Every week in the Toronto Star, I get ideas regarding my profession -- Real Estate. I always give credit to these writers who start the process of reminding everyone of what is going on in this field. Because it changes every day, it keeps us alert and we get to pass on important information. There are times when I give the same opinion to the few great clients that I have, and then I like to share and enhance these ideas.
Many of you may have read the same article so here goes --
The homes of tomorrow will be "smart", smaller and more space and energy-efficient. They will be wireless and run by computers. They will come equipped with kitchens with top-of-the line amenities for those of us who like to cocoon. Our get-togethers with friends and family tend to be pot luck dinners, movie nights at home (most of us have a decent television and sound system) -- these have become very popular. We also tend to invest in our homes and finish the basements, not only to increase the value of our investment but it also adds living space. Our children tend to congregate at one home or another.
The big issues for buyers, and it is starting already, is location,location,location -- where the home is located in relation to public transit and how energy-efficient it is. Homes may be hard-wired to computers that will run everything from the lights to the appliances. Also, instead of wires, it will be wireless systems which we are starting to experience already.
Homes of the future will have a spare, modern feel. The prediction is that - gone will be the Mediterranean or California feel two-story, and multi-roofline French Chateau look. Homes will also be smaller but because of their efficient design, will work like much larger spaces. Take for example homes now - if you view new homes that have at least a 9 foot ceiling and then walk into an older home with a regular 8 foot ceiling, all of a sudden you feel that the space is cramped. the home with at least the 9 foot ceiling may also be smaller in square feet, whereas the older home may be bigger but seem smaler. The older home will also have more walls making it seem smaller than a new open concept home. The homes of the future, being smaller, may also be more affordable.
Certain finishes in homes are timeless and it is predicted that they will remain so -- hardwood floors and granite. Stainless Steel appliances are very popular now but it remains to be seen how well their popularity will hold up. This will depend on prices for these appliances. Refrigerators also come with finishes the same color as the cabinets and then you try to match the rest of the appliances to the the cabinets.
It used to be a very expensive upgrade to have patio doors put in -- the ones that are floor to ceiling. Well, it no longer in considered an upgrade. The doors look great, by the way. The same way that these doors were expensive upgrades, so were granite, stainless steel apliances and 9 foot ceilings, but no longer.
The days of being able to offer just the basics in a home are over. The buyers want all the bells and whistles - be it a new home from the builder or a resale home. Buyers want all these upgrades without having to pay for it.
Just consider countertops - first-time buyers are asking for granite, soapstone and Corian. These buyers have not yet learned that you do not need life-time countertops such as these. When you buy a home, you will want to update the kitchen and the simplest way to do this is to replace the countertop. There is a product made in Caesar stone. This is a material that is manufactured from concrete and stone pieces. It is seamless, smooth and sanitary. It is also less intrusive to the environment because you don't have to mine it.
Flooring -- engineered hardwood, which is a solid wood veneer over composite, is steadily gaining in popularity. It is being used more often now because it is environmentally friendly and less expensive. Cork and bamboo flooring are also makng an appearance because the natural materials are gast growing and readily available.
There is so much information out there regarding design and materials. Buyers are very in tune with what they want. When you're looking to spend around $500,000 and up for a home in an area that you truly love, you are looking to make sure the house feels like a home. After all, it is one of the biggest investments that you will make.
Some buyers are looking for buil-in appliances and updated kitchen cabinets that can be easily refaced or repainted a few years down the road. they are looking for finishes that are easily changeable for improvement. We are looking for materials that will not be going into landfills.
There is so much information. We are becoming more and more environmentally friendly. There is a lot of testing done regarding outside materials. Brick will always be popular but more materials are being tested to see how they withstand the different seasons. With these pilot projects, more materials will be available to the builders and renovators.
Finding all this information is readily available. We are becoming a technical society. I would like to credit some of the opinions of this article to Gail Swanson, Patrick O'Hanlon, and Christene DeGasperis.
Contact Betty Bartusevicius for your own private viewing of any property of interest or to discuss the sale of your existing house at 905.828.3434 or directly at 416.427.1875.
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Contact me by email: http://www.bettybart.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm
I can help you save time and money by shopping smarter:
http://www.bettybart.com/createnewclientuserid/whyregister.cfm
There is no time like the present to begin your investigations into a property purchase or sale that will lead to sound decision-making.
Experience is not expensive; it is Priceless.
