One morning last week, I drove into Toronto.

Actually, I drove to the other side of Toronto – Don Mills Road and Eglinton – to the Ontario Science Center. We left Uptown Waterloo at 9:10 and arrived at our destination before 10:30. It was an uneventful drive, congested at times (leaving Kitchener, entering Mississauga) but we made it in good time.

It could have been worse, but we left at the right time and it was a clear day and there were no accidents. The stars aligned. We were lucky.

Even so, I wouldn’t want to do that every day.

Today’s Waterloo Region Record announced the Go train service to Toronto starting in December. The regular one-way fare is $14.60, round trip $29.20. The monthly pass is $482.

The newspaper story says it’s the same price as taking the bus and given the choice, who would rather take a bus?

I was thinking that this rate isn’t any different than the Via Rail rate so I went on line and found:

The regular fare is $31.

The Economy/discounted fare is $28.

And if you can book three days in advance the Supersaver fare is $23.

These are one-way fares, much more than GO at $14.60, not about the same at all.

Filed under: Around Kitchener Waterloo by Keith Marshall
Write the first comment! »

It’s the dream of every home seller (and listing agent) to have people fighting over their house. It certainly increases the chances of closing the deal and getting the right price. However, if you don’t have a strategy to deal with multiple offers, this dream can quickly turn into a nightmare.

For real estate agents, perhaps more so than in any other part of the real estate business, handling multiple offers is a potentially explosive public relations minefield. It is not enough to do the right thing – you must look like you are doing the right thing.

Unfortunately, there is no definitive “best way” to handle multiple offers. Too many different scenarios exist. However for real estate agents, we must always represent the best interests of our clients and our intentions have to be visual, audible and tactile.

With that in mind, for anyone involved in multiple offer situations here are some guidelines to consider:
Listing agents should present offers in the order that they come in. Realtors should be the facilitators of the paperwork, not manipulators of it.

Buyers’ agents should encourage their clients to really think their offer through. In multiple offer situations, potential buyers may only have one chance to bid on the property. This is not a high-pressure sales tactic. It is a statement of fact.

This is no time for games. In an intensely emotional situation like the sale/purchase of a house, with the added intensity of multiple offers, trust is a big issue.

Sellers. Pick the best offer, but don’t burn your bridges. You can only work with one offer at a time. Ask the competing offers to wait in the wings in case the deal falls through. Remember, deals fall through.

Price is often the main consideration. But what are the other elements of the offer. What are the conditions? When is the closing date? Are there items in the property that the buyer/seller want included or removed?

The decision to accept or reject offers is ultimately down to the seller. The agent’s role is to represent them to the best of his abilities. A good realtor will help guide his client through the decision making process, giving suggestions, offering advice. This is not the time for the hotshot realtor to be calling the shots.

Multiple offers are probably the most misunderstood and most complained about part of the buying/selling process. It is important to be careful and get it right the first time.

Filed under: advice, Buying Real Estate, real estate, Selling Real Estate by Keith Marshall
Write the first comment! »

This mall has everything

The other day I was in UpTown Waterloo visiting one of my favorite retailers. She said, “I was just going to contact you. Will you sign this petition to against paid parking in UpTown Waterloo?”

I did.

Not because I like cars. But because I think we need a plan and other options before we change rules that will affect retailers. When the city of Guelph put in paid parking, the downtown retailers complained for years how it impacted their businesses. (I suspect they are still complaining). Let’s face it, no one likes to pay for parking. Somehow we think its our right to park on city streets and public lots. We pay taxes after all.

There must be a better way.

Change is needed. We should be encouraged to leave our cars outside the city core. But first, we need walkable cities with great public space and transportation options.

Filed under: Around Kitchener Waterloo, editorial, uptown waterloo by Keith Marshall
1 Comment »

“Keith is a fantastic Realtor to work with.  We had first met him looking for our first house back in 2008, and enjoyed the service that he provided so much that we didn’t hesitate to contact him again when it came time to look for our second house.  Buying and selling a home is always a very stressful experience, but having Keith as our Realtor made the entire process quite a bit easier. He was always willing to go the extra mile for us to guarantee that both the sale of our first home, and the purchase of our second home happened with as little trouble as possible.  So now, if any of our friends ever mention that they are looking to buy or sell their home, we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Keith Marshall.” — RJ

Thanks RJ for the wonderful recommendation. I really enjoyed working with you and your family.

Filed under: About me, advice, Buying Real Estate, Selling Real Estate by Keith Marshall
Write the first comment! »

Kitchener loses another iconic building. It’s not Barra Castle this time, or one of the Tannery buildings. It’s more like losing the rusty water tower up on St. George Street, a throw back to simpler times.

For as long as I can remember, in prime location, at the corner of King and Victoria, the unofficial start of downtown Kitchener, has stood an iconic A-frame.

When we first moved to Kitchener, it was still the Tin Roof Donuts, a rundown remnant of when the neighborhood shoe and related factories were in operation – the local coffee shop hang out.

Changing to reflect demographic shifts in our community it became a Korean Japanese Grocery store (about six or seven years ago).

I’m sad now to say that I never stepped foot inside the building. We’ve lost a little bit of history. But we are on to bigger and greater things.

Filed under: Around Kitchener Waterloo, editorial by Keith Marshall
Write the first comment! »