via OpenBeak
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Top 10 Rules for Staging Homes from The Stagers
1. Grab them from the curb. 2. Make it sparkle. 3. Pay attention to color and light. 4. Depersonalize. 5. Consider replacing furnishings. 6. Invest in new artwork. 7. Make repairs. 8. Apply a fresh coat of paint. 9. Don't forget the floors. 10. Spring for new light fixtures. -http://www.hgtv.com/real-estate/top-10-rules-of-staging-from-the-stagers/index.html
You've seen them. Buyers hunkered low in their cars in front of your house, doing drive-bys before deciding whether to request a showing or attend an open house. Make these potential buyers fall in love with your home from the street by adding potted plants and flowers, power-washing patios and walkways, weeding the garden and mowing the lawn. It's your first chance to make a good impression, so you've got to make it count.
Pretend that your mother or mother-in-law is coming for a visit. Think hotel clean. Mop, dust, vacuum, wash windows, baseboards — even the cat. Remember that people will look in your cupboards, under your sinks and in your closets. Also, pay particular attention to odors. You might even consider consulting a neutral nose by having a friend come by for a smell test.
You may love hot pink in the living room, but too-bright colors turn buyers off. Neutralize strong colors for the broadest appeal. A neutral home appears larger and has less chance of offending someone. Also, open up blinds and draperies to make sure there's sufficient natural light throughout the home. Remember, lighting is the most effective way to set a mood.
Few things deter buyers more than a cluttered home. They need to see your home, not your stuff. Excessive personal items like photos, collections, personal awards, electronics and collectibles will make it difficult for buyers to see past your personal style and may deter a sale. Taking yourself out of the picture makes it easier for buyers to imagine themselves, and their stuff, in your space.
Think about removing or replacing worn or outdated furnishings and get rid of extra pieces. The time has come to move beyond matching furniture, so break up your sets; dated can easily become eclectic with editing and rearranging. Consider consulting with a professional staging company for design direction and advice on rental furnishings to create an inviting home with broad appeal to a wide range of buyers.
Displaying new artwork is a great way to breathe new life into a room. Photography can be used to contemporize a room and add a splash of color as well.
Make your home a high-maintenance zone. Repair squeaky doors, chipped or smudged paint as well as broken fixtures and fittings that you've neglected. 
It's the best bang for your buck that will quickly refresh a dull, dated room. Slap a fresh, neutral color on the space. Choose a beige or taupe for living spaces and a neutral green or blue for bathrooms.
Get rid of worn carpets, and consider refinishing shabby hardwood floors. An inexpensive new area rug is a quick fix and can disguise the look of old floors.
Renew the look of the room by replacing old or dated light fixtures, door hardware, light switches and outlets. If it's tacky and older than you, get it out of there.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Top 10 Home Buying Mistakes That Can Cost You
Mistake #10: Not getting pre-approved before house hunting Why get your hopes up looking at $500,000 homes, when you can really only afford a $300,000 home? Before you start house hunting, narrow down your price range by getting pre-approved. Shop for a lender or mortgage broker you can trust. The mortgage pro will review your credit, income, assets and debts, and recommend a mortgage with monthly payments that fit your budget. The result is a good faith estimate, a document that spells out the likely terms of your loan, including the interest rate and closing costs. Not only does this let you know how much house you can afford, it also lets sellers know that you're serious about buying. Mistake #9: Thinking short-term The house you purchase should be a place that feels like home to you and your family, but it's important to remember that it's also a huge investment. When shopping for a home, it pays to think about resale down the road. Search for homes in sought-after locations, and look for features that future buyers will want, such as central air conditioning and lots of storage space. Mistake #8: Not researching the neighborhood What good is having your dream home, if you don't like the community where it's located? Before shopping for a home, shop for a neighborhood. Make sure it's a good fit for your lifestyle -- figure out how long you want your work commute to be, how close you want to be to amenities like shopping and nightlife, and which school districts are the best. Even if you don't have children, living near good schools raises your property value. Visit the neighborhood several times and at different times of the day. The biggest incentive for finding a quality community: a great neighborhood will increase your home's value, while a bad one will drag it down. Mistake #7: Buying a foreclosure or fixer-upper without doing your research Some homebuyers are so set on finding a bargain, they overlook the fact that buying a home that needs repairs can be a stressful and