Friday, November 27, 2009

How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale

Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter — and earn a little extra cash — before you sell your home. But make sure the timing is right. Garage sales can take on a life of their own, and it might not be the best use of your energy right before putting your home on the market. Follow these tips for a successful sale.

1. Don’t wait until the last minute. You don’t want to be scrambling to hold a garage sale the week before an open house. Depending on how long you’ve lived in the home and how much stuff you have to sell, planning a garage sale can demand a lot of time and energy.

2. Get a permit. Most municipalities will require you to obtain a special permit or license in order to hold a garage sale. The permits are often free or very inexpensive, but still require you to register with the city.

3. See if neighbours want to join in. You can turn your garage sale into a block-wide event and lure more shoppers if you team up with neighbours. However, a permit may be necessary for each home owner, even if it’s a group event.

4. Schedule the sale. Sales on Saturdays and Sundays will generate the most traffic, especially if the weather cooperates. Start the sale early, 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. is best, and be prepared for early birds.

5. Advertise. Place an ad in free classified papers and Web sites, and in your local newspapers. Include the dates, time, and address. Let the public know if certain types of items will be sold, such as baby clothes, furniture, or weightlifting equipment. On the day of the sale, balloons and signs with prominent arrows will help to grab the attention of passersby.

6. Price your goods. Lay out everything that you plan to sell, and attach prices with removable stickers. Remember, garage sales are supposed to be bargains, so try to be objective as you set prices. Assign simple prices to your goods: 50 cents, 3 for $1, $5, $10, etc.

7. If it’s really junk, don’t sell it. Decide what’s worth selling and what’s not. If it’s really garbage, then throw it away. Broken appliances, for example, should be tossed. (Know where a nearby electrical outlet is, in case a customer wants to make sure something works.)

8. Check for mistakes. Make sure that items you want to keep don’t accidentally end up in the garage sale pile.

9. Create an organized display. Lay out your items by category, and display neatly so customers don’t have to dig through boxes.

10. Stock up on bags and newspapers. People who buy many small items will appreciate a bag to carry their goods. Newspapers are handy for wrapping fragile items.

11. Manage your money. Make a trip to the bank to get ample change for your cashbox. Throughout the sale, keep a close eye on your cash; never leave the cashbox unattended. It’s smart to have one person who manages the money throughout the day, keeping a tally of what was purchased and for how much. Keep a calculator nearby.

12. Prepare for your home sale. Donate the remaining stuff or sell it to a resale shop. Now that all of your clutter is cleared out, it’s time to focus on preparing your house for a successful sale!

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!
Constantine Isslamow
Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager
Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.
Independently Owned and Operated
Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn
CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Low-Cost Ways to Spruce Up Your Home’s Exterior

Make your home more appealing for yourself and potential buyers with these quick and easy tips:

1. Trim bushes so they don’t block windows or architectural details.

2. Mow your lawn, and turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes before the showing to make the lawn sparkle.

3. Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch.

4. Install new doorknobs on your front door.

5. Repair any cracks in the driveway.

6. Edge the grass around walkways and trees.

7. Keep your garden tools and hoses out of sight.

8. Clear toys from the lawn.

9. Buy a new mailbox.

10. Upgrade your outside lighting.

11. Buy a new doormat for the outside of your front door.

12. Clean your windows, inside and outside.

13. Polish or replace your house numbers.

14. Place a seasonal wreath on your door.


It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!
Constantine Isslamow
Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager
Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.
Independently Owned and Operated
Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn
CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Simple Tips for Better Home Showings


1. Remove clutter and clear off counters
. Throw out stacks of newspapers and magazines and stow away most of your small decorative items. Put excess furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too.

2. Wash your windows and screens. This will help get more light into the interior of the home.

3. Keep everything extra clean. A clean house will make a strong first impression and send a message to buyers that the home has been well-cared for. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, mop and wax floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and address numbers. It’s worth hiring a cleaning service if you can afford it.

4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odours, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows to air out the house. Potpourri or scented candles will help.

5. Brighten your rooms.
Put higher wattage bulbs in light fixtures to brighten up rooms and basements. Replace any burned-out bulbs in closets. Clean the walls, or better yet, brush on a fresh coat of neutral color paint.

