Making Seniors Matter Again.. 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, to help you make decisions that you feel are right for you! WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENTWhen 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 an Accredited Senior Agent, I'm NOT out... 07/29/2015

I came across this video a while ago one of my colleagues posted on her facebook page.  It really made me stop and think.   Its an animated video about inspiration, and the power of imagination.  It inspired me to share it with my AR friends...  and on my FB page.The video is about power... the power of believing we can do anything.  We had that power as children.Do you remember as a child, putting on a blanket, pretending it was a cape and you were then transformed into superman?  or superwoman?  You took your mom's broom and you were transformed into a witch. Or as little girls getting out your tea set and having a tea party with your Mom?  You made ideas happen because you BELIEVED you could!  But somehow, that power of imagination got lost as we grew older... it was replaced by doub... 07/28/2015

A couple of year ago I met a new client, and and after viewing 8 properties we submitted an offer on something which was ultimately successful.  However, after the home inspectionon Friday afternoon there were major deficiencies revealed that would have cost more than $7,000 for my client to repair, in addition to cosmetic changes that the home required.  We signed a Mutual Release and submitted it to the other agent, explaining that my client did not want to proceed because of the many deficiencies. Right after the home inspection, I suggested we return to view one town home he had seen which he loved and I made the appointment for that same evening. The next day, Saturday, he decided to submit an offer.  When I called the office to register the offer, I discoverd there had already be... 07/27/2015

Providing great service to each and every one of my clients is first and foremost to me... and should be to all agents.  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 lucky I work in an office where the Broker keeps ALL the agents accountable for providing a superior level of service.  When an agent consistently falls short of providing professionalism in their conduct or actions, or receives negative feedback from clients, the agent is called in to the broker's office to discuss how they can improve. He helps the agent to identify the areas where they are falling short, and provides assistance or training to improve their level of service. My Broker, unlike others I have worked with, has the mindset that if his agen... 07/26/2015

There is nothing more valuable than having an experienced real estate agent representing you to give you that slight advantage that just might get you the home you love! They say that knowledge is King.. but knowledge AND experience are a good marriage.I was working with a young couple who were referred to me who were looking for that perfect home. Unfortunately, they could not agree on a homes that got them both excited. We started looking in one specific area of the city, but soon found out that the kind of home they really wanted was out of their price range. The geographic search area had to be changed, and so the hunt continued.I expanded my auto email search to include the entire city, for properties that fell within their budget.We saw many suitable homes, suitable that is for on... 07/24/2015

Welcome to Mississauga, Ontario. Mississauga offers a range of experiences that keeps visitors coming back again and again. When you come to visit Mississauga, explore its quaint historic villages and stunning architecture, visit the bustling waterfront and lakefront parks, or inspire yourself with Mississauga's world-class art and theatre at the Living Arts Centre.There are a lot of things to see and do in Mississauga, and here are some places you should look into: STREETSVILLE - THE VILLAGE IN THE CITYWithin the Streetsville neighborhood, you will find the highest concentration of historic buildings in Mississauga. This village has an interesting history to it. In 1818, a man named Timothy Street was given the task of surveying the final acquired tract along the banks of the Credit Ri... 07/23/2015

 When you have your home on the market, a positive first impression is what will make your home memorable and stand out from the rest... starting from the outside with great curb appeal. DID YOU KNOW?  That it only takes 6 seconds for a Buyer to form an impession of your home after walking through the threshold of your front door?PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING !Here are some ways to make your home more marketable, and get your home sold faster and for a higher dollar amount. One of the first things you can do is to de-clutter your home.  Less is More.... Make sure your house is clean... sparking kitchens and bathrooms make a positive statement to any Buyer. Ensure beds are made daily, no dirty dishes, toilets are flushed and toilet seats down!! Remove any family photos from the main living ... 07/22/2015

