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'The World Of Real Estate' Category

Reasons To Use A REALTOR®

Yesterday I posted 10 reasons why people don’t like REALTORS®

Coincidentally OREA ( Ontario Real Estate Association ) have just listed 136 Reasons Why to Use a REALTOR®.Or as Ian Dury sang “Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3”

So here goes:

Pre-Listing Activities

1.    Make appointment with seller for listing presentation 2.    Send seller a written or e-mail confirmation of listing appointment and call to
confirm. 3.    Review pre-appointment questions 4.    Research all comparable currently listed properties 5.    Research sales activity in the area from MLS® database 6.    Research days-on-the-market for similar properties, location and price 7.    Review property tax roll information 8.    Prepare “Comparative Market Analysis” (CMA) to establish fair market value 9.    Research property’s ownership and how it is held (deed) 10. Check Municipal tax records for lot size 11. Verify the legal description from public records 12. Check Planning Department of Municipal Offices for current zoning 13. Check for land use restrictions or special zoning 14. Verify legal names in the Registry Office (or deed) 15. Prepare listing presentation with researched materials 16. Drive by the property to assess the Curb Appeal, compare with neighbourhood 17. Start formal office file on the property 18. Confirm school district and effect of schools on the property value 19. Determine whether property is subject to a shoreline road allowance (if applicable) 20. Review all pertinent information to ensure that it’s complete.

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What Do Buyers Want When Looking At Homes For Sale In Wasaga Beach?

All the homes for sale in Wasaga Beach have great features but what specifically are buyers looking for?

These features are always high on a buyers wish list. Make sure you highlight any your home has when listing:

• Large kitchens with island.
• Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
• Home offices.
• Main-floor master suite.
• Outdoor living space.
• Ceiling fans.
• Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area.
• Stone and brick exterior.
• Community walking paths and playgrounds.
• Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable.

The Globe & Mail On Saturday: “Want a home in the Triangle? Start angling now. Supplies down, demand strong as builders plan to bring more projects to market”

Good news for home owners in the Georgian Triangle

Interesting article in The Globe & Mail on Saturday. It concentrates on chalets but  does mention retirement homes. All in all good news for every home owner in The Georgian Triangle as the market will be hotting up :

“The next six months could see a boom in both new and resale properties in areas such as Collingwood and Blue Mountain.”

Terence Bellford does make the point though that this may all change later in the year. He cites the HST but we can add to that the likelihood of higher mortgage rates.His observations are based common sense “indicators: measurable demand, available supply, and shifting demographics.”

Anyway enjoy reading the article if you own a home in The Georgian Triangle and especially if you are thinking of listing

4 Inexpensive Repairs To Get Your House Ready To Sell

Get your house ready to sell with must do repairs that needn’t be costly

Spring is just around the corner and here in Wasaga Beach home sales are expected to be BUSY. There is a ripple effect of the hot market in the GTA plus the influence of the HST in July and the expected interest rate rises later in the year. Buyers will want to close before these extra costs are implemented.

Sellers know they have to have their homes in tip top condition to stand out but often put repairs on the back burner because of costs.

4 important areas that shouldn’t be overlooked need not be that expensive to repair:

1. Changing your furnace air filters regularly. Over 50% of all service calls start because it’s a dirty filter issue. A dirty filter affects the efficiency of your furnace and simply changing the filter is a simple and easy repair that improves the air quality and saves you money as the furnace runs more efficiently.
2. Fix leaky taps and toilets. If you’ve got a leaky tap or running toilet, that’s going to cost you money. If you don’t get it fixed you’re going to be paying more and more. It can also lead to mold damage. It can lead to a loss of your cabinetry—the flooring in your cabinetry can be rotted away and that can affect your floor underneath and the walls.
3. Dirty tiles and damaged caulking can send a message to buyers that the house may be in need of even bigger repairs. You’re first going to have an aesthetic issue and second that’s an indication that you’ve got a problem that could lead to mold and nobody wants mold in their house anywhere at all—it will grow if you don’t have proper seals in your bathroom.
4. Defective electrical sockets and wiring are not only irritating but also can be very hazardous. An electrical fire can destroy your home.

10 Ways to Boost The Price Of Your Home Before Listing

This article was written for the US market but the principles hold true here in Canada

Traditionally Spring is the time home sales take off. This year with the strong sales during the latter half of 2009 should be no exception.

Here are 10 inexpensive ways to get your home in tip top condition for listing and help achieve the best price in the shortest time:

1. Retouch the front shell.
2. Trim the greenery.
3. Paint the interior.
4. Don’t forget the floors.
5. Make all major repairs.
6. Put appliances under warranty.
7. Make energy-efficient home improvements.
8. New light fixtures..
9. Freshen up the bathrooms.
10. New stove in the kitchen.

Toronto Real Estate Sales Stay Strong In December

GTA Resale Market Resilient in 2009.Strong real estate sales in Toronto should be good news for Wasaga Beach and The Georgian Triangle.

Toronto MLS® transactions in 2009 showed a 17 per cent increase over 2008.

“After a slow start to the year, existing home sales rebounded during the second half of 2009,” said TREB President Tom Lebour. “As consumer confidence improved, many households moved to take advantage of affordable home ownership opportunities in the GTA. The strong residential real estate sector was a key contributor to overall economic recovery in Canada.”

