FAQ #1 HOW DO I REFER OUR FAVOURITE GANANOQUE REALTOR, SUSAN EMO TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY? Now this has to be my favourite question of all time! I am very proud to say the high majority of my real estate business is based on referrals. I move heaven and earth for my clients, both Buyers and Sellers.  I want their sale to be as stress-free as possible. There is no higher compliment than to have someone trust you enough to have you represent their family members.  It is highest praise indeed! So, as you go about your day to day activities and you hear someone speaking about needing to buy or sell a home ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD . . . get in touch with me immediately with their name and contact details, and allow me to secure a top notch Realtor to represent them!   You see, I belong to some ... 06/07/2012

FAQ #2 WHY DON'T YOU ADVERTISE MY GANANOQUE HOME IN ALL THE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? Another good question often asked of your favourite Gananoque Realtor, Susan Emo. Once upon a time, there were only 3, maybe 4, ways of discovering what properties were available for sale: You drove around the neighbourhood on Sundays looking for For Sale signs You had a Realtor who possessed the magical MLS catalog (but wasn't allowed to leave it with you) Word of mouth (a friend of a friend mentioned they saw a house for sale) Newspaper ads And then the creation of a wondrous thing became commonplace:  the Internet, the World Wide Web! The very high majority of Buyers and their agents became addicted to this fabulous form of shopping: ONLINE! Social Media took off and the world as we knew it was no more! Tod... 06/06/2012

  FAQ #3 WHY CAN'T I SEE THESE GANANOQUE HOMES WHEN I CALL? We're living in such an instant gratification society that makes this a VERY Frequently Asked Question of your favourite Gananoque Realtor, Susan Emo       I am often quite taken aback by demands such as this, by Buyers but also by Buyers Agents. There can be many reasons as to why you cannot immediately be granted access to a home listed for sale.  The main reason is this, and it is quite simple . . . Because people have lives! And by people I don't just mean the Sellers but also your Agent.   Most business owners I know (Realtors are business owners), actually plan their day in advance, their week even.   Most will have a schedule to follow.   Most are dealing with more than just one client or customer and manage to schedule ... 06/05/2012

FAQ #4 ARE HOME PRICES CLIMBING IN GANANOQUE? Another good question your favourite Gananoque Realtor gets asked all the time! The one thing I want people to be aware of is that everything is local.  Our Market here in the Kingston/Gananoque/Brockville area is not the same as say Ottawa or Toronto.  Please don't apply what you read in the newspaper or see on TV to your area.   There are vast differences in the National numbers as compared to the local numbers! I publish an REPORT each month comparing the Gananoque Residential Market this month in 2012 as compared to 2011.  (stay tuned for my May Report) It shows you: the number of new residential listings for the month and year the number of residential sales for the month and year the average sale price for the year Strangely, the avera... 06/04/2012

FAQ #5 - WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE GET AN OFFER ON OUR HOME? Gananoque, On First of all, congratulations!  But don't pop the champagne cork yet!! You're a long way from actually selling your home at this point, but it is exciting.  Please don't think I'm being "Debbie Downer" here because there are many many things that need to take place before you actually hand over the keys and move on. Now this offer you've received, it may not be exactly to your liking :0) However, I always like to advise my Sellers that it is far better than all the others that didn't submit!! Emotion has to be removed from the situation and calmer heads will prevail. First of all, in Ontario, an Agreement of Purchase and Sale is prepared on behalf of the Buyers by their Realtor.   It is then presented by  email, fax ... 06/03/2012

FAQ #6 - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DEPOSIT AND A DOWNPAYMENT? Your Favourite Gananoque Realtor gets asked this question a lot.   Often, we forget that not everyone is familiar with the terminology we throw around. When a Buyer decides to make an offer on a property in Ontario, his Realtor will prepare an Agreement of Purchase and Sale.  Within this document will be a section pertaining to the Deposit which reads as follows: "DEPOSIT: Buyer submits .......................................................................................................................................... (Herewith/Upon Acceptance/as otherwise described in this Agreement) ................................................................................................................. Dollars (CDN$)....... 06/02/2012

