"My Advice on How to Stay Focused and Healthy Being a Real Estate Agent"

BY: STEVE LAVIOLLETE

 

 

 

"Just got back from a run!!  I’ve been thinking about this, I used to run a lot, right up until I was in my 40’s, developed a few health issues, life happens, you know the drill, changed careers, had two fantastic little boys, things got busy and looking after myself like I was accustomed to, got put on the proverbial shelf, and before I knew it, I’m a little bit, shall we say, larger and a lot more out of shape, and looking in the mirror and saying, “Really!!”

When I joined Grenville Guardian last summer, I joined because of the excitement of this new and upcoming, happening company, the quality leadership that is really next to none, and the opportunity to receive top notch coaching and advice from one of the best in the business.

One piece of simple, simple advice which was delivered my way, and it may surprise you how easy it is, was the importance of making time for myself, my health and wellbeing.   Let’s face it, although real estate has all kinds of potential to be a fun, exciting and prosperous and hugely rewarding career, it also has the potential to burn you out with its very long hours, moments of titanic stressful situations and incidents when hair, can and does, get removed in a forceful fashion from your scalp!  It is easy to say, being as balanced and stable and healthy as possible in those situations does possess a certain amount of value.

I am on the upwards side of halfway to 100 years old.  Regardless, this piece of advice, strangely enough, it has got me back into a routine of regular running, at least 3 times a week.  I am lifting weights, small ones mind you, but lifting, instead of staring at them on my floor, as they were slowly rusting away!!  We have people in our office that are into all kinds of various things to maintain their health and sanity, and balance of life.  They are into kickboxing, hot yoga, running, hockey, walking, meditation, whatever the activity, they just do it, and I think we all benefit from it, and I think people who meet us, benefit from it! Anyway, just a small thing  that makes us different!!"

"WOMEN'S DAY 2015"

BY: COLLEEN BLAIR - DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

 

"With the weather in full cooperation, the village of Manotick once again played host to close to 1000 of visiting ladies, as we celebrated this year's WOMEN'S DAY.

A larger than expected crowd roamed the streets of our village, armed with flowers and a variety of gifts from most of the local shops, restaurants and businesses.

Grenville Guardian Real Estate was once again a proud supporter of this great event. Keeping in line with our motto of "Ask us why we're Different", our brokerage was transformed for the day into a welcoming destination for the ladies to take in and enjoy a variety of vendors geared to educating and pampering our guests.

 

Representatives from Partylite Candles, Stella & Dot Fine Jewelry, Victoria's Whole Health, Arbonne International and Barrel Head Wine Imports were on hand providing samples, gifts, and lots of helpful information and advice.

With over 100 visitors through the doors at Grenville Guardian, our agents and staff had a wonderful time visiting with all the ladies and meeting new people in and around our community. Its events like these that remind us as realtors that communication is such a vital part of our business.

 

Communication by definition is the imparting or exchange of thoughts, opinions, or information. In today’s fast paced society we are in so many ways becoming disconnected from one another. The convenience and efficiency of our high tech, yet impersonal, ways of communication has left many of us yearning for human contact and interaction. Finding a realtor you are comfortable communicating with can be a daunting task. Be sure and take your time, ask questions, get a feel for this person sitting across from you who will ultimately be advising and supporting you through one of the most important transactions in your life. The time you invest now could ultimately take a lot of the stress out of the decisions you have to make later. Having a realtor you trust and communicate easily with will only make the whole experience that much better."

 

 

"HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT SELLING YOUR HOME IN THE FALL? HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IT!"

BY: AMY MCGUIRE: SALES REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE GRENVILLE GUARDIAN TEAM

 

 

 

When the topic of Real Estate comes up most people think of those busy months in

the spring, the flowers are in bloom and the for sale signs are out. Once the hustle and

bustle of the spring market is over, all the motivated buyers are gone until the next year. This

is not entirely true.

As the buyers of the Real Estate market have changed, the motivation of timelines

have as well. The idea of families moving in the late spring and early summer to avoid

turning their children's worlds upside down, is certainly not the only motivation out there.

With young professionals, unmarried and single Canadians taking a big piece of the real

estate pie, the school year doesn’t affect their decisions. Fall is popular for first time home

buyers, downsizers, and those relocating due to jobs.

 

Less competition means more action for you. In the spring market you are potential

competing against 2-3 times more homes, which leaves the buyer with MORE choice.. A

very important consideration when selling: what is your competition, how much competition

and how do you stack up? Setting your home apart from the competition is crucial in todays

market.

 

Images of their new home decorated for the holidays and cozying up by the fireplace

tends to be great motivation for buyers to be moved in just in time to celebrate the Christmas

season. The rush is on to find that perfect home before things get hectic with shopping,

wrapping presents and holiday get togethers. Creating a warm and inviting feel when staging

your home will help the buyers imagine the possibilities.

Here are five tips to help you get started. . .

