Over 600 Lakes!

Over 600 Lakes!
Bat Lake - Minden

Friday, December 23, 2011

Reflection



As the season draws to an end and we are about to begin a new year - fresh and eager to take on the world, I can't help but think of the changes that have occurred in the way we do business. For a good agent - nothing stays the same. We are constantly changing and adapting to new technology, new sources of information, and new expectations by clients - both Buyers and Sellers. Our clients are savvy and information-hungry, take more time to make a decision, and are more cautious - all good things.



As a RE/MAX agent, I feel very lucky to have a vast amount of technology and information at my fingertips. I recently attended a conference in Mississauga and was once again reminded of everything that RE/MAX has to offer us. Texting and QR codes for our signs, websites and advertising, social network linkages, media releases, thorough statistics, extensive websites that are growing by the day, massive marketing campaigns - all this provides "brand recognition" for our Sellers. Brand recognition equates to more exposure for listings, more ways for potential Buyers to find our Sellers' listings. In this technological world - exposure is everything!



The challenge becomes, for the individual agent, in keeping up. Quick responses to enquiries, activating all the possible linkages and taking full advantage of what is out there for our use. Real estate has always been a 7-day a week career, and it is even more so now.



These new technologies and exposure systems are working. In our local market, our RE/MAX North Country offices held 47.5% of the marketshare in Haliburton County at the end of October, 2011, with all other companies combined holding the difference. Every year agents switch companies seeking the best deal for their money, trying to figure out how best to up their game. Reflection is an important part of starting any new year. It helps you to set goals, ensure you are where you want to be. As I look deep into my chosen career - where it has been, where it is now, and where it is going, I am very thankful for where I am, and choose not to be anywhere else!



Wishing everyone out there a wonderful Holiday Season and an absolutely fantastic 2012!!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Condo News



I had a great visit with Gerry Kowalski last week, the developer of Silver Beach Developments on Kashagawigamog Lake (check out the link to the development off my website - http://www.terrylcarr.com/ ) Things have been moving along quickly since the services were installed last year. Several homes/cottages are now built and people have moved in. The beautiful model home - The Northland, has been sold, so Gerry needed to build a new one! The first model home was the largest of the options - over 2,400 sq. ft. plus a finished basement! The new model home is a Southwind model - a very desirable size at 2200 sq. feet, including the basement, with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Even though the model home is not quite ready, I got a sneak peak and it is gorgeous! My favourites - the rustic wood mantle in the main living room and the lovely dark cabinetry in the kitchen - with loads of cupboards, of course!



Every one of these homes and townhomes are built with high standards and it is evident as you meander through the model homes or drive around the community. The first and only of it's kind in Haliburton County, this development offers the unique opportunity of mixing cottage country living with city amenities and quality. Some of the people who have already purchased here are using their property as a vacation property - either travelling to other parts of the world in off-season, or simply cottaging on weekends. Other people have sold their long-time cottages on lakes farther from Haliburton and Minden to move to the area permanently. Since Silver Beach is only a 7 minute drive from Haliburton, and about a 10 minute drive from Minden - it's location is excellent for those who want the lake and the town!



Once again I was completely impressed by Gerry's dedication to quality, community and the need to have happy, content people in the development. His success is reflected in the little things - while I was there he received a phone call and was involved in spreading the word of the 2nd annual Christmas party for Silver Beach. I have been there when owners have talked about their shopping trips and card games. The sense of community started long before there was a community and it is a very special thing to sit and watch developments unfold - from dirt and rocks, to a successful, caring and involved neighbourhood! Maybe that is why I am in real estate! I am in it for the happy endings! If you haven't seen it - check out their website or come for a visit. If you have already seen it - take a second look! And come see the NEW model home - it should be ready later this week!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Why List during the Holidays?







Nothing new here - just some tried and true reasons why listing in time for the holidays is better than waiting for the New Year!





1. (Most Importantly) People who look for homes during the holidays are more serious buyers - you will not have as many showings as you would come Spring time, but generally, the people who do come to check out your property are more serious and motivated.



