Choosing A REALTOR® - Make A Wise Decision

Curb Appeal - First Impressions Really Do Count

With the number of decorating and home renovation programs on television these days, the words curb apeal have become common decorating jargon.   For anyone considering listing their home for sale this spring, preparing the outside is just as crucial as preparing the inside.


HGTV.CA  has some great before and after curb appeal slide presentations. Curb appeal in real estate terms refers to the exterior look of a property from the street curb. Curb appeal is a pleasing look upon drive-up.

In order to sell your home you have to get buyers in the door. It's very important for a seller to see the front of their property with "buyer's eyes". What is the first thing you notice when you drive up? How does it compare to other homes in the neighbourhood? Are you attracted enough to want to see inside the home? Here are some tips for some "exterior staging".

1. Take a good look at the property from the street. Look at it from 3 different angles. Can you see the house? Trees and shrubs should be trimmed if not.

2.Is the paint on the home or window frames in good shape? Is the colour neutral? The same goes for eaves and soffits. How about the front door and garage door? If the garage door can't take another coat of paint, replace it with a modern door in a neutral colour. A new front door can make all the difference also.

3. Zero in on the front of the house. Simple items such as a new mailbox and new house numbers and exterior lights can add a huge return for little investment.

4. Look at the driveway and walkway. Are there oil stains or cracks? Is the walkway clear of weeds or overgrown branches. Are the tiles or cement cracked?  Make sure garbage cans, basketball nets, woodpiles, etc. are moved elsewhere.

5. Is there a fence, deck or front porch in need of repair? Call a professional in if you don't have time to tackle these items.

  6. How do the gardens look? The lawn? Are they healthy and green and free of weeds? Add more plants to the garden or in containers or pots. Add some solar lighting for ambiance in the evening.

7. Is the front door well defined? Is there a porch or deck? Make a cosy outdoor sitting area. A couple of welcoming chairs. And don't forget the welcome mat.

8. Make sure the doorbell works and there are no broken window panes. Don't forget you don't have a second chance to make a first impression.

 Curb apeal is all about first impressions. If you follow these steps and make your property inviting to buyers you are well on your way to a SALE. Does Your Home Have Curb Appeal? Here is a fun  quiz from Style At Home Magazine for you to take to see how your curb appeal is. 

http://www.styleathome.com/homes/exteriors/quiz-does-your-home-have-curb-appeal/q/26/

Oakville Ontario Trails - Arbourview Park

Jenny's List of 17 Reasons Why People Move

 

People move for a variety of different reasons. Some are happy moves and some are not. Because of the numerous reasons for moving, there are always people on the go at all times of the year. February is usually a very busy month for purchases. Many people are suffering from cabin fever from being cooped up all winter.
Also this is a good time to buy if you want to be moved in to enjoy the summer in the new house. Here is a list of many of the top reasons why a For Sale sign goes on the front lawn.

1.Home is too small --- an increase in family size can cause the "starter home" to shrink especially with the size of baby toys and apparatus these days.


2. Downsizing --- the opposite of number 1. Empty nesters need less space. Some DON'T want to have extra rooms for the "kids" to come back home.

3. Aging systems and decor --- A home gets to a certain age when you must replace the roof, windows, furnace, air conditioner, kitchen, bathrooms, etc. Some people prefer to move to a new house before these large ticket items need replacing.

4. Purchase a new build-- In communities of large growth and development, new subdivisions offer homes with all the bells and whistles and the buyer gets to go shopping to pick out their upgrades, colours, etc.

5. New home build wasn't as expected --- Many people who buy from house plans and move in to the newly built homes find that when the fences go up, the lot sizes are too small, the driveways aren't big enough, there is too much vehicle congestion on the street and nowhere for children to play.

6. Change in family circumstances -- Family separation or divorce, blending of families, just married, mother-in-law moving in.

7. Retirement --- Time to choose an alternate lifestyle --- condos, moving to a warmer climate or to their recreational property, moving closer to their children.

8. Moving closer to elderly parents --- The younger generation is moving to be closer to their elderly parents to help care for them.

9. Seniors moving to retirement homes and nursing homes --- many have been in their homes for 40+ years. This is a large adjustment and requires much care and understanding from their REALTOR.

10. Health Reasons --- Another sector of people must move due to physical ailments. Knee or back problems can force the need to move from a two storey or split level home to a bungalow to reduce the number of stairs.

11. Neighbourhood changes --- Anticipating highway construction, new home or condo development, changes to school boundaries, are some reasons that people decide to leave a neighbourhood before the situations arise, often because they feel the value of their homes may decrease with these changes.

