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Oshawa, ON Real Estate News

By karen Lafantaisie
(Room By Room)
Three homes on my street went up for sale last week.  I have not seen any action at any of the properties so far.  In today's market it is simply not enough to put a sign on the front lawn.  Not one of these home owners have paid attention to curb appeal.  Let's face it you have to get buyers in the front door.  That means getting their attention at the curb.  Most buyers at least do a drive by before even suggesting to their agent that they want to look inside.  I have bought 12 homes in the last 20 years and my heart bought them outside before even walking thru the front door.  Home stagers are aware of what curb appeal means in grabbing a buyers attention.  It is so important to highlight every aspect of your home during the selling process.   Real estate agents should think of Home ...
Comments 7
By Joanna Parris
(Effective Staging Inc.)
Have you ever found yourself in the awkward position of being tongue-tied and totally nervous because you were not sure who to introduce to whom? You feel totally insecure because both these personalities are VIP's in their own right; one is your boss and the other is head of another large company....But, everything you every heard about or learnt about introduction etiquette suddenly flew out of the "etiquette filing system" in your brain. When you find yourself in such a situation; unless you are a great actor; several things happen - you lose yourself confidence; your facial expression changes; your posture appears less upright and your voice either raises a pitch or two or becomes inaudible. The more confident you are when making introductions the more comfortable everyone around yo...
Comments 6
By Joanna Parris
(Effective Staging Inc.)
You are a walking billboard for your image, and as a result, assumptions are made about you without your even saying a word. Your appearance - from the way you dress, walk, talk, your level of confidence, and your posture are keys to not only how you see and feel about yourself, but also how others see you. When you look good, you naturally feel more confident and happy; you tend to radiate an aura of positive energy which becomes contagious and magnetic. Others will be drawn to you and respond with the same positive energy that you project. Various research studies have shown that impressions about a person are formed in the first few seconds of interaction. Here are five quick and effective steps you can take to immediately enhance your image and help you to make positive, lasting imp...
Comments 4
By Stuart Smith
(Re/Max Jazz Inc., Brokerage)
We all know the expression "think outside the box" but how many of us ever do?  We advertise in the same publications and fight for the bus stop bench space when it becomes available but with so many people doing the same things, how do you standout?   We use creative "unique" slogans or catchphrases that all sound alike.  We buy domain names for template websites that all look and sound alike (www.insertlocationhomesforsale,com).  We are a dime a dozen.  For most of you referral business and name recognition are the lifeblood of the industry, but for those of us still building our business, how do we set ourselves apart.  What do we do to make our name recognizable. This is my fourth market.  My fourth time building my business from scratch.  We have been moving from university town to...
Comments 27
It would have been so much easier....If you were prepared.  Being able to speak confidently in everyday conversations helps to build your confidence and prepare you for speaking to larger groups.  At some point in your career or life you will be called upon to make a speech or present to a group of your peers, friends or family. Mostly you will be given an opportunity to prepare but sometimes you will be caught off guard with an impromptu request, how you present your information can enhance your career and raise your credibility. Speaking with confidence can be daunting, but it does not have to be a problem for you if you follow these suggestions. You will appear more confident and credible: 1.   Use proper English - You will sound smarter and more confident; slang is great for friendl...
Comments 0
By Joanna Parris
(Effective Staging Inc.)
  It would have been easy....If you had decided earlier in the year that you were indeed going to celebrate in style; but because the climate was so unsettled you did not make any plans. Suddenly you have several invitations that you have to honour and of course you need to look your best at each event. The question therefore arises how do you accomplish this feat when you are totally unprepared? The answer is simpler that you thought, and best of all you don't have to spend any money. To put together your party wardrobe - go shopping in your closet. With a little planning you will be able to put together several outfits to suit each occasion. Steps to building your party wardrobe, from your closet: Check your invitations - What time of day and what are the dress codes required for each...
Comments 6
By Marina Vazzana, CSP, Home Staging Oshawa and Durham Region
(CRE-A-TIVE Staging & Redesign - Durham Region)
I'm happy to see (or hear) that many Realtors are getting more and more interested in Home Staging.  Many claim they just don't know enough about how it all works and how to present it to their clients.  Not wanting to leave it to the Agents to google a home stager in their area and give us a call I ask... DEAR REALTOR, What is your preferred way for us to get in touch with you? -Cold calling...after my one and only hang up - I decided to find another avenue (Thanks G.P) -Open Houses...I liked this method and have gained a client from it, but can only hit them on Sundays in my area.  Not great for reaching a large number of you. -Blogging...Also have earned a client this way, but a little too passive for me and many Agents still do not actively blog in my area. -Flyers in your mailboxes...
