Maria Mak. Burnaby Real Estate Agents. BC Home Sales to rise in 2013

BCREA 2012 Third Quarter Housing Forecast Update

Vancouver, BC – August 30, 2012. 

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2012 Third Quarter Housing Forecast Update today.
BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to edge down 4 per cent to 73,400 units this year, before increasing 7.5 per cent to 78,900 units in 2013. Since 2009, MLS® residential sales in BC have ranged between 74,000 to 78,000 units. A record 106,300 MLS® residential sales were recorded in 2005.

"Despite more robust consumer demand in the Interior, fewer home sales in Vancouver will pull the BC total lower this year," said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. "However, a notable growth trend in full-time employment combined with persistently low mortgage interest rates is expected to boost housing demand around the province in 2013."

"MLS® residential prices are expected to remain relatively stable this year and through 2013, with changes in average price statistics largely the result of a differing mix of home types sold and shifting regional demand patterns," added Muir. Average price data for Vancouver was skewed artificially high in 2011 by a wave of detached home sales in the priciest neighbourhoods. Lower Mainland’s share of provincial home sales is expected to decline to 58 per cent this year from 62 per cent in 2011. The average MLS® residential price in BC is forecast to decline 7.8 per cent to $517,500 this year, and remain relatively unchanged at $519,000 in 2013.

For all premium quality real estate sevices, contact Maria Mak @ 604.839.6368 or visit her website www.mariamak.com, You will be smiling too.
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Maria Mak. Burnaby Realtor. Understanding Agency Relationship when working with Realtors

The agency relationship is established through a contract between you, the client, and your agent, the company under which the REALTOR® is licensed. Most REALTOR® use a blue brochure titled Working with a Real Estate Agent to disclose the nature of the agency relationship with their client.

A REALTOR® can act for a seller or a buyer, or to a limited degree, both. Whomever they represent, REALTORS® have a legal obligation to uphold the integrity of their clients, while protecting and promoting their interests.

Seller's AgentBuyer's Agent Dual Agency

•For your REALTOR® to list your property for sale on MLS®, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver requires completion of a listing agreement.

•Signing this agreement with you commits your REALTOR® to uphold the above obligations.

•The listing agreement also states the compensation amount the seller will pay the REALTOR®.

•The contract of purchase and sale is initiated when an offer is made by the buyer to purchase the sellers's property.

•The contract outlines the terms and conditions of the offer, such as offer price and subject conditions.

•The seller may reject the offer or make a counter offer.

•Once all terms have been accepted and both seller and buyer have signed the contract, each party is legally bound to fulfill the conditions of the contract.

•Dual agency is created when an agent represents both the buyer and seller in a single transaction.

•This can happen if a REALTOR® who is representing a buyer, sells one of their own listings to that buyer.

 

•A dual agent must be impartial to both buyer and seller and fully disclose all information relating to the transaction.

•A REALTOR® can be a dual agent only if both seller and buyer agree in writing.

Remember: always read all contracts and disclosure forms before signing. If you have questions about agency relationships contact your REALTOR® or Maria Mak @ Sutton Centre Realty or visit her website at www.mariamak.com , You'll be smilling too!

Maria Mak. Burnaby Real Estate. Burnaby Real Estate Agents. BC websites for Home Buyers

Technology has been a driving force behind the transformation of many industries. While real estate remains a people business, consumers today have access to scores of information that can help them find an property, a REALTOR® and connect all the dots in between.

Purchasing a home will likely be the most important buying decision you’ll ever have to make so it is important to do your own research, understand your rights and find professionals that you are most comfortable working with.

If you’re deciding whether to buy or sell a home, it’s critical that you understand and properly assess your personal and financial circumstances against current housing opportunities.


The REALTORS® of Canada and other real estate professionals have provided a wealth of information online to help you understand what opportunities are out there for you and your family to consider.

www.realtor.ca

Formerly mls.ca, this is the most comprehensive and popular real estate listing website in the country.

In 2008, the Canadian Real Estate Association rebranded and re-designed mls.ca to become realtor.ca. This change brought upgraded search functions and capabilities, which provide a streamlined experience for people using the site.

If you’re looking for a property in BC, you can search by area or MLS® number. If you’re looking for a REALTOR®, you can search the province by name, company or area of specialty.

www.realtylink.org

Learn about the real estate market and homes for sale in Greater Vancouver and the province.