12. Commute to work --- Many people are relocating closer to their place of employment because of the long commute.

13. Corporate transfer --- Job relocations often take homeowners to a different province or out of the country.

14.Renovating and Flipping ---- There are a percentage of homeowners who enjoy buying fixer uppers and renovating them only to turn around and try to sell them to see a monetary return on their investment. This type of buyer must be very careful to know what is happening with house values and know whether the market is favouring the buyer or the seller everytime they start a new project.

15. Cashing out --- Some homeowners decide that the time is right for them to take advantage of the equity that is in their home and sell so that they can buy a motorhome and travel, purchase recreational property up north or abroad or just rent in the city..

16. Financial Stress ---Some homeowners must sell if they become unemployed or are finding the mortgage payments too difficult to make.

17. Difficult Neighbours --- Many people end up selling if they cannot get along with their neighbours. Often this is due to shared driveways, issues with children, pets, fences, etc.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Oakville, Ontario area, please check out my websites below for information and advice. Then contact me for professional help with all your real estate needs.

www.oakvillepropertiesforsale.com

www.movingoakvilleseniors.com

Thinking Of Selling Your Oakville Home - Here's My Marketing Plan

Listing Presentation, Real Estate, Jenny Kotulak, RE/MAX from Jenny Kotulak

History of the RE/MAX Balloon with Dave Liniger

RE/MAX, 'For All the Things that Move You,' like a Nerd Cave

How's The Market?

As a REALTOR® I often get asked the following questions. "How's the market?" "Is it a good time to buy?" " When's the best time to sell?" Those are not easy ques­tions to answer with a short response. I often respond by saying " If only I had that crystal ball".   Joking aside, after 24 years of selling real estate, I've helped clients buy and sell in all types of markets.  Buyers' market, sellers' market, balanced market, recession, high interest rates, multiple offer markets, I've seen them all, many times over.  The above questions are very broad and it is necessary to be more specific to give a definitive answer to each.  Here are my questions back to you if these questions are on your mind.

How's the Market?
Are you thinking of marketing your home? Are you asking about what's happen­ing in your neighbourhood, your community, all of Canada? Fortunately I have access to those statistics at my fingertips. Most people are curious as to whether the market is slanted in favour of the buyer or seller or whether is is balanced and healthy. They also are curious as to what the average days on market to sell is.

Is it a good time to Buy?
Are you thinking of buying in the near future? If you are looking to purchase a home in the next few months visit your bank or a mortgage broker and obtain your pre-approval. You will receive a guaranteed mortgage rate for 90 - 120 days. If rates go up, your rate is locked in. If they go down you will get the lower rate. With all of the recent changes in mortgage qualifications it is imperative that you work with an experienced mortgage lender.  First things first.  Order a credit check online to see if there is anything showing that may affect your ability to obtain mortgage financing.

Rather than worrying about about whether it is a good time to buy, just determine if it is a good time to buy - for you. Do you have a down payment saved up? Do you want to build equity? Do you want to stop paying rent? Are you looking for an investment property? Looking for a renovation or decorating project?

When's the best time to Sell?
There is no best time. Life events dictate that people have to buy or sell at any time of the year.  Divorce, retirement, a growing family, job transfers are all major reasons for listing.  The spring market may be more brisk with buyers shopping for homes but you will have more competition for those buyers. To attract those buyers your home must be priced right and show well.

Many people mistakenly believe that they shouldn't market their home in November and December. You may have less showings during the holiday season but the buyers looking are usually serious about purchasing plus those who have sold their homes in the fall are looking for their new home. On the other hand some buyers feel that they can find a "steal of a deal" at this time of the year.  Sometimes I will suggest that you "cease action" on your property over the holidays and bring it back on in mid January when the buyers are back looking at homes. 

I can't convey enough that a well priced home that shows well WILL SELL in any type of market.

　

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Oakville, Ontario area, please check out my websites below for information and advice. Then contact me for professional help with all your real estate needs.

www.oakvillepropertiesforsale.com

Oakville Bungalows & Bungalofts

Bungalows in Oakville are in great demand in Oakville.  As our population ages, many homeowners are looking to downsize from  their two storey and split level homes to eliminate extra stairs and trade for a one storey floor plan.

 

The choice of bungalows (and bungalofts) is somewhat limiting in Oakville. There is a large selection of older bungalows built in the 1950's and 1960's but many are dated and need renovating. Most have limited closet space, no ensuite and no garage or just a carport. The older bungalows do offer larger, mature treed lots though.

 

There is a selection of bungalows built in the 1970's in the Ford Drive and Devon Road area in east Oakville. In the west end, bungalows of the same era are located in the Bridge Road area between Third Line and Bronte Road.

 

Falgarwood and College Park also offer bungalows built during this time period. The 1970's bungalows are a little larger than their predecessor with larger kitchens, fireplaces, some ensuites, and attached garages. One popular style is the raised ranch which has a split entry and a basement with larger windows at ground level. A fourth bedroom, family room and a 3 piece bathroom usually complete the lower level.