Showing posts with label Fine Homes in Churchill Meadows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fine Homes in Churchill Meadows. Show all posts
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Elegant Homes Lorne Park & Churchill Meadows, Fine Homes in 905, Mississauga
Why would someone want to sell their home themselves?
While hosting an Open House a few weekends ago, the Private for Sale by Owner next door, constantly compared the traffic, How many people came to see her? How many came in to see me? How many saw us both?
At the end of the Open House (for me this is almost dark and last person has been gone at least 20 minutes) she met me at the end of the driveway while I was collecting my signs, to discuss the traffic of the day. She would ask if there was any sincere interest in my open house. I was honest, and I told her that I thought that I may have sold the home and there was a choice of 2 buyers. In my opinion, in this market, that is remarkable. And as an experienced agent, I knew that these buyers were truly interested. She asked which if any of the visitors commented on her house and if I thought that there might be someone interested there. That was of no concern of mine. Of course I didn't tell her as much. I just presented her with my card and told her that if she liked, I would talk to her about listing her property. She was very thankful for the card and said that she would be in touch. You could see she was getting anxious as I was doing a better job of advertising.
The house was not sold that week, there was an offer but it went nowhere. The following weekend I was, yet again, at this vacant home, with my coffee in hand ready to greet enthusiastic home shoppers. She was also open for business. I was armed with feature sheets, information for comparables in the neighbourhood regarding SOLD's and FOR SALE, up to date information regarding interest from my mortgage specialists, samples for closing costs, copies of surveys and floorplans, Ontario Land Transfer Tax calculations. We again consulted in the driveway at the end of the day. Same questions, same answers.
I did sell the home conditionally that week, after only 2 open houses. When I was back at the property, thru the week, for a house inspection, she was waiting for me outside. How much did it sell for she asked? Can't say till the deal firms up was my correct response.
Then I asked her, "How was your open house this past weekend?"
She quietly admitted, "without the six or eight open house signs that you usually put out, there wasn't any traffic at all." (By the way, this was 1 month ago and she has not done another open house since).
Yes, for a few hundred dollars they place a page on a website and you do get a sign on your front lawn, but it really got me to thinking...
Why would someone want to sell their home themselves?
FSBO. For Sale By Owner, an opportunity for a seller to SAVE thousands of dollars! Or an opportunity to call a Realtor!
Here's how I see it. Sure you will always find a buyer if you wait long enough or are lucky enough. As a Real Estate Professional, I have dedicated many hours to assist people in the one of the largest purchases that they will make. My training, my knowledge, my experience. This is what I do all day - every day! As a Realtor I know how much time, effort & money is involved in maintaining my career. For me, it is not a part time job, it is not something I do ONLY when times are good. If it's good - it's good! When it's bad - IT'S BAD!
When you have so much depending on the sale of your home, do you really have the time, money and resources that you could do a better job than a professional full time Realtor? NO - how could you? This is what I do all day. I have relationships with neighbors, bankers, past clients, advertisers, numerous agents that have their contacts as well, not to mention our FULL access to MLS and listing resources that FSBO's don't. If Real Estate was that easy...I'd be looking for a new career! Once a deal is done - I am unemployed and banging on doors, sending emails, talking to people, working on my web site to get new clients. If I don't sell your house, or assist you in finalizing the purchase of a home, I do not get paid.
Canada Mortgage and Housing reported (Nov 08) that listings posted to sold were at 46 - 47 % That means that 50 % of ALL the listings on the system will not sell. (EXPIRE)
It is human nature for people to get the most for their home without having to spend any money. They do not want to pass any money to anyone else. The numbers always look better when you're trying to sell it yourself. But at what cost. Yes they may very well find a buyer but over 85% of them will eventually list with a realtor. The real loser in this scenario is the would be buyer. He just bought a house with no representation, no real comparables, no negotiating and all of this at a truly higher price!
There is a place for everyone, but in this market, if the professionals are having trouble how is a FSBO supposed to fair out.
If you are considering selling your property or the purchase of a new home, feel free to contact me for a FREE/NO OBLIGATION market evaluation of your existing property and let me arrange private viewings of homes that might be of interest to you. Contact Betty directly at 416.427.1875.
Contact Betty Bartusevicius to discuss your real estate requirements or just to chat at 905.828.3434 or directly at 416.427.1875.
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Contact me by email: http://www.bettybart.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm
I can help you save time and money by shopping smarter:
http://www.bettybart.com/createnewclientuserid/whyregister.cfm
There is no time like the present to begin your investigations into a property purchase or sale that will lead to sound decision-making.
