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The following is a blogged version of my first mailout:

I am writing this blog entry tell you about my career and how I hope that I can be of help to either yourself, or to a family member or friend of yours.

I have recently conquered some of the largest challenges of my life and I am now ready to set the bar even higher and try to make the most of my potential.

In March 2009 I graduated University with my B.Comm Honours in Management from the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management after 4 long years of Full-Time School and Full-time work at the House of Commons (Accounting and HR Roles). Before this, I was pushing my way through College for nearly two years and filling the gaps with various other courses and certificates – giving me almost 7 years of a double-booked full-time schedule. Towards the end of my schooling I had pin-pointed my career choice and that was to run my own Real Estate Business. I enrolled in the Ontario Real Estate Association’s Real Estate College licensing courses with my last two semesters of University to go, completed both, and am now running my own business! I’ve been involved in Real Estate directly and indirectly for 10 years this summer of 2009, and I am now ready to give it my all and build my business’s reputation one client at a time.

I have chosen to join Partners Advantage GMAC Real Estate, Brokerage run out of the Stittsville area to make my mark. Why this company? A few main reasons are: 1) Dr. Bruce Firestone – the founder of the Ottawa Senators and Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Ottawa is the broker who mentors me and has been doing so for many years now, 2) The brand is not completely established in Eastern Ottawa, which is where I come from and thus I have a unique advantage where I get to introduce myself as well as the company I work for, and 3) the resources and culture at this Brokerage are an eye-opener and a breath of fresh air at the same time. Powerful state of the art resources, innovative mindsets and business models, talented, kind and bright individuals make this brokerage a great place for me to grow.

I would like to welcome you to make the best use of me at any time you may need me; I am here to provide my friends, family, and community with any and all help I can give them to the best of my ability. I am conditioned to work both hard and smart for things that matter to me, and since you have received this letter – you are on that list.

Finally, the way I structure my business is through word of mouth and referrals, so if at any time you can think of someone who may want to buy or sell a home, please refer them to me or vice versa and I will make you proud. That is my pledge of service to you.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read my blog!

CMHC Housing Market Report for Ottawa

 Original Source: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/esub/64311/64311_2009_B01.pdf

• New Home Construction to Slow Down Toward Demographic Needs

Its nice to see some normal economic theory coming into play:

The Residential construction industry in Ottawa will remain in good health and will therefore exhibit a normal cyclical downward adjustment. This will bring the pace of new starts during 2009 and 2010 to more moderate and sustainable levels, consitent with both economic fundamentals and demographic needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Single-Detached Starts will Adjust the Most

Single detached starts will go down 28.1% from 2008 levels for a variety of reasons including increased caution among first time home buyers, a negative wealth effect caused by equity losses among baby-boomers, and reduced affordability for more expensive dwellings.

• Suburban Townhomes will Remain Popular Among First-Time Buyers

I knew this! This top selling home type that I have been dealing with is Suburban Townhomes. Townhome construction will rebound at the fastest pace among all property types due to the appeal of suburban lifestyle and recent improvements in homeownership affordability.

• Urban Apartment Construction will Lead the Way in 2009

Very Interesting!!!  This section says that due to economic conditions and changing demographics, this section will see a ‘buoyant’ demand , especially for condominium units closer to Ottawa’s core that is expected to remain well above historical averages.

 

Next: The RESALE market

 

 

 

 

 

Residential Units Sold per Month

Here you can see which months tend to be the busiest months for Buyers and Sellers.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Residential Price by Month

Here you can see price increases year by year and month by month

So I had my graduation ceremony today.. WOOHOOO!

It made me think about how I am used to having about 15 things on the go, and how my new career doesnt have any work given to me – I find it and make it. My ‘old life’ went something like this for the past 7 years:

Worked at the House of Commons Full-Time and went to Algonquin College for Fitness and Lifestyle Management. I realized that many people were getting into Human Kinetics in University, and that my certificate wouldn’t mean much in the real world, so I decided to take a swing at University. Nearly two years with one to go and I switched gears.

