real estate: Bank of Canada Hints at Higher Rates - 04/17/12 10:48 PM
JEREMY TOROBIN OTTAWA— Globe and Mail Update Published Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012 9:02AM EDT Last updated Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012 10:02AM EDT
The Bank of Canada left its main interest rate untouched at 1 per cent Tuesday, while painting a brighter economic outlook and hinting for the first time since last summer that it is beginning to look for an opportunity to raise borrowing costs.
The decision to stand pat for a 13th consecutive meeting was expected. But after weeks of sunnier rhetoric from Governor Mark Carney amid a strengthening domestic recovery, Bay Street analysts had been debating how far he would go in trying to reshape … (1 comments)

real estate: {NEW} Elegant Landscape Feature Sheet - 03/07/12 12:47 PM
Front of Feature Sheet
I am proud to present our newest real estate template into our store. You can now buy our elegantly designed 2 page landscape style feature sheet.
Superior Quality to Showcase Your Hot New Listing Stylishly designed template to showcase your hot new listing.  Designated space for your headshot photo, company logo and contact details.  6 placeholders for listing pictures.  Large section on front page for listing script with space for bullet points of features on the back.  Template created in Microsoft Word for easy do-it-yourself customization. Includes section for disclosure. Made to be printed in landscape format, double-sided on … (4 comments)

real estate: 4 Reasons Why You Should Have Your Home Inspected Before It Hits the Market - 02/27/12 07:00 AM
Guest Blog Post Written By: Jeffrey Brookfield Business Owner, AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service | http://www.HowHomeInspectorsHelp.com
Traditionally a home inspection is arranged by the buyer of a home and is oftentimes used to renegotiate the purchase price. Today, some 90% of all homes are inspected -- these inspections, in all likelihood, are costing sellers tens of thousands of dollars in loss of equity in their homes.
One Solution: a pre-listing home inspection arranged by the seller. A pre-listing home inspection can be a very powerful tool for both the seller and the listing agent. The benefits include:
1. Protecting your equity — A traditional home inspection … (6 comments)

real estate: Merry After Christmas - Resolutions Anyone? - 12/27/11 01:13 PM
I don’t know about you, but I certainly had a beautiful Christmas holiday. I cannot however, believe how fast the time has past. I truly hope however you celebrate the holiday season, you took time for yourself and your loved ones.
New Year’s Resolution Anyone? About this time of year, everyone starts to decide what New Year’s resolution they will undertake. You have some of the most popular…lose weight, get out of debt, buy a home…the list goes on.
Does anyone really stick to their resolutions? After talking with family and friends over the holiday season, I determined that while most … (9 comments)

real estate: Business Spotlight December: Safe Air Ontario - 12/08/11 09:00 AM
We are excited to share with you December’s Business Spotlight.
This month, we welcome Safe Air Ontario – a company dedicated to removing those pesky odors from your home. Check them out below and please do share this information with your family, friends, and Associates.
Safe Air Ontario’s Mission We are dedicated to helping our clients obtain a healthy environment inside their homes, business, hotels, daycare centres, automobiles, boats and RVs.  Our staff are fully insured and certified in Ozone Shock Treatment, Air Quality Testing, Mold Inspection, Infared, and Home/Building Inspections
Ozone Shock Treatment
Ozone, “or activated oxygen” You have probably heard … (0 comments)

real estate: Top Producer Revolutionizes Real Estate CRM - 10/25/11 11:26 AM
In order to become a top producing real estate agent, you must know how to implement some key factors within your business. I have talked about these things in great detail – creating a flawless real estate system, How to add value in the lives of your clients’ and how to mange your time.
Sometimes even though we have the information right in front of us and the steps to take us from A to B successfully, it can often become overwhelming. How to remember everything, keeping track of what you’ve done with what client. I get it; it can all be not only time consuming … (4 comments)

real estate: Dilly Dally {Photography} Business Spotlight - 10/25/11 06:24 AM
I am completely stoked to introduce November’s business spotlight. I know you might be thinking “Hold on Ness, it’s only October.” I know. I just couldn’t wait.
Dilly Dally {Photography} I first met Ally at my children’s school and was completely captivated by her gentle nature and warm heart.  I have fondly watched Ally grow a brilliant photography business.  She is fun, outgoing and most importantly, patient!
She has mastered lifestyle portraiture specializing in Natural-Style Infant, Child, Teen, Maternity and Family photography. Now guess what?! She is joining the real estate industry. Eeeekk!!!!
Real Estate Photographer in Halton Hills Recently, she made the decision to kick … (0 comments)

real estate: Social Media Revolution 2011 - 10/13/11 05:45 AM
For all the times I have tried to explain the importance of social media, this video puts everything I have said and believe in into perspective. Check it out.


