Hi Everybody, I just setup a brand new website and Facebook business page. The website is http://www.hightechagent.ca and the page can be accessed by clicking High Tech Agent - Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate link in the video Here is a video I did asking people to visit my page.   11/19/2010

By Warren McNeil, Mobile Technology can be really convenient if you know when to utilize it. Today on my way home, I experienced an example of this convenience. Just think how many other possibilities there are. See the following video I did.   All I needed was an iPhone, iPhone adapter, car that can play an iPhone through the speakers and a really resourceful wife. 11/18/2010

This isn't going to be a long post but I need to say it after having the opportunity to read all the submissions for Professional Stager of the Year and Rookie Stager of the Year - this is for you: Very succinctly. You guys rock. The things each and every one of you is accomplishing day in and day out is staggering. I am humbled and awed to be a part of such a group and I just want you all to know - win or lose - that you have all been recognized for a reason. I WISH I could vote for all of you. Really. The entries I read were AMAZING. As individuals and as partnerships, the way in which we conduct our staging businesses is changing and shaping our growing industry. I know we all talk about how HARD it is sometimes, getting the word out there about staging and taking the time to do semi... 11/17/2010

There are many differing opinions about whether or not you should attempt to sell during the Holidays.  There will always be buyers that will assume if you're selling during the Holidays then you must be desperate, and their offers will reflect that.  But sometimes it just turns out that this is the best time for you.  Whatever the reason you are listing during the Holidays, you can still make the most of your sale by paying attention to the details and putting your best face forward.   Smell is always something that people notice immediately, whether consciously or not.  So, why not take advantage of the Holiday season by playing into it?  Go that extra mile and make the house smell inviting by baking cookies, or simmering cider or mulled wine before your open house.   Then leave some ... 11/16/2010

Kitchener-Waterloo Business Woman Heather Cook NAMED AS FINALIST IN THE 2011 REAL ESTATE STAGING ASSOCIATION’S 2011 HOME STAGING INDUSTRY AWARDS Winners to Be Announced in Las Vegas at the industry’s yearly convention January 24th, 2011 Kitchener-Waterloo, ON – November 15, 2010 Kitchener-Waterloo home stager Heather Cook of Rooms in Bloom Home Staging & Design Inc. is named as a finalist in the Real Estate Staging Association™ (RESA®) Home Staging Industry Award™ in the Professional Home Stager of the Year Award for all of Canada. Home Stagers from all over North America submitted their before and after photos for consideration for the industry’s most prestigious awards. The RESA® Home Staging Industry Awards™ are the most prestigious awards in the home staging industry. Home Staging ... 11/16/2010

By Warren McNeil, We recently setup a business directory for all the service professionals that we recommend to our clients. Our main goal with this directory is to make it simple for our clients to have a place where they can go when they are looking for a service professional. Check out this video I created regarding the directory. *Video:Team McNeil's Business Directory For more information, checkout the directory at: http://www.teammcneil.com/blog/your-local-business-directory/ 11/11/2010

Hello, my name is Gucci. I’m up for adoption at the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society! I am a 2-year- old domestic female cat. I’m a quiet cat that will enjoy keeping you company as you watch TV. I’m already spayed. If you are interested in learning more about me, I am waiting for you here at the Centre!   Note: Posted with general permission from the K-W Humane Society to assist them with finding forever homes for their animals. For more information about the K-W Humane Society visit: http://www.kwhumane.com/ To become a friend, visit: http://www.facebook.com/KitchenerWaterlooHumaneSociety 11/10/2010

Hello! My name is Dexter. I’m a 2.5 years old Chihuahua cross and I’m available for adoption at the K-W Humane Society. I’m a ball of energy, but I don’t take up at lot of space. Playing tug of war is my favourite game. I have been neutered and I’m ready to go home with you and be your very best friend! If you are interested in meeting me – I’m waiting   Note: Posted with general permission from the K-W Humane Society to assist them with finding forever homes for their animals. For more information about the K-W Humane Society visit: http://www.kwhumane.com/ To become a friend, visit: http://www.facebook.com/KitchenerWaterlooHumaneSociety 11/04/2010

