You’ve been house hunting for weeks when you come across a home that’s been listed for a couple of months. Figuring it might be overpriced, you decide to take a look regardless, and fall in love with it. You put in an offer, thinking you can get a great price for it as it’s been on the market for a while. But, just as you’re starting to think of the renovations you’ll do, or how you’ll decorate the master bedroom, your buyer’s agent calls and says there are now multiple offers on the table. You wonder where the buyers came from, as there’s been no activity for weeks.

“Having multiple offers come out of the woodwork on an older listing is a frequent occurrence,” says Jayne Woolcott, sales representative, Re/Max Escarpment Woolcott Realty Inc. “People often want what they can’t have, so as soon as they hear an offer is being placed on a home they saw a few weeks ago, they have to have it and put in a competing offer.” “The trick to succeeding in a multiple offer situation is to stay cool, calm and collected and stick to your parameters so you don’t have any regret with the situation, whether you win or lose.”

See below for Jayne’s top tips for succeeding in an offer competition:

Write Your Best Offer

In a multiple-offer situation, don’t hope for negotiation. This is the time to put your best foot forward, so offer your best price. This may include having your real estate agent conduct a Current Market Assessment, as some properties are intentionally priced lower to entice multiple offers. This means that even if you offer over list-price, it may not necessarily be over market price.

Write A Letter to the Sellers

While sellers are often dollar-oriented, a few can be swayed to look at a lower offer if there is a ‘Seller Love Letter’ included. This is a tool that buyers can use to show the sellers their affection for the property. Whether it’s sharing their dream of building a family in the home or how it’s the ideal place for the next phase in your life, it may be just the trick if the competing offers are similar.

Do a Pre-Offer Home Inspection

When buyers find themselves in competition, they often cut out conditions like home inspections to make a more attractive offer. However, without this condition, they can be opening themselves up to major issues in the future. “A pre-offer home inspection gives buyers a piece of mind as they can be made aware of any issues prior to making an offer, and don’t have to include this as a condition in their offer,” says Woolcott.

If you’re thinking of purchasing a property this summer, contact Woolcott Real Estate at 905-332-9223 for personalized advice on how to succeed in a multiple offer situation.

Working with a local real estate agent can offer many benefits. Some may be tempted to steer clear of working with a realtor to save money and handle the purchase and/or sale themselves. Although this may appear to be a great way to save some money while selling or buying a home, it can actually lead to some issues down the line and often end up costing more money and trouble than it is worth. Our experts at Woolcott Real Estate have taken some time to look closer at the benefits of working with a local realtor and the truth about not working with one.

Read on for more information. (more…)

As Canadians, we know winter wear is a necessity. But for low-income families or new Canadians, buying all that gear can be tough to afford. And the budget can get particularly stretched if children are involved.

That’s why Woolcott Real Estate is hosting their 4^th annual coat drive on Saturday, November 17^th, 2018 from 10 a.m. to noon in support of the Good Shepherd Centre.

Taking place at the Waterdown Shopping Centre (255 Dundas St.E.), the team will be accepting donations of warm coats, hats, mitts and kitchen supplies.

“The Good Shepherd Centre is a fantastic resource for those less fortunate in the community,” says Drew Woolcott, broker of record, Re/Max Escarpment Woolcott Realty Inc. “We have been running this coat drive and each year, our goal is to make it bigger than the last to support as many as people as possible.”

“As a small token of our appreciation for the community’s support, we will have hot chocolate, coffee and snacks on hand,” says Woolcott.

The Good Shepherd Centre has been a cornerstone of the Hamilton community for over 55 years, offering support through its commitment to the mission of “never stop loving” and its willingness to be of service to those in need.

The organization has become the largest provider of human and social services in the Greater Hamilton Area, providing incredible services such as emergency food and clothing, daily hot meals and emergency shelters.

Woolcott Real Estate is looking forward to seeing the community this coming Saturday.

If you have donations, but aren’t able to make the event, call Woolcott Real Estate at 905-332-9223 to arrange a pick up!

It’s no secret.

The relationship with your realtor can be a long one. Selling your home and purchasing a new one doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it can take upwards of a few months, sometimes even longer. Taking the time to find the right real estate agent for your home purchase can really pay off. Not only will you enjoy working with the agent, but you’ll have the added confidence and comfort that they will help you take the next steps forward while always holding your best interests at heart.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at what you should be looking for in a realtor, what to avoid, and how to make that final decision. Read on for more!

