Carl Stars - Burlington Ontario Real Estate Condominium MLS Listings » Selling a Home

Real estate Marketing update

Carl — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:07:05 +0000

I have never been a fan of Newsprint advertising. Although it can be a good self promotion option. I have ran open houses with Internet Promotion only vs Real Estate Newspaper adds. The simple truth of the matter there has never been a significant increase as a result of newsprint.

When I say self promotion it sells the agent to obtain more listings, This is called famous advertising . I argue selling houses is what really counts. Selling houses in the Burlington and Hamilton area , my business has grown on a referral business. Newspapers in my view belong on the bottom of birdcages.

I have embraced the internet.

All of my Listings in Hamilton Burlington are on too many sites too mention. We now offer You Tube Marketing.

eg. Below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVMqfZpDYqU

One of the most effective internet sites for open house traffic is buyers are pointed to this site from their agents

which is www.openhouses.ca

Another internet option is my new point2agent web site which shares information with all the other major realtor site. http://carlstars1.point2agent.com/

MLS ( known as Realtor.ca) www.realtor.ca will always be the flagship of Real Estate.

So when buying or selling real estate Hamilton or Burlington please contact me for my complete Internet Marketing Program. I feel it is one of the best Listing Packages available.

Sincerely, Carl

Real Estate Internet Marketing

Carl — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:02:36 +0000

We are pleased to announce additional internet marketing. We have embraced Social Media . Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, Linked In and Carl Stars1 point2agent.com .

In addition to realtor.ca, (mls) blog and company sites. We also have added 16 linked real estate sites and a total of 32 ’secondary sites to our internet marketing tool kit.

There are too many to mention plus Carl does not want to give away all his trade secrets ! ! For additonal information on our exciting internet marketing program please contact Carl 905 681 7900 for a real estate appointment.

Top Selling Mistakes

Carl — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:58:26 +0000

Here is an article from my "new" web site. carlstars1.point2agent.com. I found it to be very helpful. MIstake #1 is the most common.

Common Selling Mistakes

Mistake #1 – Incorrect Pricing
Every seller naturally wants to get the most money for his or her product. The most common mistake that causes sellers to get less than they hope for, however, is listing too high. Listings reach the greatest proportion of potential buyers shortly after they reach the market. If a property is dismissed as being overpriced early on, it can result in later price reductions. Overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price than they likely would have had they been priced properly in the first place.

Mistake #2 — Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for Market Value
Re-finance appraisals can be very encouraging for homeowners, leading them to assume that the appraisal is the amount that they should expect to receive for their property. Lenders often estimate the value of your property higher than it actually is, however, in order to encourage re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be (and often is) lower. Your best bet is to ask your Realtor® for the most recent information regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value.

Mistake #3 — Failing to "Showcase"
In spite of how frequently this mistake is addressed and how simple it is to avoid, its prevalence is still widespread. When attempting to sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and looks presentable, and remove as many possessions as you can prior to showing. A poorly kept home, or one with too much clutter, will make it dramatically more difficult for buyers to become emotionally interested in your property.

Mistake #4 – Trying to "Hard Sell" While Showing
Buying a house is always an emotional and difficult decision. As a result, you should try to allow prospective buyers to comfortably examine your property. Don't try haggling or forcefully selling. Instead, be friendly and hospitable. Pointing out any unnoticed amenities and being receptive to questions is advisable, but this is not the time for negotiation and salesmanship.

Mistake #5 – Trying to Sell to Lookers
A prospective buyer who shows interest because of a For Sale sign or an open house ad may not really be interested in your property. Often, buyers who are not accompanied by a Realtor® are 6-9 months away from buying, and are more interested in seeing what is out there than in actually making a purchase. They may still have to sell their house, or may not be able to afford a house yet. They may still even be unsure as to whether or not they want to relocate.

Your Realtor® should be able to distinguish realistic potential buyers from mere lookers. Realtors® should usually find out a prospective buyer's savings, credit rating, and purchasing power in general. If your Realtor® fails to find out this pertinent information, you should do some investigating and questioning on your own. This will help you avoid wasting valuable time marketing to the wrong people. If you have to do this work yourself, consider finding a new Realtor®.

Mistake #6 — Being Ignorant of Your Rights & Responsibilities
It is extremely important that you are well-informed of the details of your real estate contract. Real estate contracts are legally binding documents, and they can often be complex and confusing. Not being aware of the terms in your contract could cost you thousands for repairs and inspections. Know what you are responsible for before signing any contract. Can the property be sold "as is"? How will deed restrictions and local zoning laws affect your transaction? Not knowing the answers to these kinds of questions could end up costing you a considerable amount of money.

