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Seven Common Mistakes For Move-Up Buyers To Avoid
by Laurin Jeffrey

1) Evaluate your current situation Why are you planning to sell your existing home? Are you moving up to a larger house? Do you need the money out of this property to make your move? One thing you need to do is to get a realistic idea of exactly how much cash you will be getting out of this home when it sells. Are you going to move locally? What mortgage amount can you really afford with new payments including higher taxes and insurance? Can you afford a house significantly better than the one you already have? Are you moving down to a smaller property? What are you going to do with your furniture and other things that you have collected over the years? Will be comfortable in a smaller place? Are you retiring? Moving locally or out of province? Are you going into a retirement community? What activities do you expect to be involved in after your working days are over? Are you moving out of the area because of employment? How fast do you have to be in your new location? Are housing costs higher there, or lower? Is your employer helping with sales costs, moving costs, temporary housing, etc? How does your family feel about the move? One reluctant teenager can seriously undermine the entire process. Are you the executor of an estate? What is the time schedule for your plan?

2) Failing To Take A Hard, Serious Look At The Condition Of The House
Homes have normal wear and tear, paint gets dull and shabby, landscaping can become overgrown, and roofs deteriorate. Often times as we live with minor inconveniences that we intend to fix “some day”. It is not unusual to not notice conditions that are glaringly obvious to a buyer. How old is your roof? An average lifespan is 15-20 years. How old is your furnace? An average lifespan is 20-25 years. How old is your hot water heater? An average lifespan is 15 years. Is there asbestos insulation covering your heating pipes in the basement? Is there any obvious water damage from old leaks either on your ceilings or in the basement? Have you had any improvements done to the house without permits and inspections? Are your hardwood floors scuffed and scratched? Are your carpets worn? Any of these conditions that are noticed by the buyer may make him bypass your house and buy another, or make him want to pay thousands less. If any found during the home inspection, they might cause the buyer to cancel the sale. It is best to have someone with fresh eyes take a hard critical look at your house. A good Realtor will do this and make his or her recommendations. More