MY TORONTO by SHAWN VENASSE - Sales Representative

If you're on the hunt for a new home, that my involve visiting one, two, or half a dozen open houses. Some choose to visit open houses even if they are not ready to buy just so they have an idea of what the market has to offer when the time to purchase does come along. Whatever your reason for frequenting open houses, it's important that you are looking for and noticing the right things to that you can make an informed decision. If you are working with a realtor they will likely draw your attention to these items, but for those who are navigating the residential real estate waters on their own, here are six things you should pay close attention to during an open house: 1.   The neighbours and neighbourhood  -  When you buy a house, you also are buying into its neighbourhood and the people in it, so take the time to walk down the street. Look at how well homes are cared for, how much traffic goes by, transit options if that’s important to you and demographics. If you ...

It seems that Sotheby's International is not experiencing any softening in the luxury market despite the over-all market. Hmmmm.....watch the above video to hear..." Philip White, Sotheby's Interational Realty's chief executive officer, discusses the state of the luxy real estate market with Bloomberg's Vonnie Quinn on "Bloomberg Markets." (Source: Bloomberg) "

When you first start looking at houses to buy, you're probably looking to find the best house possible...not looking for the best real estate agent possible.  It usually begins innocently enough... Maybe you see a house online. So, you reach out to the agent with the click of the button. Or send a quick e-mail. Perhaps even pick up the phone to ask a few questions, or schedule a showing. Next thing you know, you're being sent listings by e-mail, and going out to see houses with that agent. Or, maybe you go to open houses and meet a bunch of different agents, and eventually just find yourself working with one of them. (Or several of them at the same time.) You might be a little bit more deliberate about finding an agent, though. And you might choose to work with one who you have seen who has lots of signs, ads, or billboards. It might boil down to choosing an agent because everyone seems to use that particular agent. But too many people just sort of stumble into work...

Do you want to increase the chances that you get a good deal on a house when you buy one!?  Of course you do. Who doesn't? But most people go about it all wrong. They think that you have to find a desperate seller, or some overlooked, under priced home that's a steal. Sure, those are ways to get a good deal, but there are always people waiting in the wings wanting to scoop those up if and when they appear. But most aren't ready and able to do anything about it. Here are 6 tips to help you be able and ready to get those deals when you find one. 1. Be flexible with your closing date. This sounds so easy and simple. And it is. Many buyers simply cannot be flexible with their closing date. They need to time the closing on the sale of their home, or the end of their lease, for instance. People selling their home are no different. This is a super common issue. And finding a buyer who can be entirely flexible is a huge benefit to a homeowner. Such a huge benefit tha...