A Skewer, a Magnet and Chewing Gum

I have fear of many things in life. Some are mild and not encountered on a daily basis....some rear their heads from time to time. One, every six months when I have to go the the dentist. Over the last 10 years in real estate I have developed a whole new set of nagging fears. One need only go to  our sales meetings to hear horrors that can befall any traveller on the real estate road. It's wonder I am not paralysed with paranoia. I can't help but thnk of Bob Wiley in the movie what about Bob. (google it and find how Bob responds to fear). In short, the wonderful character of Bob played by Bill Murray is debilitated on a daily basis and finds it hard to face his days. OK...so I might not be that bad,(except for the dentisit thing) but I am plagued with continual..what if's.

So began a trip I took with clients last week to explore a few houses for purchase. The night was not like any other night. Actually, it's the kind of night I love. It got dark really early because of the time change the previous evening. I'm not a sun fan. To really make it the perfect night for me it was raining with thunder and lightning. Anyone who knows me, knows that's my kind of weather. We visited house after house..and then it began. We needed to make our way up an outside wooden staircase to an upstairs apartment. Yes, we had our handy iPhone flashlights! And I had...in my hand...the key that would be needed to open the upstairs vacant unit. Now...imagine foreboding creepy music with a thunder crack that startles you(thing psycho shower scene music)...what if I dropped the key throught the open stairs into the darkness below? How would I ever find the key in the dark? And there you have it! Carol's real estate fear number 27! Dropping and losing the key. How could we lock up the house? How could I bear to call the other realtor and tell them I lost their key that they trusted me with? I clutched the key tightly...then, the tricky part of getting it in the lock while we held flashlights? Carefully I turned the lock. Mission halfway accomplished. We repeated the whole thing again on the way down until I managed to replace the dainty key into its resting place in the lockbox and depart! Whoa...that had me in knots the whole way up and down the dark staircase.

Needless to say...the next house was easier. Sure..it was dark and we needed flashlights yet again...but it was only over a small raised deck on the front of a house. Was I cocky about my recent triumph and success? I cannot answer that...but as the key fell slowly from my hands as I was returning it back to its home in the lock box, a slow motion video played before me! It fell from my hands onto the deck..and then through the only crack large enough for it to sip through...Arrrrrgh! Into the depths below the deck..where leaves and most likey all sorts of creepy things pass by. It had happened!!! The fear I had had for the last 10 years!!!!. I called the other realtor and assured her I would be ther first thing in the am to retrieve the key or die trying!

As it was I returned the next morning, no more rain...and I with my trusty BBQ skewers, a magnet...and some chewing gum! I had already had a magnet on a string to retrieve things that my son used to drop down our bidet.  I had a system..it worked well, I had even used it in other odd circumstances around the house. But not on this day. No one could answer my question, "Are keys magnetic?" Seems this one was not. I could see it not far below the deck, which to my advantage was just off the ground. The skewer next! I managed to skewer the top, rest my phone flashlight against the wall..hold it with my chin...use another skewer to hold the key on the first skewer and delicately raise it up to grab! (In retropsect a clothes hanger bent would have been better...but I'll know for next time!) I did it! I conquered the problem...and very possibly my fear...after all...I overcame it on that fateful day. Didn't I?  Guess I'll keep working on my dentist thing.

PS...I have an awesome dentist! He's helpng me get over a lifetime of drilling! Excuse me...I think I'm going to faint!

Underwear on the Floor and the 20 Minute Countdown

So you're planning on listing your house. Big decision made...now on to the fun part. Let's say you have already decluttered, put away every bit of personal paraphernalia..and no longer recognize your own home. Now it's time for the showings.

While that may seem to be an easy feat...and for some it truly is (beacause I think they actually live in some altered state...or universe...where their homes actually look like show pieces everyday). Just lock the door, walk away and presto! Presenting...Your Home!

