Completely renovated open concept 3 bed/2 full bath home on quiet street in south Burlington. New kitchen (10)w/maple cabinets, island, ceramic floors and s/s appliances. Lower level w/large family room w/stone fireplace and full bathroom w/glass shower. Professionally landscaped, Freshly painted, Hardwood throughout, roof (11), main floor windows (11), and custom window coverings (11). Seller is RREA. RSA.

Open house: Sunday January 8th – 2:00pm – 4:00pm
For more photos – CLICK HERE
For a YouTube video of the property – CLICK HERE

Hot real estate markets will always result in 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 promote a unique system for selling real estate. A system that makes potential clients believe it is easy, stress-free and will save clients thousands of dollars as commissions will not have to be paid.

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’.

The Hamilton‐Burlington real estate board has just reported 819 property sales through the MLS for the month of January. This represents almost an 11 per cent increase in sales over the same month last year. They have also reported that 7.7 per cent fewer listings were taken in January 2012 compared to January of last year. The average sale price of a property has also risen 4.2% over last year’s average, yet the inventory of available properties has dropped by almost 12%

“The story for the month of January,” said RAHB President Cameron Nolan, “is that while sales have edged up compared to last year, we are seeing significantly fewer listings than normal. Our listing inventory is the lowest it has been in some time.”

What does this mean for you?

I hate to sound cliché, but now is a great time to sell. We are seeing a flood of buyers hitting the market right now. The most obvious reason would be the record low mortgage rates lenders are able to offer, but I think the weather also has something to do with it. Historically, people didn’t buy in January/February because who wants to go running from home to home in 3 feet of snow with temps in the minuses. The grass is green and the temps are up causing an early start to the spring market.

Buyers are out and ready to purchase, but there isn’t anything to buy right now. Everything that is in relatively good condition and priced well is selling after only a few days on the market. This has resulted in an upward pressure on prices. If you are considering selling your home this year, you may want to do it sooner than later. Once the spring hits and everybody starts putting their homes up for sale, the market will become more balanced causing a downward pressure on pricing.

Get into the market while inventory is low and you will get more money for your home.

Considering Buying or Selling Your Home?
For more information on buying or selling real estate in Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville, or Toronto, or if you have questions about current market trends, staging properties or mortgage interest rate information, I’d be happy to answer all of your questions to accommodate all of your real estate needs.

Sean Kavanagh
Sales Representative

For more information on my Home Buying or Home Selling System, contact me at
Email: sean.kavanagh@century21.ca
Web: www.seansells.ca
Facebook page: SeanKavanaghC21

Building Lasting Relationships and Exceeding Expectations
Masters Diamond Award Winner – 2010 & 2011, Masters Ruby Award Winner – 2009

Oakville Real Estate – CENTURY 21 Miller –TOP TEN Office*
______________________________________________________________________________
Office: 905.845.9180 | Fax: 905.845.7674 | millerrealestate@century21.ca
Oakville Real Estate, Burlington Real Estate, Milton Real Estate, Mississauga
*For CENTURY 21 Canada in 2010 and 2011, Based on Gross Closed Commission

The worst thing about selling your house is you have to eat out a lot more than you normally would to accommodate showing requests. But the best part of selling your house is that you get to eat out a lot more than you normally would! Last night we had to accommodate a showing and decided to try Shoeless Joe’s at Appleby and Upper Middle. For the full menu, CLICK HERE

It is a great place for the kids as each booth had its own TV. Without having to ask, the Manager came over and switched our set to Looney Tunes to keep our little 2 1/2 year old occupied so the parents could enjoy a great meal.

If you are a fight fan, this would be an awesome place to watch the fights as you could watch everything from the comfort of your booth. Food was good and the service was friendly.

If there is a place or an event in Burlington that has left an impression on you and you would like to share it with my audience, please do not hesitate to drop me a line with your story and I will be sure to add it as on of the 365 Things To Do In Burlington.

Take part in the 46th Annual Burlington Winter Carnival January 22 to February 4, 2012. This weekend there are lots of activities planned for the entire family…so take your pick!

