Season's Greetings!

It’s hard to believe that 2016 has almost ended.  We hope you’ve had a terrific year, and we wish you all the best for 2017.

At this time of year, we like to thank you, our valued clients for your continued support.  We really appreciate and value your loyalty.  Providing excellent service to you is very important to us. In fact, our business is built on repeat business and referrals from satisfied clients. That’s why we do our best to go the extra mile with the help and information we provide – whether it’s during a transaction or during the years in between transactions.

From our family to yours, we wish you good health, happiness and wonderful festive season. Please call us if there is anything more we can do for you – even if it’s just to say hello!

Have a happy & healthy 2017! 

Well, we've had our first snowfall of the year and there's no doubt that "old man winter" is on his way. In spite of the cooler temperatures and the change in Canada's mortgage rules, the real estate market remains very hot!

The Bank of Canada believes the new mortgage rules will reduce the risk of Canada's financial system becoming unstable.  The new rules expand "stress tests" for borrowers to include five year mortgages, the most common kind of mortgage in Canada.   Though mortgages are being offered at around 2.5 per cent today, the stress test requires borrowers to qualify at the Bank of Canada's posted rate, currently 4.64 per cent.  Some in the industry say one of the effects of the new rules could be higher mortgage rates to come.  As an example, if a potential homebuyer with a combined family income of approximately $125,000 was told they could afford something in the $630,000 range, they may now only be approved for something in the $500,000 range, which in Barrie thankfully, is still a lovely home, but in the GTA, will make a huge difference.  This certainly could be one of the reasons we continue to see a steady influx of buyers coming from Toronto.

We don't have the October stats yet from the Barrie & District Association of Realtors® but we do have September's! Within the City itself, detached residential properties posted an average selling price for the month of September 2016 of $476,668, an increase of 24% over September 2015. Townhomes, links and semi-detached homes posted an average of $341,337 which was a 25% increase over last year.  Interesting statistics for sure.

If you would like to discuss the new mortgage rules or real estate in general, please feel free to give us a call anytime. We always like hearing from you!  

IT'S TRUE!!  Our spring market has arrived and inventory levels are at an all time low!  Although this winter was mild compared to last year, we're still happy to see those warmer days arrive and along with it, our busy spring market.

To be blunt, it's crazy out there!  We recently listed a little bungalow in Barrie's north end, close to one of the high schools.  It's the kind of house we used to call a "war time" bungalow which were all built in the late 40's.  This home was a one owner home for 64 years.  Can you imagine?  Yes there was hardwood flooring and an attached garage, small corner lot, only 1 bathroom, part finished basement.  No granite counters, no stainless steel appliances, no ensuites or anything else people can't seem to live without now, just a basic little solid home.  Within 24 hours, we had 33 showings and within 48 hours it was sold firm, no conditions, closing in 2 weeks!  It sold for more than list price and was in competition with 9 other offers in total!!  This of course was unusual for our market and we certainly hope for everyone concerned, it does not become the norm. 

We know you've heard it from us before, but right now, there has never been a better time to sell!  We're not sure if the Toronto housing prices, combined with the lower gas prices are pushing more people from the GTA north, but we're pretty sure it helps.  We've noticed a lot more Toronto agents showing homes in our area, more than ever before. 

Of course the concern many people will have now is "if I sell quickly, where will I go?"  Let us help you with that, that's what we do.  Call us anytime for a free, no obligation evaluation of your home.  Together, we'll make it happen!

We hope everyone had a happy and safe long Thanksgiving weekend!  The weather was certainly beautiful here in Barrie for the long weekend, but, as we know, all good things must come to an end and apparently, it's happening this weekend.  Of course the snow won't stay, but it is a premonition of things to come!

There's still lots of leaves to rake up, winter fertilizer to put down and perennials to cut back.  It's time to winterize your lawn mower and tune up the snow blower so you're not caught off guard when the snow flies.  Check any gas fireplace outdoor vents for leaves that may be blocking the flow and check that your furnace maintenance is up to date.

