a mortgage to finance the property, there are several things you can do to speed up the loan process and be sure the deal closes on time:

• Get conditional approval before making the offer. Getting pre-approved for a loan will help you determine how much you can afford and give you a realistic expectation of the price range for your new house. Buyers who have been pre-approved by a lender are generally those who are able to finalize their loan application faster and more efficiently than ones who have not been pre-qualified.
• Have your documents together. Assemble your bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns and other documents as soon as possible — even before you begin looking for a house to buy. Often, getting these documents together takes time and the better you prepare, the faster your loan will be approved — and processed. If you are unsure of which documents you need, ask your local bank for a “mortgage loan checklist.” Most lenders post these checklists online, and they will readily give you a guideline regarding what you will need to provide.
• Work with an experienced mortgage lender. Whether you use a mortgage broker, or work directly with a lender, ask what the average time is for processing a loan application and, specifically, how quickly they will be able to complete your mortgage. Try to anticipate potential setbacks, like any credit or employment-related problems you know exist and ask what you need to do to clear those up.
• Make sure that you have the money for closing costs. The lender will require proof that you have sufficient funds for the down payment and closings costs prior to closing. Be sure those funds are readily available, and be prepared to wire or present a cashier’s check on the day before closing.
• Create a timeline for any repairs the seller is obligated to make. Make sure any repairs the seller has agreed to make are completed on time — ideally, at least several days before your scheduled closing. Do the final walk-through inspection the day before closing, or sooner, if the seller agrees.
• Contact your lender on the day before and on the day of closing. Lenders notoriously ask for information at the last minute — a copy of a canceled check, proof of insurance, or a recent bank statement. A day or two before closing, contact your lender and ask if everything will be ready for the closing date. On the day of closing, verify with your closing agent that the loan documents have been received. If not, ask what is causing the delay and if there is anything you can do to help speed things up. Often, it is a case of just one missing document or one final verification.

Once the repairs have been made, the title issues resolved, the loan approved, and all the documents prepared for signature, both the buyer and seller can further assure the closing goes smoothly by reviewing all of the documents at least 24 hours before all the concerned parties meet. (If you close after Aug. 1, you will be able to review documents three days before settlement.) This is your chance to ask any final questions you may have or point out any errors you notice.

Stay in control of your closing, and try to be as involved in the process as possible.

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Local SEO tips for real estate professionals

Search engine optimization is complicated and tedious. The last thing you want to hear is that you need to do more of it.

But the fact is, local search is vital to your success as a real estate agent. According to the National Association of Realtor’s recent Digital House Hunt study, “69 percent of home shoppers who take action on a real estate brand website begin their research with a local term, i.e. ‘Houston homes for sale,’ on a search engine.”

In other words, around seven out of 10 buyer leads that come from your website started with local search. Let’s assume all real estate websites in your target area generated 1,000 leads last month. Of these 1,000 leads, 690 came from local searches. This breakdown from Search Engine Watch illustrates how a company’s search ranking affects traffic: If your company ends up in the very first spot in someone’s search results, you end up with 33 percent of the web traffic. The company beneath you gets around 18 percent of the traffic. The people in position no. 3 get 11 percent, and those who rank fourth tend to get 8 percent.

Based on our hypothetical scenario of 1,000 leads, if you don’t rank in the top four positions, you potentially miss out on 483 local-search leads — nearly half of all potential website leads in your area.

Do I have your attention now?

One particularly confusing local SEO concept is figuring out the end results of all your efforts. Here are the three main places businesses show up in local search results:

1. Local Pack or Local Carousel. The local pack is the section of business listings that appear above the typical, organic listings. These sections usually contain seven business listings that include a business’ name, address and phone number, with additional information available when hovered over. Here’s how to appear in the local pack:
• Own your Google My Business page.
• Optimize your Google My Business page.
• Build a location landing page on your website (more on this below)
2. Organic Search Results. This is likely what you think of when you visualize Google search results. The first page of searches reveals ten results and they often show up as website links, images, news sources, videos, social media posts, and social media profiles. If you want to show up in the local organic results:
• Optimize your website for specific local search keywords.
• Own a host of fresh, high-quality, and locally optimized content such as blogs, local resource pages, and MLS listings.
• If your business has multiple locations, create the proper website structure that reflects all target locations.
3. Google Maps Results. Many local searchers skip traditional search and go straight to Google Maps for information such as driving directions, reviews, business hours, and even coupons or specials. If you want to show up in Google Maps results:
• Have a Google My Business page.
• Accept walk-in customers, and post your business hours on Google My Business.

These recommendations represent the bare minimum you need to do to get Google’s attention for ranking. If you’re in a competitive market, I recommend you go above and beyond with your websites, social media, and Internet directory listings.

Google My Business Page Optimization

When I ask people about their Google Plus presence, I typically get a response similar to, “Isn’t that dead, like MySpace?” or “Nobody is on there, right?”

Well here’s a news flash for Google Plus haters: In 2014, Google merged Google Places and Google Plus into its new Google My Business platform. This means if you want to show up in Google’s local pack search results, you must have a Google Plus page. It’s no longer an advantage; it’s required.

The information Google pulls from its users’ social interactions proves incredibly valuable to its algorithm’s accuracy. Google sees its duty as serving up the most accurate and valuable content on the web. The more social signals it has, the better it does its job. Google wants your information in the form of your My Business page, and in exchange you can receive reviews, share content, and give your customers the ability to interact with you.

So what’s our key takeaway? Make sure you set up your My Business page completely and, more important, start using it. And this does mean use it just like you would Facebook or Twitter — post to it, comment on other people’s content, and make connections.

The Role of Social Media in Local SEO

Each time you +1 a webpage, like a Facebook post, or retweet a link, you essentially offer up your vote of confidence for this piece of content. The more “votes” the content gets, the more popular it appears to be. The more popular it appears, the higher the likelihood of other people finding it valuable as well.

Since search engines look to provide top-notch content, it’s safe to assume creating popular content greatly benefits you and your business. Moreover, what better way is there to determine popularity than with each of those little votes of confidence? I won’t tell you Google simply ranks your blog posts higher because you’ve earned 50 Facebook likes while your competitor amasses just 10; there is a whole lot more to it than that. But I will tell you Google strongly considers a difference in likes to be a contributing factor.

So how do you get social savvy? Engaging in social media, posting more on social channels, and building a larger following certainly helps. But the days of gaming search engines with keyword-stuffed domain names, bloated descriptions, and fluffed-up blog posts ended years ago. Today, Google simply desires valuable content. This means people actually need to like what you create if you want lasting SEO success. So next time you sit down to write a blog post, make sure it solves a real need for your audience.

