Shhhhh….. Shhhh…. Or at least be very careful what you are saying when touring a home. The tools have been in place for many years but the variety of tools and ease of accessing them has never been greater than today. Long story short? Houses may have ears these days. Whether it’s a simple audio […]
The first half of 2018 has been a mix of predictable and surprising across most municipalities of Niagara. Here is some quick insight into what is happening in the background: Number of Sales The total number of sales have pulled back between 15% and 47% depending on the city however 2018 v 2017 first half […]
Mortgages. There likely exists no other subject that causes more angst among those looking to purchase real estate. And it is for this reason we nominate mortgages for top honours in our home buying heebie-jeebies awards. Unless you are fortunate enough to be financially privileged, getting a mortgage is a must in order to purchase […]
To quote the title of the classic jazz tune by Eddie Harris & Les McCann, when comparing anything to something, the question to ask is just that. Compared to what? Persepctive. In our world, Niagara real estate in 2017 is being compared to 2016 simply because 2016 is the closest market in recent memory. But […]
Is the market changing? Yes. Phewf. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s discuss the market, stats and some of the headlines out there. When a market adjusts from an unprecedented market, is the new market plunging or is it adjusting back to a more healthy balance? That is the statistical million […]
Let’s start out by agreeing that there is no such thing as a sure thing in the home buying process. By ‘sure thing’ we mean a guaranteed, no-issues-whatsoever, smooth sailing, problem-free home with rainbows and unicorns in the backyard. When you are looking at homes, regardless of whether it is a new build or a […]
If there’s one thing we all know for sure is that all markets are temporary. As much as a serious sellers’ market feels like it will never go away, it will. Whether it’s geo-political, macro-economic or some kind of other supply and demand factors, any market can speed up or slow down at any time. […]
One of the biggest mistakes made by both REALTORS® and their clients alike is the inability to put themselves in the shoes of the other party. The lack of ability to apply empathy to the situation can prove costly. Empathy, according to Wikipedia, is something similar to this: It is the capacity to understand or […]
In a heated sellers’ market like we are currently in, there is a tendency for people to think that everything sells. We have even heard someone say “even a duck can sell homes in this market”. Perhaps it is easier to sell a home in this market but that sentiment comes with a sidebar. Executing […]
First, I realize that the runner in lane 1 is either a false start or getting warmed up so they aren’t officially separating themselves from the competition since the race hasn’t started. But the imagery also illustrates something near and dear to our collective heart. Every year we hear a similar refrain from some sellers. […]
A lot of people will say there is nothing for sale. That we in Niagara, specifically St.Catharines, Thorold and Niagara Falls are lacking inventory. “Its craaaaaaazy out there!” is the common refrain. Well, in some ways, it is. But here are the BIG 3 important numbers to know for January 1st to August 1st when […]
There is clearly a growing trend in our industry, at least locally, where new listings are coming soon, exclusive and/or offered as a sneak peek. Quite often, the result is a blurred line of when a house is for sale, sort of for sale or being held back from the market for various reasons. First, […]
Maybe its just timing at the moment but there seems to be more ‘flipped’ houses out there on the market than normal. For those new to the flipping concept, it is this: Buyers John and Susan purchase a home at 124 Profit Street in need of updating for $220,000. They update and renovate the home […]
Everyone has their own perspectives that help shape their day to day existence. Perspective on quality. On value. On movies. Their favourite team. The best route to drive from point A to point B. In our business of Real Estate, we encounter different perspectives all the time. Largely, people debate or consider what route to […]
This is one of the most common questions that we hear. In the busier times of the year (spring for example) people will ask it less making the assumption that more For Sale signs equal a good time to sell. One thing to consider is this: More FOR SALE signs = More Supply We are […]
… that less houses sell in February and March when compared to April and May but the houses that sell in February and March, on average, sold for a higher price? Exhibit A: for example, we recently completed a market report for a home in the Grapeview area of St.Catharines. Would you believe that for […]
1. The Browser 2. The If It Happens It Happens 3. The Hunter THE BROWSER: As a home seller, it is important to know which buyer(s) your home is reaching. For example, if open houses mixed with a dash of hope & optimism is your approach, you are most likely to see The Browser come […]
