The market in the Valley is bonkers, especially in Kings County. I have been discussing the trends quite a bit lately and I wanted to put it out there in a blog post for everyone. People have been asking what the heck is going on, here's my take on it.
I am seeing a LOT of out of province buyers coming to the area. People from Ontario & BC are selling while the selling is good and bringing their cash here to buy way more that they ever could in other provinces.
This is creating several waves in the market. First of all these buyers see our prices as very reasonable and are willing and happy to pay our prices for what they want. A property is worth what someone is willing to pay for it and these trends are driving the property values up locally.
Secondly these buyers are new to the area, they sold elsewhere and are buying here. This is causing a shortage of available properties - as we all know supply & demand can have massive impact on prices causing them to rise noticeably as well as drastically shortening the average days on the market.
The third trend I am seeing is in the way that these buyers are purchasing. They are coming from extremely hot markets where buyers are making cash offers, no conditions and even bidding at and above list price. Seriously it's like in the real estate shows on HGTV. This aggressive approach is throwing local buyers off as this type of negotiation has not been the norm here.
With these huge changes in the way the property is being bought & sold locally, I can confidently say that buyers and sellers really need an experienced agent on their side. Further to that, the agent needs to be confidently versed in virtual transactions and technologically advanced. The dinosaur days of faxes and handwritten offers are gone, if you want to be competitive in this market you're going to need an up to date professional on your side.
Wednesday, November 07, 2018
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Falling Into Place
If I have learned anything in this business, it's that there is no such thing as a transaction just falling into place. In my 6 years of selling real estate, I have leaned something new in every deal that I have been a part of.
Buying or selling a property is a complicated process at best and there are always exceptions, those usually end up being on the exceptionally complicated side of the equation.
Recently I have seen several really whacky things that, even my brokers stop to scratch their heads about when I must explain. There's a running joke when I call the main office that I will most often have some sort of zany question, I don't usually end up at the boring end of any story. People ask me how I deal with the constant 'putting out of fires' and daily upheaval, the truth is that I kinda like it. I enjoy problem solving and being able to make things work out for the best when, for others involved, it may seem like insurmountable odds are being faced.
In this business you need to be flexible, keep a level head and most of all be up for a challenge! I seldom back down from anything and I have always taken great joy in making people happy. When I was in a management position in retail and fine dining, when I was a professional athlete competing horses for other people, and now as I simultaneously help multiple clients with their own very specific set of requirements and needs in property sales. When others feel like throwing up their hands in despair I often find myself saying "don't panic yet, we can figure out a solution!"
So what I am getting at here, is that the home buying & selling process is inherently going to throw curve balls. There are just way too many possibilities of how something could go down to be able to predict the outcomes 100%. Things do not just fall into place, it takes careful consideration and staying ahead of the curve to be able to keep things from going off the rails, but it's a challenge that I love to take on every day. Bring it on!
Buying or selling a property is a complicated process at best and there are always exceptions, those usually end up being on the exceptionally complicated side of the equation.
Recently I have seen several really whacky things that, even my brokers stop to scratch their heads about when I must explain. There's a running joke when I call the main office that I will most often have some sort of zany question, I don't usually end up at the boring end of any story. People ask me how I deal with the constant 'putting out of fires' and daily upheaval, the truth is that I kinda like it. I enjoy problem solving and being able to make things work out for the best when, for others involved, it may seem like insurmountable odds are being faced.
In this business you need to be flexible, keep a level head and most of all be up for a challenge! I seldom back down from anything and I have always taken great joy in making people happy. When I was in a management position in retail and fine dining, when I was a professional athlete competing horses for other people, and now as I simultaneously help multiple clients with their own very specific set of requirements and needs in property sales. When others feel like throwing up their hands in despair I often find myself saying "don't panic yet, we can figure out a solution!"
So what I am getting at here, is that the home buying & selling process is inherently going to throw curve balls. There are just way too many possibilities of how something could go down to be able to predict the outcomes 100%. Things do not just fall into place, it takes careful consideration and staying ahead of the curve to be able to keep things from going off the rails, but it's a challenge that I love to take on every day. Bring it on!
Friday, September 21, 2018
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Saturday, July 21, 2018
It Takes a Village
It takes a village to sell a property sometimes, and one of my recent sales was definitely a prime example of that!
The listing came through a referral from past clients, so I went to meet with the sellers to go over the property and make suggestions as to what should be done before listing. Some painting, some tidying and some light landscaping was in order. The listing went up seamlessly once the property was prepped.
