The Stuart Sinclair Team

To Deport, or Not to Deport?

2011-11-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

More than likely you've read in the papers that there has been an outcry within the general public to deport the young man who swiped the Poppy collection boxes from various Tim Horton's restaurants throughout the Hamilton area. The 26 year old in question turned himself in after it was discovered that his actions had been caught on a surveillance camera.
The man had come to our country as a boy of 14, but has never applied for citizenship. Some Veterans and lots of outraged Canadians are screaming for him to be sent back to his homeland. They reason that after 12 years in our Country, he should be aware of the importance of the monies collected with Poppy sales, that the theft of the money boxes is wrong on so many levels.
What do you think? Should he be sent home, or penalized in Canada and allowed to remain?

Warm Days, Crisp Nights

2011-10-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

Looks like summer is over my friends! It was a gloriously hot, sunny summer, albeit, it went by much too quickly. Now, the kids have settled back into their routine of going to school, doing homework, getting to bed earlier.
Admittedly, it always makes me sad to acknowledge that yet another summer is over, but I gotta admit, I do love those fall days, apple picking with the family, carving pumpkins and whoa, those gorgeous fall colours! Get out there, load the family into the car and go for a drive! I remember collecting beautiful fall leaves when I was a kid, I was certain I'd never seen anything so spectacular. Living here in Caledon, there is no shortage of country roads to wander, or trees to admire.
It was a very busy and productive summer for us in the office. We had a blast assisting many families fulfill their dreams in regards to buying and selling properties. And, to make the summer even more exciting, Heather, our team administrator completed her real estate exams and is now a licensed Realtor! So, that voice on the phone when you call the office can now look after even more of your real estate needs! Congratulations Heather!
On a parting note....DON'T FORGET TO CAST YOUR VOTE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION!!!

Turn up the HEAT!!!

2011-07-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

Yeah, that's right, I'm gonna say it....HOT ENOUGH FOR YA? Wow. I love summer and all that comes with it, but I'm ready at this point for a bit of a reprieve. Plus, my grass is so brown and crispy it's hard on the feet. One of my favorite things about summer is being able to walk around bare foot, without having pointy, burned grass poking the bottom of my feet.
Read an interesting article in the Toronto Star this week, regarding For Sale By Owners. As a realtor, I am very well aware of the general public perception of what a Realtor does to earn their commission. It's easy to attack Realtors and the commisson they make, but are the alternatives worth it?
Realtors are marketing guru's, excellent negotiators, on top of the housing market and therapists, all rolled into one. Yes, you can sell a property without using a Realtor, but do you really want to? A lawyer can certainly get the job done, but will they return your call at 11pm, or on a Sunday? I do, and will continue to do so.
Remember, if it were easy, everyone would do it!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away....

2011-05-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

Alright, I get the whole April showers bring May flowers thing, but come on....it's almost June, enough with the rain!!! Admittedly, everything is lush and green, but I'd really like the opprotunity to get out there and enjoy the warmer weather.
Lots of people love to travel in the winter to escape the snow and cold temps, I'm kind of tempted to jump on a plane to escape to a dry climate!!

Not that I'm complaining....

LOVE IT!!

2011-05-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful day!! Driving around Caledon today with my team was such a pleasure when the weather is this nice! Lots of activity both outside and in the office. Exciting new listings, exciting new season! Hurray for sunshine and success!!!

Power Hour!

2011-04-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

The Stuart Sinclair Team LOVES Caledon! To show our appreciation for the wonderful community we work and live in we are hosting a POWER HOUR of cleaning on Saturday, April 30th, starting at 10am. Meet us at our office in the Shoppers Drug Mart Plaza on Hwy 50, pick up some gloves and a garbage bag, and start picking up neighbourhood trash!
You'll feel great for spending your time doing something so positive, and our streets will look springtime ready!
See you Saturday!

Please! Use a Realtor!