11. AFFORDABILITY – we live in a region where a single person just starting out can buy a condo for $120,000. Or a young couple can buy a sweet little bungalow for $145,000. Or an elderly couple can buy a condo apartment for $210,000 (or $150,000). Or a single parent can buy a townhome near […]
During a recent trip to England, I had the pleasure of chatting with numerous locals about how homes are bought and sold in that lovely country. The big city (a.k.a. London) is vicisiously short on supply which is resulting in stories full of puzzling decision making, angst ridden buyers and eye-popping purchase prices. For example, […]
Think of your house as a hotel. Overall, it’s quite the nice place. A lovely entrance and charming lobby with friendly front desk staff. The carpets are fresh, the pool is clean and set at the perfect temperature. The rooms have been mostly renovated with flat screen TVs, spa-like bathrooms and 800 thread count sheets […]
Look at it this way. When a buyer comes to your home, your home is worth 100 points in their scoring system. 100 points that will slowly be deducted, recovered or maintained based on the type of reaction they have when visiting. So, they pull up to the front curb and the gardens are a […]
Quite often, the easy-out, go-to approach for marketers is fear of loss. If you don’t buy this widget by that date you’re going to miss out, be doomed, lose the game. It’s kind of similar to being in the front of a long line at Booster Juice for the first time. Your heart rate kicks […]
Looking back over the last several years, we seemed to have been in this perpetual cycle of ‘the economy is improving’…no wait… ‘things are bad’ …wait… ‘they’re going to improve’ …but… ‘prices are going to come down by x%’ …and then… ‘the market out-performed expectations for that quarter’. And around and around we went and […]
What purpose do open houses hold? Some will tell you that less than 5% of homes sell through open houses. Some Realtors will tell you they sell 25% of their listings through open houses. For some sellers, having open houses as often as possible is a huge request. For others, they have no interest in […]
When you’re buying virtually anything, questions should be asked. Clarify. Enquire. Verify. Plan. Question. Pause. Proceed. Etcetera. There are 3 types of questions and comments that we routinely hear. 1. “Looking for more general info” questions. 2. “Getting the final info before proceeding” questions. 3. “Fear” questions. In this article we’ll discuss the 3rd category. […]
What is our home worth? This age old real estate question is one of the toughest questions to answer. Really, can anyone, even the most seasoned REALTOR, look you in the face and guarantee you a carved in stone, without a shadow of a doubt, take it to the bank price? We can forecast, speculate, […]
There is a reason bridges were invented. They allow safe and easy passage over a river or canal or hole in the ground. We could get from A to B without the bridge. We could swim, build rafts, go around the canyon but with the option of a good, solid, structurally sound bridge, why would […]
Often the biggest challenge that a seller or buyer faces is the waiting. Waiting to get the home ready for market, waiting for it to appear on MLS, waiting for a showing to be booked, waiting for feedback, waiting for an offer, waiting to hear, waiting to hear, waiting to hear, waiting for the inspection […]
As we move through July and into August, some home sellers will see decreased activity and interest in their home. This is for several reasons including the fact that a portion of the market’s active buyers have already bought as well as many of us southern Ontarions head north. So, if demand lessens, what are […]
Quite often this time of year, a decent part of the market loosens up (or has loosened up already). As more homes sell, more offers are made and less “conditional on the buyer’s property” offers are made. The result is accelerated schedules, more competition, reduced days on market numbers and quite often, less stress. Of […]
Not sure if it is “let’s talk about smoking” season but we have heard and read numerous articles recently discussing the effects that cigarette smoke can have on home values. When REALTORS go into a home to discuss listing, one concept often talked about is “depersonalizing” the home. The idea being to allow the buyer […]
Every spring we see that definite point in time when the influx of new listing activity is clearly upon us. Sellers typically delay until this time of year for two big reasons. 1. They want to get their home showing its best as the grey tones of winter are replaced with the greens and flowers […]
I saw a graphic on social media today comparing quantity versus quality, using the pennies versus quarters comparison. The question was, with all things being equal, would you rather have 100 pennies or 4 quarters. It got the (newly 40 year) old real estate brain thinking about how that concept relates to our business. In […]
