Buying your first home can be daunting. First-time buyers are immersed in a world filled with a whole new language and it can be difficult to determine where to begin.

Peter Woolcott, a buyer agent with Re/Max Escarpment Woolcott Realty Inc., has worked with a number of first time of buyers and has an extensive list of tips for first-time buyers looking to get into the real estate market.

Make a list of priorities

“One of the first things I tell first-time homebuyers is to sit down and really think about what they want to buy,” says Woolcott. “It’s not just features of the home, but also the neighbourhood, distance to work, proximity to restaurants and shops and more.”

Woolcott recommends creating a list and separating it into wants and needs, as this will keep priorities top-of-mind when it comes to actually viewing homes.

Ask questions

“Buying your first home will often be filled with lots of questions,” says Woolcott. “Don’t be afraid to ask your agent what a certain term means, or how the process works.”

According to Woolcott, some buyers refer to Google to answer their questions, but that only ends up with them being more confused. He says answering questions is one of the primary responsibilities of a buyer agent.

Get pre-approved

When getting started in the home-buying process, one of the early steps a first-time buyer should take is to get pre-approval.

“Pre-approval makes the whole home-buying process less stressful,” says Woolcott. “If you know how much you can afford from the outset, you’ll save time by only looking at homes within your price range, and once you find the perfect home, you’ll be able to put in an offer right away.”

Work with a dedicated buyer’s agent

There are agents who work with only listings, those who work with both buyers and sellers, and those who work only buyers.

There are many advantages of working with a dedicated buyer’s agent. A successful buyer agent is in dozens of homes each week and thus, knows the values of homes and is also well-versed in knowing what issues to look for in homes that can save buyers money in the long and short term.

Choose an experienced agent

Since buying a home is uncharted territory for first-time buyers, the importance of working with an experienced buyer agent who has a strong track record can’t be stressed enough.

Ask prospective agents about the number of transactions they’ve done, if they’ve worked with first-time buyers and if they’ve done transactions in the local market.

If you are a first-time home buyer and want to know more about the home-buying process, click here to schedule a free, no-obligation appointment with one of the team’s top buyer agents.

Hamilton is known for many things. Its growing music and arts and scene. Its mix of big-city convenience and small-town charm. And, of course, the naturally beautiful landscapes that surround it. But there’s one major perk of living here that many outsiders aren’t aware of—the incredible restaurants. A complete tour of our city’s eateries would include everything from sophisticated French cuisine to inventive fusion dishes to perfectly-grilled burgers.

If you decide to explore the culinary delights of Hamilton, here are five hotspots you simply can’t miss…

1) Lo Presti’s at Maxwell

If you’re an Italian food fan, you’ll love the timeless menu at Lo Presti’s at Maxwell. Traditional seafood, meat and pasta dishes are all cooked to perfection here, and the wine list complements the menu extraordinarily well. If you need a recommendation for the right glass of vino, don’t worry. Your knowledgeable server can provide one. When it comes to the atmosphere, this downtown gem is elegant—almost like an upscale supper club. This environment makes Lo Presti’s the ideal option for your next special occasion, whether it’s a graduation dinner or a big date.

2) Born and Raised

It’s the James Street North eatery that everybody’s been talking about. In this case, the hype is warranted. The menu at Born and Raised features both flavourful small plates and crowd-pleasing main dishes—like wood-fired pizzas and savoury pastas. There’s a bit of something for everyone here, though slightly adventurous eaters will be especially appreciative of combinations like pork cheek, pineapple, and pickled habaneros. Oh, and did we mention the cocktails? If you fancy a drink before your meal, you’ll find plenty of options that are almost as exciting as the food!

3) Mattson & Co

If you’re looking for a lively dining experience, check out Mattson & Co. This Locke Street eatery turns into a musical hotspot on weekends, when talented jazz performers take the stage. Trust us, it’s a lot of fun. That said, no matter when you go, you’ll enjoy some seriously delicious bistro-inspired fare. From eggs benedict to mussels and frites, every dish you try will leave you wanting more. You’ll even find a selection of vegan options. The best part? Mattson & Co focuses on using locally-sourced ingredients, making the fare it serves up some of the freshest in Hamilton.

