Several years ago, I was showing a property in a very nice uppper class neighbourhood.  Everything looked great on the main and upper levels, space and layout was great..When we went into the basement, I immediately noticed that the floor had just been painted… then when I looked up into the joists I saw the holes that were drilled all along the length of the house to allow for the electrical wires to feed through.  There was also some black mold visible on the joists.  Then the light bulb went on!!!  This was used as a grow house…I informed my clients of my suspicions, but told them not to be too alarmed… we can have the house inspected by a certified registered house inspector, and also have environmental testing done, and they could  come to a decision based on the outcome of these i... 01/26/2017

ONTARIO REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION (OREA) Explaining Possible Forms of Agency RelationshipIn Ontario, we are mandated to explain to clients the potential relationship they could enter into with their agent.  This form must be signed by the client and kept in our files, and a copy for the client.  This ensures they understand the different types of relationships between agent and client. RepresentationWhen a real estate company is a “seller’s agent,” it must do what is best for the seller of a property. A written contract, called a listing agreement, establishes seller agency. It also explains services the company will provide, establishes a fee arrangement for the Realtor’s services and specifies what obligations a seller may have.A seller’s agent must tell the seller anything known about... 01/26/2017

The Brokerage, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, is affiliated with a third party who sends out Surveys to each client after the transaction closes.The purpose is four-fold. It allows the client to express their opinon in a testimonial about their experience working with their agent, It allows the Broker to see where the agent may be falling short, enabling the agent to make the necessary adjustments, It holds each agent accountable on how we conduct our business; and It allows the agent to see what areas if any they need to improve... This week I received two great testimonials.. what  could be better than knowing you provided exceptional service to your clients and they are happy with the service you provided.. so much so they are writing a testimonial to memorialize their experie... 01/25/2017

The Better Homes and Gardens brand is one that has been around for many, many years... I'm sure you are all familiar with the Beter Homes and Gardens Magazine, and the red and white checkered cover on the Better Homes and Gardend Cookbok.The real estaste division has carved out its niche in the market place and new offices continue to open around the country and in Canada.               Be Better.....  01/23/2017

My Broker believes that every agent should be held accountable in every transaction.. therefore, he partnered with a third party firm called Real Satisfied,  who sends a questionnaire after closing to every client.. It provides the client an opportunity to share their experience working with that agent.This also provides the agent and the broker with important feedback to see where, if any, improvements need to be made by the agent. Great way to start the week.. Here is what I found in my email this morning! 01/23/2017

I've posted 4 blogs over the last several days where I was not rewarded the customary 225 points, (900 points) so I am going to post this last one again and see what happens.. YOU CAN GET A GOOD DEAL ON A POWER OF SALETRUTH OR MYTH?Many consumers believe that when a home is listed under Power of Sale, there is a deal to be had...This is a misconception many people have and there are risks to purchasing a home being sold under Power of Sale.  First, the Bank or Financial Institution must sell the property at fair market value, or risk being sued by the previous owner for selling at a lower amount. The Bank must get at least the outstanding amount owing on the property, plus sufficient funds to pay the commission, and any surplus is paid to the previous owner.Once the Bank has taken posse... 01/21/2017

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they are faced with decisions that can seem overwhelming.  If you are a Senior or a Boomer, and are facing a decision on whether or not to sell your  home, or stay in it as long as you can… or if you are a family member whose parents are in this position, then you need to seek out the services of a Real Estate Agent who is also an Accredited Senior Agent.  We are here to work along side you and the professionals you want involved, and make decisions that you feel are right for you! WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?When you are facing a move as a Boomer or Senior, look for a Realtor® with the specialized training and experience you need, look for an Accredited Senior Agent™ As a Master – Accredited Senior Agent, I’m NOT out to get your listing; I work as... 01/21/2017