 

During the building boom in north Oakville during the 1980's, builders seem to forget about bungalows and limited the number in each subdivision to a minimum due to the fact that the larger footprint of a bungalow requires a larger lot which increases the asking price.

Many of Oakville's newer subdivisions do offer bungalows but they come at a premium price. There is also a small selection of bungalofts both in detached and townhome models.  If you are considering Burlington, there are some great choices in the Millcroft area.

 

If a bungalow is in your future,  I would be happy to discuss your options with you. Please contact me via the contact box on the home page of my website www.oakvilleontariorealestate.ca or call me at 905-842-7000

The History of Oakville, Ontario

Oakville, Ontario is a town rich with history.   Yes much has changed since the first settlers reached the beautiful harbour on the shores of Lake Ontario.  But if you read the following passage and compare it to how Oakville looks today, especially in the Heritage areas you will see why today people are still proud to call Oakville home.  Check out this link to learn all about the History of Oakville, Ontario  http://images.oakville.halinet.on.ca/search

"Where the Sixteen Mile Creek empties into Lake Ontario, forming an excellent harbour, and midway between Toronto and Hamilton, twenty miles from either of the two principal cities of the Province, is situated this charming summer resort, the subject of our sketch. [One is] impressed with the beauty of the bright shingle beach backed up by the green sloping terraces, and above all can be seen what appears to be a forest of Maples which line the broad and well-kept streets. The streets are shaded by rows of maple trees, many of which were planted nearly half a century ago by men to whose foresight Oakville is indebted for the reputation which it now enjoys of being one of the most beautiful and picturesque towns on the continent.”

- J.E. Commins

 

Quotation credited to: Commins, J.E. Beautiful Oakville. Oakville, On: A.S. Forster, Printer, 1897. Print.

  http://images.oakville.halinet.on.ca/search

Oakville's Best Neighbourhoods

 

I often get asked by people thinking of moving to Oakville, which neighbourhoods are the best to live in. That is a very difficult question to answer. I am very proud, however to be able to say that there are NO bad neighbourhoods in Oakville.
There are many unique areas in Oakville, each with different amenities, price ranges, and home styles. I ask potential purchasers what they are looking for in a neighbourhood and what their family makeup is and the type of lifestyle they live.
If living near Lake Ontario is a priority, neighbourhoods of interest would be Old Oakville, Bronte, Southwest Oakville, Morrison or Ford. The neighbourhoods of Old Oakville, Central Oakville and Kerr Village are all within walking distance of downtown Oakville.
West and Southwest Oakville offer neighbourhoods built in the 1950's - 1970's. Homes are mostly detached bungalows, two storeys and split levels on mature lots. Schools and Churches are well established. Many homes have been renovated over the years or demolished to make way for larger estate homes.
The Southeast part of Oakville offers larger, higher priced homes with large property taxes to match. Imposing estates line Lakeshore Road and the exclusive streets that wind down to Lake Ontario.
Popular family friendly neighbourhoods developed in the 1980's include Glen Abbey, River Oaks, Clearview and Wedgewood Creek. The typical homes in these areas are 4 bedroom, 2 storey, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage brick dwelling on a 50 foot wide lot by approximately 110 feet deep or larger.
Falgarwood and College Park are located north of the Queen Elizabeth Highway and offer homes that are now in the 40 to 50 year age range. Many homeowners have lived in these homes for many years and we are just now seeing younger families buy in these areas. Quiet courts and cul de sacs can be found in these areas.
First time buyers are drawn to West Oak Trails and Westmount due to the abundance of newer town homes and semi-detached homes in the price range that fits the pocket books of new homeowners. These homes offer many of the bells and whistles that buyers desire but the majority of lots are not premium sized.
Joshua Creek, Bronte Creek, Neyagawa and Lakeshore Woods offer a mix of high end executive townhomes and single family detached homes on large pool sized lots, many backing onto greenspace or ravines.
There are many up and coming areas in Oakville, including Kerr Village off of Kerr Street, Oakville's secondary downtown core and Kent Gardens with oversized lots close to Oakville Place Mall and the Oakville Golf Club.
Woodland trails is Oakville's newest neighbourhood, the first of many sprouting up north of Dundas St.
There are homes available in Oakville at every price point. Condo apartments start in the $200,000's with condo townhomes selling in the $300,000's and up.
Detached homes in Oakville are available in the $400,000's + range with larger executive homes selling at higher price points. Oakville always has a healthy supply of homes for sale over the million dollar mark.
For more information on Oakville neighbourhoods please check out my website at www.oakvilleontariorealestate.ca
I would be pleased to help you find the right house in the neighbourhood that most suits your family.
jennykotulak@gmail.com