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!