Gananoque, On FAQ #7- I WANT TO BUY SO WHY NOT CALL THE NUMBER ON THE "FOR SALE" SIGN? You could call the listing agent WHO WORKS FOR THE SELLER but why would you want to?  He WORKS FOR THE SELLER! When you begin your house hunting adventure, I'm sure you will begin online, just like the very high percentage of other buyers.   You might request further information from the listing agent online.  After all, isn't this the person who will know the most about this property?   HE WORKS FOR THE SELLER! If that agent is effectively doing their job, they will immediately ask you if you are already working with another agent?    Why? Because as an ethical Realtor, we do not work with another Realtors clients.  The best answer you can give to this question is "Yes, I have a qualified Realtor rep... 06/01/2012

FAQ #8 FOR YOUR GANANOQUE REALTOR - WHY AM I NOT GETTING SHOWINGS? This is one of the simplest questions to answer and one that is often asked in this business.   It all goes back to the very beginning when you first interviewed Realtors to list your home for sale.   (you did interview, right?) You see, Sellers are in charge of many many things and, so they should be.  Some things are in their control of and others, completely out of their control. The most important thing a Seller controls is the selection of the Realtor and that should be based on who will be able to market your property the best.  Not who tells you the highest price at which to list it for sale!!   (see FAQ #9) There are 3 major things that need to be discussed once the above decision has been made:   1.  Location Lo... 05/31/2012

CAN YOU SAY SOLD?  HAPPY HOMEOWNERS IN GANANOQUE CAN!! The Sellers of this home are happily packing and getting ready for the next adventure of their lives! We have many Buyers looking to buy homes in the Gananoque area and we need listings - inventory is low and the market is brisk. If you, or anyone you know is thinking about selling, please let them know that now is the time to contact Susan Emo: What Susan touches turns to $old!   05/29/2012

F.A.Q. OF HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS IN GANANOQUE: #9 Should I list my property for sale with a local "mom and pop" style brokerage or should I go with a big box brokerage? This should be one of the most thought out and serious of decisions but one, that I have found, to be given very little consideration.    Often when a Realtor is invited to list a home that didn't sell previously with the Seller's first choice, the Seller is asked "why did you choose your first Realtor?"   You would be amazed at some of the answers provided:  Oh, my husband played hockey with him when they were kids! Our kids go to the same daycare! He's an elder at our church! She's my aunt/MIL/cousin/dog walker etc! I used to work with her a few years back! He just got his license and I wanted to help him get started!... 05/29/2012

F.A.Q. OF HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS IN GANANOQUE: #10   Is this house haunted? Yes, this is a frequently asked question your favourite Gananoque Realtor hears often!   The Town of Gananoque is an old town, first settled in 1789.  During the War of 1812, American forces raided the government depot in the town to disrupt the flow of British supplies between Kingston and Montreal.  It was the first offensive action on Canadian soil but not the last!  The town will be commemorating the 200th anniversary of our victory beginning June 18th, 2012 We have beautiful old churches and gorgeous old homes dotted throughout the town and many are still single family homes, though several have become B & Bs and Inns. On Pine St alone (fomerly known as "Pill Alley") there were 5 physicians living in state... 05/28/2012

Gananoque - 2012 Yard Sale for the Cure - another successful day! Gorgeous weather - wonderful neighbours stopping by - young and old . . . As per our previous years, the community was generous in donating their gently used items for the sale as well as coming out in force to support us on the day.  The weather couldn't have been more gorgeous; sunny with a slight breeze.  We could hear the boats on the river! We had people stopping by to simply donate money if they weren't in need of any of our items. The stories that were shared were heart-wrenching and heart-warming both.  The strength of the survivors was inspiring as was the courage of the caregivers. And, drum roll pleasse . . . We raised just over $1000.00 !   As always, our books were our biggest draw which renews my  faith in h... 05/27/2012

Gananoque, On   GANANOQUE REAL ESTATE SALES APRIL 2012 COMPARED TO APRIL 2011   There is lots of discussion with regard to what is happening in our local Real Estate Market. Especially this time of year, people are asking how this year compares to last year in our Gananoque Residential Home Sales Market.   It seems everyone has an opinion on what is going on and not all opinions are based on fact!   Let me provide you with the Facts -   Stats from our MLS (as at the end of April 2012)    In The Town of Gananoque:   Listings Year to date 2011:  86 Homes Listings Year to date 2012:  57 homes    Sales Year to date 2011: 28 homesSales Year to date 2012: 17 homes   Average Sales Price YTD 2011:   $207,676 Average Sales Price YTD 2012:   $201,122   So now you know the facts about our local ma... 05/26/2012

