How to Prepare for Spring House Hunting Season

Spring’s around the corner in Vancouver, which means the real estate market will be in full swing in no time. As much as today’s sellers need to showcase their home’s best features, buyers need to be just as prepared before they start house hunting. Here are a few tips to get you started, no matter which side of the fence you’re on.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR SPRING HOUSE HUNTING IF YOU’RE A BUYER

Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Before you schedule anything with your realtor, sit down with a professional mortgage broker to define your financial situation. There’s no sense in seeing homes and have it turn out later that they’re out of your league! Getting pre-approved will also help you move quicker on the property you do fall in love with the ability to make an offer right away!

Next: narrow down your wish list. Decide on your must-haves (neighbourhood, school districts, number of bedrooms or whatever features are non-negotiable) and then proceed with seeing homes.

It’s also important to set a budget, and stick to it! You may be pre-approved for more, but it’s important to keep all closing costs, possible renovations, and unexpected expenses in mind. Try not to get sucked into a bidding war and spend more than you intended, either.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR SPRING HOUSE HUNTING IF YOU’RE A SELLER

The tasks if you’re prepping to sell your house can feel never-ending. Make a To Do list, then start checking it off step-by-step. Five areas we suggest you focus on are:

Find your comparables. Are you selling a family home in East Van or a condo in False Creek? It’s important to set realistic expectations when setting your selling price. Your realtor can help with that!

Fix the small stuff and don’t be afraid to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls. A good deep clean can’t hurt, either. A neutral palate and no scuffs can make the difference to the discerning buyer’s eye.

Purge! You’ll be packing soon enough anyway, pre-sale is a good time to de-clutter and de-personalize. Your prospective home buyer will be able to picture themselves in your home a lot easier if it’s a blank slate.

Freshen your décor (or stage your home!) and focus on curb appeal.

Have professional photos taken. Proper marketing can go a long way to setting the stage for a successful sale.

BUYER OR SELLER: HIRE A PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE AGENT

We help with negotiating the price, offering advice, and are in contact with mortgage brokers, inspectors and other professionals you may need. It’s important for the buyer and seller to each have their own representation to prevent conflict of interest.

Call (604) 880-4588 today to set up a free home evaluation or to start your search for your dream home!