➔ Clean up your yard and create Autumn curb appeal

➔ Clean and stage your fireplace for a warm and cozy feel

➔ Accent with fall colours

➔ Check your HVAC systems

➔ Keep the lights on keep it bright!

 

 

With all this said, there is really no wrong time to sell your home. With a strong Realtor

guiding you through the process, it can be a stress free experience!

  

"HOW A REALTOR CAN HELP YOU WITH A 1ST REFUSAL OFFER"

BY MEAGHAN KLEINSTEUBER - Buyer Specialist with the Liam Swords/Grenville Guardian Team

 

 

Quite often a buyer finds a home they love and want to buy but still have an existing home to sell. This is called a 1^st refusal offer because this buyer has an agreed upon right to purchase the property. With 1^st refusal situations the challenge is always should your client buy first with a condition to sell OR sell first and then seek to find their next home. There is not black or white answer for the question but it is important to remember a few key points.
 

MOTIVATION: Make sure you have a clear understanding of your motivation to buy or sell. What are you looking for? Be sure and discuss your specific need and wants with your Realtor, to ensue you understand all the options and what obstacles you could face. If you have very specific needs or wants for your next home selling could be ventursome. On the other hand, if you are highly motivated to make a move you may be willing to take on the challenge of selling your home FIRST to put you in a better position to buy.

COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION: As in all real estate transactions, communication and education is KEY. When it comes to 1^st refusal situations, ensure you have a clear understanding of the challenges involved. For example you need to fully understand the possible risk of BUYING first, with no guarantee of a prompt sale of your home, motivation needs to be established.

GET CREATIVE: Now more than ever, you agent need to think creatively- Your agents main focus should be finding  ways to lessen their clients chance of risk and work alongside the cooperating agents to get the end result.

Ultimately these situations can work out for both buyer and seller, although they can have benefits and drawbacks for each.

In this ever-changing market it is imperative that Buyers AND Sellers have STONG, KNOWLEDGABLE AND EXPERIENCED  Representation to help them navigate through their options and help them accomplish the end result they hope to achieve.

Contact us today at Grenville Guardian and “ASK US WHY WERE DIFFERENT”

"WHY I BECAME A REAL ESTATE AGENT"

BY STEVE LAVIOLETTE - Buyer Specialist with the Liam Swords/Grenville Guardian Team

 

"I was at the office the other day, and the topic of why I became a real estate agent came up. Like so many of the team here at Grenville Guardian Real Estate LTD I get asked that question all the time. The public perception of the modern day realtor has hit an all time low in recent years. Thanks to the world wide web and social media we are no longer the gate keepers of information when it comes to buying and selling your home. There are so many options for clients but I can’t help but come back to the main reason I started on this path in the first place. The most important thing for me and what everyone on our team agreed is the key to being a great real estate agent is SERVICE. Sure many realtors will tell you about their great service and how they will go that “extra” mile for a client but how many really do?

Many of us here at Grenville Guardian have a service background to some degree and all of us agree we CHOSE a career in Real Estate because we were looking for something more. More challenges, more flexibility and more job satisfaction. Providing our clients with more is what we are all about. More information, more support, more communication, which all equal better SERVICE. Its so many little things that make a BIG difference. That friendly voice when you call for an appointment, emails and phone calls that get answered quickly and sincerely, up to date information that pertains to your specific situation. Being part of this diverse and dynamic team here at Grenville Guardian Real Estate has given me the opportunity to work with likeminded individuals who are REALTORS because we truly WANT to be and because we honestly believe in and love what we do.

This is just one of the many things that makes us DIFFERENT here at GRENVILLE GUARDIAN"

This just in: Grenville Guardian Real Estate rocks Ottawa Real Estate world

A bold statement, which was issued this morning by Liam Swords, Broker / Owner of GRENVILLE GUARDIAN REAL ESTATE is causing fear, unrest, possibly panic and as many reliable sources agree, is adding fuel  to the already explosive question that is on the minds of OTTAWA residents of all ages "ASK US WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT"

They call themselves ‘DIFFERENT’ but with OTTAWA REALTORS being a dime a dozen what could possibly set LIAM SWORDS and the team at Grenville Guardian Real Estate apart from the other 3000 plus real estate agents across the Ottawa area. This question has Real Estate Buyers, Sellers, Agents and Brokers alike scratching their heads in bewilderment.

DIFFERENT? What could possibly be DIFFERENT from one real estate brokerage to another, let alone one real estate agent to another.

“It’s very concerning” commented one long time Ottawa broker. “Yes change is imminent, and maybe even necessary but a Real Estate Brokerage that is DIFFERENT?? I tell you it’s causing me to lay awake at night."

 

For up to the minute details of this breaking news story and to find out exactly what makes LIAM SWORDS AND GRENVILLE GUARDIAN REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE DIFFERENT, stay tuned....

 

Our Website