expensive endeavor. Before buying a fixer-upper, get estimates on any necessary repairs and renovations and make sure they will pay for themselves in increased property value. The foreclosure market is also full of opportunities, but it's important to be aware of the potential pitfalls before buying a foreclosed property. Mistake #6: Buying a house you can't afford Just because a lender is willing to loan you a fortune doesn't mean you should take it. Buying more home than you can afford can quickly lead to financial trouble. As a rule of thumb, your mortgage payment should be less than 28 percent of your gross monthly income. Besides your mortgage payment, be prepared for the additional costs of homeownership, such as insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance. You may want to scale back the size of the home you're looking for in order to bring the whole package in line with your budget. Mistake #5: Falling for love at first sight Buying the first house you like is kind of like marrying the first person you go on a date with: not necessarily a good idea. If you don't shop around and see what else is out there, you could miss out on a good deal or potentially regret your purchase. While you don't need to visit every home in the neighborhood, you should compare at least three homes before you make a decision to ensure that you're getting the right house at the right price. Mistake #4: Forgoing a home inspection Even if a home looks flawless, it's a mistake to assume that it's actually problem-free. All homes have defects -- even brand new ones -- so getting a professional inspection before making the commitment to buy is crucial. Be sure to attend the inspection so the inspector can explain any issues. Mistake #3: Not reading the fine print If you did your homework, you had your trustworthy real estate attorney review all your paperwork and discuss it with you so you don't get a nasty surprise at closing. Let's face it -- you won't have time to read that six-inch stack of legal documents at the closing table. Fortunately, there are a select few documents and items that are truly critical, and you can request a copy of these in advance. This gives you time to review them and ask questions before closing. Mistake #2: Making an offer without contingencies Having a back-out plan is a must for smart home buying. If the home has an irresolvable flaw, it doesn't appraise for the purchase price, or your lender refuses to fund your loan, having contingencies on your contract gives you the right to cancel the transaction. Think about it this way: would you spend $100 in a store that doesn't have a 30-day return policy? If your answer is no, you wouldn't want to put hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line without the right to bail. Mistake #1: Waiting for the market to improve or not buying at all No one can predict precisely where the market is going, so trying to time your home purchase with the bottom of the market is futile. If you're financially and emotionally ready to be a homeowner, it's always a good time to buy. Just think: all the time you spend procrastinating on purchasing a home, you could be building equity, getting tax deductions and enjoying the many other benefits of homeownership!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Election debacle has Haiti again near turmoil
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haitians entered election day hoping for the best. Within hours, ballot boxes were ripped to pieces, protesters were on the streets and nearly every presidential hopeful was united against the government. Add it to Haiti's list: Already reeling from a catastrophic earthquake, one of the world's poorest economies, storms, a deadly cholera epidemic and unrest over U.N. peacekeepers, the Caribbean nation could now be on the edge of full-on political turmoil. The chaos in Sunday's voting united most of the top presidential candidates against the president's heir apparent — Jude Celestin, head of the state-run construction company and beneficiary of a well-financed campaign. Allegations ranging from outright fraud to polling-place disorganization that disenfranchised many Haitians nearly brought the election to a halt. Polling places opened late, voters could not find their names on lists, and some polling places were ransacked by thugs. The United Nations cited "numerous incidents that marred the elections." Observers from the Organization of American States canceled an afternoon news conference, releasing a statement hours later that they were "in the process of evaluating and analyzing the information gathered." The discontent boiled into a potential political crisis at about 2 p.m., when 12 of the 19 presidential candidates — including nearly every major contender — gathered in a hotel ballroom to join hands, denounce President Rene Preval and call for the election to be canceled. "It is clear that the government of Rene Preval, in agreement with the (electoral council), is putting into execution the plan hatched to tamper with the elections ... with the help of the official political party and its candidate, Jude Celestin," independent candidate Anne Marie Josette Bijou read aloud. The other candidates joined the crowd in applause. The crowd, which had burst into Haiti's national anthem when the candidates arrived, chanted "Arrest