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London, ON Real Estate News

By Alex Gurchin
(Keller Williams LIfestyles Realty)
I believe that buying a home can be a stressful time, but I also believe that many buyers make it so themselves. I also believe whole heartedly that it doesn't have to be this way if buyers just followed a few simple guidelines.    1 - Get yourself a great Realtor. I put this #1 because many times, a great Realtor knows a few great mortgage brokers who can help you with your financing. A great mortgage broker deals with lenders every single day, and many times, they can get you better rates and terms that you will be able to get regardless of how well you know your lender.  2 - Get pre approved. There's no point in looking at houses that you are unable to afford. It's frustrating for you, and it's frustrating for your Realtor. Once you know what you can afford, you eliminate wasting any...
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By Alex Gurchin
(Keller Williams LIfestyles Realty)
How many times have you set up an appointment to show a property, only to have the tenants tell you that they were not informed? And, they do not allow you in? What do you do? On the weekend, I met an investor client at a property with tenants. We had given 24 hour notice, and upon arriving, we were denied access by the tenants. I don't know how many times I've heard ' We didn't know. No one called us to let us know someone was coming through today.' The second apartment was dead-bolted. Just as I was about to call the listing agent, another Realtor showed up to show the same property at the same time! After an introduction and a few laughs, I called the listing agent to inform her of our problem. It seems the problem with the upper tenant was 'normal' ( yet I was not informed of this w...
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By Alex Gurchin
(Keller Williams LIfestyles Realty)
We see it quite often. A house gets listed for sale, then it just sits...and sits...and sits. It may even change Realtors a time or three, but still, it sits...and sits...and sits. So, what's the problem here? The market? The Realtor? The marketing? The property itself? Or, is it simply the price? So, how do you tell if a property is over priced? Well, I believe there are 3 easy to spot symptoms of an over priced house; 1 - You aren't getting any showings.  2 - You aren't getting any offers. 3 - Your house is still For Sale I also believe there are 3 reasons as to why the property is over priced in the first place; 1 - The Realtor let the sellers choose the price based on emotion, or comparable properties for sale, rather than logic and the history of sold properties in the area.  2 - T...
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By Alex Gurchin
(Keller Williams LIfestyles Realty)
I was listening to the news this morning at 6am, and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame is planning on moving. They may go to London, Ontario, or they may stay in St. Mary's. The reporter said that the President had looked into purchasing on old school that's for sale, but that it was too expensive. That got me thinking.... Is there really such a thing as too expensive? Or, is it simply that one can either afford or not afford something? In this case, I wished that she would have said the old school was out of the Hall of Fame's price range, not too expensive. You hear this all the time from people looking at homes. Rarely do buyers ever tell the truth and say something is out of their price range, instead saying it's too expensive. Which reminded me of a story... A man was selling his ...
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By Ty Lacroix
(Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc)
How much are you going to charge me to list my home? What is your commission rate? I get asked this question daily and rightfully so. With over 90% of home buyers researching real estate on the Internet, home sellers are saying, wait a minute, why am I being charged 5-6%?    Other industries have changed their business models, such as the travel industry, insurance, retailing, coffee shops, grocery stores and even how we interact with  hospitals, federal,provincial and local governments.   Gee, even within our family circles!       With private for sale by owner (FSBO) companies, discount real estate brokerages and Uncle Harry in the market place and us being in the 'Information Age', I feel the selling of real estate needs to be brought into the year 2011 and beyond, not 1993, 2000 or ...
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By Ty Lacroix
(Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc)
Are you spending countless hours searching the MLS, real estate magazines, weekend classified ads and real estate websites looking for the ideal home for a great price and in a great neighbourhood?WHY? If you enjoy doing that, great. Are you aware you may be missing out on some great homes that sell in a day, or a home that was priced agressively, good income properties or a home in that special neighbourhood of London? Do you think you will get a head jump on others by searching daily or weekly? Avoid paying commissions? Avoid a pesky or bothersome real estate person (don't blame you)? Or, perhaps you are curious or you are in the 'just thinking stage' of real estate. Perhaps to purchase or sell. Regardless, real estate changes, people change, neighbourhoods change, real estate rules c...