2011-04-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

Something happened recently that has really upset me. Heather, our team administrator/Goddess, had a call from her son Zach , detailing a rental opprotunity that went terribly wrong. Zach and his roomates had decided to make a move from their basement apt to a whole house. They found what they thought was the perfect place for them, from an ad on Craigs list. They visited the house more than once, chatted with the friendly "landlord", and decided to proceed with renting the property. They gave the "landlord" their deposit, gave their current landlord their notice to vacate, and started packing. Zach was VERY excited about the move, couldn't wait to give his family the tour. They were poised to take possession on May 1st.
Alarms started sounding this past week. Darryl, one of Zach's roommates, had sent several emails to the "landlord" that went unanswered. As did his phone calls. Darryl decided to take a ride over to the new place to check things out, and found a crew of construction guys in the house, gutting the living room. Apparently, the "landlord" that the students had been meeting with, and subsequently gave a CASH deposit to, had absolutely no affiliation with the property. He somehow gained access to the house, showed it to several groups, and had taken more than one deposit on the property...and disappeared.
The last thing the students want to hear right now is "I told you so", but they should have used a REALTOR!!!! Even in the case of a rental, a Realtor is there to protect your rights and represent your interests. It's heartbreaking that four hard working students are each out $450, to a scam artist that the Toronto Police claim has been running this particular scam for 15 years.
Buyers AND renters, beware! Be cautious, be informed, hire a real estate professional!

Clean up!

2011-04-05T10:16:00.000-07:00

The Stuart Sinclair Team LOVES Caledon! To prove it, we're going to spend a Saturday at the end of April cleaning up our beloved Bolton/Caledon roadways and greenspace. Would you like to join us? We'd love to have your company, and your help! Lots of garbage and debris accumulates over the winter season, gets tangled up in fencing and shrubs, and just looks terrible.
We'll be cleaning the streets of Bolton on Saturday, April 30th, for what we are calling "The Power Hour"! Meet us at our office between 9:30-10:00 a.m., we'll be handing out gloves, garbage bags and instructions. We'll have available a collection bin to dispose of collected trash, and some refreshments for the volunteers!

Hope to see you here!

What We're Up To!

2011-04-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

Spring is here! There, I said it...noticed some green grass on the drive to the office this morning, made me SOOO happy!
We are hard at work in the office everyday, contacting our current and past clients, touching base and checking in. We have some awesome listings for sale right now, a Gloriouis 17.8 Acre property in Caledon with 2 stunning homes and a private driving range. Sellers are asking $1,195,000, a steal for the right family! Great investment property on Dixie Road, bordering Brampton/Caledon. Almost one acre, with a 3 bedroom bungalow on it. Wanna move to Wasaga Beach??? Have we got the place for you! Newer brick bungalow with 3 bedrooms, formal dining room, massive eat in kitchen, within walking distance to the beach and shops!
Looking to move your family to the country, but still stay close to great restaurants, theatres, shopping etc? View our listing on Duffy's Lane, 2600 sq ft home with finished basement w/walkout. Big enough for the whole family and their friends! 1.5 acres of mature treed privacy!

Spring Forward, Fall Back!

2011-03-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to change the clocks this weekend, before you go to bed on Saturday night. Finally, after a long, cold winter, the daylight hours are longer! One of my least favorite things about winter are waking up when it's dark, and driving home from the office in the dark.
The common concenus right now seems to be that our potential selling clients are waiting for the snow to melt before listing their houses for sale, while potential Buyers are milling around looking for their next home with not much on the market to look at!
If you've been thinking about listing your house now is the time to act, before the market is flooded with new listings!
Call the Stuart Sinclair Team today for your free market evaluation!
905-857-7653 or 1-866-219-7770

Listed and SOLD!

2011-02-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

Crazy/amazing long weekend! Did you enjoy your family day? Setting aside time for family is always crucial. Work is important, of course, but nothing takes presidence over family time. We listed an adorable semi in Brampton on Sunday, and sold it on Monday! We have some very happy Sellers, and some delirious Buyers!

New Listings! New Clients!

2011-02-17T12:31:00.000-08:00

Slowly but surely, properties are beginning to pop up on the market. We just wrapped up an agent open house at our newest listing, a terrific family home on the North Hill in Bolton, at 106 Longwood. Great turn out, everyone loved our fresh baked carrot cupcakes! We have another open house scheduled for the general public this Sunday at 2pm. If you're in the market for a detached home in an outstanding neighbourhood, drop in and say "HI".