4) Mezcal Tacos and Tequila

Looking for a Mexican restaurant that never disappoints? We know there are a lot of chefs doing creative things with tacos, but the way they’re crafted at Mezcal takes things to a whole new level. Herbs, spices, heat, salt, savouriness—every component of the dishes at this James Street restaurant balances out the others perfectly. Another part of what makes the tacos here so special is the seasonal, Ontario-grown produce. Add some high-quality tequila (this place only serves the good stuff), and you have a truly inspired dinner.

5) HAMBRGR

There may have been a time when the words “handcrafted” and “burger” didn’t go well together. That time has passed. While the food at HAMBRGR is far from pretentious, the chefs here do take constructing their signature dish pretty seriously. The highest-quality patties are combined with a variety of incredible toppings (think crispy onions, smoked mozzarella, and smashed avocado), and the results are delicious. Believe it or not, the vegetarian options are just as good! If you dine in, you’ll also appreciate the rustic decor—which includes exposed brick and chalkboard walls.

Interested in learning more about life in Hamilton, and maybe even seeing some of the beautiful homes on the market here? Get in touch—we’d love to show you what makes life in this city so great!

Woolcott Real Estate is thrilled to introduce Packer, the newest addition to the area’s top-selling real estate team!

Packer is a 14-week-old service dog-in-training with National Service Dogs (NSD), who after 2 years of training, will hope to become a service dog for a child with autism or an individual suffering from PTSD.

“When the opportunity came up to sponsor Packer throughout her training journey, we couldn’t say no,” says Drew Woolcott, broker of record, Re/Max Escarpment Woolcott Realty Inc.

“National Service Dogs is an extraordinary organization providing such a necessary service to children and adults from coast-to-coast,” continues Woolcott. “For over 23 years, the organization has been making a tremendous difference in countless lives for no charge, and we are happy to support them in any way they can.”

Packer arrived in Canada in early March 2019, and will be undergoing an extensive training period before being paired with an NSD Client at around 2 years old.

“We’re going to follow Packer’s progression from pup to fully-trained service or companion dog, and sharing in print and on our social media channels. We really think the Burlington, Waterdown and Hamilton community will enjoy watching her grow up.”

Woolcott and his team will also be sharing information about National Service Dogs throughout the training period.

“There is such a need for these service dogs across Canada and North America, so much so that the demand far outweighs NSD’s ability to provide dogs,” says Woolcott. “We’re hoping that by partnering with this amazing program, we’ll be able to spread awareness and help more people in need.

To learn more information about NSD and its programs, please visit www.nsd.on.ca.

To follow along Packer’s journey, please follow Woolcott Real Estate on Instagram @the_woolcott_team.

Buying a house is a huge milestone—one that’s definitely worth getting excited about. There are many moments of joy on the road to moving into your first single-family home, and there are few things we enjoy more than helping new buyers discover them. At the same time, we’ve seen enough people move from condos to houses to know that the process usually involves a few challenges.

Fortunately, upsizing doesn’t have to be stressful. If you’re planning to purchase your very first house, try these five tips to help ensure that the transition is smooth…

1) Budget thoroughly

Most people are thrilled when they realize they can afford to purchase a house, and for good reason. But during the excitement of looking for a new home, it’s all too easy to forget about the full financial impact that owning more square footage can have. The best way to avoid looking at houses outside of your price range is to ensure that you factor all considerations into your budget.

First off, when you buy a bigger home, larger utility bills almost always come with the territory. Remember that you’ll also be responsible for all ongoing repairs and maintenance (though on the flip side, you won’t be paying condo fees anymore).