6. Don’t disregard minor repairs. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well-maintained.

7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the bushes, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters. For added curb appeal, place a pot of bright flowers near the entryway.

8. Patch holes. Repair any holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9. Add a touch of color in the living room. A coloured afghan or throw on the couch will jazz up a dull room. Buy new accent pillows for the sofa.

10. Buy a flowering plant and put it near a window you pass by frequently.

11. Make centerpieces for your tables. Use brightly coloured fruit or flowers.

12. Set the scene. Set the table with fancy dishes and candles, and create other vignettes throughout the home to help buyers picture living there. For example, in the basement you might display a chess game in progress.

13. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light. Show off the view if you have one.

14. Accentuate the fireplace.
Lay fresh logs in the fireplace or put a basket of flowers there if it’s not in use.

15. Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away those old towels and toothbrushes. When buyers enter your bathroom, they should feel pampered. Add a new shower curtain, new towels, and fancy guest soaps. Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight.

16. Send your pets to a neighbour or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (ideally in the basement), and let the real estate practitioner know where they’ll be to eliminate surprises.

17. Lock up valuables, jewellery, and money. While a real estate salesperson will be on site during the showing or open house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all the time.

18. Leave the home. It’s usually best if the sellers are not at home. It’s awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!
Constantine Isslamow
Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager
Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.
Independently Owned and Operated
Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn
CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

12 Questions to Ask When Choosing Your REALTOR®

Make sure you choose a REALTOR® who will provide top-notch service and meet your unique needs.

1. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate — like many other professions — is mostly learned on the job.

2. What designations do you hold? Designations such as GRI and CRS®, which require that agents take additional, specialized real estate training, are held only by about one-quarter of real estate practitioners.

3. How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year? By asking this question, you’ll get a good idea of how much experience the practitioner has.

4. How many days did it take you to sell the average home? How did that compare to the overall market? The REALTOR® you interview should have these facts on hand, and be able to present market statistics from the local MLS to provide a comparison.

5. How close to the initial asking prices of the homes you sold were the final sale prices? This is one indication of how skilled the REALTOR® is at pricing homes and marketing to suitable buyers. Of course, other factors also may be at play, including an exceptionally hot or cool real estate market.

6. What types of specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my home? You don’t want someone who’s going to put a For Sale sign in the yard and hope for the best. Look for someone who has aggressive and innovative approaches, and knows how to market your property competitively on the Internet. Buyers today want information fast, so it’s important that your REALTOR® is responsive.

7. Will you represent me exclusively, or will you represent both the buyer and the seller in the transaction? While it’s usually legal to represent both parties in a transaction, it’s important to understand where the practitioner’s obligations lie. Your REALTOR® should explain his or her agency relationship to you and describe the rights of each party.

8. Can you recommend service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and help with other things I need done? Because REALTORS® are immersed in the industry, they’re wonderful resources as you seek lenders, home improvement companies, and other home service providers. Practitioners should generally recommend more than one provider and let you know if they have any special relationship with or receive compensation from any of the providers.

9. What type of support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you? Having resources such as in-house support staff, access to a real estate attorney, and assistance with technology can help an agent sell your home.

10. What’s your business philosophy? While there’s no right answer to this question, the response will help you assess what’s important to the agent and determine how closely the agent’s goals and business emphasis mesh with your own.

11. How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction? How frequently? Again, this is not a question with a correct answer, but how you judge the response will reflect your own desires. Do you want updates twice a week or do you prefer not to be bothered unless there’s a hot prospect? Do you prefer phone, e-mail, or a personal visit?

12. Could you please give me the names and phone numbers of your three most recent clients? Ask recent clients if they would work with this REALTOR® again. Find out whether they were pleased with the communication style, follow-up, and work ethic of the REALTOR®.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!
Constantine Isslamow
Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager
Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.
Independently Owned and Operated
Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn
CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

8 Reasons Why You Should Work With a REALTOR®

Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the Canadian Real Estate Association and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here are five reasons why it pays to work with a REALTOR®.

1. Navigate a complicated process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multipage settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.

