I believe that relationships are more important than transactions. I started a career in real estate in 2006 with REMAX Crown Real Estate In Regina, and since that time, I have built a Regina real estate business around that philosophy. My goal is a personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you and your real estate goals and to be 100% accountable to you. In my latest blog post, I share the notification that  I was selected as Regina's Best Top Real Estate Professional - 2022

James Wruth - Realtor / Remax Crown Real Estate, Congratulations!

The 2022 RankMyAgent R-Oscars are here! And we are proud to announce you are one of the Best of in Regina.

The public has left thousands of verified reviews on RankMyAgent (RMA) for professionals all over North America, and you have emerged as one of the most trusted and respected agents in Regina. 

RankMyAgent knows just how hard you have been working. We are cheering you on and celebrating you. To highlight your success, you will see your badge added to your RMA profile and over the next few days we will be celebrating you by sharing your success across our network!

So from all of us here at RMA, congratulations on this incredible accomplishment. Keep collecting those reviews from your happy clients!

RankMyAgent (RMA) is always here in your corner.

Warmest wishes,
Riti and the RMA Team 

P.S. - Over the next few days we will be celebrating your success.

Look out for mentions on our blog, social media, and other outlets.

Partner up with me, I’m a top Regina RE/MAX Agent, and an experienced Regina REALTOR® 

If you are looking for a Regina Realtor who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, I will be an expert at your side.

I believe that relationships are more important than transactions. I started a career in real estate in 2006 with REMAX Crown Real Estate In Regina, and since that time, I have built a Regina real estate business around that philosophy. My goal is a personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you and your real estate goals and to be 100% accountable to you. In my latest blog post, I provide some expert real estate tips that stand the test of time. 

Whether it’s buying, selling, or renting, a real estate transaction is a big undertaking. 

Since I started my career in real estate, the market has seen significant shifts. Over the last several years, many parts of the Country have seen a sellers’ market, complete with multiple and “bully” offers, and record-high prices. Of course, there was (and is) the pandemic, which did not have the expected cooling effect on the market. And now, in early 2023, we are seeing the repercussions of increasing inflation and a buyers’ market.

No matter what kind of market we are in, however, my essential tips remain the same.

1. Understand the market. You’ve seen it in the news. Canada's housing market is cooling. In Regina and Saskatchewan we didn't see the crazy market and price increases that impacted buyers in Toronto and Vancouver,  so now may be a more favorable time for buyers than sellers. However, it’s equally important to bear in mind that property values do fluctuate over time.

2. Assess your finances and priorities. Ask yourself these important questions: How much can you afford for a down payment and mortgage? How is your credit score? How much responsibility are you comfortable with? Do you care more about equity or having the freedom to move?

3. Set a clear budget. Make sure to account for the extra costs that come with buying a home — such as legal fees, land transfer tax, and utility costs.

4. Choose a Regina Real Estate Expert you can trust! 

Partner up with me, I’m a top Regina RE/MAX Agent, and an experienced Regina REALTOR® 

If you are looking for a Regina Realtor who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, I will be an expert at your side.

I believe that relationships are more important than transactions. I started a career in real estate in 2006 with REMAX Crown Real Estate In Regina, and since that time, I have built a Regina real estate business around that philosophy. My goal is a personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you and your real estate goals and to be 100% accountable to you. In my latest blog post, I share information for new immigrants to Regina who may be seeking information about what is required to purchase a property in the Queen City! 

Are you new to Canada and wondering if you’re eligible to buy a house in Saskatchewan?

First and foremost—congrats! Let me be the first to welcome you to this great province of ours! 

Question: Can you purchase a home as a new immigrant? 

The answer? YES!  As a newcomer to Canada, you can buy a home, even if you have immigrated here very recently. Plus, new immigrants to Canada can often qualify for a mortgage, so long as all standard financial requirements are met.

1. Anyone in Canada who can afford the costs of homeownership is eligible to own a home. In fact, you do not have to be a resident or citizen to own a home. 