Landing Page Optimization

Google doesn’t know the location of your target audience, nor does it know your website focuses on a specific city (or set of cities). You need to tell Google manually by setting up a location landing page and optimizing the rest of your site with local keywords and metadata.

A location landing page is a specific page on your website that you optimize with local information. This tells Google where you intend to focus your local search efforts. This page should show your business information (business name, address, and phone number), as well as a map with driving directions. These features help tell Google a real business owns your website. For much more in-depth tips on proper setup, watch this landing page tutorial.

If you are a single-location operation, you can simply use your home page as a location landing page by optimizing it as mentioned above, then linking it to your Google My Business page. But it gets tricky if you own offices in multiple cities. If this is the case, it’s important you have a separate location landing page for each office or branch as shown in the image below. Optimize each landing page as mentioned above, and each should also have a separate Google My Business profile. When setting up multiple locations for your business, use the My Business Locations manager to keep everything tidy.

Citations

Yellow Pages, Yelp, Foursquare, Superpages, and other directories are all popular search destinations. In order to have maximum exposure, you should claim listings on as many of these sites as possible. In local search language, these directory listings are called “citations.”

Of course, getting found on Yelp isn’t the only reason to have a Yelp listing; Google understands the importance of these websites as well. Having many citations around the web gives Google more information about your business, including the opportunity for more reviews — Google loves real-time customer feedback.

Source: realtybiznews.com

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9 Tips For Building A Profitable Real Estate Team

Everybody has an opinion on real estate teams. Some agents are for them because they view it as an opportunity to delegate tasks they don’t enjoy doing while simultaneously putting more money in the bank by having more labor available to help them grow the business. Others have a different opinion — they tend to be “anti-team” because they enjoy the independence that comes with being a real-estate agent and don’t look forward to having to manage other people.

That being said, there’s a lot of pressure in real estate to form teams — most franchises and many brokers will push you to build a team because it ultimately increases their profit, and odds are you’re being sold on a myriad array of benefits that having a team can provide for you. Building a team isn’t for everybody, but if you get into it with realistic expectations and good planning beforehand, it can help you to build profitability and grow your real estate business.

When it comes to teams, Julie and I believe that small is better, and profit is best. The goal of having a real estate team isn’t power, awards or industry accolades. At the end of the day, the sole benefit of having a team should be money in your bank account. With that in mind, we recently presented the points below on our “Real Estate Coaching Radio” program to help you build a team in the most profitable way possible.

Building A Profitable Real Estate Team

1. Always lead with revenue. Build after you have profit and after you have savings — not the other way around. For a long time, the belief was that you build the team, and the transactions will magically follow. That’s proven to be bad advice because when you’re adding overhead before revenue it leads to trouble. Follow the 30/30/30/10 rule: 30 percent to taxes, 30 percent to overhead, 30 percent to savings, 10 percent slush fund, that’s your walking-around money.
2. Always pay yourself first. Peel off 10, 20 and, ideally, 30 percent of your top line revenue, and put into your savings account. This money is the net commission that you receive from every transaction. Take a minimum of 10 percent off the top, and put it in savings (and leave it in your savings). Remember, the point of a real estate team is to make more money for the owner — to increase your net worth. That’s why you take on the risks and liability. We also highly recommend reinvesting the money that you’re saving because naturally that lets your money work for you, which further helps build your net worth.
3. Master the basics. Master the core skills of your business before you can delegate that task to someone else. In other words, before you go out and hire a buyer’s agent, make sure that you’ve mastered everything that goes into that skill set, such as using a buyer presentation or buyer agency agreements, before you bring somebody on board to do it for you. The same goes for prospecting — if you’ve never done it, then what makes you think you can delegate it and get consistent results. You might get lucky, but usually not.
4. Delegate, don’t abdicate. You can’t just hire people to take over your responsibilities, walk away from them and expect that you’ll continue to get results. You need to stay involved with the business and oversee the work being done in your business so you can stay on top of what’s making you money. If you think that building a team will save you time, then realize that you’ll likely be reallocating that saved time into other areas.
5. Trust but verify. This point is related to delegation: if you’ve hired good, quality people then trust them, but once again, stay involved with what’s going on in your business to verify that everything is being done. One of the best ways to check that things are being handled properly is by the numbers because numbers don’t lie. If you’ve given leads to your team, then find out what happened on those calls; don’t just take it on faith that they were all handled for you.
6. Have you reached and been able to maintain your “real estate magic number” for at least 60 days? The magic number is the number of listings that you need to have at all times to achieve your financial goals and keep your business afloat. Meeting and maintaining the number of listings required for your magic number is about proving to yourself that you have the stability in your business to be able to add more staff, such as a buyer’s agent.
7. Have your systems in place. Before you start hiring people, systematize business to ensure that you can generate, prequalify, convert and close business. You want to have a system that you can train your team in using and one that they can use without having to stop and ask questions every five minutes about the how and why for every procedure. Now often what happens is the reverse: an agent starts building a team, and they try to systematize everything as they go along. That’s just an invitation for trouble, though, so get the following items together beforehand, and save yourself the headache.
• Lead generation system
• Prequalification system (The last thing you delegate.)
• Listing system including PLP and Complete Home Seller’s Guide
• Client care system (someone to take care of sellers while listed)
• Closing system
• You need to have staff agreements/ contracts completed. Non-Solicitation, expectations, how they win and lose, etc.
• Staffing system. How will you recruit, hire and train?
8. Have your sub-systems in place. This point is similar to our previous point. Have your signs, voice mail, website, business cards in place. We call these “moments of truth” — a term that we learned from Howard Brinton. In essence, it means that anytime someone comes in contact with your business, they should have a professional, consistent experience. Always remember that first impressions are powerful, and you want to put your best foot forward with tools that represent you in a consistent, professional manner. Your team will need and use these tools as well, so make sure they’re in place beforehand.
9. Learn from others. Real estate is not a new industry, which means that you have a wealth of information available to help you learn from successful entrepreneurs who have come before you and built successful real estate teams and profitable businesses. Some of the books on the list below are real estate specific, and others are business-related. Remember, your real estate business is a business, so developing your business knowledge helps you in a multitude of ways.

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5 tips to sell your house fast

How can sellers and buyers get a jump on the competition and sell the properties fast? Learn from Real estate expert Cindy Welu with RE/MAX Advantage Plus joined KARE 11 News @ 4 with her tips.

Here are 5 tips for sellers:

Before the season gets into full swing, you want to make sure you have these few things checked off your list. They'll not only help you attract the best buyers, but they'll also likely help you get your full asking price.