2. Information and opinions. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide objective information about each property. A professional will be able to help you answer these two important questions: Will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

3. Help finding the best property out there. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your REALTOR® to find all available properties.

4. Negotiating skills. There are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings, or equipment. In addition, the purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5. Property marketing power. Real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally pre-screen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

6. Someone who speaks the language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry and knows the real estate language.

7. Experience. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. Even if you have done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS®, on the other hand, handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their career. Having an expert on your side is critical.

8. Objective voice. A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security — it’s not just four walls and a roof. Because of this, home buying and selling can be an emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll every make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues most important to you.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!
Constantine Isslamow
Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager
Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.
Independently Owned and Operated
Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn
CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Existing home sales rise in US, but values still down

As inventories continue to decline in the US, existing home sales jumped 10.1 per cent to a seasonally adjusted rate of 6.1 million units in October, from 5.54 million in September, according to the National Association of Real Estate. The figures easily beat predictions earlier from a Thomson Reuters poll of economists predicting home sales would increase just 1.4 per cent.

"The first-time homebuyer tax credit clearly was a motivating factor and an effective market stimulus to reduce inventories and help stabilize prices," says Mike Onorato, president of the Illinois Association of Realtors, which saw a 24.2 per cent increase in October home sales in that state.

Many real estate agents say the $8,000 tax credit for new homebuyer, which was set to expire on Nov. 30, pulled future buyers into the market earlier. If the tax credit had expired, the fear was the market would drop off in the winter and potentially beyond.

Hoping to stave that off, Congress renewed the credit earlier in November and broadened its reach to current homeowners as well. This latest move will expire on April 30, 2010. Current homeowners who have owned their homes for at least five years can now claim a tax credit of up to $6,500 for a home purchase.

Sales activity is at the highest pace since February 2007, when it hit 6.55 million.

"Many buyers have been rushing to beat the deadline for the first-time buyer tax credit that was scheduled to expire at the end of this month, and similarly robust sales may be occurring in November," says Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.

He says it is likely such a spike in October would result in a decline in December and early next year, however, before a possible surge in the spring or early summer.

Yun says an encouraging factor is the historically low interest rates, which were at the third lowest level on record dating back to 1971.

Meanwhile, despite the increase in buyers, prices were still down in the US.

The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $173,100 in October, down 7.1 per cent from October 2008. That could largely be due to distressed properties, which accounted for 30 per cent of sales in October.


It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Source: Mortgagebrokernews.ca

Open House Safety Tips

An open house can be a great sales tool, but it also exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people for the first time. Stay safe by practicing these guidelines.



* Call the local police department and ask them to have a squad care drive by during your open-house hours.

* Check your cell phone’s strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial. Carry an extra, fully charged cell phone battery.

* Determine several “escape” routes that you can use in case of an emergency. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.

* Turn on the lights and open the curtains. These are not only sound safety procedures, but also great marketing tactics.

* Make sure that if you were to escape by the back door, you could escape from the backyard. Frequently, high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools or hot tubs.

* When prospective buyers begin to arrive, jot down their car descriptions, license numbers and physical descriptions.

* When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don’t lead them. Say, for example, “The kitchen is on your left,” and gesture for them to go ahead of you.

* Notify a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don’t call, they are to notify the police immediately.

* Inform a neighbour that you will be showing the house and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.

Source: National Association of REALTORS® Safety Week kit

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

How to Get an Offer on Your Home

1. Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.

2. Prepare for visitors. Get your house market ready at least two weeks before you begin showing it.

3. Be flexible about showings. It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show at the spur of the moment. But the more amenable you can be about letting people see your home, the sooner you’ll find a buyer.

4. Anticipate the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable.

5. Don’t refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer, you should be prepared to at least consider lowering your asking price.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!
Constantine Isslamow
Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager
Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.
Independently Owned and Operated
Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn
CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Friday, November 20, 2009

Big 5 banks cut fixed mortgage rates

Posted fixed-rate mortgages at TD Bank, CIBC, Scotiabank, Bank of Montreal and Royal Bank have been cut this week, reflecting lower rates in the bond market.
Bank of Montreal was the first to announce its cuts on Wednesday while Scotiabank waited until Thursday afternoon, the last among the big banks. Laurentian Bank also lowered posted rates.

