Styling Spaces Home Staging and Design

STYLING SPACES reduced

As we find ourselves facing a new year ahead, I figured now is a perfect time to introduce January's Business Spotlight. There isn't a better time to have Fabia MacNair from Styling Spaces over for a little face-lift in your home. Check them out. A new year brings change. Introducing Styling Space Home Staging!! Selling or staying - We'll make your space a better place! Are you working on your dream home or getting ready to sell?  Either way – Fabia MacNair and her team from Styling Spaces can make your home a joy to live in and magazine worthy all at once. Fabia has the ability to see what others cannot – a picture, a clear vision as to how a space can look if given the chance.  She also works with her clients to understand what they want to achieve in their living space, and ensures her design recommendations achieve those goals. The Styling Spaces Team is experienced and educated in interior design, as well as architecture, so their design recommendations … [Read more...]

Merry After Christmas – Resolutions Anyone?

word impossible written on paper "im" crossed out

I don't know about you, but I certainly had a beautiful Christmas holiday. I cannot however, believe how fast the time has past. I truly hope however you celebrate the holiday season, you took time for yourself and your loved ones. New Year's Resolution Anyone? About this time of year, everyone starts to decide what New Year's resolution they will undertake. You have some of the most popular...lose weight, get out of debt, buy a home...the list goes on. Does anyone really stick to their resolutions? After talking with family and friends over the holiday season, I determined that while most people select a resolution, not everyone sticks to them. So, why if this is the case, do we make the resolution to begin with? I triumphantly pick a new resolution each year. I strive my hardest to attain my goal and sometimes make alternations along the way. This year. I'm not sure what I want my new goal to be. I have a few in mind. But, I like to keep things simple. Pick one, work at it … [Read more...]

10 On-Line Holiday Shopping Tips You Can’t Live Without

laptop with lock and chain

This holiday season remember cyber criminals aggressively create new ways to steal money and personal information. Scammers use many techniques to fool potential victims, including; Fraudulent Classified Ads and Auction Sales Fraudsters receive an order from a victim, charge the victim’s credit card for the amount of the order, then use a separate, stolen credit card for the actual purchase. They pocket the purchase price obtained from the victim’s credit card and have the merchant ship the item directly to the victim. Consequently, an item purchased from an online auction but received directly from the merchant is a strong indication of fraud. Gift Card Scam Be careful when purchasing gift cards through auction sites or classified ads. It is safest to purchase gift cards directly from the merchant or retail store. If the gift card merchant discovers that your card is fraudulent, the merchant will deactivate the gift card and refuse to honour it for purchases. Victims of this … [Read more...]

Communication Tip #1 – Do You Hear What I Hear?

two people sitting at desk one not listening

Effective listening is an essential and valuable skill. Unfortunately becoming a good listener takes time and practice. 3 Stages to Listening Hearing:  Hearing just means listening enough to catch what the speaker is saying. For example, say you were listening to a report on zebras, and the speaker mentioned that no two are alike. If you can repeat the fact, then you have heard what has been said. Understanding:  The next part of listening happens when you take what you have heard and understand it in your own way. Let's go back to that report on zebras. When you hear that no two are alike, think about what that might mean. You might think, "Maybe this means that the pattern of stripes is different for each zebra. Judging: After you are sure you understand what the speaker has said, think about whether it makes sense. Do you believe what you have heard? You might think, "How could the stripes be different for every zebra? But then again, the fingerprints are different for … [Read more...]

3 Steps to Curb Year End Stress

self burnout

With Christmas just around the corner, I’m sure you’re feeling the stress. Year end drive to meet sales goals. Planning for 2012. Holiday shopping. Social events. Phew! This time of year people tend to spread themselves too thin – we’re trying to be everything to everyone – especially Real Estate agents – its part of who you are – trying to make everyone happy! Something has got to give and most times it ends up being you!  Year end burnout can be a lousy way to celebrate an otherwise successful year.  If you allow yourself to be pulled in a million different directions you’re not doing anyone, least of all yourself, any favours and you may also end up jeopardizing your critical planning and forecasting activities for 2012. Be Proactive – Manage the Madness of the Season Delegate, Delegate, Delegate! – Step back and let someone else shine for a change – The end of the year is a great time to let your trusted employees/team members rise … [Read more...]

