RhondaHeaslip NanaimoRealEstate

Eleven Reasons To List During The Holidays

There's always a bit of controversy each year at this time:

"To list, or not to list...That is the question..."

I'm here to give you eleven reasons why I think you should...The decision, of course, as the seller is yours. But here are some facts to consider before making that all important choice.

1. People house hunting over the holidays are more serious buyers. After all, who really wants to move then? Those who absolutely must, that's who.
   
2. Serious buyers have fewer homes to choose from at this time. Doing the math: Fewer houses = Less competition for you = Potentially more money for you.
   
3. The supply of listings will increase in January, meaning less demand for your particular home. Less demand = less money for you.
   
4. Houses show beautifully when decorated for the holidays.
   
5. Buyers are more emotional during the holidays, therefore more likely to pay more closely to your asking price.
   
6. Buyers have more time during a holiday week to look for houses than they do during a work week.
   
7. Some buyers must buy before year end for tax reasons.
   
8. January is traditionally the month for many employees to begin new jobs.
   
9. Those buyers going through a job transfer are unable to wait for the spring market, and you won't capture their business unless you are on the market now.
   
10. If you sell now, it may be possible to have extended occupancy provided until early next year; a great way to start your new year.
    
11. Sell now and you'll be a non-contingent buyer in the spring, when the housing inventory is higher....In other words: Sell high, buy low...sweet deal.

As promised, here is the youtube link to my new National record bench press. Refer to my blog series, "The Other Side Of Me", for the full story.

Canadian Record 81 Kg Bench: November 13,2010

As promised, here is the youtube link to my new National record deadlift. Refer to my blog series, "The Other Side Of Me", for the full story.

Canadian Record 160 Kg Deadlift

As these are uploaded on Youtube I am posting them for those of you who have been following my progress. (Refer to my blog series, The Other Side Of Me, for the story leading up to this.)

I am launching a fundraiser called "Raise The Bar" for the new emergency ward being built at our own

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

I will be gathering speed on this as the Canadians happen. I am aiming for corporate and private sponsorship. Sponsors will be able to pledge so many pennies (or dollars) per pound I total at the World Championships in October 2011. As I now total around 840 lbs, I am planning to total 900 or better by then. I look forward to using my physical strength to give back to my community and will keep you up to speed on things as they evolve.

I will be lifting at the Canadians on March 30th, 2011 in Prince Edward Island.

Here is the Link to the Youtube video.

The Record bench and record deadlift will follow later on.

I will be on A-Channel News Monday, November 22nd at around 6pm Pacific standard time if you are interested in knowing more.

I want to thank everyone who has shown an interest in what I am doing. Your interest and support means a lot to me!

When looking to buy, it's important to keep your secrets in one place. Bouncing from agent to agent as a buyer is neither a sound practice nor in your best interest. Here's why:

Imagine this scenario:

• You call Agent Al to book an appointment to see his listing on Charming Avenue. Once there, Al asks you lots of questions while answering yours. "So how long have you been looking for a house? When do you need to move? What have you been pre-approved for? What's the most you are prepared to spend? etc, etc." You may answer some or all of these questions.
  
• Then you call Agent Betty to see her lovely listing on Dream Street....Betty seems nice; easy to talk to. The same process happens again.
  
• Agent Carl's house on Better Buy Row looks pretty sweet....better book him, too. The same conversation happens again here.
  
• But wait! Check out Agent Deborah's gorgeous house on Paradise Place! Better book that, too! The same thing goes on here, but there's something about Agent Deborah that strikes you right. Something she said about loyalty to her clients makes you want to let her take on all this legwork for you....so you give her the job.
  
• A week later, after reviewing all the homes you've seen, both with and without Agent Deborah, you decide to re-visit Agent Betty's home on Dream Street. Upon a second look you fall in love with it, wanting Deborah to negotiate hard for the best price and terms....after all, that's what she's good at.
  
• But wait....Agent Betty already knows too much. Not only does she know when you need to move and how much you love the home, BUT she also knows the top dollar you can pay. How can Agent Deborah fight for the best price now? Not easily, that's for sure.

The moral of the story is this:

1. Keep all your secrets in one place.
   
2. Interview agents and choose one BEFORE you go shopping.
   
3. Keep all your motivation and money secrets with that agent only.
   
4. Now you WILL be in the best position to negotiate; with a skilled agent you trust, keeping your secrets close and working with your best interests at heart...fully armed and ready to win you that sweet price for your new home.