We had a few showings right off the bat but no significant interest so I called in the entire sales team at Exit for an agent caravan tour - the agents in these situations are frank and give great feedback suggestions. We decided to do some rearrangement of the furniture and light staging. The next showing brought that serious interest! But here's where it started to get complicated...
The buyers were first timers and when I explained how agency works and my inability to represent them because I was representing the sellers, they felt like they should have an agent on their side. So I called in another REALTOR from Exit to help them out. They wrote the offer, we negotiated and the sale came together swiftly.
Fast forward to Closing day, the sellers have locked the house and left all the keys inside minus the one in the lockbox (which didn't open the knob AND deadbolt unfortunately!!!) The home was empty and and the only way in was through a second storey door that used to lead to a balcony which had been removed several years before. It was a chalet style home and a long way up to the door. Not a ladder in sight anywhere and the clock is ticking to get in there.
My husband owns a hearth store and occasionally drives one of the work vans (which have ladders on the roof!) I frantically called him to see if he was in the area, and driving a van that day... He was only a few minutes away so he zoomed over to save the day like a super hero!! (All the while, I am in a different town negotiating the last bits of another sale with only hours left before the deadline!) He climbed up a long ladder jimmied the door open and crawled in through. I am glad this was at the rear of the house and he did not get arrested for mischief... the situations I ask him to be involved in sometimes... He let the buyers agent in and they completed the final walk through in record time making sure that the Closing timeline was maintained for all parties!
The happy ending is that both buyers and sellers were thrilled that we were able to close on time (early even after all that!) and by working seamlessly together to get to that end goal, everyone is a winner! I just love being able to solve problems for my clients in situations like these! It's what makes my job so fulfilling!
** Shout out to my fabulous husband who has always had my back, you're the best!
The listing came through a referral from past clients, so I went to meet with the sellers to go over the property and make suggestions as to what should be done before listing. Some painting, some tidying and some light landscaping was in order. The listing went up seamlessly once the property was prepped.
We had a few showings right off the bat but no significant interest so I called in the entire sales team at Exit for an agent caravan tour - the agents in these situations are frank and give great feedback suggestions. We decided to do some rearrangement of the furniture and light staging. The next showing brought that serious interest! But here's where it started to get complicated...
The buyers were first timers and when I explained how agency works and my inability to represent them because I was representing the sellers, they felt like they should have an agent on their side. So I called in another REALTOR from Exit to help them out. They wrote the offer, we negotiated and the sale came together swiftly.
Fast forward to Closing day, the sellers have locked the house and left all the keys inside minus the one in the lockbox (which didn't open the knob AND deadbolt unfortunately!!!) The home was empty and and the only way in was through a second storey door that used to lead to a balcony which had been removed several years before. It was a chalet style home and a long way up to the door. Not a ladder in sight anywhere and the clock is ticking to get in there.
My husband owns a hearth store and occasionally drives one of the work vans (which have ladders on the roof!) I frantically called him to see if he was in the area, and driving a van that day... He was only a few minutes away so he zoomed over to save the day like a super hero!! (All the while, I am in a different town negotiating the last bits of another sale with only hours left before the deadline!) He climbed up a long ladder jimmied the door open and crawled in through. I am glad this was at the rear of the house and he did not get arrested for mischief... the situations I ask him to be involved in sometimes... He let the buyers agent in and they completed the final walk through in record time making sure that the Closing timeline was maintained for all parties!
The happy ending is that both buyers and sellers were thrilled that we were able to close on time (early even after all that!) and by working seamlessly together to get to that end goal, everyone is a winner! I just love being able to solve problems for my clients in situations like these! It's what makes my job so fulfilling!
** Shout out to my fabulous husband who has always had my back, you're the best!
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Stay Cool, Man.
Buying and selling property can be stressful for everyone involved. Emotions are often running high, everyone has a large stake in the transaction, and timelines can be tight adding to the issues.
Hiring a REALTOR® that keeps a cool head is vital! I can't tell you how many times a listening ear, a calm disposition and an arms length opinion has prevailed over a heated situation. I have a rule that if something makes your blood boil in a transaction, you should take some time to process things before immediately reacting.
When I was riding horses professionally, the great David O'Connor used to tell me to be PROactive rather than REactive. Always act in a positive way in order to have a positive outcome. Don't allow yourself to negatively react to a situation that will further the downward spiral. Horses do not understand the emotional hang ups we have when we are riding and we absolutely must remain rational in order to communicate effectively with them every time we get on.
