Benefits of a condo

One of the biggest advantages of buying a Fort McMurray Alberta condominium is the price. For the most part, a condo will cost a lot less than a house and for many it is an affordable option when a house is out of the question.

The other benefits of owning a Fort McMurray Alberta condo are the amenities provided by the association. Some condos come with a recreation room, swimming pool, athletic room etc. These are great for people that actually use them since they won’t have to leave the grounds for their recreation.

Drawbacks of a condo

You will have to pay association fees when you own a condo and these will have to be added when you are working your budget and deciding what type of housing you can afford. Also, you’ll be in a tightly knit community and won’t have the same level of privacy as you would have in a house. If you don’t get along with your neighbors, you are in a closer vicinity to them and it can lead to some awkward moments if you’re both taking the same elevator.

One of the biggest drawbacks of owning a Fort McMurray Alberta condo is the lack of a private yard for people that would like one. This means that you won’t have your own garden or place to sit and unwind by yourself.

Benefits of a house

A Fort McMurray Alberta house offers a lot more freedom than a condo. You are able to modify the house as you wish, as long as you stay within the bylaws. The inside of a condo cannot be renovated too much since there are strict rules about what can be changed and what must remain untouched.
You will have more privacy in your own home because your walls will not be attached to another person’s dwelling. This means that you will be able to be louder and will not have to worry about neighbor’s complaints as much.

Drawbacks of a house

If you are a busy on-the-go type of person, a house is very time-consuming to maintain. You’ll have your own yard, but along with this luxury is the work involved to keep it up.

A Fort McMurray Alberta house is also more expensive to maintain. Things break down and wear out over time and will need to be replaced. A roof, for instance, will need to be replaced or repaired down the road and this can be a major expense. If you live in a condo, however, your maintenance expenses will be minimal.

Hopefully you can see both of your options a little clearer now. While both of these Fort McMurray Alberta real estate choices are great, one will end up working better for you, depending what stage you are at in your life.

No more taking out the trash

Does the thought of taking out the trash spoil your day every morning? That will become a burden of the past with Fort McMurray condo living. Condominiums normally come with services for trash collection, clearing of snow, cleaning of common areas, and the collection of leaves/ lawn mowing in the common areas. There is a fee charged and collected by the owners association, but is it not worth it to sit on a lawn you did not have to mow, or go to work in winter without worrying about the snow piled up in the driveway?

Shared Amenities

Unless you live in a palatial mansion, chances are slim that you will have a giant-sized pool in your backyard, a tennis court or a gym. Fort McMurray condo living can offer you all of these luxuries and more. Condos come with shared amenities such as gyms, courts, pools and, at times, even shopping facilities.

Ample Parking Space

Fort McMurray condos often provide more parking than what you would have in a home with a one or two car garage. This means that you do not have to worry when having several guests over.

A Fort McMurray condo can give you the time and the breathing space you need as you build your credit and build your nest egg for a future home. You can also start collecting furnishings and other household fixtures so that when you do get to move into your new home, it is not into an empty house.

It is always the right time to buy real estate in Fort McMurray. Housing statistics go up and down across the board but you can always expect them to stabilize over time. This is the true power of real estate and of putting your money into something that is a long-term investment.

If you have a family it certainly is the best time to supply a home in Fort McMurray for your children.

Most people would agree that a family home is the best environment for children to be brought up in. It gives a sense of roots and stability even to children of a very young age.

Is now the time to buy a Fort McMurray home? Do you have your down payment saved up? Can you meet the monthly payments every month based on your current salary and what you expect to make in the future? Are you prepared to pay the taxes and the utilities? What about repairs – will you have some extra money set aside to cover essential or non-essential repairs in the house as they come up?
If your answer was yes to all of the above questions then it is definitely the right time for you to buy a Fort McMurray home right now. In fact, it is time for you to pick up the phone and call a Fort McMurray real estate agent to set things in motion right away.

Being a first time Fort McMurray homebuyer is a very exiting experience. It is also a very nerve-wrecking time as well. When buying a home, there are many factors that can overwhelm you, and sometimes leave you confused as to what to do. If you follow a few simple strategies, however, you can have a better and more rewarding first time home buying experience.