Comments 12
By Marina Vazzana, CSP, Home Staging Oshawa and Durham Region
(CRE-A-TIVE Staging & Redesign - Durham Region)
Consultations can be a powerful tool when selling your property.  I truly believe that every home that is going to be listed should have a Professional Home Stager in to do a consultation on the property.  The difference will wow the Realtors, their Clients and the buyers.   All this was achieved in a weekend because of a savvy Pickering Realtor, a motivated home seller, a Professional Home Stager and the minimal cost of a Consultation. The Benefits of a CRE-A-TIVE Staging & Redesign Consultation  • affordable  • prioritized recommendations • easy to achieve results • stunning transformations • comprehensive road map • CRE-A-TIVE ideas • can eliminate "reduced price" negotiations • do-it-yourself road map • detailed report Immediately following consultation • created using what you alre...
Comments 13
By Marina Vazzana, CSP, Home Staging Oshawa and Durham Region
(CRE-A-TIVE Staging & Redesign - Durham Region)
I'm glad you enjoyed the photo's from Interior Design Show Part 1 So as promised here is Part 2...some of my fav's.   As you know, IDS 09 was held in Toronto   This is for Ms. Finnamore, she loves the Chair Source and I just love these GHOST CHAIRS.   Also from the Chair Source, this awesome Chrome Stool.  Fell in love and sooo comfortable.   Isn't it beautiful?  Price tag...a mere $599 (lol).  Also, I just loved the flooring they used.   For the guys...the ultimate fitted garage complete with flat screen.   Love the white books.   How about this?  Rustic meets bling...hmmmm   Jetson's ?   That's one commanding light.   This wall display spoke to me.  Too bad it wasn't hyphenated "cre-a-tive" as in cre-a-tive Staging & Redesign   Until next year!
Comments 5
By Marina Vazzana, CSP, Home Staging Oshawa and Durham Region
(CRE-A-TIVE Staging & Redesign - Durham Region)
Toronto's 2009 Interior Design Show didn't disappoint.  Below are some of the highlights.   The amazing Princes' Gates entering the CNE grounds.   IKEA - Ticket Booth   How about these stainless sinks?   These shower doors were awesome...they slid open using an industrial style pulley.   Ultra funky desk.   The KRUPS stage...designer talks with CityLine's Eric McClelland.   Black & White Bedroom.   I love the "Studio Style" lamp from the room above.   I'll be posting more photos in another post...Interior Design Show PART 2 showing some cool lighting and chairs.  
Comments 8
By Marina Vazzana, CSP, Home Staging Oshawa and Durham Region
(CRE-A-TIVE Staging & Redesign - Durham Region)
The Interior Design Show/IDS 09 is Canada's largest contemporary design event and it is that time of year again.  WHEN:  February 5-8, 2009 WHERE:  Direct Energy Centre, 100 Princes' Boulevard on the grounds of Exhibition Place in Toronto,  Canada. This year promises to be a great event.  Trends, ideas, new products. Get Glam with Brian Gluckstein takes place on Sunday. Here are some pictures I took at last years IDS 08. Our very own Designer Guys:   Canada's own Sarah Richardson:   House & Homes Linda Reeve's Room: (In person this space was to die for)   I fell in love with this table:   New Trends:   Urban Barn:   As you can see there is a ton of inspiration, some amazing celebrity designers, talks, seminars, and even a Professional Trades Day. Hope to see you there!!!   This year's p...
Comments 11
By Bob Anderson
(Remax Jazz Inc.)
 December 31 will be a memorable evening for everyone with children's activities, public skating, entertainment and David Wilcox in concert. Oshawa Celebrates 2009 offers free public skating beginning at 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. There will be a wristband policy in place for the scheduled skating times, which will be handed out starting at 7:00 p.m. Children's entertainment begins at 7:00 p.m. and includes face painting, crafts, games and entertainers. The children's event concludes at 9:00 p.m. with a New Year's countdown and balloon drop. Free hot chocolate will also be provided courtesy of the Oshawa Rotary Club from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Live entertainment includes Trevor Leblanc at 7:45 p.m., the Boogie Men at 9:00 p.m. and at 10:30 p.m. David W...
Comments 1
By Bob Anderson
(Remax Jazz Inc.)
In Oshawa in November the Durham Region Association Of Realtors announced there were: 281 new listings. There were 758 active listings.  Year to date there have been 4678 listings in Oshawa. Previous year to date was 4508 listings.  112 sales. Year to date there have been 2120 sales.  Previous year to date  there were 2469 sales.  That is a drop of 14.1%.  