Mistake #7 – Signing a Contract with No Escape
Hopefully you will have taken the time to choose the best Realtor® for you. But sometimes, as we all know, circumstances change. Perhaps you misjudged your Realtor®, or perhaps the Realtor® has other priorities on his or her mind. In any case, you should have the right to fire your agent. Also, you should have the right to select another agent of your choosing. Many real estate companies will simply replace an agent with another one, without consulting you. Be sure to have control over your situation before signing a real estate contract.

Mistake #8 – Limited Marketing
There are two obvious marketing tools that nearly every seller uses: open houses and classified ads. Unfortunately, these two tools are rather ineffective. Less than 1% of homes are sold at open houses, and less than 3% are sold because of classified ads. In fact, Realtors® often use open houses solely to attract future prospects, not to sell that particular house. Does your Realtor® have a website? There are very few successful real estate professionals who don’t, and for good reason.

Your Realtor® should employ a wide variety of marketing techniques and should be committed to selling your property; he or she should be available for every phone call from a prospective buyer. Most calls are received, and open houses are scheduled, during business hours, so make sure that your Realtor® is working on selling your home during these hours (many Realtors® work part-time).

Mistake #9 – Choosing the Wrong Realtor®
Selling your home could be the most important financial transaction in your lifetime. As a result, it is extremely important that you select a Realtor® who is a good match for you. Experienced real estate agents often cost the same as brand new agents. Chances are that the experienced agent will be able to bring you a higher price in less time and with fewer hassles.

Take your time when selecting a real estate agent. Interview several; ask them key questions. If you want to make your selling experience the best it can be, it is crucial that you select the best agent for you.

Inventorys remain low again !

Carl — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:40:11 +0000

As of today the total active listings in Burlington remain at 680. Despite all the theorys and "experts" . The fact of the matter in Burlington , Ontario inventorys remain low and we do have an active market.

Recent changes to mls will add more exposure of private sales, however agents will be negotiating their commissions with some Sellers direct. It is unclear how these rules will change mls if at all. ( In a already very competitive business)

Realtors do provide a valuable service without question , but as we all know Buying and Selling real estate can have high emotions. The Realtor must remain grounded and professional and not get caught up in the drama.

In a hot market and slow market Patience is a virtue .

There is no shortage of buyers especially in the low price range of Burlington $ 200 to $ 260 applying more pricing pressure on the Condominium Market.

______________________________________________________

Facebook Fan Page : New Facebook Fan Page now live and on line. Hope to make it another excellent source of information.

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Carl

Pricing the home

Carl — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:46:01 +0000

In this market or any market for that matter pricing the home right the first time is so important. Currently in the Burlington Real Estate Market there are 638 active Listings. This is a combination of Condos and Residential Real Estate in Burlington.

Interest Rates are very low , I have seen 4.99 for 10 years at 3.65 for 5 years.

Certain pockets in Burlington we have seen some very slight price declines in Condos but for the most part, for example I have been in 3 Bidding wars in the last few weeks.

So if it is priced right, staged I argue it is not a Buyer's Market.

Statistics never seem to match whats going on ?? Just a thought .

I have had a great deal of inquiry's regarding the local Burlington Real Estate Market and I am expecting a very busy fall.

For a updated Market Evaluation in Burlington/Hamilton go to carl@carlstars.com.

Have a great Fall Season !!

Carl

Home improvement in Dundas

Carl — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:12:24 +0000

Dont ignore curb appeal and outside landscaping. The trick is to keep things simple , Grass cut small gardens and the improvement should add significantly to the enjoyment of the home. Here is the Before and After shot of a deck in Dundas .

When your selling its important to get your home ready on the outside not just the inside.

HST Fact CheckList – Real Estate

Carl — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:13:57 +0000

I wanted to post some general information on HST. Many people are asking questions so I hope this clears things up.

HST is 13% . It is considered value added Tax.

If you are Selling your home:

Real Estate Agents who normally charge 5% GST on commissions will have to charge 13%. This is regarding resale homes and is on the commission only. This will be on July 1, 2010. There are some exceptions but on a regular resale home. This is the tax that would apply.

If you are buying a Resale home extra costs will be incurred HST will be charged on home inspections, legal services, high ratio mortgage premiums, fire insurance premiums.

OREA estimates the HST will add $1,449 in new taxes to an average resale home costing $302,354. And, OREA claims the HST will add an estimated $262 million in new taxes annually to residential resale real estate transactions.

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RE new Homes: Builders would use the same process they use with regard to GST. The Buyer must qualify for the rebate. ( The new home would be a primary residence ) Clarify your HST before signing on the dotted line and read the fine print.

