To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To hope is to risk disappointment.
But risks must be taken because the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing,
sees nothing, has nothing and is nothing.
He cannot learn, feel, change, love and live.
Author unknown.
Wisdom for Life, A Helen Exley Giftbook, Select Edition, 2000.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Realtors - How to give yourself a raise
There is no better way to increase your income than to price your listings to sell the first time.
Too many agents rely on advertizing to promote themselves. Others depend on referral marketing. Still others have the classiest, most up to date website. The newest trend is to use social media such as Facebook, Linked in Craigslist, etc. etc. to promote yourself.
But, you know what, real estate is still a people business based on selling the homes of people to people. And what better way to promote yourself than through a fast efficient sale!
Listings that stay on the market for longer than others in the same area show that, either the home has a problem, or the agent is a problem! So price correctly the first time. Listings priced right sell fast, for greater dollars and with better terms than homes that are overpriced.
The faster the sale, generally speaking the lower the costs and the more the profits. Agents with great sales reputations are selected more often than those whose listings sit on the market, regardless of the commission rate.
In strong, high priced markets real estate companies may use lower commission rates to entice people to list their home with them. In softer markets, such as has occurred in the United States, commission rates begin to actually rise, as a concerned consumer wants a successful sale and is prepared to pay a higher, or shall I say, non-discounted commission rate, simply to work with a successful, high selling Realtor. Successful sales are the best indicator of a successful Realtor. So price it right for sale and you will achieve more success in listing properties.
In this market, where the consumer is taking a breather for the summer, list price is even more critical to success. Believe me when I say that your client will love you more for pushing back on the list price, than if you except a much too high, out of market list price and sell the property much later than expected.
So Price Right the First Time. You will get a raise, and so will your client!
Darryl Mitchell is Managing Broker for RE/MAX Professionals Inc. Brokerage in Etobicoke Ontario
Too many agents rely on advertizing to promote themselves. Others depend on referral marketing. Still others have the classiest, most up to date website. The newest trend is to use social media such as Facebook, Linked in Craigslist, etc. etc. to promote yourself.
But, you know what, real estate is still a people business based on selling the homes of people to people. And what better way to promote yourself than through a fast efficient sale!
Listings that stay on the market for longer than others in the same area show that, either the home has a problem, or the agent is a problem! So price correctly the first time. Listings priced right sell fast, for greater dollars and with better terms than homes that are overpriced.
The faster the sale, generally speaking the lower the costs and the more the profits. Agents with great sales reputations are selected more often than those whose listings sit on the market, regardless of the commission rate.
In strong, high priced markets real estate companies may use lower commission rates to entice people to list their home with them. In softer markets, such as has occurred in the United States, commission rates begin to actually rise, as a concerned consumer wants a successful sale and is prepared to pay a higher, or shall I say, non-discounted commission rate, simply to work with a successful, high selling Realtor. Successful sales are the best indicator of a successful Realtor. So price it right for sale and you will achieve more success in listing properties.
In this market, where the consumer is taking a breather for the summer, list price is even more critical to success. Believe me when I say that your client will love you more for pushing back on the list price, than if you except a much too high, out of market list price and sell the property much later than expected.
So Price Right the First Time. You will get a raise, and so will your client!
Darryl Mitchell is Managing Broker for RE/MAX Professionals Inc. Brokerage in Etobicoke Ontario
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Double-digit gains characterize average price appreciation in most Toronto neighbourhoods in 2010, says RE/MAX http://ping.fm/AAw1p @remax
Double-digit gains characterize average price appreciation in most Toronto neighbourhoods in 2010, says RE/MAX
Mississauga, ON (July 14, 2010) - Toronto's housing market roared back to life in the first half of 2010, with single-detached homes and condominium apartments and townhouses posting unprecedented double-digit gains in average price in most districts, according to a report released today by RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. This is in stark contrast to the July 2009 RE/MAX report that found that values in approximately 80 per cent of neighbourhoods surveyed in Toronto had depreciated over the same period in 2008.
RE/MAX examined 63 Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) districts in the single-detached category between January and June of 2010 and found that 85.7 per cent experienced double-digit gains. Mississauga's Lorne Park (W13) led in terms of percentage increase in average price with a 30.2 per cent upswing in the first six months of the year, bringing year-to-date values in the area to $880,373 (vs. $676289 in 2009 and $830,041 in 2008). Markham (N01) ranked second with a 27.7 per cent jump to $779,168 (vs. $610,322 in 2009 and $683,050 in 2008) while Armour Heights, Bathurst Manor (C06) came in a close third at 27.5 per cent (rising to $732,535 from $574,599 in 2009 and $589,808 one year earlier). Mississauga's Creditview, Erindale area (W16) secured fourth spot with an average price of $561,973-up 26.5 per cent over 2009's $444,221 and 2008's $476,877. Rounding out the top five was York Mills, Hogg's Hollow, Bridle Path (C12) with a 26.2 per cent increase over last year and an average price of $1,868,591 (vs. $1,480,296 in 2009 and $1,580,851 in 2008).
