Paperless Real Estate

I attended a Seminar yesterday in Orillia that covered lots of topics related to real estate, but one stood out for me....paperless office. Right now the files for each real estate transaction are staggering. Can anyone say "killing trees"? Most of the paperwork isn't even seen by the buyer or seller. The invention of the ipad and tablets have launched real estate into a whole new world now. Touchscreens allow clients to sign documents online - no printing, just sign and return. Now we can't do this yet on an Agreement of Purchase and Sale (legislation is coming) but we can with listing agreements and other documents, as long as both sides have the technology.
One of the best things about this is the flexibility for both sides. Many times I hear "my printer is out of ink" or "I'll have to run to a Staples store and have them fax it back to you". Now the buyer or seller can sit in their livingroom, ipad in hand, and sign on the screen ... done!
For the realtor it means we don't physically have to be in the office to use the scanner or the fax (less and less). Documents can be filled out, forwarded, corrected....all on the fly.
We have come a long way from the days of arguing about whether a faxed document was legal! One of the topics yesterday was even called "Laptops? How Vintage!!".
The question now is, what realtors will be able to keep up with the constant change in technology, regulations, and access to information...only time will tell!

Green Living in Haliburton Highlands

One of the best things about my job are the people that I get to meet. People who appreciate The Highlands for it's natural beauty, it's trails, and it's eco-friendly nature. Last week I had the honour of meeting a couple with great plans for the future with an eco-friendly lifestyle and future business.
Meeting them reminded me of some of the great resources to assist people in a healthy, green lifestyle in our area.
www.abbeygardens.ca - check this one out! This beautiful eco-friendly building was built to offer space for people to sell their wares, where courses are offered in gardening and farming, and people can share resources and homegrown goods.
www.harvesthaliburton.com - another great one!
www.greenlivingtour.blogspot.ca - this tour was held in July, but it is still worth checkout the site. It shows some of Haliburton County's great buildings and resources.
www.haliburtonfresh.com - want to purchase locally grown meats and veggies? Here is a list of all the farms, locations to buy exactly what you are looking for!
I am sure there are many more sites and the list becomes endless when you start to include healthy lifestyle activities such as cycling, outdoor adventures, The Hike Haliburton Festival (an absolute must to participate in each Fall!), and so on....
The Highlands is full of amazing people who have taken the challenge to not only live eco-friendly lifestyles, but to teach and share with others. We have people who head up community gardens, grow organic produce, put on workshops - even our local College offers a course in straw bale construction.
Do I sound proud of the community I live in? Well, if it is not coming across as such, then let me say it out loud - I AM PROUD! Proud of the community, proud of the people who live and work here, and proud of the wonderful people I get to meet, day after day!

This Weeks's Lake - Redstone Lake

So many lakes, so little time.....last time I talked about Kennisis Lake - today it is Redstone Lake, just down the road! In one word....stunning! Slightly smaller than Kennisis Lake, Redstone too is located in our northern region of the County and has been a cottage destination since the early '60's. The lake covers 118 ha (294 acres), is deep, clean and offers everything from big granite outcroppings to sand beaches. The lake has an average depth of 71.9 ft (21.5 m) and is 270 ft (81m) at it's deepest point.
A cool thing about Redstone Lake is that it holds a unique fish - the Haliburton Gold Lake Trout. This fish is a glacial relic lake trout strain, only found in Redstone and 3 other lakes in our area. It is genetically different from other lake trout and even has a completely different look!

An Early-Morning Misty View from a Granite Bluff

Redstone connects with Little Redstone Lake and Pelaw Lake for tonnes of boating, waterskiing, windsurfing - you name it! 3 boat launches, a beautiful sand beach, scenic islands, granite cliffs.....this lake is dramatic and tranquil all at the same time.
Cottages on this lake range from older, quaint original cabins to properties the average person can only dream of owning - something for everyone.
Both Redstone and Kennisis Lakes flank the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve, famous for it's many lakes to camp and fish on, and it's Wolf Centre and Canopy Walk. The area is definitely an area unto it's own...a real cottage destination.
Deep, clean, clear and dramatic - that's my short version! One more reason to visit and vacation in Haliburton Highlands!