By Warren McNeil, On Monday RE/MAX released a press release about the condo market in Canada. They said that in Toronto 1-3 houses purchased was a condo. They also said that in Kitchener-Waterloo 1 in 5 houses purchased was a condo. So why are people choosing this type of living? If you are not into doing alot of maintanence, then a condo might be the right fit for you. One of the nice things about condo living is the freedom of not having to worry about any exterior maintanence. If you are not the handy type or you don't have unlimited cashflow, than the extra insurance you have buying a condo can give you the peace of mind that you might be looking for. CMHC held their annual housing outlook for 2011 yesterday. Alot of information was discussed. One thing they mentioned was that Kitch... 11/03/2010

This Halloween I felt very lucky to live at 35 Green Valley Drive in Kitchener. Our Building Manager, her other half, and the staff at Green Valley Drive put a lot of time and energy into our Halloween decorations to help the community get into the “spirit”. On the outside of the building, as you approached the door was a spooky graveyard filled with tombstones and spirits who popped up at those passing by, with eyes flashing to scare people away. Black owls and crows in the trees watched the events from above. And let us not forget the graveyard’s keeper who worked well at keeping everyone in line.  At the door was a tormented spirit in agony as he was eaten by spiders. On the other side of the door was a room filled with terrors clowning around... ...and those trying to get away from... 11/02/2010

By Warren McNeil Very intersting report by Re/Max today. The report states that 1 in 5 houses sold in Kitchener Waterloo is a condominium. This is definitely evident to me because I am seeing many new construction condo developments in Kitchener Waterloo recently. Here is a quick list of all of the condominium developments in Kitchener Waterloo: 1. Center City Living lofts/condos by Andrin Homes - downtown Kitchener 2. Arrow Lofts by Auburn Developments - downtown Kitchener 3. 144 Park - uptown Waterloo 4. The 42 - uptown Waterloo 5. 45 degrees - King St and Columbia Street Waterloo 6. Reflections By Urbanera- Laurelwood North Waterloo 7. University Village - Highland and Ira Needles Kitchener 8: Chicopee Forest Freehold Condos - Woolner and Upper Mercer Kitchener 9. Westmount Grand - E... 11/01/2010

  Hi my name is Rusty and I’m up for adoption at the K-W Humane Society! I am a 4-year old male neutered orange tabby with white who is looking for a forever home with you. I'm a big guy who's adventurous, playful and affectionate. If you are looking for a wonderful new friend, come meet me, Rusty!   As a footnote: I was at the K-W Humane not too long ago and they have a lot of cats and kittens who need a new home and lots of love. Why not pay them a visit? And if you can't get a cat for whatever reason, drop off a monetary donation or supplies. It takes a lot of support to feed and house those animals :)     Note: Posted with general permission from the K-W Humane Society to assist them with finding forever homes for their animals. For more information about the K-W Humane Society vis... 10/27/2010

  Hello – My names is Potsie! I am a 5-year old male Border collie cross! I like to have fun. I like keeping busy by going to the park, playing catch and just chewing my favourite toys. Afterwards I’ll be happy to stay at your feet as you read and relax. I’m available for adoption at the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society! I have been neutered.   Note: Posted with general permission from the K-W Humane Society to assist them with finding forever homes for their animals. For more information about the K-W Humane Society visit: http://www.kwhumane.com/ To become a friend, visit: http://www.facebook.com/KitchenerWaterlooHumaneSociety 10/21/2010

In recent weeks I have read many blog posts about realtors worried about their own safety while showing houses to clients and it got me thinking. We often go into homes without knowing our clients well or what their personal situations are like. I have been in certain situations which made me both very uncomfortable and eager to leave. I wrote a post about one of those situations where during the course of a consultation, our male client proceeded to get quite drunk and follow us around making inappropriate comments both in regards to our appearance as well as making hostile comments about his wife and pets. This culminated in him basically asking my partner out – in front of his wife – at the end of the consult. Just last week I did a consult on my own and had to meet with two men – b... 10/18/2010