"While first-time buyers dominated housing markets during the first half of 2009, move-up buyers ruled during January to June of 2010," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "Rising interest rates and the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in the province helped drive activity, with more than 50,000 sales reported year-to-date-a figure on par with record 2007 levels."
RE/MAX examined 63 Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) districts in the single-detached category between January and June of 2010 and found that 85.7 per cent experienced double-digit gains. Mississauga's Lorne Park (W13) led in terms of percentage increase in average price with a 30.2 per cent upswing in the first six months of the year, bringing year-to-date values in the area to $880,373 (vs. $676289 in 2009 and $830,041 in 2008). Markham (N01) ranked second with a 27.7 per cent jump to $779,168 (vs. $610,322 in 2009 and $683,050 in 2008) while Armour Heights, Bathurst Manor (C06) came in a close third at 27.5 per cent (rising to $732,535 from $574,599 in 2009 and $589,808 one year earlier). Mississauga's Creditview, Erindale area (W16) secured fourth spot with an average price of $561,973-up 26.5 per cent over 2009's $444,221 and 2008's $476,877. Rounding out the top five was York Mills, Hogg's Hollow, Bridle Path (C12) with a 26.2 per cent increase over last year and an average price of $1,868,591 (vs. $1,480,296 in 2009 and $1,580,851 in 2008).
"While first-time buyers dominated housing markets during the first half of 2009, move-up buyers ruled during January to June of 2010," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "Rising interest rates and the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in the province helped drive activity, with more than 50,000 sales reported year-to-date-a figure on par with record 2007 levels."
Friday, July 9, 2010
Eco 'fees' discussed in the Windsor Star
Eco 'fees': "On July 1, Ontarians began paying an eco 'fee' on thousands of products, all in the name of helping the environment. But don't be fooled. This is just another expansion of the provincial tax base, one that apparently never stops as far as the Dalton McGuinty government is concerned.
So, in addition to the impact of the new 13-per-cent HST, Ontarians can now expect to pay a few cents or a few dollars more on products like hairspray that are sold in aerosol containers, syringes and needles, prescription medicine, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, fire extinguishers, rechargeable batteries, dish detergent, smoke alarms and the list goes on and on.
This is essentially Round 2 of a program run by Stewardship Ontario -- a government-regulated body -- to dispose of and recycle hazardous materials. The first items to be taxed two years ago included paint, computers and TVs.
Conveniently for the McGuinty government -- already reeling from the imposition of the HST -- there was no significant mention of the expanded eco tax until after it was instituted."
To read the entire article select the link about. This article is copywritten to the Windsor Star, thank you for your candour on this new tax.
So, in addition to the impact of the new 13-per-cent HST, Ontarians can now expect to pay a few cents or a few dollars more on products like hairspray that are sold in aerosol containers, syringes and needles, prescription medicine, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, fire extinguishers, rechargeable batteries, dish detergent, smoke alarms and the list goes on and on.
This is essentially Round 2 of a program run by Stewardship Ontario -- a government-regulated body -- to dispose of and recycle hazardous materials. The first items to be taxed two years ago included paint, computers and TVs.
Conveniently for the McGuinty government -- already reeling from the imposition of the HST -- there was no significant mention of the expanded eco tax until after it was instituted."
To read the entire article select the link about. This article is copywritten to the Windsor Star, thank you for your candour on this new tax.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
RE/MAX: Agents Taking Action
RE/MAX: Agents Taking Action
Real Trends Magazine feature article this month is on RE/MAX and its agents who lead the industry with the tools and performance that no other Brand offers today. Although written to an American audience this article mirrors the advantages RE/MAX Ontatio-Atlantic offers its clients and sales staff.
In fact in Canada the advantage is even larger as consumers choose RE/MAX over 35% of the time at the writing of this blog piece.
Choose Wisely! Choose RE/MAX!
Also check out the RE/MAX Professionals Inc., Brokerage web site in the link provided to learn more about RE/MAX Professionals.
Check it out on this flip book! Enjoy!
Real Trends Magazine feature article this month is on RE/MAX and its agents who lead the industry with the tools and performance that no other Brand offers today. Although written to an American audience this article mirrors the advantages RE/MAX Ontatio-Atlantic offers its clients and sales staff.
In fact in Canada the advantage is even larger as consumers choose RE/MAX over 35% of the time at the writing of this blog piece.
Choose Wisely! Choose RE/MAX!
Also check out the RE/MAX Professionals Inc., Brokerage web site in the link provided to learn more about RE/MAX Professionals.
Check it out on this flip book! Enjoy!
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