Saturday, January 28
5th Annual Bur Bear Bowling Family Fun Day
Burlington Bowl – 4065 Harvester Road (Harvester Road – East of Walkers Line)
Fee : $ 9.00 / Adults – $ 8.00 / Kids (14 and Under) [shoes Included in bowling fee] 2 PM to 4 PM – 2 games guaranteed bowling, prizes, and much more
Contact : Don at 289.208.3319 or email : burbearbowling@gmail.com

Sunday, January 29
Bur Bear Curling & Open House
Learn to Curl at the Burlington Curling Club 2295 New Street 2:00 to 4:00 PM
To register please Contact : Brian Moore 905.634.0014

AND…don’t forget about the

Lowville Winter Games: Sunday, January 29, 2012
11 AM to 4 PM – Many Outdoor Activities and Fun For All
DATE: Sunday, January 29th, 2012
TIME: 11am – 4pm
LOCATION: Lowville Park
(Guelph Line – North of Britannia Road)

The Games are a GO with or without Snow!*

2012 activities:
• NEW! Body Zorbs and Human Gyroscope by Elephant Thoughts
• try out the Bur Bear Adventure Challenge
• log sawing competition
• horse-drawn wagon rides
• Conservation Halton birds of prey show
• winter activities with Mountain Equipment Co-op
• tasty treats from Lowville United Church
• funnel cakes
• Cupcake Diner truck
• Gorilla Cheese food truck
• parent & tot obstacle course with Momstown
• sport medal ceramic painting with Art Glazed Over
• Larry MacDonald will emcee the main stage program
• juggling performances by Johnny Toronto
• Zumba with Cedar Springs Health Raquet & Sportsclub

What you should know about deeply discounted mortgage rates

You’ve heard the expressions ‘cheapest isn’t always best’ OR ‘you get what you pay for’. This also applies to shopping for the best mortgage rates. When you are looking at paying off your largest investment over 25-30 years, it is easy to jump on the lowest rate available. But, the low-rate mortgages could actually cost you more in the long run.

• Check The Fine Print: These low rate mortgages often are the least flexible when it comes to paying off the mortgage or getting out of the mortgage before the term is up. For instance, is the mortgage fully closed? That means you’re not leaving the lender unless you sell your house, so your options are limited and you have no negotiating power if your needs change in the next 5 years.
• Low or no prepayments: Many mortgage options allow home owners to pay up to 20% of the outstanding principal each year, where low-rate mortgages may only allow 10%. Many lenders will also allow you to make unlimited double up payments throughout the year, where low-rate mortgages may not allow any double up payments.
• Maximum 25-year amortization: Many first time home buyers need the extra flexibility of having a 30 year mortgage. The low-rate mortgages can take away flexibility you may need later.

For the same reasons I caution buyers about hiring a discount brokerage to handle their real estate transactions, I also caution you about signing up for the lowest mortgage rate on the market. You always get what you pay for and the cheapest isn’t always the best.

If you are considering a discounted mortgage rate, call me first to discuss what to look for in the contract. I will help you find the right combination of low rate and contract terms that will meet both your current and future financial needs.

Considering Buying or Selling Your Home?

For more information on buying or selling real estate in Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville, or Toronto, or if you have questions about current market trends, staging properties or mortgage interest rate information, I’d be happy to answer all of your questions to accommodate all of your real estate needs.

Sean Kavanagh
Sales Representative

For more information on my Home Buying or Home Selling System, contact me at
Email: sean.kavanagh@century21.ca
Web: www.seansells.ca
Facebook page: SeanKavanaghC21

Building Lasting Relationships and Exceeding Expectations

Masters Diamond Award Winner – 2010 & 2011, Masters Ruby Award Winner – 2009

Oakville Real Estate – CENTURY 21 Miller –TOP TEN Office*
______________________________________________________________________________
Office: 905.845.9180 | Fax: 905.845.7674 | millerrealestate@century21.ca
Oakville Real Estate, Burlington Real Estate, Milton Real Estate, Mississauga
*For CENTURY 21 Canada in 2010 and 2011, Based on Gross Closed Commission

Completely renovated open concept 3 bed/2 full bath home on quiet street in south Burlington. New kitchen (10)w/maple cabinets, island, ceramic floors and s/s appliances. Lower level w/large family room w/stone fireplace and full bathroom w/glass shower. Professionally landscaped, Freshly painted, Hardwood throughout, roof (11), main floor windows (11), and custom window coverings (11). Seller is RREA. RSA.

Open house: Sunday January 15th – 2:00pm – 4:00pm

For more photos – CLICK HERE
For a YouTube video of the property – CLICK HERE

Hope to see you all there on Sunday!

“Sean handled 3 real estate transactions for my business and my family in a period of 2 months. He was an advisor, an expert and a friend all wrapped up in one person. He negotiated our two purchases with acumen of an old hand, and when it came to selling our home, he displayed rare perseverance and negotiating skills. I am glad I have had the opportunity to experience atypical real estate deals with Sean. If you’re looking for a generous agent to fight your battle for you, hire Sean Kavanagh.”

Boris and Nada Mahovac