The largest percentage cuts were at Scotiabank and CIBC; however, these cuts kept all the lenders at close to the same rates. Across the board, five-year fixed rates were at 5.59 per cent and two-year fixed rates dropped to between 3.75 per cent and 3.95 per cent . Scotiabank and BMO also offered a five-year fixed closed special of 4.29 per cent.

Overall, when comparing the lowest ten-year fixed closed rate, BMO and TD have rates of 6.7 per cent, whereas CIBC is slightly higher at 6.80 per cent. Variable closed mortgage rates did not change.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!
Constantine Isslamow
Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager
Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.
Independently Owned and Operated
Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn
CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Choosing a REALTOR!

Reputation is a key factor in choosing a REALTOR!


The two reasons cited for choosing a REALTOR® in the 2009 NAR Home Buyers and Sellers Survey center around reputation. The first is the agent’s honesty and trustworthiness followed by overall reputation. Consumers are making decisions about their real estate professionals using the same types of measures we use to choose friends or other types of colleagues. It makes sense for REALTORS® to figure out a way to share these important elements with consumers in any way they can.


Real Estate Consumers Want Tools for Learning about REALTOR® Reputations On-line


Consumers are looking for better ways to choose their REALTOR® other than just referrals. They are looking for objective feedback from past customers to verify the quality level of service they will receive. Consumers in the current market are looking not only for quality service delivery, but also for marketing results. They want to see how successful the REALTOR® was at selling homes within a reasonable time frame.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Why use a mortgage broker?

CENTUM Mortgage Broker’s are independently trained professionals licensed to represent and provide you with the best advice for your mortgage and financing needs.

Centum Financial Inc. broker’s primary expertise is locating funding for mortgage financing. We know where the best rates can be found because we have the benefit of dealing with multiple lenders at one time. What's more, we have the knowledge required to present a proposal for financing to lenders in the best way possible to successfully obtain mortgage financing.

At Centum Financial Inc. we take great pride in the service we provide. We have a vested interest in satisfying your needs, since we rely on referrals and your repeat business.

CENTUM Mortgage Brokers represent you, our customer, not the lender.

Because CENTUM brokers are not employees of a lending institution, we are not limited in the products we can offer you. As your Broker, we seek out the best lender package to suit your specific situation, whether it’s with a Chartered Bank, Trust or Insurance Company.

With the wide assortment of options and features available to homebuyers today shopping around takes a lot of time and effort. The mortgage process within today's very competitive marketplace intimidates many Canadian homebuyers, so it pays to work with a CENTUM mortgage professional who will represent you and ensure that the mortgage you get is the one best suited to your needs. CENTUM mortgage brokers have access to the latest information from over 40 mortgage lending institutions and the negotiating power of Canada’s most influential mortgage brokerage. Let us help you find the best mortgage.

How CENTUM Mortgage Brokers Get Paid

CENTUM mortgage professionals are fairly compensated for arranging mortgage financing on your behalf. In most cases, their fee is paid by the lender.*

In order to attract your business, lending institutions must allocate a portion of their income to marketing and sales, but representatives working for these institutions have only one financial product to sell – their own. Lenders know you won’t do business with them unless you have had ample opportunity to shop and compare. Therefore, it is in their best interest to compensate mortgage brokers for helping you do exactly that.

*Situations exist where specific clients or properties do not meet conventional lender expectations. In these cases, a mortgage broker may attempt to find suitable financing through alternate sources. A fee, agreed upon in advance, may be charged directly to the client by a mortgage broker.