Preval!" Protesters took to the streets, and demonstrations demanding the balloted be nullified stretched into the night. Crowds surged through the streets carrying tree branches and campaign posters, decrying the vote and jubilantly claiming victory for their candidates. The Haitian government had no immediate response to the criticism. But the electoral council held an evening news conference to say the candidates' protest had no legal weight. It said there had been irregularities at only 56 of nearly 1,500 voting centers, but did not explain how it arrived at that figure. "If they declare that one of these candidates won, are they going to say they don't want to be elected?" council official Pierre Louis Opont mused after a fifth Haitian reporter asked the officials to respond to the presidential candidates' appeal. Results were not likely until Dec. 7, and run-offs were expected for the presidential and nearly all senatorial and parliamentary races. Some polls and election observers said opposition candidates appeared to be doing well in the contest with Celestin. The strongest appeared to be Mirlande Manigat, 70-year-old former first lady whose husband was helped to power and then deposed by a military junta; popular musician Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly and Jean-Henry Ceant, a lawyer with backing from supporters of exiled ex-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's disqualified Fanmi Lavalas party. On Sunday afternoon they and nine of their ostensible rivals joined hands in triumph as they accused Preval of conspiring to "perpetuate his power and keep the people hostage to continue their misery." The biggest problem in Sunday's vote appeared to be confusion. Many voters had no idea where to vote, while others arrived at polling stations to find that their names were not on the rolls. Some found their names on one list, outside a voting-room door for instance, only to find that they were not on the list inside. "I have been here since six in the morning and I can't find my name on the register. I have had my (voting) card since 2006. I am going home," said Derissaint Dor, a 57-year-old resident of the capital. There were also reports of violence and intimidation, claims of stolen ballot boxes and allegations of ballot-stuffing. Haitian radio reported one man was shot to death at a polling place in rural Artibonite. Electoral officials said another was killed in southern Haiti. In the town of Grande Riu Du Nord, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) east of Cap-Haitien, youths sacked a polling station and scattered thousands of ballots. Photos obtained by the AP showed that some of the ballots apparently had been filled out. More were burned in a road. The motives in the attack were unknown. At another voting place in the St. Philomene neighborhood, a woman complained that young men were taking advantage of the chaos to vote multiple times. The allegation could not be confirmed because a crowd of one candidate's supporters swarmed around two AP journalists and forced them to leave the area, threatening a photographer. The protest by many of the president contenders threw the entire election into question. Though the electoral council insisted that all will proceed normally, demonstrators will not likely accept results quietly, especially if they favor the government's candidate. Representatives of Haiti's major international donors, including the ambassadors of the U.S., Canada, France and the European Union, met after the candidates' declaration to discuss the situation, said Organization of American States Assistant Secretary-General Albert Ramdin, who is in Haiti to monitor the elections. "We are all concerned about the possibility of violence because we don't want to see people lose lives in a process that should be democratic," Ramdin said. Tensions are already high following a series of deadly clashes earlier this month between U.N. peacekeepers and demonstrators who suspected them of being the source of the rapidly spreading cholera outbreak. At stake in the election is the post-quake reconstruction project. The next president is expected to oversee billions in promised rebuilding aid, and would have veto power over the commission co-chaired by former U.S. President Bill Clinton and the current prime minister. Clinton is also trying to encourage foreign investment in tourism, agriculture and other areas. Most of that money, however, is contingent on the Haitian government being certified as a good, stable and non-corrupt partner. Gunfire was heard in some sectors overnight, but Monday morning was quiet as people waited to hear what their leaders and potential leaders would say. Associated Press writers Jonathan M. Katz reported this story in Port-au-Prince and Ben Fox in Cap-Haitien. AP writer Jacob Kushner in Port-au-Prince contributed to this report.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Motivation, Open The Door
"I knocked and the door opened. But I found that I had been knocking from the inside and I could have opened the door for myself." –Tehuti
Many moons ago, do you remember people asking you, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Do you remember how easily and confidently you would have responded? Most would have answered that question eagerly and they would have said whatever came to mind.
