To Bully, Or Not To Bully…

12 03 2010

…that is the question!

The answer depends on whether you are a buyer or a seller, and whether you are a risk-taker or not!

Bully offers are happening with increasing frequency.  Let’s examine why…

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False Advertising!

19 01 2010

I can’t prove it, nor can I do anything about it, but some recent “questionable” practices within our industry have left me frustrated beyond belief!

As usual, I have to change the names, numbers, and streets, but here is a story that will shed some light on how things should work when your seller turns down an offer that is over the asking price…

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In 2007: ‘Real Estate Market To Rise 16.8% By 2010′

15 01 2010

What a great find!

Here is an article written on January 3rd, 2007 that predicts the real estate market will rise 16.8% by 2010.

Let’s read the article and then compare predictions with reality…

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Honesty Is The Best Policy

15 12 2009

One of the following statements is true:
a) Developers have no idea when a condominium will be completed.
b) They do, they just don’t care to tell the truth because there are no repercussions.

When was the last time a developer actually quoted a reasonable time period to plan, sell, and construct an entire building?

Contrary to popular belief, it can’t be done in one year

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“Affordable Housing” In CityPlace….Go Figure!

3 11 2009

I was beginning to think that maybe, just maybe - I was wrong about CityPlace.

After a colleague of mine received five offers on her awful listing at Mariner Terrace, I reconsidered my stance on the evil concrete jungle.

But alas, the latest news that a 42-storey “community housing” project will be built in the heart of CityPlace has reaffirmed my stance that this will eventually be a complete ghetto

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“Home Bidders Get Personal”

2 11 2009

Here’s a great article in Saturday’s Toronto Star that explains a new trend among buyers who find themselves in multiple offer situations.

Try and differentiate yourself from the pack.  Maybe the sellers will respond favorably?

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Selling REZEN By The Pound IV

30 10 2009

In August of 2008, one year since I had taken occupancy of my unit at Rezen and a mere four months since final closing, a unit sold across the hall for $265,000.

The unit was larger than mine, but it still got me asking myself, “I wonder what I could get for my unit…”

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Selling REZEN By The Pound III

29 10 2009

“Second week of February,” said the sales person from Rezen when I asked for the ninety-fourth day in a row when the building would be registered. 

“If we’re not registered by then….cut my throat…..my word to God’s ears!”

That was the single strangest prayer I had ever heard…

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Selling REZEN By The Pound II

27 10 2009

Pat-Pat-Pat went my hand on my own back as I prepared to take occupancy of my new condo at Rezen Condominiums in August of 2008.

But before I could move forward, there was a ton of work to be done and very little time to do it!

If you think “picking up the keys” is all that is required, think again…

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The Disparity Between MLS & Realtor.ca

21 10 2009

I have a whole section about this on the front page of my blog, but I’d like to discuss this from a different angle.

There are two major issues that are on my mind, and as usual, one of these can be directly attributed to the questionable ethics of a fraction of Realtors out there…

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