For most people, buying a home is the most significant investment of their lives. Moreover, in spite of the doubt and confusion clouding both the financial markets and news headlines, there are many genuine real estate opportunities - especially for first-time buyers.

In general, prices are stable and historical data demonstrates that purchasing a home has proven a sound long-term financial investment. However, first-time homebuyers are often understandably anxious when it comes time to making the purchase. We have come up with a simple "do and don't" list to make the process easier for everyone dreaming of homeownership.

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Starting With the Right Selling Price Will Affect Your Bottom Line

When you are selling your home, the price that you start with is a critical factor in determining the final return that you will receive. That is why you need to obtain a market evaluation from an experienced professional Realtor. We can provide am honest assessment of your home. Some of the factors that we consider when preparing a real estate assessment include:

• The current local market conditions
• The condition of your home
• Improvements and repairs that you have made to the property
• The time frame in which you plan to place your home on the market

In real estate terms, the market value of a home or condo is the price at which a particular house, in its current condition, will sell for in the next 30 to 90 days.

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Article from The Record, December 15, 2008 - www.therecord.com

A couple of years ago, some landlords would offer a month's free rent, free parking or gift cards to entice new tenants.

Now, apartments in Waterloo Region are snapped up faster than in many other Canadian cities, thanks in part to a young population delaying home ownership, a new report says.

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