Photography is not just about fashion and the arts; it has evolved into something useful and practical. You can see various photography works in events such as weddings, parties, launches and many others. It can also be used online with blogs, news and real estate. Many home sellers don’t know that a picture of their house can say a lot about its value - it may even affect the selling price of their house.
According to a research done by Redfin Corp., a Seattle-based brokerage, real estate listing photographs that were taken using higher-end SLR cameras have more selling power than those with photos taken using “point and shoot” cameras. Aside from getting more attention online, homes with photos taken using a high-end SLR camera can ask a higher price - that is what the statistics show in the research. To read more about the research study and statistics, click here
So if you think you have a great home and you don’t want to lower down the price, try using professional photographs, it may improve your selling power!
Until next time,
Jamie
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Be Rewarded!
Isn’t it great to be rewarded for something you did with not much effort at all? How about buying or selling something and, at the same time, getting a reward? Sounds too good to be true? Well, it is true! Get reward Air Miles® when you buy or sell your home with Century 21 in Canada and, for a limited time, receive 100 bonus Air Miles® when you buy or sell
Until next time,
Jamie
Until next time,
Jamie
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Tips on How to Regularly Maintain Your Home Without Hurting Your Pocket
Home sweet home is a slogan you are most likely familiar with, but how do you have a really home sweet home? Aside from a harmonious family living, it is important to keep your home clean and well maintained both inside and out. Over time your house deteriorates, regular cleaning and maintenance is a great way to help prevent major repairs.
I came across an article from the CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) giving tips on how to maintain your home seasonally in inexpensive ways. Basically, you need to do regular preventive maintenance to keep your home in good repair. Checking for leaks, caulking, cleaning your carpets, and replacing filters are a few regular maintenance tasks which can save you from major home repairs. You may encounter minor repairs that are needed in your home while doing regular maintenance work but a few minor repairs can save you a lot in the long run. To learn more about recommended home maintenance (by season) you can do to keep your house home sweet home click here.
Until next time,
Jamie
I came across an article from the CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) giving tips on how to maintain your home seasonally in inexpensive ways. Basically, you need to do regular preventive maintenance to keep your home in good repair. Checking for leaks, caulking, cleaning your carpets, and replacing filters are a few regular maintenance tasks which can save you from major home repairs. You may encounter minor repairs that are needed in your home while doing regular maintenance work but a few minor repairs can save you a lot in the long run. To learn more about recommended home maintenance (by season) you can do to keep your house home sweet home click here.
Until next time,
Jamie
Friday, October 15, 2010
To Renovate or Not To Renovate?
Renovating a house is part of home improvement as it will enhance the look of your home. However, please be aware that not all renovations will be beneficial to you, especially if you have plans of selling your house in the near future. Before you begin a costly renovation of your home, consider these helpful tips that could save you money and could change your perception of renovations as an investment in your home.
One common improvement owners do is putting in a swimming pool. If you think that the addition of a swimming pool will make your home more attractive to buyers, you may want to think again. Swimming pools need regular maintenance which can be costly and some buyers may not want that added expense and work. Also, families with small children may think twice before purchasing a home with a pool.
Another common improvement to a home is elaborate landscaping. Although this helps to beautifying your home, some buyers may be uninterested and may perceive it as an additional expense, thinking that they must hire an experienced gardener for regular maintenance of it.
For more information about home renovations please click here to view a great article I recently came across.
Until next time,
Jamie
One common improvement owners do is putting in a swimming pool. If you think that the addition of a swimming pool will make your home more attractive to buyers, you may want to think again. Swimming pools need regular maintenance which can be costly and some buyers may not want that added expense and work. Also, families with small children may think twice before purchasing a home with a pool.
Another common improvement to a home is elaborate landscaping. Although this helps to beautifying your home, some buyers may be uninterested and may perceive it as an additional expense, thinking that they must hire an experienced gardener for regular maintenance of it.
For more information about home renovations please click here to view a great article I recently came across.
Until next time,
Jamie
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Improving Your Home with Eco Friendly Products
Since climate change is a real concern these days, it is a great idea to keep your home clean using environmentally friendly products. Below are some environmentally friendly products you can use in replacement of your existing not so eco friendly products.
1. Using biodegradable products. Nowadays it’s quite easy to determine if a product is biodegradable or not as most of the time it is indicated on the label. Make sure to read the label carefully before purchasing any item. Harsh cleaning materials such as bleach are not only harmful to hands but also to the environment. One alternative to replace this product is to use lemon juice or white vinegar to wipe out those stains and remove odour. A salt and water or a cream of tartar and hot water combination are also useful as cleansers and very environmentally friendly.
Another common biodegradable product that can be used everyday is the recycled paper bag. Instead of using plastics as storage containers, you may opt for cartons or recycled paper bags to store your items. Besides being eco friendly, you can even decorate them or personally customize them in accordance to your homes decor.
