Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blogs # 26-50
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #50 - February 2nd 2010
The most ridiculous finishing job I have ever seen!
Frank Mihal video blogs to comment on a house he showed to prospective buyers last night, and how the owners installed the baseboards. He previously did a video about poor home renovations but this was much worse than just poor work or inexperience. It was simply just a waste of wood, material, and time! No effort was done to even make it look decent, so Frank asks really what is the point??? If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #49 - January 30th 2010
Why Frank always hands over keys to his clients at their property in person!
Frank Mihal video blogs to make a comment on how important it is to hand over the keys to your buyers at the property they purchased (and not have them just pick them up at the office) to make sure everything is in check there are no issues. In doing this, if there are any problems, your Realtor will be able to see it first hand and take care of it immediately! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #48 - January 29th 2010
Never remove your financing condition unless you have financing in place!
Frank Mihal video blogs about people who remove their financing condition even if they do not actually have financing in place, as they think everything will be ok. In some cases, the Realtor may even be telling them to go ahead with the purchase and remove conditions due to circumstances/multiple offers etc. He gives the example of a horrible story he heard where a few days before completion, the buyers were not able to get financing! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #47 - January 28th 2010
New law prohibits strata council's from adding rental restrictions!
Frank Mihal video blogs about the new law that came into effect January 1st 2010. As of now, on any new buildings, the strata council will not be able to change the rental bylaws/restrictions that the original developer set in their disclosure statement (which is almost always set as No Rental Restrictions). Some people like this namely investors, however some people do not, as they like living in owner occupied buildings. Send Frank an email and let him know your thoughts. frank@frankmihal.ca. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #46 - January 27th 2010
Make sure you think about your needs before you buy and make smart decisions!
Frank Mihal video blogs about how there are many people who really don't think about their home purchase too much and don't always make the best decisions. He gives the example of buyers looking for a 2 bed 2 bath condo in the range of $200-250k ( which is all they need as far as space is concerned ) but as soon as they find out the bank will give them $450,000, they want to spend it all! Even though Frank will make a smaller commission, he tells them to purchase something smaller ( which is what they needed to being with ) and put more down on their mortgage on a monthly basis. It will simply be more beneficial for them in the future. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #45 - January 26th 2010
Frank Mihal hates when sellers do this!
Frank Mihal video blogs about how he hates when sellers try and hide things when selling their home. He gives a few examples of stains on carpeting, cracked foundations etc, and how they cover them up. These things will almost all the time be found during the inspection and cause problems, and sometimes even cause problems a year or so down the road. If you are upfront and honest about the property and point out any deficiencies, buyers and the buyers Realtor are more likely to down play it and more forward in the transaction. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #44 - January 25th 2010
Frank Mihal: Does your Realtor do this when representing you in your Strata purchase?
Frank Mihal video blogs to ask you if your Realtor (or the one who helped you purchase your current strata property) actually read the package of strata documents first before giving them to you ...or did he just pass them off to you to figure out things on your own? Frank always reads them first and looks for any red flags before handing them to his buyers to read. He has recently been hearing from a few people that many Realtors (or their Realtor) do not practice this?? If you have any questions or comments about strata documents in Surrey & the Fraser Valley, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #43 - January 24th 2010
#1 reason to use a Realtor when purchasing real estate!
Frank Mihal video blogs about the #1 reason you should always use a Realtor when purchasing real estate. This single 1 thing can possibly save you thousands in future expenses, and should be top of mind when choosing a Realtor to work with. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #42 - January 23th 2010
Lightbulbs can make or break a sale!
Frank Mihal video blogs to comment on how some properties have almost no lighting that actually works! If only 1 single light bulb in the entire house is working, the home will of course not show well, and ultimately be harder to sell! He states that if people cant even be bothered to spend the money to change a few light bulbs, you can pretty much guarantee that other things are not maintained as they should ...possibly leading to big expenses in the future. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #41 - January 22th 2010
Do NOT do this when installing laminate flooring
Frank Mihal video blogs about something people should never do when installing laminate flooring in their property. DO NOT install it on top of the old or existing carpet! He has viewed 2 properties in the past month where the homeowner installed it directly on the old carpet or the old underlay. This makes the floor feel soft and will eventually crack the joints in the flooring, ultimately forcing the owner (or prospective purchaser) to replace it properly. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #40 - January 21th 2010
Why Frank Mihal does NOT use Buyers Agency Agreements!
Frank Mihal video blogs to explain why he does not use buyer's agency agreements. Many Realtors use them and promote them heavily as it protects them from their buyers going elsewhere to purchases real estate. The reason Frank does not use them is simple...he only wants people to work with him because they want to work with him and not because a contract tells them they have to! All he expects in return from his clients for all his hard work & time is loyalty, and he explains this during his buyer's presentations. Why are Realtors so scared that their clients will run away? Are they not providing a high enough level of service? If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #39 - January 20th 2010
Make sure you attend your monthly Strata meetings!
Frank Mihal video blogs to let people know the importance of attending the monthly meetings for the condo or townhouse development they live in. He talks to many people who have lived in the same building for years and complain about many things, but have never attended 1 single meeting. Get involved with your strata and know what's going on, especially if you are selling as there may be things discussed that could directly affect your sale and the value of your home. If you have any questions or comments about strata meetings, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #38 - January 18th 2010
Condos/Townhouses are the same as homes with respect to repairs maintenance
Frank Mihal video blogs to say that the maintenance/repairs to a condo or townhouse is no different compared to a single family home. Homes need roof, gutter,siding replacement & repair just the same as condos do, however he states many people walk away from a condo purchase if a roof is upcoming. Talk your local expert about "hold backs" or adjust the price accordingly, but don't walk away from a great home or investment. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #37 - January 15th 2010
Realtors false claims are not just on bus bench ads!
