Can you think back to when you first started your real estate career…. What attracted you to this business and how did you get started?
I loved looking at houses for sale and browsing through The Oakville Beaver’s real estate page. My now husband sold real estate while we were in University together. I was intrigued by his success and loved the idea of running my own business.
You obviously take great pride in your work. What is it that makes you so passionate about what you do?
I love the action. I love the fast pace and that things are always changing in this industry. Every real estate transaction is different – different people in different life stages and different circumstances, and obviously, needing different solutions to their needs. I love being the one that helps people through this buying and selling process and providing valuable guidance and insight.
Is there a particular area you specialize in, either in terms of neighbourhoods, or types of homes, or perhaps the type of clients you like to work with?
Oakville and Burlington. My clients are so widespread across the GTA now that I often need to specialize in multiple neighbourhoods and even cities. I make it my business to know every neighbourhood and every street.
You have been a member of the elite National Chairman’s Club with Royal LePage for many years now. In such a competitive business, with so many realtors, what do you offer your clients that you think has contributed to your success?
They trust me. They know that, first and foremost, I always have their best interests at heart. I am more interested in life-long relationships with my clients, rather than just one transaction. A client told me once that everyone needs a good doctor, a good lawyer, and a good real estate agent – someone to always take care of you.
There’s no question we’ve hit the doldrums of winter, but on the positive side, spring is just around the corner. The days are getting longer, and before you know it, we’ll be ready to head out into the gardens. If you’re planning to grow your vegetables this season, start now with seeds and enjoy your gardening practice early.
What to grow?
Decide what plants you would like to grow this year and do a little research. Consider the size of your gardens and how much space each plant will need. For example, planting watermelons in a small garden will crowd out other plants. Zucchini requires several plants to germinate and spreads out horizontally, so you will need a larger area. If space is a challenge, focus on taller plants rather than ground crawlers. Try green beans or cherry tomatoes, which tend to grow tall rather than spread out.
Choose a location indoors
Seeds are usually sown indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost of the season. You will need a location with good natural light, like a sunroom, or purchase grow lights from a hardware or gardening store. If you are ambitious, you may also want to consider buying an indoor pop-up greenhouse. An indoor greenhouse consists of shelves inside a zip-up plastic enclosure that traps heat and humidity to provide a prime environment for growing seeds. They are relatively small, and most will sit out of the way in a corner.
Prepare your soil
The process of planting does not have to be expensive or complicated. Egg cartons work well as starter pots. Be sure to label them, so it doesn’t become a mystery garden unless you like to live on the wild side. It is recommended you plant seeds in a soilless peat moss mixed with equal parts vermiculite and perlite. This mix is lighter than potting soil, which can be too dense for the delicate seedling roots. You can also purchase ready-to-use pre-formed seed starters to keep the operation simple. Moisten the soil with warm water and follow the directions on the seed packets for planting.
Caring for your baby plants
Once planted, your new seeds will need to be covered to stay warm and moist. You can use a seed tray cover or plastic wrap. Move them to a location out of direct sunlight in a warm room. Ideally, the bottom of the seed tray should stay warm so you can use a heating mat (purchased from any gardening store) or place the tray on top of the refrigerator. Once germination has occurred, remove the cover and place in a location with bright light. You can also purchase a grow light if natural light is an issue. The seeds should be fertilized once a week with an organic liquid fertilizer to keep the roots and stalks healthy as they grow.
Transferring your seedlings
When your new seedling stems begin to grow additional leaves, it’s time to transfer them into larger containers with potting mix and compost. Most garden centers sell an organic potting mix for vegetables, which contains the correct balance of nutrients for food-producing plants. Carefully move each seedling into their new pot filled with soil, and then water well. Keep your seedlings in a well-lit area out of direct sunlight. The seedlings are delicate and need time to get used to their new pots and soil. Check daily to ensure the soil does not dry out but be careful not to overwater. Once the threat of frost has passed and the seedlings are well-established, you can plant them directly in the garden or in pots to take outside.
https://haltonhamiltonhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/GettyImages-746034705-8023b3488ebb40db85836d3843f3c820.jpg14022138adminhttps://haltonhamiltonhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/TREB_Web_Logo_Red.jpgadmin2021-03-10 21:11:042021-03-10 21:11:13Start Your Own Veggie Garden Indoors
In 2020, real estate was among a short list of sectors that saw tremendous growth in the second half of the year after initial lockdowns due to Covid-19 put a halt on most activity in the spring. As people adjusted to working-from-home, the desire to move outside the city to a suburban landscape with larger yards and a bigger floor plan allowed the market in Halton to rebound. By the fourth quarter of 2020, agents were dealing with multiple offers and record-breaking sales numbers.