RENOVATING? Four very important things  to remember...   Budget for extra expense Allow for additional time Have a detailed contract - and any changes made to be initialled by both parties. Be prepared for dust eveywhere!! For those of you who have lived through the renovation process of a kitchen in particular, you know how frustrating it can be… not to mention the inconvenience of not having a sink or stove for 3-4 days or more. Resorting to having to wash dishes in the laundry tub and relying on either a hot plate, toaster oven or microwave to cook with, for 5 people is not much fun, but keeping focused on the end result gets you through it.The company I contracted with instructed his sub contractor (in my presence) to leave the sink in as long as possible, and also the stove as I ha... 07/21/2015

THE IMPORTANCE OF DUE DILIGENCE I had a phone call a few years ago from a past client who asked if I could write a Letter of Opinion on the value of her house for her bank.  She said she had found herself in a bit of a financial mess and I suspected she was applying for a second mortgage.  I found out later that she was behind on her mortgage payments and the bank was threatening to foreclose.She said she would stay in touch, and would most likely be putting the house on the market soon.Well, she called me a few nights later, and I went to her home to list it, BUT not before I asked to see all her mortgage documents to see if she actually still had some equity in her home to pay expenses, i.e. commission, lawyer fees. etc.As it turned out, she did have some equity, about $50,000 after c... 07/19/2015

 It's that time of year again.. ready to get away on vacation to relax and leave real estate behind... time to recharge the batteries..  but are you just going to leave without having anyone available to take care of clients' needs in your absence?   Who will you entrust your clients to while you are away? What if an offer is received?   How much commission/referral fee will I pay my colleague for negotiating this offer for me? What if someone wants to list their home? How much commission/referral fee will I pay him/her to do this? What if one of your buyer’s want to preview a home and potentially submit an offer? Who will do this when you are away? How much commission/referral fee have you discussed paying? Have you discussed every possible scenario? I know there are a lot of agents wh... 07/18/2015

Many consumers beleive that when an agent sells your home, they get the full amount of commission stated on the Listing Agreement... We as agents know this is far from true, as the Brokerage takes their portion, and we are left with the remainder, for which we pay all our expenses.  The end result is, we only get a fraction of that commission after we pay our expenses, just like everyone else.  We are responsible for all our Real Estate and Member Dues, Insurance, Desk Fees, Education Fees, Marketing and advertising fees, Income Tax, Vehicle Expense, etc.,   In this short video I explain how the commission is structured, and how it is allocated after the sale.. And, more importantly, what my net commission is after my broker takes his share, and I pay all my expenses..  The sale or purc... 06/22/2015

I've been a real estate agent for more than 28 years, and it still amazes me to see so many unprofessional, lazy agents out there...they certainly don't appear to be getting the proper training from their brokers, or maybe its just the nature of some.  A few yeares ago on  Labour Day weekend,  I received an email through my website on Friday night around 9:30 p.m. from someone asking about a listing of mine.  I debated on whether to call him so late, but thought, he just email me, so he must be up and maybe its not too  late.Since he did provide his phone number I assumed it was a "real" buyer and not just someone with time on their hands... So I called him and he was amazed at how quickly I responded to him (I get that comment quite frequently) and we chatted a bit about what his needs... 06/21/2015

Are you considering purchasing a home with an in-ground pool?  Do you imagine hot, lazy afternoons, lounging by your pool with friends and family?  Become an informed buyer, do your research, and ensure your real estate agent includes the appropriate clauses to protect you from unforeseen expenses on closing.Unlike kitchen and bath renovations, or the addition of hardwood floors and crown moulding, a pool does not necessarily add value to the home equal to the cost of the pool.  The fact is, that in most cases it adds little or no value to the home.  Some buyers who view a home and love it, turn away from the purchase because of the existence of a pool.  Your either love it and really want it, or you don’t.Or course buying a home with a pool is much more appealing on a hot summer aftern... 06/18/2015

I recall, several years ago looking for a very high end home for one of my clients.  I arranged several viewings, and we are talking homes ranging from $850,000 up to $1,000,000. This was a large, executive and stately home, about 5,000 square feet. It was situated on a very large lot, backing onto a ravine.. and had great curb appeal. Three car garage !!However, upon entering the front door, we were immediately gob smacked with the strong, pungent odour of curry.  It permeates everything and gets into the paint, drapersies carpeting and furniture. Needless to say we didn`t stay around too long.. we didn't even view the entire home,  and we were out the door where we could once again breath fresh air.On another occasion I was showing another rather high end home... and my clients and I ... 04/30/2015