It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Did You Know Nar Survey Of Realtors 2009

Typical REALTOR has 10 years experience
REALTORS in the business for 16 or more years reported that 23% of their business originated with referrals from past clients
Typical REALTOR is affiliated with an office with median of 23 agents
25% of REALTORS have spent 11 or more years with their present firm
60% of REALTORS are female
Median age increased in one year from 52 to 54 years of age
Typical REALTOR is 54 year old white female who attended college and is a homeowner
72% of REALTORS are married
Less than 50% of those surveyed reported that real estate was their primary source of household income
Typical real estate agent has 7 years of experience
82% of REALTORS specialize in residential brokerage
75% of REALTORS use a laptop computer, digital camera, or cell phone daily
Technologies in declining use by REALTORS are non-smart cell phones and fax machines
Technologies in rising use are Smart phones, Instant Messaging, Texting, GPS, and Social Media websites
Email has superseded the phone as the most common means of communication between REALTOR and client
60% of REALTORS have a personal website
35% of REALTORS use Social Media sites regularly although over half those surveyed planned to use Social Media going forward
Only 7% of REALTORS actively blog
REALTORS with 16 years or more experience reported 50% or more of their business from past clients and referrals
44% reported receiving some business from Open Houses
Typical REALTOR received 4 leads from their website in 2008
REALTOR income of $74,000 for those 2 years or less in experience
Typical REALTOR reported working 40 hours a week in 2008


It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!,

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Source: 2009 NAR Member Profile Survey

The Future of Print Journalism

105 newspapers have been shuttered.

10,000 newspaper job have been lost

Print ad sales fell 30% in Q1 ‘09

23 of the top 25 newspapers reported circulation declines between 7% and 20%.

In 2008, 525 Magazines Overall Went Out of Business.

35% of American adult internet users have a profile on an online social network site. Four times as many as three years ago, but still much lower than the 65% of online American teens who use social networks.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!,

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Source: The Silicon Valley Insider July 4, 2009

Source: Media Finder.com Feb. 2009

Source: “Adults and Social Network Websites, “Pew Internet and American Life Project, January 14, 2009

Coaching Tips & Strategies #26

LISTING STRATEGIES (8)

The critical differences between Features and Benefits:

I hear it all the time, “We’re the best or I’m the best because we have the best this and the most advanced that” “So what?”

Features are not the piece that excites someone to take action, it’s the Benefit.

The consumer wants to know, “What is the benefit of working with you? “What’s in it for me?”

How do you verbalize the importance of staging?

(Example):

“Do you buy a drill because you want a drill or do you buy a drill because you want a hold?” The drill is the feature and the hole is the benefit.

What benefits do your tools and skills provide a customer or client? How do you verbalize, present and demonstrate the benefits of the features you have for a customer or client?

In your next tip, I will provide you with specific features and benefits that go with those features. Until then I wish you all continued success.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!,

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

3 Year Comparable on Mortgage Rates November 2009

Current Mortgage Rates - 1/3/5 Year Rates
Nov 2009
Nov 2008
Nov 2007

1 Year
3.80% 2009
6.35% 2008
7.20% 2007

3 Year
4.45% 2009
7.05% 2008
7.35% 2007

5 Year
5.84% 2009
7.20% 2008
7.39% 2007


Source: Bank of Canada

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

5 Ways to Increase Your Credit Rating

With mortgage markets still tight, it’s more important than ever to have a good credit score. Having a good score not only increases the odds of being approved for a mortgage, but it can also affect your rate, as the best interest rates are generally reserved for applicants with top credit scores.

Many consumers aren’t knowledgeable about their credit scores—or what impacts them. More importantly, they may not be aware of the many things they can do to improve their scores. Here are some tips that could help boost your score.

Get a copy of your credit report. Review it carefully to ensure that it’s correct. If you find an error, contact the creditor to have it corrected. You can request a free copy of your report at www.equifax.ca or www.transunion.ca
Pay your bills on time. This is probably one of the most important—and simple—things you can do to improve your credit score. Just pay your bills by their due date. Consider setting up automatic payments from your bank account to help you pay on time.
Pay down your credit cards. Paying off your credit cards or loans will help increase your score, but so will paying down your balances. Try to keep your balances below 30 percent of your credit limit.
Avoid closing unused credit cards. The older your credit history, the better. So keep your older cards, and use them periodically to keep the account active. Just be sure to pay your bill on time.
Check your credit limits. If your lender has reported a lower credit limit than you actually have, your score will be depressed. Once the information is corrected, your score should improve.
For more tips on improving your credit, or for a referral to a mortgage lender in your area, call or email me today.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

3 Questions to Ask at an Open House

These are the three most important questions to ask ALL buyers that you meet at an open house:


1. "How soon do you need to buy?"

