Pricing your home for sale can determine how much interest it will generate when it first hits the multiple listing service(MLS) and how quickly it sells. A comparative market analysis (CMA) is the tool most often used by our team of Mississauga real estate agents to show home sellers how much their property will likely sell for, given the inventory and conditions of similar properties.

Dissecting a CMA

The comparative market analysis is not an appraisal. The CMA is prepared by our team and our real estate agents using information gleaned from the MLS, market reports and their knowledge of the local market. An appraisal is prepared by a certified property appraiser using established guidelines based on comparable values or replacement values.

Important features to consider include square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, amenities, finishes, the age of the home and, most certainly, its location. Homes that may be shortlisted as comparables should have been recently sold.

The subject property and comparables should be as similar as possible. Thus, only condominiums can be used in a CMA for a condo property and single-family homes are included in a CMA for a single family home. Likewise, the location of comparables should be as close to the subject property as possible. Home features are compared side by side with the subject property and valuations are raised or lowered, depending on the comparison.

CMA as a Seller’s Tool

It is easy to see how the CMA is useful in determining a price that will attract potential buyers, without undercutting the home’s true market value. The report will show that the home’s selling price is reasonable and well within the range of similar homes for sale, sold recently or withdrawn from the market.

Without a CMA, sellers run the risk of overpricing or underpricing their property, negatively affecting the home’s salability and potential profit. When the property languishes on the market, sellers accrue more maintenance costs. In addition, keeping the house in open house-ready condition can be very stressful for homeowners. When the home is on the market for much longer than the market average, it is more likely to attract lowball offers.

The CMA becomes even more important when undervalued properties, such as foreclosures and short sales, are on the market. As a Mississauga real estate agent with more than 25 years of experience, I understand the value of CMAs. Call me today at 905-502-1500 or visit my website, www.mcdadi.com, for more information.

Even experienced homebuyers can make mistakes when purchasing a new home because the process can sometimes be stressful and emotional. Make sure you avoid these three major pitfalls when buying a home; learn how to ensure a hassle-free negotiation. As an experienced Mississauga real estate agent, I know how to ensure the process is smooth.

Mistake Number One: Not doing a credit check and getting prequalified

You may have worked out a budget and you may have an idea of what you can afford, but do you know how much a bank is going to be willing to lend you to purchase your dream home? Getting your financial house in order with a credit check and lender or broker prequalification will help you avoid disappointment and wasting time, if you end up qualifying for less than the price of your dream home. Get prequalified for a loan and only look inside your price range so that your expectations are reasonable and you don’t end up dreaming about a home that you just can’t have.

Mistake Number Two: Buying the wrong house

A prioritized list of needs versus wants should be made before you start looking at houses. This will help avoid looking at homes that look good on the surface but are inappropriate for your needs. During the process of finding a home, make sure you’re focused on the features of a home that can’t be changed easily–or changed at all–such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, a view, proximity to work, or location in a certain neighborhood, instead of items that can be upgraded later in any home, such as appliances, fixtures, and finishes.

Mistake Number Three: Botching the offer

There are many ways the financial aspect of a real estate transaction can be thrown into disarray. The biggest is making an unreasonable offer and asking too many demands of the seller. If you really want the house, make an offer closely based on recently closed comparables in the same neighborhood. Go too low, and you risk losing out to another offer or insulting the seller, after which they may not bother making a counteroffer or may even refuse to work with you. Go too high, and you risk losing money. If you find yourself wanting to make a lowball offer, that may be a sign that you should keep looking for a home that you really want and for which you are willing to pay market value.

Remember that you absolutely need to get your finances in order before looking. While no house is perfect, if you forego something you really need  in favor of something you really want, you may be sorry long term. Finally, make sure that once you find a home that fits your needs, you give yourself a reasonable chance to get that home so you don’t have any regrets about missing out and having to settle for something else. You should know that you can rely on me, a Mississauga Real Estate Agent with more than 25 years of experience, to help you avoid these mistakes when purchasing your next home. Contact me at 905-502-1500 or www.mcdadi.com for more information.

There are many benefits of hiring a real estate agent, but one of the biggest advantages of having a real estate agent on your side is having help from an experienced negotiator. Real estate agents spend much of their professional lives negotiating lower prices on home purchases for buyers and selling prices that are closer to asking price for sellers.

Do You Need a Real Estate Agent For Negotiations?

Since there are two sides of the negotiation, you want to have a skilled negotiator on your side. Both the buyer and the seller are attempting to get a price that they feel is reasonable from their perspective. Buyers and sellers often feel that they can save money by handling their real estate transaction on their own. However, the benefits of hiring a real estate agent far outweigh any cost savings that could be enjoyed by forgoing the professional assistance. A skilled negotiator is often financially beneficial to both buyers and sellers.

Avoid Offending a Seller

The average person feels relatively uncomfortable with negotiating, and there are real reasons for that feeling of discomfort. Buyers can quickly offend a seller when offering a low price for a home that they love. Offended sellers could refuse to deal with the buyer again. Experienced negotiators are able to guide clients when deciding on an offer to ensure that a seller isn’t going to run the other way because of an offensively low offer, so a real estate agent could save you from losing your dream home to a bad negotiation.