It is most times impossible to keep emotions out of real estate sales. Your agent needs to understand your feelings and be able to gently guide all parties along so that the end result is well thought out and reasonable. When the agent(s) involved get wound up, things can get heated unnecessarily. As a professional I have been yelled at, threatened, called names, sworn at and had some very unpleasant conversations all due to emotions getting out of control. Less so from clients than other agents to be frank. I totally understand that this is not a reflection of me personally, but of the stress that people are feeling within themselves. It's not pleasant, but it can happen. I previously worked in the retail and service industries and have seen many stressful outbursts in kitchens and such. As a professional athlete I was taught to remove emotion from my job as it does not make for more successful performances. Being able to separate emotions and reality is important, and I have been practicing this for many years prior to becoming a REALTOR. It is my job to lead everyone through these times in a steady, calm fashion.
Hiring a REALTOR® that keeps a cool head is vital! I can't tell you how many times a listening ear, a calm disposition and an arms length opinion has prevailed over a heated situation. I have a rule that if something makes your blood boil in a transaction, you should take some time to process things before immediately reacting.
When I was riding horses professionally, the great David O'Connor used to tell me to be PROactive rather than REactive. Always act in a positive way in order to have a positive outcome. Don't allow yourself to negatively react to a situation that will further the downward spiral. Horses do not understand the emotional hang ups we have when we are riding and we absolutely must remain rational in order to communicate effectively with them every time we get on.
It is most times impossible to keep emotions out of real estate sales. Your agent needs to understand your feelings and be able to gently guide all parties along so that the end result is well thought out and reasonable. When the agent(s) involved get wound up, things can get heated unnecessarily. As a professional I have been yelled at, threatened, called names, sworn at and had some very unpleasant conversations all due to emotions getting out of control. Less so from clients than other agents to be frank. I totally understand that this is not a reflection of me personally, but of the stress that people are feeling within themselves. It's not pleasant, but it can happen. I previously worked in the retail and service industries and have seen many stressful outbursts in kitchens and such. As a professional athlete I was taught to remove emotion from my job as it does not make for more successful performances. Being able to separate emotions and reality is important, and I have been practicing this for many years prior to becoming a REALTOR. It is my job to lead everyone through these times in a steady, calm fashion.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Co Worker Woes
How important is it to have co workers that you get along with? Do you feel like office or workplace cohesion is important? Do you like the people you work alongside?
As a REALTOR® how much time I spend in the office is up to me, other than a 'duty shift' once a week or so where I am required to be in the office for walk ins and phone calls. Other than that I can work out of the New Minas/Greenwood offices or from home. So much of my time is spent traveling around that I don't actually spend that much time physically at my desk. When I am in the office though, the people I work with are influential!
Having a positive office vibe is incredibly important to people that work in close proximity to each other, have you ever had to spend 8 hours a day next to a loud mouth or someone who doesn't follow the rules of the space? This can really create an unproductive environment and make it hard to do your job effectively! It's so much more than just getting along or being friends, it's about respecting the people that you work with no matter what position they occupy within your organization.
Having a negative office vibe creates a bad atmosphere and can really bring productivity down quickly! I am always way more excited to go to an office where I feel respected and equal to everyone else there. I see no need for putting some employees on pedestals, this only creates animosity. No matter how much money you make, or what clothes you wear or what you look like, I believe that everyone has something to offer and should be held to the same standard!
Do you feel like you are treated fairly in your workplace? Do you have co workers that you would rather not have to be around? Do you dread spending time at your office?
As a REALTOR® how much time I spend in the office is up to me, other than a 'duty shift' once a week or so where I am required to be in the office for walk ins and phone calls. Other than that I can work out of the New Minas/Greenwood offices or from home. So much of my time is spent traveling around that I don't actually spend that much time physically at my desk. When I am in the office though, the people I work with are influential!
Having a positive office vibe is incredibly important to people that work in close proximity to each other, have you ever had to spend 8 hours a day next to a loud mouth or someone who doesn't follow the rules of the space? This can really create an unproductive environment and make it hard to do your job effectively! It's so much more than just getting along or being friends, it's about respecting the people that you work with no matter what position they occupy within your organization.
Having a negative office vibe creates a bad atmosphere and can really bring productivity down quickly! I am always way more excited to go to an office where I feel respected and equal to everyone else there. I see no need for putting some employees on pedestals, this only creates animosity. No matter how much money you make, or what clothes you wear or what you look like, I believe that everyone has something to offer and should be held to the same standard!
