TC's Barrie Ontario & Area Real Estate Blog

Moving across town or across the continent can be a busy and sometimes scary proposition. Remember there’s not only the physical aspect of packing and moving your belongings, but there are all the little things to get you to and through that point!

Before you undertake your move:

1) Take an inventory of what possessions you have (large & small) and what will be being moved. Decide if you will be moving yourself or if you need to contact a mover to make arrangements for moving day. Use a reputable mover and don’t be afraid to ask for references.

2) Organize items you may be donating or selling (online, garage sale etc.) and start that process to help in “de-cluttering” before packing. It’s also a good idea to start using up opened or short term perishable items such as frozen foods, cereals, flour or sugar and even cleaning supplies.

3) Make a detailed list of all people and companies/services you will need to notify of your impending move (utilities, subscriptions, banks, friends & family), making sure all connect/disconnect orders are set up correctly. Your Local Realtor may even be able to provide you with a pre-printed “checklist” to help! Next step is to obtain a “change of address kit” from the Post Office and get it set up (this can also be done online).

4) If moving out of your local area try contacting the local Chamber of Commerce or Welcome Wagon as they can be a wealth of information, and maybe even some “freebies”. You may also want to see if you can get a local phone book in case you need it when you arrive for any services or Pizza for your friends.

Packing also needs special attention so make sure to give yourself lots of time, maybe doing a bit each day right up until the last items.

5) Try to pack on a room to room basis, marking each box with a description for whoever may move it. Try to use smaller sturdy boxes for heavier items and larger boxes for lighter items.

6) Try to pack dishes with either a separator or vertically to avoid chipping.

7) Pictures and other flat fragile items can be packed between sheets, blankets or towels for added protection, but make sure they are still packed sturdy.

Try to make a “first night” box with all of the things you may need when you arrive (medication, toothpaste & other toiletries, checkbooks etc.) so you can load it last and get to it first.

Moving can definitely be an adventure, but with the right planning it can be less stressful on all involved..

If you are relocating and need some advice check out mybarrierealtor.com and see how we can help..

Maybe you’re buying a home for the first time. Or maybe you’re selling your old home to move up to something new. Whatever the reason, the buying and selling of a home is a big event. It’s an intricate process involving many specialists. One of these specialists is a REALTOR®, whose job it is to make the transfer of property as easy as possible.

But not all licensed or registered Brokers or salespeople are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a trademark identifying real estate licensees in Canada who are members of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). REALTORS® adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice. The code of ethics is a firm set of rules, describing what kind of performance you have a right to expect from a REALTOR®. It’s your guarantee of professional conduct and the best in service.

That’s why many buyers and sellers turn to a REALTOR®. As a member of their local real estate Board, REALTORS® have their finger on the pulse of the housing market and are in daily contact with buyers potentially interested in your home.

You can trust a REALTOR® to protect your interests and to look after details. And all the while, you’re an active partner in the process, working with a REALTOR® every step of the way. So the more you know about buying and selling homes, the better your working relationship with a REALTOR®.

A REALTOR®’s commitment to high standards of professional conduct works to the advantage of buyers and sellers alike.

A REALTOR® is knowledgeable about developments and trends in real estate. A REALTOR® will get you the facts: comparable prices, neighborhood trends, housing market conditions and more.

A REALTOR® is committed to ongoing education to increase competence and effectiveness in real estate trading.

Every REALTOR® has been trained and tested. And REALTORS® are bound by a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice that ensure fairness to all parties in a transaction.

A REALTOR®’s pledge is to be honest in disclosing property information and forthright in providing the facts needed to help you make one of the most important decisions of your life.

And remember, only a REALTOR®, a member of The Canadian Real Estate Association, has access to the Multiple Listing Service®, Canada’s most powerful real estate marketing system.

Agent Listing Tours

WOW!! View of Kempenfelt Bay!!!

As a Realtor, of course I am inclined to always say “It Sure IS!” to this question. But that having been said, my wife (Patner) and I also pride ourselves on not just being salespeople, or order-takers, but compassionate and qualifying client representatives.

Now is the right time to buy, as far as the market factors (pricing, interest rates, stats etc.) for what we are trying to achieve tell us, but there are personal factors that come into play as well. Is it the right time for you and your family…Financially, emotionally etc.

Working through all of the intricacies of buying or selling your home can be done with your licensed Realtor. Many tools are available to look at your current status’ such as finances, debt ratio, market values, government monies for certain qualified purchasers and more.

It’s not enough to want to buy a home, there is much to know going in and your Realtor can and should be there for you throughout the process. But remember one thing, for a Realtor to be truly dedicated to you, you must in turn be truthful and dedicated to them. Once you feel comfortable you have found the right person(s) to guide you, run the numbers, talk to your bank and/or mortgage broker and Happy Shopping!!!

Regards,

Tony