As any financial expert will tell you, spending less is the surest way to boost your disposable income. With that extra money, you can pay off credit card debt, add to your retirement savings, or earmark funds for a fun vacation. It sounds great. However, many people associate spending less with living with less. It doesn’t have to be that way. Consider the following tips:

• Use coupons. This may seem like an obvious technique, yet few people do it. Did you know you can save up to 15% on groceries and household items by using coupons? Be a coupon hunter!

• Get on the email list of your favourite retailers. Yes, you’ll be inundated with emails. But, you’ll also get the heads-up on sales and other savings opportunities.

• Buy resale items on “buy and sell” websites. You may not know that this doesn’t necessarily mean buying used. Many people sell items on these sites, such as ski equipment, that they purchased but never used. Often the prices are just a fraction of the original price.

• Negotiate with service providers. Often, if you ask your internet, phone or gym provider for a better deal, they’ll give you options. After all, they want to keep you as a customer!

With these tips, you won’t feel the pinch, but you will notice the savings! You’ll be surprised to see how much can really add up over the year.

“How is the market doing and how are you doing things during the pandemic?" Those are questions I have had a number of times and everyone is different, but this is how our team is doing it.
 
To add some context, based on the numbers from week to week in Waterdown & Burlington, it seems that about 30% of the Buyers are still out there and did purchase, compared to the same time frame last year. Most of these Buyers likely needed somewhere to live and were midway in the Sell/Buy process. As a result, their purchase was a necessity, versus just getting started with the buying process. 
 
The showings have been greatly minimized; in some cases, the home does not get shown at all, other than via our video walkthroughs, interactive tours, photos, floor plans and online video calls or until an offer is entertained...and that only happens with safe viewing practices such as:
 

• A health questionnaire gets filled out within 24 hours of the requested viewing time and signed by everyone viewing;

• Anyone with any of the 5 symptoms or who has recently travelled DOES NOT view the home;

• Appointment is confirmed ONLY after signed questionnaire received;

• Number of people is minimized i.e. just the Buyers and their agent; no friends or family along for extra support;

• Buying agent is gloved and the only one that touches anything, everyone else keeps their hands in their pockets;

• No appointments overlap;

• Light switch operation and use of washroom is not permitted.

These are uncommon times and uncommon measures must be taken to adapt to meet just the need and keep folks safe at the same time. Stay safe and don't hesitate to let us know how we can be of help!

Hamilton, ON (April 1, 2019) - The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported 1,032 sales of residential properties located within the RAHB market area were processed through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System in March, 2019. This is a 1.2 per cent drop from March last year; however, a 40 per cent increase over February 2019 and a 74 per cent increase over January 2019. The average price was up from March 2018 by 4.9 per cent to $575,099.

“The increase in the number of sales from January and February shows that we are full steam ahead and anticipate a healthy spring market,” says RAHB CEO George O’Neill. “We experienced a two per cent increase in the number of listings over last year, which means more overall choice for buyers.”

“Our market area includes Hamilton, Burlington, Haldimand and Niagara North, and within these areas are smaller communities that each have their own distinct characteristics,” add O’Neill. “The trend over the past several months has been that buyers are choosing more affordable properties and more affordable communities. We expect this to continue throughout the spring market.”

Specific neighbourhoods within the overall RAHB market area see results that often differ from the average of the entire RAHB market area. Because neighbourhoods vary, determining the right price and conditions when buying or selling a property can be challenging. I have the experience, knowledge and tools to help buyers and sellers make those big decisions.

*Average sale price can be useful in establishing long-term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 160 people are injured each year in BBQ mishaps. That doesn't sound like a lot considering the thousands of people who flip burgers on their backyard grills each year. But, you certainly don't want to be one of those injured!

The best way to prevent fire and injury is maintenance. Remarkably, few people are even aware that BBQ maintenance is necessary. But, it is.

Every spring, experts say you should clean out the venturi tubes. Those are the little metal pipes that carry propane or natural gas. Pipe cleaners work well, although hardware stores also carry specialized tools for this purpose. The goal is to clean out any built- up dirt and debris. Don't be surprised if you find spider webs inside a venturi tube!

Your BBQ grills should also be cleaned with soap and water each year. Just scraping them before barbequing isn’t enough. Fat and oils from cooking can build up on grills and harden. If you're getting a lot of flare-ups, this may be the cause.

Finally, make sure nuts and bolts are tightened regularly, and replace any rusty hardware. Regular use, heat and weather can loosen or weaken bolts, particularly on the frame. Several fires each year are caused by BBQs tipping over or collapsing.