Doubts and limitations were non-existent. You knew that you could do anything you wanted to do, didn’t you? You didn’t need anybody’s approval or permission.
You knew you could cause things to happen by taking action. Psychologist Richard DeCharms called this phenomenon personal causation.
Personal causation is the initiation of behavior intended to produce a change in an individual’s environment.
After a certain age practically everyone begins to lose his or her sense of personal causation. In other words our sense of self-efficacy is undermined. Undermined by what?
Statements such as:
This is too hard
This costs too much
I’m not good enough
They don’t want me to succeed anyway
If only I had as much money as so and so
I don’t have that kind of luck
I don’t have the right looks
Don’t quit your day job
Just be grateful that you have a job at all
This is too good to be true
Statements like those are the roots of a “lack” mentality and a poverty consciousness.
A Million Dollar Question: Do you believe that you are reading this insight? Is this too good to be true? No, it’s not. It’s happening to the right person- YOU.
It’s a lack mentality and poverty consciousness that leave many people standing there knocking on the door waiting for some one to answer and open it for them.
Sooner or later someone bold, uninhibited, and assertive comes along and stands in front of the same door. But instead of only knocking, he or she reaches for the doorknob, turns it, and walks in. That person could be you.
The door closes behind him or her and the people left standing there start knocking again. They talk and complain amongst themselves about how some people get all the breaks.
They ask ridiculous questions like, "How come he’s so lucky?" or "I wonder who she knows. Who gave her permission to go in?"
These people never realize that you don’t need permission, you need initiative. You don’t get a break; you create breaks.
To be self-empowered is to be responsible.
Be responsible for your actions.
Be responsible for your finances.
Be responsible for your well-being.
Be responsible for your future.
My friend, whatever door you are knocking on realize the doorknob is within reach.
Just turn it and step into greatness.http://pillartopost.com/postnotes/postNotes-pillarToPost-newsletter-nov-2010.aspx
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Winnipeg is a great place to invest!
We are wondering if anyone wants to make 15-25% returns in real estate in Winnipeg? With $50,000-$100,000 investment, this is easily done, give us a call to find out how.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Press Release from WinnipegRealtors
PRESS RELEASE
November 5, 2010
For Immediate Release
YEAR-TO-DATE MLS® SALES EVEN WITH 2009
- - -
October MLS® Sales Down 3%; MLS® Dollar Volume Up 6%
WINNIPEG – If this was an election it would be too close to call. On the final stretch drive with two months to go it is a dead heat in terms of MLS® sales compared to last year. There are only 28 more MLS® sales in 2010. However dollar volume is a different story. It is up 10% in comparison to 2009 and while sales do drop off at year end there should be no doubt WinnipegREALTORS® will set its 10th consecutive annual MLS® dollar volume record in 2010. 2001 finished with a dollar volume level just shy of the $1 billion mark. Ten years later the final amount could possibly reach $2.7 billion.
While sales have risen in the last 10 years the primary reason for the significant jump in dollar volume is price increases. The residential-detached or single-family home average price has gone from $100,000 to $242,000 while condominiums have soared even higher percentage-wise from $79,000 to a 2010 year-to-date average price of $197,000.
For October 2010, dollar volume is the highest on record for the month of October despite being outperformed in sales the previous five years. New MLS® listings in October were ahead slightly and the active MLS® listings or the current inventory going into November has nearly 10 per cent more properties for buyers to choose from than in 2009.
