Clare DeJong Sales Representative Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage 766 Old Hespeler Rd. Cambridge, Ontario 519-623-6200 or 1-866-623-6205 www.SellingCambridge.ca
Negotiating skills are useful for just about any purchase but there are certain circumstances that require a professional. This month we discuss why it's important to use a 3rd party negotiator in situations where emotions run high.
We also offer some strategies on settling your kids into a new school as well as a few tips on how to host a successful clothing swap.
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Residential sales activity recorded through the MLS® System of the Real Estate Board of Cambridge Inc. was up on a year-over-year basis for the fourth consecutive month in August 2011.
According to the Board’s statistics, home sales numbered 235 units in August, up 26% from weaker levels reported in the same month last year. This marks the fifth best month of August on record for home sales in the region.
“The big year-over-year sales gain in August reflects not only weak demand last summer but also the current strength of home sales in the region,” said Val Brooks, President of the Real Estate Board of Cambridge Inc. “At the same time, the number of homes for sale on the market has been on the rise since the spring. This has led to a more balanced marketplace and that’s taken some of the pressure off of prices.”
Some 2,023 homes have traded hands through the Board’s MLS® System on a year-to-date basis, up 4% from levels in the first eight months of 2010. This also stands above year-to-date levels over the same period in 2009 and 2008.
The average price for homes sold in August 2011 was $281,080, up 2% compared to August 2010. The dollar value of all home sales in August 2011 was $66.1 million, an increase of 28% from year-ago levels.
New residential listings on the Board’s MLS® System numbered 445 units in August 2011, rising 14% from a year earlier. There were 966 active residential listings on the Board’s MLS® System at the end of August, up 11% from levels reported at the same time last year.
There were 4.1 months of inventory at the end of August on a seasonally adjusted basis. This was up from 3.8 months at the end of July 2011. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.
Total sales numbered 245 units in August, up 30% on a year-over-year basis. The dollar value of all sales in August 2011 totalled $72.4 million, up 39% from levels reported in August 2010.
Successful negotiating skills aren't just for the business world; they're for everyday situations. Whether you're renting a car, asking for a raise or trying to get your kids to clean up their room, negotiating skills are essential.
Negotiating is a life skill that can be easily learned and eventually perfected. Your success isn't based on how well you can argue but how well you're prepared. The best thing you can do before entering negotiations is to do your homework. Listening skills and a positive attitude are also very important.
A home purchase is a huge investment that's fraught with emotions. If you negotiate with someone directly in such an emotionally charged situation, chances are that negative personal feelings will get in the way. It's hard to recover once that happens and often times, the home of your dreams will be lost due to ego, pride and principle.
The home buying process comes with a very steep learning curve so it's best to use an agent to ensure there are no regrets. Buyer's remorse is no fun, especially when it comes to real estate. In order to successfully negotiate, you need to know as much as possible about the house itself, the motivations of the buyer/seller, the local market conditions and so on.
Real estate agents can also point you in the right direction when it comes to financing to ensure you receive a mortgage that satisfies the conditions of your offer. Mortgage brokers negotiate with several banks at once to create a bidding war for your business. They can then arrange financing quickly and at the best possible rates and terms which translates into thousands of dollars in savings.
Emotions run very high when it comes to buying or selling a home which is why it's important to have a real estate agent represent you as a 3rd party negotiator. Professionals are able to see things through to the end by remaining calm and not letting their emotions get in the way. If you're thinking about a move, please get in touch so we can discuss your options.
Switching to a new school can cause children considerable stress and anxiety. If your child has just started at a new school, the following tips will help make the transition a little smoother:
Be Positive - Discuss your children's fears while encouraging a confident approach to making new friends.
Fear Not - Chances are, you'll be a little nervous too. Be careful not to transfer your anxieties over to them.
Join Up - Encourage your children to join school clubs/teams and participate in after-school activities in order to meet new friends and have fun.
Stay in Touch - Make sure your kids know they’re still able to see their old friends. Help your children keep in touch by encouraging them to invite old friends over for visits.
Do Your Part - Parent/teacher groups are a great way for you to connect with the school community. Attending field trips is another great way to get involved.
Moving to a new school can be a difficult transition so try and emphasize the positive when discussing the challenges and opportunities your children face. If you encourage them to share their feelings with you, it'll be much easier for them to adjust to their new surroundings.
If your closet’s overflowing with clothes you no longer wear, you might want to think about hosting a clothing swap. Here's what you'll need:
a few full length mirrors with decent lighting
space for a few private change rooms
clothing should be organized by size
items must be clean and in good condition
refreshments, appetizers and music are a nice touch
If you're looking to clear out the clutter in your closets and meet some new people in the process, a clothing swap's a great idea. If you donate any remaining items to charity, everyone will be a winner!
Are you sick of scouring the paper and MLS sites looking for homes? Tired of playing telephone tag with agents only to hear the home's already sold? Sit back, relax and let me do the work for you! Just visit my website and check off the features you're looking for. Whenever a home matching your criteria hits the market, it'll be automatically flagged and emailed to you so you'll never have to worry about missing your dream home. This service is free and there's no obligation! Click here to get started.
Negotiating skills are useful for just about any purchase but there are certain circumstances that require a professional. This month we discuss why it's important to use a 3rd party negotiator in situations where emotions run high.
Residential sales activity recorded through the MLS® System of the Real Estate Board of Cambridge Inc. was up on a year-over-year basis for the fourth consecutive month in August 2011.
Successful negotiating skills aren't just for the business world; they're for everyday situations. Whether you're renting a car, asking for a raise or trying to get your kids to clean up their room, negotiating skills are essential.
Switching to a new school can cause children considerable stress and anxiety. If your child has just started at a new school, the following tips will help make the transition a little smoother: 
If your closet’s overflowing with clothes you no longer wear, you might want to think about hosting a clothing swap. Here's what you'll need: 
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