2) Know what you’re looking for

If you grew up in a family where everyone was fighting to use the bathroom in the morning, you’ll understand this next point. We’ve found that home buyers tend to think carefully about how they’ll use their space when they can’t afford much of it. That said, you should be just as thoughtful when it comes to how you’ll utilize a larger home.

Be aware that some layouts will work better than others for your needs, preferences, and lifestyle. In your condo, where do you spend the most time? Are there any areas that are rarely used? Answering these questions is bound to make the home hunt easier.

3) Check for repairs

When you buy a house, you inherit all of the issues associated with it. From foundation problems to a roof or HVAC system that needs replacing, these problems can be costly. In other words: it pays to protect yourself.

A thorough home inspector can help ensure that the house you’re considering is well maintained. It’s also important to ask the right questions. Most homeowners will be happy to talk about past repairs, upgrades, and the general condition of their house and its systems. A great real estate agent will help walk you through all of these points during the process.

4) Learn how your new house works

When you find the right house, it’s a good idea to get familiar with its major systems. Where are the electrical panels located? What about the thermostat for that guest bedroom? Trust us, trying to figure these things out once you’ve been living in a home for a while can be incredibly annoying.

Our advice? Remember that the home seller you’re buying from is your greatest resource. Before they hand the keys over, be sure that you’ve gone through the house carefully and gotten the full lay of the land.

5) Know your responsibilities

Once you buy a house, you’ll have more ownership responsibilities than you ever did with a condo. Some of the biggest have to do with maintaining the exterior of your property. From icy sidewalks to unwieldy tree branches, it’s important to know about any potential liability issues you’ll be responsible for.

Moving from a condo to a house isn’t always as simple as home buyers believe. That said, it doesn’t have to be stressful. With a bit of planning and some advice from a great local agent, you can ensure that you start your next chapter off right!

Ready to upsize from a condo to a house? If you’re looking in Hamilton, Burlington, or the surrounding area, we’d love to help. Get in touch to start a discussion about what you’re looking for!

Originally published by REP Magazine on Feb 18, 2019

Running a successful realty team requires time and dedication—expect a functional operation to take between three and five years—and Drew Woolcott of the REMAX Escarpment Woolcott Realty Inc. has some tips to share.

Woolcott Realty did 390 transactions in 2018, no small feat for 22-agent team, and Woolcott says the bedrock is hiring the right personnel.

“We do personality tests and we look for a mix of an A-type and a personality that’s highly socialized because you have to work together,” Woolcott told REP. “The main thing we look for is work ethic and personality tests don’t seem to test for that, unfortunately. A lot of it can be trial and error.”

Indeed, in any industry, choosing the right people is heuristic, but one facet firmly in the team lead’s control is system development. Woolcott Realty has strict protocols for its agents to adhere with audit trails, which measures progress in an effort to overcome shortcomings.

“There’s protocol in when one goes on a listing appointment, another one when an agent meets with a buyer, and a series of activities that have are done with lead that enters the building, and they’re audited by administration to make sure there’s compliance,” said Woolcott. “Let’s take a lead, for example, that comes in and is assigned to both listing and buying agents: It’s entered into a database and a plan is then formulated on that lead, which involves a series of follow-up calls, emails and mailings. The execution of that plan is audited periodically by an administration to ensure that those items are accomplished, and they aren’t then the lead is reassigned to an agent who will accomplish them.”

Agents’ progress is tracked through a goal-setting regimen. Whether it’s predicated on transaction number or financial target, the goal is broken down into individual steps that will help them accomplish what they have set out to.

“It could be number of calls, showings or listings, appointments, the number of offers or transactions one should be doing,” said Woolcott. “Then there are terms of accountability; there are forms each agent fills out every week that enumerates the steps they should be taking, and have taken, towards their goals and then we compare them to the steps they should have taken if there’s a gap between the two, so we can figure out where they’re going wrong and get them back on track.”

Woolcott Realty also generates leads for its team members, and it accomplishes that through various means. For starters, there’s time-tested advertising.

