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October Preferred Client Update


Blog by Kim Twohey | October 2nd, 2019


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Using a Realtor When Buying a New Build Home

Buying a new build can be a lot more complicated than purchasing a resale. You’ll benefit from working with a local expert who knows the project’s neighbourhood, target audience, materials used and sales data. Here are the reason you want to use a realtor, even when buying from a builder:

A REALTOR® can negotiate on your behalf
Sure, you can simply trust a sales representative to haggle with the builder, but that may not get you the best deal or added perks, like free upgrades or new appliances. Understanding the fine print in a purchase contract is not for the faint of heart. A real estate professional can point out the confusing clauses you’re better off negotiating on.

You’ll get the low-down on the up-sells
Immaculately designed model homes offer all the bells and whistles, tempting buyers into adding all sorts of extras onto the standard price. Sometimes, these upgrades aren’t worth it. Your Realtor can help you decide what’s worth doing and what can wait.

You won’t fall for sales pitches that seem too good to be true
Buyers are led to believe if they don’t use an agent, the builder will subtract the price of a Realtor’s potential commission from the purchase price. But since the seller (i.e. the builder) pays your agent’s commission,
it only makes sense to insist on having one.

A Realtor will provide guidance and support throughout the transaction
When it comes to pre-construction, home buyers must navigate multiple steps and interact with several people before closing. In addition to making decisions around design, buyers must also make technical choices about electrical work or construction add-ons during the build.



Bottom line? The builder’s rep has the builder’s goals in mind, while your own agent is a valuable resource with just one person to satisfy: You.
 


Six Land and Garden Clean-Up Tips Before Winter


1. Weed, Clean and Fertilize. 
Start in your garden areas. They will most likely need the most work. Clean out all the weeds and leaves of the gardens. Turn the soil over now, so that in the spring the backbreaking chore will be done. The dirt is usually easier to work with in the fall. Make sure you put down a fresh layer of organic fertilizer like a steer or chicken manure.

2. Care for Your Lawn.  
This is the time of year when you can lower the blades on the mower and cut your lawn lower. With the cooler temperatures, your lawn will not grow as fast. This is the best time of year to feed your lawn.

3. Use a quick-release formula 
so that all the good nutrients have a chance to feed your lawn before the snow comes. In the warmer states where the winters are shorter with no or little freezing days, you should use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer so that your lawn will stay greener longer.

4. Mulch some of the leaves 
into your lawn. Raking helps to pull dead grass and roots that will not decompose in the winter. Raking will allow the grass to have a penetration of water more easily

5. Fall Transplanting. 
Shrubs and perennials should be transplanted in the fall. Trees that need to be moved because they have outgrown their area or other reasons, should be transplanted in the fall. This is the safest time of year to do all your transplanting.

6. Trim Shrubs. 
Shrubs, trees, and plants should be cut back and trimmed in the fall. All your azaleas, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons need to be trimmed so they do not overgrow in the area they are planted.