1. Get organized

Packing months before you plan to move may sound crazy, but it's smart to start getting organized now. There are two big benefits of getting organized early - first, it's much easier to make your home look more spacious when items are neatly boxed up. Second, it helps you find a place for items that can clutter the appearance of your home, like framed family photos, stacks of magazines or children's books. Sort through closets, attics and basements to decide what you'd like to keep and what to get rid of.

2. Get an inspection

Problems with a home, whether it is a small leak in the plumbing or old electrical wiring, can make or break a sale. It's smart to get a pre-listing home inspection. It gives you time to fix any problems that come up and avoid any surprises during the sale of your home.

3. Make minor improvements

While you may not have time to take on a major renovation project, small repairs and improvements, like fresh paint, new light fixtures or putting fresh grout in your bathroom shower, can really help boost the appearance of your home. You want everything to look fresh and neat. You'll be surprised how getting a few projects done can really improve the look of your home to prospective buyers.

4. Find a real estate agent

Picking the right agent can determine how quickly your home sells and the price you will get for it. Do they know your community? Do they use social media and other marketing tools? And buyers -- finding a good agent can help you get a leg up on your competition too, especially if he or she is an expert in the area where you're looking to buy. Plus, your agent can scope out each new possibility in your price range as soon as or possibly even before it goes on the market!

5. Get pre-approved

Knowing how much you can afford and being pre-approved for a specific loan amount allows you to make an immediate offer when you find a good home, condo, or townhome. Not only does this allow you to possibly beat out other potential buyers, it also shows the homeowner that you're serious about your offer.

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10 Tips from 'Property Brothers' for Designing Your Home

Real estate twin brother duo Drew and Jonathan Scott, known to many as the hosts of the show “Property Brothers,” shared some tips on home design and renovation during their recent visit to Manila.

The two marked the Philippine launch of the home and lifestyle entertainment channel HGTV, which is home to “Property Brothers.” HGTV is now available on SkyCable and soon on Cignal Digital TV.

Drew is the real estate half of the duo, while Jonathan is an experienced contractor. In an interview with ABS-CBNnews.com and selected members of the media, the “Property Brothers” hosts said they hope to inspire Filipinos to design their homes in a way that reflects their personality while being comfortable and functional.

Here are Drew and Jonathan’s 10 design tips:

1. Consider your personality and interests.
• Jonathan: “It’s important that your home is a reflection of your personality. My home has inspirations from all of my travels. I hate it when I walk into a house and you can’t tell who lives there, or everything seems so generic and boring… The home should be a collection of a person’s interests.”
• Drew: “Have some sort of a theme to the space, but that doesn’t mean that everything has to look the same.”
2. Tie your space together with little details.
• Drew: “One of the easiest ways to tie the space together is flooring. I just did a house where we had this beautiful hardwood floor all the way to the kitchen and the bedrooms.”
• “I also used the same marble in the kitchen as I did in the bathroom, so there were certain key elements that were together. But the colors of the walls were different and the décor was different for each room.”
3. Have a focal point for each room.
• Jonathan: “The easiest way to make a focal point is to color a wall or place an artwork. It should be clear in the design. The way you place your seating in a space can also help draw your attention to wherever your focal point is.”
4. Home lighting is crucial.
• Jonathan: “Have an abundance of light. A dark room will feel smaller and less inviting. There are different types of light – there’s ambient light, there’s light on your cabinets and kitchen, there’s access lighting that can wash a wall without you having to paint it. Lighting is such a huge thing because it is cost-effective.”
• Drew: “If you’re thinking of changing the look of the room without having much money to work with, go for better lighting.”
5. The size of the furniture can make or break any room.
• Drew: “Make sure that you have appropriately sized furniture. Some families have small rooms with big couches and seating to look functional, but it looks terrible.”
6. Mix old and new pieces to add character to a room.
• Jonathan: “I like designing around conversation pieces. So maybe if you have a beautiful piece of furniture that has been passed down to your family, that’s a great piece to go around.”
• Drew: “You can have a modern design using technology to make your life easier and still have these rustic and traditional pieces. You don’t have to have your house looking stark white to make it feel modern. Always bring character that means something to you and your home.”
7. Want to freshen up a room? Rearrange the furniture.
• Drew: “If you redesign the space – just the layout, the furniture and the décor – it can feel like a brand new room even if you haven’t done any hard renovation. You don’t always have to rip things out to start fresh.”
• Jonathan: “Put in stuff that’s going to stand out, like pillows, artwork and curtains. Those things can easily infuse color.”
8. Know when to refurbish, replace and dispose home items.
• Drew: “It’s a matter of looking at your room and picking up a few key pieces – maybe one or two – and work them into a new design. If you have a really nice couch but the colors just don’t work with what you want to do, reupholster it. If you have a beautiful wooden table but you’d rather have a white or gray table for your design, then you can paint it out.”
• “We love to reuse cabinets in kitchens as much as we can. But if it doesn’t work out, we take them out and donate them… But some cabinets are adhered so hard like cement on the wall that you just have to tear them and get rid of them to start fresh. If you paint it and it’s still ugly, get rid of it.”
9. Don’t over-renovate.
• Jonathan: “You don’t want to go putting all your money into a part of your home. If something happens and you have to sell your home, you would want to still be able to get your money back… Be careful not to put in things that other buyers won’t pay for.”
• “If you’re looking to sell your home, we say it’s better to do a light makeover on everything instead of just spending all your money on one area. A light makeover on the whole place can make it feel fresh. Otherwise, your buyer walks in and says, ‘I love the kitchen but the rest of the house looks terrible.’ Then, they’re not going to give to you the amount you’re asking for.”
10. Plan carefully. When in doubt, consult an expert.
• Jonathan: “A lot of people don’t know what they’re doing, and some think they’re professionals. Always get references, cross-check and make sure that they actually have a legitimate business.”
• Drew: “One thing that people do wrong in the beginning is that they don’t take the time to educate themselves on the process or on the costs. People would jump in and start buying the couch they love, that kitchen countertop or cabinet. All of a sudden, they realize they’ve blown up their budget… Getting a professional is a good thing, or steal all the ideas you want from our shows.”

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Five Common Mistakes Real Estate Buyers Should Avoid

Deciding to buy a home or property is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make. But there are also many common pitfalls for veteran and first-time investors. Financial expert Mark Lamkin from Lamkin Wealth Management explains the five common mistakes to avoid when investing in real estate.

• Mistake 1. Lack Of Research: 

Before most individuals buy a car or a television set they compare different models, ask a lot of questions and try to determine whether what they are about to purchase is indeed worth the money. The due diligence that goes into purchasing a home should be even more rigorous.

There are also research considerations for each type of real estate investor - whether a personal homeowner, a future landlord, a flipper or a land developer. (If you're flipping houses, check out Fix It And Flip It: The Value of Remodeling, Five Mistakes That Make House Flipping A Flop and Top 5 Must-Haves For Flipping Houses.)