Research your agent

Whenever you first begin looking for your home, you want to be sure to research your agent. Go to family and friends who have brought homes and ask their advice about their experience as a first time Fort McMurray homebuyer and what to avoid. If they had a pleasant experience, be sure to ask how their agent was helped them and in what way. Also ask them why the agent worked well for them. This will help you work with your Fort McMurray agent and know what types of questions to ask right from the start.

Research your mortgage

Another thing you want to be sure to do is to research your mortgage. Do not just take a loan officer’s word at face value. You must realize that most loan officers work off of commission and their primary goal is to get you approved for a loan, no matter what. By doing so, they can place you into a financial nightmare that you are not sure to wake up from soon. Before signing any loan papers, it is always good to get a second opinion. This may mean that you have to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in Fort McMurray real estate. It may cost a few dollars, but it is worth it in the long run.

Research your housing costs

Mortgages are not the only expenses that you have to worry about as a homeowner. You must also worry about homeowners insurance, taxes, utilities, water, and maintenance. These are all very real expenses that should be researched. Call the Fort McMurray utility companies before hand and ask them what the average cost is for powering a single family home. Get some estimates down on paper, and consider these expenses when you are looking at homes.

By doing these three things you can save yourself a lot of unwanted surprises, and give yourself some peace of mind. As a first time Fort McMurray homebuyer you need to take responsibility for finding out more about the sale so that you can go into it prepared.

What is seller financing?

Seller financing provides for the purchase price of the property to be paid with a low down payment (generally 10 to 30 per cent), the balance amortized over a long term (say 20 years) and a low interest rate (preferably fixed). In most instances, there is a provision that whatever balance of principal exists at the end of a set period of time after purchase (three to 10 years is customary), it becomes due and payable. This is a form of payment that allows the buyer to:

1. Enjoy, initially, a lower monthly payment based on a longer amortization term.

2. The ability to pay off at any time before the end of the set period.

3. Refinance before the financing expires.

What should you be aware of?

When buying land or a lot in a subdivision, the condition of the real estate is an important aspect of any acquisition. It is important that the land or lot has all necessary infrastructure properly permitted per state and municipal approvals. It should have paved streets and all utilities to the property line. If no improvements exist, there could be significant additional costs to the land or lot when ready to build.
Seller financing should be offered with property that does not have any monetary encumbrances (loans) on it. Acquiring real estate using a title company that is registered to conduct title and escrow transactions is an absolute necessity. This will provide the buyer with legal evidence that he becomes the owner and is an alert to any issues or encumbrances that may exist.

How does inflation impact a seller financed property?

With the potential of higher U.S. inflation, the cost to acquire goods and real estate will increase. Fixing a price today may be advantageous, should this occur, to ensure a benefit in the value of the property to the buyer. Ask Shephen Proski for complete details on Buying seller financed real estate in the USA.

Homes and land have always been the safest and most secure investments throughout history. Did you know that most millionaires made their money in real estate? Sure, you say, I’m not even able to buy my own home because…

So you’re tired of paying rent and wish to invest in your future and provide financial stability for your family. However, you are having trouble qualifying for a mortgage and everywhere you turn the answer seems to be “No”. Conventional lenders such as banks have strict lending guidelines and may have many reasons for turning you down. Bad credit rating or no credit history at all. Maybe you’re self-employed and cannot show sufficient income to satisfy the banks requirements. Or maybe you have just not been able to save up enough for a down payment. Whatever the case, purchasing a home, one the the biggest investments in our lives, can be difficult and daunting!

So, maybe some time in the future…

STOP RIGHT THERE! Whatever your circumstances are, Home in Sight specializes in creative solutions to get you into your own home today, not some day in the distant nebulous future. Imagine if you could pay your rent, as you already do, while actually putting that rent toward the purchase of your own house. Rent-to-Own allows you to do exactly that. Part of each month’s rent goes directly toward a down payment on your own home, as you live in it. Each month’s rent gets you that much closer to owning your very own home and taking control of your financial future.

WHY RENT TO OWN ?

Top Nine Reasons Why:

1) MINIMUM CASH UP FRONT! Having difficulty coming up with the funds required for conventional bank financing? With a small Option Deposit and the first month’s rent you can move into a property that you can call your own.

