This is the most exciting time of year for me, not because Christmas is coming, not at all!
This is the time, when I can slow down a bit and reflect on the year that is coming to an end and plan my next step into the New beginnings of January.
I believe that now is the time to talk to your Clients about their plans and hopes for next year. Now is the time to advice them on what needs to be done today, so that their planned home sale in early February goes smoothly.
One Client decided when she needs to be in the new home on the other side of the Province… and is now taking steps to get where she needs to be with everything else to reach her goal.
There are several things she wants to do to bring the home up to the neighbourhood standards, so there will be de-cluttering… first of all so that she can paint, refinish her floors and stage the home so it is in fact ready for a pre-Spring listing.
Another Client, spend an hour with me last week chatting about the details of planned improvements that she would like to do before her home is listed.
We went over every space and decided on the most beneficial and most cost effective ways to improve those spaces, so when the time comes to list, both herself and her home will be ready.
Yes, as Realtors, we are pre-programmed to say that NOW is ALWAYS the best time to sell, but I feel that when you truly listen to your Clients, you will be able to advise them on the best time to list and sell their home. The best time that truly suits their specific situation.
So I am there to guide them, and watch out for them, so that they don’t go overboard with the renovations, spending too much money in the process and setting themselves up for huge disappointments.
I’m there, in the “lower gear”, with more time to get to know my Clients a bit better, to listen and to learn about their true needs and their expectations.
This slower time of year also allows me to get my strength for the upcoming season, to implement new ideas, to improve my site and to research better strategies so, I can serve my Clients better.
Joanna Gerber
Sales Representative HomeLife Kempenfelt-Kelly Realty Ltd. Brokerage* 284 Dunlop St. W. Barrie, Ontario L4N 1B9
Driving to Barrie early this morning, I've noticed some wild turkeys standing by the side of the highway...
They were waving their wings and yelling: "Pick me! Pick ME!"
Thanksgiving Weekend is here everyone, and most of us already think about that bird in the oven... some of you perhaps just envision the tasty bird on your plate, I'm still at the stage where I frantically think: "How will I cope with all those people coming over?!"
No matter on which side of the kitchen island you stand... I want to wish you the most wonderful, safe, restful time with your Family and Friends.
Take time to think about the past year, about things we've been through, obstacles we've overcome, goals that we've achieved and those who helped us get to where we are today.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Joanna Gerber
Sales Representative HomeLife Kempenfelt-Kelly Realty Ltd. Brokerage* 284 Dunlop St. W. Barrie, Ontario L4N 1B9
What happened to my Client who Fell in Love with a home I showed him?
He went back home to Toronto, to take a closer look at his financial situation, talk to his Family and his Mortgage Specialist.He wanted that home! I told him that he should take care of all of this as soon as possible, to get the ball rolling.
The house was a secluded paradise with in ground pool, private, spa-like back yard and all the bells and whistles you could ever want in a luxury residence.
In fact, during an office tour, we had a tough time leaving the house, every Agent in the office was talking about it and… drum roll please… I was the lucky one to… sell it?!
I called my Client almost daily that week, and he was still not ready to make a move.There was not much happening with the listing, as it was the priciest one in the area and quite out of reach for most local buyers.
He was taking his time with the money matters and weeks went by.Finally one day, I drove by the home and there was another Agent showing the property.People leaving the home were excited and I became worried. They looked eager to get this home.
I got back to the office and called my Client.
“If you want this home… now is the time to do something about it.”He was still not quite ready, but decided to submit an offer that day.Regretfully, as I suspected ours was not the only one.
To make the matters worst… my Client chose not to follow my advice and wanted to play the game of “how low can I go?”Now, we all know that in a multiple offer situation, you need to put your best foot forward.Most often there is no room for games and “water-testing”…
You can imagine how disappointed he was when the home he fell in love with was sold from under his nose at the above asking price.
Now, we are in the third month of home searching (with the tiny two-week break, when I was away) still looking for the home that will touch his heart.
Tomorrow I’m showing him 8 more.
The sad part is that homes I’ve found since that first one, offer better value, are bigger, younger, nicer… etc. But those are not, and never will be THE home he loved.
Lesson learned?I truly hope so.