2. Using natural disinfectants. In recent years, viruses, germs and bacteria that cause illness and disease seem to be spreading faster than ever. One way to protect yourself from some of them is by keeping your home clean using disinfectants. It is wise to use alternative natural disinfectants which can be quite inexpensive and may even be available in your home already. Eucalyptus oil, vinegar, borax, grapefruit seed extract, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and lemon juice are all alternative natural disinfectants. It is important to note that it is still advisable to use commercial disinfectants to clean common bacteria-induced areas such as toilets and doorknobs, but again there are several products on the market which are more environmentally friendly than others – just read the label.
3. Avoid using cleaning products that contain phosphate. Phosphate is a common ingredient in detergents which come in powder, gel or tablet form. Phosphate is known to promote algae growth in lakes and oceans which kills fish and other underwater creatures due to suffocation. The good news is that there are phosphate-free detergents available on the market which are safe for the environment. You may also opt for phosphate free liquid detergents rather than using powder detergents for cleaning your clothes - the same is true for your dishwasher detergents.
These are just few tips to help you start using environment friendly and safe products in your home. If you cannot avoid having toxic or poisonous products in your home, be sure to label them properly and keep them well out of the reach of children to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Again, it is useful to read the labels of all the products you buy for your home to determine if the product is environmentally friendly or not. With the use of environmentally friendly products I’m sure you will not only achieve the same cleaning effect as with toxic products but you may also save some money!
Until next time,
Jamie
1. Using biodegradable products. Nowadays it’s quite easy to determine if a product is biodegradable or not as most of the time it is indicated on the label. Make sure to read the label carefully before purchasing any item. Harsh cleaning materials such as bleach are not only harmful to hands but also to the environment. One alternative to replace this product is to use lemon juice or white vinegar to wipe out those stains and remove odour. A salt and water or a cream of tartar and hot water combination are also useful as cleansers and very environmentally friendly.
Another common biodegradable product that can be used everyday is the recycled paper bag. Instead of using plastics as storage containers, you may opt for cartons or recycled paper bags to store your items. Besides being eco friendly, you can even decorate them or personally customize them in accordance to your homes decor.
2. Using natural disinfectants. In recent years, viruses, germs and bacteria that cause illness and disease seem to be spreading faster than ever. One way to protect yourself from some of them is by keeping your home clean using disinfectants. It is wise to use alternative natural disinfectants which can be quite inexpensive and may even be available in your home already. Eucalyptus oil, vinegar, borax, grapefruit seed extract, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and lemon juice are all alternative natural disinfectants. It is important to note that it is still advisable to use commercial disinfectants to clean common bacteria-induced areas such as toilets and doorknobs, but again there are several products on the market which are more environmentally friendly than others – just read the label.
3. Avoid using cleaning products that contain phosphate. Phosphate is a common ingredient in detergents which come in powder, gel or tablet form. Phosphate is known to promote algae growth in lakes and oceans which kills fish and other underwater creatures due to suffocation. The good news is that there are phosphate-free detergents available on the market which are safe for the environment. You may also opt for phosphate free liquid detergents rather than using powder detergents for cleaning your clothes - the same is true for your dishwasher detergents.
These are just few tips to help you start using environment friendly and safe products in your home. If you cannot avoid having toxic or poisonous products in your home, be sure to label them properly and keep them well out of the reach of children to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Again, it is useful to read the labels of all the products you buy for your home to determine if the product is environmentally friendly or not. With the use of environmentally friendly products I’m sure you will not only achieve the same cleaning effect as with toxic products but you may also save some money!
Until next time,
Jamie
Thursday, October 7, 2010
New Partner and a New Listing of a Gorgeous Condo in Barrie!
Well, The Jamie Dann Team has been keeping very busy these past few weeks and we have all been working diligently for all of our great clients! - To better serve our clients we recently added a new partner to The Jamie Dann Team - We enthusiastically welcome Caroline Doherty (Sales Representative)! Caroline brings a wealth of knowledge, eagerness and energy to The Jamie Dann Team and we could not be happier that she has chosen to join our awesome Team. In the next little while please view the "About Us" tab on our website read all about Caroline.
On the real estate side of things, we recently listed a gorgeous 1 bedroom condominium at 65 Ellen Street in Barrie with a lovely view of Kempenfelt Bay. Much to my delight we had two offers on this gem after only three days on the market! It is a great condo in a great building and I look forward to negotiating effectively and efficiently for my client. Please click here to view the listing.
Well, must keep it short as phones are ringing and "duty calls"! - LOVE IT!
