Winter is nearing an end and Barrie Real Estate is heating up!

If you haven't dragged your feet or screamed in a pillow about how much you have disliked this winter, then you must live somewhere else!  It's certainly not just central Ontario that's been suffering.  Southern Ontario, the east and certainly the western parts of Canada have all endured a seemingly never-ending and very trying winter. 

All that is about to change though, and with that change, home buyers are coming out of hibernation! 

My primary business has gravitated towards helping Buyers move to Barrie, move-up or scale down in the city and surrounding area and acquire investment properties.  I myself have acquired 3 over the years and have turned a decent profit on all of them, thanks to 'knowing my stuff' and simply making smart choices.  It takes an aggressive and on-the-ball professional to make these dreams a reality for buyers and investors.  One, because the market is fast moving and competitive and two, because good advice from an experienced professional is key to such an endeavor.

Having said the above, I list properties as well, and I am 'itching' to do more of that!  My listings sell quickly thanks to staging, quality photos, web marketing and exposure.  Getting top dollar with little aggravation to my Sellers is rewarding, for both of us!  Problem solving, should something arise, is something I thrive at as well.  I just worked through a potentially devastating home inspection issue on a recent sale that could have went either way - a failed sale for my client, or a comfortable resolution to both parties.  With patience, experience and a step, by step approach, we came to a comfortable resolution and all parties are quite pleased! 

A Realtors worth is something we as Realtors are constantly defining and in some case, justifying.  I have many repeat clients that require no justification at all.  I have saved deals and resolved issues that enabled them to move on, or move in, and for that they know my worth, and keep calling me for my services!

We are not all the same though.  Realtors are very different.  There are the 'Get Rich Quick' Realtors.  The "I want to be #1 Realtor' who end up putting their clients on an assembly line, etc...

Then there are the Realtors who work full-time, 7 days a week and are always available to take your call.  For 11 years this has been the way I work.  No need to be #1, or have a 10 person team, but simply provide you with the best service and expertise possible.

My support system is well in place including receptionists, secretaries, managers and an internationally recognized brand that I am proud to stand behind.  Referrals to lawyers, Home Inspectors, Stagers, Painters and Handymen are at my fingertips and all of them I have worked with for many years and refer with confidence to my valued clients.

By building more relationships, by putting more smiles on the faces of my clients and by being an ethical and honest professional, I have built a rewarding real estate career.

Pass the word around that I am never too busy for your referrals and your new business.  Visit www.movingtobarrie.com for a peak into my business and call me directly for more information - 705-627-3530.

 

In a few months, you could be sitting on one of the many beautiful beaches in Barrie, soaking up the sun!

Barrie Real Estate in 2014!

Barely into 2014, I have already been receiving calls from eager buyers!  The local real estate market was strong in 2013 and confidence by people entering the market or looking to move-up, is definitely paving the way for a promising 2014.

Low inventory is a persistent problem, so if you are considering a move give me a call!  It is never too early to start making a list of the things to do to get your home ready for the market.  I can help you compile that list and make a solid plan on what to do to get the most money for your home.

In May I will begin my 12th year as a professional Realtor.  My business is primarily through repeat clients and referrals, however I am never too busy for new clients. 

It is always a pleasure helping someone reach their real estate dreams, whether it be a family home, a recreational property or building a portfolio of investment properties.

May you have a prosperous and healthy 2014 and call 'Rebecca from Remax' for your Barrie and area real estate needs!

www.movingtobarrie.com

Here we are, nearing the end of a beautiful fall in Simcoe County and the Holiday Season is quickly approaching. 

As 2013 draws close to an end, I have seen the real estate market pick up with a flurry of people wanting to be in their new homes for Christmas.  At this time, it is almost wishful thinking, though starting the New Year off in your new home can still be a reality!

My clients get to enjoy home made treats (by a local baker friend), delivered to their door for the holidays as a thank you for their continued support and loyalty through-out the years.  Being a boutique realtor, this is just one of the personal touch services I provide to my clients. 

Last weekend I celebrated the sale of a home with clients that have purchased and sold through me 4 times since we met.  The homes they purchase are for personal use, not investment, so our relationship spans 10 years and through 2 generations in the family.  I look forward to helping them again in the future.  It's this kind of trusting, long term relationship I have built a rewarding and successful business on.

Market news has remained the same since my last blog.  Inventory remains low and demand high, especially in the first time buyer and investment markets.  Just yesterday I successfully negotiated a purchase for my buyer client, but not without difficulty.  The home he offered on came on the market yesterday morning and by the time our offer was presented, we were competing with 2 others.  It is through experience and professional guidance that he was able to secure the property and beat out the other 2 offers.  Congratulations Mickey!

If you've ever wondered about moving to Barrie and are curious about what this beautiful city and area have to offer, do not hesitate to contact me.  It is always a pleasure to show off the area I call home and inform others exactly why this is an incredible place to live!

As always, www.movingtobarrie.com is your one stop website for professional real estate services in the Barrie area!



A shot of the marina at the waterfront taken in late September.

Our spirit catcher at Barrie's waterfront.



Real Estate in Barrie has been busy so far in 2013!

It's been far too long since my last post and though my intentions were to blog more often, this has simply been a busy real estate summer!

July 2013 has been one of my busiest July's in over 10 years serving the Barrie area. 

Prices continue to climb and inventory continues to be rather low.  I've had many more buyers than sellers so far this year and finding good properties has been a challenge!

My love affair with this beautiful area continues and each day I see something that reminds me how lucky I am to live here.

