Fun Events in Kitchener-Waterloo for Family Day on February 20th, 2017

In the depths of winter, in that long period of time between New Year's Day and Easter, you need a rest.  What better way than with your family? Family Day in Ontario is always the third Monday of February - this year that's Feb. 20, 2017.

In Kitchener, we are looking forward to celebrating with your family at our many facilities - in fact - there is so much going on, we're celebrating all weekend!


PROBABLY THE BEST EVENT!

My own Second Annual Free Movie and Pizza day where I'll be screening Zootopia and providing a pizza lunch and snacks for the movie!

The event runs from 11:30 to 3:30 and is free, you just have to register by clicking on the link below!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/free-movie-and-pizza-family-day-february-20th-2017-tickets-31679494220

 

Free Skating at The Aud

Grab your skates and head over to the Aud for free skating rom 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m (except 1:00 p.m to 1:30 p.m.) - be sure to visit theAud.ca for more information! 

Monday, Feb. 20, 2017

Bridgeport Community Centre, Family Skate and Indoor Activities, 2-4 p.m.
Join us for a family skate on our outdoor rink and then warm up inside with crafts and a movie. There will be hot chocolate and cookies for everyone. No registration required, event is free. Call 519-741-2271 for more information.

Country Hills Community Centre, Indoor Family Activities and Movie, 1-4 p.m.
Join your family, friends and neighbours at the Country Hills Community Centre and make your own cup of hot chocolate at our hot chocolate bar, join in on a game in the gym, create a winter themed craft, and/or watch a movie while enjoying some popcorn.  No registration required for this free event.  Call 519-741-2596 of more information.

Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre, Movie and Pizza, 5-7 p.m. 
Join us for a family movie (Finding Dory), along with popcorn and a slice of pizza. Bring your blanket if you want to cuddle up and enjoy the show. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration is required. Tickets must be picked up in advance as no tickets will be available at the door. This event is sponsored by Pathway Community Church and is free to all community members, event is free.  Call 519-741-2641 for more information.

Downtown Community Centre Winter Skating Party  in Victoria Park near the Clock tower - 1-3 p.m. 
Join us at Victoria Park to enjoy the wonders of winter by enjoying an outdoor skate and sledding. There will be refreshments to share thanks to the Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association. Event is free. To learn more contact Melissa Bowman at 519-741-2501.

Forest Heights Community Centre, Fun for all Ages, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 
Walk over together as a family, offer a neighbour a ride to the centre, or come on your own and meet our community centre family!  A variety of activities will be available for different age groups including family gym time, outdoor skating and cards too!  While you're here, grab a hot chocolate and a cookie.  Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. Event is free. Call 519-741-2621 for more information.

Kingsdale Community Centre, BBQ Party, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Kingsdale Community Centre has partnered with Una Church to offer a fun filled Family Day at Kingsdale Centre.  Drop by for games and entertainment for children, and a FREE BBQ for everyone. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Call 519-741-2540 for more information.

Kitchener Market, 4H Club in the Marketplace, 10 a.m. -2 p.m.Join 4-H Club for a free cooking demonstration in the Marketplace. The theme of the day is 'Everything Chocolate'.

Stanley Park Community Centre at Lyle Hallman Pool, Fun Family Day Swim, 12:30-4 p.m.
Join us for FREE family swim, crafts, refreshments and more! Registration required. Event is free. Call 519-741-2504 for more information.
Swim A-1:30 - 2:30 p.m. - Code: 230839
Swim B-3 - 4 p.m. - Code: 230840
Refreshments and Crafts from 12:30-4 p.m.
Location: 600 Heritage Dr. Kitchener

Williamsburg Community 1 - 4 p.m.
Come and enjoy outdoor family day activities offered by Freedom in Christ Church and the Williamsburg Community Association. Activities include snowshoeing and outdoor activities from 1 - 4 p.m.  Hot chocolate, coffee and snacks will be provided. No registration needed. Call 519-741-2240 or check the Williamsburg Neighbourhoos Association's webpage for event details as they get updated.
Location: 1643 Bleams Road.

Simple Home Staging Ideas to Help Sell Your Home in Any Season.

The words “home staging” may strike fear into the hearts of many sellers; however, staging is one of the most practical selling strategies  at your disposal. Whether you hire a professional or do it alone, investing in a little staging can mean better offers and a faster sale. Since a lot of the home-buying process is based on emotion, seasonality plays a large role in the homes we choose.