Let's assume though...just for a minute...that you have daytime commitments...like a job...a child(or 6)...someone who needs your care...your health regimen at the gym...phone calls, doctors appointments...you get the picture. And now, you face the very real challenge of having to have guests to your house. Guests...who called 20 minutes ago and are on their way to your door. Guests who will be looking at every nook and cranny of your house. Not to mention, guests who may even open a drawer or look in a closet. Yikes! That's worse than Aunt Ethel who can't see the back of your fridge when she visits and who has things fall out on her everytime she opens a closet. (I don't have an aunt Ethel...but these can be daily occurences at my house, less so now that my boys are in university, so I'm using Ethel for more visual fun). To top it all off...you have to actually leave your home for a few minutes while they examine it under their little buyers' microscopes. Did I say minutes? No, no no! It could potentially be hours! What!!! More guests are coming...you can't return home? You havent eaten in hours, you have to drive around town with your dog and your children in the car?! Such is the plight of the Seller who is having multiple showings on their home...or even just one. 

This brings me to the underwear on the floor story. A wonderful client who did once leave their pantaloons on the floor. Mortified is a good descriptive here. They returned home to find their significant other had left this little surprise on the floor when they made their hasty getaway to make room for an eager buyer. What were they thinking?! How could they?! Ahhh...this brings us to the 20 minute rule!

A good idea while selling is to always try to keep you home ready...at the drop of a hat...for that ever so unexpecting showing. This might translate into completely different habits. But be assured, it's only for a time, for a short season (if all goes according to plan). You may actually enjoy this mind clearing exercise in minimalism. And the best part is....yep...you knew this was coming...the small item of clothes left out for all to see...well...the house sold, to that same buyer! They overlooked that small imperfection! You see...perfection is probaly not attainable, but a well cared for, cleaned up, decluttered home, will outshine the little "blips". After all... we all have them! And some of us...more than others.

Excuse me while I step over my laundry on the way to my office!

A Wiener Dog, a Chicken (or 20) and a Smile. Why I do What I do!

Sometimes I have days that can make me want to scream. Sometimes I have days that make me want to cry. But sometimes...my days are funny and heart warming!

Take for instance a recent outing with clients. I'll start by saying...i was driving along...wondering what the smell was in my car...and then remembering, I just left a farm, which I went to visit in fashionable boots..because my Blundstones have been overused of late. The tour started out with an adorable little wiener dog and golden retriever running over to my car to greet me. Now that's a fun way to start. To be followed with the opportunity to check out the new chicks in the coop! My son would have loved the place. Then, in the most unlikely place...we found an incubator..AND...chicks hatching right before my eyes!

Just days before my foray into the country, I had gone on a house hunting expedition with a most wonderful family....problem was...hubby (lets call him Superdad) couldn't make it. The home we went to see was a winner! Practically perfect in every way! (I stole the description from Mary Poppins) Days later, we took Superdad to check it out. Here's the part about "Why I do....what I do". From the minute he stepped on the property, he had the most wonderful grin, that only got bigger as we took him to see everything the property had to offer. Needless to say, his wife(let's call her Superwife) knew just what to pick for Superdad! That's when I thougth to myself...this makes it all worth while!

I will have to revisit this fun week in my mind, because we are in a market unlike anything we have experienced here. Competing offers and fast decisions have made the job of the Realtor very challenging...not to mention the challenge for our Buyers and Sellers as well! But every now and then...everything comes together...and we can find the perfect house, for you to call home!

What to Wear...or not to Wear..on Christmas Vacation.

Well, I got what I asked for...then I got what I deserved! Wouldn't it be nice to have a pair of those cozy Roots sweatpants I thought! Like the ones I had already bought my boys...my husband..even my father! Oh ya...sure! Imagine my glee on Christmas morning when there they were. My very own pair. It wasn't until boxing day, that I decided to try them out.

Sure, they were cozy...even somewhat fashionable...for a dorm room! It was then, on boxing day that I made the fatal mistake. I thought I would drop my son off at his work and scoot right back home...in my sweats! My husband asked me to pop by the mailbox on the way back. I made some silly joke about what if I saw someone I know dressed like this! NO make up...hair in a pony tail...and SWEATS! Ha...what were the odds? Actually...pretty high...because I always run into someone when I look like that!

I arrived at the  post office in the twilight. I saw an elderly fella just going back to his car. The coast was clear. "Get out of the car gingerly!" I told myself..."Get your mail and hop in again..undetected". Which is just what I did...almost. I was crouched at my lower level box and I heard tires right behind me pulling in. What were the odds it would be someone I knew? I would just keep my head low and turn and get in my car. Odds were high enough again! I stood up and looked right into the face of..yes...someone I knew...a client I had recently found a great house for. Actually it was great to see him!  