October MLS® unit sales were down 3% (949/979) while dollar volume was up 6% ($214.2 million/$201.4 million) in comparison to the same month in 2009. Year-to-date MLS® unit sales are even with last year (10,754/10,726) while dollar volume is up 10% ($2.39 billion/$2.17 billion). Total MLS® listings entered on the MLS® this year are 17,744; an increase of 12% over 2009.
“Relative to many other markets across the country Winnipeg is holding its own so we are clearly viewing our sales activity here as the glass half full,” said Claude Davis, president of WinnipegREALTORS®. “If there is disappointment, it is in regard to the lower end of the residential-detached housing market where sales continue to show some appreciable declines over the year before. We are of the opinion provincial land transfer tax relief would be helpful in addressing this development which has emerged more noticeably since 2009.”
Backing up WinnipegREALTORS® president’s statement on taking a positive stance on Winnipeg’s October sales in comparison to the same month a year ago, Toronto’s October sales declined 21%, Calgary’s 35%, Edmonton’s 29% and Vancouver’s 37%.
For residential-detached sales in October, the most active price ranges were the $150,000 to $199,999 at 25% of total sales and the $200,000 to $249,999 at 23% of all sales. It is interesting to note for the first time in any month, let alone October, residential-detached sales over $500,000 represented the highest percentage they have ever been at 5% of total sales and were almost the equal of sales under $100,000. Two of those sales over $500,000 were one on Old Orchard Road in East St. Paul for $1,225,000 and another on River Road in St. Vital for $1,485,000.
The average days on market for residential-detached sales was 28 days, one day faster than last month and the same pace as October 2009. As for condominium sales, the average days on market for sales was 31 days, 2 days quicker than last month and October 2009.
Established in 1903, WinnipegREALTORS® is a professional association representing over 1,600 real estate brokers, salespeople, appraisers, and financial members active in the Greater Winnipeg Area real estate market. Its REALTOR® members adhere to a strict code of ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) designed exclusively for REALTORS®. WinnipegREALTORS® serves its members by promoting the benefits of an organized real estate profession. REALTOR®, MLS® and Multiple Listing Service® are trademarks owned and controlled by the Canadian Real Estate Association and are used under licence.
For further information, contact Peter Squire at 786-8854.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Buying a Home
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. So when it comes time to signing on the dotted line, make sure you don’t make that decision alone. To help you put together the right team of professionals, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers the following who’s-who list of experts and what they should bring to the table: For more information on putting together your home buying team and on other factors associated with buying a home, visit www.cmhc.ca, and search Homebuying Step by Step or call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642. For more than 60 years, CMHC has been Canada’s national housing agency and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise. For story ideas or to access CMHC experts or expertise, contact CMHC Media Relations — National Office at: 613-748-2799 or by e-mail: media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca. Who you need on your team
A real estate agent will help you find a home, write an Offer of Purchase, negotiate a purchase on your behalf and save you a considerable amount of time. When choosing an agent you want to work with, ask for references and don’t be afraid to ask questions or call your local real estate association for advice.
