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June 2009 Royal LePage Niagara Newsletter

By
Real Estate Agent with Royal LePage Niagara Real Estate
Home Connection
Sally Dollar Sally Dollar
Sales Representative

905-937-6000 (Office)
1-866-999-9497 (Office)
dollar@royallepage.ca
www.SallyDollar.com

Royal LePage Niagara R.E. Centre, Brokerage
www.SallyDollar.com
101 LAKEPORT RD
ST. CATHARINES, ON L2N7L7

In this issue...
· Featured Listing
· How do Realtors Spend Their Time?
· Current Niagara Real Estate Stats
· Inside-Out: Creating a Great Outdoor Room with an Interior Sensibility


Here comes summer in Niagara! What a surprise - the real estate market has taken a sharp upturn for the end of the Spring Market. I have sold five houses over the last 2 weeks alone! That means we are nearing the end of the Prime Time Sales for Sellers for 2009. If you intend on selling your home this year - your days are numbered to hit this market. Price it right and get it on the market yesterday. If you are a buyer, take advantage of the lowest variable rate mortgage in ages 2.85% oac. Have a great June, hope to see you soon!
Featured Listing
Featured Listing Great North St. Catharines Neighbourhood

Bring your offers! Four level backsplit. 4 bedrooms altogether (2 up + 2 down), large eat-in kitchen with island, 2 bathrooms, finished lower level. Mechanics dream garage 2 1/2 car extended with rear pull through door and sliding doors to large deck and beautiful fenced backyard. Enlarged double driveway with parking for up to 6 cars. View virtual tour at
http://www.sallydollar.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?ListingID=2318735

How do Realtors Spend Their Time?

Most Realtors spend the majority of their time and resources prospecting for new business - things like cold-calling, door knocking, advertising, direct mail etc.

I don't do any of that. I devote myself to serving the needs of my clients before, during and after each transaction. All I ask is that while I am working for them, I would like them to refer me to people of comparable quality to themselves who are thinking about buying or selling a home and who would appreciate the same level of service I provided.

Think of it this way. If you knew someone who was thinking of buying or selling a home or had a friend who was, do you have a realtor that you would refer them to? I would like to be that realtor. Mention my name. In fact, referrals go both ways. I have established a Network of Professionals that I work with that I do the same for. If someone asks me for a great Furnace guy, I know one - If someone asks me for an Electrician, I know one - If someone asks me for a Mortgage Broker or mover, or house cleaner, roofer......it all fits in together. If you are a professional who provides a quality filled service or job for people, I would like to add you to MY network. The more honest, knowledgeable and qualified people we can gather to work together, the better it is for all of us!

You see, as long as you and my other clients keep referring me, and I can refer them to qualified professionals, I dont have to go out prospecting like everyone else, and I can do an even better job for them and their network of friends and family. You too!

I dont receive any compensation for referrals I send to a business and I dont pay for personal referrals to be sent. I expect that my clients would receive the best information, service and rates from who I send them to and THAT is what makes me happy. If they dont, then I want to hear about it and we wont refer any more people. Its a wonderful system so far. My network is fabulous!

I would love to hear from everyone who has a referral and/or is looking for a referral!

Remember how many other realtors spend most of their time.......which would you prefer.....

Thanks for your business and making my network a success.

Current Niagara Real Estate Stats

In total, there were 587 sales for May 2009 for Single Family Homes in Niagara. Houses are definately selling if they are priced correctly.

In May 2009 there were 961 residential properties for sale in Niagara.

The average regional sale price is up to $207,681 in May from $198,534 in April

St. Catharines May 2009 - Total MLS Sales 160 - Average Days on Market 52
Niagara Falls May 2009 - Total MLS Sales 87 - Average Days on Market 72
Welland May 2009 - Total MLS Sales 62 - Average Days on Market 47
Fonthill/Pelham May 2009 - Total MLS Sales 19 - Average Days on Market 38

This is the tail end of the Spring 2009 market. It is expected that things will start to slow and prices will adjust again in the second half of 2009.

I would be happy to give you a FREE no obligation market analysis of your home to let you know how it should be priced and approximately how long it would take to sell in this current market. Just give me a call.

Inside-Out: Creating a Great Outdoor Room with an Interior Sensibility

It's that time of year when Canadians retreat to the great outdoors to enjoy everyday activities like cooking, eating, and entertaining. Nowadays many homeowners are demanding more comfort and convenience when connecting with nature, and that's why "outdoor rooms" are growing in popularity. An outdoor room makes use of an exterior space such as a yard, deck, patio or balcony to extend the living area outside the home. Its purpose is to mix the luxury of indoor living with the fresh air, ambiance, and natural setting of the outdoors.
Whether you're creating a new outdoor room or simply updating an existing space, you may want to try and mirror your home's interior design, extending its comfort and aesthetic appeal to the outside. Think of the project as being two sides of the same door. A consistent design theme allows for a harmonious transition between the interior and exterior of your home and can even make your living space appear bigger. Achieve this flow by using similar colour schemes, flooring types, area rugs, and mats.
Heat, cooking facilities, seating, and lighting are just some of the indoor comforts you might consider bringing to your outdoor room. Start with a hearth product such as a fireplace, firepit or chimney as your focal point, and position your seating and cooking areas accordingly. For those who love to cook there are a variety of options available ranging from all season stainless steel BBQs to complete outdoor kitchens with dual burner cook top grills, refrigerator, and expansive counter space for food preparation. Check with your local municipality to determine what products are safe and allowable for your specific set-up.
When it comes to furniture and accessories, think outside the box. Instead of the standard table, umbrella, and patio chairs, consider things like coffee tables, settees, and sofas with stylish, stain and mildew-resistant fabrics. Many manufacturers build furniture and recreational products specifically designed to be used both inside and out, such as outdoor speakers, game tables, and cocktail bars. For added privacy and sound absorption use large potted plants, such as pyramidal cedars, to act as natural walls.
At the end of the day, your outdoor room will be more than a deck or patio; it will be a cozy, comfortable place to retreat, relax, and have fun. You'll never want to go inside again!

Remember, I am never too busy for your referrals! Call or email me any time. I am always happy to share information and real estate advice.
All offices are independently owned and operated, except those offices marked as "Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd." Not intended to solicit currently listed properties. The above information is from sources believed reliable, however, no responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of this information.

©2009 Brookfield Real Estate Services Fund.