What are “The Mechanicals” On A Home Inspection

Ever wondered what a home inspector  is talking about when he refers to “the mechanicals”?

Glenn Wright of Pillar To Post has succinctly summerised the 4 components:

Heating:
Clean and in good mechanical condition
No strange noises and signs of wear and tear

Cooling:
All equipment is in good physical condition
Exterior units are level and free of debris in the fins and housing

Ventilation:
All filters are clean
All ducts and registers are free of obstruction
All exterior discharge vents are protected weatherproof units

Plumbing:
No damaged fixtures or fittings
No damaged or defective water heaters
No lead or galvanized piping

With the extremes of weather we experience here on Georgian Bay it is essential that “the mechanicals” are in good working order to ensure a comfortable home.

10 Tips For Excellent Property Listing Photos

The next best thing to viewing a property is a fantastic set of property listing photos.

In this internet age potential buyers expect photos to highlight what features a property has and the layout. It is the very first impression of the house and is critical to whether a viewing is arranged. Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Too often though photos do not do a house justice. Sellers rightfully expect their listing agent to take or arrange for a stunning set of photos but this is not always the case. Sellers can ensure this occurs by being aware of these tips on taking great pr0perty photos.

1. Cover all of the essential features.  Make sure you give prospective buyers every angle and shot on the essential rooms and features inside the home. Rooms that are absolutely crucial to a property and shouldn’t be left out include the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living areas and the backyard if the property has one. Also, include special features such as fireplace or pool as these could be selling points for buyers.
2. More is best. Don’t be afraid to include as many photos as possible. A floor plan is also a great inclusion if it’s possible.
3. Watch for intruders. Is there something in the photos that shouldn’t be there? Take more than one shot of an area so you can see whether furniture is misplaced or items are in a room they shouldn’t be and fix it for the next photo.
4. Watch the weather. While it’s not something you can control, photos showing an overcast sky or dreary afternoon light should be avoided. You can work around this with different camera setting or Photoshop, of course, but it is best not to overdo it.
5. Don’t leave buyers hanging. Taking a picture of only one side of the room, even if it’s to focus on the best attributes can make potential buyers wary of what’s lying outside of the frame.
6. Work different angles. Taking different angles of the same area gives prospective buyers the sense of perspective. Avoid the temptation to take crooked angle shots or use the wide angle lens, however.
7. Be careful with the flash and mirrors. Remember to turn the flash off in rooms that have lights on or if you’re taking a photo that includes windows. Also avoid taking pictures of yourself in front of a mirror.
8. Give a sense of life in the home. De-cluttering is a great idea to allow house hunters the space to imagine living in the home, but don’t go too far. Bare rooms signify a lack of care in the home, but going out of your way to include obviously constructed scenes will only give buyers a sense of falseness.
9. Know your camera settings and your tripod. If you’re taking the photos yourself, you have to understand the aperture, shutter speed and ISO to make your photos work harder for you. Shooting interiors at a slower speed for instance, makes them look better. A garden can look better in shade, and in harsh sunlight you might want to use a flash. There are courses you can take to learn more about how to make your camera work for you.
10. If in doubt, see the pros. While it is more expensive to hire a professional photographer, it could be well worth the cost.

Questions To Ask If You Are Selling Your Home In Wasaga Beach

If you are thinking of selling your home in Wasaga Beach ask these questions to see a Realtors® on line presence.

Over 75% of buyers start their search on the internet. The first viewing is on line.

The traditional methods of selling a home in Wasaga Beach such as the Open Houses, Signs, Newspaper Adverts, MLS Tours are still important but for anyone serious about selling their home advertising on the web is no longer an extra but a necessity.

Ask your prospectibve Realtor® these questions:

• Will you create a single property website for my property? Will it be syndicated?
• Will this site include a video of the property? Will the video be on Youtube? How about some other video sharing sites?
• How often will you repost to Craig’s List and Kijiji?
• How do you use Facebook.
• Will you post my property to your blog and update your readership at least twice a month with price changes, etc?
• Will you create a Twitter account for the property ? Will it automatically follow other twitterers in the area and invite them to take a look at my listing?
• What kind of camera will you use to take the pictures of my property? Or will you hire a professional?
• Can I see the MLS description you plan to write for the property before we execute a listing agreement?
• Are you willing to notify the 10 agents who have the most recent sales on properties closest to my property about the listing?…
• Which social networks will your blog posts about my listing syndicate to?

Does the Realtor® understand the questions let a lone answer them?

Give yourself every chance of selling your home in Wasaga Beach by taking advantage of the Internet AND more traditional methods.

Continuing Good News On MLS® Activity In November

Existing home sales activity remains strong in November

According to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association, existing home sales activity remained upbeat in November 2009. The current strength of housing demand stands in sharp contrast to weak activity recorded one year ago.

A total of 36,383 residential properties traded hands via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) of Canadian real estate boards in November 2009. Up 73 per cent from year-ago levels, activity was down just four tenths of a per cent from the highest level of activity for the month posted in November 2007. Home sales set new records for the month of November in Ontario and Quebec.