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HomeHunt with Bruce Johnson
! May / June 2011 ! TheHomeHunt.com ! Vol. XV, Issue III
Bruce Johnson Photo
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HomeHunt with Bruce Johnson
May/June 2011
Table of Contents: Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page
: Cover Photo nds garden a S a g a s a W A lub scene from C Court...
3: 2011 Reader’s Choice 4/5: Featured Properties 6/7: First-Time Buyer’s 8/9: Mary’s Staging Report 10/11: Area Happenings 12: Joke & Trivia Contest 13: The Big Picture 14/15: Hot Links 16: Assorted Information
BRUCE
SALES
RE/MA
JOHNS
REPRE
SENTA
ON
TIVE X of W asaga B each I n c ., B rokera PHON g e E
(705)
429-45
TOLL FREE 00 (8 88) 74 1- 8 8 8 8
Thanks For Your Support! Mary and I never imagined that bicycling 25,000 kilometres from the Arc<c to the southernmost town in Argen<na would have any far-‐reaching effect other than terrific tales on the porch for our future grandchildren. But the benefits of teamwork were evident from Day One. Without each other, we most likely never would have made it. It was our teamwork that pushed us forward, day aHer day, through horrible cold, snow, rain, wind, bear encounters, theH, two wars, eight Andes crossings and a mul<tude of health ailments that may have crushed our individual spirits. But now I see a direct correla<on from that gruelling yet rewarding experience and the recent announcement that we have won the 2011 Reader’s Choice Award for Favourite Real Estate Team in the Georgian Triangle. It’s teamwork. We work together well... and this allows us to work together well with our clients. So to those of you who are responsible for this flaRering award, we’d like to thank you! In addi<on, while pedalling the Americas in the mid-‐90s, before marriage, children and mortgages, we discovered the importance the rest of the Americas places on family <es and wisUully observed how enriching it can be to put down roots. AHer nearly three years of living in a tent I appreciated the comforts of home so much that a real estate career was a natural fit. The extended expedi<on also gave Mary a clear sense of where buyers find emo<onal value: a tea tray by the fireplace, fluffy towels near the Jacuzzi tub, organized tools in the workshop. Together, Mary and I get to know our client’s goals and limita<ons. She provides a detailed checklist and, when the homeowners have completed the list to their sa<sfac<on, she comes in to really set the stage. I then return and, with my photography background, we do the photo shoot, again as a team. It’s always a thrill to market freshly-‐staged new lis<ngs and our enthusiasm can be contagious which is great because that energy usually carries us all the way through to a successful sale... in partnership with our clients! For me, southern Georgian Bay has been an easy area to promote in our business and my life has evolved into balancing the adventurer inside me with the family man. Our new moRo is “Live…Where Others Vaca0on” because if you can do that, you’ll have the best of both worlds. We’re all kids at heart – we just want you all to join us for the ride!
~Bruce NOTE: To view photos of our journey, visit this link and be sure to visit our Business Page.
Peruvian Andes
FEATURED PROPERTIES
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46 Admiral Road Wasaga Beach Here`s a superb 3 bdrm, 2 bath townhome close to amenities & directly across from Blueberry Trails Provincial Park on a quiet street. This very well-kept 1,550 sq.ft home (including fully finished lower level) comes with central air, natural gas f/a heating, central vac, ceramic flooring and a welcoming open concept kitchen with breakfast bar. There’s also a walkout to the covered front porch, 9-ft. ceilings, attached garage w/inside entry (potential for in-laws) and a lower level walkout to the rear yard. Built in 2005 by Haven Homes, this ‘Nautica’ model shows like a new dime. And the best part? No condo fees! Close to shopping, schools and the beach. Book your app`t today. Click here for full details: 46 Admiral Road MLS 20111394
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FEATURED PROPERTIES
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Costa
!
h e Beac h t r a Ne
MLS # 20111619
$98,880
Here's a superb location to build your Wasaga Beach dream home. This 1/2 acre lot is a short walk to the pristine sand beach yet close to modern conveniences. Click here for full details:
Rica!
