DO YOU TAKE TIME TO RE-CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES? How often do you allow yourself a break from your work to charge your battreries.. to give your body and mind a rest from the hustle and bustle of your busy real estate life?  Our bodies are a fine tuned machines, and just like your car it must be maintained and cared for on a regular basis to keep it running at its optimum..It's amazing how just a few days away from your phone and compuers can refresh your mind and body...Book a hotel room away from your home where you can get away by yourself to enjoy some solitude.  Take a good book and enjoy a leisurely few days on your own.. No stress, no time schedules, no phones ringing, no emails to answer, no meetings to keep, no clients to worry about. I try to do this every 3-4 months and it is am... 02/01/2018

SOLD 156 Enfield Pl #1607 Mississauga Square One Condo  156 Enfield Place #1607, Mississauga Square One Condo  This was the highest SOLD 2 Bedroom suite (under 1200 sqft) in the building!    If you're thinking of selling your Home or Condominium, and would like similar results to 156 Enfield Place #1607 in Mississauga, please call me.  One phone call can save you THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, and net you more money after the sale.     01/31/2018

Glossary Of Key Real Estate TermsThere are a great deal of phrases and terminologies unique to real estate.  Listed below are just a sample of the common terms you will encounter in the process of buying or selling a home.  Take a moment to familiarize yourself with them so you will know where to look if you need a definition. Amortization Period      The actual number of years it will take to pay back your mortgage loan.Appraised Value               An estimate of the value of the property. Conducted for the purpose of  mortgage lending by a certified  appraiser. This appraisal is not to be confused with a building inspection.Assumability                     Allows the buyer to take over the seller's mortgage on the property.Chattels                              Personal property which... 01/30/2018

DON'T TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED - APPRECIATE YOUR BLESSINGSHave you ever wondered how you would manage if you were suddenly physically incapacitated?  You can imagine how debillitating it would be if you have a broken leg, or arm, or if you are right handed broke your hand or wrist.  You would be very difficult to carry out daily tasks that you take for granted every day.How often do you take things for granted?  Little things you do every day without a second thought.... Its not until an event takes place that we stop and take notice when something happens to make us dependent on others for the most menial of tasks that we took for granted.I am an extremely independant person, so when I returned home from hospital several years ago after back surgery, (I had a two herniated discs, a doub... 01/30/2018

IS YOUR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENT?We all know and recognize that saving energy is cost effective, but you may not recognize how inefficient your home really is until you conduct an energy audit.  I had an energ audit done on my home several years ago and it was very enlightening as to where homes leak energy in places you never think of. You can spot many problems in your home with a simple walk-through.  Keep a checklist of areas you inspect and any problems or issues you find.  This will help you prioritize yourenerg efficient upgrades.LightingEnergy expended by lighting accounts for about 10% of your hyrdo bill.  Check the wattage of the light bulbs in your home.  You can exchange 100 watt bulbs and in most cases use a 60 or 75 watt bulbs in their place.  The recent introduction of the n... 01/28/2018

CALCULATING LAND TRANSFER TAX IN CANADA One of the other additional expense to consider when Buying Mississauga Real Estate is the Land Transfer Tax. This fee varies in every city.  Please use the handy calculator I have provided below so you can budget your purchase.Purchasers in most large Canadian cities can add Land Transfer Taxes to their list of closing costs. Unless you live in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or rural Nova Scotia, land transfer taxes (or property purchase tax) are part of the deal. These taxes, levied on properties that are changing hands, are the responsibility of the purchaser. Depending on where you live, taxes can range from half of a percent to two percent of the total purchase price.Many provinces have multi-tiered taxation systems that can be complicated. For examp... 01/25/2018

  WELCOME TO STREETSVILLE  THE VILLAGE IN THE CITY                            STREETSVILLE is one of the most sought after areas in Mississauga that offers a wide range of homes in affordable price ranges for everyone. STREETSVILLE is a small community within a larger city, with that quaint home town feel that everyone is attracted to.  Along the main street of this vibrant community you will find historic buildings blended with the newer, more modern ones which makes it so appealing STREETSVILLE is a unique pocket nestled within the northwest part of the City of Mississauga.  It is referred to as “The Village In the City” and occupies the west and east banks of the Credit River with the majority located in the west bank. STREETSVILLE is known for its wonderful schools and its family fr... 01/24/2018

ATTRACTING QUALIFIED BUYERS It is important to attract the attention of the right buyers eager to get into a property like yours. This will result in a price you would expect.  Otherwise, your house may take longer to sell and you may not get the price you expected. GETTING THE WORD OUTAs an expert in the local market, I can get the word out about your listing to all the right people.  I will attract serious buyers – so a good offer comes in quickly. IMPLEMENTING THE RIGHT MARKETING PLANTo achieve that success, I will implement the appropriate marketing plan. There is more to selling a house than hammering a For Sale sign on the front lawn.  I’ll work closely with you to create a marketing plan which may include some or all of the following: Taking professional photographs to highlight ... 01/24/2018

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 Agent, I'm NOT out to get your listing; I wo... 01/23/2018

SELLING MISSISSAUGA REAL ESTATE Listing your home for sale is a major decision, and probably the largest financial transaction you will make.  Leave it in the hands of a trained real estate professional.  There is much more to selling your Mississauga home than installing a for sale sign on the front lawn.  Please browse through the information below which hopefully you will find useful when it is time to  list your Mississauge Home For Sale.Listing Your Home In Mississauga  The first step toward putting your home for sale is to meet with your Real Estate Agent at your home.  This meeting is referred to as the "Listing appointment."  Beforehand, it's also important to understand "who's who" and how brokers may co-operate to sell your home.Listing BrokerAn individual real estate agent wh... 01/23/2018

