Is it better to list now or wait till the fall?- Kitchener homes for sale
So you are thinking of getting your home up on the market but do you list it now or do you wait till the fall? Even though the summer is traditionally slower and you are thinking September or October might be better, you might want to rethink that. Watch the video to hear my thoughts on why.
July 16, 2010 | Categories: Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: fall, home value, inventory levels, Kitchener waterloo, listing your home, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, selling your home, summer, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Fun Fact on how to keep hornets and bee’s away from your deck. – Kitchener Homes for sale
Here’s another fun fact on how to keep bee’s and hornets away from your deck and backyard area. Not sure if it works but give it a try and let me know your results.
July 6, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: backyard, bee's, fun fact, home buying, hornets, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, real estate, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Fun Fact on how to avoid bird droppings on your deck or Pool – Kitchener homes for sale.
I heard an interesting “Fun Fact” the other day while swimming with my family at a friends pool. Watch the video and try it out and see if it really works.
June 17, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: bird droppings, deck and pool, facebook, fun fact, home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, twitter | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for Sale – Put your valuables away.
Everybody loves open houses but what you need to remember is that there are strangers walking through your home. So remember when your home is for sale make sure to put your valuables away and out of sight. Remove the temptation and keep your precious things safe.
June 8, 2010 | Categories: Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: home buying, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, open houses, real estate, real estate investing, Remax | Leave a comment
Bank of Canada raises key lending rate by .25%- kitchener homes for sale
On June 1st. the Bank of Canada followed what most economists predicted and rasied it’s key lending rate by .25 basis points. Most of the major banks have already followed suit, but what does that mean for Canadians? Have a look at my video to see my thoughts on the difference between variable rate and fixed rate mortgages.
June 2, 2010 | Categories: Buyers, Video Blogs | Tags: Bank of Canada, first time home buyer, home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, market update, Mortgage News, Prime rate, real estate investing, Remax | Leave a comment
Kitchener homes for sale-What is the first step to looking for a home?
If your a first time home buyer then there are 2 important steps when starting your new home search. Watch the video to see my thoughts on what you should do first when shopping for your next home.
May 31, 2010 | Categories: Buyers, Video Blogs | Tags: first time home buyer, home value, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, real estate, Remax | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for sale – H.S.T. Update
May 27, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: harmonized sales tax, home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for sale – 5 Inexpensive ways to get your home ready for sale.
If you are thinking of selling your home in the near future, here are 5 inexpensive ways to get it ready for the rush of buyers. Keep in mind, first impressions are very important so make them count.
May 12, 2010 | Categories: Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: facebook, home buying, home value, Kitchener waterloo, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for sale- Are you taking your business online?
In this age where technology is moving faster and faster, you need your business to be getting information out to consumers as quickly as possible. Have a look at this video to see my thoughts that if your not online then you might be out of business in the coming years.
May 5, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Video Blogs | Tags: business online, facebook, home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, real estate, Remax, twitter, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for sale- H.S.T. Update
The Harmonized Sales Tax will be officially here on July 1st, but did you know that you may already be paying the tax on certain items?
Have a look at the video and see some things that are already subject ot the H.S.T.
May 4, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: harmonized sales tax, home buying, hst, Kitchener waterloo, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for sale -Assessed , Appraised and Market Value.. What do they all mean?
Value is always a subjective thing and it really depends on who is looking at your home and for what purpose. Have a look at this video to see my thoughts.
April 26, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Video Blogs | Tags: appraisal, assessment, home buying, home value, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, real estate, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for sale -Rates Stay Put for Now
Bank of Canada (BOC) announced that rates are going to stay where they are for now. But for how long? Watch the video to see my thoughts.
April 20, 2010 | Categories: Video Blogs | Tags: home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, Mortgage News, Mortgage Rates, real estate, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Waterloo Homes for sale -Facebook is coming to Waterloo Region schools
This is just another sign that social media and social networking is not a passing fade but is here to stay. The Waterloo Region School Board http://www.wrdsb.ca/ announced that this coming September they will be implementing Facebook as part of teaching aids to help students learn better. Good or bad? Have a look at the video to see my thoughts.
