5 Things to Do Before You List Your Home - by Shawn Gannaw
5 Things to do Before Putting Your Home on the Market
1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.
2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.
3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.
4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.
5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Is the snow shovelled? Is the address clearly visible? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments?
I passed! - by Shawn Gannaw
What a Rotary Honour! - by Shawn Gannaw
I am proud to let you let you know I've been selected by my fellow members to be Charter President of the Innisfil Rotary Club!
I am grateful for this honour!
I welcome the opportunity to speak to you if you are interested in joining Rotary, being a Charter member with discretionary time and an interest in serving the community in which you live; and on a world level with fellow like-minded individuals please let me know!
Our meetings are every Wednesday morning at 7:30 - at the new Innisfil Recreational Facility (YMCA) at the corners of Yonge Street (Cty Rd 4) and Innisfil Beach Road. Hope to see you there!
I've Joined Innisfil Rotary! - by Shawn Gannaw
I have joined the Rotary service organization!
Last Wednesday a meeting was held at Georgian Downs to draw out interested people and see the response for starting a Rotary Club in Innisfil. The response was good - the first meeting will be held at the new Innisfil Rec Centre on Monday, April 6th at 7:30am in the daycare room, south end.
If you are interested in attending and serving the community and joining in on massive global projects including eradicating Polio with the Polio Plus project and much more I encourage you to consider this for yourself!
I Won a Scholarship! - by Shawn Gannaw
In February I was awarded the Ruth Hart Stevens Educational Bursary by the Auctioneers Association of Ontario.
I am so happy to be taking the "Rolls Royce" of Real Estate Auction courses and I am so grateful to the AAO for awarding the opportunity to me!
Accredited Auctioneer Real Estate
An auctioneer with the AARE designation has gone the 'extra mile' to ensure they offer the highest level of professionalism and the most up-to-date information when it comes to selling properties. Whether selling residential, agricultural, commercial or industrial properties, AARE auctioneers have enhanced knowledge in all pertinent areas, such as:
- Marketing techniques
- Financial/investment calculations
- Evaluating cash flow
- Holding-period analysis
- Tax consequences of buying and selling properties
- Multi-parcel real estate auctions
The AARE auctioneer has successfully completed three (3) classes and submitted documentation of ten (10) auctions, an auction summary report and application to gain the designation, and must maintain it with continuing education.
A One Desk Approach - by Shawn Gannaw
I am an Auctioneer, a personal property Appraiser and a Realtor. By combining the power and insights of all of these fields I and the team I work with can help you in multiple ways.
Let's say you and your spouse live in a unique home, it's paid off and you're both retiring. You've done well for yourselves and money isn't really an issue.
You have a shared dream that you've thought of for years - buy an RV and travel wherever the road takes you!
Though you may eventually come back this way you'd sooner not store any furniture or contents and would rather just sell the car/boat/tractor and not be tied to anything and avoid having the associated costs and worry.
Now... what to do.?!.. have I got you thinking about what's next?
All you really want to do is be on the road already and now you've got all these resposibilities to deal with.
-A traditional listing and sale for your unique or waterfront home could take a bit of time.
-Sure the car dealer will buy your car back but they're buying it to sell again and the offer though good will be based on wholesale price guides. An end user can typically outbid a dealer because they don't have a ceiling.
...But that's just two items. Main items, but still that leaves in some cases literally hundreds of things in your home.
Some things, say for an example, the collection of vintage tin toys and trains your relative gave you could be worth a substantial amount of money. You may have had an idea what they were but with all the things you have to contend with you may be tempted to just donate them along with other all the other things you're not needing anymore. I am a strong advocate of donation to the community but this situation is an opportunity for you to donate dollars instead!
Instead Think Auction! On one day, say 30-40 days after a contract is signed and an auction listing is done a huge event could take place right at your property.