If your home is on the market, please remember that curb appeal is of utmost importance to potential buyers, especially this time of year.  If the exterior of the property is unkempt, it will turn Buyers off immediately and make them wonder what's hiding inside.  Keep walkways and stairs free of leaves, ice and snow, not only for appearance sake, but for safety's sake. Of course, a few potted Mums for colour, and later on Christmas wreaths & winter decor add to the outdoor charm.  Perhaps not the most attractive feature, although necessary make sure there is a boot/shoe mat available for wet footwear during showings.  Winter may not be the most perfect time to show homes, but the buyers are still out there and if your home has great curb appeal you will definitely have an advantage over those homes that don't!

If you have been thinking about making a move before Christmas, although the weather is turning colder, the Buyers are still out there & our Barrie market remains hot!  Give us a call anytime and let us help you get moving!!

Okay, we admit it!  Some of the real estate shows out there are really getting on our nerves!!  Oh for sure, many can be a source of information for potential buyers and sellers, providing some basic guidance and an understanding of real estate terms, however ALL of the real estate shows we've ever seen are taking place in a totally different market than ours and gives both buyers and sellers an unrealistic expectation of what their home is worth.

In the last few months, there have been a few times when a listing, new on the market has sold over the list price, but they are not the norm. When we establish a listing price for a property, we do our homework first!  We study the sales for comparable properties in the area that have recently sold, while taking into account any updates/upgrades that may affect property value.  An "in-law" apartment may not necessarily add value if it is not legal, a swimming pool is not always seen as a selling feature and trendy decor styles soon fade (remember the dusty rose or sea foam green carpet of the late '80's?)

When we suggest a listing price to you, we haven't just pulled a number out of the sky.  We know you want to make the most amount of money with the least amount of stress.  That's what we're here for! 

There are a lot of dangers in pricing your home above a realistic asking price.  For one, experienced professional agents will not show it!  They know it's overpriced!  Then when you reduce the price, maybe a couple of times, your listing has become stale and again, no one is going to show it. The general public may think there's something wrong with the house after driving by your "For Sale" sign for a couple of months.

So let us do our job.  We don't get paid unless you home sells right?  If your home is priced right at the start of the listing, chances are it will sell quickly and you will end up with more money in your pocket!

Give us a call anytime.  We're always happy to help!

When we say that this summer was hot, we weren't kidding....and we are not talking about the temperature!!  Residential property sales recorded through the MLS system of the Barrie & District Association of Realtors Inc. numbered 434 units in August of 2015, a decrease of just 0.7 per cent (three sales) from August 2014.  This was above the five and 10 year average for the month and was also one of the best August levels on record.

The city of Barrie saw 254 residential sales in August.  A year-over-year increase of 17 per cent was recorded in surrounding areas, where sales activity totalled 200 units.  "Demand remains historically very strong, not far off the record for the month of August" said Bruce Shipley, President of the Barrie & District Association of Realtors. "By contrast, supply is running at the lowest levels in more than a decade, and the combination of lower supply and very strong demanbd has put the average sale price on track to post its biggest annual gain in a decade."

The year to date average price for ALL homes sold via the Association's MLS system in 2015 is $367,721, up 8.1% from the same period in 2014.  The year to date average price for homes sold within the City of Barrie was $342,721.  This is a 7.3% increase compared to the year to date average price in 2014.

New residential listings were down 10.6 per cent from August 2014 to 622 units in August 2015.  Overall supply is currently trending at the lowest levels in more than a decade.

If you have been thinking of making a move this year, there has never been a better time to list your home.  We would be pleased if you would give us a call.  We would be happy to give you a no obligation evaluation of what your home is worth in today's crazy market! 

You've made a big decision!!  You're moving and we're here to help you with that!  There are as many reasons to sell as there are homes for sale, whether it's a job transfer, downsizing or an addition to your family, your home is not something you sell everyday and it can be a very complex process.  To do the job properly, you need to have a marketing plan and that's where we come in to help simplify the process and get the highest price for you in the least amount of time.

The single most important decision you will make with us is determing the right asking price for your property.  The market ulitimately determines the true value of your property, but in order to determine the listing price, we will show you a comparative market analysis.  It compares the market activity of homes similar to yours in your neighbourhood, those that have recently sold and those that are currently listed with the price Sellers hope to obtain.