Competition

2011-01-24T11:27:00.001-08:00

Don't know if you've noticed or not, but there are A LOT of Realtors out there, all looking to work with YOU! Have you ever wondered what sets Realtors apart, what makes them someone you want to work with? Some offer reduced rates, your name in a draw to win a car or trip, or things they simply can't deliver on. We at the Stuart Sinclair Team firmly believe that it's our attitude that set us apart, and the relationships we build with each and every person that puts their trust in us, whether buying or selling real estate. We want to know your hopes and dreams for the future, and we want to help make what you wish for a reality! We care about you and we'd love the opportunity to prove it!

Welcome 2011!

2011-01-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

Glad to have survived the festive season with your sanity still intact? Still able to get the pants buttoned/zipped? Joined a gym yet? I do love the holidays, but man, I pay for all the over indulgences afterwards!
I really enjoy time spent with family during the holiday season, so the months of December/January found me in both New York and Florida, celebrating with my brother (NY) and with my parents in Florida. It was a first to fly with my baby girl, she did great!
Back to reality, back to work!
Things are heating up real estate wise, people have come out of hibernation and started looking for their next home. There is nothing more exciting than being with someone when they find their dream home!
Mortgage rates have risen a bit, but are still great. I think the resent rise in rates may have prompted people to act sooner rather than later.
When you're ready, I'm ready! The Stuart Sinclair Team is ready to roll on 2011!!

New Year, New Experiences!

2011-01-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

Purged the house of all the seasonal decorations yet? I've noticed that the stores not only have all the Christmas decorations and candies piled into clearance bins, but they already have the Valentines stuff out! My first thought was "whoa, take it easy! Let us ease into the new year first, before hitting us over the head with the next "occasion". But really, before we know it, we will be out there, reading sappy Valentines cards and reaching for heart shaped boxes. Also, before we know it, we'll be in the middle of the spring market! A lot of families I know have expressed interest in listing their homes and moving onward and upward, but are waiting for spring. Well, sorry to wake you from winter hibernation, but the spring market typically starts in about 5-6 weeks! If you've been planning on tearing down that wall paper and painting, or finally gutting the basement before listing, now is the time to act!

Holy Snow Batman!

2010-12-14T11:29:00.000-08:00

Guess there isn't any doubt in anybody's mind that there will be a white Christmas in the Caledon area! I read about those poor souls stuck on Hwy 402 overnight, and wondered how many of them were prepared in any way, shape or form to spend the night in their cars. As a rule, when winter approaches it's always a good idea to put a shovel, maybe some rock salt or sand, a blanket and a flashlight in your trunk. I always try and make sure I never have less than 1/2 tank of gas in the car during the winter as well, just in case. Snacks in the glove compartment are a good idea as well, something that isn't compromised if it freezes, like granola bars, cookies, chocolate.
Drive Safe!

Need A Ride?

2010-12-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Season is upon us, and with it comes...RIDE PROGRAMS! While it is NEVER adviseable to drink and drive, during the festive season local police really crack down on drunk drivers. There is an outstanding program that is in place all across Canada, "Operation Red Nose". Volunteers are available between the hours of 9pm and 2am to come to your location, load you into your car and drive you home. In your own car! Brilliant concept. I've gotten rides home with friends before, but had to make arrangements the next day to retrieve my car. Kind of a pain, but beats the alternative of losing your drivers licence, paying a fine and potentially hurting yourself or someone else. Operation Red Nose is definately the way to go. If you're in the Caledon area and need a ride, call 905-857-1439. Or, visit their website at http://www.operationrednose.com/

Affordable Housing and YOU!

2010-11-29T09:40:00.000-08:00

Today the Toronto Star featured a story about housing in the GTA becoming more affordable due to lower interest rates. Great news indeed!
Housing affordability measures improved for the first time since the second quarter of 2009, when sales and prices of homes started to surge in the Toronto market coming out of the recession.
Many of those sales were buyers rushing in to avoid a new Harmonized Sales Tax and to buy before more stringent mortgage regulations. This led to fears that the market was in an unsustainable bubble.
RBC suspects that the Bank of Canada will hike interest rates in the second quarter of 2011, so, if you're in the position to, buy and lock down that awesome interest rate before May 2011!