FREE Real Estate Investment Seminar   AT THIS WORKSHOP YOU WILL FIND OUT HOW TO: * Find Properties To Increase Monthly Cash Flow!* Use Real Estate To Instantly Grow Your Net Worth In Any Market!* Successfully Renovate and Sell Properties For Profit!* Become Independently Wealthy!* Reduce Fear and Increase Confidence Thru Successful Strategies!   Seminar Date: Saturday March 28, 2015 Time: 10:00 am Location: Markham, OntarioLIMITED SEATING! Reserve Your Spot Now! http://www.eliterealestateinvestorsclub.weebly. 03/16/2015

What is the Ontario Land Transfer tax? Simply put, the Ontario Land Transfer Tax is a provincial tax payable by the buyer of a home upon taking possession of the property. So, if you purchase a property or land you are responsible for paying Land Transfer Tax to the province at the time the transaction closes. If the property you are purchasing is located in Toronto you will also be subject to the Municipal Land Transfer Tax. This is an additional tax that you are required to pay as well. The buyer’s lawyer will pay the Land Transfer Tax on behalf of the purchaser on the closing date. The buyer will be required to provide their solicitor closing funds (certified) that will cover the closing expenses. So then how is this tax calculated? Well, the tax is calculated on the value of the con... 03/15/2015

Renting a house and credit checks. How does this topic pertain to you? Did you know that when you borrow money and pay it back you are building credit history? That’s exactly what happens. A credit report will outline information about how you use your credit card and when you make payments. It will also include information on where you live and work as well. Credit bureaus such as Trans Union and Equifax maintain your file and track all of your credit history. When you need a credit report for yourself, these two companies will provide it to you at a cost. Up until this point, all of my blog posts have dealt mostly with the sale and purchase of homes. I have not written any articles on rentals, especially on how they relate to credit checks of prospective tenants. With that being said,... 03/11/2015

Home Inspections what to Expect? There are a great deal of home buyers out there that don’t really know what to expect from a home inspection. Let me start by saying that a good home inspection will assist homebuyers make appropriate decisions. They can help you understand a home’s condition. If you are selling your home, an inspection can help you determine its value. Simply put, a home inspection is an on-site, in-person examination of a home’s condition and structure. It is a visual inspection of major elements and systems, like the foundation, the electrical and plumbing systems, the attic ventilation and the roof. A home inspection is not a pass or fail test. It doesn’t assess if a home meets zoning or building codes. I’m sure that we have all heard the term “home inspection.” In o... 03/10/2015

FREE Power Of Sale Real Estate Seminar!!!  You Will Gain Insider Secrets To Purchasing Power Of Sale Properties $$$$ Thousands Of Dollars Below Market Value!!! Register Today @ :www.bankforeclosurehouseprices.com Admission: FREE with promo code: ARPOS Seminar Available Date and Location: Saturday March 28, 2015 @ 10am Location: Markham, ON FREE Offers: * Get A FREE Power Of Sale and Distress Sale - Home Buyer’s Guide For Newbie’s. * Get A FREE Power Of Sale and Distress Sale List Of Homes and Condos With Pictures and Detailed Description. Price Range From $239,900 - $849, 900!!! Register Today @ :www.bankforeclosurehouseprices.com Our FREE Power Of Sale Real Estate Seminar Will Teach You How To: * Purchase a house or condo with *zero down payment. * Move from renting, to first time home... 03/10/2015

How much do you need for a downpayment on a home? The is perhaps the most frequently asked question by many prospective buyers. It is possible to buy a home with 5% down, the amount of your down payment will determine whether you’ll have a conventional mortgage or an insured, high-ratio mortgage. What’s the difference? A Conventional mortgage means that your down payment is at least 20% of the purchase price. A High-ratio mortgage means your down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price. I have been approached by a lot of buyers that ask me this question all the time. While this is not a difficult question to answer, the most direct and honest answer is “it all depends on you.” You have a few options with respect to the amount of money you put down. High ratio mortgages must be in... 03/09/2015