April 8, 2010 | Categories: Local Kitchener Waterloo, Video Blogs | Tags: facebook, Kitchener waterloo, real estate, Remax, waterloo ontario, waterloo region school board | Leave a comment
Waterloo Homes for sale – RBC and TD raise rates…
RBC and TD raised the 5 year posted rate by 6/10th’s of a percent to 5.85%. Hear my thoughts on this and why it is not time to start getting stressed about cheap money being over.
March 30, 2010 | Categories: Video Blogs | Tags: home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, Mortgage News, Mortgage Rates, rbc, real estate, real estate investing, royal bank, td canada trust | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for sale – Opportunity.
Opportunity is everywhere throughout your day. Don’t let fear take over and keep you from moving ahead with things you want to accomplish in your life. Have a look at the video to see my thoughts.
March 24, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Video Blogs | Tags: fear, home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, opportunity | Leave a comment
Waterloo Homes for sale -Market update for the neighborhood of University Downs in Waterloo
University Downs is a family orientated neighbourhood on the east side of Waterloo. Being right off the expressway it has easy access to the entire city of Kitchener/Waterloo.
Close to Rim Park, University of Waterloo http://uwaterloo.ca/and Laurier University http://www.wlu.ca/, this community has lots to offer prospective home buyers and investors alike. With great community atmosphere, good schools and parks for the kids, University Downs should definitly be a stop on your next home search.
To get more information on University Downs visit http://universitydowns.org/cms/ . Check out the video to get the sales stats from January 1st, 2010 until now. If you have any questions please feel free to let me know.
March 18, 2010 | Categories: Local Kitchener Waterloo, Video Blogs | Tags: home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, market update, real estate, Remax, university downs, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Waterloo Homes for sale -Market update for the neighborhood of Eastbridge in Waterloo
Eastbridge is a newer subdivision of Waterloo. With fairly new schools, close to Rim Park, hiking trails, the Grey Silo golf course http://www.greysilo.com , this neighborhood boasts many high end homes and leads the way as one of the higher priced neighborhoods in Waterloo. Check out my video on the sales results since January 1, 2010. Also go to to see more on Eastbridge http://www.eastbridge.info/
March 17, 2010 | Categories: Local Kitchener Waterloo, Video Blogs | Tags: eastbridge, home buying, Kitchener waterloo, market update, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Waterloo Homes for sale -Market update for the community of Westvale in Waterloo ontario
Westvale is a much sought after comunity located on the west side of Waterloo, Ontario. With great community spirit, fantastic schools including french emersion http://www.wrdsb.ca/ and close to shopping this neighborhood boasts one of the best resale communities in Waterloo. Feel free to check out the video post that I did giving an overview of the sales year to date. To see more on westvale visit http://www.westvale.org/
March 16, 2010 | Categories: Local Kitchener Waterloo, Video Blogs | Tags: home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, real estate, Remax, waterloo ontario, westvale | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for sale -Multiple Offers- which side would you rather be on?
The word on the street is it is a Seller’s Market. I did this video post back in November and it still holds true now. Multiple offers are everywhere and it still is a very competitive market for home buyers out there. The sellers are calling the shots when it comes to the real estate market. Now remember you still need to be priced correctly and as long as you are, you can expect to sell fairly quickly and for top dollar.
Take a look at the video and please let me know your thoughts.
March 10, 2010 | Categories: Video Blogs | Tags: full time realtor, home buying, inventory levels, Kitchener waterloo, real estate, Remax | 1 Comment
Kitchener homes for sale -Read Before You Sign
I attended a mortgage seminar this morning and it really opened my eyes to what some banks are doing to consumers.
My advice to buyers has always been to talk to a professional and get great advice. Now I am going to take that a step further and tell them to make sure to read any and all documents before they sign, especially mortgage documents. Make sure you know what you are getting into before you proceed and if you have any questions at all…..ASK THEM! If you don’t get the answers that you are looking for then ASK THEM AGAIN!
It is your job as an educated buyer to get the information you need to make the correct decision for you and your family.
Watch the video to see my thoughts on what you should look for and please feel free to leave your comments.