Problem is – going to College meant I didnt have to do my OAC’s – so now I had to do them. Except for the fact there were no OAC’s because I was the last year before the double cohort and there were only 12U’s left on the table – most of which I had just DONE!

So I found 6 more ‘interesting’ classes and I took EVERY method of school I could think of – Correspondence (mail), Internet School, Summer School (St.Matts) and Night School (Immaculata). 6 courses later and 3 years deep in the House of Commons, I started applying for University.

One major shift had occured – I wasn’t that much into the whole fitness industry as a career anymore. Interestingly enough – I got a 97% in Economics and I LOVED it! So I got into business…

I took a job in Accounting at the HOC, as that was my major at the time. Then I switched gears to Finance and finally to Management. I realized the former two types of careers required professional designations for the most part, and that I was really excited by the Management Courses available because I wanted to be my own boss and start my own company.

While in my University Career, I took my Canadian Securities Course, my Successful Site Management course from the Real Estate Institute of Canada, and then finally my Realtor’s License.

On my way out of University, I was getting restless and took a new job in HR – mostly for the change of pace, and a shift of focus from numbers to people (boy was I wrong – can you say DATA ENTRY? What an unpleasant stint).

So right before I graduated University – I QUIT. It had been 7 years at the HOC and in School BOTH Full Time, and I was tired of it. I needed freedom. I remember going to Ottawa U 4 nights a week after work , often enough my 3 hour classes were from 7-10 which meant the good old OC Transpo would have me warm in bed, showered and shaved and ready for the next day by midnight. It made for LONG winter nights!

I said to myself – You live once, be happy and do what you want to do with your life. And there were all kinds of signs and signals around me. I had just heard in a class that the average standard of living of a human worldwide is LOWER than the average standard of living of the average Canadian HOMELESS person. The latter has access to employment opportunities, shelter, family and food, while the former quite often does not. My family and now wife were HUGE supporters of my ambitions. She would tell me to do what I wanted and she would work double time to make sure we would be OK if worse came to worse (She is a former graduate as well – both College and University). A good quote I heard once was ” Boats are safe in harbour. Thats not what boats are for.”

So that pushed me over the edge. I quit, I lined up a career as a Real Estate Salesperson with a long time mentor Dr.Bruce Firestone, I planned on graduating in a few months and getting married and I was going to give it all I had.

Well I now have a ring on my finger and I just had my grad ceremony today.

 

Its go time!

 

Hi Everyone,

I just received the lated Ottawa Real Estate Board Newsletter, and I am not sure if I am able to reprint the text from it, but there is something very important you should know.

There is  scam going around on online classified ads that are taking MLS Listings and posting them as rentals. They post very attractive rental rates and ask for a security deposit to be sent, after which they will courier the keys to you.

Guess what?

SCAM

Be very careful with these things!

Do your dilligence and investigate the house, especially if it seems to good to be true – because it often is.

All the best,

Marc

 

 

A backyard swimming pool can be a joy to own – especially on those really hot and humid days. By keeping to a consistent maintenance schedule and following strict safety guidelines, your pool will provide hours of enjoyment cool relief from summer’s heat.

To keep your pool at its best and your family safe this summer, the Ontario Real Estate Association offers the following tips.

Safety first Although a pool is fun, fun, fun, it can also be dangerous. Each year a number of children drown in backyard swimming pools so attention to safety is critical.

Before beginning your swimming season, review the importance of strict safety guidelines with every member of the family. Be sure everyone knows the rules and informs any guests of those rules too. You may even want to consider taking a pool safety course from your local Red Cross.

