Buyer Tip: You Like it, Stalk it

When you’re interested in a house, act like a stalker. Drive past it at several different times of day. Park up the street to watch it with binoculars, and see what goes on in the neighbourhood. Research the town. Google the school, the recreation centre, the parks. Look them up on Facebook and Twitter.

Maybe you didn’t notice that the house is on a busy bus route or close to railway tracks. Maybe you thought that kids would be playing in the streets, but it’s all seniors living there. The dog walkers might bother you, or you might want to join them. You didn’t see all the basement apartments until you started looking for them. Would you be happy to have the income potential or are you nervous about the extra traffic?


If you’re looking at something in Newmarket, I can tell you that Newmarket is an excellent place to live! I can tell you about the different neighbourhoods, their advantages and disadvantages. When Harry Naghavi is your Realtor, you will get a thorough understanding of what you’re buying. I’ll even lend you my binoculars.

Tired Features Mean You Can Customize

Sometimes, I'll look at a house with clients and we'll notice that the place is looking tired. It's not always a bad thing. I can ask for a discount to compensate for the cost of necessary upgrades, and then the buyers can update the house exactly the way they want. 

If you're handy or have handy friends that like to help with projects, a perfect home may not be one that's fully upgraded, mint condition, ready to move in to. You'll be paying a premium for another family's favourite colours and styles. Why not look for a fixer-upper or a house that's been a bit neglected. 

A tired house isn't the same as a fixer-upper. It might just be paint and wallpaper that make it look old, or kitchen cupboards that need some attention. Maybe you'll want to tear out some carpeting. Flooring isn't so bad to do before you move in, and you can go to town with paint too. Often it's the bathroom that's in need of renovation. Kitchens and bathrooms are notoriously expensive to renovate, but if you're handy, you can save a lot of money. And, if you get a good enough discount, you can spend it all on creating your dream kitchen, or a luxurious bathroom retreat.

A fixer-upper can be a perfect opportunity. If you can get a good deal on a bad house in a great location, you might be able to gut the house or tear it down and build your dream home. It takes a lot of planning in terms of cash flow and could mean two moves instead of one. You'll have to have a good sense of how much the tear-down and the construction is going to cost, and maybe the costs of a rental (or living with your mom) while you're building.

Think of all the possibilities. There are so many things to consider when you're buying a house. Make sure you have a professional Realtor on your side and don't be shy to share your dreams with your Realtor. The best Realtors always ask a ton of questions to get to know you and to find out what your dreams are. They can help make them come true!

Downsizing can be Great!

Families grow and they buy bigger homes, and that's exciting and positive. But, later, when the children go off on their own, and start their own families, it's time to downsize. Downsizing is difficult but it doesn't have to be negative. It can be great. 

Many couples are excited to move into a bigger house when the family is growing. Needing more bathrooms and space for kids to play is thrilling. It's scary to take on more responsibility, and usually more debt too, but it's a very positive experience. It's also fun to buy more stuff to furnish the house and entertain the family. It's pretty easy to fill up a big house when you have a family.

When the family grows up, and the kids move away, the next stage is much more difficult. It's much harder to downsize.  It takes more than a garage sale to get rid of all the stuff you accumulated over the growing years. It takes courage and determination and thick skin. You'll be attached to things that you really don't need. You'll be attached to your big house that you really don't need. You know that moving to a smaller space makes sense, but it's hard to do. In fact, many people avoid it until it's too late. Their kids end up with the job of getting rid of all of Grandma's stuff and selling her house after she's gone.

You've got to try to stay positive in this new stage of life. Downsizing can be great! Consider the environmental footprint of your smaller home, a small house or a condominium. You'll be saving money and helping the planet. You can start a new "greener" life. Think about how giving away and selling your extra furniture will benefit a young family. Even your stuff will live another life. Your big house will be full of people again. Your little home will feel less like an "empty nest". Your little home will take less time to maintain. With less time spent at home, you can be more active in the community. There are tons of reasons to celebrate this smaller, simpler time.

When you decide to take the big step, when you decide it's time for you to downsize, call Harry, Your Friendly Realtor. 

The reason I'm one of the best Realtors in Newmarket, York Region, and the GTA, is that I care about my clients. I'm not #1. My clients are #1.

I will not rush you or pressure you during this difficult time. I have helped seniors move -I have personal experience in addition to my experiences as a Realtor- and understand the emotions involved. We will work together to get you the best deal for your house and will take all the time you need. We will work together to find you the right home in the right location for you. I will do my best to make it a happy experience, so that when you downsize, it will be great!

Spring Home Maintenance

These warmer days remind us homeowners that it's time for some important Spring Home Maintenance, and I've got a checklist for you.

As soon as the snow melts, it's time to check on your real estate investment, to see how it survived the winter. Your house and property need your attention.

Furnaces and fireplaces will soon be out of commission for a while, and air conditioners will need to be put into service. They will need some attention. Look at the exterior of your house and around your property to see if anything needs to be repaired or replaced. Plan a project for a nice weekend or for the summer. Will you need a new deck or fence, should you add an awning or a gazebo for some shade? You'll want to do your Spring Garden Maintenance too.

Here's a checklist of things you can do for your house in the spring:

Spring  Home Maintenance

Taking Care of Your Investment

(adapted from CMHC by Harry Naghavi, Your Friendly Realtor)

 Have fireplace or wood stove and chimney cleaned and serviced as needed.

 Shut down, drain and clean furnace humidifier, and close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning.

 Switch on power to air conditioning and check system. Have it serviced every two or three years.

 Clean or replace air-conditioning filter, if applicable.

 Check dehumidifier and drain — clean if necessary.

 Turn OFF gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights where possible.

 Have well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.

 Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms, and replace batteries (when clocks “spring forward”).

 Clean windows, screens and hardware, and on older homes, replace storm windows with screens. 

 Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed.

 Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required.

 Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.

 Re-level any exterior steps or decks that moved as a result of frost or settling.

 Check eavestroughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation.

 Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.

 Repair and paint fences and decks as necessary — allow wood fences to dry adequately first.

 Undertake spring landscape maintenance and, if necessary, fertilize young trees.


You can find a version of this checklist and more helpful information on my website:  www.harrynaghavi.com


Harry Naghavi, Your Friendly Realtor, is one of the best Realtors in Newmarket, in York Region, and in the GTA.