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Trust The Process

If there was ever a story for "days on market are your enemy" this is the house....

We hit the market and things were great, we had constant showings but just couldn't find the right buyer. As time went on I started getting texts and calls from other realtors "what is wrong with that house, why is it still on the market" buyers and realtors were starting to judge it by the days on market before going in to see it, assuming it must be slanted, cracked foundation, or smelly... but none of those were the case at all!

So, when we were able to (there are rules about this) I told the seller "we need to expire this listing and start fresh with zero days on market". The seller trusted me, we pulled it off the market, did up the paperwork, and had it back on market within 24 hours.... a new price, fresh listing.... and BAM! Showings were coming in like crazy, and on day 1... an offer!

All it took was a little refresh of the listing, a plan, guidance, and a seller that trusted the process.

I can't wait to see what adventures you are in for next and I am so happy that this chapter is now complete so that you can get on to all the exciting things you have planned.

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Some Home Purchase Stories Are A Whirlwind And This Is One Of Them...

While I was in Banff they set out with Heather to look at a few homes and fell in love. I wrote up the offer and as soon as I got back we did the home inspection. It uncovered a few unexpected items (hello knob and tube) and so we went back to the negotiating table, only to turn up empty handed. The sellers weren't going to budge. We walked away with a plan to do a weekend blitz of homes to make sure walking away was the right decision.

Then, we fell in love again! It was a home that had been on the market a while, it was a great home, a hidden gem, we wrote an offer.... and again, roadblock. A very stubborn seller who at most would negotiate only $900 off the list price. Again, we walked away.

These two thought long and hard about the first home, and we re-engaged in conversation, only to discover that the sellers had also found the same issues we had! They had spent that "time away" and did some more digging on their own home, the conversation was open again and we were on our way to making a deal happen. Only 24 hours after that conversation started again, we had both an accepted offer and financing complete and were able to seal the deal on making this home theirs!

Congratulations to the two of you, while the journey was short it was amazing. You are a lot of fun and deserve ever bit of happiness that you are going to build in your new home.

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Never Split The Difference - Learning Techniques Of Negotiating

I Love to Read month continues!

I agree with Sandeep that this book is awesome! It is full of information that can be used by almost anyone on a daily basis. Learning techniques of negotiation are important, not just to Realtors but to everyone. Think of all the times you negotiate on a daily basis, with your children, partner, work, or even a pet. We are negotiating all day long every day!

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Have You Checked Out The Leaf Yet?

Have you checked out the Leaf yet in Winnipeg?? After waiting and watching the construction of it happen for so long it is so delightful to hear so many amazing things about it!

With multiple biomes, a butterfly garden and an incredible indoor waterfall, the leaf must be checked out! While you're waiting to see it for yourself, teammate Sheri is here to share it with you!

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I’ll Make This Big And Epic!

Honestly, this looked so much more graceful than it felt. Running through the home the other two did fun jumps down the stairs, and I followed, thinking "oh I'll make this big and epic" and forgot I was wearing silk elf shoes... I bailed and did a big tumble. We kept it in the video.... it was perfect, and fun, and I didn't end up hurt!

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These Smiling Faces!!!

These two went on quite the journey in a very short time.

We fell in love with the first house they saw, the same one I broke a key in the door AND stepped in a pit in the basement! It had been on the market for quite some time, we looked at a few more, went back a 2nd time, decided to offer and of course... murphy's law... there was another offer.

Competing... and then losing on a home that has been on the market for weeks sucks! But, with smiles, they continued to search. Just as we were about to put in an offer on another house we found out that the first offer fell through!! We quickly wrote up an offer and got it in there and got it accepted!

We had a wonderful home inspection, confirming this was an amazing solid home, and on the day we took this pic we even met the owners which confirmed even more so how well taken care of this home was!

The two of you are an absolute delight and you deserve every bit of happiness coming your way! I can't wait for this spring when you get to move in and make this home your own.

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Pets And Selling Your Home

I love our pup Freddie.... most days... but not everyone does. Some can see a dog and instantly think of the damage it might do to a home. Some might look at a dog and see allergies. Some might see a less than perfect yard. Some might see happiness, and some might groan.

If we were to put our house on the market today, we would make all evidence of this guy disappear. We would hide kennels, food bags, food dishes, and any pictures of him in the house. We would make our home pet neutral so we didn't alienate a potential buyer who had less pleasant thoughts about a dog.

It sucks, and it is hard to do when you have pets, but it is incredibly necessary to help maximize your efforts when selling your home.

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Get Ready. Things Are Picking Up!

See that smile.... that is because things are picking back up.... A few more listings are starting to creep onto the market, and buyers are ready to go. It seems buyers are over the shock of the rates, they are ready to move on and still make their goals happen. It would appear that the "spring market" is making an appearance, and if your thinking of putting your home on the market, the beginning of this market is when you want to be hitting.

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I Love 100-Year-Old Houses!

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love and appreciate 100-year-old original woodwork in a home. The craftsmanship, quality and detail of this wood are always incredible. A lot of people don't realize how high of quality it is (compared to most of our particle board/hollow doors today) It would cost a small fortune to build a home of comparable quality today, and you would be hard-pressed to find the right person to do the job.

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February Is I Love To Read Month

February is "I love to read" month!!

The kiddos and I got into Harry Potter a few years ago, and now... we are obsessed. This has got to be one of the kid's favourite parts of the book, and quite often they run around casting spells on each other "Eat Slugs!" 🤮

Do you or your family have a favourite book? Is there a story that connects you with other people?

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Should You Buy Or Rent?

Should you buy or rent?? It can seem easier and safer to rent, especially as there seems to be a lot of fear in the current market.... but if you rent you are just putting more money into the pockets of a landlord and you aren't building your own equity. Sheri outlines here some other reasons why you might want to consider taking the plunge and becoming a homeowner.