Do you feel like you are treated fairly in your workplace? Do you have co workers that you would rather not have to be around? Do you dread spending time at your office?
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
To Paint Or Not To Paint
The single most cost effective way to prepare your home to list is with a fresh coat of paint. This works for two reasons.
1) A fresh coat of paint covers up the small scratches, dings and wear and tear that occur over the course of a family living in a home, it's natural, but it's not pretty. When you apply new paint, the home now has a fresh, well kept, well cared for appearance. It no longer looks or feels old or worn, and this is ideal.
2) New paint that is neutral and pleasing to most people allows a buyer to picture themselves living in the home. Bright, dark and too trendy colour choices are distracting to most buyers - have you ever noticed one of the most common comments on those real estate shows from buyers is about paint, and specifically, paint that they don't like.
If you are preparing to sell and you think that it's too much work to paint your home, imagine how the buyers feel... they are contemplating making a huge purchase and right off the bat they see work that needs to be done. Do it for them and I guarantee you will have more successful showings.
If you don't want to paint because you believe that the buyer may not share your tastes in colour selection, pick a colour palette that is generally appealing to the majority of people, believe me, most of these buyers are watching real estate shows and have pinterest boards that are showcasing the relaxing neutrals that are timeless classics. If they have more wild tastes, it's much easier for them to get excited about painting an accent wall than painting the entire home.
Another important thing to consider is continuity through the home, painting each room and hallway a different colour is a poor choice as it makes the home feel broken up and compartmentalized. Buyers want open concept so carry a theme of 2-3 colours through the entire home and if you really want some variation choose another shade on the same chip so that you don't break up the flow.
If you are thinking of listing and want really expert advice I can align you with a local paint guru that will custom match a colour palette for you and your home based on everything from the architectural style to the flooring and even available natural light! I can attest to the prowess of this expert, he helped me choose the paint colours for the entire interior of my home plus the exterior colours as well. He is amazing!
1) A fresh coat of paint covers up the small scratches, dings and wear and tear that occur over the course of a family living in a home, it's natural, but it's not pretty. When you apply new paint, the home now has a fresh, well kept, well cared for appearance. It no longer looks or feels old or worn, and this is ideal.
2) New paint that is neutral and pleasing to most people allows a buyer to picture themselves living in the home. Bright, dark and too trendy colour choices are distracting to most buyers - have you ever noticed one of the most common comments on those real estate shows from buyers is about paint, and specifically, paint that they don't like.
If you are preparing to sell and you think that it's too much work to paint your home, imagine how the buyers feel... they are contemplating making a huge purchase and right off the bat they see work that needs to be done. Do it for them and I guarantee you will have more successful showings.
If you don't want to paint because you believe that the buyer may not share your tastes in colour selection, pick a colour palette that is generally appealing to the majority of people, believe me, most of these buyers are watching real estate shows and have pinterest boards that are showcasing the relaxing neutrals that are timeless classics. If they have more wild tastes, it's much easier for them to get excited about painting an accent wall than painting the entire home.
Another important thing to consider is continuity through the home, painting each room and hallway a different colour is a poor choice as it makes the home feel broken up and compartmentalized. Buyers want open concept so carry a theme of 2-3 colours through the entire home and if you really want some variation choose another shade on the same chip so that you don't break up the flow.
If you are thinking of listing and want really expert advice I can align you with a local paint guru that will custom match a colour palette for you and your home based on everything from the architectural style to the flooring and even available natural light! I can attest to the prowess of this expert, he helped me choose the paint colours for the entire interior of my home plus the exterior colours as well. He is amazing!
Monday, May 21, 2018
Holiday Monday in the Office!
I have been having a lot of conversations with people lately that are thinking of getting into the real estate industry. They are asking for my thoughts and ideas on how to make that transition, and if it's a good idea for them.
There are quite a few factors that need to be considered while contemplating making a career change, especially to real estate. The biggest discussion is about income, and yes, this is a commission only career, no salary. The downside to this is you are not guaranteed a minimum paycheque every two weeks. The upside is that you have absolutely no cap on what you can make in a day, week or month. As an example I received the largest single transaction paycheque that my broker had ever issued since becoming a franchise owner ten years ago. And I had only been practicing real estate for just over 3 years at the time. And at Exit there are multiple ways to make money. As a sponsor, by simply introducing a new agent to the broker, you stand to make up to $10,000/year from Exit for this introduction for as long as that agent remains with Exit. And you can sponsor as many agents as you like! (No this is not a pyramid silly, it's only applicable to ONE single level of residuals!)