Funny thing...He got a chuckle out of it as I recounted the story to him. Then...my husband got a really huge laugh at my expense! Guess everyone is smiling! That's good right? Hope you all had a great holiday! 

Buyers...Take Your Marks!

As many as you may know I am a volunteer swimming official with Swimming Canada. I have seen some of the fastest starts the country...This is not a tale of one of them. Swimmers spend countless hours trying to save tenths and hundredths of a second. This is an account of a phone call conversation I had this morning. Buying a house often requires speed and specific intent to procure your dream house. This is my morning story of neither of those two traits.

Over the last couple of months I have listed a couple of properties that have received offers within a day of listing. Royal Lepage has had an awesome year and homes are still being bought and sold this time of year. Here is the saga that took  place this morning when I received a call inquiring after a listing that I listed a cople days ago, but received an offer the day it listed.

Caller: How can it already have an Offer? It just listed! How can this keep on happening?

Me: (I took a deep patient breath, as I have done so many times before) My dear, if you had been on my priority listing search, you would have received that listing on your desktop the moment that it listed. Would you like me to set you up on that for the next time a home in that area comes listed?

Caller: Oh no, I don't want to do that yet.

Me: No response...I fainted!

Moral of this fearsome tale: When you really want to look for your next castle...engage a great Realtor (One who loves to shop is helpful! No...not for shoes! For homes!...it can be just as much fun I assure you!)I'll keep you on top of the listings and sometimes we can even find ones before they list! Get you home ready when you plan to get moving. I'll help you get a great start!

Lions and Tigers and...TICKS? House Shopping and Other Strange Creatures!

Is it raining? Will there be tall grass? Is there snow?...How many inches of snow? Ice Perhaps? Or worse than all those...ticks and mosquitoes! 

Such it was on a recent visit to a country property. As we were preparing an offer after trekking through marsh, brush, bush and tall grass...my partner on this expedition (AKA Buyer in search of a house)quietly said.."Excuse me...I think someting's crawling up my leg". She was calm...but did't wait for my reply! After a couple minutes...I walked throught the vacant house to see pants on the floor! My!!!...this was a new one to me! We then found ourselves trying to crush the creature we all now know as the "TICK". A sturdy and almost armour covered beast. Unyeilding to our attempts to crush it with our rubber soled hiking boots and runners! Perhaps steel toes boots would have led to a faster result.

I find it ironic, that on my website , the first thing I tell buyers when looking for houses is.."Wear Slip Ons". But perhaps I need to add to that bit of house hunting savvy advice. I mean...if you are looking for a country property and plan on checking out the acreage...perhaps..hiking boots...maybe rubber boots...what about the ever fashionable hip-wader? (no...that's going too far!...or is it?) And so it was this week again that my country home shopper and I found ourselves going to anther acreage with ponds,creeks and who knew what else....BUT...I was prepared...boots in my car! I was ready for the creatures. 

Having said all that....if you are planning a country trip...take long sleeves, long pants...and maybe a hat.....oooh now there's a fashion statement! And more decisions...Wide brimmed? straw? felt? floral?...whimsical or practical? I told you house hunting would be fun!

Are you Buying Real Estate...or a Fridge!

I'm not saying fridges aren't important! 

I can't tell you how many times I get into Offer situations of hundreds of thousands of dollars...and I end up hearing these words...."Carol...we can't include the fridge...its the principle here!"...OR..."If we don't get the fridge...we'll walk away!...It's the priciple of the thing!"

Let's remember what the goal was...to buy you your next dream home...or to sell your precious castle! It's probably the largest purchase or sale you will make in your life. So...if that's the main focus...why get hung up on an appliance?

I know your answer already! "Carol...we'll have to go out and purchase a new one...and they are expensive". True enough...but... I have several deals with large appliance dealers who can get you great commercial pricing. In that way, you'll probably get a warranty as well...and you won't have to scrub out someone else's guk.(that's a technical term of course).

