The real estate industry sometimes uses language that appears at first glance to be clear, but do you as a consumer know what some terms really mean? At first glance, the words "Client" and "Customer" seem pretty clear-cut, but they mean completely different things to a REALTOR®. It also means a tremendous difference in how seriously you are taken as a Buyer. Think we're splitting hairs? The words "Client" and "Customer" and the way they relate to the REALTOR® as individuals make a tremendous difference in the types and level of service you receive. After you read why, and watch this short video, you'll know absolutely whether you want to be one or the other. Here is a short video on a few of the many benefits of signing a Buyer Representation Agreement with your agent... You do have op... 12/26/2014

  I think sellers are of the opinion that once a realtor has listed their home for sale, they can sit back and expect their home to sell without giving much thought to the facdt that they have eto be an activei participant. Here is a short video with some ideas on how you can help your realtor.                                       Make Your Home Accessible Having your home accessible to prospective Buyers as much as possible, is critical in the sale of your home.  Agents try to give as much notice as possible for requests to show your home, but there are times when last minute requests do occur.  Granting requests as much as possible is desirable ... the request you turn away may be the purchaser you've been waiting for. Dress For Success Looking good is important when you want to make... 12/25/2014

What is the mental image you see when you think of a log home?  Is it a small one room crudely constructed log cabin where the early pioneers and settlers lived in the open spaces?  I used to think of that TV show "Little House on the Prairie when I thought about log homes.  Not any more!! Log homes are both beautiful in design with loads of curb appeal, and offer many benefits of modern style and elegance, along with character and charm. Have you ever considered buying a log home?  Like most home purchases, it is a very important financial decision, but along with that, it could also be a very important environmental decision. There has been a surge in interest in building “green” because they are environmentally friendly and healthier, and more cost efficient to operate. Log homes ar... 12/24/2014

SENIORS, HIRE A PROFESSIONAL TO ASSIST YOU   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, and make decisions that you feel are right for you! WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT? When 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 a Master – Accredited Senior Ag... 12/24/2014

 10 TIPS ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR THAT IMPORTANT PURCHASE OR SALE As reported by Mark Weisleder  in The Toronto Star Here are 10 ways to prepare yourself. 1.  Be Prepared The best way to avoid this is to be prepared when you buy a home. This means doing research and finding the right agent – should you choose to use one – and other professionals to protect your interests. 2. Why an agent is a good idea Agents give you objective advice about what a home is worth. The agent will also have connections to lenders and home inspectors to ensure you get the best mortgage rate and that the home is properly inspected before you buy. They will also be able to explain the fine print of any agreement so you know what to expect on closing. Although it is not mandatory to use an agent to represent your... 12/24/2014

THE PITFALLS WHEN HIRING A CONTRACTOR.. If you have a renovation in your future, one of the first and most important thing to do is hire a great contractor. Here are some suggestions on how to hire a good one and some suggestions as to what details should be in writing in the contract. How to Hire a Contractor Hiring a contractor can be a scary and stressful experience and I’m sure we have all heard of the horror stories of contractors disappearing after receiving their deposit. But these pitfalls can be avoided, and you can hire the right person for the job! Here are some tips on choosing the right contractor: The first step is finding a contractor… the best way is by word of mouth referral of someone you know who has used this person in the past. Ask family or friends if they can rec... 12/24/2014

Some potential buyers who view your property may love pets as much as you do. However, others may be turned off by the tell-tale signs of pet ownership – such as kitty litter, dander, and smells. So be sure to make a plan for selling a home when you have a pet. It’s a good idea to keep pets out of the house during viewings. Even if your dog or cat is friendly, some buyers will be uncomfortable around them. So, you’ll need to decide where your pets will go when buyers view your property. Consider a local kennel or “pet day camp”. “Can’t I just take my dog out for a walk?” you might be asking. You could; however, you may not always be available to do that during a viewing. So have alternate plans available. You should also consider how you will deal with pet dander and everyday pet odours... 12/23/2014

Now that you’ve decided to buy a home, revenue or recreation property in the Mississauga area, ask yourself what specific type of neighbourhood or investment you’re interested in. List your space needs, including: -living space requirements (i.e. how many bedrooms, bathrooms)-type of property (i.e. townhome, condo, rancher, acreage)-proximity to schools, recreation, waterfront, views-available financing-target price range It’s important to be realistic when you’re thinking about a down payment and setting a price range. It’s a good idea to talk things over with your real estate sales professional. I am here to provide you with the advice you need to make owning property in Mississauga and the surrounding area a reality. Are you are first time home buyer? I will guide you through each st... 12/22/2014

An indoor swimming pool is a popular option for many expensive or high-end luxury homes. Even if you don’t live in a mansion or very expensive home, you may be considering adding an indoor swimming pool. However, before you do – consider the following: The most obvious benefit of an indoor swimming pool is its ease of access and proximity to your living area. Also, having an indoor swimming pool will allow you to enjoy a leisurely swim even on days that are cloudy or rainy. Many indoor swimming pools are equipped with heating systems that allow you to control the temperature of the water, and this can make for a more enjoyable swimming experience. Also, there is no need for winterizing an indoor pool because the pool is not exposed to cold winter weather. Finally, maintenance on indoor ... 12/21/2014

For both buyers and sellers, the home price negotiation process can be an emotionally draining element of securing the deal. Nonetheless, it is still a crucial stage in which pre-conceived ideas and objectives can be realized through the use of pragmatic negotiation strategies. Home price negotiation does not have to be overly complex. Here, we’ll outline some negotiating tips that both buyers and sellers can use to set the foundation for meeting their pricing objectives. Before entering the negotiation process, buyers and sellers must determine their number one objective. Objectives might include: selling or buying at a set price, ensuring the deal is closed by a certain date due to work of family obligations, or retaining a strong relationship with the selling/buying party to ensure a... 12/17/2014