It is tough to get started, but with the sponsoring program I can help you learn the ropes, and I have a vested interest in making sure that you last and are successful. No other brokerage uses this model. Exit also has the best administrators in the business which in turn makes your job easier. Our admin do all the data input of listings so that you are free to go get more business, you won't be stuck behind a desk all day!
I have discussions with people all the time that have toyed with the idea of getting into this business, it's intriguing and appealing to a lot of different types of people. And it's flexible so that you can tailor the career to how you want it to fit into your life. I went on a 25 day trip to Southern Asia/India this winter because I have the flexibility to make my own schedule and the income to be able to go away and still have my business flourishing when I return!
If you are thinking that this type of lifestyle might suit you, reach out! I would love to get together with you to talk more about it! I haven't once woken up on a Monday morning since starting this career dreading the week ahead. Think about that. Seriously. It's a vibrant holiday Monday and I am writing a blog about how much I love my job. There's something special here.
There are quite a few factors that need to be considered while contemplating making a career change, especially to real estate. The biggest discussion is about income, and yes, this is a commission only career, no salary. The downside to this is you are not guaranteed a minimum paycheque every two weeks. The upside is that you have absolutely no cap on what you can make in a day, week or month. As an example I received the largest single transaction paycheque that my broker had ever issued since becoming a franchise owner ten years ago. And I had only been practicing real estate for just over 3 years at the time. And at Exit there are multiple ways to make money. As a sponsor, by simply introducing a new agent to the broker, you stand to make up to $10,000/year from Exit for this introduction for as long as that agent remains with Exit. And you can sponsor as many agents as you like! (No this is not a pyramid silly, it's only applicable to ONE single level of residuals!)
It is tough to get started, but with the sponsoring program I can help you learn the ropes, and I have a vested interest in making sure that you last and are successful. No other brokerage uses this model. Exit also has the best administrators in the business which in turn makes your job easier. Our admin do all the data input of listings so that you are free to go get more business, you won't be stuck behind a desk all day!
I have discussions with people all the time that have toyed with the idea of getting into this business, it's intriguing and appealing to a lot of different types of people. And it's flexible so that you can tailor the career to how you want it to fit into your life. I went on a 25 day trip to Southern Asia/India this winter because I have the flexibility to make my own schedule and the income to be able to go away and still have my business flourishing when I return!
If you are thinking that this type of lifestyle might suit you, reach out! I would love to get together with you to talk more about it! I haven't once woken up on a Monday morning since starting this career dreading the week ahead. Think about that. Seriously. It's a vibrant holiday Monday and I am writing a blog about how much I love my job. There's something special here.
Thursday, May 03, 2018
Feeling HOT! HOT! HOT!
I recently
attended the Kentville Home Show as a vendor and got a great chance to speak
with people about what’s going on with the local real estate market. It was so
nice to connect with people that I wouldn’t normally see and chat about the
recent trends. Most people that I come across are noticing a significant
upswing in the number of properties getting sold lately, it’s true! Year to
date sales in the Annapolis Valley are up almost 23%! In case you don’t have a
benchmark of what’s normal in terms of fluctuations in sales, this is AMAZING!!
In the past 5 years since I have been a REALTOR® I have noticed maybe a couple of percentage points difference up or down. The general trend has been that of a Buyers Market. Well as of 2018 that has changed, there are more properties selling each day/week/month than properties getting listed. Get this! There are several shortages of inventory in a few different price ranges too! I have people looking for specific properties to purchase and they are selling almost immediately after coming on the market, we are seeing multiple competing offers on places, homes selling for above list price!
As an example, I recently wrote an offer on a property, we knew we were in a competition when we wrote the offer so we went in significantly above list price with no conditions. Unfortunately, we did not win the bidding war, but I later found out it sold for more than 60% above the list price!! WOWZA!! Obviously, this is an extreme example and the property had some very special circumstances surrounding it to go for such an astounding amount above the listing price!
The general consensus with the professionals in the industry (and even the public) is that the market here in the Annapolis Valley is HOT! HOT! HOT! If you are thinking of listing, it’s absolutely imperative to get it price correctly and marketed aggressively so that you can get top dollar! If you are thinking of purchasing, get an agent that has their finger on the pulse because you may find you miss out if you’re not completely prepared before making an offer on a popular property!
