Joanna Gerber

You may be in your early 20’s perhaps you are a bit older with a young family. This is your time in life to get into the Real Estate market and get things going on the right track. This is the best time to buy your first home.

I remember my first time very well. In fact, it is one of my favorite memories. The most exciting time, the filling of pride and accomplishment. To be able to say good bye to my landlord and to start on a journey to financial freedoms.

At first I wasn’t even sure we could afford a home. I had absolutely no idea. Homeownership seamed so prestigious, not for me and my family… But then, one beautiful Autumn day we went for a drive and came across some Builder offices… We walked in, asked questions, looked at some home plans and... went back home with ideas in our heads!

Perhaps this was possible...

Two weeks later, after going through all the pros and cons, and finding our that a mortgage was well within our reach, we bought a house!

We were lucky to come into the game at the right moment. The conditions were perfect, a slow market was just picking up and the mortgage rates were low, the 5% down payment was also quite manageable, and so… just like that we were the homeowners!

Our monthly payments were almost the same as the rent that we were paying into someone else’s pockets…

Since that first home, that we bought 11 years ago with less than $10,000 of our own money… , there were 3 more with the last one being our dream home in the perfect country setting, custom build by my husband & me… And the best part is… we own that home!

No more mortgage! Hurray! Now, what can I do with that extra $$$... I will find a way to make it work for me, perhaps an investment property? (but that’s a different story)

So, you see, we leveraged our way up the Real Estate ladder using our biggest asset: each of our consecutive homes. You can do it too. And now is the time to look into the possibilities. You may be nicely surprised!

*If you would like me to tell you how this can be done, or if you need help getting on your way to a home ownership, please call me at 705-722-8191, I will guide you every step of the way.

Joanna Gerber

Sales Representative
HomeLife
Kempenfelt-Kelly
Realty Ltd. Brokerage*
284 Dunlop St. W.
Barrie, Ontario
L4N 1B9

(705)794-6482

O:705-722-8191
F:705-725-8232
TF: 1-877-722-8191

*Independently Owned and Operated

www.Selling-Barrie-Homes.com
joanna@selling-barrie-homes.com
MOWIE PO POLSKU

Fixer Upper Craze is here! In the wake of all the HGTV shows about "flipping houses" i.e. renovating and selling, Realtors find themselves with a renewed interest in such opportunities on part of their Clients.

Some of them understand what's involved in such endeavor and come to the table with realistic expectations; others look for imaginary homes that are supposedly listed at $100,000 in the market that sells a fixer upper for $200,000…

The second group is very reluctant to guidance from a Realtor, and yet we have to try to get them to where they should be realistically. If we let them stay in their dream world of "I can get it for a 100K", they will end up drastically disappointed and angry.

Their believes come from years of watching those "flip shows" most of which are filmed in US (where, let’s be honest, almost EVERYTHING is cheaper). Those House-Flip-Professionals-To-Be usually have no prior construction experience and are not design-savvy.

But there is always time to get them on the right track.

Ask the right questions to find out about their true plans

• Will this be the only residence they own?
• Will they be moving into the fixer upper?
  
• Do they plan on staying in the house for at least 1 year?
  
• Do they want to sell as soon as the house is ready?
  
• Do they want a fixer-upper to work on and with time create their dream home?
  

Find out about their true financial & technical abilities

• What is the true budget and what’s the reserve amount?
  
• Do they have any construction experience/skills?
  
• Do they have some idea about cost?
  
• Do they have access to skilled trades?
  
• Are they familiar with local Building Codes?
  
• Are they familiar with any City Regulations pertaining to renovation projects?
  
• Do they have access to building supplies at wholesale prices?
  
• Will they be doing a lot of the work themselves?
• Do they have access to City Engineers, Inspectors, Architects & Interior Designers/Decorators?

Explain Current Market Conditions, Projected Trends & other Important Aspects of House Flipping

• Flipping Houses is all about timing, math, & market conditions
  
• Buying at the right moment can mean a success or failure
  
• Buying in the right neighborhood
  
• Buying at the right price could mean a profit or loss
  
• Listing at the right time is as important
  
• Listing at the right price is crucial!
  
• Putting just enough money into property
  
• Restraining from going overboard!
  
• Being up to date with design and decor
  
• Knowing what people are looking for
  
• Being able to accept good advice
  
• Being able to accept a financial loss - there is no Guarantees here...
  
• Being able to afford a vacation after all is done...
  

Talk to them about what they should expect during their Flipping Project

• Things will most likely go not as planned
  
• The Budget will need to be revised numerous times
  
• Not all trades will work around your schedule
  
• Cost of supplies will go up.
  

Once you have this talk and everyone is still on-board and excited to proceed with the fixer upper purchase, have fun with it. There are homes out there suitable for such endevours, just waiting for the right person to come along.

*If you are considering a sale of your home, or looking to purchase one and would like some advice on how to proceed, please give me a call. I will be happy to provide you with a Free Market Analysis, and will be able to advise you on current Market conditions.

Joanna Gerber

Sales Representative
HomeLife
Kempenfelt-Kelly
Realty Ltd. Brokerage*
284 Dunlop St. W.
Barrie, Ontario
L4N 1B9

(705)794-6482

O:705-722-8191
F:705-725-8232
TF: 1-877-722-8191

*Independently Owned and Operated

www.Selling-Barrie-Homes.com
joanna@selling-barrie-homes.com
MOWIE PO POLSKU

To wiew this weeks Open House listings for Barrie, please visit www.Selling-Barrie-Homes.com.

