With a humble population of about 20,000 permanent residents, you might’ve been forgiven for previously thinking that the community of Waterdown was just a sleepy little town somewhere in Ontario.

However, considering the rapid acceleration of key metrics in areas like population growth, urban development, and the demand for homes currently happening in Waterdown, this charming community is well and truly shaking its old reputation.

And, seeing as an increasing number of new residents join the community each year, we’re frequently quizzed about the local housing market.

Here’s what you can expect when buying a home in Waterdown.

The Architecture

The community of Waterdown as we know it today is still somewhat budding, so you won’t find too many century or heritage homes on the market here. Instead, you’ll find lots of bright and airy contemporary new-build homes featuring large open floor plans and modern amenities.

Depending on which neighbourhood you’re looking to buy in, there is some disparity between architectural styles, though essentially every home available on the market today will have been built within the last 20 years or so. That being said, there constantly seems to be new homes popping up across Waterdown with plans for future residential developments always in the works.

Although Waterdown’s architecture might not have the same history or character as some of the community’s neighbouring cities, one major positive is that these clean and updated newly-built homes rarely require any sort of major renovations or updates to make them move-in ready.

In fact, if you’re planning on investing in a pre-construction or new development, you’ll probably have the luxury of being able to choose your very own finishes as well!

Want to get a better idea of what Waterdown’s housing market looks like? Check out our collection of Waterdown’s latest ​​Featured Listings here!

The Lot Sizes

Just like the homes here in Waterdown, many lots they’re positioned on are equally as grand and expansive. Due to the community’s relatively rural surroundings, new urban and suburban residential developers have essentially had free reign to take advantage of Waterdown’s generous amount of surrounding space to further expand the area’s footprint.

Fortunately for new residents, this means that almost all of Waterdown’s homes have been built on lots as large as their developers wish. Whatever your price range or square footage requirements, if you’re buying a standalone or detached home here, you can expect to have plenty of room to live and practise your favourite hobbies.

Additionally, if you’re arriving in Waterdown from much more cramped metropolitan centres nearby, you’ll find even the most modest of lot sizes here are much larger than the tight footprints you’ll have come to accept in cities like Toronto.

Looking for that perfect new community to set roots in? Whether you’re searching for a new home for you and your family or you’re moving on your own, Waterdown is an ideal place for you to be. Use these helpful links to get a better sense of what you should be looking for in a new home here:

• What Not To Compromise On When Buying A Home 
• Buying a House in Ontario Is a Team Effort
• Why Waterdown? Top Spots for Nature, Fitness, and the Best Coffee

The Amenities

When it comes to household amenities, the vast majority of Waterdown’s new-build contemporary homes don’t fall short in any department.

You can expect all of the luxuries of modern living in essentially all of the residences in Waterdown, including things like heated driveways, smart tech home systems, spa-like bathrooms and chef’s kitchens featuring updated appliances and large islands.

Outside of your house, you’ll always be just a quick jaunt away from Waterdown’s ever-expanding list of nearby amenities within the community. Things like movie theatres, supermarkets, big-box stores and both franchised and locally-owned restaurants and cafes are very easy to find in Waterdown’s main commercial areas.

Over the course of any real estate transaction, the benefits of working with a local agent can make enormous bottom-line differences. Learn more about Why You Should Work With A Local Agent here.

Whatever you’re in need of, you’ll be sure to find it in Waterdown. However, if there’s anything you can’t find here yet, a quick trip into two of Ontario’s fastest-growing cities in Hamilton and Burlington are just minutes away. Or, if it’s more of a high-street boutique shopping experience you’re looking for, Waterdown is always just under an hour’s drive away from downtown Toronto.

Get more in-depth information about the long list of amenities Waterdown has to offer by reading some more of our detailed community-focused content here:

• Waterdown Neighbourhood Guide
• Waterdown’s Restaurant Scene: 5 Eateries You Have To Try

The Cost

One of the best aspects of buying a property or investing in Waterdown’s real estate market is that the value for money found in the community is next to unbeatable across the province.