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By Alex Gurchin
(Keller Williams LIfestyles Realty)
'Do you want to list your home for sale, or do you want to list your home to sell?' That's the question I ask a seller when we're at an impasse. Sometimes they stare at me like a deer in the headlights, other times they just smile, but then there are the times when I'm asked, ' What is the difference?'  The difference, my dear seller, is that you're either positioned in the market to sell your home based on facts, stats and historical data of comparable properties, or, you're hoping that someone will come along and pay too much for your home. And, when it comes time for you to go out and purchase a home, are you going to make an offer on the ones that are asking too much based on the facts, stats and historical data of the home that I provide you, or, will you make an offer on the home ...
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By Ty Lacroix
(Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc)
19 houses have sold in the Hazelden area from January 1, 2011 to July 6, 2011 The average selling price was $471, 224 and these sold in 47 days or less at an average of 97% of the asking price.! The highest went in the $830, 000 range and the lowest in Hazelden starts in the 330's. Hazelden still remains one of the most sought after neigbourhoods in London and those who do live there, do not plan on moving soon. For more details on this great neighbourhood or others in London Ontario, stay tuned!    Anything that does come on the market in Hazelden, I will post it here and on my blogs!
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By Ty Lacroix
(Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc)
67 homes sold in Lambeth and Westwinds neighbourhoods in South West London from January 1, 2011 to July 6, 2011.   The average asking price was $369,199 and the homes that did sell, sold for 99% of asking and these were on the market an average 69 days.   Lambeth is rapidly growing with more retail and new subdivisions being started. With easy access to highways 401 and 402, more families are finding out about all the other amenities that Lambeth has to offer.   There are some great values still available in Lambeth and for those who are moving up or downsizing, this Spring may be the best time for you to talk to a real estate professional
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By Ty Lacroix
(Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc)
Pond Mills in South East London Ontario remains one of the best values in home prices with 32 houses selling from January 1, 2011 to June 6, 2011 for an average price of $208,300 and it has taken about 32 days for a home to sell.    For condos in Pond Mills, $126,321 was the average asking price, 25 have sold since January and these were on the market an average 50 days!   Pond Mills has a lot going for it and not just lower house prices. Very easy access to the 401 highway, great schools, shopping and public transportation.   Real estate is affordable and I can help make it all happen, whether buying or selling! This great neighbourhood has some secret gems and pockets of living areas that is affordable,safe and beautiful.
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Comparing 2011 White Oaks home prices to 2010 2011 is half over already and six months usually gives us enough data to do a meaningful comparison of 2011′s MLS statistics to 2010′s So let's compare January through June 2011 to the same months in 2010. As shown in the table below, average prices are very similar to last year with modest growth in all categories except townhouse condos, which to date are tracking at lower prices than last year. Type of Home 2011 Avg Price 2010 Avg Price Change % Detached over 25yrs.  old $192,130  $190,167  1.02%   Detached under 25yrs. old $238,869  $232,629  2.61%  Semi's over 25 yrs. old  $157,733 $151,031  4.25%   Semi's under 25 yrs. old $173,300  $166,329   4.02%  Townhome Condos  $116,970 $123,937   -5.96% A detailed monthy analysis is available he...
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By Alex Gurchin
(Keller Williams LIfestyles Realty)
I posted this on my other blog over at Wordpress. I've been there for a while, usually yapping about more personal stuff. I have copied and pasted from one blog to the other, and one day, I'm sure I'll learn how to do that with the click of a button. If you'd like to read some of my blogging, go to http://healthhomesandharleys.wordpress.com. Here is the blog I posted today..........   When I began this blog, I was on a mission to lose 30 pounds in 30 days. That was April 2010, and I did lose 30 pounds in 30 days. Well, 29.5 pounds in 30 days, but it was still a success. Today, a year and a few months later, I’m happy to say I’ve kept 15 of those 30 pounds off, and have done pretty much nothing to do it, too. I don’t remember the last time I lifted a weight or even got myself going fast...
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By Ty Lacroix
(Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc)
104 houses exchanged hands in Old South London & Wortley Village from January 1, 2011 to July 3, 2011.    The average selling price was $269,004 and on average it took 39 days for a home to sell and these homes sold for 98% of the asking price! Old South London remains a desirable neighbourhood with its own distinct mix of art, dining, culture and house styles. I am predicting a very good year for this neighbourhood as more and more home buyers are shying away from cookie cutter homes, small lots and little privacy. To keep abreast of this fast market and more insight of this great London neighbourhood, let me know your thoughts, I know this area and the market.
