Thursday, March 8, 2012
Kitchener-Waterloo March Break Activities!
Looking for fun things to do in #kitchenerwaterloo during the March Break? Check out this link...http://365-kw.com/2012/03/kitchener-waterloo-march-break-activities/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Read this before buying a home...
Here is some great information to consider before buying a home - how much can you afford, how to get the best price and extra costs besides the downpayment to consider. Just click the links....and contact me today to start your home search or to get advice on preparing your home for sale.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge Shelters
| WOMEN & CHILDREN | |||
| Anselma House | Kitchener | 519-742-5894 | |
| Saint Monica House - Maternity Only | Kitchener | 519-743-0291 | |
| Monica Ainslie Place | Cambridge | 519-642-0482 | |
| Haven House | Cambridge | 519-653-2422 | |
| YOUTH | |||
| Lutherwood Safe Haven Youth Shelter (12-15) | 41 Weber St. W. | Kitchener | 519-749-1450 x 240 |
| Argus Residence for Young People (16-24) | Cambridge | female - 519-650-0452 male - 519-623-7991 | |
| Providing a Roof | 242 Queen St S | Kitchener | 519-742-2788 |
| FAMILIES | |||
| YWCA - Mary's Place | 84 Frederick St | Kitchener | 519-744-0120 |
| The Cambridge Shelter | 26 Simcoe St | Cambridge | 519-624-9305 |
| WOMEN | |||
| YWCA - Mary's Place | 84 Frederick St | Kitchener | 519-744-0120 |
| MEN | |||
| House of Friendship Charles St. Men's Hostal | 63 Charles St. E | Kitchener | 519-742-8327 |
| MIXED GENDER | |||
| The Cambridge Shelter | 26 Simcoe St | Cambridge | 519-624-9305 |
| OUT OF THE COLD - November 1 to March 31 - Dinner 6p.m.-7p.m. except Sat. 7p.m.-8p.m. - Overnight Accommodation 7 nights a week 6p.m.-7a.m. | |||
| Monday - Trinity United Church | 74 Frederick St | Kitchener | 519-742-3578 |
| Tuesday - Ray of Hope Community Centre | 659 King St E | Kitchener | |
| Wednesday - St. Matthew's Lutheran | 54Benton St | Kitchener | 519-742-0462 x 24 |
| Thursday - St. John's Lutheran | 22 Willow St | Waterloo | 519-886-1880 or 519-886-3664 |
| Friday - First United Church | 16 William St W | Waterloo | 519-745-8487 |
| Saturday - Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church | 160 Lancaster St W | Kitchener | 519-745-0151 |
| Sunday - St. Louis Church | 53 Allen St E | Waterloo | 519-745-2061 |
Friday, March 2, 2012
Hot new listings from my office...
Check out this link for the hottest new Coldwell Banker listings from my office! http://issuu.com/kwtreb/docs/87731.20.3.cb
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
How to Choose Your REALTOR
With about 1,100 REALTORs in K-W alone, real estate buyers and sellers have a tremendous amount of choices when it comes to who will be their "guide" in probably the largest financial decision of their lives.
So how exactly should someone choose their real estate advisor? Do they hire their brother's friend who was just licensed, a REALTOR who is known mostly because of their advertising budget, or the REALTOR who has the skills and experience required and is compatible with everyone who will be making the decisions?
I would suggest the following process whether you are buying or selling:
1. Identify at least 3 potential REALTORS based on what their past clients say about their service. You want someone who can provide several past client referrals, not just their mom's opinion or the opinion of their best friend who just bought a condo.
If you want to see what my clients think of my level of service, please check out this site, http://realestateagents.servicerating.ca/agent/Kim_Louie
2. Ask all those being interviewed a preset list of questions? Your REALTOR should be listening to you as much as he or she is talking? You want to know what types of homes and price-points they have worked in the past, level of training and experience, how they communicate information and when? Are they full-time REALTORs or do they only practice real estate on a part-time basis? Even basic things like "How long does it take for you to return an email or phone call?" are important questions.