Gananoque, On Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE LOVE referrals?   This happy new home owner in the Gananoque area was a referral from another Realtor whom I met 5 or 6 years ago at a RE/MAX function.   Her client was relocating to our area and I immediately came to mind -  Thank you so much Darlene Kretz of RE/MAX Garden City, Burlington He was a great guy to work with, knowing pretty much what he wanted from the onset.  We looked at a few properties that he had found online and then we looked at a few of my choices for him.   Mine were in his Top 2 ! He decided to purchase this totally renovated home sitting on 2.5 acres.  Peace and privacy prevail !!  I'm happy to say, he took possession on Friday and is very pleased with the entire process.  Congratulations Jeff!   If you or so... 05/24/2012

Gananoque - Yard Sale for the Cure - May 26th 136 Pine Street, Gananoque 8am - 12 noon 100% of the proceeds to go to breast cancer research locally! We need your 'Gently Used' items donated to our sale by Friday evening. Please feel free to drop off your items at 134 - 136 Pine St and accept our thanks in advance. Also, donations will be accepted on the day or you can visit online to make your $ donation here: CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR ME Please come and share your story too!   05/23/2012

GANANOQUE REAL ESTATE SALES MARCH 2012 COMPARED TO MARCH 2011 There is lots of discussion with regard to what is happening in our local Real Estate Market. Especially this time of year, people are asking how this year compares to last year in our Gananoque Residential Home Sales Market. It seems everyone has an opinion on what is going on and not all opinions are based on fact! Let me provide you with the Facts - Stats from our MLS (as at the end of March 2012)   In The Town of Gananoque: Listings for March 2011:  17 Homes Listings for March 2012:  11 Homes  Listings Year to date 2011:   60 Homes Listings Year to date 2012:  33 Homes  Sales in March 2011: 11 homesSales in March 2012: 3 homes Sales Year to date 2011: 18 homesSales Year to date 2012: 10 homes Average Sales Price YTD 2011:... 04/28/2012

As many are well aware, Canada spent much of its time converting from the imperial system of measurement to the metric system in the 1970s and as the 1970s drew to a close, the final stages of metric conversion were being emblazoned onto the minds of Canadians with the temperature recordings changing from Fahrenheit to Celsius, yards to metres, pounds to kilograms, etc.    Like a foreign language being introduced said so many Seniors.   Very difficult to understand, said others.  And here we are in 2012, finally able to fit the last piece to the puzzle:  Metric Time.   Simply put, as with other metric measurements of things like distance and weight, Metric Time utilizes a simple base 10 system. Similar to the imperial time utilized in the United States (60 seconds to the minute, 60 minu... 04/01/2012

  Homebuying activity strong out of the gate,   as a more competitive market takes shape for spring 2012, says RE/MAX           Major Canadian real estate markets continued to show exceptional resiliency throughout the first quarter of the year, with strong demand and diminished supply setting the stage for a heated spring 2012, according to a report released by RE/MAX.       The RE/MAX Market Trends Report, highlighting sales, price, trends and developments in 15 markets across the country, found that 12 of 15 Canadian centres (80 per cent) were reporting year-to-date (January-February) sales activity ahead of last year’s levels, with more than half reporting double-digit increases. Low interest rates, coupled with strong consumer confidence levels and a mild winter, played a significa... 03/22/2012

We're coming up to St Patrick's Day so I thought you might enjoy this clip from last year, in Sydney Australia.   It seems the world becomes "Irish" in the middle of March - go figure! So no matter where you're from or what your favourite colour is, can you imagine experiencing this live on the 17th?! What a great surprise to begin your day!  Are you ready to Get Your Irish on?     03/14/2012

Gananoque, On GANANOQUE REAL ESTATE SALES FEB 2012 COMPARED TO 2011 There is lots of discussion with regard to what is happening in our local Real Estate Market. Especially this time of year, people are asking how this year compares to last year in our Gananoque Residential Home Sales Market. It seems everyone has an opinion on what is going on and not all opinions are based on fact! Let me provide you with the Facts - Stats from our MLS (as at the end of February 2012)   In The Town of Gananoque: Listings Year to date 2011:  43 Homes Listings Year to date 2012:  22 homes  Sales Year to date 2011: 7 homesSales Year to date 2012: 7 homes Average Sales Price YTD 2011:   $238,225 Average Sales Price YTD 2012:   $196,800 So now you know! This is how the beginning of 2012 compares to the beg... 03/07/2012