How great is this!?!

What a wonderful evening was shared by REALTORS® and Staff at the beautiful Quail’s Gate Winery on Boucherie last night.  Some people don’t appreciate or follow the award standings of their  REALTORS®.  Others do very much.


From our point of view – as independent contractors – REALTORS® are effectively in charge of their own business model and career success.  I believe that acknowledging them for the dedication to their profession is a very good thing.  Just like any profession or service providers you come across in your daily activities – there are some that meet your needs better than others.  At Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty – we are blessed with the ones that rise above the industry standard of care and production.  


What that translates to you – the public – is that you can rest easy when you have the benefit of a Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty REALTOR® working with you on your purchase or sale.  The Ultimate Service

® 

program embraced by our licensees is exactly that – a measurement of the top quality service they provide during a very important time of your lives – moving.  What makes this measurement even more valuable is that the results and award winners are acknowledged because of direct feedback the BRAND gets from you – the clients.  You tell us constantly – that your Coldwell Banker  REALTOR®  was amazing, trustworthy, professional, kind, knowledgeable...... the list goes on.  

Thank you from all of us for your kind remarks and feed back – and Thank you for your continued loyalty and trust.

2011 Ultimate Service® Winners are:

Gary August, Malcolm Bellinger, Allyn Bentz, Ellen Churchill, Leigh Bjornson, Renate Boucher, Marlene Braun, Jennifer Bregolisse, Jaime Briggs, Paige Guernsey, Cecile Guibault, Jane Hoffman, Tracy Lang, Gary Loverin, John Mandoli, Murray Neuman, Roma Niessen, Darcy Nyrose, Blake Roberts, Barret Watson, Ian Watson, Jennifer Williamson

                  

Jane Hoffman Group – #1 Coldwell Banker® team in Canada and #1 team in British Columbia and in the top 10 teams in Canada for total units.

After more than two decades of landmark achievements, Jane Hoffman has firmly established herself as the Okanagan’s most respected and prolific lakefront real estate specialist. Jane has leveraged this experience in leading and inspiring the real estate sales and marketing professionals of Coldwell Banker Jane Hoffman Group.

Cecile Guilbault earned the #1 sales associate award for British Columbia. 

Since 1995, Cecile's been pursuing her own dreams of living in the Okanagan and all the great opportunities it has to offer. When it comes to buying or selling property in this unique area her pride, love and appreciation for living here is reflected in her caring and personalized service.

Commercial Property Manager Shirley Mehus - earned the commercial awards -  Bronze Circle of Distinction & Top Commercial Professional in British Columbia

International Production Designations are important for the REALTORS® as it shows them how their efforts measure up to the International 85,000 Coldwell Banker® sales associates.

Canadian Associate Individual - top 30% in Canada:

Charlene Bertrand   Brian Gatzke             Bill Raine

Al Boyle                      Gary Loverin              Walt Reglin

Mark Boppre              Richard Paterson

Cathy Cherka            Marnie Perrier

International Sterling Society Individual - top 20% of all sales associates in North America

Allyn Bentz             Karen Guy                 John Mandoli

Ellen Churchill       Steven Hampton      Hugh Mervyn

Paige Guernsey     Bonnie Hunter

International Diamond Society Individual - top 15% of all sales associates in North America

Renee Boucher

Murray Neuman

Roma Niessen

International President's Circle Individual - top 8% of all sales associates in North America

Jaime Briggs has been recognized as our #2 producing individual sales associate in the Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty franchise.

International President's Elite Individual - top 3% of all sales associates in North America

Cecile Guilbault 

has been recognized as our #1 producing individual sales associate in the Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty franchise.

