6764 East Parkway Dr. Lambton Shores

Amazing beach house on much sought after location in Ipperwash. Come experience the spectacular sunsets with the beach just out your front door. Highly desired Central Ipperwash beach Lakefront location. Properties like this are in high demand. Own a portion of one of the most beautiful beaches in Ontario.  Custom built 4 bedroom home. Perfect for large family entertaining. Gorgeous panoramic view of the lake in the open concept kitchen/dining/living room with screened in porch and wrap around decking. Detached double garage. Oversized bedrooms and bathrooms. Numerous closets/storage space. This naturalized .59 acre lot, property is owned to the waters edge. A special place of natural beauty for enjoying memorable times with family & friends. Asking $1,450,000.0. Call 519-673-8745 for more details or to book a showing.

297 Mitton St. N Sarnia Ont.

This home is beautifully updated with today’s comforts and yesterdays charm. Walk up the sidewalk and admire the walk out veranda for summer entertaining or watching the world go by. The wide paved drive leads to the a single detached garage/workshop. Open the gate to find a beautifully landscaped fenced yard with mature trees grade level entrance to the backyard.  Two storey 3 bedroom home freshly painted, original hardwood floors and California shutters throughout. Lovely upper level sunroom/reading room. Lower Level Laundry, Utility and very large family room. Home is  a short walk to Sarnia’s exciting downtown and famous waterfront and  ready for you to move right in and Enjoy!

6740 EAST PARKWAY “SOLD”

LOCATION! THIS IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME ON ONE OF IPPERWASH BEACH BEST LOCATIONS. RECENTLY SEVERED LOT WITH 85′ OF LAKEVIEW LIVING.  10 FT RIGHT OF WAY TO THE BEACH. MUNICIPAL WATER AT THE ROAD. ALL THE APPROVALS FROM MUNICIPALITY AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. TREED LOT. COME EXPERIENCE THE SPECTACULAR SUNSETS WITH THE BEACH JUST OUT YOUR FRONT DOOR. HIGHLY DESIRED CENTRAL IPPERWASH BEACH LAKEVIEW LOCATION. ASKING $399,999.

 

6742 East Parkway Dr. NOW SOLD

MUCH SOUGHT AFTER LOCATION IN IPPERWASH 1+ACRE  PRIVATE TREED LOT WITH 170 FEET OF LAKEFRONT. PROPERTIES LIKE THIS ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND RARELY COME ON THE MARKET. HERE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A PORTION OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH IN ONTARIO. SPECTACULAR SUNSET AND BEACH JUST OUT YOUR FRONT DOOR, IT DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN THIS. SOLID CUSTOM BUILT HOME. 5 BEDROOMS 2 BATHROOMS. THIS HOME WAS BUILT WITH FAMILY IN MIND. LARGE LIVING ROOM WITH SLIDING DOORS FOR EASY ACCESS TO THE FRONT DECK WHERE YOU CAN WITNESS THE BREATHTAKING VIEW. NEW WOOD BACK DECK .  MASTER BEDROOM ON MAIN FLOOR WITH ENSUITE.  LOWER LEVEL BOASTS 2 BEDROOMS AND UTILITY ROOM . DOUBLE GARAGE.  ITS’ TIME TO START MAKING THOSE TREASURED FAMILY MEMORIES.

 

5 Real Estate Trends That Will Dominate 2016

This year may have marked the best for housing since 2007, but the market will likely get even rosier in 2016, according to a recent real estate forecast by realtor.com®. One of the main drivers behind the brighter 2016 is the projection that employment will continue to grow, which will add to consumers’ wallets and allow them to purchase their first home or upgrade to a new one.

Realtor.com® highlights the following housing predictions for 2016:

1. ‘Normal’ is coming.

Expect a healthy growth in home sales and prices – at a slower pace than in 2015. “This slowdown is not an indication of a problem—it’s just a return to normalcy,” writes Jonathan Smoke, realtor.com®’s chief economist. “We’ve lived through 15 years of truly abnormal trends, and after working off the devastating effects of the housing bust, we’re finally seeing signs of more normal conditions.” New construction and distressed sales are expected to return to more historical levels, and home prices are expected to follow at “more normal rates consistent with a more balanced market.”

Read more: Alas, Inventory Shortages Likely to Stay in 2016

2. Generational buying trends shape up.

Young adults’ presence on the housing market has been largely predicted for years, but 2016 may finally be the year they make a move in a larger way. Millennials represented nearly 2 billion sales in 2015 – one-third of home buyers. They are expected to continue to be a major buying pool in 2016 with the majority of buyers between ages 25 and 34 expected to be first-time home buyers next year. But two other generations will also have a big presence in 2016: financially recovering GenXers and older baby boomers who are entering retirement, realtor.com® notes. “Since most of these people are already homeowners, they’ll play a double role, boosting the market as both sellers and buyers,” Smoke notes. “Gen Xers are in their prime earning years and thus able to relocate to better neighborhoods for their families. Older boomers are approaching (or already in) retirement and seeking to downsize and lock in a lower cost of living.”