Commission StructureMost Sellers I encounter have no idea how the Selling Commission is structured or how it is allocated. Many consumers believe their agent's expenses are covered by their Brokerage, but in fact agents are responsible for ALL their expenses.Here is an excerpt below from my booklet... A Real Estate Guide for Sellers .... where I explain to clients how the commission structure works.Here is a short video explaining how commission is structured, what it covers, and how it is allocated.Commission - What It CoversReal Estate professionals are independent business people who must pay fees to their broker, to their boards, and must cover ALL of their business expenses before they acquire net earnings.Most professionals receive an hourly fee for services as the work is done, b... 01/23/2018

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE BUYING Over the course of my 30+ years as a real estate agent, I have been on the listing and selling side, representing buyers who wish to purchase a home listed under Power of Sale.  I sold a home a few years ago in STREETSVILLE under Power of Sale and I had many clients and perspective buyers calling.  They called because they thought they could "get a good deal" and potentially purchase the property at less than market value.This is a misconception many people have, and this is NOT the case.  The Bank or Financial Institution selling the home must sell the property at fair market value or risk being sued by the previous owner.  The bank must, at a minimum, the outstanding amount owing on the property.  In addition to that, they must have sufficient funds ... 01/22/2018

Viewing HomesThe Home Shopping ProcessAs your real estate agent, my most important job is to make the home shopping process pleasant and rewarding for you.I do that in a number of ways.I regularly recommend properties for viewing that closely match your needs and wants, that suit your lifestyle, and are within your price range. That spares you the frustration of visiting homes that aren’t suitable.I make sure you don’t miss opportunities. When a desirable property suddenly comes on the market, you’re alerted immediately.I help you schedule viewings that fit your schedule, so there’s little if any inconvenience for you.Before you view a property, I provide you with in-depth details on the home, so you can make an informed decision. This includes closing dates, market value, and more. Lat... 01/22/2018

WE JUST SELL HOUSES, RIGHT? In actual fact, NO.  That is the end result of what we do..  What we really do is:PROVIDE THE SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM!Real estate agents provide solutions to your problem. There can be many reasons why people sell their home and the sale of your home is the end result of solving your problem. Some of the reasons clients have problems, and why they need to sell their home: sometimes clients get re-located for job purposes sometimes there is a marital breakup and the house needs to be sold or the house is just too big after the children move out or they need a larger home because the family is expanding Perhaps the older person can no longer manager their home and is moving into a retirement home Alternatively: the young adult is moving out of the parent's hom... 01/21/2018

Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval BEFORE You Look For Your Next HomeAn important ingredient in a successful home search is knowing how much you can afford. You don’t want to fall in love with a property only to find out it’s outside your price range.Before you contact your Real Estate Agent to book appointments to go and view some properties, it is highly recommended you talk with your Bank or a Mortgage Broker to get a pre approved mortgage.That’s why I recommend getting a Mortgage Pre-Approval. This is a document from your bank or other lender stating how much of a mortgage they are willing to give you. There are several advantages to getting this pre-approval:The Benefits of a Pre-Approval It gives you the peace-of-mind of knowing you can afford homes you view on the market, and won’t have... 01/21/2018

Help Your Realtor Get Your Home SoldIn my 30+ years as a real estate agent, I can usually tell when I pull up in front of a home I'm about to show what the inside of a home will look like based on the exterior.  If the exterior is unkept then you can bet that the inside is generally the same.Curb AppealA vast majority of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a home, based on their first impressions of the outside… does it have “curb appeal?” ..the view they see when they drive by or arrive for a showing. You can ensure people want to come inside your home by spending some time working on its exterior appearance, making it inviting for buyers to want to see more.Most potential buyers find it difficult to visualize changes, and often won’t take a second look at a home if the fi... 01/20/2018

Some renovations can significantly increase the market value of a home. Others can cost more than you’ll ever get back. So, when choosing a “fixer-upper”, look carefully at the work that needs to be done. General painting, and bathroom or kitchen renovations typically increase the resale value of a house. “Invisible” repairs such as plumbing, electrical, or heating systems do not. Before you buy, work with your REALTOR® to develop a market value estimate of the house you are considering as though the renovations you’re contemplating are already complete. If the math works, go for it. Buying a “fixer-upper” can be very rewarding.              Your Trusted Mississauga Real Estate Professional When you choose me to handle your real estate needs, you are choosing a real estate professional... 01/19/2018

Closing the SaleMaking Sure Your Move Goes SmoothlyThere are few things I enjoy more than telling a client, “Your house is sold.” That means I have found them a qualified buyer, got them the price they wanted, and negotiated a great deal.That doesn’t mean my work is finished. Far from it.As your real estate agent, I’ll work closely with you to ensure the deal is finalized and that your move goes smoothly.I’ll take care of the details. For example, if there are any conditions on the offer to buy your property, such as “passing a home inspection”, I’ll coordinate with you and the seller’s agent to ensure that the condition is satisfied and the deal closes.I’ll also be there for you, as your real estate expert, up to the day you move – and beyond. I provide you with the names of recommende... 01/18/2018

Selecting the Right AgentWhy Sell with Me?There’s no doubt about it. Your real estate agent has a huge impact on whether or not your home sells quickly, how much you get for your property, and your experience throughout the process.So you’d be smart to ask, “Why should I sell with you?”The best way for me to answer that is in a Personal Consultation meeting. I will meet you at your home, explain how I work with clients, and give you an initial idea of what to expect in terms of selling price and timing. This meeting will give us an opportunity to get to know each other; for me to explain my skills and experience; and for you to ask questions and see if there is a good fit. There is absolutely no obligation to proceed.In the meantime, here are a few highlights of what to expect from me a... 01/16/2018

Buying A Home With A Pool?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 appeal... 01/16/2018