If you pack in a ton of extras into your deal...remember...your property taxes may be reassessed based on your purchase price. You'll be paying off your mortgage and your appliances for a whopping 20 years! and then paying taxes on the too! 

If your're selling and you want to keep your appliances, start by excluding them right from the get go in your listing....but don't be offended if someone asks for them....or even threatens to walk away from your deal. Talk with your Realtor...and remember...you're selling the largest investment most people will have. Then...re-read this little blog and remind yourself of the principle of the thing!

House shopping...The Open House!

Thanks to an old friend of mine...I was reminded that at times...everyone needs a gentle nudge reminder...about general decorum at an Open House. 

Perhaps one of the best reminders is to think of it as an, Open HOME. Yes..believe it or not, those homes you trek through every Sunday are someones homes...their castles...their personnal space...their retreat, getaway...you get the picture. With that in mind here are some helpful tips for a successful shopping trip. You can also apply these to when you go with your realtor on your house hunting expeditions.(refer to my page in my website...Shopping with Carol).

Signing in. Remember..this is someone's home. When the realtor asks you to sign in, it is a way of helping maintain security for our listing clients. Please don't be offended...or offensive. You are walking through someone residence. There is always an option not to be contacted afterwards.

OK...now you're in the door and past "Security", how about taking off your shoes? Would you walk through your own house in your dirty street shoes? I should say not! Now..now...shoes off. I have been know to help clients back into their shoes if they need assistance. Perhaps in that case...you might want to take a little pair of slippers with you. I mean...the alternative is...that you might get your own feet soiled...so a little protection might be in order. Sometimes it is clear you don't need to take off your shoes. You'll know what I refer to, when you see it.

Hands off the dresser drawers. OUCH! You don't need to look inside drawers..but yes..you may check out closet space....and test kitchen drawers. This is not a CSI investigation. 

The Care and feeding of children. While chocolate might keep them quiet for a time...it probably won't last long enough. Think..."shoe on the other foot" so to speak. If you returned to find tiny chocolate prints all over your just steam cleaned furniture and carpets...what would you think? If they buy the house you might get over it....but at the time it is just a source of aggravation for the Seller. Try to refrain from anything messy.

Comments. Always welcome..but please keep in mind that the other guests might hear you, or in fact the Seller might be one of those guests. The Realtor on duty will be more than happy to field questions and get you answers. I always welcome criticism as well. It gives me a good eye into what Buyers are thinking...and is useful for the Seller to hear as well. When you list your home you too, will want to know...."What did they say?"

I love open houses. I get the chance to get first hand feedback. If you are ready to do more shopping...please contact me. I'll be happy to go shopping with you...and your kids.(I'll bring the treats!)

The Power of Marshmallow Peeps!

I will admit from time to time I do not wake up my normal, springy, overly caffeinted self! Believe it or not! On this spring day...I started off in a somewhat cloudy mood. My boys were not making my day any easier(and to be fair...my boys are sweethearts)...I wasn't gettting much help. I wake up everyday and I take it upon myself to try to get my whole family in good spirits to start their days...set the tone so to speak. Not today....I couldn't seem to get everyone "in the zone"...so I found myself somewhat...disheartened. 

UNTIL!....As most of you know....the way to my heart is with sugar, except now I do Agave in my morning coffee...Thanks Phil!(a concerned client who got me off sweetener and into the natural alternative in the last few weeks). Anyways...back to my sugar problem. Easter brings with it the perfect opportunity to shower the world with sugar...or in todays case...PEEPS. Those delectible little marshmallow chickies or bunnies coated in colored sugar. Yummy! Last year I was distressed to find Walmart out of them...so this year I started early and procured a bunch of them. 

Armed with a load of peeps, I hit the road. I visited clients young and old and bestowed my lovely Peeps on them. I wished I had started this earlier. I had a blast! I connected with so many of you. I came home with lots of new information and fun facts! I saw new kitchens...new pets...tonight's dinner! So for all that...and for all my clients who made this a fun day after all. Thanks....that's why I do real estate! 

That blasted water shut-off!

I was reading a post this am on things everyone should know when they move into a new home, and I was reminded of a panic I had several years ago. It's a small thing really. A simple knob that we all have. the problem is...when you need it...murphy's law will tell you...you won't be able to find it. Most of my clients will tell you I always make a point to find it on our home inspection. It's all becuase of a near disaster I once had.