The Traits of a Good Real Estate Agent

The perfect real estate agent for you exists, it’s all about finding them and making that unbreakable bond. Your ideal real estate agent should be:

• Easy to work with
• Experienced
• A local expert
• Trustworthy and reliable

Above all else, they should have a strong and in-depth strategy to sell your home and find you a new one. You should always feel confident in your realtor and the information/options that they present you with.

Research, Research, Research!

The first step to finding the perfect real estate agent for you is completing research. Researching some of the best local realtors can give you an idea of the options available to you. You should aim to create a list of five to seven local real estate agents that might be a great fit for you. This list should be based on their area of expertise, including the kind of real estate that they focus on and the areas that they work in, their current listings, online reviews and testimonials, and experience.

Once you’ve created a strong list of candidates, it’s time to interview them. Simply give each of them a phone call and ask a few basic questions. Some of these inquiries could include how many years of experience they have, what kinds of property that they usually handle, how they communicate with clients, what price ranges they work with, what areas they focus in, and/or if they are a full-time or part-time agent.

Throughout this initial communication, pay close attention to how they communicate. If they didn’t get back to you within a timely manner or had poor communication, this might be an indicator that they could be hard to work with in the long run. You can also use this as an opportunity to see what their personality is like. If you found it hard to communicate with them or they didn’t give you the feeling that they would be easy to work with, it might be best to go with your gut.

Credentials

It’s not all about their experience and personality. It’s about credibility, too. Your real estate agent should have all the necessary credentials and licensing. You wouldn’t seek medical aid from a physician who didn’t have the right credentials, so your real estate agent shouldn’t be any different.

A licensed and fully-educated real estate agent can help ensure that the transaction is legal and fair. When you’re dealing with the sale and purchase of property, this is imperative.

Referrals, Testimonials & Online Presence

Once you’ve narrowed down your list to one or two realtors, it’s time to inspect their past. This is when your social media lurking skills can really come in handy. Start with their social media and online channels and go from there. A social media presence isn’t everything, but it does count for something. Today, any realtor worth their two cents knows that they should have a strong social media strategy. Especially for potential clients who may want to reach out.

Read all the reviews, not just the first few. It’s also important to read these reviews from most recent to least recent. A review posted seven years ago might not have the most accurate information anymore.

Do some digging and find some of their past clients. Once you’ve found a few, reach out to them for a real-time testimonial. This can give you a better idea of what it’s like to actually work with them and the quality of work they deliver.

Red Flags

Before you make your final decision, check to see if there are any clear-cut red flags. These red flags could include that they:

• Don’t usually work with buyers in your price range
• Aren’t familiar with your current area or where you want to buy
• Take too long to respond
• Recommend a much higher price for your home than the others
• Are a part-time realtor who does this on the side
• Don’t have the necessary credentials/licenses
• Have negative or inconsistent referrals
• Don’t have much of an online presence

These red flags aren’t necessarily a deal breaker, but in combination with one another, might give you enough reason to keep looking for a more credible or experienced realtor that is a better fit for you.

Keeping an Open Mind

While making your final decision, it’s important to keep an open mind. Just because a real estate agent is new to the area or doesn’t have five years of experience doesn’t mean that they won’t make a wonderful asset to your team. If you get a good vibe from them and you both work well together, it could be an indicator they are the right agent for you.

If you’re in the market for a real estate agent to help you sell your home and/or purchase a new one, Woolcott Real Estate might have the right solution for you. Our experienced and strategic Burlington and Waterdown realtors have helped many find their forever homes and sell their previous ones at the best prices possible. To get started, contact us today!

Many homeowners choose to showcase their true personalities through their homes. The way you style and decorate your home can say a lot about you. With a new year, comes many new home décor trends to choose from. If you’ve had trouble decorating your home in the past, or simply feel that your décor needs a change, now is the time. We’ve gathered some of the best home décor trends of 2018 for you to explore. You might just find the style that you’ve been searching for all along.

Intellectual

Imagine a classy and cozy college library directly at your fingertips. Well, that’s what this first trend is all about. The classic intellectual and preppy look is all about comfortable Chesterfield sofas, bookshelves, knit blankets, woven pillows, books, and handwritten text.
This trend presents you with the opportunity to create a lovely nook that’s just meant for reading and drinking a cup of tea. Add some blankets, hang minimalistic sketches on the walls, get cozy with a good book – and you are good to go.