2. Serious Buyers have less listings to choose from, which creates a temporary Seller's market.



3. The supply of listings increases come January creating less demand for your home in particular. Beat the crowd!



4. Houses usually show better when decorated. Over-decorating can be caveat, along with strong-scented candles, but on the whole, decorating provides a warm, cozy and inviting feel.



5. Buyers are more emotional during the holidays, so they are more likely to pay your price (if priced appropriately).


6. Buyers are off work during the holidays and have more time to look around.



7. Some people must buy before the end of the year for financial considerations.



8. January can often be a month where employees being new jobs - transferring to the area. They cannot wait until Spring to buy, so capture that market now.


9. By selling now, depending on your situation, you can request a Spring closing. The Buyer purchases your home while there is little to choose from, and you purchase during the Spring with lots of options (Sell high - Buy low).



10. There are still Buyers looking for that perfect recreational property and they want the transaction to close so they can start using it in Spring - they are running out of time!


The most popular question we get from people is "when is the best time of year to list our property". The answer is simply - a) residential properties - there is no bad time. You never know when that "perfect buyer" is going to come along - there are many reasons why people are purchasing their home and personal lives do not often stick to a season; b) recreational - Spring gets you the eager-beavers, Summer gets a mix, but some have already purchased, and Fall gets you those who are still dying to purchase but couldn't find anything in Spring and Summer. There are good reasons why you should list in each of those seasons. The only season that is tough is Winter. Many cottages have their water turned off for Winter, heat is down, and quite often they are on a seasonal road. Listing in January or February makes the property look like it has been listed a long time, when truly the selling season hasn't started yet. List at the beginning of March so we can market your property at the Cottage Life Show in Toronto - the kick-0ff for the season, but not sooner than March!



It is also easy to have a list of "simple rules" but remember, each situation is completely different. We are, in the end, dealing with people, not just their properties, so it is best to talk your personal situation over with your realtor to create the best individualized strategy, for the best results!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Woodstove



Every cottager wants a woodstove - the smell of a woodstove is second to none and the ambiance is exactly what you want at the lake! One thing I love about real estate is that it is constantly changing, and I am constantly learning. Nothing is static, and I was taught at a very young age by my grandfather that you must learn something new every day! Regulations around heat sources are one of those things that change - requirements get tighter. What passed 5 or 6 years ago for a woodstove, does not meet todays codes. Single-walled pipes now require double-walled, insulated pipes, etc. Now - I am NOT an expert on these things - I sell real estate, not wood stoves, but a recent complication has provided me with one more thing to caution my buyers about. Until recently, we could honestly say that sometimes insurance companies wanted a woodstove "WETT" certified (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) and some companies would simply send one of their own inspectors to the property and it would be satisfactory. Not any more! WETT certificates are now required by most (not sure if it is all yet) insurance companies.

Many cottages have woodstoves that do not meet today's code. For the buyer this means that a sale cannot close until the woodstove is certified, because financing cannot be in place for closing without insurance. Many insurance companies will give a grace period for the buyer to bring the woodstove to code - but not long. If you are unable to negotiate that the Seller gets the woodstove certified, you as a Buyer need to be prepared for the cost. Depending on the issue, you could face anything from a quick fix to replacing the whole stove.

Best advice - during your home inspection, have the woodstove checked for certification. If it needs changes first, find out the costs before signing off on the home inspection. Are you going to pay for it? Are you going to ask for an amendment for the Seller to pay? Are you going to ask to split the cost 50/50? Depending on the situation, there are different ways to resolve the problem, but be prepared. The best purchase is a "no surprise" purchase!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Choosing a Waterfront Property

One of the most popular questions when on duty is: where do I start? what do I look for? This a huge question, with many answers! My recommendation is to sit down and decide what your vision of cottage life includes. Quiet evenings and bonfires? Canoeing and kayaking? Fishing? Swimming? Boating and water skiing? Make a list. There are many types of cottagers, many types of properties, and many types of lakes. Each lake has it's own "personality". With over 600 lakes in our County, they range from small, motor-restricted to large chains great for boating. Each lake has a different price point. What $350,000 buys you on one lake, does not get you far on another.