Need to discuss things? Call me anytime and let’s chat about your needs!
(902) 680-2736
In the past 5 years since I have been a REALTOR® I have noticed maybe a couple of percentage points difference up or down. The general trend has been that of a Buyers Market. Well as of 2018 that has changed, there are more properties selling each day/week/month than properties getting listed. Get this! There are several shortages of inventory in a few different price ranges too! I have people looking for specific properties to purchase and they are selling almost immediately after coming on the market, we are seeing multiple competing offers on places, homes selling for above list price!
As an example, I recently wrote an offer on a property, we knew we were in a competition when we wrote the offer so we went in significantly above list price with no conditions. Unfortunately, we did not win the bidding war, but I later found out it sold for more than 60% above the list price!! WOWZA!! Obviously, this is an extreme example and the property had some very special circumstances surrounding it to go for such an astounding amount above the listing price!
The general consensus with the professionals in the industry (and even the public) is that the market here in the Annapolis Valley is HOT! HOT! HOT! If you are thinking of listing, it’s absolutely imperative to get it price correctly and marketed aggressively so that you can get top dollar! If you are thinking of purchasing, get an agent that has their finger on the pulse because you may find you miss out if you’re not completely prepared before making an offer on a popular property!
Need to discuss things? Call me anytime and let’s chat about your needs!
(902) 680-2736
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Wrong Place, Wrong Time!
Is there such a thing as being too confident? I recently had a majorly comical moment which was directly correlated to me thinking I was at the right place, at the right time. But I was NOT!
I had negotiated a deal for a client who is a friend of mine, I have known him for a while and he's got a very outgoing, gregarious personality. I had to stop in to see a couple of his family members (who I do not know at all, have never met them). My client gave me directions, I called ahead to book the appointment and arrived feeling like I already knew the people.
I pulled into the driveway and called out to the woman by name, I got a funny look but carried on, unfazed. I got out of the car and followed her into the house, jokingly I asked if I was at the right place. No response. The husband peered around the corner at me quizzically so I thought to myself "my friend certainly doesn't get his jocular personality from his parents, odd bunch".
I took off my shoes and headed into the house with the paperwork, exclaiming that it wouldn't take long, you know, to set their minds at ease because they obviously weren't thrilled that I was there. Finally one of them pipes up "um, what paperwork?" I replied with the clients name, a blank stare was returned. I started to get a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, and a bit more softly repeated the clients name followed up by a repeat of the question "Am I in the right place?"
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPE! As it turns out I had gone to the property next door by accident, it's a good thing such mixups don't embarrass me! I promptly put my shoes back on and got out of their home, I can only imagine what kind of questions must have been going through their heads!
"Who is this lunatic in our house? Why is she here?"
"Are we selling our property? She seems to think so..."
"Is this a gag TV show? When is the punch line?"
I thoroughly enjoy a harmless mistake and love to share these hilarious mishaps with others for the purpose of a good laugh! I hope you enjoyed my story! My confidence is a great asset and occasionally a comical liability.
I had negotiated a deal for a client who is a friend of mine, I have known him for a while and he's got a very outgoing, gregarious personality. I had to stop in to see a couple of his family members (who I do not know at all, have never met them). My client gave me directions, I called ahead to book the appointment and arrived feeling like I already knew the people.
I pulled into the driveway and called out to the woman by name, I got a funny look but carried on, unfazed. I got out of the car and followed her into the house, jokingly I asked if I was at the right place. No response. The husband peered around the corner at me quizzically so I thought to myself "my friend certainly doesn't get his jocular personality from his parents, odd bunch".
I took off my shoes and headed into the house with the paperwork, exclaiming that it wouldn't take long, you know, to set their minds at ease because they obviously weren't thrilled that I was there. Finally one of them pipes up "um, what paperwork?" I replied with the clients name, a blank stare was returned. I started to get a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, and a bit more softly repeated the clients name followed up by a repeat of the question "Am I in the right place?"
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPE! As it turns out I had gone to the property next door by accident, it's a good thing such mixups don't embarrass me! I promptly put my shoes back on and got out of their home, I can only imagine what kind of questions must have been going through their heads!
"Who is this lunatic in our house? Why is she here?"
"Are we selling our property? She seems to think so..."
"Is this a gag TV show? When is the punch line?"
I thoroughly enjoy a harmless mistake and love to share these hilarious mishaps with others for the purpose of a good laugh! I hope you enjoyed my story! My confidence is a great asset and occasionally a comical liability.
