GDAR – Launches advertising magazine

November 13, 2010 By Andrew Somerville

As the times change, real estate professionals need to change as well. With the increasing demand for online home searches, in addition to the influence of green alternatives, the Guelph and District Association of Realtors have become the first Real Estate Board in Canada to own their own publication. The costs of which are much more inexpensive than the former local newspaper alternative, since there are no profits taken. This cost saving translates into more advertising bang for the buck for the REALTOR® which in turn benefits the home owners. The REALTOR® now has more freedom to advertise in multiple venues since costs have been reduced.

The Guelph and District Association of Realtors is also proud to be responsible for saving approximately 10,000 trees a year because of the utilization of drop boxes instead of door to door delivery. Some people will argue that this is not reaching as many people. This is true but the people that it does reach are truly interested in real estate, not just checking out houses or seeing which agents are still in the business. Think about for a minute, how you use the former Guelph Homes section of the weekend paper. If you are like me and most other people I know, you quickly cruise the paper looking for nice pictures, then toss it. Most people go online to see homes. The Association has approximately 300 drop boxes around Wellington County, with more to come. Make sure you check out the online version to keep up to date.

What About Open Houses?

You can still find open houses on Realtor.ca or MLS.ca, along with your brokerage of choice website. You can even find a list on GDREB.ca It is a change of the way we do business, and it is our responsibility help make the change a success! You can help by spreading the word. Tell your friends where to go (not that way), use the icons below to share on on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Thanks for listening.

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Stewart Mill Lofts – 60 Cardigan St

October 6, 2010 By Andrew Somerville

Stewart Mill Lofts

SOLD! DID YOU MISS THIS GREAT PROPERTY?

Fill out the form at the bottom of the page and get hooked up with the best listings as soon as they hit the market. FREE

Stewart Mill Lofts – This is what you have been waiting for! A trendy downtown Guelph loft with soaring 14 foot ceilings and exposed timber. The brick walls accent the natural timber and further enhance the look of the hardwood floors. Glorious natural light filters through the tall windows of this second story loft. The maple cabinets of the modern kitchen with centre island will not only be eye pleasing but extremely efficient and useful.

When you purchase this exciting loft you are also buying a lifestyle! Just steps from a thriving and artistic downtown core and across the street from gorgeous park land and trails. Walk your dog meet the friendly area residents, relax in the park, join a beach volleyball game. The Guelph Youth Music Centre is across the road.

The additional features of the unit include in unit laundry, in floor hot-water gas heating, storage locker in the lower floor (for bikes and other personal belongings). This is a must see!! Call us today to starting living a dream life.

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Cardigan 205
La Estancia (Sección B), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

60 Cardigan St
Guelph, ON N1H 3Z6, Canada

31 Keys Crescent

August 24, 2010 By Andrew Somerville

Feature Sheet

SOLD!

31 Keys Cres is indescribable with words alone. You will have to see it for yourself! Situated on a quiet crescent and backing onto lush conservation forest, this walkout basement bungalow is magnificent! As you enter this premiere property after walking up the brick driveway and passing immaculate gardens you will be greeted by a large, open foyer with vaulted ceilings and skylight. The stunning and large, chef’s dream kitchen is noticeable from the corner of your eye and catches your immediate attention, but first you must tour the home in an orderly fashion. The dinning room is the first stop. This large room in suitable for large gatherings, or, for some, may be used as an executive office or reading room. The bedrooms are down the hall where the flooring changes from tiles to rich hardwood. The first bedroom is very large. The master bedroom is also large with an extra deep walkin closet and luxurious 5 piece ensuite. After being wowed by the the visit so far, you know that the kitchen is next. Your heart pounds as you approach. This is it! The kitchen you have dreamed about. Lots of cabinet space made of rich wood, stainless steel appliances. You are in heaven. The open concept plan allows you to view the living area from the kitchen and as you pass a dinnette area (also suitable for formal dinning sets) you enter this breath taking room. Your eyes are drawn to brick real wood burning fireplace, flanked by two windows, one on each side, and overlooking the conservation forest. There is a deck entrance from this room, perfect for your morning coffee, and to start the day watching the occasional deer graze.

The basement is a treasure in itself, with more useable living space. A full 4 piece bathroom, is convenient for your guests. The large recreation room with large full size windows and door leading to the back yard is ideal for entertaining. Down the hall you will delighted by two oversized bedrooms. You will also note to yourself that these rooms don’t feel like they are in a basement, in fact you double check to make sure you are in the basement. The front part of the basement has been left unfinished for your own special needs. Can you say future theatre room? How about a work shop? How about both and a craft room? There is more than enough room. Your imagination can work out the details. Thanks for reading this brief overview. The next step is to book an appointment!!

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Additional Features:

31 Keys Crescent
Guelph, ON N1G 5J7, Canada

Home Inspections for Sellers

July 28, 2010 By Andrew Somerville

Home Inspections… for Sellers

Most people think a home inspection is something that happens somewhere between making an offer and before closing on a home. But for a number of reasons, more homeowners are choosing to have their own home inspected before putting it on the market.

