Here are the latest Real Estate statistics for the month of September, 2016. Toronto and Mississauga Real Estate continues to steam along as sale prices continue their relentless climb and listing inventories plummet to near critical levels. Number of Sales ⬆ 11.31% over September, 2015 from 8,399 to 9,349Average Sales Price ⬆14.19% to $622,583 from September, 2015  Average days on market ⬇ 25.09% from 23 days to 17 days  Average Selling/List price  from⬆f from 3.03% from 99% to 102%     10/21/2016

One of my favourite humourists was  Erma Bombeck...  Erma Louise Bombeck was an American humorist who achieved great popularity for her newspaper column that described suburban home life from the mid-1960s until the late 1990s. Bombeck also published 15 books, most of which became bestsellers. When her poem "When God Created Mothers" first appeared in her column in 1974, it was an instant success, clipped from newspapers, tucked into purses, and tacked onto refrigerators all over America. I wanted to share one of my favourite things she authored. “When God Created Mothers" When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."  And God said, "Have you read the specs on this o... 10/21/2016

I'm a single grandmother, raising three children, on my own.  I've had them with me for 11 years now, starting when they were 2, 3 and 5.... Although I like to cook, if I were living alone, I wouldn't necesarily do it every night.I am trying to teach my granchildren to have good eating habits as much as possible, and to eat as little processed food as possible, as well as fast foods and sugar snacks which I limit as a treat every once in a while.One of the favourite things is my homemade bread, which I make about every other day... With three growing kids in the house, needless to say a loaf doesn't last long.  They have it for toast in the morning with their eggs, use it to bring their lunches, and we also enjoy it along with the fresh pasta I also make at home, with fresh tomato sauce... 10/20/2016

I am sharing this from my friend Pat Auriol, Canadian Residential Inspection Services who posted it on Facebook.  There are many challenges for seniors.. here is just one. Some news from the Seniors Assisted Living Centre:The people who lived there have small apartments but they all eat at a central cafeteria. One morning one of the residents didn't show up for breakfast so my wife went upstairs and knocked on his door to see if everything was OK. She could hear him through the door and he said that he was running late and would be down shortly so she went back to the dining area. An hour later he still hadn't arrived so she went back up towards his room and she found him on the stairs. He was coming down the stairs but was having a difficult time. He had a death grip on the hand rail a... 10/14/2016

It seems that almost weekly there is a new app or tool to help realtors.  There are new additions to Facebook to promote your business, Lead Page where you can create a Lead Capture ad and many others.I started using an app called VIMO on my iPad recently - its a Virtual Mobile App that allows you to get access instantly to listings while you are out with yoru clients... Not only does it provide the information your clients are looking for, but also makes you shine as a professional agent.You can use one of the applications called a "heat map" where you can input the street address and it will automatically populate active/sold listings. You can touch the pencil at the bottom of the screem to further focus on a specific area.  Just draw a circle on the area you want to concentrate your ... 10/10/2016

Today in Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving ... A time when families come together, to gather around the diner table and enjoy a great meal, and each other.   But how many of us really reflect on this day.. and every day for that matter, about what it is we are truly thankful for and how many blessings we have.We shouldn't just celebrate our gratitude on Thanksgiving but every day... as each day is precious, and we never know what is just around the corner.... I am thankful every day for my health, the love of my family, my friends, and those who support me.  I am grateful for every day I wake up.... and am especially reminded of that today as I just learned that a very good friend, who I met while taking our real estate course together way back in 1987, lost her beloved daughter yesterd... 10/10/2016

The flurry of activity in the real estate market is undeniably in full force.  In Southern Ontario it started in Toronto and the surrounding area of Missisauga a couple of years ago where we continue to have a shortage of invenotry. Along with the low interest rates that have prevailed for a number of years, it is keeping the market fuelled where Sellers are getting multiple offers in most situations.I was rather surprising when, I listed a small two bedroom home in the Niagara Region in St. Catharines where typically the market was much slower. The property was built in 1940 in need of updating.  The attractive thing about this property was that it was a 5 minute walk to the lake, and sat on a quiet dead end street and the lot was 174 feet deep, a rare gem these days.I posted the listi... 10/08/2016