Wednesday, March 07, 2018
The Goldilocks Photo Syndrome
I am very picky about the photos that I publish online, I always have been, and I am getting worse about it. I encountered a listing today that I have buyers from out of town interested in and guess what... There are ZERO photos of the property online! I contacted the listing agent, who didn't even have any on file!! ABSURD!!
The vast majority of buyers these days are doing a huge amount of preliminary research long before contacting an agent. They are pouring over online information, statistics and photos/videos. The way that your property is being represented online is extremely important, and there is a fine line between photos that are good, and photos that aren't.
There are 3 kinds of photos out there, it's a bit of a Goldilocks syndrome... some photos are really bad with spots on the lens, out of focus, or at worst - taken with a cell phone! UGH! I have even seen cell phone photos, taken in vertical format, where the agent didn't even bother getting out of their car! You can tell because the edge of the car window is in the frame! You should be fired if caught being this lazy!
The other end of the spectrum is where the photos are TOO GOOD. The lighting has been altered and overly processed, angles and creativity in the shots omits very important details of the property, or worst case scenario - the photos have been photoshopped!! There's nothing worse than a buyer being sorely disappointed in seeing a property in person because the photos were not an accurate representation, disappointment is not a good emotion for buyers.
There is a happy medium though! Somewhere in the middle where the photographer has professional equipment, knows how to use it correctly, and has an eye for what needs to be showcased in a real estate photo! Not too hot, not too cold, juuusst riiiight!
Bravo to the agents that can find this subtle middle ground, it takes some time and investment but it's worth it in the end. If you are a buyer looking to purchase, be wary of those super slick photos! If you are a seller, check out prospective agents photo quality, make sure it's happy medium style!
The vast majority of buyers these days are doing a huge amount of preliminary research long before contacting an agent. They are pouring over online information, statistics and photos/videos. The way that your property is being represented online is extremely important, and there is a fine line between photos that are good, and photos that aren't.
There are 3 kinds of photos out there, it's a bit of a Goldilocks syndrome... some photos are really bad with spots on the lens, out of focus, or at worst - taken with a cell phone! UGH! I have even seen cell phone photos, taken in vertical format, where the agent didn't even bother getting out of their car! You can tell because the edge of the car window is in the frame! You should be fired if caught being this lazy!
The other end of the spectrum is where the photos are TOO GOOD. The lighting has been altered and overly processed, angles and creativity in the shots omits very important details of the property, or worst case scenario - the photos have been photoshopped!! There's nothing worse than a buyer being sorely disappointed in seeing a property in person because the photos were not an accurate representation, disappointment is not a good emotion for buyers.
There is a happy medium though! Somewhere in the middle where the photographer has professional equipment, knows how to use it correctly, and has an eye for what needs to be showcased in a real estate photo! Not too hot, not too cold, juuusst riiiight!
Bravo to the agents that can find this subtle middle ground, it takes some time and investment but it's worth it in the end. If you are a buyer looking to purchase, be wary of those super slick photos! If you are a seller, check out prospective agents photo quality, make sure it's happy medium style!
Thursday, February 22, 2018
What a Long Strange Trip It's Been
Sometimes you go on a trip and it really gives you a lot to mentally digest. A new perspective, and an appreciation for what we have and what we have been given by simply being Canadian. I just got back from an epic trip spanning almost a month in South East Asia. Every few years my husband and I forego the all inclusive/resort vacation for an adventure type trip (or at least our version of adventure) this trip was 100% amazing.
We took 14 flights, visited 6 countries and really made the most of our time over there. Highlights included 5 nights on Kandolhu Island in The Maldives. This place is heaven on earth, it took me an entire day to come to grips with actually being in such a luxurious and beautiful place. We were able to stay in one of their over water villas with floor to ceiling windows, our own private infinity pool and sundeck with stairs down to the ocean & house reef. Private dinners on the beach, cocktails with the head chef and managers, yacht excursions, and stocked coolers with champagne on deserted islands. I feel humbled and so completely thankful to have been able to experience this with my husband and longtime friends Marc & Laura. It will be one for the books for sure, and not soon forgotten.
Now on to Vietnam! We met up with a larger group and visited many places in the northern part of this beautiful country. I was not exactly sure what I was in for when we booked this part of the trip, I had prepared myself for emotional and thoughtful moments aplenty. Having just come from one of the most expensive places I have been, surrounded by affluence and opulence, Vietnam was becomingly grounding without being too jarring in terms of poverty and basic human needs. The people of Vietnam are amazing! They are friendly and warm and extremely welcoming. We were always very comfortable being in the large cities or in the small rural communities. Personally I enjoyed the country settings a bit more, but I am a 'country mouse' and enjoy my space and nature more than bright lights and the hustle & bustle.