Ojochal, Costa Rica
Interested in a property in the tropical south? Call or email Bruce today for information on buying your dream home in Costa Rica...
Lot 23 Deerbrook Drive ho Town
Wasa
use
MLS # 20111394
ga Sa nds!
$219,900
MLS # 20110653
$140,000
This very well-kept 1,550 sq.ft townhouse comes with central air, natural gas f/a heating, central vac, ceramic flooring and a welcoming open concept kitchen with breakfast bar. Click here for full details:
Build your dream home on this beautiful one acre golf course community lot backing onto forested land overlooking McIntyre Creek in Wasaga Sands Estates. Click here for full details:
46 Admiral Road
16 Walnut Drive
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2011 RE/MAX FIRST-TIME BUYER’S REPORT
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FIRST-TIME BUYERS IN MAJOR CANADIAN MARKETS MOVE TO GET IN AHEAD OF HIGHER INTEREST RATES Mississauga, ONTARIO:
Driven by the threat of higher interest rates down the road, first-time buyers are contributing to strong upward momentum in residential housing markets across the country, according to a report released by RE/MAX. The RE/MAX First-Time Buyerʼs Report, highlighting trends and developments in 19 major Canadian centres, found that low interest rates and balanced market conditions have provided significant impetus in 2011, particularly at lower price points. Just over 30 per cent of markets are reporting sales in excess of 2010 levels as a result, while almost 70 per cent have experienced an upswing in average price.
“There is clearly room for growth as entry-level buyers make their moves from coast-to-coast.” Leading the country in terms of percentage increases in the number of homes sold are Western Canadian markets, including Saskatoon (up close to 15 per cent), Greater Vancouver (up close to 12 per cent), and Winnipeg (up just over 11 per cent). With an average price hike of close to 20 per cent year-to-date (February), Greater Vancouver continues to show unprecedented strength, followed by Hamilton-Burlington (eight per cent), Quebec City (seven per cent), Winnipeg (close to seven per cent), Greater Toronto (five per cent), and Greater Montreal (five per cent).
Despite homeownership rates approaching 70 per cent, there is clearly room for growth as entry-level buyers make their moves from coastto-coast, undeterred by higher housing values and changes to lending criteria. Many purchasers intent on realizing homeownership are scaling back on expectations or are willing to sacrifice location, quality and/or size to make their dream a reality – not unlike generations before them. Inventory levels, while tight in several larger centres, are more balanced overall, giving first-time buyers a good selection of housing product from which to choose. Not surprisingly, condominium apartments and town homes have become the first step for many entry-level purchasers, especially in Greater Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Edmonton, Calgary, London-St. Thomas, Hamilton-Burlington, Greater Toronto, the Island of Montreal, and Halifax-Dartmouth where average prices have risen unabated in recent years. With the Canadian economy on firmer footing overall, residential real estate is well-positioned moving into the traditionally busy spring market. Consumer confidence is climbing in conjunction with economic performance, and concerns over a secondary recession fade with each passing day. The mood is cautiously optimistic, as first-time buyers enter the market.
“Inventory levels are more balanced overall, giving first-time buyers a good selection.” Changes to recent financing criteria have not created the anticipated run up in activity in most
The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”
2011 RE/MAX FIRST-TIME BUYER’S REPORT markets. From a financial standpoint, most rookie home buyers remain quite prudent. Those making the leap are not doing it lightly, buying within their means. While this most recent round of policy tightening will likely have a negligible effect on demand, the message is getting across. Affordability remains a growing concern in most markets, and—aside from first-time purchasers—no one is more in tune with that than housing planners and developers. In fact, the growing demand for reasonably-priced product is creating a shift in the countryʼs housing mix. That trend is expected to gain traction in coming years, as builders look to create greater options for those seeking to realize homeownership. In recent years, builders have helped ease the move to homeownership by concentrating on intensification— condominium buildings with smaller suites and small-lot subdivisions offering detached, compact homes at a fraction of the cost of a traditional singlefamily home. On the flip side, the affordability factor is also breathing new life into tired older neighbourhoods, and that, in turn, is contributing to rising values. As prices escalate, first-time buyers are indeed spending more—some out of necessity, but
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others are simply in a position to do so. Unlike in years past—a greater percentage of todayʼs first-time buyer pool is comprised of dualincome, college or university-educated couples with solid earnings. Theyʼre spending close to average price or slightly more to secure—in most cases—a better location or a home that will grow with them. Yet, the fact remains that those on a tighter budget can get in for considerably less, with reasonable choices in every major market across the country. While some may feel discouraged by eroding affordability levels, the underlying confidence in the concept of homeownership is rising. While market conditions are one thing that influences first-time buyers, few things trump the fundamental belief in homeownership. Todayʼs entry-level buyers are steadfast in their mindset. They know they have to live somewhere, but they simply donʼt want to pay someone elseʼs mortgage. Savvy or practical, they remain a driving force.
