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STAGING WORKS – IT MAKES YOU MONEY




 

STAGING  – IT WORKS, IT’S PROVEN, SO WHY NOT LET THE PROFESSIONALS DO IT?

STAGING – CBC reports on home staging and what Home Staging can do for a sale price of a home in Toronto.

Staging: Watch Yan Gurevich – Real Estate Agent with Harvey Kalles Real Estate chat to CBC about staging his listing in Little Portugal, West Queen West, and witness the work being done by Ella Zetser, top Toronto stager (The Last Detail, Stager’s Source).

“Staged homes could earn between 6 and 15% more if staged properly” – CBC.

I am often amazed how few homes are staged before photos are taken and homes are shown to the public by the agents.  Even less homes are prepared by professional stagers who’s job it is to make sure that every room in your house looks as appealing to all potential buyers as they can be.

 

In most cases, even if your house has plenty f furniture and all your walls are covered by art or photographs you really appreciate, a professional stager will quickly separate what works for a functional space from a space that is ready to be shown.

 

I am always excited to hear a client’s gasp once they see one of their own spaces again, for the first time, after me and my stager have prepared it.  It’s like a house you can fall in love with again.

Once staged and properly marketed, This home sold well over asking, and set a record at the time for a home that size in that pocket of Toronto.

 

So what are the key elements of staging that nearly all homes in West Queen West that my team has listed, which really made a difference in final sale price for my sellers?

Exterior:

  1.  Trim trees and bushes
  2. Fresh paint on outside doors, railing and window frames.
  3. Fresh flowers  even if in pots.
  4. Cleared gutters and eaves
  5. Cleared inviting sidewalks

Interior

  1.  Fresh, appropriate coloured paint.
  2. New lighting – If you can’t see the space well lit in all its glory, no amount of staging and painting will be enough.
  3. Clean and clear open spaces.  The more floor potential buyers see, the more the house will appear larger.  But keep in mind that the right furniture is essential to making a space appear even bigger and more appealing.
  4. Clean windows and window sills.  Yo may have a great view…but it’s a turn off if the buyer needs look at it through dirty screens or unwashed windows.
  5. Clean kitchens and bathrooms.
  6. Areas that you feel like spending more time in:  That’s a big part of what your stager does…making each part of your house a place buyers are going to enjoy spending in.  Other buyers see people linger…and that makes them want your house even more.

 

 

More about home and condo staging by Contacting Yan Gurevich directly.

 

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Look, Live & Dream Toronto-style with Queen Street West Real Estate

Take a stroll down the Queen West area of Toronto, and you’ll find it hard not to fall in love with what the neighborhood has to offer – truly more than a few steps above from your average shops, well-known flavors, and local attractions. Queen West is where Toronto goes to reinvent itself: on its streets, it’s hard to ignore the up-and-coming – because it’s what envelops this part of town.

From art galleries, to independent boutique shops, patios, and a whole slew of all things hipster in the most trendy of ways, Queen West real estate, comprising neighborhood staple houses, luxurious high-rise condos, and even independent retail is competitive, stylish, and rewarding for anyone who makes the cut.

The Look

Queen West real estate is perfect for anyone who lives and breathe the independent creative culture that Toronto has cultivated for itself in the past decade. Add to that, it also doesn’t hurt to call one of Vogue’s coolest neighborhoods your own home, especially if you’re all for panoramic skyline views of the city condos along the strip have to offer; or quaint, old-charm houses interspersed between a bustling retail scene and small corners intersecting into the Queen West strip.

All in all, the look of Queen West real estate is multifaceted, designed to appeal to just about everyone: all the way from tailored suits and the next big ideas, to young families, and the city’s trendy hipster scene.

The Life and Style of Queen Street West

Though home to a variety of up-and-coming labels, hipster trends and artisan shops, fret not, for you will find yourself easily taking in all these new sights and flavors, a nice refresh from the places and brands you already know and love.

Enter the Queen West area, and you’ll find all the same things you need occupying valuable real estate along the strip, like a trusty tailor, bookstore, clothes rack, accessories depot, spa, gym, yoga studio, restaurants, pubs, bars, the finest of the Drake Hotel and everything else – albeit with a unique, trendy, and lifestyle magazine-worthy spin!

The Dream

If living in this soulful city-center paradise is your dream (at this point, why wouldn’t it be, if it isn’t already?), there’s just one tiny caveat: thanks to the good life the Queen West promises, real estate pricing isn’t exactly the friendliest, as for good reason, a spot in this neighborhood is arguably one of the most coveted in the country, if not the world.

But for this we dare say: for the Toronto lover at heart, and with the right mix of savings, skills, and the spirit to flourish with a knack for trendy living, there’s always cool new spots, drink patios, art, and bites to find yourself in, and grab – all more than making up for the possibly hefty price tag!

Embrace the look, feel, and dreamy lifestyle Queen West has to offer. Invest in this part of town’s real estate, and form part of its creative and cultural revolution taking on the rest of Toronto! Get in touch with us at (647)209-4004 for real estate scoop.