Other stops along the way included Hong Kong - a lovely city of many millions that was clean and friendly with lots to see and do.
Sri Lanka - a newly discovered tourist area, I feel like we got there just in time to experience the place and people before it becomes more commercialized.
Bangkok - we only had a few hours layover here so we took in the insane craziness of Khao San road, it was pretty unbelievable. I may be too old for places like this now.
Kuala Lumpur - the capital city of Malaysia, another layover so we took in the highlights of the downtown and treated ourselves to a massive suite at a lovely hotel after being in the tiniest hotel room I have ever seen in Hong Kong.
Vietnam - included Hanoi, An Bang Beach, Hoi An, Danang, and a private boat charter of Ha Long Bay. Google this place, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site and breathtaking.
Seoul - a quick stop here on our way home, I had no idea that South Korea could get so cold. We got to see a televised version of the opening ceremonies of the Olympic in nearby Peyongchang, a very different experience to see Canada march into the Olympic stadium from another countries perspective.
I certainly want to point out that leaving North America for several weeks and traveling to the opposite of the earth would not be possible with most other jobs. I am very fortunate to be able to make my own schedule and to have a team of people here that can look after my business while I am away. For the most part I am my own boss, but at Exit, we have a great brokerage model and exceptional administrators that make my job much easier.
The biggest thing I took away from this trip is how much we can take for granted as Canadians. It's so damn easy to get wrapped up in our own world here and not see the bigger picture of what's happening in the rest of the world. We have been given a life of choice and ability, of opportunity and freedom of thought, of clean air and water... It's one of those things that you can't truly appreciate until you leave it behind and see that what you take for granted, others could only dream of. There is beauty in every corner of this earth, and I have come to appreciate this corner that much more now.
Saturday, January 06, 2018
#stormblog
Winter, ugh! The most dreaded of Canadian seasons is upon us at last! I am currently cozy as can be with my home office set up in front of my wood stove in my living room area. I was out this morning to show a few places, and it was a bit of a mission to get to one of them (a rural location on the top of a hill) but I made it there and back and I am not leaving again for the foreseeable future.
2017 was a phenomenal year for my business and I am extremely excited to be heading into 2018 with a huge amount of momentum built up. For REALTORs winter can be slow at times, but this is the perfect opportunity to get systems in place and organized for the mayhem that is the Spring Market! I am going to be using this (theoretically) slower time to make sure that I am refreshed and ready for my clients to be in 2018. As far as when I am going to get that down time, I am still waiting! This morning I confirmed the sale of a property, I wrote an offer last night for a buyer that just got Accepted, and I showed a property to some first time home buyers this morning that was an excellent fit for them. We are currently researching the zoning so that they can make sure that their home based business adheres to the municipal by laws for the area. Somebody asked me once when I get time to sleep, I replied "February" LOL!
In the meantime, before heading to a warmer location for some vitamin D, I will remind you that there is a shortage of listed properties in the Annapolis Valley right now and lots of qualified buyers who are keen to find something before the spring rush. If you are thinking of listing in 2018, call me! I might just sell your property before I leave for my trip!
902-680-2736
exit@meganwhite.ca
2017 was a phenomenal year for my business and I am extremely excited to be heading into 2018 with a huge amount of momentum built up. For REALTORs winter can be slow at times, but this is the perfect opportunity to get systems in place and organized for the mayhem that is the Spring Market! I am going to be using this (theoretically) slower time to make sure that I am refreshed and ready for my clients to be in 2018. As far as when I am going to get that down time, I am still waiting! This morning I confirmed the sale of a property, I wrote an offer last night for a buyer that just got Accepted, and I showed a property to some first time home buyers this morning that was an excellent fit for them. We are currently researching the zoning so that they can make sure that their home based business adheres to the municipal by laws for the area. Somebody asked me once when I get time to sleep, I replied "February" LOL!
In the meantime, before heading to a warmer location for some vitamin D, I will remind you that there is a shortage of listed properties in the Annapolis Valley right now and lots of qualified buyers who are keen to find something before the spring rush. If you are thinking of listing in 2018, call me! I might just sell your property before I leave for my trip!
902-680-2736
exit@meganwhite.ca
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