Not only must the prospective buyer ask a lot of questions about the home, but he or she should also inquire about the area (neighborhood) in which it is located. (After all, what good is a nice home if just around the corner is a college frat house known for its all-night keg parties? Unless of course, you're attracting a student renter.)

The following is a list of questions that would-be investors should ask regarding the home in question:

1. Is the property built in the vicinity of a commercial site, or will long-term construction be occurring in the near future?
2. Does the property reside in a flood zone or in a problematic area, such as ones known for radon or termite problems?
3. Does the house have foundation or permit "issues" that will need to be addressed?
4. What is new in the house and what must be replaced?
5. Why is the homeowner selling?
6. What did he or she pay for the home and when?
7. If you are moving into a new town, are there any problem areas in town?

• Mistake 2. Getting Lousy Financing

Though the real estate bubble in North America ostensibly popped in 2007, there are still a large number of exotic mortgage options. The purpose of these mortgages is to allow buyers to get into certain homes that they might not otherwise have been able to afford using a more conventional, 25-year mortgage agreement.

Unfortunately, many buyers who secure adjustable/variable loans or interest-only loans eventually pay the price when interest rates rise. The point is that home buyers should make sure that they have the financial flexibility to make the payments (if rates go up). Or they should have a back-up plan to convert to a more conventional fixed-rate mortgage down the line.

• Mistake 3: Doing Everything on Your Own

Many buyers think that they know it all, or that they can close a real estate transaction on their own. While they might have completed a number of deals in the past that went well, the process may not go as smoothly in a down market - and there is no one you can turn to if you want to fix an unfavorable real estate deal.

Real estate investors should tap every possible resource and befriend experts that can help them make the right purchase. A list of the potential experts should, at a minimum include a savvy real estate agent, a competent home inspector, a handyman, a good attorney and an insurance representative. These experts should be capable enough to alert the investor to any flaws in the home or neighborhood. Or, in the case of an attorney, he or she may be able to alert the home buyer to any defects in the title or easements that could come back to haunt them down the line.

• Mistake 4: Overpaying

This issue is somewhat tied into the point about doing research. Searching for the right home can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. And when a prospective buyer finally finds a house that actually meets his or her needs/wants, the buyer is naturally anxious to have the seller accept the bid.

The problem with being anxious is that anxious buyers tend to overbid on properties. Overbidding on a house can have a waterfall effect of problems. Buyers may end up overextending themselves and taking on too much debt, creating higher payments than they can afford.; as a result, it may take years for the home buyer to recoup this investment.

Are You Overpaying? To find out whether your dream investment has a high price tag, start by searching what other similar homes in the area have sold for in recent months. Any real estate broker should be able to provide this information with relative ease (particularly with their access to a multiple listing real estate agent database). But as a fallback, or if you are not using a realtor's services, simply look at comparable homes in the local newspaper, and see what they are being offered for. Logic should dictate that unless the home has unique characteristics that are likely to enhance its value over time, the buyer should try to keep any bids consistent with other home sales in the neighborhood.

Buyers should realize that there are always other opportunities out there, and that even if the negotiation process becomes bogged down or fails, the odds are in their favor that there is another home out there that will meet their needs. It's just a matter of being patient in the searching process.

• Mistake 5: Underestimating Expenses

Every homeowner can attest to the fact that there is way more to owning a house than just making the mortgage payment. Unlike renting, there are maintenance expenses that go along with mowing the lawn, painting the shed and tending the garden. Then there are the costs associated with furnishing the house and keeping all of the appliances (such as the oven, washer/dryer, refrigerator and the furnace) running, not to mention the cost of installing a new roof, making structural changes to the house, or other little things like insurance and property taxes.

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Ten Tips Toward a Quality Offer on a Home

For an agent to display an offer to purchase can be very telling, because that form is one to become very familiar with, before you are even close to signing one.

It is a positive sign when an agent educates you. That form can be stressful and scary, or it can be exciting and satisfying. The difference is what you know about how you got to this point and making wise choices; choices based on facts and emotional restraint.

Unfortunately, "fear of loss" is one of the reasons buyers choose a home. There will be another home coming along if you are not successful on one.

To become comfortable with the form before you get involved with the details of signing an offer is a good example of "what you know."

Do not wait until an agent is asking you to sign this document to read it for the first time. Ask an agent you interview to provide a copy of the "offer to purchase" form so you can prepare for the time to negotiate, then reserve a time to read it.

Have a notepad to write questions down about the purpose of certain clauses or when the meaning is not clear.

Read every document in advance of signing in a real estate transaction. Technology has made it convenient to share documents electronically.

While completing documents at the kitchen table or the hood of a car can be very convenient, today there is no reason for not reading them in advance.

We are all accustomed to agreeing to "terms of use" without reading them when we sign into websites, but it is much more personal and perilous when buying and selling real estate.

Ask questions you have by using email. There are a number of reasons for this approach:

• You and the agent can dialogue when it is convenient for both of you.
• You gain time to consider implications in the document's words before you sign it.
• Writing questions down and answering them in writing commits each party to communicate clearly.
• It is more memorable than conversation.
• It is easy to store the information for future reference.

There is an old far-Eastern proverb that will help you apply this practice to your process, "The strongest memory is no match for the weakest ink."

Remember that your offer becomes a contract of sale when accepted as written. You do not want to leave any question unanswered unless you have protection with a well-written contingency.

Understanding the language and reviewing the offer beforehand should help reduce last-minute concerns and surprises. Here are just a few of many important subjects:

• Agency disclosure
• The proposed price
• Contingencies
• What personal property or fixtures is included, or not, in the sale
• Deadlines
• Penalties
• Representations of known defects
• Can the buyer force the closing when the seller reneges? Can the seller sue for specific performance if the buyer fails to close?
• What if there is a fire?

When you are selecting an agent to help you find your home, observe how the agent reacts to your question about providing documents in advance.

If they see part of their job is to prepare you for what is to come, they may be a good choice.

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Six Real Estate Mistakes That Can Cost You

In real estate transactions, the stakes are high and even a small mistake can end up costing you thousands of dollars. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, here are some common mistakes to watch out for. 