Frank Mihal video blogs to respond to a few emails he had about his video the day before regarding Realtors who claim they are specialists in absolutely everything. Frank wanted to expand on this to say these claims are not just advertised on bus benches, but in other forms of media as well. He just happened to see it on a bus bench while driving in Surrey. He thanks everyone who sent him an email to comment on his last video. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #36 - January 13th 2010
Frank Mihal comments on Realtor bus bench ads that are false!
Frank Mihal video blogs about Realtors who claim on their bus bench ads to be experts in absolutely every type of real estate transaction possible! There is no such thing as an real estate expert in residential, commercial, bare land, time shares etc etc. Realtors may sometimes just say these things to try and scrape any business from any real estate avenue. They will simply not be able to do their client justice if they are representing them in an area they do not know that well. He stresses that buyers and sellers should find the expert for the particular property they are planning on buying or selling. If you have any questions/comments, or need a referral, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #35 - January 12th 2010
Does your home have this heat loss problem?
Frank Mihal video blogs to all homeowners (or renters) to keep you home efficient during these winter months. Homes eventually settle and can cause gaps in door jams and windows. A little money spent on extra weather stripping and caulking will keep your home warmer and put more money in your pocket. If you have any questions or comments on how to make you home more energy efficient, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #34 - January 11th 2010
Make sure buyers don't have to dance to view your home!
Frank Mihal video blogs on this rainy day about the importance of making sure the drainage around your home are clean and not backed up. Nothing is worse than people viewing your home with a flooded backyard or driveway, they may begin to worry about water damage etc. Buyers having to dance around pools of water just to get to your front door doesn't leave a great first impression! If you have any questions or comments about drainage, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #33 - January 10th 2010
Frank Mihal: December 2009 Fraser Valley Real Estate Statistics!
Frank Mihal video blogs about the recent December 2009 Fraser Valley Real Estate statistics that have been published. It was a great December with more than 3 times the sales compared to December 2008! January 2009 was the worst January in 20 years, and December ended it off with the third best December in MLS history! If you have any questions or comments, or would like to view the complete stats package, feel free to contact frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #32 - January 9th 2010
Frank Mihal doesnt understand why some realtors try to be difficult!
Frank Mihal video blogs about how he doesn't understand how some real estate agents almost try to not put a sale together, and pride themselves on being as difficult as possible. He just finished up putting a sale together one of his condo listings and the buyers Realtor was a pleasure to work with, and in another case last week....well, not so much! If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #31 - January 8th 2010
Frank Mihal and the importance of new home deficiency lists
Frank Mihal Video Blogs about the importance of doing a quick inspection of your new home before the completion date and noting any deficiencies. Developers may unintentionally miss some things or do things that were not supposed to be done. He gives an excellent example of one client of his who lucked out and got a free basement suite! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #30 - January 7th 2010
Frank Mihal tells you not to purchase a condo based on the current rental openings
Frank Mihal video blogs about not purchasing a condo you intend to rent out in the near future or down the road based on current openings in the building (in rental restricted buildings). Any openings may be filled at any time and can change daily. Just because the rentals are not at a max today, doesn't mean in 6 month they wont. If you have any questions or comments about rental restricted buildings, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #30 - January 1th 2010
Frank Mihal wishes everyone a Happy New Year!
Frank Mihal video blogs on his way home from spending New Years Eve with friends in Kelowna. He wishes everyone all the best for 2010! If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #29 - Decmeber 25th 2009
Frank Mihal wishes everyone a Merry Christmas!
Frank Mihal video blogs to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and holiday season!...or a happy festivus as some like to call it. He says to have fun, be safe, and don't drink and drive...and as always, if you have an questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #28 - Decmeber 24th 2009
Frank Mihal goes Christmas Shopping the day before Christmas!
Frank Mihal video blogs after finishing his last few showings for the day, that he is on his way to do his Christmas Shopping and cant find any parking (his 4th time around the lot!) He takes the time to thank all of his clients in 2009 that bought or sold real estate with him and to all his past clients who sent him referrals. 2009 was a great year and he owes it all to them! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #27 - Decmeber 22th 2009
Frank Mihal is back from Mexico and thanks Dennis Bowles for looking after his business!
Frank Mihal video blogs that he is back from a 10 day vacation in the Mayan Riviera Mexico and is rested and ready to get back at things and sell some Real Estate. He thanks Dennis Bowles (http://www.dennisbowles.ca) in his office for looking after his business while he was away. His video blogs will be back up and running daily so be sure to take a look. If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca
Fraser Valley Real Estate Video Blog #26 - Decmeber 6th 2009
Frank Mihal talks about the November 2009 Stats
Frank Mihal video blogs about the recent release of the November 2009 stats from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. 1,522 sales were processed through the board in November which is approximately 200% higher then the 507 sales of November 2008! Total number of active listings decreased 5.4% from October to November to a total of 8,334. Frank states that heading into the December market which is typically a slower time of year, things are looking great! If you have any questions or comments on the recent stats released or current market conditions, feel free to contact Frank at http://www.frankmihal.ca