The Perfect Agent

Torch Lake, Carnarvon, ON

Every month I receive excellent newsletters and publications on real estate, put together by some of Canada's and North America's top agents - chock full of great advice. As I read each word and absorb it's meaning, I often wonder how many agents in the business actually take the time to continually learn and push their limits. Free advice is there

for the taking.

It is one of my mantras - to get better at what I do with every single transaction. I hope I am - I think I am - succeeding.

So how does this affect you? How do you know if you are choosing a real estate representative that will work with your own personal goals, your personality, your expectations? Here are some questions I have never been asked in a listing presentation, but really think that I should be:

1. How do you keep up with current sales trends and techniques?

2. What is your social media presence?

3. What is your core ideology?
4. Is this your full-time career?

5. How do you ensure your knowledge and skills base is fresh and up-to-date?

6. How will you work with me to assist me with my goals;

7. What are some local market trend statistics? (not nation-wide and easily quotable)

8. Depending on the type of property you are selling (land, starter/retirement home, luxury property, cottage), ask what the Agent's experience is in that particular market.

If you are armed with these questions, you should be able to identify if this agent is the right agent for you, or if you need to move on. This is a partnership - your agent is offering a service - not just selling a property, and it best be an all-encompassing service ready to take on any hurdle in the process that may present itself.

Our Luxury Market Update

It is (almost) Spring again! Each year I review the luxury market in our area. Luxury properties have always been available in The Highlands (Minden and Haliburton), but it is still a fairly new and fresh section of our market. For many years Purchaser with $1,000,000 or more went straight to Muskoka, and The Highlands was not really on their radar. Each year more and more high-end Purchasers are discovering what The Highlands has to offer - beautiful lakes, exquisite scenery, loads of activities/events and attractions, and more bang for your buck!

When I started in real estate there were never more than 1 or 2 million-dollar listings on the market at a time, and they could take quite some time to sell. That has certainly changed. The area boasts over 600 lakes and the luxury market offers everything from quiet, remote private lakes to big boating, and everything inbetween!
I quick look back into recent history reveals that in 2012 there were 6 properties that sold for price tags over $1,000,000. They were located on Drag Lake, Kennisis (2), Kashagawigamog, Boshkung and Redstone Lakes.  In 2013 there were 5 sales, located on Drag Lake, Redstone, Kashagawigamog, and 2 on Kennisis. In 2014 we jumped to 8 sales. These may be small numbers - but that is an increase of 60%. 2014's sales were on Growler Lake, Soyers, Canning, Kashagawigamog (2), Spruce, Redstone and Kennisis.
You will notice some repeats in lake names, and yes, these are the more common lakes for the luxury market....but you can definitely find your next gem just about anywhere in the County, on any size of lake.
What will 2015 bring? As of today, March 13, there are 12 properties listed at over $1,000,000. Keep in mind these are their list prices, not sale - but it is only March! This tourist region has so much to offer! Privacy, beautiful boating, stunning views, skiing, outdoor adventures, festivals.....and lower property taxes than our neighbours : )
Do I love the Highlands? I could write a book!!

The Digital Divide??

I was sitting watching a show on Biztv the other day. The Guest Speaker was Vanessa Judelman, President of Mosaic People Development, and her topic was The Digital Divide. Interesting! The general concept, sorry for simplifyng Vanessa, is the differences between people born in the 1980's with screens in front of them and instant information, and those that had this technology come to them at a more mature age.
Vanessa Judelman has studied and done a short documentary on the subject. It sounded really interesting, and got me thinking about how this technological gap or difference affects my business, real estate.

My Messy Desk

As with any real estate company, our office has all age groups. Those born with technology and can't live without it, those embracing it and learning as they go along, and those nervous of what they are unused to, and not quite sure how to tackle it.
Does this affect their selling skills? Are they less or more productive at selling real estate because of the category they fit in? It is not that simple. I attended a seminar two years ago about technology, where the speaker said he would not list with an agent who was not on twitter.......harsh!!
Here is the nitty gritty.....I know agents who won't touch technology, and are at the top of their game. Years of experience has provided for them an amazing repeat and referral business. They are good at what they do, and technology has not affected them one bit. I also know agents with all the technical know-how in the world, but lack business/sales skills.
This is not a simple subject....there are way more variables than just technical know-how. An excellent agent needs to have some experience behind them (or access to great guidance), they need to have enough technical skill to know how to take advantage of today's media - or recognize the need and have someone in their team to look after it, they also need to know their market...trends, competition, what is happening in your neighbourhood. And they need to see the value in your property. I don't mean give you the list price you want (they need to be honest - even if they know you won't like it) - but believe and understand your property so that they can present it in the best possible way. It is all about RESULTS!
I do believe that the technical divide is making things more difficult for some agents. This is a reality, but not true to everyone. For me, the ride is quite enjoyable. I think I am "in the middle", learning as I go along. Using different social media accounts, ipads, smartphones, paperless offices (ha ha), youtube, blogs.....and I find it all quite fun. Technology has opened up a whole new world for me.....I am less anonymous, less of a small dot amongst a cluster. My voice matters.....so does yours. Let's embrace this change together, smartly, cautiously, taking advantage of the best that social media and the internet have to offer!