YOU CAN GET A GOOD DEAL ON A POWER OF SALETRUTH OR MYTH?Sometimes I get investors or clients asking me about Power of Sale properties because they think they can “get a good deal” and potentially purchase the property at less than market value.That isn’t always the case, as the Bank or Financial Institution must sell the property at fair market value, or risk being sued by the previous owner for selling at a lower amount. The Bank must get at least the outstanding amount owing on the property, plus sufficient funds to pay the commission, and any surplus is paid to the previous owner.Once the Bank has taken possession of the property, after default by the owner, the Bank takes full control of the property and usually lists with a Realtor on MLS to get the proeprty sold. They typically re... 01/20/2017

HOW TO HIRE A GOOD CONTRACTORBEWARE OF THE PITFALLS Hiring a contractor can be a scary and stressful experience and I’m sure we have all heard of the horror stories of contractors disappearing after receiving their deposit. But these pitfalls can be avoided, and you can hire the right person for the job!Here are some tips on choosing the right contractor: The first step is finding a contractor… the best way is by word of mouth referral of someone you know who has used this person in the past. Ask family or friends if they can recommend someone. You can also find them in the yellow pages, on the internet, trade organizations, or bulletin boards. Obtain at least 3 quotations.  This will allow you to see if they are adding profit into the material price and make it easier to compare multip... 01/19/2017

ARE YOU CONSIDERING LEASING A FURNACE OR AIR CONDITIONER?The cost of buying a new furnace or Central Air Conditioning can be a large expense especially if you have to buy both furnace and AC.Although the new high efficiency units can save you money over time, the initial expense is not something everyone can afford.Thus, renting Furnaces and Central Air Conditioning units has become popular in recent years.The one thing consumers should be cautious about before signing that rental agreement is to read the fine print.  Most agreements that I have seen are open ended agreements, which means there is no ending date.This means you are stuck paying the monthly rental fee for the life of the furnace/AC, which can end up be substantially above the cost of the units.Another thing you should con... 01/17/2017

Make Your Home  AccessibleHaving your home accessible to prospective Buyers as much as possible, is critical in the sale of your home.  Agents try to give as much notice as possible for requests to show your home, but there are times when last minute requests do occur.  Granting requests as much as possible is desirable … the request you turn away may be the purchaser you’ve been waiting for.Dress For SuccessLooking good is important when you want to make a great impression, whether for a job interview or a social function. The same is true of a home that is on the market. When the “For Sale” sign goes up in front of your home, it should be “dressed” for the occasion.Since the first impression will be of the front of the house a well-groomed exterior is crucial, from the landscaping to ... 01/16/2017

How often have we shown a property to a potential buyer only to learn later that it has just been sold conditionally. Your buyers are devastated because they LOVE this house! It could also happen when selling commercial property, or if you have a buyer interested in buying a business that is not listed.I have been in this situation numerous times when my buyers have been devastated when the home they MUST HAVE has been sold. This can occur frequently, especially in a busy market.  I'm not sure this strategy of submitting a backup offer will work work in this crazy time in real estate, but several years ago it was something to consider.But as we realtors all know, a conditional offer can fall apart.  If my client really LOVES the home, I sometimes suggest they consider submitting a “back... 01/15/2017

Critical Mistakes Sellers MakeWhen Choosing a Realtor®Selling a home should be like any other business transaction, but all too often sellers make emotional or impulsive decisions that cost them money and time.  Choosing the right Realtor to market a property and negotiate the sale is the most important step in the process. “My friend (or family member) sells real estate.”Friendship alone isn’t enough to establish a professional’s credentials.  Use tough standards when selecting an agent, just as you would when hiring an attorney, a doctor, or an accountant to handle your taxes.  A true friend will understand and appreciate that this is a business decision and will offer their credentials and expect to compete for the listing.  Besides, if a problem or challenge develops while selling y... 01/14/2017

Selling a home is one of the most important financial decisions you will make, and working with the right realtor to market your home, is another important decision you will make to achieve the best possible benefit. Selling a home can be a stressful experience, and although you probably have been through the process before, every sale is different and the variables can change. Your first task?  Choosing the right realtor, one who  makes the experience of selling your home as pleasant and seam-free as possible, and with as little inconvenience to you as possible.SELECTING A REALTOR®Here are just some things you should look for when selecting a real estate professional to assist you.  Choose one: works in and is familiar with your neighbourhood works full time in the real estate business... 01/14/2017