2 ) EASY TO QUALIFY! We are not a bank, and qualifying to purchase a home through our program is easy! If you have reliable income to support the monthly lease payments and are able to provide the required Option Deposit, then you may be qualified.

3 ) NO HIDDEN FEES! Monthly lease payments cover rent payments, property taxes, building insurance, condo/strata fees (if applicable).

4 ) ACCUMULATE A DOWN PAYMENT! Your Option Deposit and a portion of each monthly rent is credited towards the purchase price of your home. This could be thousands per year!

5 ) INCREASED BUYING POWER! Minimum cash upfront increases your buying power. Compare that to lenders that require 5-35% down payment in addition to closing costs.

6 ) PROVIDES TIME TO HEAL! The lease is typically a 2 to 5 year term. This lets you take advantage of the time to establish or restore your credit while the purchase price of your home remains secure from market appreciation.

7 ) PROFIT FROM INCREASED VALUE! Home values may dip from time to time, but historically, they will always increase over time. The purchase price will be established from Day One and and is guaranteed for the entire length of your lease term. If the market appreciates better than anticipated, you will benefit directly from the extra equity.

8 ) OPTIONS! Many programs are limited to homes in inventory, reducing your options in homes styles and locations. We realize that everyone has their own preferences and dreams of what their home should be like and where they would like to live. If one of the homes WE HAVE does not fit your needs and budget we would like to propose that YOU FIND the home of your dreams from the MLS listing like everyone else…you work with one of our Realtors to choose a listed house. You pick where and what you want, we negotiate and purchase on your behalf.

9) PROTECT YOUR EQUITY AND CREDIT! Our program can be the solution to protect both your equity and credit rating. When banks are foreclosing or debts are overwhelming, let Home in Sight help you remain in your family’s home and provide stability where only chaos appears on the horizon.

About Home In Sight

Home in Sight is a Canadian company based in Langley, BC. Started by two business partners with a passion for real estate, we have experience both in new home construction and in rental properties. While these provide a living for our own families, another satisfying reward is helping other families succeed in owning their own home or in providing a solution out of their financial dilemmas. We understand the financial pressures a family can face, and we also truly believe that home ownership is the greatest way to create a solid financial future.

Harland “Colonel” Sanders was the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, and now KFC restaurants serve more than 12 million customers every day in 109 countries and territories around the world. Colonel Sanders is proof that it’s never too late to decide to never give up.

Let’s celebrate that it’s never too late!

Prepare yourself. Don’t “wing it” at your next networking event. Write down a few good questions to ask new acquaintances that will get people talking to you (who, what, why…). Be ready to introduce yourself and describe what you do in an interesting way.

Help other people. As you find out what new acquaintances want, look for opportunities. Maybe you know someone with the expertise they need. Maybe your own business offers a service that can save them money. Don’t be pushy, but do let people know what you can do to help them.

Stay in touch. Get contact information from everyone you meet (and share your own). Touch base with every member of your network once every few months so you stay fresh in people’s minds.

1. Magnets. As the number of children’s products containing magnets has increased, so have injuries. When these tiny magnets fall out of toys, children are tempted to swallow them. Though a single magnet may not cause a tragedy, two or more magnets (or a magnet and any other metal item) are cause for alarm. They can attract to one another through the intestinal wall and pinch or twist the intestines – causing holes, blockages, infections, even death.

2. Recalled products. The CPSC can get recalled items off retailers’ shelves, but once a product is inside your home, you have to be on the lookout. Pay attention to the recall announcements and check for those items in your home.

3. Tip-overs. It can be fatal for a child to pull over a large item like a television or a bookcase. Make sure such items are stable in their positions, and monitor children who go near them.

4. Windows and coverings. Curtain and blind cords are a choking hazard and should always be kept out of the reach of children. Don’t rely on window screens to prevent children from falling out. Screens are designed to keep bugs out, not kids in.

5. Pool and spa drains. Pool drain suction can be strong enough to hold an adult under water. However, most incidents involve children. Missing or broken drain covers are often the reason for these accidents. For pool owners: Install a safety vacuum release system that detects drain blockage and alters the pool pump or water circulation to prevent an accident. For parents and guardians: Check the drains, or at least determine where they are, before allowing children to use the pool.