Barrie, Springwater, Oro Medonte, Innisfil, Essa and all of the surrounding areas are filled with charming homes, friendly people, activities for the entire family and communities that make it a pleasure to come home at night.

If you are even thinking about moving to Barrie or surrounding area, give me a call or send me an e-mail!  As always, it would be my pleasure to show you what an incredible place this is and everything it has to offer!

With many thanks to photographer friends I have in the area, I will be posting more frequent photos of the area.  These friends have individual websites with more photos, so be sure to check them out!

One last piece of advice when looking to move to the Barrie area - interview and contract (that's right, CONTRACT, so they are under contract to protect your best interests) a seasoned and local real estate professional.  I guarantee it will save you money, ensure your family or yourself are in a good area and be the wisest thing you can do to protect your next real estate investment! 

There are more excellent Buyer tips on my website under the Buyers page.  Go to www.movingtobarrie.com to look them over.

The talented Colin McSweeney shows off Barrie's waterfront in some beautiful and serene shots.

It certainly is beginning to look alot like Christmas!  We've had some snow, it went away, but mother nature has been toying with us ever since with record breaking highs earlier this week, and now back to freezing temperatures. 

None of this has detered people from shopping for houses though!  I am enjoying one of my busiest November's and December's since I began my career in real estate 10 years ago. 

With a couple of great new listings coming up next week and a couple of sales under my belt this week, I am happy to be busy working with loyal clients who come back to me over and over to help them with their real estate needs. 

A renewed faith in my belief that a Boutique Realtor, such as myself is THE BEST way to go, is showing in my sales and activity over the last few months.

Proudly NOT a Big Box Store Realtor, I offer one on one service, customized marketing plans using all of the latest marketing methods and direct contact to me at any time.  You will never feel like a number, like you are on an assembly line or like I am only interested in being #1, when you work with me. 

When you work with me, you are #1!

 

Check out www.movingtobarrie.com to get a little insight at what Barrie and area has to offer. It's a beautiful place to live, and if that's your dream, I would love to help make it come true!

Welcome to fall everyone!  This is my favourite time of year - the weather is comfortable, the colours are vibrant, and home is cozy!

If you're dreaming about owning your own home, but you don't know how to come up with a down payment, please call me.  There are still 0% down programs out there and government plans that are easier than ever now to qualify for, that gift you the down payment.  Don't hesitate though, because these government plans are offered for limited times. 

There is nothing like owning your own home - the power to do what you want to it - paint, remodel, decorate as you please...  The pride in knowing you are a homeowner and knowing your monthly payment is not creating wealth for someone else's retirement plan!

Even if you can't afford your dream home yet - get into the market.  Starter homes are plentiful and put you in the game.  Once you own a piece of real estate, what prices do after that is all relative because you are in it! 

My last comment for this post is about those misleading companies that lead you to believe you can sell your home for free!

There is no such thing as selling your home for free. Unless you are a lawyer, there will be professional fees.  I have sold properties for lawyers - even they know the value of a Realtor, including our connections, marketing and networking capabilities.

Real Estate Professionals provide a valuable service.  A good Realtor helps you every step of the way, is qualified to negotiate and prepare a legal contract of purchase and sale for you and will liaise with all of the other professionals involved in a real estate sales transaction on your behalf.  As a Realtor, we have a LEGAL obligation to protect your best interests.  We MUST abide by a strict CODE OF ETHICS and we all carry LIABILITY insurance in case mistakes are made.  This is only the tip of the iceberg of what we do for you. 

Buyers - please beware of buying without an experienced, knowledgeable, local Realtor on your side. And sellers, beware of unqualified buyers who proclaim to have their financing in place and then don't complete the sale on the closing date.  I have seen this happen several times and the end result, is a panicked seller calling me or a colleague of mine to help them get out of a huge financial crisis.

As always, visit www.movingtobarrie.com for information about Barrie and area and contact me if you would like professional, qualified assistance.

Below is my reply to a clients concern over investing in Barrie.  I feel the information is solid and useful, so I thought I would post it on here and hopefully others will find it helpful as well....

This morning I have been reviewing the Barrie Real Estate Board site and the City of Barrie's economic plan. I would like to share with you the 2 below links.

I am very confident in the city's plan for continued growth and job creation. The stats information on the Boards site is interesting. Typically, history repeats itself over and over again. What we have seen is a downturn once every 10 or 12 years. I remember once seeing a graph that took us back to the 40's and the same ups and downs appeared every 10 or so years, over and over until present day... We saw that downturn a couple of years go in the 'overall' picture of real estate. Though with that downturn, prices did not actually decrease here in Barrie, but rather sales numbers slowed and our median increases of 10+% slowed to 2 or 3%. This year they are at 4%, though if you compare only July/11 to July/12 sales, we are at 10%. However if you look at the average price of a home, we are well into the $290's, the highest average price we have ever seen.

The main concern we see here today is fewer homes on the market. Inventory continues to be a struggle for buyers and their realtors and that is something I expect to continue for another year or two. Consumer confidence is still a little weak and that tends to make everyone put plans on hold. Please review the sites at your leisure. There are other useful pages (tabs) on the real estate site you should click on too. They will hopefully give you some hard facts and insight as well as boost your confidence.
http://www.barrie.ca/City%20Hall/MayorCouncil/StrategicPlan/Pages/goal1.aspx
http://creastats.crea.ca/barr/mls_stats.htm

If you are considering Barrie as a place to call home or invest in, visit my site at www.movingtobarrie.com and contact me.