I reposted this from a friend on Facebook... Thank you Pat Auriol - Canadian Residential Inspections Raymond and BubbaRaymond & Bubba, two Saskatchewan mechanical engineers who work for the Govenrment, were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking up.A woman walked by and asked what they were doing. “We're supposed to find the height of the flagpole,” said  Bubba, “but we don't have a ladder.” The woman said, “Hand me that wrench out of your toolbox.” She loosened a few bolts, and laid the pole down.Then she took a tape measure from their toolbox, took a measurement, and announced, “Eighteen feet, six inches,” and walked away. Raymond shook his head and laughed. “Ain't that just like a miss know-it-all woman!  We ask for the height and she gives us the length!” Bubba and Ray are stil... 10/03/2016

Here are the latest real estate statistics for August, 2016 for Toronto and surrounding area of the GTA.   With interest rates still remaing very low the real estate market remains brisk, in a Seller's market. We are still experiencing insuficient inventory to carry the marekt more than a few months, thus driving the prices upward with multiple offers.   Number of sale UP by 20.12$ over August, 2015 Average Sales price UP 19.77% over August, 2015 Avaerage Days on Market DOWN by 26.09% from 23 days to 17 days Average Selling/List price UP 3.03% from 99% to 102%       10/02/2016

Several years ago, my clients and I viewed a home in an upper middle class neighbourhood that they fell in love with. The house needed some work, in particular the kitchen, but my client was in the kitchen renovation business!!  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 mould visible on the joists.  Then the light bulb went on!!!  This was used as a grow house...After a thorough inspection and air quality test, it was determined that the grow house was only used for a short period, and there was no permanent damage, and my clients proceeded and bought th... 10/01/2016

I'm not sure if its my administrative background, or merely that I am a very detailed oriented person, so I always try to dot my "i's" and cross my "t's" in the event I may need to refer back to the file sometime down the road in the event of a dispute, or worse, a legal action.These notes ( and my memory of exact details) never came in more useful than when, a few years ago I was contacted by a buyer from out of town looking to purchase something in a very specific area of town. I met with her and she provided me with her specific needs in terms of area, ther budget and the type of home she was looking to buy. I set her up on an auto email system with the criteria she gave me and the emails started appearing.  After receiving  numerous listsings on auto emails, none of which apparentlh... 10/01/2016

I recall when I didn't have a website... it was't that long ago that Realtors really started to realize the power of the internet and how important their presence was on the world wide web... and that it would be a great tool for acquiring business...  Then came Social Media, Facebook, Twitter, and the like, we thought it was all for young people to stay in touch with friends and make new ones.   Little did we know back then how this would revolutionize the way we do business and what poweful impact Social Media would have. It was all so very overwhelming... where does one start?   How do I get a website that would actually get people to visit it? How would I impmrove my SEO (back then I didn't have a clue what SEO was!) How would I use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn? How would I integr... 09/26/2016

Providing a high level of service to each and every one of my clients is first and foremost to me... and should be to all agents.  It leaves them with a very positive mindset of a great experience, working with knowledgable, trusworthy agent, who knows he/she has their best interests first and foremost.  Referrals are most likely going to come your way when a  member of their family or a friend need the services of a real estate agent. When my clients are happy, I am happy and it provides me with a great sense of satisfaction of a job well done. I am fortunate I work in an office where the Broker keeps ALL the agents accountable for providing a superior level of service.  Collectively as an office, we have a very high rating from clients who complete a survey after their transaction, a ... 09/19/2016