George Niblock from Royal LePage Real Estate Services said December 2020 was his busiest to date, ending up with an increase in sales of 28 percent over the previous year. “I listed many properties in December right before Christmas, which is something I rarely do,” says George. “The demand was much higher since people weren’t taking time off to attend parties or gatherings as they normally would. Buyers stayed focused on buying right through the holidays.”
“People remain focused on making a move outside the city,” explains George. “They have adjusted to the work-from-home lifestyle as well as the various restrictions and changes and are ready to expand their living space. Clients who are making appointments are serious buyers.”
George explains that the sales process has become easier than during the first lockdown in March of 2020, with appointments booked through an app and Covid-19 assessment forms sent via email automatically. “We are still doing many virtual open houses, and buyers are doing their research online, so they are more qualified by the time we’re booking an appointment to see a house.”
What remains a challenge for buyers is the lack of inventory, which has become even more pronounced in 2021. As many people choose to move outside the city, those in the outskirts are choosing to stay put, dedicating their investment to renovations instead.
“The first month of the year is typically a quiet ramping up,” says Deborah Brown from RE/MAX Escarpment Realty. “But this year, we are already experiencing record-high demand and record-low supply.” Deborah describes December as traditionally a ‘planning’ month, where they prepare for the upcoming year, but this past year, she was out with buyers right through the holiday season.
The lack of inventory is also responsible for pushing prices higher, making home buying for first-time homebuyers more challenging. In many cases, young adults have opted-out of their city condos to move back in with their parents. The result is an increased demand for homes with rental apartments or in-law suites.
“The biggest demand is for detached homes,” explains Deborah. “Buyers are looking for more space as well as separate living quarters for younger or older family members.” And while the trend for larger homes soars, Deborah continues to see what she describes as the “move over buyers” who migrate from urban to suburban living – spending their money on more robust living space instead of life in the big city.
By the end of 2020, the market had rebounded to record levels, with average prices across the GTA and southern Ontario at record highs and the number of available listings at record lows. With the first month of the year already behind us, the industry shows no sign of slowing down. Sellers continue to benefit from the enormous windfall, and buyers must prepare themselves for bidding wars and making offers on multiple homes before finding the right one. Patience may be a skill that buyers need heading into the 2021 real estate market, but it is also an exciting time for them to redefine what “home” means. And, while we can’t predict what the rest of 2021 will look like, there are no obvious slow seasons in sight. It’s only full steam ahead.
https://haltonhamiltonhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Burlington.jpg6071080adminhttps://haltonhamiltonhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/TREB_Web_Logo_Red.jpgadmin2021-02-16 18:03:282021-02-16 18:04:14Real Estate Trends for 2021: Halton Region
Over the past twelve months of lockdowns, restrictions, working from home and schooling from home, the “home” itself has become more than just a landing place. It is where we have three meals a day, work, spend our downtime, and even work out. Whether you are a family of one, two, four or more, most of us have found the year in close quarters to be, well, close.
Every day it becomes more apparent that our mental health is being affected by a year of stress, worry, and restrictions due to the global pandemic. Some days we must dig deep to keep ourselves healthy, mentally and physically. Carving out a new wellness space is a great way to take care of you and your family’s mental health and provide a much-needed escape from the daily routine. The key to remember is that this is for some alone time, so an investment in furniture will be minimal.
Find the Ideal Spot
If you have a family like mine (two teenagers, a husband and a dog), you may have searched for somewhere to escape once or twice over the past year. The key to finding a quiet nook isn’t just about finding extra space. The goal is to find an area of the house that’s quiet and off the beaten path. A cozy reading chair in the family room isn’t going to give you any peace if someone’s watching a hockey game.