Joanna Gerber
Sales Representative HomeLife Kempenfelt-Kelly Realty Ltd. Brokerage* 284 Dunlop St. W. Barrie, Ontario L4N 1B9
Few months ago I was contacted by someone who found my site by Google Search. I was impressed he said that each time he searched; I came up at the top, so he decided to give me a call.
He was looking to buy in Barrie and currently lived in Toronto.He gave me his must-haves, and his price range and we set the time to meet over the weekend to view several properties that I was able to find for him.
Weekend came and he arrived with his girlfriend.Each home I showed them had most if not all of the items on his list and yet… we couldn’t “put a finger on it”.Something was missing… the WOW factor was not there.
To make the matters worst, quite quickly it became evident that those two people had a drastically different taste and quite frankly I could not imagine how I will ever find a home that they will both love.
After seeing 8 homes that day, quite tired we were heading back to the office.Driving through one of the older neighbourhoods, where I spend most of my time, due to my kid’s activities… I heard a quiet “this is nice” from the back seat.
Now, “this” was nowhere near where they wanted to be, homes were about 30 years older than the ones we’ve seen that day and prices were… substantially higher here.
But there was this thought in the back of my head: “I know someone in my office has this amazing listing here, what if…?”I pulled over and called my office.Within 5 minutes (!) our Super Secretary, called me back with the lock box combination.
I opened the front door and my Clients… FELL in LOVE!
I could not get them out of there!They loved absolutely everything about the home and the fact that it was listed at over $90K above their initial price bracket… was not an issue.Or so I thought…
Read the rest of this story in "Loosing the home you Love"
Joanna Gerber
Sales Representative HomeLife Kempenfelt-Kelly Realty Ltd. Brokerage* 284 Dunlop St. W. Barrie, Ontario L4N 1B9
It's so good to be home. I jus had an opportunity to visit some European places from my childhood and it was great to see some of my family again. I was fortunate enough to travel to different cities and countries on the Old Continent and was amazed at the changes happening there.
Eastern Europe is beaming with activity, new road construction, new, faster train connections, and basically every tiny town and village is a construction zone as people of all walks of life build their dream homes everywhere you look.
On the way there I had an opportunity to talk to people from US and Great Britain who work there, helping develop infrastructures and those who work with farmers, creating new, more productive farms. All were amazed with possibilities that those Easter Europe countries offer for anyone who is willing to start a new life there.
And, even thought most of my Family and Friends were still talking "Global Crisis" and "Bad Economy" it was difficult to see it there! I even noticed that after 20 years of same old complains on "how difficult it is to live here (Eastern Europe)" and "you have it so much better over there (America)"; I finally did not hear those same complains and comments. They finally noticed what was happening all around them, and opened their eye and minds to new possibilities.
Some are still struggling, but most are happy and eager to achieve great things with new opportunities provided by the European Union.
AND... if you ever hear people complying about home prices in Toronto or Vancouver... tell them to take a closer look at any of the larger European cities! How about $800CA/sq.ft. for an apartment with bare walls, no fixtures, no kitchen cabinets, no outlets and no doors? Talk about a sticker shock!
It's GREAT to be home!
Joanna Gerber
Sales Representative HomeLife Kempenfelt-Kelly Realty Ltd. Brokerage* 284 Dunlop St. W. Barrie, Ontario L4N 1B9
While leave the office, I got a phone call. Elderly voice was asking for an appointment; she sold her previous home with HomeLife 21 years ago, and now was time to sell again, so she called us. She told me that she was interviewing several Realtors and would like me to come in as well.
I did my research, took pictures, surveyed the neighbourhood, delivered my Home Sellers Tools CD, and was ready to talk to the owner the next day.
Nice, elderly couple welcomed me into their home. From the street, small looking home surprised me with the light and spacious interior. Tidy and fresh with non of the unnecessary clutter, the home was ready to be listed, the owners ready to hear what I had to say about it.
Going over the recent sold and currently listed properties, I could see that they were following with ease and that we were on the same page. After all, this was their first time talking to the Realtor in over 20 years.
The Couple have planed to move to the Retirement Community in Wasaga Beach, you could see the excitement in their eyes. They told me how much money they would need to make the move
We proceeded to the pricing part... Based on the recent activity (not as recent as I would like it to be) and the Market trends in our area we came up with the number.
