A husband creates a life lease for his second wife, allowing her to live in their home as long as she lives. When she dies, the home reverts to the heirs. If she lives the entire rest of her life in that home, no problem. But should she move out of that home, say, to go into a care home, what happens to the family property?
Her children might see this property as a money maker and rent it out, or even live in it themselves.
If the husband has put in the life lease a clause stating that should she move out of the property, then it would revert to the heirs, the problem would have been averted.
When you contact your lawyer to write up this life lease contract, make sure that this potential problem is avoided.

Selling a home in December, January, or February in cold climates can be a tough task with a market slowdown and chilly weather.

Typically, buyers searching in the winter months are more serious.

Here are five tips from RE/MAX  Associates in Northern Illinois that may help you:

1. Let those lights shine.  “Turn on interior lights for a showing-even in closets and utility rooms –and make sure the bulbs are working.  Stock up on all the right bulbs for your lamps and fixtures to replace burned-out ones immediately. Keep front exterior lights on even if no showings are scheduled. Open drapes and blinds to let in light and show visitors the view.” (Marlene Granacki) (more…)

Even though the Federal Government has tightened the mortgage rules , lenders and home buyers have found a way around this down-payment rule.

Who qualifies?  Those with GREAT CREDIT AND INCOME, but who find it hard to save the 5% down payment.  Lenders will give these buyers  5% cash back on closing.  The transfer will happen at the lawyer’s office, with the lender providing the funds at the time of completion.  Should the buyer now have the down payment, the cash back can be used by the buyer for other things, such as renovations.

One point to remember: with no down payment, the monthly mortgage payments will be little higher.

Who should be interested?  Those buyers interested in getting into the real estate market, who can afford the home-ownership costs, but just have trouble saving the down payment.

The holiday season is quickly approaching and the team at Fine Redesign is eager to give back in a unique and hands-on way. We are excited to launch our First Annual ‘Stage it Forward – Give Back’ Event in the Lower Mainland this November and are offering a FREE HOME STAGING PACKAGE VALUED AT $5000 to the home that needs us most!

The entire team has been out in full force searching for that special homeowner who has fallen on difficult times; someone who needs help getting their house looking its best in order to sell quickly and for top dollar.

We found them.

Today I met with Ike Klassen from Abbotsford BC. Nominated by Richard Friesen of Re/Max Little Oak Realty, I knew Ike had a sad story to tell and thought I was prepared.  Seeing him wipe away the tears as he spoke so lovingly of his wife and best friend for the past 50 years, and what the future now holds for them, was not easy.

Ike and Alvina – both extremely talented artists – decided to sell the family home this October when they realized the upkeep of the house and property was more than they could manage. They loved their home and selling it was a difficult decision, but one they knew they had to make.

Sadly, Ike woke one morning to find Alvina unconcious, having suffered a serious stroke. She is currently in the hospital, unable to speak or walk, and is paralyzed on the left side of her body. She communicates only by squeezing her hand.

The stress of dealing with Alvina’s condition took its toll on Ike. A few weeks after her stroke, he had a heartattack, was hospitalized and underwent surgery. He is unable to lift anything heavy and even walking up the stairs is a challenge.

Life for the Klassen’s will never be the same. Alvina will soon be moved into a long term care facility and selling their family home has become a neccessity in order to help pay those costs.

Their house is going to receive a complete home staging transformation. The Fine Redesign team and all of the “Stage it Forward” sponsors are excited at the opportunity to showcase all of the beautiful features this property has to offer.

Selling the home is important, but what all of us are truly hoping for is that both Ike and Alvina will be able to recover from their hardships and continue on with a long and happy life together.

Katie Matthewman,

Owner Fine Redesign Home Staging & Decor Inc.

Staging your home to sell can help you get a premium price for your home.  Done right, it helps your place sell faster and for more money.  Professional home stagers play up the best features of your home and minimize the worst.  They rearrange artwork, pack up the personal items like bowling trophies, and clear out the unnecessary items.

Here are the 10 best tips that stagers use:

1.  First Impressions

     Prospective buyers make up their mind very quickly about your home based on their first impressions.  So clean up the yard, rake your leaves, sweep driveways and porches, or powerwash them.  Spend time cleaning the front door, railings and steps.  Put away recycling cans and bins in the back yard.

2. Declutter

   Clutter will lose you money on your home.  Purge your closets, empty cupboards, box up anything you don’t use everyday. Reduce the number of books on the shelves as well as the DVDs and CDs. Be ruthless!

3. Keep it neutral

   Your goal is to have the buyer imagine him or herself as living in your house.  So remove the personal items, like the family photos, all that stuff on the fridge, all your shampoo bottles, etc.

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