Every time we encounter a HOT real estate market, we witness the emergence of alternative methods to buy and sell property. However, even in the hottest markets, more than 90% of Canadians still choose to enlist the services of a professional real estate agent to sell their homes.

‘For Sale By Owner’ companies advertise a unique system for selling real estate promising thousands of dollars in saved commissions. They will tell you the process will be stress free (which it isn’t), you will save tons of money (which is not always the case) and that you don’t have to pay commissions (which is never true if an agent brings the buyer to your home). The reality is that you will most likely have to pay 2.5% commission to an agent who is out actively searching for properties for his client. This results in a 2.5% savings to the seller. Calculating the time and expense necessary to market a home properly, the stress of walking strangers through your home, and the uncomfortable situation of having to negotiate the sale price of the home, do you really save any money? Also, untrained real estate negotiators will rarely get top dollar for their home as they do not have all of the information at their disposal to back up their reasons for keeping the price where it should be sold at.

If it was that easy, wouldn’t more people be doing it? What if I told you that even the owner and founder of ‘ForSaleByOwner.com’ couldn’t sell his property on his own and had to list with an agent? Not only could this guy not sell it on his own, when he enlisted the services of a real estate professional, he sold for $150,000 over what he originally listed it for. The ‘unique selling system’ they are selling you is unique in the fact that you will most likely end up hiring a real estate professional to do the selling for you.

Also, a large portion of the 10% who attempt it on their own, end up hiring a real estate professional as it is not as easy as they had originally thought, considerably more stress then they had expected, and finally found the value in hiring a real estate professional to get the job done.

It should also be noted that these companies that help people sell properties on their own are not regulated and not licensed to sell real estate. Ask yourself if you would hire someone with no experience and hire a company that is not regulated to manage the sale of your largest financial investment? Would you take your car to a mechanic that wasn’t licensed to fix your car? Would you hold your life savings in an unregulated bank? Would you seek legal advice from your cousin Billy Jim Bob who has not passed his bar exam but has ‘a pretty good idea of how this law stuff works’? It is often attractive to look at the cheaper option, but as in most cases, people always know that you get what you pay for.

Real estate professionals are far from perfect, but if you do your research and interview carefully, you will find one that will help guide you through the difficult process of drafting a contract and negotiating a contract. You will have someone on your side who will answer your phone calls when everyone else is gone for the day. You will have a trusted partner who is obligated by law to serve your best interests. You will have an expert who is qualified, educated and regulated to help protect the largest investment your family will ever make. And if you are still not sure about the benefits of hiring a realtor, just ask the owner of ‘ForSaleByOwner.com’.

To discuss your real estate options, please email me at sean.kavanagh@century21.ca or visit www.seansells.ca for mor information about buying or selling real estate.

Thinking about buying or selling this spring? Have you always wanted to own an iPad? I can help you with both!

If you list your current home or buy a new home with me before June 1, 2013, a new iPad will be yours!

Terms and conditions apply. Call or write today for more details!

Wonderfully updated 3 bed-2 bath home on quiet street in south Burlington. Renovated kitchen with maple cabinets, granite countertops and island, bamboo floors and stainless steel appliances. Lower level with large family room with fireplace. Hardwood throughout. Most windows replaced, new furnace, air conditioner and water heater. Thousands spent on landscaping. Entertain all your guests on the 25’x16’ stone patio! Yard is perfect for those who love spending time outside.

FOR MORE DETAILS, MAPS, PHOTOS AND VIDEO TOUR, CLICK THE LINK!

The kitchen is a great place to entertain and this kitchen is perfect for that. If you have children, you can keep an eye on them through the greenhouse window in front of the sink and let them run around in the fenced in backyard. Loads of storage in the maple cabinets and in the pot drawers in the island. the bamboo flooring really completes the kitchen.

VIDEO TOUR

OPEN HOUSE

We are holding an open house this Sunday May 19 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. If you can’t make the open house, please feel free to call or write to book your own private tour of the home.

With 2 kids under 4 at home, date nights are few and far between. So, when “Grandma” offered to come down and look after the boys so we could have a night out, we jumped on the opportunity. Sunday date nights are also sooooo underrated!

However, when it comes to picking restaurants in Burlington, our dilemma is always the same. We want to try new places, but you run the risk of choosing wrong and then you have to wait 2 months for your next date night! OR, you go to some of the tried, tested and true restaurants as you always know what you are going to get. After a few cocktails on the patio at the Beaver and Bulldog, checking out the ongoing construction of the pier, we decided to just take a walk around downtown and see what peaked out interest. We walked past the Rude native and were impressed with the different menu options. I was even more impressed when I saw the sign indicating that Sundays was 1/2 price entree night!