Living on the 21st floor at the time...my husband and I were up early having recently returned from an overseas trip...so our schedules were a bit out of whack. 5am...Henry pulls the knob on the tub/shower to start the water....IT BLOWS OFF! sending water blowing straight out to the back wall of the tub. He is left standing there naked and grabs the trash can and starts bailing! Visions of our downstairs neighbours getting ready from work....and feeling drips coming from their ceiling...then the insurance nightmare...well...you get the picture. I ran to the elevator...waited and went down 21 floors to our concierge who thought I was raving mad I am sure. We all waited for the elevator again and ascended back up 21 floors...when I quickly remembered I had left my husband bailing and naked! I threw a robe over him as he continued (he wasn't happy at that moment!!). They didn't know where the shut off was either.....Call maintenance...who finally arrived...to show us all where the water shut off was.

The short lesson here is...KNOW WHERE YOUR SHUT OFF IS!....or shower with clothes on.

The wrong way...and the better way!

So... today I spoke with a potential new buyer.  He was clearly all over the map in his house looking experience. He was calling all sorts of listings,then visiting one by one to look at potential homes of interest. I wondered to myself how many people start their home buying experience in exactly the same way? For some reason, they think it is an effective way to deal directly with the other realtor®. While this can be of some benefit, it can be a tedious course of action. There is a system for buying a house and system for looking at houses. I like to get to know my clients. Some of which,have become really great friends. In fact, yesterday I was out for tea at one of my clients' houses. When I get to know my clients, I get to see houses through their eyes I quickly learn what they like what they don't like and what they're looking for. I become their eyes...By working with a realtor® who cares about you and your destination, I can get on top of what you're looking for I can get you listings I can find you listings faster than you can probably get into see them.

Here's how I would do it. I would find myself someone great to work with(that would be me!) I would tell them everything I want & everything I need. Then that's where I go to work. I'll take a look at every listing is currently available we can discuss those. I would decide which of those if any you might want to see. From there, we jump on them every time they list. You get ,like a bat phone, the emergency red bat phone, when it rings you answer! We hopin our cars and we go to see the house. Sometimes in real estate truly if you snooze you lose.

Want to get on a system that works...and you'll enjoy? C'mon lets shop together!

March 11 2015

Spring market is starting to get off to a good start. I get a hotsheet everyday with all the new listings on it. I check it all day long! I often get people into my Open houses and I ask them if they would like to become part of my priority search program. As part of my program I'm assure that they receive listings that fits their search criteria almost as fast as realtors® do. It's beyond me why people say no they don't want to be part of a program like that. Most common response is... No I'll do it myself and I check all the papers. It's NOT a lifetime committment, BUT is IS the most effective way to see all the new listings. Then when it comes time and they actually find a house they are surprised when there is already an offer on that house. For those of you on my priority listing search you know that we need to get in and getting fast and scoop that property. Occasionally, I hear of listings even before they hit the MLS. So, just an FYI, get on the search you can always discontinue it. 

March 20th Smells don't Sells!

OK...So you may think that your smoking, crazy cooking, wet dog and litter box won't make a difference to  the sale of your house. I'll be truthful here. It's a super turn-off! And..don't forget those of you who over zealously use deodorizers, candles and other scary fragrances!  I can't begin to tell the number of times I have picked out perfectly lovely homes...just to be met with an offensive odor at the door. In most cases the perspective Buyers just want to leave! I will encourage them to take a tour through...knowing that the Seller has prepared his home for our visit. Life happens..and so do  odors. When it comes time to show your home however...it's time to throw them out the window.

I recently read an article...which I will attach here. It is called What Happens if Your Listing Stinks.

I am not trying to be hard on all you bacon loving, pet adoring Sellers...but...there is a price for it all. There are tones of ways to eradicate...or at least alleviate some of the smells. I have all sorts of ideas. I even used an ionizer, once when we had to get rid of cat smells. 

On the flip side, lets not throw out the baby with the bath water. If you are a Buyer...there are remedies. Take the time to check out the house, and let's see what can be done to freshen it up!

http://bit.ly/1C2mDb3