The online version of this publication, the Realtylink website is an excellent resource for consumers looking to buy or sell a home in BC. The website contains a vast range of home listings for properties across the province and features indepth walkthrough-style information that everyone should know when dealing in real estate. If you’re buying, you can find a REALTOR® in your community or learn more about the mortgage process and details regarding offers and completion.

If you’re selling, you can learn about establishing your home’s value and how to prepare it before it goes on the market.

The site also features links to market data and online versions of the Realtylink In Print newspaper produced for each geographical area in Metro Vancouver.

www.rebgv.org

A wide-ranging, one-stop website for real estate information. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s website offers visitors a 360-degree look at local real estate, providing detailed MLS® statistics, monthly podcasts, consumer guidance and other information and links related to local real estate.

On the site, you can track home prices in your area, search for a REALTOR®, read about government initiatives that impact local real estate, and learn about the various cost-savings programs available for homebuyers and sellers.

The site also features a wealth of consumer information related to buying and selling a home, from checklists and FAQ’s to market data and community profiles. One of the most important measures of home value in real estate is the MLS®Link Housing Price Index (HPI), and this website contains the latest HPI data as well as a comprehensive breakdown of home values across the region.

www.recbc.ca

A site for consumer protection and industry regulation.


The Real Estate Council of British Columbia is the body responsible for licensing and regulating REALTORS® in BC. Their website is full of valuable consumer protection information, as well as information on how to become a REALTOR®.

 
One of the most important features of this site is the Complaints and Discipline section, which allows consumers to file complaints against REALTORS® and inform themselves about recent disciplinary decisions.


www.howrealtorshelp.ca

Built and maintained by the Canadian Real Estate Association, this site is filled with good information for those looking to buy and sell a home.



The site offers information for buyers and sellers on a variety of topics and includes brief videos to illustrate examples.



You can also find handy tools like checklists for buyers and sellers and mortgage calculators.



For all your premium real estate services, please contact Maria Mak @ 604.839.6368 or visit her website www.mariamak.com, You'll be smiling too.

Maria Mak. Burnaby Real Estate Agents - Latest Real Estate News : 16 ways to sell your home faster

When selling a home , the marketing effort must be coordinated on all fronts. It also must be superior to the competition. This is especially true in a buyers’ market where the homes sitting on the market seemingly outnumber the potential home buyers. In such an environment, you must lift your home out from this crowd and highlight it in the best way possible. You must out-think the competition.

All good marketing efforts begin life as a sound, basic plan and then evolves to fit the particular property and situation. Cut from whole cloth and then tailor-made, such a plan will incorporate innovative new ideas and “rearrange” old ones.

1. Select a Quality Realtor . There are some realtors who are little more than “order takers” who literally can’t properly write out a contract, much less have the hard-won knowledge needed to position your home in the most appropriate and effective way for your particular market. So how do you find such an experienced, market aggressive realtor? Ask around. Check with friends and get some names. When selling in today’s market, you need to be in the hands of a practicing “doctor” and not someone eager to practice on you.

2. The market evaluation should compare your home with at least 10 currently active competitive listings, 10 recent competitive sales and 10 expired listings which didn’t sell. Drive over and check out these benchmark properties yourself to ensure the realtor has put your home in the right “ballpark”. If you disagree, find out the reasoning as to why the realtor has so placed your home. The reasons could be good ones indeed. (Or vice versa.)


3. Once you’ve vetted all three choices, go with the realtor whose combination of experience, proven performance and action-plan for your home is the most impressive. But be careful not to confuse impressive with unattainable.


4. Ensure your home is listed on the realtor’s personal website and other media like ethnic newspaper and magazine. The more exposure, the better.


5. Underline to the realtor that you wish to be kept informed of the sales progress at least once a week during the entire listing period. Every time the home is shown to prospective buyers, ensure the realtor informs you in advance and also gives you a feedback as to the viewer’s reaction to the home. On the other hand, don’t overdo it. Be courteous and be careful not to nag the realtor. When dealing with a professional, be professional.


6. Price Your Home Right: Yes, we all need and want the best price. But be realistic. It might do wonders for the ego and daydreams, but a high price tag does little if it doesn’t come accompanied with a sale. If anything, it has kept your home effectively out of the market. Once you and your realtor have agreed upon an asking price based upon the aforementioned market evaluation, bring in a reality check. Based on your understanding of the competition, is the pricing realistic? This is particularly important in a market where prices are falling.