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West Queen West: Live in the Hippest Part of Toronto

Photo : @harryzy5204 /Instagram

Where lifestyle, culture and home ownership collide

Walk along Queen Street West and you’d be hard pressed to see any changes over the past decade. All the fashion chains you’ve come to know and love litter both sides of the streets with foot traffic that rivals parts of NYC. Queen Street has always been know as that hip part of Toronto that’s just different enough to be “cool”. But venture far enough West along Queen Street and you slowly come to a part so distinctly different that they had to add another “West” to the namesake just to make sure that you knew you were somewhere different. Move along Queen West peeps, this is ‘West Queen West’ – where the word ‘Hip’ has no bounds and all are welcome.

There is something to be said about the neighborhoods hugging West Queen West, they’re a more diverse mixed dish than your grandmother’s famous stew. All kinds of people live in these areas, from the downtrodden artist to the secret plutocrat, and they all call this region their home. It is a unique area in which the old are old, and are ready to pass down their deeds; and as for the young, well, they range from young-and-upcoming to the young at heart. The latter of which is what lights up nights in these areas. Don’t believe us? Walk along Ossington on a Weekend night and let that experience redefine the word “youth” for you. We’re not talking about the reckless binge drinking, “woooo-ing” party type that you might see waddling on King Street, no.

🐾🍺🔦

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These streets don’t just facilitate nightlife for people; the people are the nightlife. These areas aren’t just places for people to party on. They are social hubs where community and culture collide to create something new, and is then re-invented again every night. The type of unique businesses, boutiques and shops that you see in these communities are indicative of the type of culture that they represent. Cookie cut chains and franchises need not apply. Perhaps that’s why Vogue named Toronto’s “West Queen West” the second-hippest district in the world in 2014; second only to Tokyo’s Shimokitasawa district.

99% of the time

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Combine everything you read, and it’s easy to understand why West Queen West is one of the most sought after areas for prospective home-buyers and renters. Everyone wants to either live or work here. From bachelors, students, artists, entrepreneurs to families. It’s the most ideal and well rounded place for all types of life. Those who want to downsize and live a more quaint life tucked away in a picturesque home, now can. For those who want to up-size and renovate decades old lots for something more modern, now can. The young and young-at-heart who want to be close to the hip lifestyle but distant enough for solitude, now can. Those who want to re-energize their artistic needs by surrounding themselves with the most creative and hip minds a neighborhood can offer, now can. And for those who want to start a business counter to the establishment, you wont find a more eclectic and experiential customer base than those on West Queen West. Seriously, we’ll try anything, at least once.

Double Salsa Verde Burger (Taster: @fidelgastros)

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Life in Toronto’s Trendiest: The Real Estate Haven that’s West Queen West

Anyone who lives in Toronto breathes in the city’s vibrant scenery and rich cultural experience everyday, and they’re certainly a gift the city is known for. With dynamic and lively neighborhoods spread across town, it’s no wonder that everyone who comes to live here falls in love with the city’s streets and sights, especially with Queen Street West – a neighborhood that’s uniquely Toronto. From trendy shops and restaurants, to up-and-coming flavors and spots that trace their roots in the area, West Queen West has quickly risen to become a coveted real estate heaven for everyone who lives and breathes Toronto.

Quick Facts about Toronto’s Trendiest Neighborhood

Step into West Queen West, and you’ll immediately see why it’s Toronto’s very own real estate holy grail. And here, we’ll quickly arm you with the why’s:

Gateway to Toronto’s Trends

With Dufferin to its West, Queen to the North, Shaw to the East and King Street down south, West Queen West is a region of inspiration, as shown in the influx of flavors, art, design, and creations that’s uniquely Toronto – making it a real estate haven for anyone who’s looking for space in the area.

Top-Tier Value

Brace yourself, because Toronto’s trendiest can come at quite the price. With West Queen West being one of the city’s most coveted spots, iconic houses prices start in the one million’s, and hip condos range from the $300,000’s all the way to $800,000. Just remember, the view, flavors, art, and culture definitely make the price tag all worth it!

The Who’s Who

As one of the world’s most culturally diverse and vibrant cities, every inch of Toronto is reflected in the West Queen West real estate, with a healthy combination of kids, families, and the youth’s up-and-coming sharing the strip of trendy shops, restaurants, parks, and just about everything in this neighborhood.

Getting Around Town

Feel like venturing out into the rest of the city? With a 97% rating on Walkscore, and 100 on Transit Score, it’s no wonder that real estate space in West Queen West is easily filling up, if not consistently full as the neighborhood continues to reinvent itself, and with it, Toronto’s hottest lifestyle trends.

Want the latest scoop on Toronto’s trendiest, and the ever-growing real estate market? Live the dream in a West Queen West home, surrounded by the masterpiece of a city lifestyle. Get in touch with us at (647)209-4004 for the hottest properties in the market!

