CENTURY 21 Team Realty Ltd. - Blog

Go it Alone, or Use a REALTOR®?

justin.lepore@century21.ca — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Go it Alone, or Use a REALTOR®?

The fact is, most people who try to sell their own home end up using a REALTOR® in the end anyway. Before anybody decides to fly solo through this complex, time consuming and financially perilous process, they should consider these questions.

Will you really “save” the real estate commission?
When buyers see a home for sale ‘by the owner’, they see a bargain. They imagine the REALTORS® fee going into their pocket, not yours.

Are you familiar with real estate law?
Complicated and ever changing, real estate law governs nearly every phase of selling your home.
One wrong move and an entire deal can fall through, or worse, a lawsuit can ensue.

How many potential buyers will you reach?
Selling a home takes more than just hanging a “For Sale” sign. How will you promote your home? Will you write your own ads? How will you use the Internet, knowing that you’ll have no inside access to www.mls.ca and therefore will not be able to post your home on this service?

Do you have the time?
Promoting a home is a full time job, and you may already have one. Will you be able to take calls at any time? How about screening the callers to figure out if they’re qualified to buy your home?
Not everybody who calls is even suitable to walk through your home, but how do you tell?

Do you know the market well enough to get the most for your home?
Lacking years of experience, the average do-it-yourselfer is merely guessing at their listing price. Often they set the price too low and miss out on thousands of dollars, or they price their home too high and drive away willing buyers.

What about your selling skills?
If the personalities of prospective buyers rub you the wrong way, can you still deal with them effectively? What about your own defensiveness when you hear negative comments about your home? Best to keep it at arms length through a REALTOR®.

Do you have the negotiation skills to keep a deal on track?
When an offer comes in, emotions can run high with so much money on the line. This is why direct seller-to-buyer deals often end in disaster. REALTORS® keep it professional and are indispensable when it comes to bargaining with buyers.

Source: OREA (Ontario Real Estate Association) www.howrealtorshelp.ca

SUV CRASH INTO FITNESS CLUB

justin.lepore@century21.ca — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Photo by Ted Brown

Witness recalls ‘big bang’

One person has been rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto with undetermined injuries after a vehicle crashed through the window of Atlantis Athletics Fitness Centre at the corner of Mountainview Rd. S. and Guelph Street Tuesday at approximately 1 p.m.

It is believed the person taken to Sunnybrook was an employee of the fitness club. A Ford Expedition was seen inside the club. It appeared to have crashed through the front window of the club and stopped at the rear of the building.

Emergency personnel are still on scene. Air ambulance was originally called but a passing thunderstorm forced cancellation of the helicopter.

It is believed the driver, and an 18-month-old infant in the vehicle were not seriously hurt.

Lisa McMaster, of Field Performance Group had a bird’s-eye view of the rescue in which the Atlantis employee was freed from the back window of the fitness centre.

“I heard a big bang, then we heard a door slam, then the sirens,” said McMaster. “I looked out my (second storey) window to see firefighters pulling papers out the back window (of the fitness centre.) It took about 45 minutes to free her, and they brought her out— she was still in the black leather office chair. She was conscious and moving her hands and feet.”

McMaster said the entire building was shut down, at first due to the fact the electricity had been shut down, but later due to concerns about the structural integrity of the building.

“It was a miracle (no one else was hurt) because it (the vehicle) went through the daycare area,” said McMaster.

“I was down in another room in the basement,” said Denise Zubac. “I came upstairs and one of the ladies was pinned. It was scary. I thought it was thunder— the sound of the impact.”

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Video taken from our front office window here and Century 21 Team Realty Ltd Brokerage.

Article from www.theifp.ca

Go Trains In Acton...Keeping You In The Know...

justin.lepore@century21.ca — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Metrolinx fulfills its commitment to bring GO Trains to Acton

Metrolinx is moving forward on its plans for a new Acton GO Station.

With a land lease agreement with the Town of Halton Hills, Metrolinx is beginning construction of a new GO station in Acton this month, with construction to continue into 2013.

"We are pleased to bring GO rail service to Acton and provide additional options for travellers in this very busy corridor," said Gary McNeil, GO Transit President. "With the addition of this new station, we are making it easier for residents to choose to leave their cars at home and use GO Transit."