3. Have the prospective REALTOR back up what they say in writing. Whether it's a written service guarantee (read the small print!), comparables to back up their opinion of price or the commission structure, it should all be in writing.
4. After interviewing, choose the REALTOR with whom you are most comfortable. Buying or selling can be stressful and you want to be working with someone you like!
Hopefully this information is helpful and maybe I'll see you at an interview before you buy or sell your next home!
So how exactly should someone choose their real estate advisor? Do they hire their brother's friend who was just licensed, a REALTOR who is known mostly because of their advertising budget, or the REALTOR who has the skills and experience required and is compatible with everyone who will be making the decisions?
I would suggest the following process whether you are buying or selling:
1. Identify at least 3 potential REALTORS based on what their past clients say about their service. You want someone who can provide several past client referrals, not just their mom's opinion or the opinion of their best friend who just bought a condo.
If you want to see what my clients think of my level of service, please check out this site, http://realestateagents.servicerating.ca/agent/Kim_Louie
2. Ask all those being interviewed a preset list of questions? Your REALTOR should be listening to you as much as he or she is talking? You want to know what types of homes and price-points they have worked in the past, level of training and experience, how they communicate information and when? Are they full-time REALTORs or do they only practice real estate on a part-time basis? Even basic things like "How long does it take for you to return an email or phone call?" are important questions.
3. Have the prospective REALTOR back up what they say in writing. Whether it's a written service guarantee (read the small print!), comparables to back up their opinion of price or the commission structure, it should all be in writing.
4. After interviewing, choose the REALTOR with whom you are most comfortable. Buying or selling can be stressful and you want to be working with someone you like!
Hopefully this information is helpful and maybe I'll see you at an interview before you buy or sell your next home!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Cambridge looking to ease rules for basement apartments
Under proposed changes to the city’s official plan, which delegations spoke to this week, this type of secondary residence would no longer require a pricey $5,000 zoning amendment to be allowed in urban areas.
A simple permit would do, providing safety and building standards are followed.
Other criteria aimed at making sure the units fit in with the neighbourhood must be met as well. The permit fees have yet to be set.
So far, as the new Official Plan heads to a May vote at city council, there has been no outcry against the move, according to Elaine Brunn Shaw, Cambridge director of policy planning.
“A lot of people are starting to say it makes a lot of sense,” Brunn Shaw said. “We need to use our land wisely in the city. We need to make sure servicing is used wisely in the city. And we do need to accommodate growth in the future. And this is one way to do it.”
Cambridge’s population of 130,000 is expected to grow to 180,000 by 2031.
Basement apartments are not just for seniors or in-laws. They can be for anyone who wishes to rent.
Last May, the province passed Bill 140, the Strong Communities through Affordable Housing Act. It requires municipalities to establish policies allowing for secondary units.
Kitchener already allows for “duplexing” in most areas of the city.
Waterloo, which is also in the midst of an official plan review, is not considering allowing secondary units regardless of zoning.
Safety is one compelling reason to allow basement apartments without forcing property owners to cut through zoning amendment red-tape.
“That’s why we’re trying to facilitate this as opposed to creating a lot of obstacles,” Brunn Shaw said. “If that was the case, people would tend to do it illegally and it’s hard to monitor and make sure safety matters are being addressed.”
Last year, 22 complaints relating to basement apartments were filed with the city. In 2010, there were 21.
Requirements for a basement apartment include adequate parking. However, an existing driveway can be used with no requirement for separate access to the street.
Changes to the city’s official plan, last updated in 1999, must also be approved by Waterloo Region. That process could take six months or longer, said Brunn Shaw, since the region’s official plan is under appeal.
This article is from the Record, By Jeff Hicks, Record staff
A simple permit would do, providing safety and building standards are followed.
Other criteria aimed at making sure the units fit in with the neighbourhood must be met as well. The permit fees have yet to be set.
So far, as the new Official Plan heads to a May vote at city council, there has been no outcry against the move, according to Elaine Brunn Shaw, Cambridge director of policy planning.