While you’ll still find that Waterdown’s most spacious and recently updated detached single-family homes are listed within the upper echelons of the price bracket (think: seven figures and above), there are a plethora of homes available here for every budget. The best part is, the value of Waterdown’s homes will also continue to rise as the community expands over time.

As Waterdown’s real estate market is constantly adapting to the growing needs of its expanding population, those who already own real estate here are experiencing huge increases in the market value of their properties. So, whatever you pay for a new home now, you can feel safe about the long-term investment value of your property.

Does the idea of investing in a smaller, rapidly expanding community like Waterdown make perfect sense for your portfolio? Learn more about how we help investors with our local market insight by learning about how to Become A Real Estate Investor with us here.

Want to learn more about what it means to work with us? Learn more about our approach to helping clients purchase a home by clicking on our handy buyer-related links here:

• Our Buying Advantage
• Our Home Buying Calculator

Milton is quickly becoming a hot spot for condo investors. However, the pre-construction market is competitive and fast-paced, so real estate developers need to ensure they’re working with the right team to help sell out developments. 

At Woolcott Real Estate, we recently experienced first-hand what working with a developer on a tight deadline is like. Applying our efficient, assertive approach to the pre-construction world helped yield exceptional results for everyone involved. 

Here’s a closer look at what happened. 

The Challenge

A local developer was looking to grow their broker portfolio. As one of the top teams in the area, we were selected as one of three groups to meet with them. On a Wednesday, we attended the initial meeting and were assigned 13 one-bedroom and bachelor units to sell. 

Official sales would begin on Friday. 

The Process

With 48 hours to develop all of the assets and prepare our sales team to go live, we had to work fast. First, we separated the work into two streams: marketing and selling. Although we had to move swiftly, it was crucial that we start with an organized plan of action. Implementing a workback schedule, we tracked all the key deliverables and managed the extremely tight deadline.  

Then, our team got to work producing landing pages, social media ads, emails and more. These assets were important to support our sales team and capture the attention of the highest number of qualified buyers possible. 

A ‘New Sales Toolkit’ was also developed to support the sales team. With key information, scripts, and email templates, we ensured our team had the most accurate information to pass to clients. 

The ‘New Sales Toolkit’ is a resource we use as a foundation for all future pre-construction projects to help train sales agents on the best way to work in this specific market. 

The Results 

The effort paid off. Using a multi-channel approach including digital and email strategies, we achieved our target. Within 48 hours, we sold all 13 units assigned to our team. In fact, we even went above expectations and sold two additional two-bedroom units–traditionally more difficult to do than one-bedroom units.

As a result, we generated ~400 leads through our digital and email marketing efforts, resulting in 15 total sales.

In the pre-construction world, it’s important that buyers and investors alike are educated. Read our Pre-Construction FAQ blog here to see how we keep clients well-informed on the ins and outs of the pre-construction market.

Why It Worked

Working with a full team of marketing and sales professionals in-house was essential to our success. Unlike smaller teams that need to rely on marketing partners to produce assets, we do everything ourselves, which means we can execute ideas quickly and efficiently.

Our email database contains over 19,000 subscribers, giving us unprecedented access to a huge network of qualified buyers.

Additionally, we have a large team of 13 sales professionals. With so many boots on the ground, we cast a wider net and ensure faster response times and follow-ups than other teams. 

By creating a scalable and repeatable foundation for project management, combined with intense training and the efficient production of quality marketing assets, we were able to help the builder achieve their goals and sell out the project in excellent time. 

Are you a developer interested in working with Woolcott Real Estate on your next project? Reach out to us today and let us show you how we can replicate these incredible results. 

Located just west of Hamilton’s bubbly downtown core, the exciting Hamilton neighbourhood of Strathcona contains a great mix of residential, commercial, and recreational areas. Strathcona is a Hamilton neighbourhood that has everything a buyer would be looking for in a new community.