Under the HST, new homes worth less than $400,000 will qualify for a 6% tax rebate, but new homes worth more than $400,000 will be subject to an additional 8% tax. To explain if a buyer pays $500,000 the net tax would be $ 16,000.00 after receiving the rebate of $ 24,000.00

Here are some helpful Links.

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/gst_new_housing.shtml

http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/index.html

http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/guides/rst/206.html

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/gst-tps/menu-eng.html

All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Please seek the advise of your tax professional and contact government agency to clarify your costs. As I deal with residential resales it appears the impact will be minimal. I encourage real estate to be a long term investment. Hope this information helps.

Carl

Here is an article for the Doom and Gloomers !

Carl — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:37:08 +0000

1947: “The prices of houses seems to have reached a plateau, and there is a reasonable expectancy that prices will decline.” Time Magazine, 1947

1948: “Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today’s average price is around $8000… out of reach for 2/3 of all buyers.” Science Digest, 1948

1969: “The goal of owning a home seems to be getting beyond the reach of more and more Americans. The typical new house costs about $28,000.” Business Week, 1969

1970: “You might well be suspicious of ‘common wisdom’ that tells you, ‘don’t wait, buy now.’” NEA Journal, 1970

1977: “The median price of a home is approaching $50,000. Housing experts predict price rises in the future won’t be that great.” Nations Business, 1977

Kinda makes me want to hop in a time machine and buy a few of those “out of reach” $8000 houses in 1948! Despite what the “experts” might say - it’s always the right time to buy the right piece of real estate!

I came across this post on the active rain real estate network and thought it would be interesting. Article has been reposted for www.carlstars.com for all your real estate needs.

Carl

Article Provided by Jamie Carrol Vancouver Washington

The S&B Real Estate Team assists people in buying and selling real estate throughout Southwest Washington. We are proud members of Keller Williams Realty – Premier Partners in downtown Vancouver. Our local expertise covers: Vancouver, Battle Ground, Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie, Hockinson, Ridgefield, Woodland and La Center. If you or someone you know is considering living or investing in Clark County, please contact us. Jamie Carroll can be reached at 360-609-6775 or via the “Contact Us” page at www.MyRealtorIsJamie.com. Steve Borwieck can be reached at 360-241-7305 or via the “Contact Us” page at www.SteveBSellsHomes.net. We are here to help!

Mandatory Home Energy Audits

Carl — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:01:46 +0000

Call for Action
Mandatory Home Energy Audits

We need your help.

The Ontario Real Estate Association is urging the provincial government to amend Bill 150, the Green Energy Act, to make home energy audits voluntary.

Mandatory home energy audit reports can cost home sellers thousands of dollars in lost home equity. Those with less than ideal energy audit ratings will face pressure from homebuyers to either spend thousands of dollars to improve the energy rating of their home or lower their sale price.

Your e-mail will reinforce the message OREA will be sending to the Government of Ontario when we appear before the Standing Committee on General Government on April 22^nd.

Please tell your MPP that the government should be helping Ontarians achieve their dream of homeownership by amending Bill 150 to make home energy audits voluntary.

Send an e-mail to your MPP on this issue now by clicking here.

Thank you for your help.

Issue Summary
Press Release
OREA Government Relations on Facebook
OREA Government Relations on Twitter

ONTARIO BUDGET TO INTRODUCE HST

Carl — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:14:49 +0000

Content provided from Ontario Real Estate Association News

Ontario’s Budget 2009 dealt the real estate market a significant blow with the announcement of the harmonization of the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) with the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The Provincial government will, starting July 10, 2010, convert the PST (8%) to a value-added tax structure and combine it with the GST (5%) to create a single federally administered harmonized sales tax. The single sales tax would have a combined tax rate of 13 per cent.

Under the government’s proposal, new homes under $400,000 will be exempt from paying the HST.New homes priced between $400,000 and $500,000 will receive a reduced rebate based on a sliding scale (details are yet to be finalized). Homes over $500,000 will be taxed at a harmonized rate of 13%.

The price of resale homes will continue to be exempt from sales taxation under the proposed HST. However, for the first time, services associated with resale closing costs will be subject to both sales taxes, under the proposed sales tax harmonization, legal fees, real estate commissions and home inspection fees will get taxed at a harmonized rate of 13 per cent. Currently, these services pay only the GST at a rate of 5%. OREA estimates that these new taxes on services related to resale transactions could add over $2,000 to a resale home transaction.

In response to the Government of Ontario’s proposal, OREA issued two ‘Call for Action’ notices to all REALTOR® members, asking them to send an email to their MPPs and alert their clients about the detrimental impact of a HST on housing. To date over 11,500 emails and letters have been sent to MPPs at Queen’s Park, the Premier and the Finance Minister.

If you are against the HST Please contact your Local MPP.