International Sterling Society Team - top 30% of all teams in North America

August & Bregolisse - Gary August and Jennifer Bregolisse

Roberts & Braun - Marlene Braun and Blake Roberts

International Diamond Society Team - top 21% of all teams in North America

Dusik, Bjornson & Lang - Greg Dusik, Leigh Bjornson, Tracy Lang and Katherine Dusik

Watson Brothers - Ian Watson and Barret Watson

International President's Circle Team - top 13% of all teams in North America

Nyrose & Associates - Darcy Nyrose, Jennifer Williamson, Dave Sutherland, Dave Sargent, and Jason Koverchuk

In the top ten teams for Canada for total units.

International President's Premier Team - top 2% of all teams in   North America

Jane Hoffman Group - Jane Hoffman, Kristy Huber, Carole Ceron, Lora Proskiw, Dean Simonelli, and Sherrin Stewart

Chairman’s Circle - Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty

John Geha, Coldwell Banker Canada Operations ULC President stated today: “I am very pleased and Proud to have a company of the quality of Coldwell banker Horizon Realty in our network.  For the 10th year they have qualified for the very prestigious award of being recognized as a Chairman’s Circle company within the Coldwell Banker® Brand of Affiliates – which puts them in the Top 1% of Brokerages – Globally! 

This quality is not just reflected in the ownership – it starts with the Sales Representatives, the Management and the staff. A combination of people, professionalism and service are some of the many factors that make a Chairman’s Circle company ...and on top of that – they have qualified for the 15 year as an Ultimate Service® Company – an accolade we are all most proud of as that comes direct from the consumer.  I was very pleased to present these awards and share in the evening with them last night.”

When the going gets "Tough"...just call me.

Susan Tough

Wanna trade?? - My bike for your……..house?

Coming through the adjustment to the market we have been experiencing these last months has brought some ingenuity and creative ideas to Sellers, Buyers and their REALTORS®.


Moving is something you may want to do but what if you can’t get your money out of your house?  


A Common question! 

Common justification that REALTORS® will make is, “Even though you may not get what you want, Mr. and Mrs. Seller, you are also buying into the same market and can very likely save an amount on your purchase, similar to or greater than the amount you believe you are losing by selling right now.”


Good logic actually.  It makes even more sense for those Sellers who are ready to buy ‘more’ house than they currently have.  Commonly, the higher priced the property – the more adjustment seen to their market price.  The higher end of the market sees less activity simply because there are fewer Buyers, which results in excess inventory (IE., more competition). Buying ‘up’ in the market helps a seller recover the price adjustment they feel they are making to sell because they can benefit from the larger price adjustment in the higher market.  Buying ‘down’ in the market can still lighten the blow for the high end Seller as a Buyer’s Market will provide a break on price regardless of what price point you are shopping in.


Here’s an idea:  I’m now an empty nester and don’t need as much space, plus I want to move a little closer to stores, doctor, day to day conveniences’.  My house is perfect for that young couple who has saved from working two jobs over the last years, is now starting a family, needs a yard, a basement, a double car garage for bikes and things.  That young couple, with the first or second child on the way, or teenagers that want more privacy, and the second car to get to school, hockey, dance, must be feeling a little cramped in that lovely little home they started out with a few years back.  



LET’S TRADE? !               


A very practical idea many good REALTORS® will bring forward to their clients.


Through networking with their colleagues and using the Trade book at the office and the website that is available to our Coldwell Banker Realtors, we have seen many successful negotiations go this way.


You don’t have to find something of the same value – one of you does have to pay the difference .  
Your Mortgage Broker can help you work through financial details.  Often save you fees if you are simply rewriting your mortgage to increase for the different – no payout penalty, no lose of great interest rate.  It can depend on the type of mortgage you currently have but asking the questions of a Mortgage Broker that can negotiate for your benefit doesn’t cost you anything and will very likely save you.


Your REALTOR® will address all the necessary clauses in the contract that will allow you, and your trade partner, to do all the necessary research, inspections and qualifying that you need to do.  Just because they found you someone to trade with doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be sure about what you are getting.


 A smart REALTOR® will protect you from
 agreeing to sell your home before you are
 sure you want to buy the other one. 