1. Not Getting the Price Right: One of the toughest pieces of any real estate puzzle is setting the right price. If you price it too low, you potentially leave money on the table. Price it too high, and it will sit on the market for too long, causing buyers to will wait until you’re desperate and then make you a cut-rate offer. The mistake many sellers make is to simply look around at the price of other homes in the neighborhood without thinking carefully about whether those home are comparable. So if you’re in the market to sell, your first step should be to hire a home appraiser. It might cost a few hundred dollars, but it’s an expense that can save you thousands down the road.
2. Not Fixing It Up: While hurrying through the process of selling a home, many sellers fail to take care of all of the little things, like a door that’s coming off the hinges, an overgrown backyard, or a chipped and peeling paint job. While these problems might seem minor, they add up and can cause buyers to view your home more as a fixer-upper than a dream home. Before you put it on the market, spend a few weekends making sure your home is looking its best.
3. Hiding Problems From the Buyer: Some sellers think they can conveniently “forget” to disclose problems to a buyer. While a buyer might not discover the problems during the inspection or walk-through, they are bound to eventually. And if those problems are severe enough, you could be in for some costly litigation. Don’t try to pull a fast one on buyers. Make sure they are informed in writing about any issues so that there is no cause for dispute after the sale goes through.
4. Wrecking Your Credit At the Last Minute: The home-buying process can be long and drawn out, which provides ample time for buyers to make some big financial mistakes. Many buyers fail to realize that a pre-approval is not a guarantee that you will land a loan. If you do something to change your credit status during that time — such as buying a new car, or missing a few credit card payments — the pre-approval numbers you were quoted can disappear in an instant. The bank might stick you with a higher interest rate, or lower the total loan amount, jeopardizing your chances of landing your dream home.
5. Getting Into a Bidding War: During a heated bidding war, emotions run high, which can cost you dearly. If you have your heart set on a house and want to go above the asking price, make sure you have someone to do the negotiating for you. Many novice buyers, looking to save a few bucks, will venture into the housing market without a buyer’s agent at their side. But a good buyer’s agent will be an advocate on your behalf and will be a shrewd negotiator  during the process.
6. Not Taking the Inspection Seriously: Most lenders will insist on a inspection before they sign off on the deal to ensure that the home isn’t about to collapse in on itself. Unfortunately, buyers often treat this as just another step in the process and fail to take advantage of the inspection. Follow along with the inspector and take detailed notes to get a sense of potential problems. Armed with information about a home’s faults, you can use the inspection as leverage to drive down the price.

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Tips for a Quick House Sale

As natural as the impulse might seem, try not to panic. You’re still in control of your house-selling destiny. You have options that will promote interest in your home and preserve your sanity.

The three most important factors when selling your home are marketing, presentation, and price. Let’s start with the last one, because that’s where the majority of people make the most mistakes in a hot market like ours.

Positive stats might tempt you to shoot for the moon, but you must keep your list price in line with your comparable market analysis recommendation. Those comparables — similar homes that have sold recently, in your neighbourhood — don’t lie. They’re the most accurate bellwether for what the market will bear.

If you haven’t had more than a couple of showings over a two-week stretch, you might want to consider lowering your list price.

(Keep in mind that the average time to sell in Edmonton is about 49 days, according to the Edmonton Real Estate Board; if your home has been on the market for less than a month-and-a-half, you can afford to be patient before moving to a price cut.)

Perhaps you factored in some top-line renovations into your list price — a granite countertop here, stainless steel appliances there. Proceed carefully. Buyers aren’t necessarily itching to honour the complete cost of that work, let alone eat up additional costs just so that you can pocket a profit. Sellers CAN make money fixing and flipping, but it’s not as easy as HGTV leads you to believe (more on that next month).

If you feel your price is solid and you’re still not getting any action, move on to marketing.

Too many A-list homes squander potential viewings and exposure because the photos are strictly B-list. Fuzzy, cluttered, poorly composed shots don’t make your home jump off the page. You’re in a competitive marketplace, with customers who have a lot of options and not a lot of time to consider them. Get professional photos.

Then, move on to the balance between open houses and private showings. Open houses can be very effective at generating interest, particularly after a price reduction, but they can also be a time-waster.

The key is to treat open houses like a business project: maximize efficiency and get the most bang for your time. Don’t spend all day smiling in your foyer. Two hours on a Sunday? Perfect. Too many people let their open houses rule their weekends.

The opposite holds for the private-viewing appointment. Within reason, you have to be willing to move heaven and Earth to make these happen. Buyers can be fickle; if they’re on a six-house viewing binge and they can’t fit yours in, there’s a good chance they’re gone forever. Unless there’s a can’t-miss element in your home that you’ve managed to convey in the listing, busy buyers are going to err on the side of convenience.

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The Tales of a Long Commute Back Home

Whether you are moving to a new apartment or starting out again at a new office, the commute you take everyday is an element of the new chapter in your life that is hard to overlook.

Your commute to your new address or to your new office definitely has its own set of pros and cons to your daily routine. In a nutshell, the commute you take can either be a strain or a benefit to your overall well being. Let's take a look at how that happens.

It is natural to be confronted with different kinds of hassles in a day, and commuting usually takes the cake. Traffic, pollution, the noise and the fear of being reprimanded because you are late are natural offshoots of a long, annoying and irritating commute. These risks of a long commute are hard to control, hence it can heighten stress levels of the roof. 

Add to that the physical stress a long commute brings to the body such as neck pain, back pain and overall fatigue. Hence, if you happen to have a work mate who reports late to work most of the time, he or she is likely to report bouts of physical stress as well.

However, it is interesting to note that there is also a handful of benefits from a long commute.

Especially for those who take public transport to get to where they need to be, freeing their hands from the steering wheel of their car can provide them more options and time for any kind of preparation or relaxation they want before working. 

They can read the morning paper, check and answer their emails, play games on their phone, fix their tie or their laces, or even sneak in a quick breakfast if they can. If the commute from the house to work lasts for an hour, that means you have one full hour to prepare yourself for what lies ahead in your day. 

Commuting by driving can also be a good opportunity for same major catch up with yourself. As you stand by the wheel of your car, you can listen to the morning news on the radio, belt out some of your favorite tunes to beat the traffic and simply cherish some me-time that you won't have if you are taking the subway or the cab to get to work or any place you need to be for the day. 

At the end of the day, the choice is always yours whether to make something good out of a long commute or lament it by succumbing to stress or road rage. Just as there are many options to address a long commute, there are also as many options out there to beat it and how to make a more favorable commuting arrangement on your end.

If you cannot tolerate a long commute from your house to work, then look for a place that is near your workplace. Rent out an apartment for a short-term arrangement or go full out for a new property if you plan to stay in your current job for the long haul. At this point, it helps to seek the services of a real estate agent who can present to you as many options as possible to give you the best and most favorable living arrangement given your circumstance.

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The Perks of Having a 2-Bathroom Property or Apartment

More to clean up. More fixtures to maintain. And you may not even need a spare after all. At least that's how the mind works of a property buyer or lessor currently in the battle of whether getting a 2-bathroom property or not.  