3. New-home construction focuses more on affordability.

Builders have been faced with higher land costs, limited labor, and concerns about the demand of the entry-level market. As such, they have shifted to constructing more higher-priced homes, which has caused new-home prices to rise significantly faster than existing-home prices. In 2016, they likely will shift to more affordable product to cater to the entry-level buyers. “We are already seeing a decline in new-home prices for new contracts signed this fall,” notes Smoke. “In addition, credit access is improving enough to make the first-time buyer segment more attractive to builders.”

4. Higher mortgage rates.

Mortgage rates will likely be volatile in 2016. But the recent move by the Federal Reserve to guide interest rates higher should push mortgage rates higher in the new year than the historical lows they have been at for years. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will likely end 2016 about 60 basis points higher than today’s level. “That level of increase is manageable, as consumers will have multiple tactics to mitigate some of that increase,” Smoke says. “However, higher rates will drive monthly payments higher, and, along with that, debt-to-income ratios will also go higher.” The markets with the highest home prices will see the effects from the higher rates the most.

5. Rents to go up even higher.

Rental costs are skyrocketing, and the costs are likely to only go up in the new year. More than 85 percent of the nation’s markets have rents that exceed 30 percent of the income of renting households. “Rents are accelerating at a more rapid pace than home prices, which are moderating,” Smoke says. “Because of this, it is more affordable to buy in more than three-quarters of the U.S. However, for the majority of renting households, buying is not a near-term option due to poor household credit scores, limited savings, and lack of documentable stable income of the kind necessary to qualify for a mortgage today.”

Sold in less than a week!!!!! 155 King St. Thedford

HIGH TRAFFIC LOCATION WAREHOUSE. 29X44 STEEL CLAD BUILDING LOCATED ON A LARGE LOT WITH POTENTIAL PARKING LOT ON SIDE OF BUILDING. OFFICE, 2 PC BATH & STORAGE AREA. THIS BUILDING IS PERFECT FOR BUILDER, MECHANIC, WAREHOUSING, MANUFACTURER OR SIMPLY FOR EXTRA STORAGE. CONCRETE FLOORING, ROLL-UP INSULATED DOOR & SECURITY SYSTEM. THINKING OF EXPANDING OR STARTING A BUSINESS? THIS BUILDING HAS LOADS OF POTENTIAL.951159b

Owners got their wish it’s SOLD…… Huge Price Reduction now only $154,900 Furnished!!!!

Grace Dekker "Broker" Keller Williams Lifestyle Realty

Featured image9666 Maylard Ave in Ipperwash . Great Affordable Cottage DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BUY A FULLY FURNISHED COTTAGE OR HOME CLOSE TO IPPERWASH BEACH AND SURROUNDED BY NATURE. TWO BEDROOM ONE FLOOR HOME ATTACHED GARAGE AND STORAGE SHED. SLEEPS 6 COMFORTABLY. LARGE TREED LOT, WITH PATIO AND FENCED YARD. SEPTIC SYSTEM UPDATED WITH CONCRETE SEPTIC TANK AND TILE BEDS. UPDATES INCLUDE LAMINATE FLOORING, BATHROOM AND FRESH PAINT. LAUNDRY HOOK UP IN FOYER. THIS PROPERTY IS IN A GREAT LITTLE SUBDIVISION AND ONLY SHORT WALK TO IPPERWASH BEACH. FIREPIT WITH ANDIRONDACK FURNITURE, PATIO WITH COVERED GAZEBO, FURNITURE AND BBQ. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN INEXPENSIVE BUY IN TO COTTAGE COUNTRY THIS IS IT. QUICK CLOSING AVAILABLE!!!!!!

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These 10 Reasons Why She Loves Being A Realtor Couldn’t Have Been Summed Up Any Better

This article was published on April 5, 2013 by Amy Curtis and is being republished

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With the spring market underway, my days have been long…working from sun up to past sundown, each morning passing a quickly accumulating pile of laundry as I walk out the door, and coming home at the end of long days with my personal to do’s left undone. I’ve not been out with friends, or gone to the show in quite a long time. There’s an ebb and flow to working in real estate…this is a “flow” time of year. So for now at least, it seems that “work” is all I do.

And yet, I’m happy. I won’t go as far as to say, as the expression goes, find a job you love and you won’t work a day in your life. It’s work, but I do love my job.