For example, in the dog days of summer, our idea of the perfect home is a place that’s cool and refreshing; in autumn, it’s cozy and warm. If you’re on a budget and listing your property as summer becomes fall, don’t panic; you won’t have to double your efforts (or expenses)  to stage for both seasons. All it takes is a touch of creativity and a few simple guidelines to follow.

Start by depersonalizing your space. The house needs to be a blank canvas in which buyers can imagine their lives unfolding. Next, neutralize the colours in your home. These days, neutrals can range from soft greys and pebble blues to warm suedes and weathered whites. The more neutral your walls, the greater flexibility you’ll have to adjust your staging and accents. If you decide to add a bold accent colour to your décor, think about options such as curtains, pillows, wall art, and throws.

Whichever hue you choose, balance a few items in the same colour around the room to pull it all together. After you’ve accented with a summery shade — be it beachy blue, exotic orange, or citrusy green — making adjustments once fall rolls around is easy. Simply add a few richer, darker versions of the same colour to the space — navy blue, burnt orange, or mossy green — and your rooms will become reminiscent of autumn leaves. Remember to make the whole house echo the charms of the season to create a full experience for your buyers.

For example, in the kitchen,  a bowl of lemons for summer can be replaced by oranges and cinnamon sticks for fall. In the washrooms, decorative citrus hand soaps can  be swapped out for spiced fragrances. On the couches, summer linen accent pillows can be changed over to cozy knits and heavier weaves.

And, of course, don’t forget the great outdoors. During the Summer months be sure to set out your patio set, add some colour with potted flowers and coloured pillows.  When Fall temperatures drift in, stack some wood by the fire pit and toss an afghan over a chair to suggest peaceful nights under the autumn stars. Contrary to what popular TV might suggest, the purpose of staging isn’t about elaborate makeovers — it’s simply about showing your home in  its best light. And, just as light changes with the seasons, so too should your finishing touches when you stage your home.

Contact me today for a Free Home Value Report!

January Homes Sales in Waterloo Region Continue to Surge - as do prices

The number of residential sales in January through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) increased 5.8% compared to January 2016 and 22% above the 5-year average for January.


There was a total of 327 residential properties sold last month; including 194 detached homes (down 5.4 percent compared to January 2016), 79 condominium units (up 19.7 percent) which include any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.). Sales also included 32 semi-detached homes (up 128.6 percent) and 20 freehold townhouses (down 9.1 percent).

While demand remained strong in January, the number of active listings was down significantly: There were 367 active listings at the end of January, compared to 1,068 in 2016.

"The continued strong demand combined with a tight supply of listings means that many properties are not on the market for very long," says James Craig, President of the KWAR. "This has created an extremely competitive buying environment."

The average days on market in January were significantly shorter than a year ago: 22 days, compared to 47 days, and six days quicker than in December.

The average sales price of all residential properties sold in January was $421,104, a 0.5 percent decline compared to the previous month, and a 19.1 percent increase compared to January 2016.

Reaching a new milestone in December, was the average price of a Detached home sold through the KWAR’s MLS® System which for the first time surpassed the half million mark; a benchmark that was repeated again in January, with the average detached home selling for $501,821, an increase of 22.7 percent compared to the same month a year ago.

In the condominium market the average sale price for an apartment style unit was $237,220 in January, a 2.8 percent decrease compared to the previous month, and a 17.1 increase compared to the same month a year ago. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $323,946 (up 5.8 percent compared to December) and $353,295 (up 6 percent compared to December) respectively.

President Craig points out that Waterloo region is in high demand. "Getting into the housing market at the moment is not easy, and buyers need all the help they can get. It is more important than ever that you avail yourself of the professional knowledge of a local REALTOR® to guide you through these unique market conditions"

Contact me today or go to www.kimlouie.net to chat about the current market or for a free Home Valjue Report!

Engage the Buyer's Senses When Selling Your Home

Every seller wants his or her home to sell fast and bring top dollar. It's not luck that makes that happen. It's careful planning and knowing how to professionally spruce up your home that will send home buyers scurrying for their cheque books.
Your home will be judged not only on its outward appearance, but also on the feelings it evokes in those who view your property. Follow these simple tips to prepare your house and turn it into an irresistible home.
Sight
Use light to showcase your home. Open draperies in the daytime and turn on lights (day and night) to accentuate a cheerful atmosphere. If you have a fireplace, burn a Duraflame log. De-clutter and remove any personal photographs and any potentially offensive posters or religious signs.