All realtors want their listings to stand out to buyers online. At least 90% of buyers are shopping ONLINE first before they even make arrangements to visit a home so its vital that pictures stand out - in a good way - to buyers. I'm sure you can imagine how it works - buyers (most often the wife/girlfriend) is searching online clicking through homes going "ugly .. ugly .. ugly .. ooohhh this one's pretty, we need to see it!"   vs  So how do you get those visits and that positive attention? Well, here's a list of the top 5 things you can do to get buyer's in the front door: 1) Take the time to PREPARE the home first. From home staging to completing repairs and doing smart upgrades, these things make the most DRAMATIC impressions on buyers. 2) Professional photography and virtual tours s... 10/16/2010

By Warren McNeil, It's been a little while since I blogged about anything. We have had a busy past couple of weeks. I know, "Excuses, Excuses!!".. Things are going well with the Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate market. We had a slow summer but the market has turned around over the past month. Sales are up again. We are also up over last year despite the slow summer. Kitchener downtown is undergoing a major transformation with a bunch of new condominium projects. Waterloo also has serveral other condo developlments in the works. It is an exciting time for our area. Andrin homes is in the process of building their sales centre downtown. I think I read that the sales centre will open at the beginning of 2011.  Mel and I are looking forward to the 4th quarter. We believe the Kitchener Waterlo... 10/06/2010

Lighting is a vital part of any type of design. Whether its for staging or re-design, having adequate and style appropriate lighting is essential. You can create a beautiful design but if the lamps or light fixtures don't fit with the style of the space, they will stick out like sore thumbs. This means all those lamps which have the bases styled as characters (Buzz Lightyear or Baseball players), animals, sports equipment or which are overly flowery or religious can really clash with the room's overall style. For staging those types of lamps have to be edited out but sometimes its as easy as changing out the lampshade:                     Empire Shade Coolie Shade Drum Shade   The first two style of shades are what we normally encounter. The empire shade is the most popular and the Cool... 10/04/2010

My name is Jester and as you can guess from my name, I am a pretty silly guy! I am 1.5 years old and my dream would be to play in a leash free park with my new owner everyday! I know that can't always happen, but I nice long walk would work too! While staying here at the Humane Society they sent me to be neutered, so you don't have to worry about that additional cost! If you are looking for a fun-loving Collie Mix, come meet me, Jester!     Note: Posted with general permission from the K-W Humane Society to assist them with finding forever homes for their animals. For more information about the K-W Humane Society visit: http://www.kwhumane.com/ To become a friend, visit: http://www.facebook.com/KitchenerWaterlooHumaneSociety 10/04/2010

My name is Chi Chi the Chinchilla! I am 3 years old and up for adoption at the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society. I am looking for an owner who is able to keep me for the rest of my life; 18-22 years old for me is not uncommon. I am very active and playful! I would love to come out of my cage to play with you for a while everyday! At first I might be a little nervous, but the more we play, the more I will get used to you and I will really start to look forward to play time! If you would like a new small friend, come meet me, Chi Chi!  Note: Posted with general permission from the K-W Humane Society to assist them with finding forever homes for their animals. For more information about the K-W Humane Society visit: http://www.kwhumane.com/ To become a friend, visit: http://www.facebook.c... 09/30/2010

When we decided to move from Fergus to Kitchener we saw a Mortgage Broker first, as every smart buyer should. This broker told us that if we got so much for our house and based on our yearly income and our very small existing debt load, we could go searching for an $800,000.00 house. WHAT? Not believing him we spoke with another Mortgage Broker. One we had used before. He verified the first analysis. So, hubby and I sat down and did the math ourselves. These are our bills; this is our income. We were doing alright. Able to put a few bucks in the bank and into our investments every now and again. And things would only get better once my career in real estate started picking up and our oldest was finished college. And then we started playing the what if game: What if one of us couldn't wo... 09/30/2010