“A lot of people are starting to say it makes a lot of sense,” Brunn Shaw said. “We need to use our land wisely in the city. We need to make sure servicing is used wisely in the city. And we do need to accommodate growth in the future. And this is one way to do it.”
Cambridge’s population of 130,000 is expected to grow to 180,000 by 2031.
Basement apartments are not just for seniors or in-laws. They can be for anyone who wishes to rent.
Last May, the province passed Bill 140, the Strong Communities through Affordable Housing Act. It requires municipalities to establish policies allowing for secondary units.
Kitchener already allows for “duplexing” in most areas of the city.
Waterloo, which is also in the midst of an official plan review, is not considering allowing secondary units regardless of zoning.
Safety is one compelling reason to allow basement apartments without forcing property owners to cut through zoning amendment red-tape.
“That’s why we’re trying to facilitate this as opposed to creating a lot of obstacles,” Brunn Shaw said. “If that was the case, people would tend to do it illegally and it’s hard to monitor and make sure safety matters are being addressed.”
Last year, 22 complaints relating to basement apartments were filed with the city. In 2010, there were 21.
Requirements for a basement apartment include adequate parking. However, an existing driveway can be used with no requirement for separate access to the street.
Changes to the city’s official plan, last updated in 1999, must also be approved by Waterloo Region. That process could take six months or longer, said Brunn Shaw, since the region’s official plan is under appeal.
This article is from the Record, By Jeff Hicks, Record staff
Sunday, February 19, 2012
7 Simple Staging Tips When Selling Your Property
When it comes to staging a home for sale, sellers should create a warm, inviting yet neutral atmosphere that will appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. The good news is, sellers don’t need to do a complete design overhaul to get a great result.
·
Stage rooms with one
purpose. Rooms that have many uses can confuse or even deter homebuyers, so staging
rooms with one purpose is vital.
Determine who your most likely target market will be, whether its young
professionals with no kids, families, or even empty nesters. Then present your areas to fit their needs. If you’ve been using a room as a guest
room/kids playroom/home office, pick the one use that best suits your
buyers.
·
Tackle the easy “do-it-yourself” projects. In a Coldwell Banker consumer survey of first time
buyers, the vast majority said move-in conditions are very important in their
search. Spruce up your home by replacing outdated kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
Add a fresh coat of paint.
Repaint or refinish kitchen cabinets and update with new hardware.
·
Focus on the living areas. Potential
buyers should envision themselves entertaining friends and
family in the living areas of the home.
Make sure those areas feel as spacious as possible by removing any
unnecessary furniture to allow for easy traffic flow.
·
Make sure the master
bedroom appeals to both sexes. Remember
that the master bedroom is a room that a couple will be sharing, so the décor should appeal to both sexes.
It should feel like a calm and peaceful refuge, not a frilly
boudoir. Remove any feature that seems
too gender-specific and paint the walls a neutral colour.
·
Clear away family photos and mementos. Buyers want
to picture their family living in a home, not the previous owners. Put
away family portraits, personal collections and knickknacks. Removing these
items will also eliminate clutter and ensure that people are focusing on
the home, not the photos from the last family vacation.
·
Furnish the home, but
don't overdo it. While an empty house may look spacious, it’s often
hard for buyers to visualize their belongings in a home if they’re just looking
at
bare walls and floors. Leave the basic components that allow the viewer to
define each room.
·
Don’t forget the outside spaces. First
impressions can play a key role in a consumer’s decision-making process, so
don’t neglect your home’s curb appeal.
Make sure the home’s exterior is inviting by trimming the bushes, mowing
the lawn and painting faded window trim.
Buyers will appreciate the seller’s efforts with the yard work, and will
tend to assume that the same attention to detail has been devoted throughout
the property.
If you would like a market evaluation of your home or some free staging advice, please feel free to contact me anytime.
If you would like a market evaluation of your home or some free staging advice, please feel free to contact me anytime.
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