2. "How long have you been looking?"

3. "If I hear of a home in this area, would you like to know about it?"

I hope you find this information useful. Thanks for stopping by.

Constantine Isslamow

Broker/Manager

Keep Swine Flu out of your Home

As the country is in the midst of battling H1N1, projecting your family and friends is top of mind for many.

Place disinfectant hand sanitizer in your living room, kitchen and washrooms when hosting an open house.

Carry individually packaged disinfectant wipes or travel sized sanitizer with you if you are visiting open houses.

Frequently wash your hands with soap.

When coughing or sneezing, you should cover your mouth and nose with tissue and immediately discard the tissues

avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth if they are in an area where someone is ill, and maintain a minimum distance of 2 metres (6 feet) away from people who are sick

Make masks available to visitors – the recommended type of mask, by the public health agency of Canada is the N95. (There is controversy over the use of the masks as if not handled properly, it can actually increase the possibility of infection – it is recommended prior to placing a mask on that hand sanitization takes place – a mask can only be used once; and has a life of a maximum of 6 hours of continuous use)

Showcase21, an exclusive feature found on www.goldpost.com, displays 21 HD quality photos of listings. These photos will give you a good first look so you can determine whether a personal open house visit is worthwhile; saving you time and decreasing your chances of being exposed to germs and viruses.

The symptoms of H1N1 are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue – a significant number of people also report diarrhoea and vomiting.
Lastly, don’t let flu stop you from finding your dream home. Start online from goldpost.com


It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Getting your Home Ready for Winter

Winter is stomping its way across the country and will soon be on your doorstep! (If you live in Manitoba or Saskatchewan, this warning is a little late!)

Here are some tips to "winter-proofing" your home - or, at least, ways to keep the season from doing serious damage.

Furnace Inspection

Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace.
Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.
Consider turning on your furnace to make sure it works before you really need it. You may briefly notice a burning smell, don't panic right away; this is usually some of the dust in the ducts and radiators being burnt off by the first blast of heat.
Check Exterior of your Home

Check your driveway (if paved) for any cracks that may have developed over the summer. Seal them now, or water will get into them and freeze, making them bigger and more costly to fix in the Spring .
Bring in your lawn/deck furniture and barbeque, or cover them with tarps, tied down, so there is less chance of rust.
Seal Doors, Windows

Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes, and seal them. Cracks could expand and cause more damage in the spring when things start to thaw, and the spring rains come, resulting in a lot of leaking.
Use weather stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows, tightly. Take a putty knife and remove the old caulking.
If you have an older home, you might want to consider putting plastic up to hold the heat in a little better.
Storm windows can make a huge difference far as both comfort and energy savings are concerned.
Inspect Roof, Gutters, Downspouts

Replace worn roof shingles or tiles; nail down loose shingles. Ice or snow getting under the shingles can cause a lot of damage to your roof.
Next time you have a heavy rain, go outside and check to see how the water flows in the gutters. If they're over flowing, chances are they need to be cleaned out of the falling fall leaves or they need to be replaced with larger gutters.
Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work.
Prevent Plumbing Freeze

Turn off the water supply to ALL outside water taps and drain the hoses (bring hoses indoors)
Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
Locate your water main, in the event you need to shut it off in a wintertime emergency.
Prepare your Yard

Take the time to trim your trees and shrubs and cover the little ones with burlap so the weight of the snow doesn't break their branches.
Spread some bark much in your gardens to help your perennials get through the winter months.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Monday, November 16, 2009

Should You Buy a New or Existing Home?

Buyers have so many choices these days. But after narrowing down the location and selecting the type of home you want to purchase (single-family or condo), there’s one more decision to make: Should you buy a new home or an existing one?
The answer depends upon both your budget and lifestyle.

Open up your local newspaper on any given day, and you’re likely to see ads from builders touting concessions such as free closing costs, upgraded cabinets and floorings, or options thrown in that can be worth thousands of dollars. The ads are enticing, and bargains can be had. But purchasing a new home is a major investment in time, as well as money. You’ll have to start decorating from square one, with paint and window treatments. You may need to install carpet. And if you’re looking for lush landscaping, you’ll have to wait for newly-planted foliage to grow in.
In addition, many new-home subdivisions are located on the outskirts of metropolitan areas, so be prepared to drive to jobs, schools and shopping.