Know your price range - know your "must haves" - know your planned lifestyle. If you share each of these with your Realtor it makes the cottage hunt more efficient. Do you need to get into the cottage in winter? Or will you be a summer cottager? We have a lot of seasonal roads in the County but many are also short and could be ploughed by yourself or someone you hire if that is the right cottage for you - so do not discount them. Cottages on seasonal roads also give you a price break if you are willing to consider them.

Also ensure you can talk to your Realtor and communicate. If you tell your Realtor that privacy is very important to you - know that privacy to one person is not the same as what it means to someone else. I recently had a client that insisted that the most important thing they wanted was complete privacy. They needed to get away from everyone and everything. They asked to see a particular cottage that, in my mind, was not private at all with cottages flanking both sides and very little for trees or shrubs between them. They absolutely loved it and thought it was incredibly private!

If you are not sure exactly what you are looking for - my suggestion is to book a day with your Realtor - have him/her showing you 3-4 cottages on different lakes. By the end of the day your Realtor will know you better, and you will know what you like and what you definitely don't like!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Summer Sales

Well, summer is over half over already! Business will slow down temporarily in the Highlands for the last two weeks of August while Buyers turn their attention to back to school preparations and The CNE, but they will be back come September! September and October are traditionally crazy months for Realtors. Buyers who have looked all summer but not found that perfect cottage yet, are really serious now. Many think about how nice it would be to have Thanksgiving in their new cottage and invite all the family! Environment Canada is predicting a warmer than usual Fall this year also, which should help keep people motivated.

With serious items such as economic trends and interest rates - why did I mention the weather? Sounds crazy, but the weather can affect real estate in cottage country quite a bit! Haliburton County is still an area of "choice" - lower taxes but a Muskoka feel. So even in a tough economy, it is still a great place to buy a vacation property. Having said all that, Buyers still have to be "in the mood". Spring presented a lot of wet, cold weather, and it was hard for Buyers to think about lounging on a beach or on the deck of their new cottage! July started with a huge bang - until the severe hot weather hit! Everyone renting a cottage and thinking about getting their own, stayed at the cottage - too hot to move, too hot to drive around and look at options. It doesn't mean they won't look, it just created a temporary lull.

The County definitely had lots to choose from this year - many listing in many price ranges. I wouldn't call it a Buyer's market just yet. To create a Buyer's market, both Buyer and Seller have to be of the same mind set, and right now, Seller's still want their prices. There are several price reductions in the area, but not much above normal for this time of year. Remember, fair market value of a property comes down to what the Buyer is willing to pay and the Seller is welling to take - a meeting of the minds!

My New Blog

Hi everyone - My first blog, www.aviewofthehighlands.blogspot.com, was created to be strictly about my adventures around Haliburton County - no business! But it seems that separation is hard for me - I like to talk! So I have created a second one for those who wish to read about real estate.

Firstly, I wish to talk business. Haliburton County is a fabulous place to take on a business of your own. Not only do we swell to bursting capacities every summer, but we have great winters too! Many people think of our County as a summer destination but it just isn't so. With our extensive snowmobile trails, Sir Sam's Downhill Ski Resort, amazing top-rated cross country ski trails and snowshoeing becoming more popular than ever before, winter is a mecca for visitors to the area. YES, business is quieter, but for the business owner this is truly a good thing. The crazy pace of summer means that business owners need that time to breath, re-group, plan for the next season. Business is still coming through the door, but you can get to those other items you desperately need to give attention to!

We currently have two businesses for sale. Both are vibrant, active and stable businesses in the Village of Haliburton. A bulk food store that is clean, large, and has a great following of loyal clients, and a Day Spa which has been in the County for over 23 years and offers everything from manicures to tanning! Both businesses offer excellent locations, parking directly in front of the stores, an instant client base and all the tools necessary to step right in and take over.

There is great opportunity in our County - move here, relax here, earn money here!