Since the area is for one person, only a small space is required. A landing, corner of a bedroom or even a walk-in closet can become a peaceful haven once you re-designate its usage. If space is a challenge, think of unconventional areas like the foyer, an entranceway or even a mudroom. The best way to start is to survey your home and see if your current layout and function suit today’s needs.
For example, in my house, we have a small dining area that had become nothing more than a place to throw papers, homework and mail. We asked ourselves: Is this the best use of this space, given we will not be entertaining anytime soon? We removed the dining set and made the area a second office, moving my writing desk out of the master bedroom. With a now-free corner of the bedroom, we created a quiet place for anyone to use when they need a little recharge. Not only did this create a quiet nook, but it also took “work” out of the bedroom, helping me get a better night’s sleep.
Keep Decor Minimal
Once you have chosen your spot, decorate with one comfortable chair and a calm motif. If you’re looking for a more significant project, you could repaint the walls and change the lighting, but this renovation can be low maintenance and inexpensive for quick results. Keep in mind the functionality of the space and only add items that will enhance the experience. A painting with a peaceful scene, a crocheted blanket, a small table with a reading light, and an essential oil diffuser are all enjoyable items you can add. It could also function as an area to meditate by adding a floor cushion, a salt lamp or some candles. Keep the area clutter-free and set a rule that whoever uses the space, takes their book, computer, teacup or any other items with them when they leave.
The goal is to help you recharge, not become another area to clean.
Set the Mood
This quiet space can be somewhere to close your eyes and rest, or a place to retreat with a good book and glass of wine. No matter how you spend your time here, set the mood first by ensuring your family knows this is your uninterrupted quiet time. Get comfortable and take three big breaths to indicate to your body and mind that you are now slowing down. Avoid bringing work to this area and keep the focus on rest and relaxation.
Can you tell us about your background and experience in real estate?
We have been selling Real Estate for over a decade now. We first started with the Prudential Office at Oakville Towne Centre, which was a lovely “boutique” environment much like the one we have built at our Engel & Völkers office in Downtown Oakville.
What is it that makes you so passionate about what you do?
We take great pride in the relationships we have built over the years with friends, families and clients alike, and we are passionate about helping clients navigate through the journey of selling and/or buying a home which can often be a stressful process. Nothing is more satisfying than hearing clients say they were filled with angst at the outset, and in the end commenting that the professionalism and care given made the experience an enjoyable one.
What was the motivation behind you choosing to open the Engel & Volkers office in Oakville?
Owning a Real Estate Brokerage was not on the radar for either one of us, until we were introduced to Engel & Völkers. After some initial research, we felt compelled to hop on a plane and head to the Americas headquarters on Park Avenue in NYC where we were greeted by no doubt the best in the business worldwide! Meeting Anthony Hitt, our CEO, sealed the deal for us. Anthony credits his business and real estate success to his philosophy of providing exceptionally personal customer care and constantly implementing the most up-to-date systems for efficiency and comprehensive service. The fit was undeniable, we forged ahead and here we are.
As soon as we touched down in Toronto, the first call we made was to Ruthanne Smith. Ruthanne is our Director of Operations and the “Mother Bear” to all of us at Engel & Völkers Oakville!
Does Engel & Volkers offer home sellers and home buyers tools and advantages that other brokerages in this area do not offer?
The team that leads Engel & Völkers is made up of people who have been Realtors and heads of other Real Estate companies in the past, so they know the tools our buyer and seller clients demand and deserve. Some of the tools include GG Magazine, syndication of listings to domestic and global real estate web sites that combined generate approximately 10 billion visitors annually, strong and consistent brand marketing and standards, and a referral network of over 11,000 real estate professionals in over 30 countries around the world.
In such a competitive market, with so many realtors and brokerages, what do you offer your clients that you think makes a difference?
Our advisors dedicate the expertise, time and unmatched marketing resources we possess to help sell homes to the right buyer at the right price. Working with an Engel & Völkers advisor gives sellers the EDGE that affords each listing extensive online exposure – an expectation of today’s savvy consumers and international clientele. With our global network of real estate professionals, we not only reach millions of targeted consumers, but are able to collaborate with our fellow Engel & Völkers advisors world wide to strategically handpick and refer buyers for the specific properties they seek.
