NAR 2011 Report on Realtor Use

The following report written by Mark McLean of Realty Lab should be of interest!

According to a recent survey (2011) conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the use of real estate agents in the USA is currently at a 10 year high. Of the over 5700 home buyers and sellers polled, almost 89% are using agents. That number, by the way, is up nearly 20% in the last decade.  While many cited the complicated home buying process (foreclosures, short sales, etc)  I think there is a decent comparison to our Canadian market from these statistics.  If you are looking to beef up your buyer or seller packages, these are pretty powerful numbers.  The study asked people what service they wanted from their agents. Here are the results;  Read more... (400 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Regina Real Estate Set to Shine in 2012

The Association of Regina Realtors just released their end-of-year report for 2011, and the news is all good! While the rest of North America may be having fluctuating markets and decreases in business, Regina is booming!

“As the numbers show, 2011 was one of the best, if not the best, years for theReginareal estate market. Economic, job and household growth, combined with a very tight rental market, all contributed to very high demand for housing and owning a home,” said Gord Archibald, Executive Officer of the Association of Regina REALTORS® Inc.  Read more... (391 words, 1 image, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

What’s On Your House-Hunting Wish List?

You are almost ready to buy your dream home in Regina. You have saved for a nice down payment, you have improved your credit score as much as possible, and now you are starting to seriously look at Regina real estate listings. But do you really know what you want and need in a home?

Many people say “I’ll just know it when I see it.” Sure, a home can be like a high-school sweetheart where love blossoms at eye contact, but as most of us know, the love we thought would last forever often went sour in just a few weeks or months.  Read more... (623 words, estimated 2:30 mins reading time)

Home Staging Advice for the Holiday Season in Regina

Many people devote entire storage units just to the decorations that are used for a month or so during the holiday season. It’s always tempting to go all out and outdo the neighbor’s light display. But is this a good idea if your Regina home is on the market? No, it’s not. If you choose to decorate your on-the-market home for any holiday this year, follow these simple tips.  Read more... (676 words, 1 image, estimated 2:42 mins reading time)

• Remember the basics of staging your home for quick sale throughout your decorating process. Keep it simple, emphasize the best aspects of your home, keep it free of clutter and limit the personal aspects.

Tips to Increase Your Energy Efficiency

Energy consciousness is almost a moral issue these days, but even if you just want to pay less on your energy bills and improve your Regina home at the same time, there are many measures that can be taken to reduce your energy consumption starting today. Here is a handful for you to consider.

Appliances

Use appliances that fit your needs. If you are a person who eats out most of the time, you probably don’t need the biggest refrigerator at the appliance store. Purchase one that will give you just the space you need. I’m not suggesting that you must live with a dorm-sized fridge, but regular refrigerators come in a variety of sizes, and there isn’t much of a difference in appearance.  Read more... (897 words, estimated 3:35 mins reading time)