We have had a few situations recently where a buyer (not our buyer) has backed off of a property because they “don’t want to compete” in a multiple offer situation. The fear and reluctance with competing is understandable. Submitting an offer with no other buyer’s on the horizon is stressful for the average person. Throw […]
We are often asked to give a guarantee or an assurance of when we think a home will be sold. Despite the promise that we will not be held 100% accountable, when push comes to shove, even with our diplomatic immunity, we are still held to our word. What we can tell a homeowner is […]
Thinking back over the years of marketing and selling homes in Niagara, we have noticed something in recent years. In the past few months in particular, it has become evident that buyers are more and more leaning towards homes with little or nothing to do. The homes we have had listed recently that were fully […]
We constantly go on about the need to put yourself in the shoes of the person(s) that you are negotiating with. As a buyer, having a one dimensional, ‘low ball’ approach can often be a low percentage tactic that does nothing but waste time and opportunities. Considering the situation of the sellers, the condition or […]
Can I live with that? Can I fix that? Am I living with that already? What would life be like if we had (or didn’t have) that? Getting to the root of your needs and wants is going to be crucial in making a successful move. If there are multiple people involved in the move […]
Just a quick thought. In the post-heat, pre-air conditioning season, often people turn their furnace off. That’s fine but if you’re selling your home, the last thing you want is to have stagnant air. If your home has a forced air system, don’t be afraid to keep it running. On the thermostat, there is likely […]
Buying or selling, everyone is waiting at some point. Waiting to see the house. Waiting for showings. Waiting for offers. Waiting for a signback. Waiting for the inspection. Waiting to hear back from your mortgage broker. Waiting to flip the sign to sold. Waiting to show your parents through the house. Waiting for the movers. […]
In the business of selling used goods, often, a part or parts of the product have been improved or updated over the years. Think of a used car with brand new tires, a BBQ with new burners or even a house with new furnace and central air. The common (and dangerous) denominator in all of […]
As the weather forecast shows sunny with temperatures between 0 and 10 over the next week, the strange false-winter trend looks like it is going to continue. Knock on wood, we may already be easing into spring. Ladies and gentlemen. I would like to take this opportunity to coin a new phrase. Sprin-ter [noun] The […]
Growth in any form requires an adjustment. An internal audit of sorts of how we do what we do. More importantly, why we aren’t doing what we should be doing. What are we doing well? Why aren’t we doing the things that we know we should be doing? And the foundation of it all, our […]
Whether you are moving or not, it always helps to know people! Part of our day to day existence as REALTORS brings us into contact with great help. We frequently deal with professionals in flooring installation, appliance sales and repair, furnace, central air, insulation, electrical, landscaping, even carpet stretching! As mentioned, we got a guy! […]
If you’ve browsed the internet looking at homes, I’m sure you’ve noticed the wide range in the quality of photos. Dark dining rooms where you can barely identify a table and chairs. A bedroom showing only the corner of the bed and a part of the dresser. How about the picture of the toilet with […]
It is true. When selling a single, solitary thing, there can only ultimately be one, single, solitary buyer (ie: individual or couple). How you find him or her and how long you are willing to wait for him or her is another story. A corner store could ask $7 for a bag of milk, with […]
The most important questions we can sometimes ask are the questions that we may not even be aware of. When at the doctors, we often leave the questions and the answers to our doctors since most of us don’t know what questions to even ask. Same applies for our auto mechanics. Kid’s piano teacher. The […]
All too often we get stuck on our side of the table. Discussions with spouses, co-workers, friends can easily end poorly because one person was unable to mentally sit on the other side of the table. When you are buying or selling a home, it is truly helpful to psychologically switch chairs when in negotiations, […]
We are in the portion of the year where the question is always asked, “is now a good time to sell our home?” It is always a good time to sell if you are looking to sell. The question is, is now a good time to list? Well, that can depend on the property. Is […]
The action of an individual is largely affected by outside influence. Whether it is the individual’s personal moral code or the pressure from family and friends, our actions are usually based on a combination of us and how we see ourselves fitting into the outside world. The same applies virtually across the board. The actions […]