Several year ago I posted a quote on my Facebook page which read: “Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest…. Mark Twain”A few moments later I received a message from another realtor who told me that our board, The Toronto Real Estate Board actually encourages REALTORS to perform a “Random Act of Kindness” and TREB has produced cards to hand out to the public after the deed is done. The card does not identify you per say, just that you are a REALTOR. For instance, if you are at Tim Horton, buy a cup of coffee for the next person in-line ! If you are in line a the grocery store, and the person behind you has only a few items, and you have a cart full…. let them go ahead of you….It really encouraged me to call my Board and have them send me some of these cards.... 01/13/2017

Yesterday (January 11th, 2017)  was a trying day... and it didn't have to be...I sold a property in October with a closing date of January 13th, 2017.  And, for the record this property is a 1 hour drive away.  I took the listing because it is the daughter of a very long time friend.. and I lived in that city for 45 years, so know it well.I was told late last week that the lender had to do an Appraisal. The earliest we could scheudle was Tuesday morning, January 10th.Yesterday I was notified by my Buyer, that when the Appraiser sent in her report to the Lender, (Wednesday morning, January 11th) she mentioned a black mark in a small area of the wall in the basement on the concrete foundation where the washer and dryer used to sit.The lender is saying we now need to have a certified inspe... 01/12/2017

We all know and recognize that saving energy is cost effective, but you may not recognize how inefficient your home really is until you conduct an energy audit.  You can spot many problems in your home with a simple walk-through.  Keep a checklist of areas you inspect and any problems or issues you find.  This will help you prioritize your energy efficiency upgrades.LightingEnergy expended by lighting accounts for about 10% of your hyrdo bill.  Check the wattage of the light bulbs in your home.  You can exchange 100 watt bulbs and in most cases use a 60 or 75 watt bulb.  Compact Fluorescent lamps for higher uses area are also recommended.InsulationIf insulation levels are less than the recommended minimum, heat loss through the ceiling and walls in your home could be high.  You likely h... 01/11/2017

10 VERY IMPORTANT REASONSTO HIRE A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALBuying or selling a home is probably THE most important financial transaction you will make during your lifetime, and having a trained, experienced realtor who has the expertise is the logical and smart choice. After all, who would you consult if you had a heart condition… a cardiologist of course, because you want best there is … an experienced professional with the knowledge and expertise in this field. What if your child had a serious illness, you would of course seek out the best pediatrician so your child would have the best possible care. It’s no different when buying or selling a home.. leave it in the capable hands of the experienced and trained professionals.Clients sometimes ask me why they need to hire a real estate a... 01/10/2017

I listed a property several years ago in a very high end neighbourhood, close to $1,000,000.. (in today's market it would be about $1,3000,000 - $1,400,000). The home was beautifully, and tastefully deocrated with warm neutral tones, a very harmonious atmosphere.  The home had many quality upgrades, kitchen cabinets, granite counters, upgraded crown moulding throughout the home, and beautiful hardwood floors in a rich brown tone.  All light fixtures had been upgraded, and the front entry doors were truly spectacular!!  It was evident throughout the house that these people showed a true pride of ownership, both inside and out. The front doors alone were $10,000!!  Get the picture???  It also had great curb appeal which helped.The clients spent the entire weekend before I arrived late Sun... 01/09/2017

How do we demonstrate our value proposition to our clients and perspective clients?Here is just one example: Last year a friend of mine had a neighbour who bragged to him about how he sold his home himself by listing it online.  He was over the moon that he sold it in two days, and at the full asking price, of $675,000 and no commission!  About a month later another home came on the market on the same street, but was listed by a real estate agent. The home was the same size, the same floor plan, similar sized lot, and in the same condition.  It was listed at $759,900.  The agent's marketing plan was to hold offers for 4 days to allow the home to be viewed by perspective buyers get people excited about the proeprty.  On offer date FIVE offers were received and it sold for $ 805,000.  The... 01/08/2017