Toronto Real Estate Report

Swinging a Hammer

The Woman Blitz got underway on May 1st.  The Habitat for Humanity project to build 16 homes funded by women who raised money to participate, $2 million, and came out in full force to raise the roof.

I spent 6 weeks of training as a Crew Leader and learned about proper technique for using a hammer, how to instruct someone else on the use of a power saw, the proper spacing between joists, SIP panels and installing doors and windows.  I figure I know how to sell a house, it’s good to know how they’re built.

I was ready to take on a leadership role and reported for duty at 7 a.m., fitted with a tool belt, courtesy of “Montana's Cookhouse", a t-shirt courtesy of “Toronto Crew”  and  was assigned to roof construction for the day.  It is built on a frame beside the house and is then lifted in place by a crane.  We had to find plywood scraps, measure and cut to size, and then nail into place around the perimeter of the roof, it forms some type of barrier for the insulation.

There is something magical about a group of roughly 200 women swinging hammers, operating power saws & installing wall panels.  A group of multi-tasking, worker bees ready and willing to take on any task with a smile on their face.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and now I know that a group of women can raise a roof and build the homes to raise those children in.

I’ll be back today for my second shift and can see returning time and again.  It’s rewarding work, a great cause and a joy to be involved with.

Seminar this Week

If you are considering renovating an older home in Toronto, you need to come to the FREE presentation this week.  I have arranged for Principal Designer, Manuela Gobbato to provide you with tips and designing tricks to help you along the way.

The presentation is being held this Tuesday November 4th at 7 p.m. at the Leaside Public Library, located at 165 McRae Drive.  There is usually plenty of public parking in the area.  Please send me an email to reserve your spot, and you are more that welcome to bring a friend.

Renovations will greatly add to the enjoyment of your home and will also serve to increase the resale value in the future.  It's more fun than putting money in a mutual fund account, especially these days.  If done properly, with the right trade professionals and a good plan, renovating an older home can be very rewarding.

The big favourites with the most "bang for their buck" with respect to return on your investment continues to be kitchens and bathrooms.  However, finishing a basement, adding a main floor family room or installing new windows are also very desirable features in a home.

If you're unable to make it, I will be reporting later this week some of the lessons learned on Tuesday.

Working by Referral

As a Realtor I believe it's important to continue to learn and develop new ways to serve my clients in the best way possible.  It's not just about the transaction, but how you treat the entire process from the initial home search or listing of a home, to the successful conclusion.  With that pursuit  in mind, I spent the last 2 days in a workshop presented by Buffini and Company.

The concept is based on building your business by referral. You don't spend your time prospecting for new clients, instead you spend your time serving your clients, their friends and family.  In order for your clients to feel comfortable referring you, you need to demonstrate exceptional customer service and use every opportunity to show them your competence and care for them.  From sending them valuable information on a regular basis, providing them with referral sources for trades and suppliers they may need for their home, or just giving them a call and staying in touch.  Always be of service, it's not just about selling a house.  How true.

What struck me was that many Realtors are hesitant to call or stop in to see their clients.  Would they hesitate to call or stop in to see a friend?  We develop very close relationships with our clients during a real estate transaction, spending hours together in a car searching for the perfect home, or working closely with them during the sale of their home.  We become friends, close companions, the agent is the trusted advisor.

I look forward to implementing some new programs for my clients/friends and to continue to add value.  I'm privileged to serve and enjoy every minute of it!

Listen Up!

I have been a member of CAWEE (Canadian Association of Women Executives and Entrepreneurs) for many years. CAWEE  I have served on the Board of Directors for the past 6 years in various positions.  This is a wonderful organization which provides an opportunity for women in business to network at a monthly breakfast meeting and attend a variety of social functions throughout the year.  It's a warm, inviting and positive group of women that I am happy to be a part of.

Last week I attended the Lunch and Learn entitled "Listening Makes Business Sense: Slow Down, Calm Down and Keep Quiet" presented by Carrol Suzuki.Listeningbetter.com

I learned that the 2 most important aspects of being a good listener is to track your intent in a conversation and the impact it makes.  To be fully engaged in a conversation takes patience and focus.  The person who rushes to finish your sentence is focused on their own end of the conversation, and this unconscious intent often leads to unintentional impacts.  They are perceived as annoying & impatient.

Carrol also made us aware of the fact that we have close to 60,000 thoughts throughout our waking day, which translates to about 3000 thoughts an hour.  With all that going on in your head, quieting the chatter and focusing on the conversation is a real art form that takes time to perfect.

I'm a work in progress.