MY TORONTO

When a whole lobster was presented at the table of a restaurant, the customer noticed there was only one claw on it.   He asked what happened to the lobster and the waiter said, maybe he lost a fight with another lobster.   The customer replied to the explanation by saying "then, bring me the winner." There are approximately 1.3 million REALTORS® in the U.S.   The July 2019 Existing Home Sales annualized about 5.4 million units with a listing side and a selling side that totals 10.8 million transactions.   That means that the average number of units sold per agent is 8. In any given market, 20% of the agents are selling 80% of the homes.   260,000 agents are selling 8,480,000 or an average of 32 transactions sides.   Some markets are dominated by 10% of these successful agents selling 90% of the market.   If that were the case, 130,000 agents are selling 9,720,000 or an average of 75 transactions sides. The question you should ask yourself is...

GET THE FACTS ABOUT TORONTO's REAL ESTATE MARKET: TREB's Market Watch - September 2019

Real Estate Tips   Articles that feature real estate tips seem to be a dime a dozen, but what I have found is that a lot of them focus on first time home buyers or sellers. These tips are often common knowledge or close enough to it. Today, I want to give real estate tips from a real estate expert. These are tips I have learned over the years that you genuinely might not have thought of, but in my experience, really work wonders. Scents Make Cents  While many people think that if you are selling a home you should have cookies baking in the oven, I disagree. Complex fragrances such as the smell of freshly baked goods or fragrant air fresheners can be a turnoff. Studies show that a simple orange scent can have buyers spending 32% more on a property than a mixture of scents. My other pro tip? Use the same scent for every open house and showing so that viewers can create a connection with the scent and the home. Be Hotel Chic  You might take pristine care of your ...

Elli Davis Newsletter - October 2019 Autumn is here and despite the shorter, cooler days, this is the most picturesque season of all. It also offers plenty of activities, both inside and outside, for us to enjoy. Fall Fairs and Festivals, which include Harvest and Agricultural fairs and craft shows, take place throughout the GTA.

The Internet has empowered all buyers with information and home buyers are no exception.     The amount of information available to public includes details on size, condition, sales history, current inventory, recent sales, photographs, videos, school info, drive-times, entertainment and much more. When a seller realizes that buyers are educated with facts, it becomes unlikely that they will pay more than a home is worth.   If a home is priced too high in the beginning, it may stay on the market longer than normal which could adversely affect the ultimate sales price.   It is a natural reaction from people, personally or professionally, to assume that something must be wrong with a home that doesn't sell in a reasonable time for that market. The seller is entitled to maximize the equity in their home and pricing it properly in the beginning is the best way to achieve that.   Overpricing can reduce buyers activity because they assume that the best home...

Insurance is required on a home by the mortgage company, but homeowners rely on it for peace of mind also.   Unfortunately, people may not take the time to investigate their policy and what it covers until they need to file a claim, which could be too late. While it may not seem like the best use of your time, an in-depth visit with your property insurance agent once a year could be valuable to you if you have losses and could increase your peace of mind. The following are some questions you can ask your insurance agent: What is the insured value of the policy and the replacement cost of your home?   Insured value is the amount that would be paid for a total loss but replacing the home could cost more than that amount. What is the deductible?   Higher deductibles on the first amount of the loss are one way to lower the cost of the premium.   It may sound good when you're having to pay for the policy but feel very different at the time you file a cla...

HOW TO GET YOUR HOUSE READY TO SELL If you are thinking about listing your home for sale, there are some key tips to help increase your chances of receiving a solid offer. While you may have sentimental attachment to your home and see it in its best light no matter what, others might not view it with such a rosy glow. Here is a selection of quick and simple things you can do to figure out how to get your house ready to sell. Stock Up On Light Bulbs Light is your best friend when showing off a house. Brand new light bulbs in every part of the house will shine brighter than the bulbs that have been installed for months, or even years, in your home. Ensuring the lights work and are on in all parts of the house will accentuate the space in your home to potential buyers. This includes everywhere from the crawlspace in the attic, to the closets in the basement, as well as any outdoor lighting. Deep Clean Everything Some of you may ask, what does deep cleaning have to do wit...

Facebook What do real estate agents do? It seems that some people know a lot on this topic and others know little. Whether you just want to clarify your knowledge or add to it, here is a handy guide that gives you a sneak peek as to what real estate agents do.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON BUYING... If you are planning on buying or selling real estate in Toronto, then make sure you are working with the very best! Shawn Venasse - Sales Representative because "I KNOW TORONTO!" Posted by Shawn Venasse - Sales Representative on Tuesday, September 17, 2019