The perks of having a 2-bathroom property may not be imminent, but having 2 can put you at a great advantage in the long run.

Did you know that having 2 bathrooms at home means having less arguments in the house? Unless arguments happen in the kitchen or in the living room, having 2 bathrooms at least lessens the issues from happening at home. But then again, if you do not have a strict bathroom schedule that everyone who lives with you will follow, you definitely need another bathroom to keep the harmony intact.

Having 2 bathrooms also increases your privacy, especially if you happen to be splitting the rent with a roommate. Since you share every inch of space in your apartment already, it wouldn't hurt to have a semblance of privacy in your bedroom and also in the bathroom. Regardless if one bathroom only houses the toilet and the other is the full one with the shower, you still get a dedicated space for each of your toiletries, medicines and other personal items.

Waking up every day to 2 bathrooms is the same as waking up to convenience. Just imagine how unpleasant it is to find your roommate in the toilet since he or she forgot to lock the door. With 2 bathrooms, you do not have to have a schedule for use of the bathroom. No need to rush nor change schedules just to accommodate the needs of one another.

Also, there is nothing wrong with having a backup. A spare and hardly-used bathroom is like a force of angel when the bathroom that you regularly use suddenly becomes out of order. You will be glad you made the decision of having a spare bathroom that you can use immediately.

A second bathroom at home makes it perfect for entertaining guests as well. A second bathroom makes it convenient to accommodate guests when they need to go to the loo. You do not have to excuse yourself with all the personal effects you have in your bathroom. You can design your spare bathroom specifically for your guests’ use.

More importantly, if you have plans of selling your property in the future, this is good news. 

A property that has 2 (or more) bathrooms is usually higher in value compared to a property that only has one. You will be surprised at how your property will fare should you have plans of putting it on the market.

If it is not going to work to the advantage of leveraging your lifestyle, if you think it will not provide you convenience or it's not a considerable source of profits, then the value of second bathroom is worthless to you. If it is the opposite, then you know exactly what to do. 

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Top Tips When Finding Your Real Estate Agent Match

The best real estate agent for your property and your requirements is not always the one with the flashiest ad in the newspaper or the nicest TV commercial. The best real estate agent should match well with you, and to find the best match is a lot of hard work on your part too. 

Professionalism, a good reputation and an impressive track record should be your 3 non-negotiable when looking for a real estate agent to hire. 

But subjectively, you need to keep a list of qualities the real estate agent you will hire should have.

1. Dedicated. Will he be able to meet my actual requirements? A real estate agent may be a professional, but that does not mean he should undermine your needs and impose his own above it.
2. Selfless. Will he be able to serve your interest above his? It is true that real estate agents earn on commission, but that should not mean your interest is served under his. Your interest must be at the centre of his work at all times... even if it means he'll get a small chunk of your sale to make you a satisfied client.
3. High integrity and client service. Do his previous clients and references have positive feedback about his work?
4. Knowledgeable. Is he familiar with the area where you are buying or selling a property from? Does he know the general market value or the price bracket of properties in your area?
5. Word of honor. Is he altering the market situation in his favor? Is he realistic with the details and assessments of the real estate situation?

Fortunately, with the kind of technologies that we have, finding a real estate agent is a piece of cake. 

There are directory websites that feature all the real estate agents found in your locality. You can start from there and if you feel quite confident with a particular agent you find, do your research. If there’s any, access their website, read their blog and assess reviews or recommendations from their past clients. 

It is essential to shortlist at least 3 to 5 real estate candidates. Meet with them personally to validate what you have researched.

Prepare your questions before meeting them up. Below are examples of questions that you can ask them.

• How many years have you been working as a real estate agent?
• How has it been like? 
• Are you a full-time agent or working part-time?
• How long have you been working with properties in this side of town?
• How many sales were you able to close last year?
• How do you represent your clients? Do you represent buyers more or sellers?
• In a month, how many prospective buyers or sellers approach you?
• How many properties are currently listed under your name?
• What's your marketing strategy?

There are definitely more questions you can come up with. It shows what kind of service you most require and the hoops you will jump through to get it.

Appraisals and assessments should not cost you. In the event that the real estate you want to hire offers an appraisal and an assessment for free, remember that it should not be the case. You are no way obligated to one real estate agent at this point in your selection process.

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Do You Want to Live in the Heart of the City?

There is something glam and glitzy about living in the city. It seems like the world is your oyster. Your life is in your hands.

In a few words, living in the city means living where the night life happens. You live near restaurants, bars and malls plus schools, museums and parks. You can be well assured that transportation will not be your problem as you are most likely well-connected given the trains, buses and cabs that run in and out of the Central Business District (CBD).

Living in the city means living where the action is.

It is also appealing for people whose work is located in the CBD. Aside from the social life, economic and financial activities also characterizes the city center.

The hustle and bustle of city living may be appealing, but definitely not for everyone. In fact, you will be surprised at the number of reasons why a handful of people still opts to live in the suburbs.

Traffic congestion is probably the biggest issues in city living. Traffic jams are everyday headaches that people contend with regardless. Traffic congestion becomes more pronounced as car ownership becomes easier thanks to flexible car plans. However, this is not exactly the case in Singapore, where the cost of cars is purposely made expensive to control traffic.

Pollution is also another reason that puts city living on the challenging side of things. Just imagine the number of cars, buses, and trucks that pass along city roads day in and day out. Truly, pollution is inevitable in busy environments.

Living in the city also makes the cost of housing high. As people become more congested in the urban centre, land becomes extra precious to have. Land cuts also become smaller just to accommodate everyone. And as the demand goes high and supply remains limited, it naturally affects prices to reach ceiling high rates. Land ownership or even just renting out a space can cause a dent in any urbanite’s pocket.

There will always be pros and cons whether you choose a quiet and peaceful life in the suburbs or in a rather noisy, fast-paced and congested nook in the city. You just have to be ready to give up one (or 2) of your comforts to live the life that you want for yourself and also for your family.

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Ways to Declutter Your Home to Help You Sell

A big buyer turn off is a cluttered home. Mess spells chaos and if you want to sell your property quick, you need to find ways to get rid of the clutter. 

Decluttering usually means getting rid of things and throwing them away, but it is not always easy regardless if the property you are vacating is a small apartment or a 2-storey house.

In this article, we will show you ways how you can declutter so your property is ready for the real estate market.

First, get an outsider’s perspective, if your property is indeed a mess and chaotic place. We tend to invest in a lot of furniture and sentimental items and we put them in our house for decoration. For us who see the same things day in and day out, we might think that the effects in our property are clutter instead of a feature of your home that highlights it as a good place to live in. Ask a friend or a family member about what they really think about your property. Your home may be perfectly organised as it is and you only need to declutter on a few rooms and not on your entire space. 