What We Have Here is a Failure to Communicate

failure-to-communicate

Effective communication skills are essential for success in real estate. Clear communication is the foundation of a good agent-client relationship however communication is only successful when both the sender and the receiver understand the same information. Here are 5 tips for effective communication: 1. Be a good listener. Effective listening is an essential and valuable skill. Unfortunately becoming a good listener takes time and practice. Effective listening is challenging, in part, because people often are more focused on what they're saying than on what they're hearing in return. 2. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don't try to be coy when you're attempting to be clear in your communication. You're not running for a political office. Be clear and concise. 3. Do what you say and say what you do. There's nothing more frustrating than a person who makes a bunch of promises, but never puts them into action. Be accountable for what you say and earn respect by backing it … [Read more...]

Safe Air Ontario

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We are excited to share with you December's Business Spotlight. This month, we welcome Safe Air Ontario - a company dedicated to removing those pesky odors from your home. Check them out below and please do share this information with your family, friends, and Associates. Safe Air Ontario's Mission We are dedicated to helping our clients obtain a healthy environment inside their homes, business, hotels, daycare centres, automobiles, boats and RVs.  Our staff are fully insured and certified in Ozone Shock Treatment, Air Quality Testing, Mold Inspection, Infared, and Home/Building Inspections Ozone Shock Treatment Ozone, "or activated oxygen" You have probably heard this as a bad gas that is polluting our planet. In the summer we will hear the term "Ozone Days". Well, Ozone actually cleans the air we breathe, the reason Ozone becomes lower in our atmosphere is because it is trying to preserve the planet and remove the chemicals we put into the air.  If the planet did not … [Read more...]

Last Minute Christmas Mail Out

Christmas Cards

Hey Folks, Can you believe how quickly the holiday season has come upon us? I know I can't. I wanted to send out a quick message to let you know of our last minute special. If you still haven't gotten your Christmas mass mailing out - don't fret! Shoot us over a quick email and we will have it done for you in a jiffy. 24 to 48 hour turn-around within the Halton Hills area. Christmas Mail Outs Complete within 24-48 hours! You still have lots of time to get your calendars, cards and newsletters to your clients before Christmas.   … [Read more...]

Top Producer Revolutionizes Real Estate CRM

Top Producer CRM Progam

In order to become a top producing real estate agent, you must know how to implement some key factors within your business. I have talked about these things in great detail - creating a flawless real estate system, How to add value in the lives of your clients’ and how to mange your time. Sometimes even though we have the information right in front of us and the steps to take us from A to B successfully, it can often become overwhelming. How to remember everything, keeping track of what you’ve done with what client. I get it; it can all be not only time consuming to kick-start, but also frustrating if you just can’t get it right. Allow Top Producer to Revolutionize Your Real Estate Business Top Producer is undoubtedly a state-of-the-art CRM program designed specially for real estate agents worldwide. The program allows you to master your time, client retention and system all within one simple and user friendly mainframe. It’s Fast, Easy and Fun! As I am in the … [Read more...]

Dilly Dally {Photography}

Ally of Dilly Dally {Photography}

I am completely stoked to introduce November’s business spotlight. I know you might be thinking “Hold on Ness, it’s only October.” I know. I just couldn’t wait. Dilly Dally {Photography} I first met Ally at my children's school and was completely captivated by her gentle nature and warm heart.  I have fondly watched Ally grow a brilliant photography business.  She is fun, outgoing and most importantly, patient! She has mastered lifestyle portraiture specializing in Natural-Style Infant, Child, Teen, Maternity and Family photography. Now guess what?! She is joining the real estate industry. Eeeekk!!!! Real Estate Photographer in Halton Hills Recently, she made the decision to kick her business up a notch and venture into the real estate and commercial industry. I had the pleasure of viewing her first photo shoot and I’m telling you folks…she is on fire! What I love about Dilly Dally {Photography} Ally doesn’t run her business like an assembly line. She … [Read more...]