Experience is not expensive; it is Priceless!
While hosting an Open House a few weekends ago, the Private for Sale by Owner next door, constantly compared the traffic, How many people came to see her? How many came in to see me? How many saw us both?
At the end of the Open House (for me this is almost dark and last person has been gone at least 20 minutes) she met me at the end of the driveway while I was collecting my signs, to discuss the traffic of the day. She would ask if there was any sincere interest in my open house. I was honest, and I told her that I thought that I may have sold the home and there was a choice of 2 buyers. In my opinion, in this market, that is remarkable. And as an experienced agent, I knew that these buyers were truly interested. She asked which if any of the visitors commented on her house and if I thought that there might be someone interested there. That was of no concern of mine. Of course I didn't tell her as much. I just presented her with my card and told her that if she liked, I would talk to her about listing her property. She was very thankful for the card and said that she would be in touch. You could see she was getting anxious as I was doing a better job of advertising.
The house was not sold that week, there was an offer but it went nowhere. The following weekend I was, yet again, at this vacant home, with my coffee in hand ready to greet enthusiastic home shoppers. She was also open for business. I was armed with feature sheets, information for comparables in the neighbourhood regarding SOLD's and FOR SALE, up to date information regarding interest from my mortgage specialists, samples for closing costs, copies of surveys and floorplans, Ontario Land Transfer Tax calculations. We again consulted in the driveway at the end of the day. Same questions, same answers.
I did sell the home conditionally that week, after only 2 open houses. When I was back at the property, thru the week, for a house inspection, she was waiting for me outside. How much did it sell for she asked? Can't say till the deal firms up was my correct response.
Then I asked her, "How was your open house this past weekend?"
She quietly admitted, "without the six or eight open house signs that you usually put out, there wasn't any traffic at all." (By the way, this was 1 month ago and she has not done another open house since).
Yes, for a few hundred dollars they place a page on a website and you do get a sign on your front lawn, but it really got me to thinking...
Why would someone want to sell their home themselves?
FSBO. For Sale By Owner, an opportunity for a seller to SAVE thousands of dollars! Or an opportunity to call a Realtor!
Here's how I see it. Sure you will always find a buyer if you wait long enough or are lucky enough. As a Real Estate Professional, I have dedicated many hours to assist people in the one of the largest purchases that they will make. My training, my knowledge, my experience. This is what I do all day - every day! As a Realtor I know how much time, effort & money is involved in maintaining my career. For me, it is not a part time job, it is not something I do ONLY when times are good. If it's good - it's good! When it's bad - IT'S BAD!
When you have so much depending on the sale of your home, do you really have the time, money and resources that you could do a better job than a professional full time Realtor? NO - how could you? This is what I do all day. I have relationships with neighbors, bankers, past clients, advertisers, numerous agents that have their contacts as well, not to mention our FULL access to MLS and listing resources that FSBO's don't. If Real Estate was that easy...I'd be looking for a new career! Once a deal is done - I am unemployed and banging on doors, sending emails, talking to people, working on my web site to get new clients. If I don't sell your house, or assist you in finalizing the purchase of a home, I do not get paid.
Canada Mortgage and Housing reported (Nov 08) that listings posted to sold were at 46 - 47 % That means that 50 % of ALL the listings on the system will not sell. (EXPIRE)
It is human nature for people to get the most for their home without having to spend any money. They do not want to pass any money to anyone else. The numbers always look better when you're trying to sell it yourself. But at what cost. Yes they may very well find a buyer but over 85% of them will eventually list with a realtor. The real loser in this scenario is the would be buyer. He just bought a house with no representation, no real comparables, no negotiating and all of this at a truly higher price!
There is a place for everyone, but in this market, if the professionals are having trouble how is a FSBO supposed to fair out.
If you are considering selling your property or the purchase of a new home, feel free to contact me for a FREE/NO OBLIGATION market evaluation of your existing property and let me arrange private viewings of homes that might be of interest to you. Contact Betty directly at 416.427.1875.
Contact Betty Bartusevicius to discuss your real estate requirements or just to chat at 905.828.3434 or directly at 416.427.1875.
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Contact me by email: http://www.bettybart.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm
I can help you save time and money by shopping smarter:
http://www.bettybart.com/createnewclientuserid/whyregister.cfm
There is no time like the present to begin your investigations into a property purchase or sale that will lead to sound decision-making.
Experience is not expensive; it is Priceless!
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