There are many benefits of pricing your home right.  Your property sells faster because it is exposed to more qualified buyers and other Realtors will be more enthusiastic about presenting your property to their buyers.  Many Sellers believe that if they price their home high initially, they can lower it later.  Often, when a home comes on the market, there is a flurry of activity surrounding it.  This is a crucial time when Realtors and potential buyers sit up and take notice.  If the home is overpriced, it doesn't take long for parties to lose interest.  By the time the price drops, a majority of buyers are lost.

Selling a home is a lot more than writing a few ads and installing a "For Sale" sign.  We also offer complimentary Home Staging to give your home that competitive edge in today's market. 

So, if you are thinking about making a move, now or in the future, we would be pleased if you would give us a call.  We are always happy the help!

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Take some of the strees out of moivng by following these helpful tips!! 

Moving can be a stressful experience as we all know.  From coordinating all of your utilities to the move itself, there is a lot to accomplish in a little time.

Notifications:

After the sale or purchase of a home and the closing day is set,   you'll want to make the proper notifications to people of your new address.  Start with your utilities and have them all switched to the new address, including water, electric, gas, telephone, cable/satellite TV and your internet provider.

If you have school aged children, be sure to change their registration and notify Canada Pension if applicable.  You will also need to change the address on your driver's license, vehicle registration, health card and any other service providers including insurance, doctors and dentists.   Don't forget to file a change of address form with the post office to ensure you continue to receive mail that is sent to your old address.

Leave behind:

The new owners of your home will really appreciate you leaving a few things behind.  These include owner's manuals for appliances left in the home and any warranties etc, for items included in the sale.  Don't forget to leave any extra keys, garage door openers, along with any codes for alarms etc.  If the security system is a rental, arrangements must be made prior to closing.  If your mail is delivered to a super box, please contact Canada Post directly.  They will make arrangements to have new keys delivered to your home and assign a box number to you. 

Make the move:

Moving day can be long and tiring.  Don't put un-due pressure on yourself by thinking you will start unpacking on the other end.  Instead, pack a small back with any items your family may need to get you through the night, assemble the beds and have a good night's sleep in your new home.  There's lots of time to unpack tomorrow!

For more information about moving and the services we can provide, please feel free to give us a call anytime,  We're always happy to help!

No matter the age of a home, a home inspection should be conducted.

The home inspection is a step that most people find necessary in the home purchasing process these days.  A way for someone to evaluate and document the current condition of the home they're buying, a home inspection protects both the buyer and seller.

Choosing a home inspector:  When choosing a home inspector it's important to hire someone who is both qualified and registered with the province.  If you are having trouble finding someone, we can advise you on some local home inspectors that our clients have used in the past.

When to do:    Though most people think a home inspection is only important on a resale, you should do a home inspection regardless of the age of the home.  Most people pay for extras and upgrades in new home purchases and a home inspection will help ensure those are all in the home.

What is inspected:  Home inspectors are looking for major structural deficiencies in a home.  This means they aren't looking at minor or cosmetic features or deficiencies, they're looking for something that affects the integrity of the home.  The components inspected will include, but aren't limited to: the plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems, air filtering and foundation support.  This is all documented in a report left with the buyer listing anything that requires immediate attention as well as items that will need to be upgraded or fixed in the future.  Mould is a serious heath issue and the discovery of same can jeaopardize your family's health and is a considerable expense to have it professionally removed.

Just some of the things to consider when buying a home.  Let us help you find the perfect one!

There are more bills to pay than just movers on moving day!!  When it comes to buying or selling a home, many people consider the cost of the actual movers, but little else about the moving process.  There are a number of costs that people should be prepared for.

Starting with legal fees, both Buyers and Sellers must find a lawyer to represent them.  Potentially, you've got home inspection fees, as well as land transfer tax that would be applicable on a purchase and of course, real estate fees.

You can't have the exact number you'll need for moving costs until you know what the sale price and your purchase price is ultimately going to be.  It's a good idea and good planning to have a general idea as to costs.

Buying and selling can be a stressful time and we understand that.  We would like to help you through that process, help you understand the costs and hopefully reduce your stress level. 

For more information about the costs pertaining to buying and selling, give us a call anytime.  We would be happy to explain them to you in further detail.