West Queen West Toronto Real Estate is your real estate go to site when you are serious about finding a home to buy or wanting to sell a home in the area. We are happy to walk you through our system, it is simple to understand and yet very effective. Contact us and let’s continue the conversation.

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REAL ESTATE AGENT INTERVIEW

HOW TO INTERVIEW YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT, may be the most critical decisions you will make in selling, or buying your home.  A Real Estate Agent Interview Questionnaire could be the difference between a great experience, or the most expensive and unsettling mistake in your real estate adventure.

 

When was the last time you gave anyone a gift of $50,000 – $150,000???  Have you ever cut a check that size to a friend, or family member, without expecting it back?  If you were on trial for a crime that you didn’t commit, and all the lawyers in the country charged the same fee, would you hire a relative, or the best qualified lawyer to defend you?

 

Well, every day people choose to use unqualified real estate agents instead of the best person for the job.

So how do you narrow down your choices without a rating system?  

Why not Interview real estate agents by using our Real Estate Agent Interview Questionnaire?  It comes with a Comparison Form at the back!

Real Estate Agent Interview Questionnaire - Form

HINT! Don’t wait until a week before you want your property to hit MLS to hire your agent. Your property marketing team should actually understand the difference between “Selling”, and “Marketing” your home.  If your agent understands how to market, they will also require more than just a few days to get the word out about your property, and build up the “Hype”.  Ask Us about our WQW Property Marketing Methods that do just that!

 

 

How to use your “Real Estate Agent Interview Questionnaire?”

We love it when our own potential clients use the “The Real Estate Agent Interview Questionnaire” to interview us.

The Questionnaire contains numerous key questions Sellers should consider when hiring an Agent.  It also includes well-timed challenges for the agent you are interviewing, just to try to get them off their game – to see how they may behave in adverse situations when your house is on the line.

 

⇒REQUEST YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE HERE!

 

WE WILL SEND IT TO YOU IMMEDIATELY IN PDF FORMAT

 

 

(Here is an article we wrote for the “Resale Home and Condo Guide” to get our point across…)

“Heed the Warning and Choose your Realtor Wisely” Written by Yan Gurevich

Juliette lived in her parents’ house since she was 3 years old: a bungalow in a forest of post-WW2 single story family homes. With her parents long gone, Juliette was now married with 2 kids and a large SUV that didn’t fit in their garage. Watching her girls playing in the driveway sent waves of memories of simpler days, like frothy bubble baths she took in her parents’ en-suite tub. But it was time to move on.

 

Empowered by their two incomes, she and her husband needed help finding a newer, modern home.   She set up interviews with local and recommended agents. When the doorbell rang, Juliette gazed back at her husband… “I wish mom and dad were here to do this…”

 

Dear Juliette, here are some non-standard qualities your parents would look for, if they were interviewing agents with you.

 

Thanks for the memories: No agent can help you write the next chapter of your life, if they don’t care or respect where you have been.   Do they care enough to learn about your family life so far, and how to minimize shock of the move on you and your children? LOOK OUT: Agents who feign interest. Say what you want to hear.

 

Shut up and Listen. Not you…The agent… Do they know how to listen? Are they only trying to impress you with their knowledge and success stories, or are they asking you the right questions that should help them determine how best to help you? LOOK OUT! They don’t let you finish your sentences? They are not writing things down. Pushing you into making decisions quicker than you are ready.

 

Deliver on Short Term Promises. All agents should arrive prepared with material and information about the neighborhood, market and the home you are trying to sell. But you should prepare one or two assignments that are relatively easy to accomplish by the agent within a few hours or a day; a piece of information, an analysis, a list of services … then see how they get back to you? LOOK OUT: General answers. Excuses. Responses that don’t address the assignment.

 

Busy Agent vs. Free Agent – Some may show you all their awards, but pass your deal onto a junior agent. A less experienced agent may give you all the time in the world, but may lack the skills and experience to do all the right things. Who is going to handle your deal and will they be open to asking for help if they get over their head during the process?

 

Name that Brokerage – Remember, your Listing, or Buyer Agreement is not with the agent, but with their Brokerage. Pay close attention to the brokerage’s reputation. Are they established, reputable, a name you recognize and can trust? Will you be comfortable calling the broker of record and request better, or different service, which may, or may not include the agent you chose. LOOK OUT! The broker of record won’t call you back. They don’t offer much information about their agent.

 

Tough Love – Your agent must be – amongst many things – an expert negotiator. Plan two or three points of contention during your interview and watch the agent’s response. Are they adept at dealing with adversity? How will they fare in the trenches when they argue price, unique conditions, fees?

 

Your NINJA move when interviewing real estate agents is in your interview as well as the feedback you get after your interview.  That’s why I urge all my clients to use this  “REAL ESTATE AGENT QUESTIONNAIRE”

Here is the first page of the most requested publication we have ever produced.

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READY TO GET YOUR FULL COPY OF YOUR OWN REAL ESTATE AGENT INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE, AND RATING SHEET?

 

⇒HERE IS THE REQUEST FORM AGAIN!!!!