5 common myths about selling your house...⁠

1. Overpricing will give more room for negotiations and get a better price. Overpricing your home often leads to the home sitting and not receiving much interest. If a home is priced competitively from the beginning, the chances of attracting optimal traffic from the beginning greatly increases. 

2. All Agents Are The Same, Charge Too Much & Will Get You The Same Results. Although the general process of buying or selling and the ensuing chain of events are similar, no two agents are the same, nor is their approach to real estate. Successful real estate agents are committed to excellence, devote endless amounts of time and energy into working with buyers and sellers and are highly adept problem solvers.

3. The First Buyer to Make an Offer Will Always Lowball You. Low offers can be insulting to sellers and are generally not a good way to open up a transaction. If you really want the home and it is priced reasonably, offer close-to or at list price. In some markets, you may even want to offer over list price to secure the home of your dreams. This is where a great agent will help you come up with a winning offer-strategy.

4. Home improvements will pay for themselves. Don’t expect to see 100% return on your remodeling investment in your home. The return rate averages just 64% of your initial outlay. That said, some upgrades can add significant value to the price of your home. The most recent analysis by the National Association of Realtors cited door replacements such as upgraded garage doors, mid-range wood window replacement and steel outer doors as the only items returning 100% of their cost. Minor kitchen remodels offered the highest rate of return at 79.3% of remodeling costs.

5. A home doesn’t need to be prepped for sale. The real estate myth that homes don’t need to be prepared for a sale can cost a seller thousands of dollars.  Properly preparing a home for sale can be the difference between it selling in a relatively quick amount of time or it sitting on the market and developing a negative stigma.  It’s very important that you don’t list your home before it’s ready.

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If you are thinking of selling and want to know more about the process, get in touch!⁠

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David Silletta *PREC | Agustin Torres *PREC

Island Homes Group

Victoria, BC⁠

David: 250.888.6924 | Agustin: 250.886.8520

info@IslandHomesGroup.ca

www.IslandHomesGroup.ca⁠

Just Listed! 6390 Fayette Rd, Port Alberni. 

Don’t let this custom built modern rancher pass you by!

Imagine making this custom built 2,100 sqft rancher your new home. Entering the front door you will notice the grand great room featuring 11 ft ceilings, kitchen and eating island with quartz countertops, dining area with wet bar, living area with propane fireplace, built-in cabinets, and access to the covered patio just steps away. The master bedroom boasts a big walk-in closet and an amazing 5 piece ensuite featuring heated porcelain floors, double vanity, tiled shower, and soaker tub. There are 2 more bedrooms, 4 piece main bathroom, and huge laundry/mud room to finish the interior. Step outside and enjoy the spring air in the back yard with the comfortable covered outdoor living area. In addition to the attached 2 car garage, there is also an enormous 30X40 detached double bay garage, so you’ll have room for all your toys and projects. Oh and did I forget to mention there is also a gravel pad for your boat or RV. 

THIS HOME IS A MUST SEE!

For information on this property, Get in touch with us!

Island Homes Group

David Silletta *PREC | 250.888.6924

Agustin Torres *PREC | 250.886.8520

info@IslandHomesGroup.ca

www.IslandHomesGroup.ca

SOLD! | 977 Cavalcade Terrace, Langford, BC | 4 Bedrooms + 4 Baths, Single Family Detached

Congratulations to my Happy Buyers on the purchase of this stunning home! It was lovely working with you!

If you have been thinking about purchasing a home this will be the time to do so! Send me a DM and I would be happy to discuss any questions you may have. 

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To list or buy your next home, Get in touch with us!

Island Homes Group

David Silletta *PREC | 250.888.6924

Agustin Torres *PREC | 250.886.8520

info@IslandHomesGroup.ca

www.IslandHomesGroup.ca

There’s nothing quite like planning your monthly housing costs... only to discover that you forgot to include some sneaky fees. Here are the costs that you need to plan for as a home buyer.

-Property taxes: Paid to your local government, property taxes are usually a percentage of your home’s value and help fund schools, roads and other public services.

-Homeowners insurance: Your home is a major investment, so you’ll want to protect it with homeowners insurance. If you have a mortgage, this will typically be required by your lender.

-Condo fees: Cost of maintaining the common elements in the condo such as hallway, elevators, amenities, etc.

-Utilities: As a homeowner, you’ll have to cover it all: water, gas, electric, hot water tank rental, internet, etc. This can add up fast, so make sure to ask about average utility costs as you’re viewing homes.

-Maintenance: As a new homeowner, you get to pay for all of the fun maintenance and repairs. Plan to spend 1-3% of your home’s value on maintenance each year.

Once you plan these costs into your monthly budget, you’ll be prepared for whatever your home throws at you.

As soon as the weather begins to warm up, it's time to start getting your yard ready for spring! By clearing out the harsh winter damage and preparing for the new growing season, everything will be ready to enjoy the outdoors all season long.

Yard cleanup. 

Start by raking up any remaining leaves that survived the winter, and laying down mulch in your flower beds and beneath the hedges. A thin layer of mulch will protect plants from drought and keep weeds at bay. Turn your outside faucets back on, checking for damage. If you plan on hiring a lawn care service to maintain your property and mow your lawn, now is the time to renew your annual contract.

The gutters. 

Your gutters control the flow of rainwater on your house, protecting your roof, siding and foundation. Clogged gutters can cause a roof to leak or water to infiltrate your house. Clean them at least twice a year (or more frequently, depending on how many trees surround your property and hang over your roof). Also, check for damage. If you clean them yourself, be careful on that ladder. 

Lawns and hedges. 

Reseed your lawn, filling in bald patches before the summer heat. Plant your perennials, and give them plenty of water. Later in the spring, when the grass turns bright green again and the lilacs bloom, it is time to fertilize the lawn, although you may not need to fertilize as much as you think.

Consider outdoor home improvement projects. 

Many contractors are busier than bees during the summer months. Now is the time to lock them in for your outdoor home improvement projects. If you have plans to build an outdoor living area or paint the fence, get bids now so you can schedule the jobs for the months ahead of summer.

Spring is one of the best times of the year to list your home on the market. Here are four tips to help you list your home in time for spring:

1. Hire an experienced Realtor. The first step in preparing your home for the spring market is hiring an experienced real estate agent. Your realtor will be your guide throughout the process of getting your home ready for listing, showing your home to potential buyers, and finalizing the sale.

2. Prioritize repairs and improvements. Minor repairs and home improvements can renew the look of your home and increase your property appeal to potential buyers. Prioritization is key to successfully completing everything before your home is listed on the market.

3. Clean, declutter, and stage your home. Potential buyers want to be able to envision themselves living in your home. Tidying your yard, planting some flowerbeds. Removing any junk, and washing your windows works wonders.

4. Organize your paperwork. Having all your paperwork together will help speed the process of the sale and allow buyers to address any questions before the deal is finalized. Any instructions, warranties, and rental agreements you have for the equipment in your home will be very important for your buyers to understand and keep for their records. 

Let us know if you are wondering if it is the right time to sell this spring. We would love to discuss your hopes and plans - even if you are not quite sure what you want to do.