One of the keys to investing in real estate is knowing where to start and where to look. If you start with the right areas, and partner with the local experts, you can build a portfolio that is better suited to your future.

The fact is that Ontario is growing, with people coming from across the globe to make their homes right here. That’s why, as an investor, you’ve likely considered some of the places where your dollar can really work for you.

Do you need to know where to invest in real estate in Ontario? Let’s give you a brief rundown of where you should be considering:

Burlington & Area

Whether it’s the crime rate, employment opportunities, home prices or public transportation, Burlington often finds itself at the top of many lists when compared to other markets in Ontario. The truth is that this area is incredibly convenient, especially for commuters heading into Toronto, and is the picture of growth as the “Golden Horseshoe” of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) grows.

Investing in Burlington is investing in a waterfront city that is putting serious work into making its mark as the destination. Close to nature, growing with numerous new businesses, and primed for development (in the form of new homes, communities, and condominiums). Burlington is here, and it’s making its mark.  

Just north of Burlington, the community of Waterdown is a great opportunity to invest in an on-the-rise location. Given its own proximity to the 403, it’s easy to see why this area is ready to break out, too. As more and more commuters seek out bedroom communities west of larger cities, newer subdivisions and developments will bolster communities like these.

The same applies for the larger community of Flamborough. While currently comprised mostly of large, and more rural, properties, this is another area that shines because of its potential and area highlights. Playing off the presence of Highway 6, with access to the cities of Guelph and the Kitchener-Waterloo corridor, the potential here is fantastic.

A lot can happen in the market over a few short months. Our recent posts will help bring you up to speed:

• Should You Wait Until the Timing is Better to Sell Your Home?
• Tips For Buying Your First Home During A Changing Market
• Should You Get A Fixed Mortgage Rate Or Variable?
• The Steepest Interest Rate Hike In Decades: Should You Be Worried?

Hamilton & Area

There’s no denying that Hamilton is growing, and the city’s hip culture and general affordability has made it ground zero for urban homebuyers. In recent years, the city’s has truly enjoyed a rare influx of buyers who are contributing their own sense of civic pride and entrepreneurial spirit to the area.

Whether it’s in the Downtown Core or on the mountain, Hamilton provides a wealth of affordable homes that are attracting buyers of all types. At the same time, the entire area is being reimagined with new buildings and pre-construction projects looking to rapidly redesign the face of the Hamilton (and the skyline, too).

If you’re thinking about where to invest in real estate in Ontario, Hamilton is a great place to start. Beyond that, though, it is also helpful to consider the other communities of Ancaster and Dundas. Whether you are looking for yourself or to make an investment, the variety of homes here (from historic homes to newer builds), make this area attractive for all sorts of reasons.

Looking for more ideas for where to invest? Check out some of our other posts:

• Hamilton vs Toronto: Which City Should You Choose?
• The Hidden Gems of Burlington You Need to Know About

Start Investing in Ontario Today 

The dedicated buyer agents at Woolcott Real Estate can help determine your goals, and the best place for you to invest. Equipped with decades in the industry, and Priority Access to numerous listings on the market (and ones about to hit the market), we can ensure that you next investment is a smart one.

Interested in learning more? Our neighbourhood price guides can give you a comprehensive view into each market, so that you can start making more informed real estate decisions today. Learn more about them by clicking here.

Is Burlington a good place to live? Burlington is our home, and as the premier team in the area, we know it best. That’s why we want to help you learn your way around, and to discover more about Burlington and what you can do to make it home.

Whether you are a first-time buyer, a young family, or even looking for something to downsize into, you’ll easily find something you can love here – and it all starts with the culture and lifestyle of this charming waterfront city.

Where do we recommend in Burlington? Here’s how you can play a day in the city to make it yours:  

Take A Stroll 

Burlington locals are super proud of the changes their waterfront has undergone over the years. Right on the shores of Lake Ontario, Spender Smith Park is a charming stretch of waterfront real estate.

Finishing off at the Brant Street Pier, tourists and locals alike both enjoy marvelling out across the water whenever they have the chance.

Stop and Smell the Roses 

On the border of Burlington and Hamilton, one of the best parts of living in Burlington is having the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens right in your own backyard.

Featuring a plethora of gardens, exhibits highlighting wildlife of all kinds, and a picturesque setting that is perfect for a picnic. The Laking Garden, especially, is a great place to catch your breath and take in nature’s bounty.

Try the Local Hotspots 

Heading back into Burlington’s charming downtown, it’s time to grab something to eat! Try some of the local fare, like the healthy food at Lettuce Love Cafe (and their renowned bowls), or the “wicked chicken” at the Coop.

Lastly, if you’re looking for lunch with a view, head to Emma’s Back Porch and Water Street Cooker for a cozy cottage-inspired interior and views stretching out across the water. Sound picturesque? That’s because it is!

Head North 

The further north you go in Burlington, you’re likely to uncover even more hidden gems that only real locals know about. There’s the king around Kerncliff Park, the family-friend City View Park, or the views way up at Mount Nemo Conservation Area.

The north end of Burlington is also peppered with unique country properties, and really gives a different perspective on real estate in this area. You might even find yourself falling in love with the winding roads and small-town feel.

Go On a Shopping Spree  

One of the best parts of living in Burlington is just how convenient everything is, which is why you need to round out your day by visiting the Burlington Power Centre.

This shopping centre is filled with all your favourites, and finds itself right at the intersection of the Highway 403 (to Toronto) and the QEW (which will take you to the United States). Grab dinner here, or whatever essentials you might need, and you’ll quickly find that Burlington truly has it all.

Trust the Local Experts

If you’re still left wondering, “is Burlington a good place to live?” We can help. Our team is specialized in the area, and is equipped with dedicated buyer agents who can help you learn more about the neighbourhoods, the homes, and what you need to know when it comes to living in this thriving city.

Reach out today for a FREE buyer’s consultation, to learn more about you want, what you need, and how we can provide the best experience to match up with both.

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!