The reason is simple: uncovering problems early on enables you to fix them, often making it possible to add value to your sale price. An inspection is designed to reveal any potential problems a house may have—and that’s true for both buyers and sellers. Sellers may benefit from gaining this kind of detailed information about their home, so that they can choose to handle problems long before the negotiation process is underway.

Many sellers also report that their buyers feel more comfortable when the information from a pre-sale inspection is shared early on, even if the buyers choose to have their own home inspection as well.

In short, a pre-sale inspection can reduce the chance of a surprise and help speed the closing process, which would otherwise have been delayed by scheduling repairs and having the buyers confirm they were completed properly. Because for buyers, making an offer contingent upon a home inspection is about saving expenses and trouble—not to mention providing confidence in what may well be the biggest investment they ever make.

Even if you’re not a buyer making an offer, or a seller thinking of listing a home in the next few months, a home inspection can provide homeowners with a thorough to-do list for maintenance—or even a little peace of mind. If you have any questions about inspections, please don’t hesitate to call or email.

10 Rules of Owning a House

July 12, 2010 By Andrew Somerville

10 Rules of Owning a House

So now you own a home, and we thought you would enjoy some rules of owning a house! Just what you wanted, right? Owning a home is a tremendous joy… and a big responsibility. Here are 10 rules home owners should live by.

1. Take care of your home

Experts recommend budgeting 1 to 3% of your home’s value for maintenance and repairs each year.

2. Build equity

Making an extra principal payment when possible can decrease the interest you pay over the life of your loan.

3. Make a good first impression

Keep your front entrance clear and welcoming. Curb appeal improves the neighborhood and enhances your home’s value.

4. Be properly insured

In most cases you only need to insure the replacement value of your home and personal property, not the land.

5. Love the neighborhood–not just the house

And if you’re not happy with your current neighborhood, start thinking and planning where to move next.

6. Make improvements

Statistics show updated kitchens and baths often make a difference in a sale.

7. Safety first

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure the security of your family.

8. Beat your bills

Improvements in the insulation of windows, doors, and storm doors can save energy costs and increase your home’s resale value.

9. Go neutral

If you’re thinking of moving in a year or so, choose light, neutral paint colors so there’s less work when you sell.

10. Know when it’s time to move

Is Your Family getting too big? Over time people often outgrow a house or neighborhood. If you’re thinking of making a change, please call or email to discuss the next steps.

10 rules for owning a house - know when to move — Is Your Family Getting Too BIG?

Is It Time to Move?

Find out the value of your home: guelph-property-values.com

Sale of Property Condition in an Offer

June 21, 2010 By Andrew Somerville

One of the common things I have come across from people who are trying to sell a home by themselves, has to do with the sale of property condition, which that a buyer needs to sell their own house before firming up. Of course having a sale of property condition in an offer makes total sense. Be careful of how this is written in your offer though. Here is an example of a sale of property condition:

“This Offer is conditional upon the sale of the Buyer’s property known as 123 Any Street, in Anycity, Ontario. Unless the Buyer gives notice in writing delivered to the Seller not later than 6:00 pm on August 30, 2010 that this condition is fulfilled, this Offer shall be null and void and the deposit returned to the Buyer in full without deduction. This condition is included for the benefit of the Buyer and may be waived at the Buyer’s sole option by notice in writing to the Seller within the time period stated herein.”

This is an exciting period when you have just negotiated a sale on your own without the help of anyone!! You quickly sign the offer because the price is great and you saved thousands of dollars in commission. Then you wait until their house sells. Easy Right?

What Happens if the Property Doesn’t Sell?

Ok it is has now been 2 months and the back up property has not sold yet, they listed privately because they too want to save Realtor commissions. Your closing date on your new home is approaching fast and you are getting nervous. You have even stopped showings on your current home because you had an offer and are proudly announcing that to everyone.

A few days later you notice that their listing is no longer viewable on the private sale website they used, so you call up the buyer and learn that they couldn’t sell it for the money they needed in order to buy yours… Now you have to start over.

How Can This be Avoided?

The thing that could have avoided this, was the inclusion an “escape clause,” which allows you to continue to offer your property for sale, possibly negotiate another conditional sale and then give the first buyer a time limit to firm up! (I won’t write that clause out here in this post, because I can’t hand you everything)

In the case above the Seller was locked into a deal and could not accept any offers. He had to wait for the other property to sell. He may have wasted valuable time, and even lost several other buyers.

The other thing was it didn’t seem like he investigated the buyers property to make sure the property was saleable. The seller also didn’t seem to have a good idea of what the buyer’s financial circumstances were like. Did he have a pre-approval? What kind of downpayment was available and where was this coming from? All of these mistakes could have been avoided if the seller had sought the help of a Realtor. This could cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Make sure you know what you are doing as a private seller, after all this is your largest asset!

What About Open Houses?

Stewart Mill Lofts

Property Details:

SOLD!

Property Details:

Home Inspections… for Sellers

10 Rules of Owning a House

Is It Time to Move?

What Happens if the Property Doesn’t Sell?

How Can This be Avoided?

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