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By Marina Vazzana, CSP, Home Staging Oshawa and Durham Region
(CRE-A-TIVE Staging & Redesign - Durham Region)
Redesign is a service provided by many home stagers.  It is incredible how affordable it is to hire a professional stager/redesigner to come in and completely transform a space on a budget.  Many people want "the look" but can't afford an interior decorator. Below is a recent CRE-A-TIVE Staging & Redesign transformation.  This room was a true redesign using the homeowners things with the exception of a few key purchases. Fresh coat of paint:   $33.00 Stunning Crystal Chandelier:  $89.00 Beautiful Glistening Wreath:   $19.99 White Mat:  $6.99 Luxurious White Throw:  $21.99 Transformation:  PRICELESS  How to pull it all together:  One call to CRE-A-TIVE STAGING & REDESIGN. Before... Tired, drab, unwelcoming. The CRE-A-TIVE Difference... White on White.  Luxurious, warm and inviting! GIVE ...
Comments 14
By Daniel Giddings
(APOM Inspections)
Proud to be part of this community and proud to present this concert.  Everyone will enjoy the sound of Christmas carols played by instrumentalist Matthew James.  Come and join us in the beautiful Oshawa Little Theatre for 'A Smooth Jazz Christmas'. Tickets can be purchased online at the Oshawa Little Theatre or by calling 289.240.0628. Tickets are selling fast so get yours today! APOM Inspections  
Comments 0
Lets Examine Their Formula Several times recently a FSBO company here on active/rain claimed that 25% of real estate is sold privately, and went on to say you could calculate how many are sold privately, by subtracting the number of solds reported by the Canadian Real Estate Association from the number of transactions registered in the land registry office.  The fact is they are pulling straws from a haystack Their formula is flawed as it does not take into account the number of homes that are sold by real estate brokers and are not sold through the The Multiple Listing Services offered by the Canadian Real Estate Association and as a former Real Estate Broker they would know that. They also claimed that builders were a portion of the FSBO sales as they do not sell through real estate b...
Comments 22
By Marina Vazzana, CSP, Home Staging Oshawa and Durham Region
(CRE-A-TIVE Staging & Redesign - Durham Region)
 Here are the results of the Staging Polls. I would have liked to see more Realtors weighing in.  A huge thank you to all that participated. STAGERS:  The Success of your Staging business can be attributed to  Answer Text %    Word of mouth / Referral   30%     Website   20%     Networking   15%     Realtor Presentations   13%     Media / Press Release   9%     Other (describe)   6%     Newsletters   6%     Newspaper Advertising   2%               REALTORS:  What is your most important factor in choosing a Professional Home Stager?  Answer Text %    Recommendation / Referral   50%     Price / Cost   14%     Experience / Portfolio   14%     Client Testimonial   7%     Frequency of Marketing Efforts   7%     I would never use the service of a Home Stager   7%            
Comments 19
By Daniel Giddings
(APOM Inspections)
How comfortable would you feel if you went into a Doctors office to consult them about some very serious health concerns, and on the wall was their certification from the internet?  And to question them further you realize that they received their 'knowledge' from a book, completed a test and was sent a 'diploma'.  Without ever seeing a patient or having any hands on training they are now licensed and qualifed to be your doctor...Would you stay?  Not likely!! Hiring a Home Inspector or anyone for that fact is kind of the same.  You are hiring a Home Inspector to come in to a house and asking them to ensure this is a wise investment.  Your Home Inspector is going to look at everything from the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing etc. and you are going to trust that they know what they...
Comments 0
By Dianna Mandzuk, Dianna Mandzuk
(RE/MAX Jazz Inc., Brokerage)
 It's a beautiful spring morning here in early May. The sun is shining and the birds are singing and the spring market is in full swing!  We are busy here, but busy is good. Busy people get things done!I would like to welcome you to my newest venture into virtual realty - my blog.  Here, you will find informative articles and information for both buyers and sellers alike. Tips, tricks and points of interest.  I welcome your real estate related questions and will answer a selection of them here from time to time.Once a month, I will publish a market "snapshot" of the local real estate market so you can see what's happening.As always, you can visit my personal website at http://www.dmandzuk.ca/ for valuable information and to view my active listings. 
Comments 0
By Daniel Giddings
(APOM Inspections)
Many times in our lives we will hire people for different reasons.  Perhaps a Real Estate Agent, Contractor, Daycare Provider.  Maybe your buying a pool or need something painted.  Whatever the need there are a multitude of people wanting your business.  People trained in their profession to do the best possible job for you.  So how do you get the best.  How do you go about hiring the best service or person for the task at hand? I think that people are generally a good judge in character when they follow their instincts.  You would never 'cold' call a builder and hand over your blueprints to them and ask them to build you a house would you?  No generally you want to meet the person/company and get a sense of what THEY will do for YOU.  You are hiring them to complete something for you a...
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