Brampton real estate update

 So how did the Brampton real estate market do last year? How did it compare to the
years before?

As you can tell the spring market in 2010 was really busy but it really died off after the summer. It was still the busiest year in the past few years. I will keep you updated on 2011.
If you have a house to sell you can fill out the home evaluation form on the side and I will get back to you right away.

Eco friendly homes (How to)

As a first time home-owner you made sure that you were built an energy-efficient house. You promised yourself that your new home will be a testament to your efforts to minimize your carbon footprints. After building a green home you consciously see to it that you follow through by making it eco-friendly. Below are some pointers which can help you in maintaining a green home:

*Insulate roof and walls. Most homes lose heat through its walls and roofs. Insulating them would save you money.

*Buy new, energy-efficient light bulbs.  Energy-efficient light bulbs are easily available and not overly expensive. They consume five times less the energy being used by older bulbs.

*Unplug the power switch of any electronic appliance that is not being used. It has to be unplugged and not merely switched off. Switching appliances off put them on standby mode were power is still being used.

*Install an energy-efficient heating system. This might mean more money spent, but you get a government rebate for this.

*When doing the laundry, run the washing machine on a full load at low temperature. Also try to hang clothes outdoors to dry to avoid using the tumble drier. Tumble driers consume huge amounts of electricity. Canadian Tire or Home Hardware sells drying racks that could be set up the laundry room during the winter to save on electricity.

*Turn down your thermostat by one degree. It will still keep you warm, and minimize your energy consumption. Just make sure you’re comfortably bundled up.

*Make a habit of turning off the lights in areas that you don’t use.

*When boiling water in a kettle, don’t boil extra water because it is a waste of both time and energy. Instead, just boil the exact amount of water that you need.

*Learn to love vintage.  Buy second hand and help reduce resources and energy in making new products.  Check out E-bay, Kijiji and Craigslist the next time you need furniture.

*Draught-strip doors and windows to close air gaps. And then see the difference in your heating bills. Not only that, when you seal the house and you keep the heat inside which will be more comfortable.

*Use natural paint and oils to avoid breathing in chemicals. You also prevent toxic waste when you buy these products.

*Buy local produce. The next time you do your grocery shopping be aware of buying products grown in Ontario. You can also try the local farmer’s market. They run all year round in some communities, even during the winter. Do check them out.  Local produce do not have to be transported by trucks or planes from across the border/ or from other countries.  Both shipment methods use too much fuel.

*Recycle. Recycle plastics, paper, glass and metal. Use a compost bin for your food waste. It will do your garden good.

There are so many ways to make your home eco-friendly.  Most of the time, these methods are simple enough even for a child to practice. When you start  living an eco-friendly lifestyle you don’t only help the environment by minimizing your carbon footprints, but you also help your finances by saving on energy use.*

To look for Brampton houses for sale click here
To get full service when selling your Brampton home AND pay low real estate commissions click here.

Why do I need a real estate agent?

There are numerous reasons why you should hire a real estate agent. It’s a great idea actually. A real estate agent, who is a good negotiator, can cover his entire commission. This automatically eliminates the seller’s primary reason for not using a real estate agent – to save on commission.

Real estate agents are skilled negotiators and when you get a good negotiator chances are he will be able to cover his entire commission. Good negotiation skills are acquired through training and experience. Agents view transactions with rationality, and without emotional attachments. They look after their client’s interests. They can help negotiate price, inclusion or exclusion of repairs, financing, inspections and investigations, among others. There are a lot of negotiations taking place in selling and buying a house, and an agent is equipped with the right skills for this task.

A real estate agent will save you time. He has the educational background and experience needed for the job. You save your time on research, phone calls, and leg work.

He can help you set a price. Agents will help buyers and sellers set the right price for the property. He can provide you with market information, financing, and the terms and conditions of competing properties. This will help you sell your property at the best price.

He knows the neighborhood. He makes it his business to know the community. He knows where you can find information on utilities, zoning, schools, churches, fitness clubs, etc… He can provide you with information on population and social demographics. You will definitely want to know if the neighborhood is the right fit for you, and if the property will have a resale value should you want to sell it in the future.

He has an established network. A real estate agent networks with other professionals who provide services that you may need when you’re buying or selling a property. He can give you a list of references to help you find companies or people for the service. He also markets your property to other real estate agents and the public.

He is available to help after closing the sale. Sometimes, in the excitement of closing a sale things can get overlooked, and surface months after the sale has been finalized. An example would be mixed up invoices. Good agents will be available to help resolve these concerns, and won’t leave you in the dark to figure it out by yourself.

So when you are thinking of buying or selling your property, consider hiring a real estate agent. He will save you time, headaches and maybe, if he is a good negotiator – he can save you money.*