If you’re considering relocating to this fantastic up-and-coming neighbourhood, here are five things you should know before moving to Strathcona.

1) It’s Full Of History

The history of this little Hamilton neighbourhood actually dates back about as far as the city itself! When the City of Hamilton was first founded by George Hamilton around 1815, he was standing not far from what would become the neighbourhood of Strathcona.

Since then, many historical events and monuments have been established here, perhaps most notably the Dundurn Castle. This iconic Strathcona landmark was originally built between 1832 and 1835 for Canadian political leader Sir Allan Napier MacNab.

Additionally, there are many more historical landmarks such as the magnificent Tuckett Mansion (also known as the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple) and the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King.

2) The Homes Are Beautiful (And Affordable)

When it comes to Strathcona’s local architecture, the rich history is reflected in more than just the castles and cathedrals. The homes within Strathcona are also quite spectacular—and one of the best parts is their price.

Buying an original detached Victorian or Edwardian century home in any other part of the GTA–or even other parts of Hamilton–would cost quite a steep price. However, heritage homes within Strathcona are still comparatively affordable (i.e., within the sub $700,000 range on the higher end).

If you’re looking for a great home at a fantastic value, Strathcona is a Hamilton neighbourhood very worthy of investigating.

3) The Neighbours Are Great

Although the homes are stunning, you might worry about dealing with the neighbours. This is not an issue in Strathcona.

At the moment, Strathcona is actually going through somewhat of a transition. For the most part, most of the homeowners in Strathcona are elderly empty-nesters who have lived in the area for most of their lives. However, as they’ve recently begun to downsize and move out of the area, their homes have been primarily bought up by young couples and families.

In terms of community development and growth, there’s almost nothing better for a neighbourhood from a long-term real estate value perspective than to have young families start to move in.

4) The Amenities Are Amazing

Between the eye-catching views of the Hamilton Harbour to the charming shops and boutiques along King Street, there’s a lot Strathcona already has to offer in terms of local amenities.

One of the best parts about living in Strathcona is the number of public parks and green spaces within such close proximity. There’s the neighbourhood-favourite Victoria Park, which is currently undergoing improvements by the City of Hamilton, along with the massive Dundurn Park and Kay Drage Park.

Additionally, the Hamilton Cemetery is also a lovely large green space that makes for great walks in the warmer months.

5) Getting Around Is A Breeze

One of the most appealing features of this Hamilton neighbourhood is how easy it is for transportation. On foot, Strathcona is very easily walkable, especially considering it’s right beside the city’s downtown core.

If you need to get somewhere a little quicker, the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) transit system has bus routes that regularly service the Strathcona area.

Or, if you’re more of a motorist, many major Hamilton roads and highways (including Highway 403) pass right through Strathcona. Whether you need to get to another end of Hamilton or the GTA, commuting by car from Strathcona is effortless.

Are you ready to take the next step towards your move to Strathcona? Start your new home search with a local real estate team that knows the neighbourhood like the backs of our hands. To let us know what your dream Hamilton home looks like, contact us here.

As the economy slowly reopens, COVID-19 continues to affect our lives. Its impacts are largely felt among society’s most vulnerable, including seniors, families grappling with poverty, and those at risk of domestic violence. We need to find ways of helping these residents in every community, and Burlington is no exception.

Fortunately, there are steps we can all take to provide support. Donating to the right charitable organizations is one of them. With this small act of kindness, you can make a real difference in the lives of your community members!

Here are a few places to make donations in Burlington during the pandemic…

Household Goods

Many charities that typically accept gently-used clothing, furniture, and other household items stopped doing so when the coronavirus became a concern. Fortunately, that’s starting to change.

Habitat for Humanity’s Burlington ReStore location is taking donations, including (but not limited to) apparel and accessories, toys, and electronics. The drop-off location at 1800 Appleby Line is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Not only that, but the pick-up program has also resumed. You can set up an appointment here.

