Tanya Hawryliw

Buying a home is a big decision, and there are many things to consider throughout the process. Here are some pieces of advice for a buyer: 1. Know Your Budget Get pre-approved for a mortgage: Before you start shopping, it’s important to know how much you can afford. A pre-approval letter from a lender gives you a clear idea of your budget and shows sellers you're a serious buyer. Consider all costs: Don't just think about the price of the house. Factor in closing costs, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any repairs or upgrades that might be needed. 2. Understand Your Needs Location: Think about what’s most important to you—whether it's proximity to work, schools, shopping, or public transport. Research the neighborhood for safety, amenities, and future development. Size & Layout: Make a list of your must-haves (e.g., number of bedrooms, bathrooms, yard size) versus nice-to-haves. Be clear on what you need for your lifestyle. 3. Do Your Research Market trends: Get familiar with local real estate trends to understand whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market. This can help with negotiating. Comparable sales (comps): Research recent sales in the area to ensure the price of the home is fair. 4. Work With a Real Estate Agent A good real estate agent will help you navigate the process, recommend properties, and negotiate on your behalf. They can also provide insights into the local market and help you avoid common pitfalls. 5. Don’t Skip the Inspection Home inspections are essential to identify potential problems (foundation issues, roof damage, electrical problems, etc.). If any issues are found, you may be able to negotiate repairs or a lower price. 6. Think Long-Term Consider whether the home will still meet your needs in 5-10 years. Is it a good investment for the future? Look at how easy it will be to resell, the potential for property value growth, and the area’s long-term prospects. 7. Don’t Rush Take your time to find a home that feels right for you. It’s a significant investment, and rushing the decision can lead to regrets later. 8. Negotiate Smartly In many cases, you don’t have to accept the seller’s asking price. If the house has been on the market for a while or needs repairs, you might be able to negotiate a better deal. 9. Understand the Terms Be clear on the terms of the contract, and work with a lawyer if necessary to make sure there are no hidden clauses that could affect you later. 10. Be Prepared for the Unexpected Home buying can come with surprises—delays, market shifts, or issues with the inspection. Stay flexible and patient throughout the process. By following these tips, you can be more confident in your home-buying journey and make decisions that are financially and personally rewarding in the long run.

Selling your home can be both exciting and stressful, but with the right approach, you can make the process smoother and more profitable. Here’s some advice for a home seller: 1. Set the Right Price Get a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): Your real estate agent can provide a CMA to see what similar homes in your area have sold for. Pricing your home too high can scare off potential buyers, while pricing it too low might leave money on the table. Consider current market conditions: Understand whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market. In a seller's market, you may be able to list at a higher price, while in a buyer's market, you might need to be more competitive. 2. Make a Great First Impression (Curb Appeal) First impressions matter: Potential buyers often make up their minds within minutes of arriving at the property. Simple things like mowing the lawn, adding fresh plants, painting the front door, and cleaning up the yard can increase the perceived value of your home. Cleanliness: A clean, decluttered home feels more inviting. Make sure to clean inside, especially kitchens and bathrooms, as these are high-traffic areas. 3. Stage Your Home Staging can make a huge difference: Whether it's professional staging or simply arranging furniture to show off the best features, a well-staged home can help buyers visualize themselves living there. Depersonalizing spaces by removing family photos and excess personal items also helps. Repairs & Updates: Take care of minor repairs like fixing leaky faucets, patching holes in walls, or replacing broken tiles. If you can, make small updates like fresh paint or modern light fixtures, which can help increase appeal. 4. Market Your Home Effectively High-quality photos & videos: Many buyers start their search online, so great photos are essential. Consider professional photography, and even a virtual tour or video walkthrough to make your listing stand out. List on Multiple Platforms: Ensure your home is listed on popular websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and MLS. Also, don’t forget about social media; it can be a great tool to reach a wide audience. 5. Be Flexible with Showings Accommodate showings as much as possible: The more flexible you are with scheduling showings, the more opportunities you’ll have to attract buyers. Try to keep the home clean and ready to show at a moment’s notice. 6. Work with a Great Real Estate Agent Choose an experienced agent: A skilled real estate agent can help you price your home correctly, market it effectively, and negotiate on your behalf. Make sure to pick someone who knows the local market and has a good track record of selling homes quickly. Listen to their advice: Trust your agent’s expertise, whether it's pricing, staging, or negotiating offers. They can help guide you through the process and make sure you’re making the right decisions. 7. Consider Offers Carefully Look beyond the price: While the offer price is important, other factors such as contingencies, closing date, and the buyer’s financial strength can also affect your decision. Sometimes an offer with fewer contingencies or a faster closing might be more desirable, even if the offer price is slightly lower. Don’t be afraid to negotiate: If you receive an offer that’s lower than expected, you can counter with a higher price or request certain repairs or conditions. Negotiation is part of the process. 8. Prepare for the Inspection Be ready for an inspection: Many buyers will request a home inspection, and if issues are found, they may ask for repairs or a price reduction. Consider getting a pre-inspection before listing your home to fix any major issues in advance, so you’re not caught off guard. Expect some negotiation: If issues arise during the inspection, be open to negotiating with the buyer on repairs or credits. Sometimes a small fix can help seal the deal. 9. Be Transparent Full disclosure: If there are known issues with the property (e.g., a leaky roof, plumbing problems), be upfront about them. Being transparent can help build trust with buyers and avoid any surprises down the road. 10. Stay Emotionally Detached Don’t get too emotionally attached to the sale: It’s easy to become emotionally invested in your home, but it’s important to view the sale from a business perspective. Try not to take offers or negotiations personally. 11. Know the Timing Timing can make a difference: The best time to sell might depend on your location and market conditions. In many areas, spring and summer are popular times to sell, but your agent can help you determine the best timing for your specific situation. 12. Prepare for Closing Costs Understand the costs involved: As a seller, you’ll have closing costs, which could include agent commissions, repair costs, and possibly paying off the remainder of your mortgage. Make sure you understand these expenses before you list the home. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of selling your home quickly and for the best price possible. The key is to stay organized, work with professionals, and be flexible throughout the process.

I have worked with all types of buyers and sellers.

I recently had my sellers accept a loan offer over a cash offer and it was so heartwarming knowing that a family and memories will be made in the home.

I started real estate in 2006 and bought a home at 21 years old UNREPRESENTED by an agent on either side. It was a giant mistake and don't want anyone to have to go through what I did. It is important to have an agent represent you to make sure the process goes smoothly.

Military Relocation Professional and ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative)