Barrie, ON

If you’ve been part of a sales transaction for a detached home in Barrie, you’re probably aware of the inspection that’s completed by a certified professional inspector prior to the purchaser finalizing and accepting the deal. However, you may not be aware that there are inspectors that specialize in condos and townhomes in Barrie, and how they differ from traditional house inspectors.

When buying a condo in Barrie, it is important to make sure you select an inspector that is knowledgeable in condominiums, since there are different areas and elements of condos that may require inspection where a house doesn’t. For example, common areas like recreation centres, swimming pools, patios, stairwells, parking garages, and other areas that are shared by all occupants of the building have special considerations that need to be addressed that someone specializing in detached homes might not be aware of.

Additionally, the very nature of the building and the systems needed to operate multi-unit climate control, water delivery and so on, are not something that a home inspector would necessarily be familiar with. Barrie condo inspectors with a commercial or industrial background or advanced knowledge with these types of building systems can come in real handy where the building systems meets with the condo suite.

The fall and winter months are upon us once again and with the colder weather comes increased demand for the resources of our local community services. This year, the BARRIE FOOD BANK is celebrating its 25th year serving our community, and the demand for their service has seen a huge increase as a result of the recent economic downturn. For further information on the Barrie Food Bank, please log on to www.barriefoodbank.org .

Now here's what we plan to do. In recognition of this ongoing need and in an effort to support the community we have called "Home" for 32 years, we will be givng a $250 donation to the Food Bank on behalf of anyone who completes a FIRM SOLD listing or purchase through us (Gary or Candi) during the months of October, November, and December 2009. In addition, any client who refers someone to us in those same months who purchase or sell a property as described previously, will also have a donation sent to the Food Bank on their behalf.

Please pass this message along to any family member, friends or co-workers that are considering the purchase or sale of real estate this fall, as a way of helping us to help those who need community support.

You will be able to follow our progress on Facebook, (www.facebook.com) as this assistance program unfolds. You can contact us through our web site www.BarrieHomeSearch.com or by calling us at our office 705-721-9111. We look forward to hearing from anyone who will be buying or selling during the next three months, and in the spirit of the season, we extend our "Thanks".

Gary and Candi

What happened to my Client who Fell in Love with a home I showed him?

He went back home to Toronto, to take a closer look at his financial situation, talk to his Family and his Mortgage Specialist.  He wanted that home!  I told him that he should take care of all of this as soon as possible, to get the ball rolling.

The house was a secluded paradise with in ground pool, private, spa-like back yard and all the bells and whistles you could ever want in a luxury residence.

In fact, during an office tour, we had a tough time leaving the house, every Agent in the office was talking about it and… drum roll please… I was the lucky one to… sell it?!

I called my Client almost daily that week, and he was still not ready to make a move.  There was not much happening with the listing, as it was the priciest one in the area and quite out of reach for most local buyers. 

He was taking his time with the money matters and weeks went by.  Finally one day, I drove by the home and there was another Agent showing the property.  People leaving the home were excited and I became worried. They looked eager to get this home.

I got back to the office and called my Client.

“If you want this home… now is the time to do something about it.”  He was still not quite ready, but decided to submit an offer that day.  Regretfully, as I suspected ours was not the only one. 

To make the matters worst… my Client chose not to follow my advice and wanted to play the game of “how low can I go?”  Now, we all know that in a multiple offer situation, you need to put your best foot forward.  Most often there is no room for games and “water-testing”…

You can imagine how disappointed he was when the home he fell in love with was sold from under his nose at the above asking price. 

Now, we are in the third month of home searching (with the tiny two-week break, when I was away) still looking for the home that will touch his heart. 

Tomorrow I’m showing him 8 more. 

The sad part is that homes I’ve found since that first one, offer better value, are bigger, younger, nicer… etc. But those are not, and never will be THE home he loved.

Lesson learned?  I truly hope so.    

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

Few months ago I was contacted by someone who found my site by Google Search.  I was impressed he said that each time he searched; I came up at the top, so he decided to give me a call. 

He was looking to buy in Barrie and currently lived in Toronto.  He gave me his must-haves, and his price range and we set the time to meet over the weekend to view several properties that I was able to find for him.

Weekend came and he arrived with his girlfriend.  Each home I showed them had most if not all of the items on his list and yet… we couldn’t “put a finger on it”.  Something was missing… the WOW factor was not there. 

To make the matters worst, quite quickly it became evident that those two people had a drastically different taste and quite frankly I could not imagine how I will ever find a home that they will both love.

After seeing 8 homes that day, quite tired we were heading back to the office.  Driving through one of the older neighbourhoods, where I spend most of my time, due to my kid’s activities… I heard a quiet “this is nice” from the back seat.

Now, “this” was nowhere near where they wanted to be, homes were about 30 years older than the ones we’ve seen that day and prices were… substantially higher here.

But there was this thought in the back of my head: “I know someone in my office has this amazing listing here, what if…?”  I pulled over and called my office.  Within 5 minutes (!) our Super Secretary, called me back with the lock box combination.

I opened the front door and my Clients… FELL in LOVE!

I could not get them out of there!  They loved absolutely everything about the home and the fact that it was listed at over $90K above their initial price bracket… was not an issue.  Or so I thought…

Read the rest of this story in "Loosing the home you Love"

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

Hi Everyone!

It's so good to be home.  I jus had an opportunity to visit some European places from my childhood and it was great to see some of my family again.  I was fortunate enough to travel to different cities and countries on the Old Continent and was amazed at the changes happening there. 

Eastern Europe is beaming with activity, new road construction, new, faster train connections, and basically every tiny town and village is a construction zone as people of all walks of life build their dream homes everywhere you look.

On the way there I had an opportunity to talk to people from US and Great Britain who work there, helping develop infrastructures and those who work with farmers, creating new, more productive farms.  All were amazed with possibilities that those Easter Europe countries offer for anyone who is willing to start a new life there.

And, even thought most of my Family and Friends were still talking "Global Crisis" and "Bad Economy" it was difficult to see it there!  I even noticed that after 20 years of same old complains on "how difficult it is to live here (Eastern Europe)" and "you have it so much better over there (America)"; I finally did not hear those same complains and comments. They finally noticed what was happening all around them, and opened their eye and minds to new possibilities.

Some are still struggling, but most are happy and eager to achieve great things with new opportunities provided by the European Union.

AND... if you ever hear people complying about home prices in Toronto or Vancouver... tell them to take a closer look at any of the larger European cities!  How about $800CA/sq.ft. for an apartment with bare walls, no fixtures, no kitchen cabinets, no outlets and no doors? Talk about a sticker shock! 

It's GREAT to be home!

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