“The affordability factor is also breathing new life into tired older neighbourhoods.” The bottom line is that the demand for entrylevel product will remain steady. The role of starter homes in the marketplace is becoming ever more vital. For more information, click here: RE/MAX First-Time Buyer’s Report Video
The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”
They Don’t Call it Moving for Nothing Successful Sellers Get Moving Before They List According to recent MLS statistics for our area, 35% of houses on the market are selling. That means serious sellers must go beyond right-pricing to rise above the competition. Even in this market, home sellers can have control: they can choose to trust the process, follow advice, feel confident yet detached and receive unconditional offers at 98-101% of list price in less than a month. Or, sellers can choose to fish for buyers with a high list price, resist home staging, blame external forces for their lack of a sale (the Realtor, the economy, the ex-spouse) and either react defensively to low-ball offers or sit until the market forces a price reduction or catches up, which could take years. Sometimes the reason behind the need to move is not all that positive, especially when downsizing due to major life changes. In challenging times it can be hard to get beyond your personal situation to consider the people who might want to buy your house and how to present it as a vibrant yet neutral space. From a feng shui perspective, the difference between a sellable and unsellable home lies in its chi, meaning “living
breath” which is an unseen, energetic quality. Buyers are not just looking for square footage; they are hunting for a better lifestyle. The “feel” of a property can be as different as winter and summer and can make all the difference in time on market. Interestingly, when buyers are viewing a dark, musty, cramped, sleepy-feeling home with sharp-cornered tables, where all the energy is slow, they can’t get out of there fast enough! Your space reflects your life. And because buyers are emotionally charged when they finally find a clean, bright, spacious, harmonious home, they slow down while walking through, enjoying superimposing a happy vision of their new life there. They’re enjoying the space and not distracted by the stuff. And they will pay a premium for it. I’m not going to give positive-thinking advice; wise souls Maya Angelou, Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie and Pema Chodron have got that covered. But since staging has been proven to sell properties for 6-10% higher prices in half the time, even if you have to follow the old dictum “Fake it ‘til you make it” it is worth the investment to adapt a mindset that is: •Willing •Confident/Bold •Detached •Generous/Giving/Flexible •Trusting/Empowered
The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”
MARY’S STAGING REPORT 3 Steps to Sellable: Spacious, Flowing and Clean! Step 1: Move it Out Since you can finally park in the snow-free driveway, temporarily turn your garage into a “Thanks but Goodbye” zone. Lay 2 tarps on the garage floor. On tarp #1, set up empty boxes to be filled with items you don’t need but would like to sell. On tarp #2, set up empty boxes or large bags to be filled with stuff you no longer need, don’t want to bother trying to sell but aren’t landfill fodder (i.e., they could still be useful or beautiful to someone, just not you!). I recommend freecycle or dropping things off at Memories in Motion on Hwy 26 (they’ll pick up for free if it’s sellable!) or the Goodwill. Go through each room and closet with the goal of reducing the stuff in closets and cabinets by half. Next, reduce the amount of furniture and knick knacks to just the items that show the purpose and potential of the room without distracting. The checklist from your home stager will help you with this. Don’t forget stuff that’s already in the garage: unopened boxes from your last move, extra dishes, outgrown sporting goods, duplicates of tools, building supplies and so on. Finally, go through the entire house making sure every single door, including the inside entry to the garage and especially the front door, can open fully. Remove those awful over-the-door hooks that hold 7 bathrobes and 3 purses and the dog leash. Find a better spot (i.e. tarp #2) for that sharp-cornered side table that the door hits but doesn’t fit anywhere else. This is a feng shui remedy for blockages so don’t be surprised if after simply taking this step, wider opportunities find their way to you and your family. You won’t believe how light, free and energized you AND your house feel when you’ve finally said farewell to the Stuff.
