Local agents know their towns better than anyone else

Local agents know their towns better than anyone else. We firmly believe that using a local Realtor® is in your best interests and in this post we will give you reasons why local is the only way to go.

1. Superior Market Knowledge - A good local agent knows the inventory inside and out and will be able to more easily pick out homes that are a good fit for you.

2. They Know The Schools - A local agent will have personal experience with the school system and be able to share valuable information with you.

3. Neighbourhood Experts - A local agent not only knows all the specific neighbourhoods, but often has friends and clients in each one that can be made available to you if needed. Our clients always appreciate hearing from people who live in the neighborhoods in which they are considering.

4. Strong Relationships With Other Agents - A good local agent will network with other local agents to get information that you will never find on line. We will know about homes that may be coming on the market in the future or learn about a seller who has suddenly become "highly motivated" and is open to offers.

5. In The Know - Real estate gossip gets discussed in small circles in every community, like at PTA meetings and at the local softball field. While most agents will never learn this "insider information", a local agent hears these things and will share them with their clients.

LOCAL IS SAFER

If you are ever looking to buy or sell a home, remember that a real estate transaction is very complicated, involving a lot of money and risk। A local agent is always the safest choice.

It’s Your Career – I’m Here to Support YOU!
Constantine Isslamow | Broker of Record

CENTURY 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage
387 George Street South, P.O. Box 178
Peterborough Ontario. K9J 6Y8
Direct Line: 705.743.4444 | Fax: 705-743.3702
Constantine.Isslamow@gmail.com
www.ConstantineIsslamow.com

Buyers Agent or Multiple Representation?

Q: Why should I work with one agent when buying a home? Isn’t it better to keep my options open by having multiple agents send me information about available homes?

A: Loyalty is a two-way street. A good agent will bend over backwards for his or her client, as long as the agent knows that the client won’t defect to another agent once the perfect home is found. When a great listing comes on the market, who do you think the Realtor will call first, a client who is working exclusively with this Realtor, or someone who told the agent “call me if you find something interesting” and is juggling several Realtors at once? You’ve guessed it; the loyal client gets the first call.

Choosing a Buyer’s Agent to work with exclusively benefits both of you. You get a professional who is obligated to find you the home you’ll fall in love with, answer any questions or unknowns about the process, negotiate on your behalf, take care of all the paperwork, and look out for your (not the seller’s!) best interests. The agent gets the peace of mind of knowing that after working hard to find you your dream home, he or she will get paid. That sounds pretty fair, doesn’t it? And since the seller, not the buyer, pays the agent, it is hard to understand why any buyer would not want to have a dedicated Buyer’s Agent at his side.

It’s Your Career – I’m Here to Support YOU!
Constantine Isslamow | Broker of Record

CENTURY 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage
387 George Street South, P.O. Box 178
Peterborough Ontario. K9J 6Y8
Direct Line: 705।743.4444 | Fax: 705-743.3702 | E-Mail:
Constantine.Isslamow@century21.ca
www.ConstantineIsslamow.com

first time buyers to seek smaller spaces

High home prices are putting pressure on many first time buyers to seek smaller spaces to save on monthly mortgage payments.

Not all small spaces are created equal; it is important to define your lifestyle needs in addition to square footage when determining monthly payments. What are some features of small spaces that can help to reduce your monthly housing expenses?

The 2011 AVID Design Driver survey is a popular annual report on trends in home buyer preferences, geared towards the building industry. Key findings in this report also offer insight into how home buyers can save money and maximize use of space.

Here are four desirable housing features mentioned in the report that could improve your bottom line simply by design.

Energy Efficiency

High fuel and utility costs can shrink your disposable income. Energy efficiency in heating, cooling and household appliances is increasingly becoming a crucial home design feature. Buying a condo or apartment that is built for utmost energy-efficiency is not only good for the environment: it’s good for your pocketbook.

Functional and Space-Saving Design

First time buyers are increasingly squeezed by the price per square foot of homes, especially in urban centres. But some designers do a great job of making the most of smaller spaces and leaving nothing to waste. A home that makes every inch of space functional for work, rest and entertainment can give you the feel of a larger home for less money.

Entertainment-Friendly Kitchen

Whatever the size of the space, a well-designed, large and open kitchen is a perennial standout for home buyers. An attractive kitchen space will likely encourage you to eat and socialize more at home instead of draining disposable income by dining out. It's also a good resale investment.

Convenient Location

Residential buildings located close to bike and walking routes, shopping and work hubs encourage you to leave your car at home, which can help you to save thousands of dollars annually on vehicle maintenance expenses and fuel costs.

A potentially costly mistake to avoid as a first time home buyer is to rush in to a purchase without first considering your lifestyle, existing monthly expenses and debts, as well as personal plans for the future. Don’t be swayed by attractive selling features that don’t suit your needs or are beyond your affordability ceiling.

It’s Your Career – I’m Here to Support YOU!

Constantine Isslamow | Broker of Record

CENTURY 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage
387 George Street South, P.O. Box 178
Peterborough Ontario. K9J 6Y8
Direct Line: 705.743.4444 | Fax: 705-743.3702 | E-Mail: Constantine.Isslamow@century21.ca
www.ConstantineIsslamow.com