Bargains on existing homes are available in many markets as well. An existing home that fits your tastes can save you time and money. There may be no need to purchase window treatments. The landscaping will be mature. And the costs of an existing home—such as utilities and taxes—are well established and easily known, while the real monthly costs on a new home are yet to be established.

Also, BC and Ontario residents should keep in mind that newly constructed homes prices will be affected once the HST takes effect on July 1, 2010. To understand how this new tax will change your total costs or to find your perfect new home, contact me today!

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Is Social Media a fad?

Or is it the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution? We are definitely in the Generation Now and you have to be oblivious to believe that Social Media is not the new precedent in marketing. The powers of Social Media below…enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8&feature=fvst


It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!,

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Rapport Building?

Build Rapport around FORD: Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams—it’s a great way to break the tension.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Twitter passes 5 Billonth Tweet

Twitter passed the one billion tweet mark back in November of last year. It took them less than a year to quintuple that figure: according to Gigatweet, Twitter has now passed the 5 billion tweet mark. Wow.

CNet reports that the 5 billionth tweet was delivered by one of Twitter’s() initial loyal users, which seems fitting. Robin Sloan’s famed 5 billionth tweet read simply, “Oh lord.” It was apparently an unintentional, yet appropriate, religious moment.

Placing this milestone on the Twitter timeline makes the 5 billionth tweet appear all the more impressive, considering the service was only up to 1.6 billion at the end of April this year. That means about 3.4 billion tweets have been sent in about the past 6 months. Again, there’s a word for that: wow.

Have you managed to tweet any Twitter milestones? What’s your bet on how long it will take Twitter to pass the 10 billion tweet mark?

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!,

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Coaching Tips & Strategies #38

LISTING STRATEGIES (19)

Is it important that the seller retains what you are presenting to them in the listing presentation?

Of course it is.

Here are some statistics to keep in mind when you are going to a listing presentation.

What we retain after 3 days:

5% of what we hear
15% of what we see
65% of what we hear and see
What does this tell you about what’s important in your listing presentation.

Your final tip for the listing presentation is the definition of the best form of marketing.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

Blog / Website / Follow Me / LinkedIn

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Monday, November 9, 2009

Coaching Tips & Stragegies #36

LISTING STRATEGIES (17)

Step 13 of the listing presentation:

Close and get the listing signed.

At this point in the listing presentation you get to find out one thing, how good your listing presentation was.

If the seller stalls, or objects over commissions, there’s only one reason, you didn’t make a strong presentation or present enough value to cause them to take action and list with you.

Now what?

Go back and review all the features and benefits that you presented and ask them a simple question, “What part of my marketing plan do you feel won’t get you the maximum exposure to the greatest pool of buyers?”

Don’t go into your “But I’m the best” commentary. Go right to the truth. Truth lies in the value they see or don’t see in you.

Your next tip will be step 14 of the listing presentation, the last thing you do before you leave with the listing. Until then I wish you all continued success.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Coaching Tips & Strategies #37

LISTING STRATEGIES (18)

Step 14 of the listing presentation.

Explain to the seller what happens next, all the way through to closing.

Pretty simple in theory, but a time that you must use to make them aware of everything that goes on during the marketing and sale process; and everything you could think of that might not go right!

First, let’s focus on the initial steps of marketing the house. You will want to create a checklist to use that provides these steps. Here are some examples:

When does the sign go up?
When is the first ad submitted and where?
When will photography be completed?
When will the property go into REALTOR®.ca?
When will the key-box be installed?
How often you will communicate with them?
What happens when we get an offer?
The above is for guidance purposes only for the listing presentation. Develop your checklist that maps the steps you are going to take.

Examples of what could go wrong! “Why, you ask me, would I tell and of my sellers any of these examples?” “My answer would be, “What would they think if you didn’t tell them!!!”

