Prior to making the move to both Saskatoon and to real estate, Linda Outhwaite spent many years in Estevan, Saskatchewan working for the Canadian Border Services Agency in customs. There, she prided herself on her attention to detail and knowledge of rules and regulations. She then took these essential assets with her into her career as a REALTOR®, where she now works every day to keep her clients happy and protected in their real estate ventures. Why did you choose to become a REALTOR®? I chose to become a REALTOR® because this career allows me to bring a number of my talents togeth ..read more

Consider these tips before diving head first into the investment property market:       Determine what you can afford to buy, you’ll need a minimum down payment of 20 percent for a small rental property.       Do some research on the areas your considering and find out what the going rents are.       Just like your home, a rental property is a valuable asset.  Ensure you choose the proper insurance to help protect you from the financial impact of any unforeseen events.       Consider a pro ..read more

Declutter – clear off all of your counters and ensure any unnecessary decorative are packed away.  Don’t forget to declutter your garage too! Keep it clean – A deep clean before even listing your house will help to make upkeep easier for you. Deal with minor repairs – They may seem minor, but cracked caulking, a torn screen or a dripping faucet could give buyers the impression that your house isn’t well maintained. Tidy the bathroom – Put away your personal toiletries, along with old towels and toothbrushes. Head out – It can be awkward for the potential buyers if ..read more

Most of us have great intentions when it comes to saving money and being more conscious of our purchases.  But sticking to a budget is harder than it looks, here are a few tips to stop overspending: Understand your spending triggers – evaluate things like time of day, environment, mood, peer pressure and your lifestyle to determine if they affect your spending habits. Track your spending – Small purchases can really add up, so make sure you are tracking each of those little purchases as well. Pay with cash – Try to avoid using credit or debit cards.  If you carry cash ..read more

Now that we’re full swing back to school and other activities, keeping the house clean can feel like a huge task.  The last thing we want is to sacrifice an entire Saturday’s family time for cleaning.  If you can manage about half an hour each day you can stay on top of chores! Take a look at this handy list from Hollen Home: The post Tips to Keeping a Clean Home appeared first on Linda Outhwaite - Saskatoon, SK Real Estate ..read more

You’ve purchased a new home, and now it’s time for the move!  Here’s some do’s and don’ts for moving: Do clean – Don’t pack items that are dusty or dirty, clean items before packing them. Do pack a suitcase – Pack two weeks of clothing and supplies, make sure to include any items you use daily.  Be sure to put your bag in the car before movers arrive so it doesn’t get lost. Do pack and label before moving day – Give yourself plenty of time.  You need to ensure everything is packed and labeled before movers arrive, to avoid the headache of scrambling to pack while ..read more

Ideally, a lot of us would like to remodel the kitchen and bathroom at the same time.  Unfortunately, that’s not always possible.  Here are a few things to help you decide which to complete first: Kitchen remodels tend to have a better return on investment if you plan your project well and spend wisely you’ll get the most for your money while likely adding the optimal resale value to your home. Consider what suites your lifestyle best.  If you don’t plan to sell your home in the foreseeable future a kitchen renovation might be a better option if your family spends a lot of time ..read more

You’re ready to purchase a home, you’ve saved up your down payment now all that’s left to do is qualify for your mortgage and begin house shopping right? Well not quite, there are some additional costs that you may want to consider before you begin the search for your dream home. Lawyers Fees – You’ll need to hire a lawyer to review the terms of your offer which will cost around $2,000-$5,000 depending on the purchase price. Home Inspection – This is not only a good idea but a necessary part of the buying process.  It’s important for you to be aware of any issues with the prope ..read more

Once you list your house, life can get extra busy with scheduling showings.  Here are a few things you can do before you list, to make your home more appealing to potential buyers: Declutter – Get rid of any additional furniture that doesn’t serve a real, functional purpose.  You could sell it or put in storage, but you’ll want to get it out of your house to give buyers a chance to envision the space as their own, and showcase as much of your space as possible. Hide the toys – Unless you have a designated playroom, toys should always be hidden.  Ensure they’re hidden a ..read more

In addition to your down payment, your credit score is another important factor in qualifying for a mortgage.  Before you meet with a lender, you might want to pull your own report to see where you stand and determine any area’s for improvement. Dispute any incorrect information.  It’s important to review your credit report on a regular basis to ensure there are no errors.  You will want to ensure that any outstanding balances are correct, your payment history is correct and the account statuses of your accounts are correct. Common credit reporting mistakes include a paid o ..read more