Food Donations

At a time when many Ontarians are dealing with income loss, food shortages are a concern. Since we’re all being asked to stay home more often, those who are most isolated (including many seniors and people with disabilities) also have less access to groceries.

Local charities that collect and distribute food offer relief for those most in need. The Burlington Food Bank is a great example. You can drop off items at 1254 Plains Rd E, or use the donation bins found in grocery stores and fire stations around the city.

The Aldershot Food Collection Committee also makes donating easy. Every Monday to Wednesday, drive-through and drop-off donations are accepted at St. Matthew’s Church. Head over from noon to 3 p.m. to contribute, and your items will be distributed to the Burlington Food Bank and the Compassion Society.

Last but not least, the Salvation Army is taking food donations at 5040 Mainway. You can bring your non-perishable items to the back door from Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Monetary Contributions

One of the best ways to give back during the pandemic is by making monetary donations to places that offer support. By providing grants to front-line charities, the Burlington Community Foundation fits the bill. You can learn more about what the organization is doing—and how to donate—here.

Food4Kids and Bag Half Full are both tackling hunger in the community, and every dollar they receive online can help. While the former is currently committed to ensuring that kids are well fed while schools are closed, the latter is dedicated to providing grocery delivery for those who need it.

Halton Women’s Place is a non-profit that assists women who have experienced domestic abuse and their dependent children. From shelter to phone support and outreach, the services this organization provides are critical. With the right precautions, Halton Women’s Place is still operating—and you can help by making a donation.

Last but certainly not least, Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation is helping front-line healthcare workers during the pandemic. If you make an online contribution, you’ll be providing support for hospital staff who are caring for those affected by the virus in your community.

Making a Difference

It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of a global challenge like the coronavirus. The good news is, there are ways to support those who need it most right in your own backyard.

From gently-used clothing to canned goods to even a modest monetary contribution, you can feel good about providing a donation in Burlington. The difference you make may be bigger than you know!

Have questions about real estate in the era of social distancing? Get in touch—we can help you understand the market, and what it means for your purchase or sale.

Making the big decision to sell your home can be one of the most exciting parts of your life. After all, it’s a huge transaction that will usher in a major change for you and your family. It’s easy to look at the selling process at a high level and think you have it all figured out. What could be so difficult about selling a home?

As it turns out, selling a home can be complicated, and trial and error is not a great strategy. It’s one of those things you want to get right the first time. As experienced real estate professionals, we’ve seen it all before and know firsthand how to guide clients towards making the best, most beneficial decisions.

If you’ve recently decided to sell your home, here are a few of the most common mistakes you might run into–and how to avoid them.

1. Not Undergoing A Home Evaluation

Receiving a professional home evaluation should be the very first step in every home seller’s journey.

When a real estate agent provides you with a professional home evaluation, they combine their years of real estate knowledge and experience along with an in-depth Comparative Market Analysis to determine an accurate estimate of a home’s current worth.

These estimates aren’t just pulled out of thin air—they are the result of diligent research and hard work, and are among the best methods for determining an accurate pricing strategy.

Although you might have a price in your head that you’d like to get for your home, it might not be realistic. Incorrect pricing strategies often result in lacklustre listing performance and eventually disappointing final sales. It’s better to start on the right foot with a professional home evaluation.

2. Skipping Staging

When it comes time to showcase your property—whether it’s through high-quality photo and video or in-person open houses—ensuring your home looks great is essential to its selling success. A key step in achieving that is through professional home staging.

While you might have a keen eye for design, the talents of professional stagers go beyond the superficial. Professional stagers work to create open, fluid spaces that strategically allow guests to navigate a home freely and without restriction.

Stagers also know how to stage homes as neutral spaces, allowing the most potential buyers to be able to picture themselves living in a home versus picturing themselves living in your home.