“We do a lot of billboard and print advertising, and we do a lot of online advertising too. The online advertising leads are incubated inside our sales department and when they get to the appointment stage, they’re handed over to an outside agent to develop them from there. Leads that call in go directly to our agents. We have a manager who works with them on a weekly basis, coaching them and keeping them on track, as well as working with them on scripts.”

Woolcott is emphatic about the importance of advertising and his firm isn’t afraid to spend.

“We do traditional newspaper advertising, and despite popular wisdom, we find that effective,” he said.  “We also do buses, bus stops, benches, and we public our own newspaper every month that’s delivered to in excess of 90,000 people by Canada Post.”

Canvassing neighbourhoods is also another time-tested method of cultivating clients, as is open houses reign supreme, but as every agent can attest, a solid database can yield bountiful fruits.

“The vast majority of our an agent’s time is spent in our database of leads and our existing clientele,” said Woolcott. “That work accounts for some 40-50% of our business. A lot of time is spent nursing and incubating those leads.”

Trying to decide between buying a spacious home and living in a great location? The good news is, you don’t have to choose.

If you’re a die-hard Torontonian, you may be hesitant to consider homes outside the limits of your beloved city. There’s a common misconception that home buyers have two options: purchase a small living space in a wonderful neighbourhood, or buy more square footage in a less desirable area. According to this line of thinking, living outside of Toronto is always a compromise. We couldn’t disagree more.

If you’re torn between a bigger house or better location, never fear. By choosing one of the vibrant communities outside of Ontario’s largest city, you can experience the best of both worlds. Here are a few reasons why you should consider expanding your search beyond Toronto’s borders.

You can maintain an exciting lifestyle

If you think life outside of Toronto is dull, think again. More and more, home buyers are viewing places like Hamilton and Burlington as viable alternatives—and for good reason. Whether you’re looking for buzzworthy restaurants, vibrant nightlife or unique shopping hotspots, these cities have you covered.

In Hamilton, grab a drink on Augusta Street, see some live music at a local venue or check out a world-class restaurant (our favourites include The French and Berkeley North). If you’re a shopper, CF Lime Ridge Mall offers 815,000 square feet of retail bliss, while the boutiques on Locke Street and James Street North are always unique. Burlington has just as much to offer—from the pitch-perfect dishes at Paradiso or Martini House to the over 150 retailers at Mapleview Centre.

It’s worth noting that communities like Dundas, Ancaster and Waterdown are just a few short minutes away from these lively city centres. They offer plenty of peace and quiet, yet they’re still incredibly close to the action.

The commute isn’t bad

When it comes to the bigger-house-or-better-location debate, commute times are one of the most important considerations. Luckily, there’s no shortage of fantastic local communities that are just a short drive from Toronto. Both Hamilton and Burlington are about an hour away (with the latter sitting just a little bit closer to the region’s megacity). Communities like Dundas and Ancaster offer similarly quick commutes. That’s pretty impressive, given that it can sometimes take just as long (if not longer) to get from one end of Toronto to the other.

To travel back and forth easily, simply take Highway 403 or Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). You can even catch the Go Train, since there are stops in both Hamilton and Burlington.

You can get a great price

Let’s face it: for many home buyers, purchasing a house in central Toronto just isn’t an option. The GTA housing market is notoriously pricey—so much so that many home hunters can’t afford a condo, let alone a single-family home.

Burlington, Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster and Waterdown are all very popular places to settle down. Your dollars will go further in these communities than they ever could in Toronto. That’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a sizeable backyard, spacious kitchen or extra guest bedroom.

So, do you need to compromise?

It’s true that some home buyers won’t ever see themselves living outside of Toronto. But as far as we’re concerned, choosing a beautiful, lively and affordable community that’s not far from the GTA is a win-win. Are you ready to explore your options?

Thinking of buying your next home in Hamilton, Burlington, or the surrounding area? We can help! Contact us to discuss your needs today.