Author: Kylie Davis

How lenders determine the value of your dream home

A popular question mortgage brokers field from clients relates to how banks value a property.   Occasionally, the query includes a tone of anxiety as a lender won’t confirm a loan, despite issuing a pre-approval, until it’s seen the property.  It’s a reasonable approach, as the property will be collateral against their loan, and the lender…
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Adapting Your Home to Modern Lifestyle Needs

When considering selling your home, making strategic improvements can significantly increase its appeal to potential buyers. Regardless of market conditions, certain upgrades tend to catch buyers’ attention and potentially increase your home’s value. As an experienced real estate agent, I can attest that successfully selling a home involves much more than simply placing a “For…
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Find the best loan with these five tips

The idea of exploring the neighborhood to find a dream home is an incredibly exciting moment when you’re a first-time buyer. But you come back to earth when faced with the challenge of choosing a lender and mortgage product.  The variety of interest rates and terms and conditions can be bewildering. As an experienced agent…
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Secrets to making a good impression

Inviting strangers to walk into your home as prospective buyers can be nerve-wracking. Most owners will leave the property and return after folks have finished their viewings. The departure of an owner encourages buyers to speak more freely about the property, and they won’t feel as if they are visitors. This is important because you…
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Eight ways to remodel a kitchen

When considering home improvements to increase your property’s value, it’s natural to wonder which areas will yield the best return on investment. Kitchen and bathroom upgrades often top the list of renovations that attract buyer interest and potentially increase home value. Kitchens, in particular, are a focal point for many homebuyers. Here are some timeless…
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Why an escrow account is good for every buyer

Buying a home is one of the most significant purchases you’ll ever make, and it should be no surprise therefore that some administrative elements of your real estate deal are quite technical. These processes have been put in place to protect buyers and their money. Buyers probably ask me more questions about having to establish…
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How to stop fixtures disappearing before you move in

It may sound crazy, but some sellers will try to remove real estate fixtures from their property after they’ve sold it to you. Stories of new owners arriving at their dream home to find light fittings missing or roses pulled from the flowerbeds are becoming increasingly common. Some sellers seem to have developed strong attachments…
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Create a great lawn with minimum effort

The excitement of finally living in your own home cannot be overstated for first-home buyers. It’s one of the most exciting times of your life, while also not without challenges and learning experiences. One lesson you learn quickly is how to manage your garden, especially if you’re moving in during the late spring and summer…
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Essential documents for loan applications

Applying for your first mortgage can be nerve-wracking. How much a lender is prepared to offer you will determine whether you can afford to buy a suitable property in your target location. It is also important to understand that your lender will only issue the loan after valuing the property you want to buy and…
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Eight tips to keep your bathroom renovation on track

Few investments will give you better payback than a bathroom renovation. In our experience, homes with renovated bathrooms will sell for a higher price and be snapped up faster than you might typically expect. If you go down the rip-and-replace path, then you have an array of choices in terms of the style, colors and…
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