2. You must abide by Canadian taxation and real estate laws. 

Most Canadian banks and lenders are more than happy to work with newcomers, even if they don’t have an established Canadian credit history. Canada is actually one of a handful of countries in the world where non-residents can qualify for a mortgage—they can even be at the same interest rates as citizens. Some of the larger lenders and banks have dedicated newcomer mortgage programs to help you finance your first home, as they understand the challenges that you might face. 

PRE-APPROVAL - THE FIRST STEP. 

In Canada, most banks and mortgage lenders offer pre-approval, which is a process where you learn the maximum loan amount for which you can qualify. This process also helps you estimate your potential mortgage payments. Sometimes, lenders will even let you lock in a current interest rate for up to 4 months!

To get pre-approved for a mortgage, you normally have to provide information about your income, assets, debts, and current employment information.

After you submit this information, a lender will assess your application and either approve or refuse your request within about 5 business days. If approved, you can start shopping for a home in Saskatchewan that falls within your pre-approval value limits. 

Time to start looking for your new home in Regina and area?  

During this stage, you’ll likely want to enlist the help of an experienced Regina real estate agent. When you are ready to make an offer on your desired property they will help you navigate all of the paperwork and processes involved. Making an offer on a house in Saskatchewan generally involves a deposit. The deposit and the down payment are different. Homebuyers provide a deposit at the time of making an offer to demonstrate to the sellers that they’re serious buyers but be warned, you would generally lose your deposit if you walk away from the agreement before the sale is finalized. 

The deposit amount is rolled into your down payment when you close on the house. The down payment is the total amount that you put down on your home in cash as part of the mortgage lending process-  In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% for properties up to $500,000, but some lenders may require more. When the purchase price is above $500,000, the minimum down payment is 5% for the first $500,000 and 10% for the remaining portion.

If you were pre-approved for a loan, you’ll continue working with your lender to get your mortgage formally approved. This normally happens within a few weeks. Your realtor will assist you with organizing your home inspection, signing any necessary paperwork, and finalizing your home purchase.

LAST STEP Enjoy your new home and I hope you enjoy living the Canadian dream in your new home

Partner up with me, I’m a top Regina RE/MAX Agent, and an experienced Regina REALTOR® 

If you are looking for a Regina Realtor who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, I will be an expert at your side.

Greetings Friends,

I am pleased to be able to share my 2022 December Regina Real Estate Market Report! 

DECEMBER 2022 Monthly Housing Market Trends Report

How Does This Compare to National Data? 

Average Canadian house price fell 12% last year, new CREA numbers show

The average price of a Canadian home that sold in December was $626,318, a decline of more than 12 per cent from where it was the same month a year ago.

The Canadian Real Estate Association, which represents more than 150,000 realtors across the country, released new numbers about the country's housing market on Monday, showing that the number of homes sold and the prices they fetched were both sharply lower in December than they were the same month a year earlier.

Sales fell by more than 39 per cent from December 2021's level. And prices were also well down from an average of $713,500 at the end of 2021, and a peak of $816,720 reached in February 2022, before the Bank of Canada started aggressively raising lending rates.

The realtor group says the average selling price can be misleading since it is easily skewed by sales of expensive homes in places like Toronto and Vancouver. So it tabulates a different number — known as the House Price Index — that adjusts for the volume and type of housing sold.

The HPI was down by 13 per cent from its peak last year, with Ontario and British Columbia seeing the biggest declines, while just about everywhere else saw either small declines or even slight increases in some cases.

I believe in personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you, and your real estate goals and I commit to being 100% accountable to you. I want to bring value before, during and after the sale of your home!  If you are looking for a real estate agent who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, please contact me today! 

I believe that relationships are more important than transactions. I started a career in real estate in 2006 with REMAX Crown Real Estate In Regina, and since that time, I have built a Regina real estate business around that philosophy. My goal is a personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you and your real estate goals and to be 100% accountable to you. In my latest blog post, I share five New Year’s Real Estate resolutions! 