Check out this video to learn more about how the Waterdown, Ontario market performed in February 2019!

If you love to play golf but your favourite course is over an hour away, it can really impact your enjoyment of the game. The long drive may start to wear on you – unless, of course, you truly like the commute. In fact, how close your home is located relative to all your favourite “hangouts” can play a big role in your lifestyle. If your work, hobbies, and other activities are too far away, getting to them can become a chore. When you consider car or transit expenses, getting to those far-away hangouts can be costly, too.

Your hangouts may include:
• Work 
• School 
• Shopping 
• Recreational activities 
• Medical facilities 
• Family and friends 

Here’s a helpful exercise. Write a list of your most important hangouts. Then, imagine living closer and jot down what your lifestyle would be like as a result. This may give you the clarity you need to decide whether to stay or move.

For example, say you have family across town. You want to see them more often, but the long drive gets in the way. Imagine how things would be different if you moved to that area. Would you enjoy your life more?

One obvious solution, of course, is to move closer to the places you frequent most. If you’re tired of a long commute to work each day, moving even a half-hour closer can make a difference to your overall well-being. You would have an extra hour a day to do other things!

Yes, deciding to move can be an intimidating decision. But, a better lifestyle – closer to your important “hangouts” – may be worth it. It’s certainly worth thinking about...

If you’re working with a landscaping contractor, you want to develop a good working relationship with that professional, so you can avoid delays, stress and other issues. After all, the last thing you want is a tree planted in the wrong spot because of a misunderstanding!

The same holds true when working with a real estate agent. Whether you’re buying, selling, or both, you want the process to go smoothly and successfully. Creating an ideal working relationship with your agent is an important step toward making that happen.

How do you do that?

First, ask your agent to go over the process with you. If you’re selling your home, you want to understand the steps the agent is going to take. That way, there will be fewer surprises. In particular, you’ll want to discuss how viewings will be handled. You’ll need to come to an agreement as to when your home will be available for viewings, how short-notice viewings will be handled, and whether or not “lockbox access” will be needed.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you’re worried about seeming to be naive. (You won’t!) You don’t want to have unanswered questions or concerns between you and your agent.

Also, know that misunderstandings and mistakes can happen in any relationship with a professional. So if an issue comes up, discuss it right away. Don’t let it fester.

Finally, remember that your agent should be a professional like me, with expertise in buying and selling in this market. When I make a recommendation regarding pricing, prepping your home, viewings, etc. remember that I am working in your best interest. I want to sell your property, quickly and for a good price, just as much as you do!

Looking for an agent you can trust? Contact me today!

Check out this video to learn more about the Waterdown, Ontario market performed in January 2019!

I love doing year end recaps as they take some of the monthly ups & downs on average price and combine them to give us a much more accurate & bigger snapshot of what average price did over the whole year.

Lifestyle is a very important criterion when shopping for a new home. After all, a home and its surrounding neighbourhood are the places where much of your lifestyle is going to be experienced.

So when considering a new home, think about the lifestyle to which the property is going to lend itself. Ask yourself:

• How much entertaining do we do?
• How important is it to have good schools located nearby?
• How long will the commute to work be?
• How big of a backyard do we require?
• Do we need a rec room?
• How easy will it be to get to golfing, dance lessons, baseball practices, movies and other activities my family and I enjoy?
• How important is it to be in a quiet area?
• Do we want a local park nearby for jogging, playing with the kids, and walking the dog?

This list is just an example. Ideally, you’ll create your own list of questions to ask yourself when considering a particular home.

You’re probably aware that there’s more to the cost of a new home than its purchase price. So to help you make an informed decision based on all of the expected costs, ask yourself the following questions:

• How much do you expect to pay for moving expenses? Don’t forget to include packing materials in your calculations.

• “Closing costs” are the extra charges you will have to pay at closing. How much do you expect your closing costs to be?

• Estimate how much you’ll pay for activating your phone, internet service, cable television, and so forth, at your new home. These little costs can add up.

• Will your new property require painting, repairs, and other preparations once you move in? How much will they likely cost?

• Will you need to purchase new furnishings, decor, and other items for your new home? What’s your budget for those items?

The more aware you are of the true costs of purchasing a home, the better your decision making will be. And, if you decide to buy, you’ll be able to do so with much more confidence.

