Having decided Canada would not face the same scenario in the real estate market as the United States there was still speculation late last year about supposed free-falling property prices, fuelled by market trends in British Columbia and Alberta where rapid price increases and speculation had been prevalent. Based on current statistics there is now an emerging body of evidence that the Southern Central Ontario real estate marketplace is seeing what is best described as a “market adjustment” resulting in a soft landing and not the crash that much of the media projected.

In our local area, residential resale activity for June is up on the same month last year. In Oakville, by 18% and the ever
expanding Milton by 34%. Current data would suggest little movement up or down in average sales prices with Oakville
down 1% and Milton up 2% on last June.

The median sale price. which is the midpoint of all sales, in Oakville for the first six months of this year is $418,000 down
just 2% from the same period last year and in Milton at $325,000 is down only 1%. With the number of new listings also down, year to date and June statistics showing signs of pent up demand resulting in higher sales we could be moving back to a sellers market. Many of the economical problems facing home buyers today have been offset by lower mortgage rates and a stable market place.

There are signs that we may be recovering from the first recession since 1992. Buyers, Sellers and REALTORS® will certainly find this scenario much less stressful.Taking the stress out of buying and selling is our day to dayactivity.

If you are considering either buying or selling now could be one of the best times to be reviewing your options while the market is stable. Preparation is a key part of the process. So why not give me a call or contact me by e-mail at info@valeriepeebles.com. I would love to hear from you.

I apologize for not making a post to wish everyone a Happy Earth Day yesterday, I feel bad because I really love the idea of having Earth Day and recognizing how lucky we are. To make up for tardiness on the well wishes for Earth Day I have posted this video for you to have a laugh at.

It made me laugh because  as I am sure you know the real estate industry is competitive, everyone knows there are so many agents out there doing the same old, and there are some that try to be a little different and express themselves through different mediums like their business card, and marketing material which I am completely guilty of.

This video is an extreme take on making a statement with your business card, for those of you who have a business card you may want to think to yourself....what do you do guaranteed? LOL

Have a great day everyone and of course if you ever need any information with regards to real estate, or are thinking about buying or selling I would love to be the Realtor you call.

There are many reasons why selling your home first is a good idea, the sale amount lets you determine the type of budget you are working with as well as it may help pre-qualify you for the loan on your next home purchase.

The most important benefit in my opinion is, when you current home is already sold, you are free to find a new perfect home and place an unconditional offer on it. Offers without 'conditional upon the sale of your home' clauses tend to be considered more seriously by Sellers, because they know that if they reject your offer you may go elsewhere.

To read Peter Tulloch's President of the OMDREB in depth article about this topic, that directly pertains to the Oakville market click the following link;

http://www.omdreb.on.ca/News/Files/REboard5x120may14OAK.pdf

Thorough research and a little hard work has already proven to go a long way.

I even went as far as to drop off feature booklets at the local interior design shops, and boutiques where my sellers bought most of their home decor. Placing feature booklets with like minded people who have similar home decor tastes was my thought, particularly for this home, which was decorated to the 9's in country chic. The amount of effort and quality decor touches that were made to the home, show an extreme pride of ownership and care for the property. That is crucial to look for in a home, regardless of decor style, focus on how well the home has been taken care of and you can sometimes see that in the decor.

And yes it is sometimes hard to see past a homes decor bad or good. Realize that esthetic taste is not permanent it can very easily be changed with a couple of cans of paint, and your own furniture. So next open house you attend try to focus on the structure of the home and how it could work for you in your life. At the end of the day you are buying the home for its functionality not the decor.

With results like this I am off to a great start, and looking forward to more happy clients and successful sales in Milton.