… (4 comments)

real estate: Devise a Rockin’ Realtor Team Part 3: Diversity in Teams - 01/07/11 03:12 AM
What does Diversity mean to you? Does valuing diversity come easily? Diversity can have a copious amount of meanings. Depending upon in what relation you are referring to, diversity can take many forms. But since, we are in real estate. Let’s talk about diversity within your team, your brokerage, you clients, your business life as a whole.
Diversity in business as set forth over at Wikipedia says:
“Business diversity is the business tactic which encourages diversity to better serve a heterogeneous customer base.”
Diversity Expands Past Colour I like to think of diversity as going beyond the mere colour of a person’s … (4 comments)

real estate: Devise a Rockin’ Realtor Team Part 2: Understanding Group Formation - 01/06/11 01:09 AM
While studying Social Service Work, I took a course that examined the Dimensions of Teams and Small groups. The course taught me about group development and the behaviours associated when forming groups.
We studied the Tuckman Model which was first proposed by Bruce Tuckman in 1965. Tuckman’s model introduces 4 stages that he believes are essential in order for groups to grow and deliver results.
When devising a real estate team, I believe it is important to understand Tuckman’s model to gain insight on how a group forms and eventually begins working together as a collaborative team.
A Small Group Is Harris & … (0 comments)

real estate: Ness Lindsay’s Real Estate Team Building Series - 01/05/11 12:31 AM

To kick off the New Year, I have put together an awesome 7 part series discussing real estate team building.
Is this Series for You? If you are a Realtor® who:
Works with a real estate team Manages a real estate team Thinking of joining or starting a real estate team Then this series is for you.
Rockin’ Realtor® Team It takes effort to work collaboratively with a team. It’s not just about you anymore, its about the team. As a team you should be working cohesively together with one common goal. Teams aren’t for everyone. However, understanding the process … (4 comments)

real estate: 3 Big Mistakes New Real Estate Agents Make and How to Avoid them - 11/11/10 05:39 AM
When you're new to any industry you're often so excited to get started. You're full of piss and vinegar. You may feel like you can accomplish the world because you're the new face in town, you just got out of school and you know exactly what needs to be done.
More times than not, because you are new, because you are not seasoned...yet - you may overlook simple situations that could put you in a tough spot and ultimately it could lead to the fail of landing you're first prospective client.
Let's have a gander at these 3 mistakes many new real … (43 comments)

real estate: What is a credit score and how do I improve it? - 08/23/10 03:47 PM
Here is some handy tips on your credit score that might prove beneficial to pass along to clients and prospective clients.
When considering a real estate purchase, you need to have your credit score as high as possible, to ensure your chances of acquiring the home that you want.
What is a credit score?
It is called a FICO score. In general, it is a number from 300 to 850, which is calculated from several things. Such as your payment history, which includes money you previously owed, length of your credit history, new credit accounts open, and how you have used … (3 comments)

real estate: Real estate Quizzes. Are you ready? - 04/19/10 01:34 AM
Real estate Quizzes. Are you ready?
While doing some internet research, we came across these great quizzes that can be offered to your home buyers to help them better equip themselves for the sometimes all consuming home buying process. As a real estate sales representative, you are probably always trying to find ways to have their home buying process simplified. Perhaps you could include these quizzes in your next e-newsletter or hand them out with your pre-listing package.
Do you mind your manners when visiting the homes of others? Take this 10-question quiz to find out if you have good house-hunting … (0 comments)

real estate: SEO: Think like a Consumer - 12/18/08 02:35 AM
I have heard many people ask "How do you know which keywords and phrases to focus on for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?" 
This would be my response to said question:
THINK LIKE A REAL ESTATE AGENT
First, you'll want to define or tweak your target market.  Who is your audience? What area(s) are you farming? Define the people you want to provide real estate services to.
THINK LIKE A CONSUMER
If you were looking to buy or sell a home within your area, what keywords would you use to find a home or an agent?  Put yourself in the shoes … (15 comments)

real estate: Client Quarterly Incentive - 12/18/08 01:05 AM
Yet another great way to keep in contact with your clients is to host a quarterly contest. You can either run the contest in your monthly newsletter, or write a personal note to clients detailing your offer.
Posting the contest in your newsletter is a great way to discover if your clients are actually reading it every month. The prize for the contest should be desirable for your clients.  Don't be afraid to spend a little money in order to catch the attention of your readers.  At the same time, don't make the contest too difficult and discourage them from taking … (0 comments)