Published: August 26, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Article in Winnipeg Real Estate News
Top-10 Reasons To Use A REALTOR®
| Below are the top-10 reasons why it pays to use a REALTOR®. It’s a good time to relate this helpful reminder, as using REALTORS® clearly provided great results in September. It was a month to remember, as both sales and dollar volume reached record levels, including a quarter of a billion dollars worth of MLS® sales. Buying and selling real estate is not a simple endeavour. In fact, it is a significant business transaction, requiring a team of talented and skilled people to ensure the process runs smoothly. As an important part of most real estate transactions, lawyers, financial advisors, mortgage specialists, home inspectors, property appraisers, interior decorators, movers and REALTORS® all play a role within their areas of expertise. And of all these professionals, REALTORS® assist clients through the entire real estate process with care, professionalism and competency. It is estimated that more than 132 large and small tasks must be managed to successfully close a real estate transaction. A committed and professional REALTOR® will make this complex process simple and painless. The top-10 reasons to use a REALTOR®: 10. REALTORS® provide their clients with an expert evaluation on the value of any property they are seeking to sell or to purchase. How do you decide upon a fair value for a property you are selling or purchasing? Your REALTOR® will analyze comparable properties, and will help you determine a price reflecting the current real estate market. 9. REALTORS® provide professional advice on how to prepare your property so that it shows at its absolute best. REALTORS® know exactly how to present a home in its best light, and they advise clients on how to improve the appearance of their home to potential buyers. When viewing properties, REALTORS® provide a critical eye to flaws that may be more significant than clients realize. 8. REALTORS® use the Multiple Listing Service® to put a client’s property front and centre in the real estate market by giving it maximum exposure or to find a property that fits with what their client is seeking. Only REALTORS®, those real estate agents who are members of the WinnipegREALTORS® Association and the Canadian Real Estate Association, can list properties on the MLS® system, a member-to-member service with rules to ensure that the accuracy and integrity of the system is maintained. When listed on the MLS® system, the entire network of 98,000 Canadian REALTORS® can access your property details and bring it to the attention of their clients. Who wouldn’t want such a team working for them? 7. REALTORS® take care of all the nitty-gritty details involved in selling or purchasing a home. When you select a REALTOR® to help you sell your home, your REALTOR® will plan and manage open houses, they will show your home regularly to scores of potential buyers, and they will work evenings and weekends to ensure the right buyers are matched with the right sellers. 6. REALTORS® take care of advertising. REALTORS® not only list your property on the MLS® system, but they also advertise properties in the Winnipeg Real Estate News, the largest circulation estate publication in Manitoba with a successful online version containing the most-up-to-date listings. Only REALTORS® can advertise property in the WREN. 5. REALTORS® take care of yard signage. If your home is for sale but nobody knows it, how can it possibly be sold? REALTORS® provide attractive, recognizable yard signage to let people know that your valuable property is available for purchase. 4. REALTORS® assist clients in understanding all offers to purchase. REALTORS® are experts in all conditions of sale, and provide explanations and expertise regarding offers made for a property. As your REALTOR® works on your behalf, he or she will advise you on any conditions of sale that may be problematic, and take steps to negotiate any unacceptable elements. 3. REALTORS® know how to negotiate an acceptable sale price. Because homeownership is a substantial investment that can have emotional implications, both buyers and sellers usually have too much at stake to be good negotiators. While representing their clients, REALTORS® remain professionally detached and are able to negotiate satisfactory sale prices in real estate transactions. 2. REALTORS® know the pulse of the current market. REALTORS® are professionals who live, breathe and study real estate. They know the Winnipeg and regional marketplace through day-to-day exposure and are aware how its pulse is beating. They are professionals with intricate, expert knowledge that assists everyone who is interested in buying or selling a property. 1. REALTORS® put your mind at ease and let you relax through the real estate transaction. In today’s intense real estate market, isn’t it worth it to have a professional guide you through a complex business transaction with ease and security? You have a choice of more than 1,400 REALTORS® working in Winnipeg and the surrounding rural municipalities, and all are waiting to help you with the most important transaction you’ll ever make. (With assistance from a top-10 list compiled by the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton.) |
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Show Home @ 160 Perfanick
I'm working at our office at our Show Home today, so might as well have the doors open and sell a few builds for Bentley while I'm at it, and watch some NFL.
Thanksgiving Weekend
We hope that everyone has a great weekend and you are able to enjoy it with family!
Geoff Archambault - 997-1761
Regan Archambault - 995.1761
WinnipegHomeConnection.com
MyRealtor@WinnipegHomeConnection.com
www.WinnipegHomeConnection.com
Regan Archambault - 995.1761
WinnipegHomeConnection.com
MyRealtor@WinnipegHomeConnection.com
www.WinnipegHomeConnection.com
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