My range was $225K to $235K Sale price. One of only three home that sold in that area months earlier, similar to theirs went for only $212,500! But since Spring is just around the corner and I am positive and quite optimistic... Since it is a nice area, the home had a chance to sell even at the top end of that price range.
Problem was that to make the move they needed at least $245K
The 23 year old home has all original features, kitchen, bathrooms, windows, carpets... it is clean and nicely decorated, but it also needs upgrades. I could not find the justification that I needed to listed higher than $239,000 (to have room to fight for that $235,000...) believe me I tried.
But since I was not the only Realtor visiting... the next thing I heard was:
"This other Realtor said that we can GET at least $249K!"
She was holding onto the belief that what she has heard earlier, was true. It was painful to watch them both. Deep inside they understood the reality of the current market.
I felt I connected with the Sellers and we all felt at ease. So I asked them to consider their reasons for the move. Perhaps, this was not the best decision to sell right now. After all, they've been there for over 20 years, why not wait that 2-3 years longer? By then, the Market will be on it's way up again. I gave my Parents that same advice just days earlier in fact.
We said goodbye and I left their home. I walked out of there without a listing, but I felt good. I did a good thing, I was honest.
How did this other Realtor feel when he left? Pulling that $249,000 out of his.... (let's stay civil here). For what? To get that listing? Perhaps he will, in fact I will not be surprised if he does get it. I will see the reduction in a week or two.
Is BUYING his listings in best interest of his Clients? Did he listened to their plans, has he seen the excitement in their eyes when they spoke about those plans? Talk about the Thick Skin and ME personality!
I still don't know what to say when I come across situations like this. It's shameful, and it hurts the entire industry, but to change it... we all need to step out to the plate and weed out those who would not know the Code of Ethics if it hit them on the head...
Wishing you a wonderful Spring beginnings!
Joanna Gerber
Sales Representative HomeLife Kempenfelt-Kelly Realty Ltd. Brokerage* 284 Dunlop St. W. Barrie, Ontario L4N 1B9
It certainly is gorgeous outside, the sun is smiling at me through the windows of my office. I feel happy and ready for action. It's here! SPRING! We can start over and everything will be just fine.
Do you ever get that burst of energy when you are eager to do things, to take action? Doesn't it FEEL great? If you are a Realtor... SMILE! This is your time to shine!
If you are a home owner planning to sell... It's your time to SHINE your home! Take just 15 minutes a day and start small. For best guidance on how to do this, visit FlyLady.org, she will take you by the hand, show you how to tie your shoes in the morning and will teach you how to shine your sink.
Life changing little things that we all can do to get rid of chaos in our homes, and bring in some tranquility and more $$$ when time comes to sell.
Joanna Gerber
Sales Representative HomeLife Kempenfelt-Kelly Realty Ltd. Brokerage* 284 Dunlop St. W. Barrie, Ontario L4N 1B9
I came across this website recently and was struck by the simplicity of the idea, and the reasons behind it. It's called Tree of Wishes. A wish support community where people can express their hopes and wishes in their time of need.
The site provides a safe, non-judgmental environment for anyone who needs to vent, share their sorrow and even ask for help if they need it. It became one of my favourite sites to visit. There is a sense of community and it gives me inspiration. It gets you thinking, it takes you into this place where you can clearly see your own "problems" and put them into perspective.
There are people who just need to share their dilemmas, and just by posting the simple act of "saying it out loud" helps them ease the tension they feel. Some of them ask for advice on life changing decisions, and others ask for help with their rent/food/baby items. The positive environment of the site encourages visitors to think in positive way. Because there is always hope.
Many members receive the help they seek, because those who visit, get a huge eye opener. Something in a sense of: "what am I complaining about?!" That gets you thinking and leads you to the simple: "how can I help?"
But it’s not only a place to ask and receive, it is also a place to say thank you and share your joy.
Once your wish is "granted" you are invited to put a leaf on the Wish Tree. Each time a new leaf is placed on The Tree, a glimmer of hope comes with it, because it shows that in those doom-and-gloom times there are good things still happening.
This is the healing aspect of the site. Because those who feel that their problems can not bring them down any further, get that same jolt of reality check I get, every time I visit. They can clearly see that things will get better, because of actions of people around them.
We all have hopes and wishes. At first look, you may think, how will this help me? To "put my emotional stuff out there?" But the simple act of sharing the good and the bad; lifts your spirit and allows you to have hope. And so many people nowadays need that hope so much.