March 9, 2010 | Categories: Buyers, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: banking practices, home buying, Kitchener waterloo, Mortgage News, real estate | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for sale -Advice for Home Buyers
If you are out looking for a new home this year and have experienced the pre-spring market, you will undoubtedly understand my views on what is happening out there.
We are definitely in a seller’s market once again. Everyday there seems to be buyers competing for lower than usual real estate inventory levels. With buyers flocking to new listings the same day they hit the market, the sellers out there seem to be enjoying the fact that there are too few of them to choose from.
I showed a home yesterday that came on the market the day before. By the time we managed to get through it and on the next one, I received a phone call from the listing agent letting me know that there were currently 2 offers being presented on the property in 3 hours. The buyer seemed a little shaken by this news and being a first time buyer just wasn’t ready to compete for the house.
My advice I would give to anyone that is in the process of looking for their next home would be as follows:
- When you find a house that fits the needs and wants of your family… BUY IT! Don’t wait … talk to your realtor, come up with a fair market value and do the offer. If you wait too long you will be disappointed
- Don’t be afraid of the list price when it comes to multiple offers. When there is more than one offer on the home at the same time, buyers end up competing for the house. The list price no longer becomes a factor and now you are competing with the other buyer and not the seller. If the other buyer(s) really want the home they could easily go over list price by as much as they deem fit. I have seen lately as much as $5,000 over the list price. So talk to your realtor, come up with fair market value and offer accordingly.
Time will tell how long this seller’s market will last, but while it is here, buyers need to understand the steps necessary to beat out their competition. Best of luck out there and happy hunting!
March 7, 2010 | Categories: Local Kitchener Waterloo, Random thoughts, Video Blogs | Tags: home buying, inventory levels, Kitchener waterloo, real estate, real estate investing, Remax | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for sale -Olympic Gold!!!
What a fantastic couple of weeks. I am so very proud to be a Canadian. If you have been watching any of the Olympics you would understand why I am so proud. Over all we won 14 Gold Medals an Olympic record! A total of 26 medals won which put us third overall. All of our Olympians should be so proud and excited for their outstanding results.
This got me thinking about dreaming and goal setting. Do you dream? I meet people every day that tell me they wish they could do this or do that. They want to travel or buy a new house or car but they make no plans to make those dreams happen.
The first step is to create the dream and then write them down. When you write it down it becomes real in your mind. The next step is to make a plan to bring the dream into reality. The third step is to take action. Without the last step the dream will never become reality.
So take that first step and more importantly the last step and start living the life that you are dreaming of.
Leave your comments and let me know what you have been dreaming of doing. Also watch my video to see more thoughts.
March 1, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Video Blogs | Tags: goal setting, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, Olympic gold | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes for sale -Does your Realtor do this full time?
I had a listing appointment yesterday and the most important question that the clients had was one I don’t get very often. Do I sell homes full time? The average realtor in Canada sells 4 homes per year and the majority of those people don’t do it full time.
As a seller you need to be aware if your realtor has another job or if he/she only sells homes part-time. I myself do this full time and sometimes more than that. The life of a Realtor is not a glamorous one but definitely one where you have to be available when your clients need you or are available.
So ask the question the next time you are interviewing agents to sell your home, and make sure you get the answers you are looking for.
Check out the video that I did in January for my thoughts and please leave your comments.
February 28, 2010 | Categories: Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: full time realtor, home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, real estate, Remax | Leave a comment
Kitchener Homes For sale-Real Estate Inventory Levels are dropping.
Real Estate inventory levels across the country are dropping and Kitchener Waterloo is no exception. Unlike last February the market has done a complete 180 degree turn. There are buyers getting into the market that wouldn’t normally move this soon for several reasons.
- the threat of higher interest rates is ever looming and at some point they are going to start to go up.
- the announcement last week by Minister Jim Flaherty tightening the lending criteria for banks and financial institutions
- the H.S.T. is just around the corner and it will bring with it a slight increase in the cost of buying a home.
Watch my video for my thoughts on how this is all going to play out and please leave your comments or thoughts.
February 24, 2010 | Categories: Local Kitchener Waterloo, Video Blogs | Tags: home buying, inventory levels, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, Mortgage News, Mortgage Rates, real estate | Leave a comment
KW Real Estate Life 