Are you planning to sell your home in the new year?

Regardless of season or market conditions, remember that you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Make it memorable for all the right reasons. Before listing your home, commit to these five New Year’s Resolutions to help ensure the quickest sale for the highest price.

Mark Your Calendar

Set your listing date well in advance to help you anticipate, plan and prepare to sell your home. The process of changing homes has a lot of moving parts and is a coordinated effort between you and your team of experts. Think real estate agent, lender, lawyer, home inspector, trades, movers… the list continues. This is especially the case if you’ll also be buying a new home at the same time, as many people do. Reach out to a selling agent early on in the process to discuss your options, get important advice and get the ball rolling.

Repair and Replace

When planning to sell your home, assess its condition and make repairs before listing. Cracked drywall, stained carpets, burned-out light bulbs and other minor damage is easy to fix and won’t break the bank, but left un-repaired, could impact offers. TIP: It can be tough to evaluate your own home. Have your agent or a friend tour your home and offer constructive criticism. Find out which renovations offer the best return on investment here.

Get Comparables

Three to six months before your home hits the market, wave your agent start scanning comparable listings to get a ballpark price estimate. Keep in mind that a variety of factors may affect your home’s selling price, like lot size; landscaping and interior finishes; proximity to busy streets, public transit, schools and parks; or supply and demand in the marketplace. Your agent will assess your home just prior to listing, to ensure you set the right price to attract serious buyers.

Cut the Clutter

A cluttered home can suggest lack of space, which can impact offers. Depending on lifestyle and length of time spent in the home, this can be a big undertaking. Take it step by step, room by room, and you’ll get through it. Be honest about what you want, need and love, and what you can do without. The bonus? You won’t have to pack, move and clutter your new home with stuff you don’t want.

Stage to Sell

When it’s time to sell your home, stage it to show it in the best possible light. This includes packing up family photos and personal m (prospective buyers want to picture themselves in the home, not you!), putting the non-essential items into storage (or the donation bin!) and perhaps renting some furnishings that take your home to the next level. Your agent may offer staging as part of their suite of services, or will be able to put you in touch with a professional stager to help get the job done.

Hiring the right real estate agent is key to a successful sale, and it’s important to know that many agents specialize in listing homes versus helping you buy a home

Ready to sell the house you love? Partner up with me, I’m a top Regina RE/MAX Agent, and as an experienced Regina REALTOR® I can support you by inserting a degree of professional separation.

If you are looking for a Regina Realtor who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, I will be an expert at your side.

Greetings Friends,

I am pleased to be able to share my 2022 November Regina Real Estate Market Report! 

NOVEMBER 2022 Monthly Housing Market Trends Report

How Does This Compare to National Data? 

Canada’s housing market continues to feel the effect of rising interest rates as Canada’s average home price remains 10% lower year-over-year. Nationally, sales during the month of October 2022 were down 36% year-over-year to 33,698 transactions.

Over this past year, factors that have spooked Canadian home buyers have been rapidly rising Canadian mortgage rates, brought about by Bank of Canada rate hikes. The effect of this can be seen in prime rates, which have soared from 2.45% at the start of 2022 to 5.95% as of November 2022. While Canada’s inflation rate has cooled off in recent months, current elevated levels of inflation in Canadacontinue to put pressure on policymakers to increase interest rates.

Compared to February 2022's peak of $816,720, the average sold price in Canada is now 21% off from that record-breaking month. This means that the average home price in Canada has now fallen by 21%, or close to $172,000, in the span of seven months. This has occurred at the same time as the Bank of Canada’s rate hikes, which started in March 2022.

I believe in personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you, and your real estate goals and I commit to being 100% accountable to you. I want to bring value before, during and after the sale of your home!  If you are looking for a real estate agent who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, please contact me today!