Win Free Tickets to Journey, Whitesnake, Platinum Blonde & Helix. Friday July 26 2013 Rock The Park in London Ontario. Offered by Taking You Home Real Estate Team (Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty) :: Nicole McKenzie, Chris Graham, Andrea Salenbien

Win Free Tickets to the 10th Anniversary Rock The Park Concert in Harris Park, London Ontario.

 

The Taking You Home Real Estate Team (Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty, Brokerage) is giving away 2 wristbands to the Friday July 26th Show (Journey, Whitesnake, Platinum Blonde & Helix)

 

Visit www.TakingYouHome.ca for more information!

 

 

 

Good luck from the London's Taking You Home Real Estate Team!

 

Nicole McKenzie, Chris Graham & Andrea Salenbien
Your Real Estate Consultants … for Life!

Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty Brokerage Inc.
509 Commissioners Rd. W. B100
London, Ont. N6J 1Y5
Tel: 519-438-8000
Fax: 519-438-8004

Day 2 - Getting Over My Fear of Video Cameras!

 

Day 2 - Not much easier than day 1, but I did it!

 

 

Getting Over My Fear of Videos - Day 1: Take 1,2, and 3.

It can only get better from here....

 

How to decide if you should replace your windows

One of the most prominent features of any home is the windows. When they are well maintained they have a positive impact on the impression people (such as potential buyers) will have of your property. The opposite occurs, of course, when your windows look old and worn.

So does that mean you should replace your windows?

That depends on a number of factors. Window replacement can be an expensive renovation. Here are a few things to consider before making your decision.

• Do your windows get frost or condensation build-up on the interior side? This could be a sign that the windows are not keeping out the cold as well as they should.
• Do you see water infiltration or mildew on the interior sides of any of the window sills? This means that moisture is creeping in from the outside, and you need to get those windows repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
• If your windows are double-paned – (two panes of glass) – check for any signs of moisture in between the glass panes. Moisture indicates that the thermal seal is broken and at a minimum, the glass will need to be replaced.
• Take a look at your windows from the outside. Is the trim rotted or cracked anywhere? Are there dark spots or any signs of rotting on the wood frames? Repairs or replacement may be required.
• Check the operation of your windows. Do they open and close easily? This is important because some windows, such as those in bedrooms, are often designed to be big enough to use as an exit in case of a fire.
• Finally, are you happy with how your windows look? Do you feel that your property will look significantly better with new windows?

Although they are expensive, replacing windows has a lot of advantages. Depending on the efficiency of your current windows, replacing them could cut your energy costs by 10-20%. In addition, new windows block out more exterior noise, making your home quieter.

Want more tips on increasing the value, and enjoyment, of your property? Email or call me today!

Something to make you smile...

Quote of the Day

Inaction breeds doubt and fear.  Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.

~Dale Carnegie

Early Spring Market Heats Up

February 2012 saw a 15.4% increase in local real estate sales over the previous year, with 500 detached homes and 137 condos exchanging hands over the course of the month. “It should be borne in mind, however, that, while February 2011 had 28 days, February 2012 had 29 days,” says Barb Whitney, President of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®. “The extra day skews the numbers somewhat. If we leave out the sales that took place on February 29 of this year, 478 detached homes sold, up 9.6% over the previous February; 132 condos sold, up 13.8%; and total sales were up 10.5%. 

Even so, there’s no doubt that the year is off to a great start. We are especially pleased to see more activity in the condo market, which has been a little soft over the past few months. We are heading into what’s shaping up to be a very busy Spring market,” observes Whitney. “The number of new listings processed in February was up a significant 14.2%, while the number of active listings at month’s end – in other words, our inventory - was up 0.9%. This means that properties are moving – good for sellers - but there’s also lots to choose from – good for buyers. In other words, our local market continues to be balanced. And the unusually warm and clement winter certainly hasn’t hurt. Weather always factors in, good or bad.”

Thirty six homes sold in London’s Sister City of St. Thomas in February – only four units less than the previous year. The average price for a home in St. Thomas stands at $179,827 Year to Date, down a marginal 0.1% from the previous year. The average price for a home in LSTAR’s jurisdiction Year to Date stands at $230,264, an increase over that of January 2012 of 2.5%. The average price for a detached home over that same period stands at $245,258, up 3.9%, while the average price for a condo stands at $169,801, up 0.4 % from the previous month.

The following chart, based on data taken from CREA’s National MLS® Report for January 2012 (the latest information available), demonstrates how homes in LSTAR’s jurisdiction continue to maintain their affordability compared to other major Ontario and Canadian centers.

The best-selling house style in LSTAR’s jurisdiction last month was the two-storey, followed by the bungalow, then the ranch, then the townhouse condominium.
Read the entire News Release of LSTAR for February 2012

Courtesey of LSTAR
http://www.lstar.ca/news/early-spring-market-heats

What will you do with your extra 24 hours?

Wednesday is February 29th otherwise known as Leap Day! It doesn't come around often so here are a few suggestions to do it up big! 

LEAP at the Opportunity! February 29th is the exceptional day for girls to pop the question - whether it's asking him out on a date or to marry you, if he's taking too long then take advantage of this opportunity! There won't be another chance until 2016!

LEAP into Action! Take advantage of your extra day. Catch up on housework or get around to the to-do list that has been tormenting you. There's always something that must be done, even if it's catching up on some sleep. Don't let your extra day slip by!

Take a LEAP of Faith! Take a risk this leap day. Do something out of the ordinary, conquer a fear or do something W-I-L-D. Whatever you do this Leap Day make sure to seize the day and live without regrets!

Have a Happy Leap Day!
Nicole
:)

Funny, but true!