We walked in and was greeted by a couple of friendly staff members (wish I had remembered their names as they were fantastic). Looked at the menu and finally decided on spicy mussels in curry sauce as a started, BBQ Short Ribs and their Tandoori Butter Chicken. The mussels were spicy and full of flavour. They brought out some freshly baked bread (in house) to soak up the delicious sauce. Both entrees were fantastic!

I always like to ask the server for wine recommendations. I like to inquire about a few options and ask which one they would suggest. Often you can tell the server has tried none of the options you have suggested but recommends the most expensive option. To my delight, the Rude Native server (damn, I wish I could remember her name) went the other way. I asked her about her Shiraz selections of which there were $40, $37 and $30 options. She said the Hunt from Australia ($30 option) was her favourite Shiraz and that we wouldn’t be disappointed…..and we weren’t.

For a complete dining experience, the Rude Native is a fantastic option for downtown dining. We don’t often go out and don’t like to go to the same places twice, but we will definitely be going back to the Rude Native.

Specials run throughout the week and I can’t wait to try out each of the other nights of the week!
Mondays – 1/2 priced Wine
Tuesdays – All You Can Eat Mussels
Wednesday – 1/2 priced appetizers
Thursdays – 1/2 priced Noodles and Curries
Sunday – 1/2 priced Entrees

Looking for a realtor who produces results? Read this!

“Sean ‘rescued’ me when my house in Burlington was being unsuccessfully listed for sale through another agent. I was having a poor and stressful experience with this Burlington agent and called Sean for help. Within 24 hours paperwork was signed, he immediately produced coloured brochures, photos, had it on MLS and he even created a website for the property. Within 48 hours he had sold my house with no stress and exceptionally close to the price in which I had expected to sell at. Sean remained calm, professional, polite, knowledgeable and explained everything thoroughly with none of the superficiality that I had experienced with the previous realtor – I would not hesitate for a moment in recommending him – thanks Sean”.

Vanessa Brown

I met Vanessa at a community event I was sponsoring. She told me that she was selling her home and was using the realtor that found her the property and which she had a previous relationship with. Weeks after, she had called me and explained that she had dissolved her relationship with the previous realtor for several reasons, but the main reason being the house just wasn’t selling. She was emotionally upset at how she was treated and was on the verge of tears as she explained her experience with the other agent. I told her I was willing to help and get her home sold. Within 24 hours we had it re-listed with a professional marketing strategy in place and ended up selling it 2 days later for 99% of the asking price.

If you are looking for results, give me a call and I will be happy to explain how I market homes and get them sold.

Burlington housing stats are in for April and it seems that the activity is similar to last year, but the housing prices have risen.

Freehold Units in Burlington

2012
New Listings 313
Sales 240
Average Price $514,481
Days on Market 27

2013
New Listings 310
Sales 236
Average Price $558,310
Days on Market 30

All Properties Sold In Burlington in April

2012
New Listings 447
Sales 352
Average Price $449,986
Days on Market 29

2013
New Listings 444
Sales 337
Average Price $482,301
Days on Market 31

It is clear to see that we still have a healthy market in Burlington and housing prices continue to rise. Freehold units have increased in value 8.5% from April 2012 to 2013 while the number of new listings and sales have stayed about the same.

If you would like to learn more about what is happening in the real estate market, please feel free to call or send me an email and I would be happy to discuss the market activity in your neighbourhood.

I found this great little video on YouTube that showcases the beauty of our Burlington waterfront. Enjoy!

This stunning Burlington home loaded with custom finishes. Newly renovated kitchen including high end stainless steel appliances, new flooring, custom island, fireplace and walkout to outside eating area. Adjacent to the kitchen is the butler’s pantry with dining area, plenty of storage, extra counter space and second oven. Spacious master suite with sitting area, gas fireplace and 4 piece ensuite. Lower level boasts entertaining area, family room, laundry and cold cellar. Backyard is an entertainer’s paradise. Cabana equipped with built-in seating, running water, BBQ area, electricity and cable hook ups. Interlock stonework, outdoor dining area, Insulated storage room, greenhouse and utility sheds. Your own little oasis in the backyard!

Luxury living in this stunning custom 5 bedroom/5 bathroom home with over 5000ft2 of total living space on desirable family friendly court. 10 foot ceilings on main floor, chef’s kitchen, new hardwood, and freshly painted. Spacious master suite with 5 piece ensuite and walk-in closet. Upper level includes 3 additional bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and an office nook. Basement is an entertainer’s paradise with media area with built-in sound system wiring, custom bar with fridge, wine rack and shelving units and exercise room.

Fantastic opportunity to live in one of the area’s best neighbourhoods. Great Investment potential. Prestigious quiet and family friendly crescent surrounded by luxury new builds! Across from Glen Park, close to great schools, subway and major highways. 10 Minutes to the Airport. Register offers by 5:00pm on May 1, 2013.

OPEN HOUSE

If you are interested in visiting this great investment opportunity, drop by the open house.

Sunday April 28, 2013

2:00pm – 4:00pm