Here are some pool safety guidelines from Health Canada:

• Check with your municipality to find out the rules for putting up a fence around your pool.
• Build a fence and a gate that will keep children away from your pool.
• Keep the gate locked at all times.
• ALWAYS have an adult watching children in and around the pool.
• Children under the age of 3 and children who cannot swim must wear a life jacket or PFD (personal floatation device).
• Send children to swimming and water safety lessons.
• Make sure lifesaving equipment and a first aid kit are handy.
• Take a course on pool safety, first aid and lifesaving skills (such as CPR).
• Have emergency phone numbers listed at the telephone closest to the pool.
• Make sure toys, garden furniture and tools are not near the pool fence. Children can climb up on these things to get into the pool.

To learn more about water safety and learn to swim programs, please call your local Canadian Red Cross Society, or the local Branch Office of the Lifesaving Society.

Sparkling water Keeping your pool crystal clear and sparkling does not need to be a challenge. A proper maintenance schedule can make the chore of pool maintenance a breeze.

• Use a pool leaf skimmer to remove any floating debris.
• Frequently check and clear the drainer baskets in the skimmer and pump for excess debris.
• Vacuum the pool at least once a week or more especially following a heavy rainstorm.

Some pool owners prefer to use an automatic pool vacuum that remains in the pools at all times. With this device, manual vacuuming is rarely required. If you are vacuuming the pool yourself, begin by brushing down the walls from top to bottom. If your pool surface is vinyl, you can clean the “bathtub ring” with a vinyl pool cleaner and a sponge. Keep your filter clean by rinsing it with a garden hose. A clean filter will ensure proper circulation and flow of water through the pool jets.

Clean your deck area by using a garden hose and direct the water away from the pool to keep dirt from getting into your clean pool.

Depending on your type of pool, you will need to test your water and add the correct balance of chemicals to keep your water safe, hygienic and clear. Your local pool store will test your water free of charge and recommend the proper chemicals you will need. Many pool owners prefer to hire a professional pool maintenance company to provide weekly cleaning and inspections. Prices vary depending on your service contract.

Although it is relatively easy for a homeowner to open up the pool for the season as well as close it in fall, pool maintenance companies will take care of it for you for a fairly reasonable price.

Take the time to learn about pool safety and maintenance and you will make a big, safe splash this summer!

Alot of people would say that jumping into it would be – and it’s actually very true. People are afraid of the unknown, and are very hesitant to push their comfort limits whatsoever.

People that frequent the deep end will tell you that there is MUCH more room for you move around, you aren’t surrounded by the novices, you can fully extend yourself and even try some cool summersaults underwater. If you are really brave you can even get down to the bottom and pick up some blue, yellow and green rings!

Real Estate is no different, and here’s why – when the recession news hit, people got SCARED. Its ok, its natural. They saw the deep end and said, ” No way Hosé! Im not getting in there! I can’t see the bottom!” Some of these people already had their trunks and floaties on, and some were even about to get on the diving board.

A few brave souls jumped into the deep end because not only did they have a good idea of how to swim, but they knew there were professionals helping them every step of the way; just like instructors and lifeguards do in the water – REALTORS do in Real Estate. You know what these people found in the deep end? You guessed it – some really cool spots to explore and the confidence to know that they can make it where others were too scared to try. This market has seen buyers come in with cheap money and pick up some really good bargains.

Now that the deep end has been around a little while, people are starting to look at it again and think, “Ok – I’ll just put my legs in, its not so scary!” People are coming around! Here in Ottawa, we are blessed to have lower than National Average Unemployment rates, more stable incomes, and the SAME cheap money available to us! One of the reasons I personaly believe is causing this is the great number of public servants in our core – security and competitive pay, but thats another blog.

The point is that people are starting to become a little more comfortable and realize that the sky is not falling. People are coming outside, opening their eyes and starting to get out there and make smart and strategic moves again. Real Estate is all around, as are the opportunities – so get that swimsuit back on, squeak into those floaties and come let the experts show you how you can make it in the deep end!

The water really isn’t that cold, and there are some really cool rings down here.