Second, inspect the nooks and crannies of your property. Clutter resides in corners, inside shelves and cupboards, under beds, and in the attic. Prioritise these areas as you declutter instead of attending to the most obvious areas of your property. When a potential buyer inspects your property, he or she will likely open cabinets, see storage rooms and check areas often neglected on a daily basis. Make sure that you do not oversee these areas of your property during home viewing. At its best, these tiny yet important areas of your home help in giving your property the best impression possible. 

Third, get all the clutter away and sort them accordingly. Will you take this clutter with you as move to your new address? Will you donate it? Or will you simply toss it in the garbage? If you think you are getting rid of valuable clutter, but you have no plans of taking with you anymore, hold a garage sale in your neighbourhood. It is a great way to get some value from things you do not need anymore.

Fourth, remember not to declutter everything. It is best to leave a few neutral decorations in its original place to make your property a little more inviting to your prospective buyers. Stow away your personal items and put them in a box for hauling. Saving a few trinkets and home furniture will help you save money on home staging.

Lastly, start decluttering as early as possible. Remember that the clutter you have so far did not arrive all at the same time. These things have accumulated over time and so it follows that getting rid of them cannot be done in one go. Start decluttering on one area of your property and you are on your way. 

You may be able to handle all your decluttering requirements all by yourself, but you definitely need professional help when selling your property in the market. Get the help of professional and experienced real estate agents who can give the best price and the best exposure for your property. 

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Buying a Property? Here's What You Need to Look for As You Make a Purchase

Buying a property should be a calculated move. It is not advisable to go into the act of buying a new property without being careful about what the property has to offer to you. It is not just a new house that you are buying. More than anything, you are buying a new lifestyle.

It is important that you buy a property based on the neighborhood it is situated. Is it located in the city? Is it located in the suburbs? Visit the place and get the feel of the location. If it is an easy drive to the new neighborhood, dedicate a weekend for a personal ocular inspection. Not only will you be able to judge the quality of the neighborhood, but also the safety and security it has.

Aside from the neighborhood, investigate on the transportation system as well. Is it well-connected by train? Does public transportation such as cabs and buses regularly pass by your area? Even if you have a personal vehicle, it is essential that your new place of potential residence can be easily commuted. A well-connected residence is always convenient.

Again, the safety and security of your new property-to-be should be a prime consideration as you make a purchase. There is no point in leaving your old neighborhood if you are migrating to a place where the crime rate is high, and there is the absence of security forces patrolling the area. Be watchful of local news that pertains to neighborhood insecurities. As you perform your personal ocular inspection, check if there is a police station nearby. Look at the different security measures that the neighborhood implements also for your peace of mind.

Is it near commercial establishments such as your place of work, your kids’ school and a mall? Again, there is no point in switching homes if you are simply moving away from these essential commercial establishments that play a role in your routine. You may not mind doing a long commute to work, to drop off your kids at school or to do errands at the mall, but all these will definitely catch up with you sooner or later. Aim for convenience at all times. It is the only way you will be able to measure that you did a good job in selecting a new property to live in.

Definitely, you need to factor in the indoor quality of the property you are buying. Prepare a checklist such as the one below.

• How does the kitchen look like? If you are particularly keen on the kitchen area, you should look carefully into the cabinets, the counters, the flooring and the appliances if ever appliances are included. If the quality of the kitchen does not meet your expectations, factor in the cost of repairs and replacements. 
• What is the quality of the bathrooms? Bathrooms are probably the most expensive to remodel. The replacement of bathroom fixtures and plumbing repairs for leaks can cost quite a fortune if you happen to inspect a home that has poor bathroom quality.
• Is the roof still okay? Next to bathrooms, roofs are also quite expensive to replace and even repair. Look for leaks, cracks, ripped parts, curled edges and missing shingles. If there are segments of the roof that are rotting or have algae growth, ask what the previous owner plans to do with it prior to selling.

There are definitely more things that you need to watch out for when buying a property. Consult the help of a real estate agent too to make the selection and inspection processes a lot easier to manage on your end. If you are looking for a property to buy in Victoria, consider Raine and Horne to help you in your selection process. 

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The Why's and How's of Property Inspections

If you make it a point to test drive a vehicle before buying it, the same goes when buying a property. Inspections are everything when it comes to property buying. You will never know what you are going to get or what you are getting yourself into 100% without a careful and calculated inspection of the property you are a few inches away from buying.

Why inspect?

• Property inspections will provide you the features and conditions of the property and its local area. If you are inspecting more than 1 property for the week, make sure to take down notes or take pictures. Of course, ask permission from the real estate agent if taking pictures is allowed. 
• Property inspections will let you know if the property indeed meets your basic (and not-so-basic) requirements. 
• Is the location convenient to commercial establishments such as a mall or a school?
• Is the size good enough for my family of 4?
• Is the location prone to flooding?
• Does the property meet my style?
• How old is the property?
• Regular inspections of the property you want to buy will tell you about the repairs and structural concerns you need to address eventually.
• Do the floors need replacing?
• Are there blisters on the wall painting?
• Are there cracks or stumps on the walls?
• Are there leaks in the roof?
• Property inspections will tell you if there were alterations made to the property. Especially if the property was extended or renovated, you need to know that these improvements were permitted by the local council. Not only do you buy the property, but you also inherit the responsibility in case the alterations were made illegal.

How to inspect?

• Attend an Open for Inspection. Check websites and the real estate sections of newspapers for Open for Inspection dates. If you are attending an inspection, you might have to show a proof of identity to the real estate agent for security.
• Get a professional to inspect the property. The cost of hiring an inspector is smaller than the cost of a property that comes with a lot of structural challenges. The inspector - an actual building inspector, an architect, an engineer or a surveyor - will tell you all the faults in the property, the repair potential of these faults and how much the repairs will cost you. An inspector can also identify structural faults that have been addressed with cosmetic cover ups.
• Do pest inspections. Investments need to be protected especially from tiny invaders that can crumble that piece of investment down. Do pest inspections with an exterminator present. This is a small price to pay to ensure that your property will not fall into pieces. 

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Selling a Property? Let A Real Estate Agent Do It!

Now that you have prepared your home for pre-selling, it is now time to look for a real estate agent who will do the actual selling for you. While there are many ways and reasons for you to sell your property on your own, there are a lot of advantages if you leave it in the hands of real estate professionals.

Do you want to sell your property? If so, it’s best to look for a real estate agent who is also based in your location. Having deep local property market knowledge with strong ties to the neighborhood is one of the prime factors when looking for a real estate agent.