November is Winding Down

2010-11-23T11:50:00.000-08:00

Wow, exactly one week left of November, can you believe it? Started/finished Christmas shopping yet? Tree up? Decorations all displayed? While almost everyone looks forward to the Christmas season, there sure is a lot of work that goes into getting prepared! I think I'll do as much of my Christmas shopping on line, to avoid the malls and the endless search for a parking spot that isn't in Siberia.
In my attempt to get ready for Christmas I yanked a bunch of frost bitten perennials out of the ground, and tidied up around the yard so when I plug in the Christmas lights it won't showcase the brown, dead yard!

2010-11-19T12:36:00.000-08:00

Buying a home is the largest purchase you’ll likely make. No wonder you’re stressed. Where should you look? Can you afford it? What will happen if interest rates rise? It may all seem daunting, but you can make it more manageable with a little planning. Here are a few things to figure out before you make the leap.
Get your financial house in order
Figure out your net worth, which is your assets less your liabilities.
Talk to a Broker or your Bank
It may be time for a mortgage broker or adviser at your bank.
Terms and rates
The next decisions revolve around how long you want to lock the mortgage in and than will determine the rate of interest you pay. This is called the mortgage term and can be as little as six months or as long as seven years. It locks you in to a set of payments for the length of the term.
Get a Real Estate Lawyer
Line the lawyer up in advance and explain your plan. That way, there’s no surprise when you put in your offer and come back to him with the deal.
Have Realistic Expectations
Make a list of the things you want. Do you need a two car garage? Space for a home office? Are you going to have children? Is it a good location?
Stick to your plan
Understand what your spending limit is and don’t go over it. A pool might be nice, but it is not a necessity. Buying a home is ultimately a compromise of needs versus wants.
Buyer agency agreement
Make sure that your agent represents you. A buyer agency agreement helps to reduce conflict of interest since the brokerage represents you exclusively. The seller’s agent represents the vendor.
Get a Home Inspection
A home inspector will check for structural and electrical defects, roofing and foundation problems. This can come back to haunt you later. It also gives you some negotiation room when you put in your offer.

And remember, a good realtor will remind you of these tips and look after the details for you!

Market Stability

2010-11-16T08:15:00.000-08:00

Today's Toronto Star announced that the Canadian housing market is showing increasing signs of stabilizing, as seasonally adjusted national home sales rose 4.6% in October 2010. Hurray! After the recent rollercoaster ride, this is welcome news. Pascal Gauthier, senior economist with TD Bank Financial Group, said heading into 2011 sales and prices appear to be better supported than forecasts made in September. It will be nice to be back on a level playing field, houses priced right, and selling for what they're worth.
The Team is poised and ready to spring into action whenever you need us....just call!

Falling into Fall!

2010-11-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

I think we've pretty much milked as much of the warm weather out of our glorious summer as we possibly can, Fall is upon us! Along with raking up the fallen leaves, and storing away the garden tools, there are plenty of things we need to ready ourselves, and our homes for the coming winter. I recently had my snow tires installed on my car, so that's covered!
Service Weather-Specific Equipment,drain gas from lawnmowers, service or tune-up snow blowers, replace worn rakes and snow shovels. Clean, dry and store summer gardening equipment. Buy bags of ice melt/sand! Make sure the gutters on your house are free of leaves and debris. Fish all the leaves and twigs out of there and run a hose through the gutters and downspout to make sure everything is flushed out. Check on all your windows and doors, make sure all caulking and weatherstripping is still in good shape. You'd be amazed at how much proper insulation and weather proofing can affect your heating bill!
Don't forget, when you're done cleaning out the gutters, put the hose away and turn off the exterior water outlet!!

Are you on the Fence?

2010-11-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of speculation as to what the economy has been doing as of late. Activity across the board has been slooooow! I've been consulting professionals in several industries as to what their business has been like, and the consensus is that everyone is noticing a decrease in business. It isn't that the money isn't out there, people are just waiting....for what? Who knows!
In the real estate industry we are seriously short of listings. Lots of family are out there, looking for their next home, but nobody seems to want to sell right now. As a result, when a new listing comes on the market, and is priced right, it flies out the door!
So, to make a long story short, if you're thinking of selling, NOW is the time!