Let Someone Else Be The “Bad Guy”

There may be reasons why you want to submit a low offer for a home that you feel has real potential. One common reason for low offers is to retain financing to make changes to a home. However, voicing concerns about how much you hate the wallpaper that a seller picked out decades ago and has loved ever since could be taken poorly by the seller. Real estate agents listen to these types of concerns and convey this information to the seller in a way that is understandable without being insulting to the seller’s personal tastes.

As a Mississauga real estate agent with 25 years of experience in delicate real estate negotiations, I am dedicated to negotiating in a way that keeps my clients’ best interests prioritized when it comes to both buying and selling. Call me at 905-502-1500 or visit my website at www.mcdadi.com, for more information.

If you’ll soon be moving to a new home or apartment, congratulations are in order. These are exciting times, but with so much to think about and even more to do, they can be fraught with anxiety. As a Mississauga real estate agent for 25 years, I have accumulated some ideas on how to make your move go smoothly.

Start At Least One Month Ahead

You’ll be pretty busy in the coming weeks, and leaving anything until the last minute can wreak havoc with your peace of mind. It’s never too soon to start getting ready, so at least four weeks before the moving date, be sure to:

•Make arrangements with a moving company.

•Notify friends and those with whom you do business of your new mailing address.

•Arrange to have all utilities turned off at the old location and on at the new.

•When appropriate, take any necessary steps to transfer account balances to a new financial institution.

•Cancel newspapers and other regular deliveries.

•Obtain all medical records from doctors and veterinarians.

•Take inventory of your possessions.

•If you’re undertaking a long-distance move, make your travel reservations now and, if applicable, ensure that your vaccinations and travel documents are up to date.

Two Weeks Prior to Moving Day

If you haven’t started already, it’s time to get packing. This is a good time to clean house and ditch those items you haven’t used in years. Purchase boxes, bubble wrap and other packing material and remember to:

•Work methodically, one room at a time, assigning responsibility for each to a specific family member if possible.

•Label each carton with its contents and the room in which it is meant to wind up. Keeping bedroom items out of the living room box will facilitate unpacking later on.

•Make every attempt to consume all refrigerated and frozen food well in advance of the moving date. You want to minimize the number of perishables that you’ll have to discard.

Take the Time to Say Goodbye

I understand that moving to any new location can kindle mixed emotions. Give yourself time to bid farewell to the people and places to which you’ve become attached, and remember: With today’s advances in travel and technology, you can embark on this next adventure knowing that goodbye no longer has to mean forever. With 25 years of experience in the Mississauga real estate market, I have plenty of ideas on helping you move with ease. Call me at 905-502-1500 or visit my website, www.mcdadi.com, for more information.

If you are considering purchasing a house, you may be undecided about the type of home you want. Some first-time buyers dive right in and opt for their dream home, but a number of folks are more cautious. As a result, the guarded home buyer may live in one or more starter homes before settling into a keeper. As a Mississauga real estate agent for more than 25 years, I can offer some suggestions on how to know which option is right for you and your family.

Before you decide which type of house you want, it’s a good idea to factor in every aspect of the associated finances. A starter house is best if you have limited resources for a down payment, taxes, utilities or maintenance expenses. However, if you expect to increase your earning potential in the near future, you may be better off purchasing one house rather than trading up on several starter homes. Buying one house means paying only one set of closing fees as well.

Also, if housing prices and mortgage rates are low, it may be more savvy to look for a larger house from the start.

Starter homes often need renovations, so factor in these costs. Some improvements can add to the resale value of a home, but if you move too soon, the renovations can be detrimental to your finances. A larger home affords you the opportunity to remodel little by little. If you plan on expanding your family, this may be the most viable option. However, a larger home may mean a more expensive mortgage, which can hinder spending.

When making the decision to buy a temporary or permanent home, it’s important to consider your needs, the needs of your family, your financial status, and the available mortgage options. Purchasing a home is a major commitment, and I can help you determine how far you should stretch your budget. With 25 years of experience in real estate, Sam has the expertise to assist you with finding and purchasing the house of your dreams. Visit www.mcdadi.com for more information or call me at 905-502-1500.

As the delightful smells of spring begin to drift across your yard once again, you may want to show off your botanical prowess by planting a wonderful vegetable garden. By spreading the proper soil and planting a wide variety of seeds, you should be left with a smorgasbord of riches at harvest time. Here are some tips for coaxing along a garden that will become the envy of the neighborhood.

The Perfect Location

You should always choose a location that will give your plants at least six hours of direct sunlight. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and leafy green vegetables will do best in full sun. Carrots and other root vegetables, on the other hand, might still be capable of thriving in shadier areas. If you have the time, you might wish to plant gardens in two different sections of the yard.

Watering and Drainage

Adequate watering will be crucial. While you can use a hose for smaller gardens, more extensive planting areas might require an irrigation system. Most sprinklers can be calibrated so that they are only on for a few minutes each evening. You should also ensure that your garden has been planted on a slight slope for proper drainage.