The additional stop along the Kitchener line (formerly GO's Georgetown line) also helps to meet the demand for expanded and more frequent service in the region. This new stop provides a connection between Acton and downtown Toronto, but also supports commuters travelling between Acton and the Georgetown and Brampton areas.

"Investing in a new GO station for Acton will mean better access to public transit and increased services for commuters," said Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. "The McGuinty government has continually supported public transit to help take cars off the road, keep our air clean and contribute to a better quality of life for Ontario families."

Acton GO Station will be served by two morning and two evening trips on GO's Kitchener line. Schedules will be available at gotransit.com later this year. Fifty parking spaces will be provided with the opening of the station, with an additional 60 spaces to be added after service begins. In total, GO expects to be able to provide approximately 110 parking spaces for GO customers.

"This is great news for Acton and area residents," said Town of Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette. "The addition of this service in our area gives commuters and students in our area a public transit choice for traveling to work or school. We are very excited for the restoration of train service to Acton after an absence of nearly 20 years."

The new station will provide an enjoyable and comfortable travel experience through its design, which will include platform lighting, CCTV and public announcement system, an accessible mini platform, designated waiting areas and two heated platform shelters.

Courtesy of CNW

How to Avoid Heat Exhaustion

justin.lepore@century21.ca — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

How to Avoid Heat Exhaustion

In the summer months people tend to spend a lot more time outdoors. The sunshine and the fresh air can make you feel great but, if you're not careful, you could also end up suffering from heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. These are serious conditions that can result in hospitalization and even more serious issues if you do not recognize the symptoms and work to treat yourself. While barbecuing, hitting the beach and spending time outside are great activities that you should certainly partake in if you're interested, it's also very important that you are aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and that you do whatever possible to avoid any problems. People who work outdoors are also at risk of heat exhaustion.

What is heat exhaustion? Heat exhaustion is a condition caused by overexposure to the heat. A person suffering from heat exhaustion cannot properly cool his or her body through sweating. Dehydration often occurs with heat exhaustion when a person does not replace the fluids lost through perspiration. Causes of heat exhaustion include exposure to very high temperatures, high humidity and strenuous activity in the heat. Without treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.

What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion? Heat exhaustion symptoms vary depending on the person and the seriousness of the problem. However, symptoms include profuse sweating, overall weakness, lightheadedness, muscle cramping and soreness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, diziness and other problems. A person suffering from heat exhaustion may feel cool or cold even in the heat. Chills are common during heat exhaustion as the body is having difficulty regulating temperature.

How do you avoid heat exhaustion? Heat exhaustion can be avoided by regulating how much time you spend in the heat and the sun. On especially hot days, you need to be careful to avoid long stretches in intense heat. You should also try to avoid doing any strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day. Drinking water frequently is incredibly important as staying hydrated is the key to avoiding heat exhaustion. If you have to be outside for a long period of time or if you are working outside, make sure that you bring enough water along with you. Drink water even if you do not feel thirsty as it is incredibly important. Sports drinks can be helpful if you are working, training or playing sports in the heat. Also, wear light, loose-fitting clothing when possible and wear a hat. It's important to limit alcohol consumption during very hot days as alcoholic beverages can lead to dehydration.

What should you do if you suffer from heat exhaustion? In most cases, heat exhaustion can be treated at home without medical intervention. However, it must be treated rather quickly. Heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke if not treated. A person suffering from heat exhaustion should be moved out of the sun and the heat and into a cooler area as soon as possible. The person should lie down if he or she feels dizzy or weak. Most importantly, the person should drink a lot of water. Sports drinks can help as well. If the person is unable to drink water, you may need to contact medical professionals. This may also be necessary if the person does feel better after a little while. You should monitor the person's temperature as well. If their temperature is greater than 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) this is heat stroke and medical help is necessary as soon as possible.

Many cities are experiencing incredibly hot summers right now. In these conditions it is important to avoid illness. If you do not have air conditioning, consider spending time in locations that do (shopping malls, community centers, etc) and make sure that you drink plenty of water even if you are not feeling thirsty. Take frequently breaks as well to avoid exhaustion.

Article courtesy of Peace of Mind Newsletter