7. Create a “Benefit and Feature” Sheet For Your Home: Reach back in time and remember why you bought the home in the first place. What caught your eye, what appealed to you? Write these reasons down; more often than not, new buyers will also be attracted to these same features. List every good point, every benefit, your property and your neighborhood enjoys. Today, people want information. Lots of it. Think about the basics and spell them out. A good agent will know the answers already, but nonetheless, these basic features should be highlighted in your feature sheet.


8. Place Your Home on the MLS: If a home is to sell, it must have maximum exposure. The Multiple Listing Service will give it that exposure. As well, ensure your home is put on the Agents Open or MLS Agents Tour so as to educate other realtors as to the home’s potential. But two months is all you need to get on.


9. Buy Some Extra Enthusiasm: Human beings almost always act in their own self-interest first. Take advantage of this to promote some extra interest in your own property. Offer something special to encourage realtors to bring in those offers. Depending upon how hard it is to sell your home (higher price, tough area, unique features that appeal to few, future potential versus today’s reality), offer extra commission to the realtor who brings in the sale…but only if he or she brings it in at the full asking price. As most offers are invariably lower, it’s unlikely you’ll actually end up paying the extra commission, but it does work as an incentive.


10. Advertise: Consider a cost-effective advertising campaign and review such a plan with your realtor. How big an advertisement? Placed where? How often? Review the ad itself with the realtor and test-market it past a few unbiased friends, associates and so forth. Keep your ego out of it.


11. Let Nothing Escape the Net: Insist that the realtor presents to you all and any offers that come in, no matter how low or seemingly impossible. If someone is willing to write an offer, be considerate enough to see it. Besides, it gives you a better idea of just how the market is reacting to your property.


12. First Impressions Do Count: Fix up your home but do it with “resale” in mind: take care of the eye-catching areas and don’t waste the effort (and money) on the rest. The first thing a potential buyers sees is the front porch or entrance. Fix that wobbly front step or squeaky door. Repaint the front door, bathrooms and kitchen. Use off-white or general neutral colors only. If the rug is frayed or stained, consider removing them and going with hardwood floors (assuming you’ve got them and they’re in reasonable shape). Again, sell the “idea” of the place’s renovation potential but don’t waste the effort to carry it through and do the actual doing. Let the new owners do it. But with that said, there are certain largish renovations which may add more cost-effective resale value than others.


13. Spread the Word: Hand out the feature sheet and unique offer/special commission information to everyone you know, including your secretaries, part-time staff and whomever. You never know who the information will get passed on to next.


14. Don’t be afraid to be Different: Agents regularly send out “I Just Listed” flyers to other homes in the neighborhood in the hope of engendering new business. Fine, but check out the flyer and make sure he or she lists the special features and special incentives of your home and not just the standard ubiquitous “vanilla-flavored” preprinted card. Be different. Again, you never know who ends up reading this detailed information. And again, nothing succeeds like success.


15. Declutter and then declutter again. Depersonalize and neutralize. The first items that should go in those packing boxes: family photos, collections and just about anything else that says “you.” Show the home from its best possible side. Have people see how they would feel if they owned the home. Developers have show suites and show homes for a reason.


16. Stage your home! Have a professional come in and help. Stand in the doorway to find each room’s focal point, and use furniture placement to highlight that. The back of your sofa shouldn’t block the view of the fireplace, for example. Remove any extraneous pieces of furniture. “Re-position” them into another room … or into storage altogether. A wingback chair that’s crowding the family room might help create a nice reading nook in the master bedroom. There are a number of reasons why homes don’t sell: overpriced, poor location, poor condition, intense competition as many similar homes similarly priced are all fighting for attention. Homes that do sell are those that are tended diligently by the professional realtor, are priced right (as in just below the competition) and have something unique about them that attracts the buyer’s attention in the first place. You have the right to demand an attentive, professional, upbeat realtor, a person who creates a solid, comprehensive action plan (in writing) and does so in a measurable way (number of showings, numbers of interested buyers, etc.). A good realtor keeps you informed all the way. Be focused. Insist that your realtor be equally as focused. There is no such thing as accidental success. It’s always earned and always comes with a price.






***For all your real estate services, please contact Maria Mak and my team at Sutton Centre Realty at 604-839-6368 or visit my website at http://www.mariamak.com, you’ll be smiling too!

Maria Mak. Burnaby Realtor - a poem for my beloved brother

***a poem for my beloved G Bro***

 

let’s peep,

let’s wonder;

be bold;

be gifted;

be thankful for you and me…

have met on the same path,

have pounded on the same dream,

have soared at the same height;

 

let's play our pianos,

let's write our songs;

be fused

be amazed,

till the last drop of our tears,

till the death of our front dwarfs;

 

don't bid farewell,

don't say goodbye,

let’s sit together on top of our mount green,

watching the sunset …maybe the sunrise;

 

fossils forever and ever.