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Step 2: Make it Flow Take an objective walk from the street to your front door and from room to room and notice your pace; is it smooth and easy walk or are there blockages to seeing or reaching the goal? Make sure you can see your bright, welcoming front entrance from the road. And inside, notice if you have to skirt around bulky items to get to purpose points such as the refrigerator in the kitchen or the best couch in the TV area. Rearrange so that the floor plan the builder intended can be experienced by the buyer. Instead of placing a big sofa with its back to the room, open up the view to the fireplace, picture window or other focal point. Note the balance of light/dark, soft/hard and angular/ curvy. If you’re all squares and rectangles, switch out sharp-cornered coffee tables with soft ottomans and switch the metal mini blinds with flowing white sheers for the windows.
Step 3: Let it Shine Last but certainly not least, remove every dulling or darkening influence and harness the magical powers of light to get your chi moving and your house sold. Natural light is always moving and there is never too much, so clean the windows inside and out. Bring out the shine in chrome and stainless steel. Renew the grout and make the hardwood glow. Add lamps to lift the chi in dark corners. It’s not cheating to hire a professional’s help here – I highly recommend local dynamo Bonnie Robins of Robin’s Nest for cleaning – give her a call at 705-428-3760. You deserve it! After making your whole house and yard spacious, flowing and clean, the stirred-up energy around you will continue to affect the energy within you. The moment you start to feel pride in the property you’re offering new occupants is the right moment to list.
~ Mary
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WASAGA BEACH HAPPENINGS
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Map of Wasaga Beach 1. Click here for Things To Do in Wasaga Beach!
2. Click here for Things To Do in Clearview!
nty u o C e Simco o rk W d a Ro
3. Click here for Things To Do in Balm Beach! le! Ar rive alive, peop
cal o L y a d 4 1 e nd Weather Tr
Cur rent Weath er
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COLLINGWOOD & BLUE MOUNTAIN HAPPENINGS
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Map of Co llingwo od 1. Click here for Things To Do in Collingwoo d! 2. Click here for Things To Do in Blue Mountain!
Grey Co unty Road W o rk
3. Click here for Things To Do in Thornbur y!
,I
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Blue Mountain Stuff
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JOKES & CONTEST
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THE FUNERAL
When I was a young minister, a funeral director asked me to hold a grave side service for a homeless man with no family or friends. The funeral was to be at a cemetery way out in the country. This was a new cemetery and this man was the first to be laid to rest there. I was not familiar with the area and became lost. Being a typical man, of course, I did not ask for directions. I finally found the cemetery about an hour late. The back hoe was there and the crew was eating their lunch. The hearse was nowhere to be seen. I apologized to the workers for being late. As I looked into the open grave, I saw the vault lid already in place. I told the workers I
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would not keep them long, but that this was the proper thing to do. The workers, still eating their lunch, gathered around the opening. I was young and enthusiastic and poured out my heart and soul as I preached. The workers joined in with, "Praise the Lord," "Amen," and "Glory!" I got so into the service that I preached and preached and preached, from Genesis to The Revelation. When the service was over, I said a prayer and walked to my car. As I opened the door, I heard one of the workers say, "I never saw anything like that before and I've been putting in septic systems for twenty years."
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! Big Hint
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THE BIG PICTURE
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“In the Spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” ~Margaret Atwood
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Bruce Johnson Photo © The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”
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HomeHunt with Bruce Johnson
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