Lake Water Quality

I was rifling through some old files yesterday and came across a couple of newspaper articles from 1993 about clear lakes in Ontario. Definitely not a recent account, but interesting all the same. I have always maintained that Haliburton Highlands has amazing, clean, clear lakes. We are located above the Trent Severn Waterway system so we aren't as subject to invasive species and pollutants, and we have lots of natural rock - one of nature's built-in filter systems
. The article supported my theory.
Written by Peter Janas, B.Sc.F., the article references results of a study that Mr. Janas completed. The article explains what is meant by "clear" and how it correlates to lake depth, amount of algae, etc. I won't go into detail of his study, as I am not a researcher and do not want to get any of the accounts incorrect, but what I did like was the number of Haliburton Highlands lakes that were on his "Clearest Lakes" in Cottage Country.
What lakes were they? Hall's Lake, Big Hawk Lake, Boshkung Lake, Mountain, and Twelve Mile Lakes (all along Highway 35's corridor), Billings Lake and Allen Lake (on the Eastern side of the County), Kennisis and Haliburton Lakes (north of Haliburton Village), and Miskwabi Lake, about 15 minutes East of Haliburton Village.
One point that Peter Janas makes is that "clear" often correlates to depth - and each of these lakes are deep lakes that provide excellent lake trout fishing, but we are so blessed in the Highlands with 600 lakes of every size and depth - something for everyone. What a great place to live and play!!!

Lake of the Week - Kennisis

Each Monday I will be showcasing a different lake in the Highlands - this is the first! Kennisis Lake is part of a 2-lake chain that joins with Little Kennisis Lake.

 If you enjoy that "Muskoka feel" then Kennisis Lake is for you. A large, deep, clean lake that is full of bays and islands to explore.
Located about 20 minutes North of Haliburton Village, the lake is part of an area called the Kennisis Lake Tourist Area. It has an average depth of 77.1 ft (23.1 m) and is 223 ft (66.9m) at it's deepest point, and has a surface area of 346 acres or 140 ha. This lake has been developed for many years and offers a mix of rustic, smaller cottages and million $plus homes and cottages. The West Shore area commands a higher price point, but there are lots of options on such a large lake. Go under the bridge into Little Kennisis Lake and find even more boating possibilities.
At the West end of the lake is a dam that leads into the Kennisis River - a boat launch and large parking lot can be found there as it is the only way to get to Red Pine Lake, a boat-access only lake. There are 3 boat launches and a Marina, and is near the famous Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve, including the Wolf Center - a great place to visit! Check out the Cookhouse Restaurant at the Haliburton Forest for a great meal, and meander through the Logging Museum. One of the islands - Nora's Island, was donated to the Haliburton Land Trust for public use and offers 22 acres for a great picnic destination.
Kennisis is one of Haliburton Highland's largest, most scenic lakes (arguably). A fabulous destination - even if just for the day!

Ready to Buy that Cottage?

Stunning Kennisis Lake

So you are looking for a cottage. You may have vacationed in the Highlands before, have friends here, perhaps rented a cottage in the area....and now you want your own! Spring is arriving and showings have already begun - people are snowshoeing into the seasonal cottages - they can't wait to get their cottage for the summer!
Are you ready? Have you got your finances in order? Do you have a deposit? Here are some things your agent will need to know to have successful outings:
1. What are you going to do at your cottage: boat, waterski, sea doo, swim, canoe/kayak? Your activities help define what type of lake you need to purchase on, and what type of shoreline you'd require;
2. Are you social people? Do you like to know your neighbours, visit at the dock, or do you prefer a "getaway" with privacy and quiet? Again - this influences the lake, the area, and the property type.
3. Will you use the cottage in winter? If your budget does not allow for a 4-season cottage, are you willing to look at a 3-season cottage that could be easily converted?
4. Are you entertainers? Will you have children and their friends; brothers and sisters and their families; friends of your own? If so, you will need parking space and possibly a spot for a bunkie. Some cottages are very restrictive with space for one, maybe two vehicles and little turnaround space. Will this work for you?
5. Travel Time - our County is huge and we have lakes in every corner. Some people only want a 2 1/2 hr. drive from their home which limits the lakes that you can view cottages on, but note that some of our best lakes are worth driving to!

My last tip today - BE HONEST with your Realtor. We are here to help, and what you tell us about your personal life, habits, finances....is all held in the strictest confidence. But we need that information to provide you with the best possible service, and the perfect outcome for you and your family.