Pocket listings or whisper listings (sometimes called inside listings) exist outside the MLS system. They are basically what we commonly see advertised as “exclusive” listings. What you need to know about pocket listings is your Realtor will be marketing your home without posting it to the MLS and all prospective buyers will inquire directly through him. This means your home won’t really be on the open market. It will not be available to other realtors through the local real estate board (the back end of the MLS) or to the general public through Realtor.ca. The good thing about this is that your realtor will have more control over who will visit your home. The bad thing is the most powerful marketing tool normally used to sell homes has been taken out of the mix. Why List your Home Excl... 12/16/2014

Investors already know that buying real estate is a solution to paying for a child’s education however, this may not be the right solution. In fact, it could be detrimental to a child’s performance, according to a paper published by University of California, “More is More or More is Less? Parent Financial Investments During College.” It suggests that there is a direct relationship between parents who pay the bills and lower academic performance by their children. Rather than let your children party at school while you are stuck with the bills, why not use your real estate to teach your children financial responsibility. Below are four strategies for getting your kids to pay for their own education and at the same time, teach them real estate investing skills. 1. Teach them property mana... 12/15/2014

If you have ever purchased a property in Ontario, you may have heard the term “conditional offer” when working with your sales representative or broker. If so, you’re not alone – making conditional offers in Mississauga real estate is one of the most common practices. As long as they are effective and reasonable, adding conditions to your offer can be a great way to achieve some added peace of mind as a home, condo or property buyer. When a real estate sales agent and the buyer he/she is representing decide to submit an “Agreement to Purchase” on a listed Ontario property, that offer will often contain conditions. These are intended to ensure that the buyer is protected from unforeseen upsets that would complicate or prevent the sale, such as denial of a mortgage. The conditions must be... 12/14/2014

The Ontario rental increase government determine the maximum amount rent can be increased each year. The annual rent increase is calculated based on the Consumer Price Index. For 2013 the maximum rent raise is 2.5%. Therefore if you are currently renting your unit out for $1000 you can bump the rent up to $1025 for 2013. In most cases, the rent for a unit can be increased if at least 12 months have passed since a tenant first moved in, or if at least 12 months have passed since the last rent increase. Proper notice of 90 days must be given to the tenant before the rent increase takes effect.Rental guidelines do not apply under the following circumstances: -Vacant residential units-Residential units first occupied on or after November 1, 1991-Social housing units-Nursing homes-Commercial... 12/11/2014

Many people beleive that when an agent sells your home, they get the full amount of commission payable to the Brokerage.  This is not the case.     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 purchase of your home is one of the biggest financial decision you will make.  Entrust it to a trained and experienced professional... you will reap the rewards. 11/26/2014

Yesterday I gave you my thoughts on some “tell all” signs I feel are indicative of a brothel. Today I would like to continue the discussion with you and provide you with some additional signs. Once again, I feel that there is very little out there about this topic as it relates to the real estate world, especially in Canada. As a real estate agent, I feel that we ough it to our clients to make them fully aware of the type of place that they planning to rent or buy. So let’s continue. 6. Beds Next time you are showing your client a condo unit, take a look at the beds. Is there a full bed setup? Ask yourself, why is there only a mattress with no headboard, footboard and box spring? Use your imagination. Need I say more? 7. Night tables You ask yourself, why is there only one night table? ... 11/21/2014

Moving from one place to another can be very stressful. This is usually the case when you are planning and doing the moving on your own. There are simply too many things that need to be taken into consideration and too many things that need to be organized and people who don’t have professional experience in this field will definitely miss something or do something wrong. It is therefore highly recommended to use professional moving services. Moving companies are companies offering services that include moving. These companies handle all the things related to the moving process from packing and loading to transporting and unloading of your things. These are some standard services that professional moving companies offer but of course depending on the company they can offer some extra se... 11/21/2014

Selling an empty home has some benefits: you don’t have to negotiate move out versus move in dates, for example. But there are also challenges.When prospective home buyers view photographs of vacant homes in their internet search, it’s hard for them to get a sense of room sizes, how the room is used, and the actual layout of the home. The buyer also may have questions about why you are selling an empty home. For example, is there something wrong with the home that it is not selling?Is the home overpriced? These questions and others mean many vacant properties are passed over by buyers. You may have a perfectly valid reason for moving that has nothing to do with your on-the-market house—for example, a job change—but buyers don’t know that. Even if an empty home snags a few visitors, buye... 11/20/2014

I get many calls from clients asking to watch out for a Power of Sale property... "I want to get a good deal."   That is a great misconception many people have about buying one of these properties.  In this short video I explain things you may now know about Power of Sale Properties, and what you SHOULD know before buying.     You always have the option to have your own house inspection before you submit an offer... so you know exactly what you are getting. 11/19/2014

  Are You About To Buy A Former Meth Lab?Shopping for a good home can be difficult enough when simply considering the location. You may worry about additional factors such as the type of neighbors you’ll have or the quality of the school your children might attend. One important factor that is often overlooked is the history of the home in question and whether it may pose as a problem. Before you prepare to buy a home, this is one question you will definitely want to know the answer to. “Am I Buying A Home That Was a Former Meth Lab?” You may look at the house and not see any apparent clues that anyone ever produced methamphetamines there. It could be that you have no idea what signs to even look for. I was recently contacted by an associate from bestrehabcenter.com,based out of Jensen ... 11/19/2014