Port Credit looking from the lake looking north

From an investment perspective those who had the bulk of their investments in the stock market had a very topsy turvey month in October. The debt crisis in Europe dominated the evening news (and still is) and stocks were loosing value more then gaining. However, real estate in Mississauga, Toronto, Etobicoke, Oakville and Brampton just kept on climbing both in numbers of sales and prices.

During the month of October total sales reported in the greater Toronto Area amount to 7, 642 an increase of 16.4% over the number of sales at the same time last year. The average selling price in October was up 8% to $478, 137.

With respect to the Mississauga real estate market total home sales were 916 with an average price of $429,033. The number of new listings on the market during the month was 1430 and active listings at the end of the month 1823. The average days a home was on the market was 24 days.

Although the inventory of homes has increased since the spring and summer the market remains a Seller’s market meaning the number of buyers looking for a home surpasses the number of homes available.

The Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation recently released their quarterly housing market outlook which predicts that sales for the remainder of the year will remain at the same pacing with a continued edging towards a balanced market. Predictions in this report also indicate that the total number of sales and prices for 2012 will stabilize with modest increases.

While every home buyer is different, there are some common themes you’ll notice among those who are looking for a home. First and foremost, people want a house they will be glad to call a home for years to come. They want someone in the right location, at the right size, and at the right price.

You’ll find that some want something quite large, with many bedrooms. Others are looking for something more quaint — a first home, or a downsized home for empty-nesters. No matter what kind of home you have on the market — it’s important to know who your target buyers are.

This is something a great REALTOR will help you with. A good agent will make suggestions of what to do to your home (these are often simple fixes) that will ensure your home sells as quickly as possible. Staging your home is an important part. You want people to feel like they could really see themselves in the home.

These days, it’s more important than ever before to have a good real estate agent by your side. It can be tough to sell if you’re not able to stand out on the housing market. Let Lea Jensen help you sell your home. She has the marketing tools and smarts to help you sell quickly, and command the best price for your home.

It may be surprising to know, but the top 3 fixes to a home to get it ready for sale, and get top dollar on your return, are also the least expensive!

1. Declutter your home – Rent a storage space on a short term basis and start the decluttering process now. Sparse is good, not only does it give a potential buyer a feeling of spaciousness and calmness. It also allows a potential buyer to feel they can live in the home because you have made the home anonymous (removing personal photos, knick knacks). Make sure the kitchen and bathroom counters are free of any unnecessary items and personal affects and don’t forget the inside of cupboards and closets. Have you ever looked at pictures of homes for sale that are really appealing. Take a closer look and you will realize the homes with most appeal have no clutter!
2. Cleanliness – This can not be overstated! Buyers will pay thousands of dollars more when a home is sparkling clean, (not just surface clean). If it takes a week, go through room by room and clean every corner or hire a professional. Bathrooms and kitchens are especially important. Re-caulking to remove mildew around tubs and showers is vital. You don’t want potential buyers to get an icky feeling in the most important rooms in the house!
3. Paint – there is nothing better than a fresh coat of paint in a wonderful current colour. If you are not handy and precise do not attempt to paint yourself. Drips of paint and splashes are a turn off. It is important to get the advice of a professional on what are the best colours are for your home and which colours will appeal to the masses. (As a service to my clients I provide a free consultation with a decorator to help chose colours and make other simple suggestions in your home)

Don’t delay. Get started now. The market is hot and it is definitely a sellers market. Who would have thought the middle of the summer would be this strong.

Now is the time to clean up the yard, and edge your flower beds.  Pansies are a great addition and can handle freezing temperatures .  They will  pop right back once the sun comes out and the temperatures rise.  So go out and fill your front planters with pussy willows, daffidils, pansies, tulips and moss.  Buyers will get a great first impression!

It can be tough to think about buying or selling a home these days. The global economy is not as stable as it has been in years past — and that can cause a lot of fear! That’s why it’s so important to choose the right Mississauga real estate agent. It’s not enough to choose someone randomly out of a phone book — You need someone who knows how to navigate the world of real estate in ANY economy.

As a buyer, you need an agent who will negotiate the very best deal. In a time where banks are tightening their wallets, it’s not always easy to be approved for as much home as you would like. Finding a REALTOR®  who will take the time to locate your perfect home, at the perfect price, is a necessity.

As a seller, you need a REALTOR®  who will work to command what your home is worth. It can be difficult to sell homes these days for their fair market price. There are many homes for sale in and around Mississagua Ontario, so it’s important that you choose a REALTOR® who knows how to market for you. Marketing your home properly can make all the difference between selling a home for what it’s worth, and not getting a buyer at all.

No matter whether you’re the buyer or the seller, Lea Jensen is your first choice for Mississauga real estate agent. She knows exactly what it means to find the perfect home for the buyer, or to find the right buyer if you’re selling your home. These times call for something special, and that is a Sutton Group REALTOR®  who will make this process run as smoothly as possible so you can buy or sell a home with ease.

Contact Lea today to get started with Missisauga real estate!