Most people have long days, and work really really, hard and yet not everyone has a job they love, not everyone is lucky enough to be happy in their careers. I was just thinking about this the other day, when lo and behold, Forbes publishes an article that says real estate agents are among the happiest in their careers. Who would have guessed? You can check it out here:

Forbes: The Happiest and Unhappiest Jobs in America Work

 

The article sites a study that was done that “scored” a variety of factors that affect workplace happiness: one’s relationship with their boss and co-workers, work environment, compensation, growth opportunities, control over the work one does on a daily basis and others.

There’s truth in the “happiness” factors though they aren’t things I’ve “scored” or even conciously thought about. But because of the article, I have thought about it. Forbes and its study had their happiness factors, and I have mine. With maybe some overlap…here are the top 10 reasons I love my job.

1. People and their stories.

Everyone has a story, and each one fascinates me. It’s the people I meet, that I would otherwise not have known, and the life stories they share with me that I love, love, love the most about my job.

2. Each day it’s something new.

Sure there are regular tasks but every day brings a different combination of things. New people, new properties, new obstacles to get past…no two days are ever the same.

3. You never stop learning.

While it can be intimidating to not have an answer for everything, as someone that loves learning, my job provides a smorgashboard of things to learn. Market trends, new technologies, social media and the things that just pop up in every deal, means there’s always something to learn.

4. Real Estate Agents are a hoot…and I get to hang out with them everyday.

I think real estate agents get a bad rap. We’re mostly genuinely good people. While we may be in competition with one another we’re generally a pretty try to be helpful to one another bunch, we’re fun and funny…a real estate office is a great place to work. At least mine is.

5. A chance to do good.

Moving is high on the list of stressful things to do, so when I’m able to ease stress and burden for my clients and to help them get where they want to go, it feels good.

6. You can let your freedom flag fly.

There are laws to obey and rules to follow as a real estate agent but there’s also plenty or room to run your business as you like. I’m my own brand, so I’m free to be me.

7. You get to solve mysteries.

He likes newer construction, she’s drawn to vintage homes…what house will we find that they will agree on? It starts as a mystery, but you get to help solve it…and always do! Solving mysteries is one of the more fun things I do.

8.Outlet for Creativity

I’m not artistic, but I like that my job provides an outlet for creativity…brochures, choosing the right photos, listing verbage, writing a blog…they all sort of scratch the creative itch.

9. You won’t get fired or layed off.

Starting up, building business, surviving downturns…none of that comes easy…on the contrary…it’s really, really hard (at least it was/is for me). But if you can do it, you can make a decent living…and no one can take your job away. I like that.

10. I do love houses.

Any agent will admit, liking people and houses is not reason enough to do this job. Liking people and houses is only the tip of the iceberg! But with that said, I do love houses. Old houses and new houses, dated houses and rehabbed houses, big houses and small houses. I do love houses.

So…those are the top ten reasons this” happiest in their careers” agent loves her job. Would welcome hearing why you love yours…

5 Step for Staging your Home to Sell

Origin…..Steve and Chris CBC website May 9, 2015staging

1. Remove All Personality

Once you’ve made the decision to sell your home, it’s time to mentally detach yourself from it. You should operate under the mindset that the home is no longer yours. Therefore, remove all traces of yourself (e.g. family photos, personal collections) from the space and create a neutral palette that will be more universally appealing.

2. Declutter

A home for sale should be clean and clutter-free. Remove all visual traffic so that the home has a nice, light feeling to it. If prospective buyers see that everything in your home has its place, they will assume their things will fit as well and hopefully be more inclined to buy it!

3. Don’t Overdo it with Fragrance

Air fresheners are nice, but don’t go overboard! The last thing you want is for someone to have a negative reaction to your scent of choice and run out of the house gasping for air.

4. Sell it with Flowers

Fresh flowers instantly brighten any space. A few tasteful blooms in unexpected places, such as the powder room or on a console table, are always a nice touch.

5. Find Sitters for Your Pet

Many people have allergies to and/or a fear of animals. Do yourself — and your beloved pets — a favour and temporarily relocate them to a new home with a trusted friend or family member. If your home is priced properly and staged well, chances are it won’t be on the market for long, and you’ll be reunited with your furry friends in no time!

Great Business Opportunity in Thedford. “SOLD IN 3 DAYS”

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Here is a business opportunity for an extremely great price .Prime Commercial building Main St. location in the heart of Thedford. Currently being run as Thedford T. Price includes T- shirt printing equipment and inventory. Gas wall heater unit. Owner is selling due to health issues and is reflected in the price. Building could also be used for office space, retail store, barber shop or investment. Solid brick and block building across from local bank. High visibility and traffic. Turnkey. Don’t miss out on this deal! $39,900…..yes you are reading that right.