“Subject to the Buyer and Seller entering into an unconditional offer to purchase (the other persons home address), on or before (date this the day after you have all done your homework).  This condition is for the sole benefit of BOTH the Buyer and the Seller.


Contractually, this allows you and the Buyer to do all your homework, be sure you can finance, check out the condition of the home, be certain on all the things you expect to be included, find a date that will work for both parties to move and THEN tell them you are ready to go firm –they in turn must do the same. With this Condition being for the benefit of both of you – you BOTH have to sign off and agree to move forward – together.  Otherwise one of you could have sold your house without the other party agreeing to sell theirs.  

Trades can work, and do work, very well – you need an experienced REALTOR® and Mortgage Broker to protect your position so things turn out they you intend them to.

HAPPY MOVING!

When the going gets "Tough"...just call me.

Susan Tough

New Year, New Home?

It’s officially 2012 so let me start by wishing you a Happy New Year.  In early January, many of us are planning and setting goals for everything we want to do and achieve in the year to come.

While many people think of spring as the prime time home buying season, the winter months often offer an even greater selection of inventory, and the opportunity to settle into the new home before warmer months arrive.  If buying a house is on your “to do” list this year, now is also the time to begin preparing.


I remember when I bought my home.  There were so many things to get in order– it was confusing to decide where to begin! So, even if you plan to buy in the spring, January is a good time to get ready. Here are some tips to help you get on track to reach your 2012 home buying resolution:

• Select a qualified and trusted real estate agent: At Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty, we have knowledgeable, trustworthy agents.  Agents that understand the valley’s market and can help you find all the information and resources you need to get started. Researching on your own is important, and using free on-line tools is a great way to start, but meeting with an agent will ensure you don’t miss any important steps along the way.  In fact, the next three tips were sourced from the great advice of our agents.
• Create your “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” list: Easier said than done, right?  But it’s next to impossible to find a first home with everything.  You’ll need to think about your lifestyle needs and prioritize the non-negotiable home accommodations, such as a bedroom for each family member, over items you may want, but not need, such as a large master suite. Everyone’s list is different, but knowing your “must-haves” in advance will help you stay focused.

• Determine your budget: Be realistic about what is affordable. An agent can help you find comparable home prices and hone in on approximately how much the payments will be.  You should also plan to get pre-approved for a mortgage. Here is a link to two very capable Mortgage Brokers that have come very highly recommended by our REALTORS® that have used their expertise in the past with very positive results.  Brenda Dilley (250-861-4663) and April Dunn (250-768-6833) with Mortgage Alliance Homeline Mortgage are available to you at any time and will work getting together with you around your work and family commitments. Doing this prior to house hunting will let you know how much money you qualify for, and how much you can afford. You’ll also be able to figure out which mortgage type is best for you. You have a lot of options you may not be aware of.
• Identify the perfect “location, location, location”: Everyone has heard this phrase before, and while the surrounding neighbourhood and home itself may improve over time, the physical location will remain the same. Determine in advance how close you would like to live to work, schools or extended family. A short commute to work, proximity to family or having easy access to highways and mass transit will often be items for your “must-haves” list.

• Other costs and questions:  I won’t repeat myself but I will encourage you to go back to my Blog of      September 8, 2011  and review the many questions a first time buyer can have.  Even though this may not be your first purchase or move – things change, regulations, costs and you can sometimes forget the small details that may have caused you grief during your previous transaction.  Be sure you know what possible taxes will now apply to you on a second or third purchase that didn't on your first. Government grants for update to heating and insulation can come and go and may be available to you if you find the need to shop in a lower price point and put a little ‘elbow grease’ and equity into your home.

Welcome to home ownership !  - Something to be very proud of and excited about.  Be sure you have an experienced, trusted REALTOR® by your side to maximize the knowledge and minimize the stress.

Happy New Year!

When the going gets "Tough"...just call me.

Susan Tough