What exactly can a real estate agent do if you are selling your property?

1. He will give you a realistic value for your property. It is natural for a seller to get a really great amount of money in return for the house they are planning to sell. No matter how ambitious, your selling price should be reasonable against the many factors that determine property values. Factors that affect the value your property are:
• Supply and demand
• Interest rates
• Economic growth
• Demographics
• Parking
• Home improvements
2. Your real estate agent will help you how to sell. They can advise whether selling your property by auction is better than conducting a private sale or vice versa. Let’s say you plan on auctioning off your property. What are the benefits of selling at an auction? If you want potential buyers to be competitive with your price, set an auction. A property that looks good will be competitively bid on by potential buyers.  You can exceed your property’s expected value. You can also set your own terms. If you do not want any cooling off at an auction or if you want to approve settlement terms as requested by your buyer, you can do so in an auction. At an auction, there is a sense of urgency. If you want it to sell fast, sell your property at an auction.
3. Organise your property for viewing. Inspections and property viewing are imperative for prospective buyers. At this point, you need to stage your home such that it looks enticing and appealing for buying. A real estate agent can organize inspections and property viewing to your prospects. 
4. It helps to hire a professional stager if you want the best front for your property. The stager can arrange your furniture and spice up your interiors and exteriors. Ask your real estate agent for a stager they can refer to you. Increase your property's exposure to other buyers. Real estate agents have their own database of prospects. Moreover, they have the technology (such as a website), international capabilities (so that your property is not marketed only to your chosen locality) and brand recognition (especially if the real estate agent you hire comes from a known real estate company) that you can take advantage of by hiring them to sell your property. 
5. Handle all negotiations on your behalf. Especially if you are new in property selling, you need someone who can handle all negotiations for you. A real estate agent who has your best interest at heart will strive hard to make all negotiations to give you the best price possible. 

If you want advice in professionally marketing your property, scheduling inspections and viewing, increasing your property's exposure across local and international markets and finalizing your property's sale, get a real estate agent who has in-depth knowledge of local property market.  

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Know These Six Ways to Keep Your Business Safe

Now that you just bought a business that you like from its previous owner, now is the time to keep it safe from all possible dangers. This is your business now and it is essential to keep your investment all in one piece by doing all or any of these 6 ways to keep your business safe.

1. Invest in secure door locks: Even if you plan on having a 24/7 operations for your business (such as a convenience store), you need door locks that will keep your business premise safe and tidy in one piece. Fit deadbolts to your doors so that your premises become totally untouchable to outsiders once you are officially closed for the day. Make sure that all entry and exit points are fortified with locks and that spare copies of your keys are left in the hands of staff members who you trust.
2. Get a security camera: It is impossible to keep an eye on every activity that goes inside your business premises. You need to pay attention to your customers, to your staff, to the deliveries that take place everyday and so on. You cannot keep an eye on every single activity most especially the fishy ones. With the technology that we have today, it is easy to get a reliable yet an affordable security camera that can monitor and survey your premises for as long as you are open for business. And in case something really fishy is happening, you have evidence to show to the courts. 
3. Install safe windows: Invest well on the fixtures that go in your premises starting with your windows. If you cannot get your windows to have secure locks, invest in burglar-resistant window panes instead. While the purchase of a glass break sensor alarm may be a tad expensive, there is always a price to pay when it comes to your premises' security. Moreover, make sure that window treatments you invest in for your business premises align with the Building Code of Australia.Check with your builder or contractor. 
4. Property lighting: Proper lighting for your business premises goes a long, long way in keeping you, your staff and your customers safe. Make sure that your premises' perimeter is well lighted to avoid threats to your security. It is your best protection against burglaries, vandalisms and more. Keep all doors and other entry points well-lighted. Invest in LED and CFL lighting so you do not shock yourself with a pricey electricity bill at the end of each month.
5. A secure cash register or a safe box: Get a tamper-proof, burglar-resistant and fire-proof cash register or safe box and keep it away from plain view. Keep it locked at all times if you are not by the counter. If you are keeping a safe box, make it a habit to change the combination code whenever you release someone from your employment. If possible, do not give out combination codes to your safe box to someone you do not trust 100%.
6. Keep confidential details confidential: Especially if you recently bought an existing business, make sure that all paper works are transitioned to you and that includes all business contacts, contracts and policies. It is important that these are not divulged so as to protect your interest as the new business owner and proprietor.

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Are You a Financially-Fit Home Buyer?

It is every peoples' dream to be a home owner, but dreams, no matter how ambitious, should always be practical and realistic. It does not help to advance your mind and your focus on what’s ahead if you do not have the means right in your own hands as we speak.

Buying a home is a big financial commitment and it should follow that your finances is committed also in your effort to call a property your own. Are you financially-fit to take the plunge?

You are sure and clear-cut on what you can afford

If you can honestly and straight out say to yourself an amount that you know you can afford in buying a house, then you can say that you are indeed financially-fit to take on a big commitment.

Know how much you can afford and the kind of property and location you want to put your money in.

When identifying how much you can afford, it is important to:

• Factor in your lifestyle.
• Look into the different types of properties that are available given your price range.
• Know whether it is near public transportation facilities and commercial establishments.
• Know its potential for sale in the near future.

You can buy a house given your regular monthly spending

Know how much you spend in a month in terms of your:

• Household bills - electricity / water / Internet / cable TV
• Groceries
• Leisure - shopping / travel
• Debts - credit card / loan settlement to help you tidy up your credit history

Given the amount you have for each of these monthly mainstays, will it still allow you to buy a house that you want?

By reviewing your finances, you will be able to know how much you should borrow from your lender. When borrowing money, factor in the cost that will go for:

• Inspections
• Conveyancing
• Stamp duty
• Real estate agent fees

Do not borrow money that will only help you shoulder the cost that your current finances cannot cover, but factor in your upfront and ongoing costs also when borrowing money. You wouldn't want to make a second loan and go through the hassles and the paperwork for the second time around, right?

You have a well-built savings account

Especially if you are applying for a home loan, you need to show to your lender that you are a good candidate to be granted with a loan. 20% deposit may no longer be a requirement these days, but keeping a well-built savings account should be your priority.

If you are about to open a bank account, aim for a high-internet savings account or a time deposit that has promising interest rates. Do a lifestyle check too. Now that you are building your savings account, maybe now is the best time to move back in temporarily with your parents so the money you pay for your rent can go to your savings account instead. Or maybe you can lessen the number of times you eat out by cooking more at home instead.

Final words

The answer to whether you are financially-fit to become a home buyer definitely takes a lot of time. And a lot of dedication and hard work. Sooner or later, you will reap the benefits of what you saved as reflected in the home that gives you comfort and security.

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