A good understanding of the real estate market is essential to a successful sale. Here are some informative posts that will help:

• How to Negotiate a Real Estate Contract
• Pre-Qualification vs Pre-Approval: What’s Better?
• 7 Amazing Benefits of Working With a Real Estate Agent

3. Ignoring Curb Appeal

Making sure the exterior of your home looks its best is just as important as staging the interior.

First impressions count for a lot more than sellers may realize. No matter how appealing a home might look inside, every buyer’s initial opinion is based on the exterior.

We always recommend sellers put a little time and effort into boosting their home’s curb appeal ahead of home showings. Simple tasks like weeding, minor landscaping, painting touch-ups—even laying down a new welcome mat—all go a long way in enhancing buyers’ first impressions.

4. Pricing Too High

Perhaps the most important part of a successful home sale is getting your pricing strategy correct—the first time. While some sellers have their hearts set on receiving a certain price for their home if they enter the market too high initially, they could risk their listing attracting little to no market interest right off the bat.

We can help you determine opening list prices based on several factors depending on recent market activity, local competition, and our professional home evaluations. While we may advise our clients to either list below, at, or above their home’s current market value, our pricing strategies are always intended to result in the highest possible sales price.

5. Using A Non-Local Agent

Hiring a local agent with lots of selling experience within your neighbourhood is essential.

When you hire an agent with a track record of successful sales in your community, you can feel confident you’ll be working with someone who truly understands how to sell a home in your local market.

From understanding buyer profiles to creating effective local marketing campaigns, even networking with residents and other agents in the area, hiring an agent with local insight and expertise almost always results in a much smoother, more lucrative home sale.

Are you thinking about selling your home? Our team of experienced real estate professionals can help you achieve the best results. Contact us here to start a conversation about your upcoming sale today!

It’s happening again. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OFSI) is planning to modify the mortgage stress test. Proposed on April 8th, the new rules are set to take effect on June 1st. While many Canadians know that changes of this kind have an impact on home affordability, some are unsure about how they work.

Here, we’ll delve into upcoming modifications to the stress test—and what they mean for buyers…

What is the mortgage stress test?

The federal mortgage stress test, set by Canada’s top banking regulator, is a way of determining how much home you can truly afford. It’s about accounting for worst-case scenarios. What happens if you’re let go from your job—or interest rates rise suddenly and steeply? Considering these “what ifs” can help prevent buyers from defaulting on mortgages they can’t afford.

The test is essentially a qualifying rate, and it applies to every buyer (with the exception of those who go to certain alternative lenders, a move that can come with some drawbacks). It means that many would-buyers may find themselves unable to purchase that home they’ve had their eyes on. Currently, the average qualifying rate among the country’s top banks is 4.79 per cent. That’s almost certainly about to change.

What are the changes being proposed?

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. The OSFI has proposed raising the qualification rate to either 5.25 per cent (the five-year benchmark), or the borrower’s qualified rate plus two percentage points—whichever is higher.

These changes are intended to add some balance to Canadian real estate markets. They’re meant to reduce upward pressure on prices, help tackle household debt, and prevent buyers from getting into some sticky financial situations. Of course, they can also greatly reduce your purchasing power—an added frustration in an already heated market.

Looking at the big picture

Home buyers who enter the market after the changes are passed will need to prove that they can handle the “stress” of the new, higher rate. Unfortunately, many will not make the cut. As a result, we may well see a flood of purchasers pushing to close before June 1st.

We feel that the best time to purchase is when you’re really and truly ready. If that’s now, that’s great! If it’s not, your best best bet is to work with a talented team of professionals who can help you out down the line.

The right mortgage broker can help you get a firmer understanding of the factors that impact your qualification. They may suggest steps like reducing your debt to improve your purchasing power.

On the real estate side, a skilled local real estate agent will know your area—and the local market—inside and out. Whenever possible, they’ll help you find homes within a realistic price range that check off your must-have boxes. Are you ready to take the first step?

Ready to buy your next home? We’ll help you tackle every detail—and ensure you know what to expect. Get in touch to get started!