When you’re looking for a new home, you want to find one in a great neighbourhood – or, at least, in a neighbourhood that is on the upswing. How can you tell if a particular area is improving? Here are some common indicators:

• Pride of ownership. Take a walk around the neighbourhood. Do you get a sense that people take good care of their homes? Are the lawns mowed? Is the landscaping trimmed? Are flowers planted? Homeowners are more likely to look after their properties when they like where they are living.

• Real estate sales activity. Do homes tend to sell quickly in the area? Do they sell for a good price? If so, the neighbourhood is probably in demand. If people want to live there, it’s a desirable area.

• Business investment. Are businesses investing in the surrounding area? Is there an increase in the number of upscale shops, health clubs, restaurants, and other commercial enterprises that often locate near desirable neighbourhoods?

• City plans. Find out what plans the city has for the area. Will there be road improvements done in the near future? Are there any major construction projects on the schedule, such as a new school or community centre? Although such projects can be disruptive in the short term, they may improve the neighbourhood – and, as a result, boost the value of any home you buy – in the long-term.

If you need help finding this information, call today!

There are many good reasons to put your property on the market. Some examples include a relocation, the kids leaving the nest, the need for something bigger or smaller, and the list goes on and on. However, there are also some less-than-obvious indicators that it may be time to sell. Consider the following:

Your Property is no longer a Good “Fit” - Your home may have been perfect for you when you bought it. But things change. Families grow. Needs evolve. For any number of reasons, your property may no longer be a good fit for you. If that’s the case, it makes sense to at least take a look at what’s available on the market. Who knows? Your next “perfect” home may be for sale right now — within your price range!

The Neighbourhood is Changing - You may have been in love with the neighbourhood when you first moved in. But, over time, the characteristics of any area can change. Those changes don’t necessarily mean the neighbourhood is getting worse. In fact, it may be changing in a positive way; perhaps becoming more urban. But, “more urban” may not be what you want. So take a look at the direction your neighbourhood is heading. Ask yourself, “Do I still want to be living here in two years?”

You’re Ready for Your Dream Home - Remember when you purchased your current property? Did it have every feature you wanted? Was it your dream home? Or, did you have to compromise on a few things, such as the size of the kitchen? If you had to make some tough choices back then, it might be time for you to finally get the home of your dreams. Those are just three indicators it may be time for you to make a move. Of course, there are many others.

If you’ve been entertaining the idea of selling your property and finding your next dream home, give me a call. I can show you what’s available on the market, and keep you informed of new listings that match what you’re looking for. Contact me anytime.

Is your home feeling a little cramped? If so, there are many relatively inexpensive ways to free up more space. Here are some ideas:

Convert traditional into non- traditional space. We’re all familiar with converting a spare bedroom into a home office or kids’ playroom. You can also create space by finding other uses for pantries and walk-in closets.

Explore smart storage solutions. There are many products on the market that revolutionize how you store things. For example, there are closet organizers available that double storage capacity. Check out the options at your local home improvement store.

Get rid of unneeded furnishings. Is there a chair no one ever uses? Is there a side table that takes up a lot of space, with nothing but a few knick-knacks on it? Consider selling these items to free up some space.

Think high. Install storage shelves, hangers or baskets high up in the kitchen and laundry room. Use that storage for items you only access infrequently.

Consider storage rental. If you have furnishings and other items that you don’t want to get rid of, consider renting a storage unit. There may be economical options in your area.

With a little creative thinking, you’ll be amazed by how much space you can create within your existing rooms.

Whether you need to upsize or you’re simply ready for a change, it’s tempting to consider a major renovation. After all, renovating means you don’t have to go through the process of selling your property and buying another more suitable home. You just fix up the one you’ve got!

However, you need to carefully consider the pros and cons of renovating before going this route. You don’t want to invest in a costly renovation only to end up with a home that still doesn’t meet your needs.

Say, for example, your current property doesn’t have a home office. Since all the bedrooms are taken, you decide to renovate a portion of the basement. Building that new home office may seem like a simple project, but once you consider new electrical, flooring, lighting, etc., it really isn’t. Like most renovations, it will probably cost more than you think. Plus, you’ll need to consider whether you’ll really want to work in the basement.

In this case, it might make more sense to find a new home with an extra bedroom that can be converted, or, better still, a dedicated home office space — with windows!

Of course, there are many circumstances in which a renovation may be the best way to go. If you don’t like your kitchen, for example, upgrading it may not only get you the kitchen you want, but also add value to your property. Basically, you need to ask yourself: “Which is more likely to get me the home I really want – a renovation or a new home?”

If your answer is a new home, then there is probably a property on the market right now that would meet your needs. Let’s talk.