Until next time,
Jamie
On the real estate side of things, we recently listed a gorgeous 1 bedroom condominium at 65 Ellen Street in Barrie with a lovely view of Kempenfelt Bay. Much to my delight we had two offers on this gem after only three days on the market! It is a great condo in a great building and I look forward to negotiating effectively and efficiently for my client. Please click here to view the listing.
Well, must keep it short as phones are ringing and "duty calls"! - LOVE IT!
Until next time,
Jamie
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
What is a Housing Bubble?
According to the dictionary, a bubble is a “thin, usually spherical or hemispherical film of liquid filled with air or gas”. In other words, a bubble is described as something that has little firmness or solidness.
Economists describe a bubble as “the rapid increase in price due to some speculation on a particular commodity which will suddenly drop if it reaches an unreasonable level”. The sudden drop is often referred to as the bubble “bursting”. As an example, a bubble can occur when there exists a very attractive and “in demand” investment opportunity. Many investors take advantage of this great “deal”, causing prices to inflate (supply and demand), however, one never knows when the “bubble” will “burst” resulting in a drastic fall in the price, making the investment worth less than it cost the investor originally.
So what about housing bubbles? What does it mean?
A housing bubble is currently being talked about, especially in the Canadian real estate market. But what exactly is this bubble…and how does it affect real estate? According to a recent article in the Toronto Star, a housing bubble may not be a good thing. The article states “most economists agree that sales of homes have gone beyond historical and demographic norms and prices are likely over-inflated in comparison to income”. The article goes on to say “most economists at least agree that prices will have to fall or level off over the next several years”. To read further about the housing bubble, its cause and effect, plus tips on how to avoid it, click here. It’s a very good read and may be quite helpful.
Until next time,
Jamie
Economists describe a bubble as “the rapid increase in price due to some speculation on a particular commodity which will suddenly drop if it reaches an unreasonable level”. The sudden drop is often referred to as the bubble “bursting”. As an example, a bubble can occur when there exists a very attractive and “in demand” investment opportunity. Many investors take advantage of this great “deal”, causing prices to inflate (supply and demand), however, one never knows when the “bubble” will “burst” resulting in a drastic fall in the price, making the investment worth less than it cost the investor originally.
So what about housing bubbles? What does it mean?
A housing bubble is currently being talked about, especially in the Canadian real estate market. But what exactly is this bubble…and how does it affect real estate? According to a recent article in the Toronto Star, a housing bubble may not be a good thing. The article states “most economists agree that sales of homes have gone beyond historical and demographic norms and prices are likely over-inflated in comparison to income”. The article goes on to say “most economists at least agree that prices will have to fall or level off over the next several years”. To read further about the housing bubble, its cause and effect, plus tips on how to avoid it, click here. It’s a very good read and may be quite helpful.
Until next time,
Jamie
Friday, October 1, 2010
Why You Still Need a REALTOR®
Buying and selling “stuff” can be easy, but it depends on the item. Sure, you can save some money if you sell something yourself, all profits go directly to you. However, buying or selling a house may be a different story.
It is not always advantageous to buy or sell a house by yourself without seeking the assistance of a REALTOR®. Buying or selling a house is most likely the largest financial decision you will make. REALTORS® are trained professionals who are very knowledgeable in all aspects of the real estate industry and whose job it is to assist you with any of your real estate questions and concerns. They are well versed in negotiating and may, in fact, SAVE you thousands of dollars.
REALTORS® have access to vast network of fellow REALTORS® and real estate listings which is very advantageous to most buyers. For sellers, REALTORS® are available to meet with various potential buyers at the buyer’s convenience, allowing the home owners to not worry about the inconvenience of “dropping everything” to show their home to a potential buyer who may or may not bother to show up for a scheduled viewing. For both buyers and sellers, REALTORS® guide their clients through all of the paper work (making sure everything gets where it needs to go), make valuable suggestions and keep track of important deadlines and appointments.
To read more about the benefits of using a REALTOR®, click here.
Until next time,
Jamie
It is not always advantageous to buy or sell a house by yourself without seeking the assistance of a REALTOR®. Buying or selling a house is most likely the largest financial decision you will make. REALTORS® are trained professionals who are very knowledgeable in all aspects of the real estate industry and whose job it is to assist you with any of your real estate questions and concerns. They are well versed in negotiating and may, in fact, SAVE you thousands of dollars.
REALTORS® have access to vast network of fellow REALTORS® and real estate listings which is very advantageous to most buyers. For sellers, REALTORS® are available to meet with various potential buyers at the buyer’s convenience, allowing the home owners to not worry about the inconvenience of “dropping everything” to show their home to a potential buyer who may or may not bother to show up for a scheduled viewing. For both buyers and sellers, REALTORS® guide their clients through all of the paper work (making sure everything gets where it needs to go), make valuable suggestions and keep track of important deadlines and appointments.
To read more about the benefits of using a REALTOR®, click here.
Until next time,
Jamie
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