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In a year unlike any other, the real estate market has seen some remarkable twists and turns. While businesses closed, restaurants faltered, and stores relied on online shoppers to survive, the real estate market paused, for a couple of months, and then surged ahead to record sales not seen since the end of 2017. No one quite expected a pandemic to bring house sales back to its peak. Now, as the holidays approach, can we expect a typical “holiday” selling season?
According to Cindy Avis of RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp in Oakville, the holiday season can be a great time to sell your home. “Homes look beautiful, smell wonderful and are picturesque during the holidays,” says Cindy. “And you’re going to attract serious buyers.” Most house shoppers who are merely browsing take a break during the holiday season and spend time with family and friends. Those who are motivated to buy will be out in full force and have more time to shop with less competition.
The dynamic of social gatherings has certainly changed this year, and so it is difficult to predict how this might affect people’s motivation to buy or sell during the holidays. “It’s hard to know what this Christmas season will look like with the pandemic,” says Cindy. “We’ve seen the market rebound to pre-pandemic levels during the summer and fall, and the market doesn’t show any signs of slowing.” Cindy also points out that many snowbirds will not be travelling south to the United States this winter, and it is not clear how that might affect the market. “While we don’t know how the holidays will look this year from a sales perspective, there has been a definite trend towards family spending more time at home with loved ones.”
During a typical year, spring and fall are the busiest seasons, with winter and the holidays seeing less activity. For Jennifer Brazeau-Barg of Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty, listing during the holidays is not a casual move. “Most people listing in December are motivated to sell,” says Jennifer. “It’s important to understand the motivation of the seller and work with them, so they understand the advantages of selling at Christmas and how to take advantage of this magical time of year.”
Jennifer recommends having photos taken of the home before decorating for the holidays, and once the home is holiday-ready, in case the listing lasts longer than the season.
“We don’t know if this holiday season will look any different than in previous years,” Jennifer explains. “The low interest rates have kept the market going, and many families are choosing this time to move out of the city to find more land, a bigger home with office space, or are making a complete lifestyle change. There are many reasons people are moving during this pandemic.”
Sellers are often reluctant to list during the holidays since it is not always convenient to show their home, but this year with fewer family gatherings, that may not be a factor. Online virtual tours also give buyers a chance to research homes from the comfort of their living rooms before booking a showing, making it more convenient and less intrusive.
With fewer gatherings and family functions due to the ongoing threat of Covid-19, it’s difficult to predict whether homeowners will spend more time looking at homes or will prefer to spend the time at home with their family.
Whether you choose to sell during the holidays or decide to wait, it’s important to consult with a realtor to get the scoop on your neighbourhood and what the trends suggest this year, as well as get some great hints about how to showcase a holiday home.
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How long have you been working as a mortgage broker?
I can’t believe it has been 12 years already!
Why Dominion Lending Centres?
I chose to work with Canada’s #1 mortgage company. They have over 700,000 mortgages funded along with the best technology in the business, as well as access to 90+ lenders across Canada including TD, ScotiaBank, Manulife Bank, HSBC, all the Credit Unions, and more…. All of this adds up to a lot of choice along with a solution for any client’s needs.
What attracted you to this business?
I have always had an interest in real estate, and I have found that assisting people in financing their dream home or building their real estate investment portfolio is a perfect fit.
Is there a particular type of financing or mortgage that you specialize in, or are there particular clients you like to work with?
I have access to lenders that can support a number of different challenges and opportunities. I welcome the opportunity to assist any and all clients, big or small.
In such a competitive market, with so many options available, what do you offer your clients that you think makes a difference?
Options and Service! In a competing market where rates change literally daily, working with a broker such as myself will allow you to have the peace of mind that I will secure the best rate/product solution for your needs, with the ability to secure new promotions right up until your closing without the need for you to re-apply or do any of the leg work. I will stay on top of daily promotions to secure you the best solution. Service is something I pride myself on and you can be assured that you will always have access to me directly and will be informed, never feeling like you are missing something.
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