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  There were 53 homes that sold in Summerside so far this year from January 1 up to July 3, 2011.     41 houses sold at an average price of $257,152 and 12 condos at an average $205,187. On average it took 46 days for a home to sell and the sold for 98.5% of asking price which shows the London Real Estate market is stable and no where near a bubble as some economists predict. There is still still a lot of new construction in Summerside along with a church, new retail and recreational fields. Summerside is proving to be a well priced neighbourhood in London Ontario and the growth is well planned and steady. Summerside is access to the 401 highway, Airport Road, St. Thomas, Ingersoll and Woodstock. For more detailed real estate trends that will enable you to make the right decision, just...
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By Ty Lacroix
(Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc)
Homes in Sunningdale, a trendy neighbourhood in North West London with easy and quick access to UWO & Masonville have been selling quite well up to July 2, 2011. 31 houses sold from January 1 of this year to present for an average price of $558,187 and on average, these homes took 51 days to sell & sold for 96% of asking price. 17 condos sold at an average selling price of $313,791 which was 98% of the $305,800 asking price and only on the market for 43 days!   Sunningdale remains a sought after neighbourhood because of its location, schools and shopping.    Houses start in Sunningdale from $325,000 and up. To get a jump start on your real estate search in this great London neighbourhood, being prepared is wise and can be cost effective and now you know who to call!
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By Ty Lacroix
(Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc)
153 houses have sold so far in the this great family Oakridge neighbourhood of London Ontario from January 1, 2011 up to July 2, 2011.    The average selling price was $291,329 and on average these houses were on the market for 42 days & sold for 98% of the asking price!   50 condos changed hands in the same period, taking 45 days to sell at an average price of $206,413.   With both houses and condos selling for 98-99% of asking price proves that the London Real Estate Market is stable and real estate prices remain one of the lowest in Ontario.   Oakridge is still sought after because of its location to some of the best schools in London, wide streets, mature trees and larger lots.   Whether buying or selling real estate in London, being prepared with facts, not opinions will ensure you...
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By Alex Gurchin
(Keller Williams LIfestyles Realty)
What gets you out of bed in the morning, and drives you throughout the day? Why are you in the real estate business? Why do we put up with the rejection, and at times abuse from clients that blame us for everything under the sun? Have you ever asked yourself 'why'? I did, a long time ago, and my reasons for being in real estate are quite simple. One reason is that I like to help people. I'm not the most extroverted person out there, but I can carry a conversation better than most American Idol contestants can carry a tune. My background is coaching, and I love to teach as much as I enjoy learning, and real estate is one avenue for me to showcase my talents. But, the main reason I'm in real estate? I am able to get up each and every morning to make breakfast for my family, and prepare sc...
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By Alex Gurchin
(Keller Williams LIfestyles Realty)
We may sell real estate, and it may be our product, but I believe that people is our business. We do not sell a home for, or to, everyone we come across and meet with. This business is about building lasting relationships, and to do that, you have to be honest. You have to do what's in the best interest of your client, not yourself. Am I right?   I enjoy seeing the look on someone's face when a deal comes together, be it the buyer or the seller. It feels great to know that I have helped them with the single largest investment they are likely to ever make in their lives. But, there are times when the people we are meeting with are just not in a position to buy or sell a home. I don't enjoy seeing the look on their face as I suggest they wait for whatever reasons, but, I don't stop there....
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By Alex Gurchin
(Keller Williams LIfestyles Realty)
A sign on the lawn, an ad in the paper ( or somewhere online ) and sitting by the phone waiting for buyers to call. Is this what it takes to sell a home? How about holding an Open House, because the seller knows that everybody wants to buy their home, and they will come in droves? Oh, what about putting one of those new fangled QR codes right on your sign so people can get all the info they need right from their Smartphones? No, it has to be because of the Brokerage you work for since they do say they sell 1 in every 3 homes sold in the entire world. Wait, sellers no longer need a Brokerage because of all those companies out there that will sell their home for $199.  Here's my list that I go over with potential sellers on a listing appointment. I'm not afraid to let them know there are ...
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By Ty Lacroix
(Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc)
This Sunday May 22, 2011 from 1-3 PM Most couples dream about moving to Byron but have not been able to afford the $300,000 plus range and prefer not to live in an apartment or small townhouse condo. Well, how about this $239,000 raised ranch at 159 Dearborn Ave in the heart of Byron? With 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a garage, fenced back yard, a rec room with a fireplace and a short walk to Boler Mountain, great schools and parks? The present owners moved from their smaller home to this home a few years ago as their family expanded and chose this Byron starter home. They lovingly upgraded and made some great comfortable changes like an energy efficient furnace, front windows, lower bathroom and laundry room. They now are moving to their dream Byron home and you now can to. As I said, at ...
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