Sound
Consider playing soft background music while people tour your home. If there is exterior noise, such as traffic or nearby construction, work with your sales agent to schedule showings around noisy times of day.

Smell
Make sure your home is sparkling clean. Grind a fresh lemon in a garbage disposal or boil cinnamon sticks to add a clean, fresh scent. Candles and flowers look nice and smell pleasant as well. Lingering scents of strong-smelling foods, smoke or pets should be aired out prior to showing your home.

Taste
Realtors and home stagers say that one of the most appealing smells to people is fresh baked cookies. Bake a small batch of cookies before every showing (or at least on the weekends when there will be multiple showings). This not only adds a pleasant scent to the home, but also adds to the hospitable home atmosphere. Potential homebuyers may also appreciate a cookie or lemonade.

Add a human touch
Your home should appear livable. Update the look by making simple changes like rearranging furniture and accessories, painting, and adding stylish and practical pieces.

Buyers who come with agents are more at ease when the owner's not around, so it is best if you take your children and pets on a short walk during the showing. To ensure your safety, remember to remove keys, jewelry and other valuables from your home during showings.

The key to getting your house sold is to make it stand out from the comparable real estate properties around you. This process is best done by making an emotional lure with a lot of bait. That bait comes in the form of unique characteristics of livability. Use plenty of hooks, and people looking to purchase a home will swarm to your bait and take it.

Contact me today for a Free Home Evaluation or to find out what your neighbours' homes are selling for at www.kimlouie.net!

UNPRECEDENTED YEAR FOR HOME SALES IN WATERLOO REGION

There were a total of 6,655 residential sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in 2016.


That’s a thousand more units than sold in 2015, amounting to an increase of 18.1 percent and setting a new record for total annual sales.

Dollar volume of all residential real estate sold last year increased 30.9 percent to $2,578,176,468 compared with 2015.

"2016 was marked by unrelenting demand for homes, in the face of fewer homes being put on the market," said James Craig, President of the KWAR. There were 8,003 residential listings processed through the KWAR’s MLS® System in 2016, a decrease of 9.7 percent compared to 2015.

"For the past several months we’ve seen the number of months of inventory ranging between a ten-year low of 1 and 2 months," says Craig. "While this puts sellers in a very strong position, it’s not so easy when those same sellers need to downsize or move-up."

The average sales price of all residential properties sold in 2016 increased 10.8 percent to $387,404 in comparison to 2015. Detached homes sold for an average price of $451,738 an increase of 12.5 percent, while the average sale price for an apartment style condominium was $229,676, an increase of 3.6 percent. Townhomes and semis sold for an average of $287,396 (up 9.9 percent) and $300,806 (up 11.8 percent) respectively.

Home sales in 2016 included 4,203 detached homes (up 16.3 percent from 2015) and 1,511 condominium type units (up 28.1 percent) which include any property regardless of style (i.e. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc.). Sales also included 430 semi-detached homes (up 6.2 percent) and 430 freehold townhouses (up 7.2 percent).

Craig says that he expects demand for home purchasing in 2017 will continue to be strong. "There is no smoking gun to explain the current market. Mortgage rates remain low, inducing more consumers to get into the market. We have an extremely attractive community, with a growing population and diverse economy bringing in new residents to the region. Home prices remain affordable when compared to the average GTA prices." Adding, "The challenge is inventory levels remain low, as homeowners are staying in their homes longer and some who might have otherwise moved up are choosing to avoid the hot market. What I hope to see is more balance returning to the market, because I sure don’t see the appetite for home ownership in Waterloo region letting up anytime soon."

Contact me today at www.kimlouie.net for a Free Home Value Report or to disucuss the current real estate market!

The Value of Home Inspections for Buyers AND Sellers

This brief video explains the benefits of having a home inspection, both a pre-listing inspection for a Seller and the home inspection for the Buyer.

Contact me for a Free Home Value Report or for more information at www.kimlouie.net

The Basics of Multiple Offers on a Home Sale

Multiple offers on homes for sale are becoming the norm as inventory levels remain low.

This brief video describes some of the many considerations from both the buyer and seller perspectives.

For more information, please feel free to contact me at www.kimlouie.net