Please note: Properties on this Open House page are listed by other Realtors. Link will take you to the MLS website, and you will be able to view the listings. This information is provided for your convenience. www.Selling-Barrie-Homes.com, it's publisher and owner do not take any responsibility for mistakes and omissions in the property information featured in the listings of other Sales Representatives.

*If you are considering a sale of your home, or looking to purchase one and would like some advice on how to proceed, please give me a call. I will be happy to provide you with a Free Market Analysis, and will be able to advise you on current Market conditions.

Joanna Gerber

Sales Representative
HomeLife
Kempenfelt-Kelly
Realty Ltd. Brokerage*
284 Dunlop St. W.
Barrie, Ontario
L4N 1B9

(705)794-6482

O:705-722-8191
F:705-725-8232
TF: 1-877-722-8191

*Independently Owned and Operated

www.Selling-Barrie-Homes.com
joanna@selling-barrie-homes.com
MOWIE PO POLSKU

You may think I'm crazy, but I am so excited to get back into "it" after two weeks away! I can hardly believe it myself!

I spent last couple of weeks on a road trip to Eastern Parts of Canada with my family and... no we did not strangle each other in the car by day three... we actually had a blast. I didn't realize how much we all needed this break.

This was a perfect reminder that family should come first. I know that some people may think this is a Cliché, but I learned that it is true those last 14 days.

You see I have two teenage boys who are on the brink of no longer wanting to do things with their parents... (I've been there not that long ago, and I know how it works) So planning this trip to PEI, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick I was a bit concerned about the possibility that my boys will hate every minute of it.

Boy was I wrong!

My family discovered the most beautiful part of Canada: The Cape Breton and each one of us felt and experienced the beauty of it in a different way. Conversations followed, and the best part came when, in the moment of blissful rest in a hotel God-knows-where, my younger son said: "Thanks mom for organizing this trip, it's fun!"

So now, rested and with fresh positive outlook, knowing that I did something great for myself and my family, I am very excited to get back to work. In fact, I can't wait!

I know.... I'm nuts!

Don't forget about your time off! It's the best thing you can do for you and your family!

...If you are considering a sale of your home, and would like some advice on how to proceed, please give me a call. I will be happy to provide you with a Free Market Analysis, and will be able to advise you on current Market conditions.

Joanna Gerber

Sales Representative
HomeLife
Kempenfelt-Kelly
Realty Ltd. Brokerage*
284 Dunlop St. W.
Barrie, Ontario
L4N 1B9

(705)794-6482

O:705-722-8191
F:705-725-8232
TF: 1-877-722-8191

*Independently Owned and Operated

www.Selling-Barrie-Homes.com
joanna@selling-barrie-homes.com
MOWIE PO POLSKU

The Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia & The Mariposa School of Skating presents the 19th Annual Mariposa Charity Gala.

Proceeds in support of the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation “Rotary House”

2008 MARIPOSA CHARITY FIGURE SKATING GALA

THURSDAY AUGUST 7, 2008 tickets on sale now at the Ticket Master

http://www.mariposagala.info

The Star Studded cast of this spectacular show includes:

Jeffrey Buttle – 3x Canadian Men’s Champion, 2008 World Champion

Jamie Sale & David Pelletier – 2002 Olympic Pair Champions

Marie France Dubreil & Patrice Lauzon –5x Senior Canadian Dance Champions , 2X World silver medalist

Michael Weiss – USA Senior Men’s Champion, Olympic & World competitor

Jennifer Robinson – 6X Canadian Champion, World & Olympic competitor

Yuko Sato – Senior Women’s Champion of Japan

Steve Cousins – 8x British Men’s Champion, 6th Worlds

Joannie Rochette – 4X Senior Women’s Champion of Canada

Sylvia Fonatana & John Zimmerman – USA competitors & Professional skaters

Chris Mabee – 2007 Canadian Men’s Silver Medallist

Anabelle Langlois & Cody Hay – 2008 Canadian Senior Pair Champions, 2008 8th World Pairs Championship

Lesley Hawker – 2x Senior Women’s Championship Bronze Medalist

Tugba Karademir – 2008 Turkish Champion, Olympic & World competitor

Kelsey McNeil – 2008 Junior Ladies Champion of Canada

Monica Pisotta & Michael Stewart – 2008 Junior Pairs Champions of Canada, 8th 2008 Junior World Pairs Championship

Karen Routhier & Eric Saucke-Lacelle – 2008 Silver Medalist Junior Dance of Canada, 2008 10th Junior World Dance Championship

Sophie Knippel & Andrew Britten – 2008 Bronze Medalist Junior Dance of Canada

Melissa Briggs – 2008 Novice Women’s Silver Medalsit of Canada Jackson Wood – 2008 Novice Men’s Champion of Canada

Maddison Bird & Raymond Schultz – 2008 Bronze Novice Pair Medalist of Canada

Alexandra Paul & Jason Cheperdak – 2008 Bronze Novice Dance Champions of Canada

Ice Men Male Synchronized Skating Team – performs for breast cancer research

*I'm involved with the Mariposa School of Skating through my son Peter, who together with his partner Baily are proud to be the members of 2008 Mariposa National Team

Joanna Gerber

Sales Representative
HomeLife
Kempenfelt-Kelly
Realty Ltd. Brokerage*
284 Dunlop St. W.
Barrie, Ontario
L4N 1B9

(705)794-6482

O:705-722-8191
F:705-725-8232
TF: 1-877-722-8191

*Independently Owned and Operated

www.Selling-Barrie-Homes.com
joanna@selling-barrie-homes.com
MOWIE PO POLSKU