Vegetable Variety

Don’t be afraid to think big. If you’ve been planting the same tomatoes and peppers for years, try to branch out into unfamiliar territory. Beets, spinach, kale, and even watermelon are all good alternative choices. If you love to cook, you might also try planting some herbs. With a bit of dedication, parsley and basil can be fine additions to your spring garden.

Fertilizer and Mulch

Though properly aerated soil is one of the keys to success, you will also need to add fertilizer from time to time. When plants have access to nitrogen and other nutrients, they are likely to do well throughout the growing season. You can also add mulch, peat moss, or homemade compost to help the soil retain moisture.

Flower Power

If you are passionately in love with spring, you might add some flowers to the garden. Daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths are great options. Sunflowers also do well in a variety of soil types and may grow to be several feet tall.

Gardening and Home Appraisal

A spring vegetable garden will ultimately lead to admiring glances from the neighbors. But it could also lead to financial benefits as well. As a real estate agent with 25 years of experience, I have seen how a well-kept garden can improve the selling power of a home. Call me for a complimentary home evaluation, 905-502-1500, or visit my website, www.mcdadi.com.

Watch this new video of Sam McDadi being interviewed on “In Tune With Real Estate” hosted by Rav Toor. Here Sam shares some words of wisdom. Watch this video and click “Like” when you are finished.

For more real estate information, please visit: http://www.mcdadi.com.

Watch this new video of Sam McDadi being interviewed on “In Tune With Real Estate” hosted by Rav Toor. Here Sam speaks about the services his brokerage offers. Watch this video and click “Like” when you are finished.

For more real estate information, please visit: http://www.mcdadi.com.

Your property is as much an expression of your tastes and preferences as it is a showcase of symmetry, color and artistic flair. Getting a home’s interior to a point where residents can feel like it is truly a haven takes time, dedication and scads of resources. Turning the vision into reality can be a very involved process for the homeowner.
Define Your Vision
Magazine, websites and decorating experts make decorating look so effortless. However, this is only so when a core theme has been defined. This theme should revolve around the homeowners’ lifestyle. The needs of property owners raising young children will be diametrically opposite from those of empty nesters who do a lot of adults-only entertaining.
Account for Changing Needs
The theme should be one that can evolve over time. When decorating with young children in mind, the theme should have some wiggle room to change as the children grow.  Likewise, when decorating for retirees, the plan should include accommodations for age-related limitations with emphasis on enhancing safety and accessibility.
Balance Form and Function
An eye-catching piece of artwork will work wonders as an icebreaker for those who often open their homes to friends, family and acquaintances. However, comfortable and space-appropriate seating should also be a priority. With Internet sources, it is easier to find furniture pieces that serve both decorative and functional purposes. Multipurpose furniture that can be used as coffee tables, casual seating and clever storage for quick cleanups are useful when space is limited.
It’s all About You
What makes a house a home? When you have taken visceral ownership of the home by incorporating elements that express your taste, personality and life story, then the property turns into a home rather than just a piece of maintenance. Design experts can help to crystallize a plan and manage the decorating project, but in the end, you are the best judge of your home’s appeal and livability.
Sam McDadi: A Special Kind of Expert
Home decorating and real estate specialist do not, traditionally, go together. However, with more than 25 years in the business, I know when a decorating project will pay off in terms of ownership satisfaction and return on investment. More importantly, I know that home ownership is a highly personal matter. As such, I give each property owner all the personal attention they deserve. For more information, please contact me at 905-502-1500 or visit www.mcdadi.com.

Setting a suitable price for your home is a crucial part of the selling process. Real estate properties can remain unsold because the owners have set exorbitant prices. At the same time, it is unwise to lose a large amount of money just to sell your home more quickly. It’s important for sellers to find the right balance.

Asking Prices

You can estimate the value of your home by looking at newspaper ads for similar properties. However, this usually isn’t the most reliable method. Owners may attempt to sell their properties at any price. Some people need to move quickly because of financial problems.

Recent Transactions

A more effective way to determine your home’s value is to look at the selling prices of “comparables.” These are equivalent properties that were recently sold. They must be similar in design, condition, size and location. Such properties should also offer most of the same amenities as your home. A local real estate agent can create a list of comparable homes for you to review.

The next step is to select one comparable property that resembles your home more closely than the others. Compare its neighborhood, appearance and features to those of your house. You can make lists of the advantages of each property. This will help you set an asking price that is slightly higher or lower than the comparable home’s value.

Exceptional Homes

Certain homes feature unique architecture or building materials that set them apart from other real estate in the area. A house may also have historical significance. In this situation, the best approach is to hire a reputable real estate appraiser.

Professional Advice

As a Mississauga real estate agent with more than 25 years of experience, I have been helping people price their homes for over 25 years. I use my extensive marketing expertise and real estate connections to sell each property for top dollars. If you need to sell a home in the Mississauga area, please contact me today at 905-502-1500 or visit my Website, www.mcdadi.com.