Passing Down the Family Cottage

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a seminar by Geoffrey Parker of the Stonehaven Financial Group Inc in Unionville. As a real estate agent in beautiful Haliburton County, I am not directly involved in family matters as people decide the best route for dealing with the family cottage, but I do get to hear lots of stories.
The seminar touched topics such as dissention in the family (when one child of the owner wants to keep the cottage, but other members want to sell and get their shaire), the cottage as part of a will, capital gains, probate taxes and some options for passing the cottage forward to family.
Did you know that a family can hire a facilitator to help come to an agreement? Holding a "family council" is a great idea! Remember that game as kids where everyone sits in a circle and a sentence is whispered, and a completely different sentence comes out the other end? Making sure that everyone in your family understands your intentions with the family cottage is crucial. Word of mouth does not work. Hold a meeting, share your plan, and have everyone hear the same thing. Facilitators are a great tool if there are differing opinions (although, please remember - it's YOUR cottage, not theirs). Facilitators are trained to offer a "safe" environment for people to share their views and concerns. They are not decision-makers and they have no vested interest in the outcome, they simply follow an agenda and ask key questions to get to the route of the situation.
On the topics of capital gains, "gifting", selling for $1.00, leaving a cottage in a will - these were complex with no clear cut answers, and for that reason, I will not go into details here. It is best to consult your lawyer and accountant for advice - but there was one other really neat topic - electing to change your primary residence.
Since you do not pay capital gains on your primary residence, it may be beneficial to elect to switch your designated primary residence in certain years where the cottage has a large increase in value. For example, you purchased your cottage for $200,000 and then either by some crazy market event or by massive improvements, your cottage increased in value to $500,000 in one particular year. For the year that you sell your cottage or you pass away and it becomes part of the estate, it may be beneficial to designate the year of marked value increase as a primary residence year. Sound confusing? It is....and it does not apply to every situation, but it is certainly something to consider!
The best advice I can give at this point? Have a written plan .... make sure your family knows your plan ... and leave it flexible enough that at the time of your passing, it can be altered to ensure the best tax savings to your estate. Above all...preserve the family. These things can be messy and can create bad feelings....clarifying everything now will help preserve the family unit that is your #1 asset!

The New Age of Selling...

Every agent has been asked "Why are other agents showing my property but you aren't?" Seems like a practical question! Here is the cold, hard truth. Real Estate has changed massively since the internet. Buyers spend on average 2 1/2 to 3 months on the internet checking out properties and getting informed before they ever pick up a phone to an agent. At this point the agent they call will put them on an automated system to send listings as they become available - this is the agent they will probably ultimately deal with when they are ready to start seeing properties.
In our area (the magnificent Haliburton Highlands!), there are almost 100 registered agents. This means that the agent who promises to sell your property needs to take a different approach. My job as a listing agent is to get your property exposure - exposure to other agents so they will want to bring their buyers, exposure on the internet (multiple websites, social media, other venues), and exposure to the neighbourhood. When that prospective buyer sees your listing - they will probably pick up the phone and call the agent they have already connected with - not me. The agent who promises to "bring the buyer" is naive and limited in their thinking. Agents can no longer coddle and be possessive of their listings - it is all about getting the word out and reaching prospective buyers from as many different angles as possible.
Real estate keeps changing - which means we, as realtors, need to keep changing. What ever happened to print advertising? Buyers do not come from ads in the local paper - even though it looks like the agent is advertising his listings, he is actually advertising himself - hoping that potential sellers will be impressed with his newspaper presence and give him a call. Now that's a twist!! And it works - but no sale for the poor listing that was put in the paper!
The lesson? Ask your realtor how they plan to spread the word and exposure your property - not if they have a buyer for you. Choose your realtor wisely based on today's market needs!

A New Year - A New Market?

I love Winter in Haliburton Highlands! Many real estate agents cringe at the thought of January and February - the market is quiet, many cottages and vacant lots come off the market over the winter, phone calls and emails dwindle down......but for me, it is time to organize!
Time to take stock, look at the market.....what will the coming year be like? I LOVE new marketing ideas and trends (and there are many), and figuring out which best suits my personality, skill-set, and time. It is time to catch up. I also like to use this time to reflect on where we live, what our County has to offer, and why people choose to live or vacation in Haliburton Highlands.
For me, the answer is simple - Haliburton Highlands has everything a vacationer needs. Want a big lake to boat, ski or explore? We have that. Want a quiet, remote location for pure peace and quiet? We have that (I want to say "we have an app for that" but will resist the urge!).
And what is new in the area?? Well - are you ready for it? Haliburton is finally getting a Tim Horton's (hoping to open in June)! Does that finish off the wishlist? Minden has had one for the past 3-4 years, and got a Canadian Tire this past summer. In the spring of 2013 - a Grill 'n Chill Dairy Queen/Orange Julius.
Now, depending on what you want out of a vacation spot, these items can seem to be either a negative or a positive. But honesty, our County is so large, and we we so many out-of-the-way spots, they are simply conveniences for those who want them. Haliburton especially, does not have the terrain to get much larger. Sandwiched between a mountain (or very large hill at least) and a lake, expansion is pretty much impossible - we will never be a Huntsville that grows into megabox stores and crowds. Great news!
Later today I will post on my personal blog (not my real estate blog) a couple of exciting things that are happening in our County - check it out!