Selling your house for the first Time

So many people see real estate as easy as any monkey filling out a real estate form; pounding a sign in your front lawn and then collecting that huge real estate commission.

Lets touch on a few of these myths.

• I need to prepare for your listing appointment by being armed with neighbourhood data sold, statistical information, inspected a number of homes in your neighbourhood (Over the last several months) How many homes have sold in your "pocket" recently.
• Pull your history and Ownership details from Realnet and the Polaris system.
• The Listing Presentation itself and all your questions.
• Create your marketing plan and future events calender.
• Implement the marketing plan, load listing details, take photo's, add descriptions, distribute your information to websites, advertise on line, create your web page, shoot your video, upload.
• Screen and Interview Buyers from sign calls by price, timing and affordability.
• Show the property while you are at work or out according to the buyers schedule.
• Obtain and motivate an offer, presenting the offer and negotiating that offer with you.
• Explaining the sign back, counter offer, re offer, options available to you.
• Acknowledge agreement into a formal contract.
• Deal with all the conditions in the contract being sale of property, condition to finance or inspect.
• Handle and attend all inspections on site.
• Usher you to the lawyers office to direct your lawyer as required.
• Transaction management to closing.
• Final Inspections prior to closing to insure repairs or promises made are concluded.

On an average real estate transaction it is not unusual to spend 100 hours on your behalf, but many details seem to be hidden from public view. The commission cheque is paid to the Real Estate Broker who maintains Trust Accounts, an accounting department, Full time live answered telephone reception seven days a week, to get your showing appointment booked, and the maintenance of my office in a professional business environment.

I cannot express my HORROR recently when I found a broker using a cell phone as the office contact phone number and their "mailbox" was full. If you were their client and wanted your agent to call or book a showing, What would you say?

I look forward to answering your questions in person and remind you that during the month of September I am holding a listing special. You will need to call for details.

Tell me your Real estate Horror Story and I will tell you mine

MLS Sales Toronto The Sky didn't fall!

Greater Toronto REALTORS® report 8,107 Resales in April

TORONTO, May 6, 2009 - In April 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 8,107 sales – down seven per cent from April 2008. While April sales remained lower than last year, the  resale housing market gained momentum on a month-over-month basis. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales in April, at 80,900, was up 26 per cent from March and up twothirds compared to January’s ten-year low.1

“Conditions in the resale housing market have improved markedly this spring,” according to TREB President Maureen O’Neill. “Home purchases have increased as households have taken

advantage of low interest rates and slightly lower home prices.”

The average price for April transactions was $385,641 – down three per cent from last year.

“The rate of average price decline continued to diminish last month. This is due in large part to a

tightening in the resale market,” stated Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market 

Analysis. “The level of sales relative to new listings increased in April.”

Download complete report HERE  If you would like to receive the Market watch report and my monthly newletters and ramblings please complete the sign in details here; 

April Sales were strong at 3,078 units and 9,157 listings available. This is reflected in the fact that 5087 units were listed in that same period. Days outstanding to sell west Toronto 37 days.

Should you be considering the sale of your home I would be pleased to provide you with a Market Evaluation.