 Here we are already into the middle of September... can you believe it?  Summer is waning, and winter is just around the corner... time to prepare your home for the winter months. There are some great tips and advice on preparing hour home for the winter months.. things you can and should be doing NOW before the cold weather sets it.  Being pro-active now and taking care of these small maintenance items could save you time and money later.Its that time of year again... time to start thinking about preparing your home for winter if you haven't already done so.  Your home will require maintenance as temperatures begin to drop to keep it in shape through the winter months.Here are a few things you might want to consider before the winter sets in... 1.  Roof, Eaves and Downspouts Clean out... 09/12/2016

Here are the latest statistics for August, 2016 for Mississauga, Ontario and the surrounding area of Metropolitan Toronto as reported by the Toronto Real Estate Board.The numbers are staggering... and shows the market is still brisk with homes selling faster than ever and for much higher sales prices.  The low inventory continues to drive the market with number of listings⬇ by 5.55% from 1,369 in August, 2015 to 1,293 in AugustHere are the latest real estate statistics for August, 2016Number of sales ⬆ by 20.12% over August, 2015Average sales price ⬆19.77% over August, 2015Average days on market ⬇ 26.09% from 23 days to 17 daysAverage Selling Price/List Price ⬆ 3.03% from 99% to 102% 09/10/2016

 We are winding down from summer vacation time, when I'm sure, like me, most of you took some time off to relax.  How did you handle your absence with your clients?  So, you're away for a few days... and you didn't engage the services of a colleague to take your calls while away  (which in my opinion is a big mistake).  I always want to provide great service to my clients whether I am away, or in town.  I always arrange with another agent to take my calls, when I am away and one very important thing we do is, sign a Vacation Agreement, a document that clearly outlines what refereral fees will be paid to the covering agent.... so there is no misunderstanding on any scenario that could arise. Then one of your clients calls, texts or emails you (obviously they don't know you're away becaau... 09/02/2016

Condo Townhouse -55 Barondale # 57 in Sought After Community of Hurontario & Bristol Are you First Time Buyer? Are you Renting or you are an Investor? then this Beauty is for you. Absolutely gorgeous home awaits the right person. Family neighbourhood, steps to all schools including Elementary,Middle and High school Park in the complex, Transit at door step, Shopping at Square one and Heartland Are you a Golfer...look no further there is a golf just round the corner. Priced right.  Call me for more information. Have a sneak preview... 08/05/2016

Coming Soon - 7319 Zinnia Place, Mississauga, Meadowvale Village Location, Location, Location.             New Listing Coming Soon to Meadowvale Village - Detached Home with Double Car Garage, 3 Bedrooms, 4 Washrooms, situated on a HUGE Lot, with an enclosed Porch.  Meadowvale Village Don't miss this one! 7319 Zinnia Place, Mississauga ON Call me and be the first to get further details on this Detached home in Meadowvale Village-- before it hits the MLS!    07/25/2016

MY INTERVIEW WITH “THAT INTERVIEW GUY,” MICHAEL KRISAIn November, 2011 (I was 67 years old then) I was approached by an innovative and well known realtor and video blog expert to talk with him about how real estate has evolved over the years.  I knew how important the internet had become as the a large percentage of consumers were now looking there to find homes, and information about real estate.  Therefore, a presence on the intermet was critical to my future success.Social media was also on the rise, and I had to get in the game or get left behind.  This can all be very intimidating, but you have to step out of your comfort zone, like I did way back in 1987... After all what's the worst thing that can happen?  I started off with my website, took some clasaes on SEO and how to improve... 07/07/2016

What is your best experience at saving a deal that would have otherwise died?I'm sure we've all had many situations arise over our real estate careers, when the deposit cheque didn't arrive in time. or the waiver for financing almost didn't make it on time.. or there were problems with a home inspection that could compromise the firming up of the deal.My best experience happened about 5 years ago.. I had a young man purchasing his first home.  He had been pre-approved by the bank for a mortgage so all well in that regard. Our first deal fell through because of the home inspection.  There were many things the home inspector found that would have been costly to repair, and the Seller was not prepared to take on the burden of repairing them and the Buyer wasn't prepared to invest the funds... 07/06/2016