Getting In On The Ground Level

19 07 2010

What do you think about living on the ground floor of a condominium?

It certainly comes with its pros and cons, and while some people actively seek it, others would be vehemently against it.

This goes beyond a question of value; it’s a question of personal preference…

groundlevel.jpg

Read the rest of this entry »



“Boutique” Condos?

8 07 2010

What defines a “boutique” condo?

Is this a good thing or a bad thing?  Is this a selling point, and does it add value?

Some boutiques are special, and others are just full of discount crap like this:

boutiquepic.jpg Read the rest of this entry »



Honesty

2 07 2010

Is it too much to ask in this business for somebody to take you at your word?

Draft an offer, submit it, and tell the other side “Please accept this or reject it, but don’t sign it back.  This is our first and final offer.”

Expect a sign back.  Nobody thinks you’re being honest… 

honesty.jpg

Read the rest of this entry »



Blacklisting Your Property

18 06 2010

Surely I’ve touched on this subject before, but this time around, I have an intimate knowledge of the situation since I was involved in the (attempted) sale at some level.

I was going to call this blog post, “Accepting Current Market Conditions,” but I feel that this is really more about sellers making every possible wrong move during the listing process, and effectively making it impossible to sell their properties…

blacklisted.jpg Read the rest of this entry »



Square Feet?

17 06 2010

My bathtub measures 6 x 3 and is 18 square feet.

My laundry room measures 8 x 4 and is 32 square feet.

The smallest condo available for purchase at the glorious new D.N.A. Lofts Phase Three is 270 square feet.

Yes.  270 square feet…

squarefoot.JPG Read the rest of this entry »



Playing Hardball

9 06 2010

In a very bold move last week, a client of mine bullied a very tough agent and a very determined seller and ended up with exactly what he wanted.

The words “Take it or leave it” are rare in our marketplace, and majority of the time, they’re a bluff.

Not this time…

hardball.jpg Read the rest of this entry »



The Friday Fight: Are Diamonds Forever?

4 06 2010

Have you all seen Blood Diamond?

How much of that movie is true, and how much is exaggerated?

If you’re looking to balance your investment portfolio, and you’re shying away from real estate, the stock market, or both, many “expert” financial managers are telling their clients to invest in diamonds

diamond.jpg Read the rest of this entry »



The Tuesday Tickle: Gym Rats

25 05 2010

Sooooo……how was the long weekend?

Our bodies are back, but our brains still long for the cottages, ski-boats, and golf courses.

Today’s blog post won’t be about real estate, as it is my duty to provide you all with a little comic relief from your jobs…

gymrats.jpg

Read the rest of this entry »



University Avenue Bike Lanes…..Not So Fast…

14 05 2010

How the hell is this possible in today’s day and age?

A Toronto City Councilor “mis-voted” on a major issue involving dedicated bike lanes on University Avenue.

“Yes” is the opposite of “No,” but one City Councilor still couldn’t distinguish.

Perhaps she should go back to University…

bikelane.jpg

Read the rest of this entry »



Great Expectations

12 05 2010

Some sellers simply expect to get multiple offers on their properties.

So what happens when they plan for the best, and don’t get it?

Well, that depends on the listing agent and his or her ability to temper the sellers’ great expectations

greatexpectations.jpg

Read the rest of this entry »