 

 

*a poem for my beloved G Bro*

written by Maria Mak. Burnaby Real

Maria Mak.Burnaby Realtor.604.839.6368 @ Sutton Centre Realty

Contact Maria Mak and her elite team @ 604.839.6368 for all your premium professional real estate services. 

With over 25 years experience in the real estate market in Metro Vancouver and Burnaby area, Maria can surely put a big smile on your face when you buy and sell real estate. Visit her website http://www.mariamak.com/ for market's updates. 

Maria Mak - *Burnaby Realtor* - Sutton Centre Realty

Contact Maria Mak and her elite team @ Sutton Centre Realty @ 604-839-6368 for all your premium professional real estate services or visit her website www.mariamak.com

Maria has been serving her clients in Metro Vancouver for over 25 years with a big heart and with a big smile .

Maria can speak fluent Mandarin, Cantonese, English. THANK YOU .

Maria Mak. Burnaby Realtor **OPEN HOUSE *** 5106 Portland Street Burnaby BC *** Sat/Sun June 16th/17th 2 - 4 PM***

*****$ 789,000*****

5106 Portland Street, Burnaby

OPEN HOUSE Sat/Sun June 16th/17th 2 - 4 PM

Come and visit Maria Mak - Burnaby Realtor(s) /Burnaby Real Estate Agent(s) - Sutton Centre Realty - OPEN HOUSE @ 5106 Portland Street, Burnaby on Sat/Sun June 16th/17th 2 - 4 PM .

This Beautiful Character home is located on a corner view lot in sunny South Slope area close to Metrotown.

Please visit Maria Mak's website @ http://www.mariamak.com/ or contact her @ 604-839-6368 for details and information.

Maria Mak - Burnaby Realtor - *New Listing* - 5106 Portland Street Burnaby *$789,000*

This lovely, fully renovated beautiful home, (from the studs to the concrete foundation flooring in 2009), is meticulously well kept and tastefully decorated. It is situated on a corner view lot in Sunny Slope area near Metrotown.

Spacious 2000 plus sq. ft. living area with four bedrooms and two full ensuites. It includes an in-law basement suite with separate entrance. Kitchen features designer granite countertops, chestnut hardwood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, centre cooking island, tons of storage space.

Spend a sunny afternoon on the partly enclosed sun deck (off the dining room) overlooking the panoramic southerly view of Mt. Baker and Richmond. Close to Burnaby South Secondary School, Clinton Elementary School, steps to Froggers Creek Ravine Park and a short walk to Royal Oak Skytrain and all amenities.

5106 Portland Street Burnaby BC

*** $ 789,000***

Contact Maria Mak @ 604-839-6368 or email @ mmak@sutton.com or visit her website @ www.mariamak.com, for more details.

Maria Mak - Burnaby Real Estate Agent @ Sutton Centre Realty

Maria Mak - Burnaby Realtor/Vancouver Real Estate Agent - Serving Metro Vancouver for over 25 years with a big heart, with a big smile, most importantly with passion.

Contact Maria Mak @ Sutton Centre Realty at 604-839-6368 or visit her website @ http://www.mariamak.com/ for all your premium real estate services, You'll be smiling too!

Maria Mak - Burnaby Real Estate Agent - a poem for my mom.

Maria Mak @ QE Park on Mother's Day 13 May 2012 - thinking of mom.

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

If turnips were watches, I would wear one by my side.

If men were innate heart-breakers, I would just take them in stride.

If mom were one of those heaven-shareholders, it would then be my forever sense of pride.

If I were the dragon of the century, I would fly over your hobbit hut and ask you for a dance!

- a poem written for her mom by Maria Mak

Contact Maria Mak @ Sutton Centre Realty at 604-839-6368 for all your premium real estate services, or visit her website http://www.mariamak.com/, You'll be smiling too!

Maria Mak - Burnaby Real Estate Agent : Out of the Mundane...

Out of the mundane,

Out of the blue,

Before the sun set sail to the wind,

And the soul caught full in the guilt,

May you and the sky be the one we once knew…

Out of the picture …out of the blue.

Drawing and Written by Maria Mak

Contact Maria Mak @ Sutton Centre Realty at 604-839-6368 for all your premium real estate services, or visit her website http://www.mariamak.com/, You'll be smiling too!