We could get a buyer all the way up to escrow and they back out. It’s a possibility and we’ve seen it happen before!
We may see a low offer. That’s o.k., we don’t have to accept it. Counter!
Agents may leave a light on or a door unlocked after showing the property.
Your next tips are a couple final pieces to the puzzle of the listing presentation that you will find helpful. Until then I wish you all continued success.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Coaching Tips & Strategies #35

LISTING STRATEGIES (16)


Step 12 of the listing presentation.

Pricing Strategy.


Who sets the price of a home when you list it? The Seller! Don’t fall into the pricing trap. Here’s you pricing strategy conversation that will place responsibility back on the decision markers shoulders!



“Mr. and Mrs. Seller, as I shared with you earlier, my job is to take your home to market and test the market through my marketing efforts. Periodically I am going to deliver back to you the results of that test. I will provide you a current update of the marketplace and you will decide if we need to change our strategy. Mr. and Mrs. Seller, the market is the message and I am the messenger”



Will that get the decision of “price” right off your back?



Your next step will be step 13 of the listing presentation. Until then I wish you all continued success.



It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager


Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Coaching Tips & Stragegies #34

LISTING STRATEGIES (15)

So the seller wants their home on TV and that’s not a part of your marketing plan?

Remember, plain and simple, the listing presentation in not a sales process, it’s a consultative process and you are the professional.

Don’t manipulate, avoid and redirect during the listing presentation. Just tell the truth.

Be crystal clear in your marketing plan and convince the seller, that your plan is the most productive, results oriented marketing plan for their home. Believe in it!

“You motivate by the depths of your convictions, not the power of you logic!”

A simple principle to remember during the listing presentation: You can say whatever you want, but after you have taken the listing, you are held to what you represented to the seller.

The listing presentation is the relentless pursuit of the truth, not the process of selling, manipulating and handling objections.

Your next tip will be step 12 of the listing presentation. Until then I wish you all continued success.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Friday, November 6, 2009

Coaching Tips & Stragegies #33

LISTING STRATEGIES (14)

Steps 11 of the listing presentation.

Present your value proposition based on the expectations of the seller:

The seller has told you what is important to them and what their expectations are of a real estate Sales Representative / Broker.

Now it’s time to verbalize your value proposition. There are two critical areas to focus your presentation, maximum exposure of their home and your skills.

Maximum Exposure: Start by going right down the list of each of their expectations. Clearly articulate the features and benefits that you offer for the specific want or need of the seller until you gain agreement. Your final questions before you move to the next expectation, “Would you agree that this will get your home the maximum exposure to the biggest pool of buyers?” What if they have expectations of you that are not a part of your marketing program?

Skills: What are the skills that you bring to the business relationship?

Marketing Expertise
Market Knowledge
Negotiating Skills
Home enhancement Skills
Communicate the benefits of your skills very clearly and gain approval for the seller before moving forward.

You have now verbalized your value proposition and have agreement with the seller. But, what about expectations the seller has that aren’t included in your marketing plan?

Your next tip will explain this in step 12 of the listing presentation. Until then I wish you all continued success.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!,

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391

Thursday, November 5, 2009

12 Tips to Slash Your Energy Bill.

Utility bills seem to get higher and higher every year. But you can save energy-and money-with these tips to make your home more energy-efficient.

Get a home energy survey from your local utility. Many will do a free analysis of your home and provide specific ways to save money on your utility bill.

Replace old furnaces and air conditioners with newer ones that are more energy efficient.

Install programmable thermostats.

Swap light bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs bearing the Energy Star label.

Air dry dishes.

Turn off lights and ceiling fans when you leave a room.

Turn off computers and TVs when they are not being used.

Plug home electronic devices into power strips, and turn them off when the equipment is not being used. These devices often have a "standby" mode that uses power even when they are off.

Install a low-flow head on your shower. Opt for showers, not baths.

Only run the washer or dishwasher with full loads.

Purchase appliances that have the Energy Star label.

These tips can help you lower your energy use up to 25 percent! That will not only save you money now, but reduced utility bills could also help you command a higher price for your home when you sell.

If you are thinking of selling your home, talk to one of our Sales Representatives/Brokers today! It would be their pleasure to help you onto the path to your dream home.

It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!,

Constantine Isslamow

Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager

Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21

CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Brokerage License #: 10642 Constantine Isslamow License#: M08005391