Watch, Listen and Learn

 Real estate professionals in Ontario are regulated by provincial law under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act 2002 (REBBA 2002). The Act was amended in 2002 with various changes brought forth including the category those that practice real estate hold of which there are three. These are: Salesperson or Sales Representative, Broker and Broker of Record with the latter being owners of a real estate brokerage.

  As soon as it was legally possible, I obtained my Broker license. The reasons I wanted to attain this are many and I have since taken additional courses and added other designations to my credentials as well. Why? The function of today’s REALTOR® has changed some of it brought on by technology some of it brought on by changes in consumer behavior and demands. Essentially, REALTORS® are no longer sales people. I do not want to be thought of as a salesperson. Perhaps REBBA 2002 needs to be amended to reflect a new category that better reflects the role and responsibilities of today's REALTOR®? I know of no other profession where sales people are required to procure a license. REALTORS® are in fact advisors much the same way consumers have a financial advisor, a legal advisor and so on. As advisors, it is our responsibility to know intimately the market in which we trade in, the legal requirements of buying, selling and leasing real property in Ontario, zoning, environmental issues and a host of other matters in order to be able to "advise" consumers with respect to real estate related transactions.
  In addition to requiring the knowledge associated with the aforementioned topics, one other trait stands out in my mind as being essential. For today’s REALTOR® to be a “trusted advisor” you must be a good listener. The fact is, being a good listener applies to most areas of our lives personal and professional. Being a good spouse, parent, employee etc. is heavily reliant on being a good listener and this often starts with asking the right questions. How many times have you had someone try to “sell” you something without even finding out what you want or really need?
  If you are in the midst of or are contemplating a real estate or other major purchase or transaction, it’s best to determine if the party your are working with is a good listener and to do so requires being one yourself.
  As a former business executive turned REALTOR®, I have followed the rise, fall and rise again of Donald Trump. Like him or not he’s been a great success and the following quote is worth noting.
“Watch, listen and learn. You can’t know it all yourself, and anyone who thinks they do is destined for mediocrity.”



– Donald Trump

It's Not Location, Location, Location but Price, Price, Price That Sells Your Home

  When it comes to selling your home, there is one thing and one thing only that matters….price!  That may seem on the surface to be a bold statement but it's true and here's why.

  As of this posting, there are 1,101 single family homes listed for sale on the MLS® system of the Georgian Triangle Association of REALTORS® (GTAR). Single family home sales for the 1st quarter total 287 individual properties which means that with over 1,100 homes currently on the market, we have over 11 and a half months of inventory available for sale. Essential 1 out of every 4 homes listed for sale sells. Not very good odds when you think about it. Without the proper asking price, your home may end up falling into the “expired listing” category of which there were over 3,200 such properties in our market during 2011.

 Sure, you can argue that location, size, condition, your landscaping, recent improvements you’ve made and a host of other factors make your home better or worse that others on the market but at the end of the day, all those factors boil down to being a factor of price.

 

One of the most important tools in helping both REALTORS® and homeowners arrive at a suitable “market” price for their property is a thoroughly prepared Comparable Market Analysis or “CMA” yet I find it’s something that is often missing. Too often Seller’s focus on asking questions about the rate of commission, the method of advertising the REALTOR® is going to use, will they do a “virtual tour” etc. While all of these add-on initiatives are important, they will not contribute to selling a property that is over-priced.

 
For those that may be uncertain as to what a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) should include, I have a hand-out (pictured herein) that covers what you should look for in a CMA. Not only will this assist you in understanding what you should look for when determining the pricing of your home, knowing what a thorough CMA consists of will assist you in knowing what to look for when selecting a REALTOR® as well. Contact me for your complimentary copy of “What To Look For in a CMA” and follow my blog for further tips on selling your home.

4th Annual National Garage Sale for Shelter

  On Saturday May 12th, 2012, myself and my associates at the local Royal LePage offices collectively - All Real Estate Services, Locations North & Trinity Realty will be participating in the 4th Annual National Garage Sale for Shelter, in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation.

  Our offices are hosting a Garage Sale at 499 First St, Collingwood from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on that day (May 12th) and it is certain to be a great event that will “drum up” lots of people and hopefully money – all for a worthwhile cause! Face painting, balloons, entertainment, a bake sale, food – oh and not to mention the garage sale itself! Lots of fun for the whole family!

 

  We are asking for your support in the way of a donation to be used as part of our Silent Auction. A voucher or a gift certificate to be used towards local goods and/or services would be a great idea or you might prefer to make a cash donation to The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. We would be happy to promote your business and involvement in all of our advertising!   All the proceeds of the auction will be donated directly to our local Women and Children’s Shelter – My Friends House.

  If you would like to participate in the Garage Sale, yourself, you can purchase a table for $25 to sell any unwanted or unused items from around your home. Come spend the day with us in support of a great cause and get of that stuff you have been wanting to dispose of.

 

The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women and children’s shelters and violence prevention and education programs. We believe in the importance of giving back to the very community we as REALTORS® make our livings from.  As
such, Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have its own charitable Foundation. Attached please find information regarding the Shelter Foundation. At last year’s sale, Royal LePage nationwide raised an astounding $ 425,000 - the largest charity Garage Sale ever held in Canada.  Locally, we raised $ 3,000 for My Friends House – and we hope to surpass that amount this year!

 

We certainly appreciate any help you could provide. Should you require further information, please contact our Garage Sale Coordinator Caitlin at 519-599-2136 or contact myself rickcrouch@propertycollingwood.com.