With news of foreclosures and banks tightening their lending criteria, you can't help but think "it's all going down the drain!" It is places like the TreeOfWishes.com that brake that mentality and provide a glimmer of hope to those who lost that hope long ago.
So go and take a look, perhaps you need to have a wish granted too? Or maybe you could be that one person who has the answer to someone else's dilemma? Maybe you live in the same community as the grandmother on disability who is looking for some baby food for her granddaughter?
See if you can make someone smile today. That will be good for you too.
Joanna Gerber
Sales Representative HomeLife Kempenfelt-Kelly Realty Ltd. Brokerage* 284 Dunlop St. W. Barrie, Ontario L4N 1B9
Recently I got an e-mail from a Realtor in London, Ontario. He was asking about my website. He found my site (www.selling-barrie-homes.com) in the article he read in the latest issue of Real Estate Magazine (REM).
I read that magazine religiously, but at the time, I didn't look at it yet and so I had no idea I was mentioned in the article. It was written by Larry Easto, an author and website publisher of www.real-estate-marketing-link.info
Needless to say, I was very pleased, not to mention surprised.
In the following days and weeks I got many more inquiries about my site. People were asking about the SBI system that I use.
I've been promoting the amazing features of SBI, simply because I believe it is the best product out there. I used it for my other sites that I own, my husband's hardwood flooring site as well as my very first, just-for-fun site about winter vacations in Ontario
My enthusiasm about the SBI, comes from years of satisfaction about the product and integrity of the people behind the product.
It truly is one of the kind, easy to use vehicle to get your site to the top of the search engines without additional cost and hassle. It allows you to control your site, by having access to the "back door" whenever you need to take a look there. It lets you to monitor the activity on your site, to see where people are coming from and how often. All without the knowledge of the HTML code! How COOL is that?!
So you can imagine my surprise when I learned, just yesterday that SBI now offers RECO approved courses that allow you to build your own unique, lead-generating site under the watchful eye of an instructor!
That is simply priceless! GO check it out, it's well worth to take a peak at what the course covers.
If you have any questions about SBI itself, please contact me, I will be happy to tell you all about it. SBI Sites work well for other types of businesses
Joanna Gerber
Sales Representative HomeLife Kempenfelt-Kelly Realty Ltd. Brokerage* 284 Dunlop St. W. Barrie, Ontario L4N 1B9
Over the last couple of months, they qualified to compete at Junior Nationals in Calgary this weekend. And so we are here, in beautiful Calgary today.
Getting here, however was a bit of a challenge. After getting to the Toronto airport as recommended 1.5 prior to departure. We found ourselves in a HUGE line to check-in.
Watching the clock closely, we proceeded to the security check point and there was another HUGE line up... Boots off, jacket and belt in the gray containers I went through the electronic gate and didn't set it off.
I was however called over by the security officer, who proceeded to check me from head to toe with the hand-held device.
She toooook her time!
My hair was checked, even though I have not-too-many on my head. My bum was patted, my front was patted, she looked inside the front of my jeans! Touched the back of my bra... I stood there with my hands raised for at least 5 minutes, my face red as a fire hydrant!
Than it was time for my husband and my teenage son to go through. She didn't even look at them...
You would think that the security officers, would move a bit faster knowing that there is a quadruple line-up waiting to get through and hopefully make their flights! But no... With only three security lines open, everyone there moves like they had their hands tied behind their backs and feet in lead boots! Most of us are physically un-capable of moving this slow!
After getting to the airport well in advance, we barely made it to our gate, and we ran all the way there!
This is just a pleasure trip, but the stress was there, imagine going through this on your important business trip?
This never happens when we travel overseas! Go figure that one out. Maybe it's just me. Do I have that "take-her-to-the-side-and-check-her-head-to-toe-because-she-may-be-dangerous" look? ;)
Calgary, on the other hand, was truly amazing! This is our first time here and we are impressed with how friendly people are... and the mountains... take your breath away!
Now, we just have to enjoy the Junior Nationals. Keep your fingers crossed!
Joanna Gerber
Sales Representative HomeLife Kempenfelt-Kelly Realty Ltd. Brokerage* 284 Dunlop St. W. Barrie, Ontario L4N 1B9
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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