So a client of mine sees a house they like from a search I provided them with. The next day we go see the unit, and the next day he brings his significant other with him to get her approval. THEY LIKE IT, and want to submit an offer! I dont blame them – the house was very nice, the layout was very functional in a unique way, and it provided JUST enough room for improvement so that they saw future potential but not at the expense of a headache of renovations upon their move-in. There was one thing however, that didnt make sense – THE PRICE. This particular unit was in a range of townhomes in Orleans that would normally  be much more palatable than this one, equiped with up-to-date hardwood and a new kitchen as well.  Something about the unit just seemed to be slightly outdated and outclassed by its competition in its respective range.

So what did I do? What any good REALTOR would – HOMEWORK. I went back to the office and dug into past and present comparables and adjusted the price of all the nearest comparables to see what they would go for at this very moment had they had the exact same features. The results were in – 20K overpriced! How had a seller, or even worse, a listing agent – overpriced by THAT much? Has the market appreciated significantly? No. Is this particular type of housing in shortage and in high demand? Townhomes in Orleans! HA! Not exactly…

So not only did I prepare the offer, with all the documentation and information for all parties involved, but I actually supplied my analysis to the other side and indicated that their ‘ballpark’ was in a completely different end of town! How had they overpriced so high?

Phone Rings.

Its the Listing Agent.

“Yadda Yadda .. (wait for it)… Yadda.. THE CLIENT KNOWS ITS OVERPRICED, and they wont look at this offer. I know its a good offer but they’re not in a rush”

Wait a minute.. they KNOW??? Do they also know that not only are they throwing ALL the comparables on their street off, but their unit will miss the search for people that are looking for houses in its acceptable range, and that this house will sit there and develop a negative stigma and eventually get low-balled? Do they not know its a BUYERS MARKET and there are better houses down the street, block and in every direction from them?

What they are doing makes NO SENSE. If they dont want to sell, get the product off the market. Here  my clients are, going to visit the unit TWICE (they live out of town) and go through the emotions of submitting an offer and waiting – just to hear that! How many others are going to have to waste their time? What about all the sales representatives that are putting in effort to make the market more efficient?

I am not in the business of ‘sitting and waiting to see what happens’. I am in the business of  SALES, and I help my clients BUY Real Estate for the best bang of their buck, or SELL Real Estate for top dollar. That does not include by ANY means, an inflated price just for giggles.

A suggested Market Price is something that SHOULD take a great deal of dilligence to arrive at. If a REALTOR does ALL their work and can properly support their suggested market price, it provides an undeniable basis of strength in negotiations.

That is what I provide my clients with.

I dont put signs up to have them float around for months on end just to see if I get any action. This isn’t fishing.

If you want a smart, hard working REALTOR that will REALLY work in YOUR best interests, give me a call or email me.

This is my passion and I pride myself on doing it right.

POSTSCRIPT: This reminds me of a home I went to view – a good old GRAPEVINE listing. The woman who was trying to sell her house was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and she was doing a terrific job of cleaning her house and making it welcoming. We asked her what about her slightly- high price is justifiable. Her Answer? ” Well theres no justifying it, its because some guy down the street didnt know what he was doing and underpriced his unit by about 25K.”

Think about that for a minute. Not only did that man LOSE 25K that he should have gotten in a free and efficient market, but now about 5 other Grapevine’s on the block were all stuck with no negotiating basis for their house! Not a strong one atleast! Whoever wants to sell their house out of the remaining 5 is going to have to say ” FINE, just take it, here is your discount”. What does that do to the remaining 4? You guessed it – a distorted market where inneficiency has caused them to LOSE MONEY.

Its a good thing good people like the Founder of our Senators Dr.Bruce Firestone is hiring a strong team of talented, young and good-hearted individuals to be the next round of REALTORS to work for Partners Advantage GMAC Real Estate and show this market what strong, independent and passionate people can do.