I'm sure the Old Woman had a buyer's agent working for her to find her perfect home!

Hiring a Homebuyer's agent takes stress out of a purchase

This article was in the London Free Press this morning.  Thought it was worth sharing!

Buying a home will likely be the biggest investment of your life, so you want to get it right.

Here are some common pitfalls you should avoid.

• Thinking you can't afford it. We've all heard the saying that "buying a home is a good investment," yet people often think they can't afford to enter this market. But if you consider the fact that although the prices of homes fluctuate with the economy, the long-term trend is normally a consistent increase. Just like investing in the stock market, a smart investor will look for investments that increase their equity over time. This means that every month when you make a mortgage payment, you're increasing your equity and this is one of the reasons you can't afford not to buy. The key is to do your research and be prepared. People also have so much more flexibility in financing today than was available even a few years ago. Whether you're working with your banker or a mortgage broker, you should seek professional advice when it comes to getting approved and obtaining financing for a mortgage.
• Get pre-approved for your mortgage before you place an offer on a home. This will help you avoid disappointment should you find the perfect home and then learn you aren't approved for financing.
• Not hiring a buyer's agent to represent you.  In addition to being the smartest financial decision, buying a home is often the largest single investment you will make and a bad choice can end up costing you thousands of dollars.  Buying property is a complex and stressful task and real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated; therefore, to make the experience less stressful you should work with a "buyer's agent", someone who has a solid understanding of the rules and who is also on your side.  New technology, laws, procedures and competition from other agents require buyer agents to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism.  Buyer's agents have a fiduciary duty to you. That means they are loyal to only you and are obligated to look out for your best interests. Best of all, in most cases, the buyer's agent is paid out of the seller's commission, even though he/she works for you. Buying a home without an agent is; to say the least, risky business!
• Not having a home inspection included in the offer to purchase.  Potential home buyers often forgo the home inspection condition in the offer, especially in a bidding war with multiple offers. The buyer is forced to forgo a home inspection because they're afraid their offer will be rejected because they have added a condition that a home inspection be performed. If you feel you must do this, you're taking the risk of not knowing the condition of the home, and this could lead to costly repairs that may have been discovered during a professional home inspection.  By purchasing a home without a home inspection, you have little or no recourse if something major is wrong with home; it's like buying a car without a safety check.If you feel you must do this, then at the very least you should hire a qualified home inspector after your offer has been accepted so you're made aware of any serious issues with the home that need immediate attention.

This article was in the London Free Press Homes Section today. Written by Rob Parker.
Read the full article: http://www.lfpress.com/homes/2012/02/23/19414971.html

Rob Parker is a registered home inspector with the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors and certified master inspector with the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors who does home inspections in the London area.  Call him at ThamesSpec Home Inspection Service at 519-857-7101, thamespec@rogers.com or visit www.thamespec-inspections.com.

February Facebook Contest

 

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I LOVE Boston Pizza so this month I'm offering a $50 Gift Card to one lucky Facebook Fan!
How can you win this prize?

It's as EASY a Pizza Pie! (haha... humor me and laugh at that!)

*LIKE my Facebook page
(click the "LIKE" button at the top of this page)

*Tell your friends & family to LIKE my page
(make sure I know you sent them because for every friend you refer, you'll BOTH receive an entry)

*Write on my wall, send me a message or just think about how nice I am!
That's all you have to do to win this month's delicious prize!

Remember, for every friend that you refer you receive another entry to the draw! Send your friends this link: www.Facebook.com/TakingYouHome!

Know Which Projects are Worth the Cost & Effort

Are you thinking about selling your home this year? If so you should be aware of what today's buyers are looking for in a home. It will affect what you should do to get your home ready for sale, and how you should price it.

 

A survey by the National Association of Realtors in 2011 found that buyers favor walkable neighborhoods that are close to shops, restaurants and local businesses over neighborhoods that require more driving between home, work and recreation.

According to the survey, 77 percent of the respondents said they would look for pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Improvement in public transportation was favored over building new roads.

Most buyers (80 percent) still prefer to live in a single-family, detached home as long as it doesn't require a longer commute. Although space is important to most buyers, 59 percent said they would accept a smaller home if it cut 20 minutes off the commute time.

Does this mean your chances of selling are slim if you don't have a high Walk Score? No, but proximity to a popular commercial area usually brings a higher price. Below are some home hunting tips the article mentioned.

• Proper pricing is the key factor affecting the salability of your home in today's market. Make sure you're comparing apple to apples when you evaluate the probable selling price of your home.
• The home-sale business is all about location. If you live in a neighborhood where you have to drive to get to work, school or recreation, you can't expect to sell for the same price as a comparable home that's in a desirable, walkable location.
• You can't change the location of your home, but you can appeal to today's buyers who are typically looking for a home that is in good condition that they can move right into without doing any major work.
• A common refrain heard from sellers is that there's no point in painting or changing worn carpet -- buyers will surely want to do something different. In some cases, this may be so, but many buyers don't have extra cash to pay for extensive home improvements. They may ultimately change the color scheme, but don't make them worry about making the house livable when they buy.
• It's a good idea to consult with your real estate agent before you make fix-up improvements. Review your list of preparation-for-sale projects and get your agent's feedback before starting any work.
• Get your agent's or stager's input on colors, light fixtures, carpeting, etc., so that you can ensure a positive response to your efforts. Also, watch your costs. You don't need to do a top-of-the-line paint job or use the most expensive granite for your countertops in order to sell. In fact, it will eat into your proceeds from the sale.

Some of the information in this article were taken from an article written by DIAN HYMER, Inman News®  Full article can be found at: http://bit.ly/xZPVYI