It's been a mild winter throughout most of the country so far. That means we still have time to run through a foul-weather checklist. Here are 10 "must do's" to have a warm, cozy and safe winter. Check attic insulation. A foot of blown-in or batt insulation (R-38) in the attic reduces heat transfer from heated interior space to the great outdoors. This is a do-it-yourself job. If your attic is not insulated, blow in or roll out 12 inches of loose or batt insulation. If the amount of insulation is less than 12 inches, simply roll out unfaced fiberglass batts over the existing insulation to create...


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During a recent interview with Don Campbell, our conversation steered towards to topic of private sales. My question was if he sees value in using a real estate professional or should sellers look at putting their properties on the market themselves. I was surprised by his response as much as he was with mine. A delightful conversation that I'm looking forward to continue in the near future. Don Campbell is the President of REIN Canada and is best selling author. Having trouble viewing video?  Click here


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"We just bought a new home from the builder and we were wondering when is a good time for us to list our property?" I had received a new question in one of my online real estate advise threads from another satisfied purchaser of a new home who were looking forward to moving in their new home and wanted a semblance of a schedule of event that were to follow.  Their list of to do list included packing their belonging, finding a mover and oh, finding a REALTOR to help them sell their place. This question might not be applicable to renters or first time home buyers but it's a scary reality...


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(NC)—When it comes to home improvement, you don't have to be a professional to get professional-looking results.  There are many simple bathroom projects that can dramatically update your home: If your current vanity features chipped paint or a dated colour – it's time for an update.  Rather than buying new, you can easily make your current vanity look clean and fresh with a coat of paint. Simply remove the doors and drawers, tape off any areas that you don't want painted and wipe down everything with soap and water.  Spray a primer over the cabinet surface and then apply several...


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I was recently in an offer negotiation where the buyer who was looking to secure a mortgage on their new purchase wasn't able to do so within the time period specified in their purchase and sale agreement.  The buyer agent contacted me promptly to let me know that they won't be able to secure the funds within the time period and would require an extension for two days.  If you're the seller and the buyer hasn't been able to fulfill a condition on their purchase and sale agreement, do you agree to give them the extension if they ask? This is a very tough question to ask and needs to be answered...


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One of the common advertising motto that we see in our industry is "I sell homes" or "I have sold X* homes."  While it is correct that real estate agents influence real estate sales but is it really accurate to say that "I have sold" X homes? I, as an agent, firmly believe that "I" don't sell homes rather I sell services that help my sellers and buyers end up at the same table.  This means when I sit down with my sellers, I explain to them how I will go about finding the right buyer for them.  I will make recommendations of items to be completed or services to be rendered such as painting,...


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Following is a case study done by Addy Saeed of www.HeyAddy.com and www.TorontonianOnline.com. Youtube Link The purpose of the study was to showcase what good staging can do for the sale of a property. Part 1: The above is an interview with sellers about their property before they have consulted with the stagger, Robin De Groot (www.robindegroot.ca). Photography was done by Ronnie Fung of venturehomes.ca Items discussed: Cluttered, lots of inadequate furniture and mismatched colors didn't help with sale. Moving to East York Staging from Television shows Objective view...


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There are two options available for buyers when it comes to purchasing property through organized Real Estate in Ontario and is classifies them as either a Client or a Customer.Client RelationshipClient relationship with a buyer is established by signing the buyer agency agreement. Customer RelationshipBuyers have the option of representing themselves in a Real Estate transaction and still expect honest, fair and due care treatment by the listing real estate agent. The agent, when questioned, is required by law to disclose factual information about the property or refer the buyer to an individual...


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.So... Some of you might have noticed that your REALTOR is asking for copies of your identification and they have to keep on file before proceeding to a transaction or... some of you will be asked that when you would be conducting a transaction. I was questioned about it by a client of mine so I thought I'd share what the legislation is about and why it's required with you too.In a nut shell, the requirement stems from The Prceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) which was previously known as The Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) Act and was Amended in December...


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One of the services I offer to my Sellers and Buyers (when purchasing) is evaluating market value of the property. How do you do that? I'm going to showcase how I evaluate properties when listing them for sale and hopefully this will help you when you're ready to sell your house!It's imperative to have an optimum list price when selling a property. If the market evaluation is not correct, a property stands to stay on the market for a long time without selling. This leads to two issues:An unhappy Seller who's expectations are not fulfilledA property that took effort and resources (including...


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