Comfortable

If you’re comfortable and entertained, everything else practically ceases to exist. That’s why the realistic charm of comfortable furniture and home décor is making its way to the top of 2018 home décor trends. Whether you complete your living area with an oversized couch and simplistic accent pillows, or a shaggy rug, reading chair and some dim lighting, creating an area geared towards comfortability can prove to be a stylish and cost-effective people pleaser.
Adding a touch of comfort can give your home a charming and inviting atmosphere. Create small areas designated for certain activities, such as a reading nook or office space.

Eco-Friendly

Today, we are more aware of the impact that we have on the environment than ever before. Knowing that the elements of your home are eco-friendly can help you feel more confident in your investment, while at the same time providing you with a cost-effective solution.
Bring old pieces of furniture back to life instead of kicking it to the curb. You might be surprised at what a simple upholstery replacement can do to an old chair, or what stripping, sanding, and staining a piece of wooden furniture can do to the overall quality. With a little TLC, you can create a new piece of décor from something that otherwise may have ended up in a landfill.

Dark Wood

Don’t be surprised if you see dark wood everywhere you turn in 2018. Deep, rich dark brown wood is more in style than ever before. The chocolate brown hues can help enhance the luxurious atmosphere within your home, while at the same time adding to the modern appeal.

Custom Carpentry

2018 is all about embracing who you are.
Your personality and uniqueness can really show through custom carpentry. The combination of an unfinished wooden frame and trendy houseplants can pleasantly bring a room together.
Connect with a local carpenter and explore the different styles of coffee tables, work desks, side tables, kitchen tables, cabinets, entertainment units, and more. Not only will you be providing your home with custom and unique additions, but you will also be supporting local businesses.

2018 Colours of the Year

When you look back on 2018, bright and rich colours will undoubtedly come to mind. Each year, different companies will announce their “colour of the year”. Here are a few of the most popular ones that have been announced so far:
Pantone: Ultra Violet
Benjamin Moore: Caliente
Sherwin Williams: Oceanside
How can you utilize these colours in your home this year? Why not give your office or kitchen a fresh coat of paint? Or simply purchase a few throw pillows, curtains, or vases to complete your living space with the trendiest home décor colours of 2018.

For more home décor tips and tricks, take a look at our blog section. To learn more about houses for sale in Burlington, Waterdown, and Hamilton, contact us today. Our real estate agents at Woolcott Real Estate can help you find local houses for sale, at a price that works for you.

Buying a home is an exciting time, as it’s often the biggest purchase of your life. Although this time is filled with anticipation and joy, it can also come with stress and worry. Once the purchase is made, trying to figure out the financial details of a mortgage can be difficult. Woolcott Realty has the top tips to make this part of the home buying process as easy as possible!

Learn as Much as Possible about Mortgages

First, spend some time finding out as much as you can about how mortgages work. There’s a whole new ‘language’ to learn: fixed-rate mortgages versus variable rates, closed versus open mortgages, etc. Know that various terms are available when it comes to mortgages and that terms can differ between banks and brokers. If you get a raise at work or a large tax return one year, will you be able to increase mortgage payments? Make sure that the agreement you make with your banker or broker is right for your individual situation.

Start Early and Do Your Homework!

Don’t leave the mortgage until after the paperwork is signed! Instead, shop around and find out which bank or broker can offer you the best mortgage pre-approval. You’ll need certain documents, including tax assessments from the last two years and a thorough accounting of your income. Although beginning the shopping process where you do your current banking is a great start, don’t feel inclined to have your mortgage there, too.

Once you find out what your financial institution can offer you as a mortgage, sit down and realistically crunch some numbers. Other than having a down payment, you will need enough money to cover closing costs for legal fees, mortgage insurance, title insurance and land transfer taxes (which cost approximately two percent of your home’s purchase price). Utility deposits will also need to be accounted for and, if purchasing a condo, don’t forget maintenance fees.

Think About Your Future

Considerations such as having a family or getting a job in another city may mean that you will be making a change in your home’s location in the future. Be sure to look into the penalties involved with breaking your mortgage, as this is the most common complaint consumers have regarding mortgage products.

Will the home require extensive renovations? If so, you may want to have access to a home-equity line of credit. Be sure to ask your banker or broker about this option if applicable to your situation.

Let Woolcott Realty Help!

We know that you count on your realtor to have the latest knowledge and expertise regarding the real estate market. Consistently ranked as the top RE/MAX team in the Hamilton-Burlington area and in the top 1% nationwide, Woolcott Realty’s team of experts work hard to ensure you get the best results possible when purchasing a home. If you have questions about the home buying process or are looking for a realtor to start the process, contact Woolcott Realty today!

Check out our mortgage calculator.