As for the Real Estate, the marketing is intense, with open houses and broker participation your house is at the forefront of the marketplace. A multiple bid situation is apt to take place. A sense of urgency is on the potential buyers minds - it's now or never to buy this home.
On Auction day it's not just your home that they have gathered for - think of all your personal property! The tractor is fairly new and a quality manufacturer advertised in the Auction ads always draws a crowd. The same goes for your car, boat, toys and other desireable contents of your home. The stamp and coin collection will bring those buyers out as well.
A diverse selection of all your possessions will be sold. Some more general items or items of modest value will sell in groups or lots.
Before you know it, there is a massive crowd gathered under the shade of the pop up tents, folks are registering to bid, the catering fundraising truck for the Rotarians is a buzz of activity, people previewing the items and one last tour of the house is happening!
The optics of this are incredible. All the bidders see each other - the stamp bidder looks like compitition to the tractor buyer and so do the folks who are there to bid on your home! Even the the 'just curious/not a buyer' looks to the rest as a force to be reccond with.
What it will accomplish in that one day is everything in a nutshell and it all started with one phone call to yours truly.
- The two of you have avoided all the hassle and stress of trying to sell your items privately (or even price them).
- By having a competitive bidding environment and a well done marketing campaign you are assured of current market value for what is sold. Yes some items may sell for less that you thought but the other things that you weren't really thinking about just sold for more that you would have ever thought.
You'll be on the road in no time at all.
If you would like to add to this or ask me for further information please call me at 735-2525 or toll free 1-877-636-5399 or e-mail shawn@LeClairRealty.com or 1-888-891-6591 (ATOC Auctions)
Auction Myths - by Shawn Gannaw
Auction Myths
How many of you have been to an auction? Well, for those of you who haven't, I want to dispel a couple of myths. Auctions are a CHOICE for today's buyers and sellers. They are not a "last option." Many people think that auctions are only held when someone has died or has had their property, such as their home or car, repossessed. The reasons for auctions are as varied as the materials and possessions sold there.
Another myth is that you have to be an "experienced" auction goer to buy and sell. Everyone is welcome and the staff are great about helping first timers to understand how auctions work, how to make a bid, etc. Understanding the chant is what some people find the most intimidating. Here's a tip: listen carefully to the caller for a while and get used to their chant method.
If you would like to add to this or ask me for further information please call me at 735-2525 or toll free 1-877-636-5399 or e-mail shawn@LeClairRealty.com or 1-888-891-6591 (ATOC Auctions)
What is an Auction? - by Shawn Gannaw
"Sale"
There's something about that word that gets people's attention. You can almost see the raised eyebrows and the dollar signs in their eyes. It means they have an opportunity to buy quality products at fair and reasonable prices. It makes them anxious and excited.
What about when you hear the word "auction" what do you think of? Does it conjure up the same images for you? Do you think "opportunity?" Do you think "rare and unusual items?"
Well, an auction is all of the above and more. In fact, an auction is not only the best and most exciting kind of "sale" it also can be the most advantageous type of sale for both buyers and sellers. And through the years, it has become the sale of "choice" by many, many people throughout the country and the world.
If you would like to add to this or ask me for further information please call me at 735-2525 or toll free 1-877-636-5399 or e-mail shawn@LeClairRealty.com, or at 1-888-891-6591 (ATOC Auctions)
First Time Auction Seller - by Shawn Gannaw
Liquidity. Transparency. Competition. There’s a reason so many of the world’s assets are sold via auction. From stocks and bonds, to art and autos, to those forgotten treasures in Grandma’s attic, auctions effectively establish true market value at the most informed and competitive prices available. They can also be conducted quickly.
Is auction marketing in your future? Sellers want the best net value in the most reasonable time frame. Buyers want the property at a fair price, and with the least inconvenience. This is the marketplace. Mutual benefits and efficiencies create value for all parties.
The Benefits. Individual owners, their fiduciaries and corporate sellers all benefit from bidding that is open, competitive and dynamic – whether the sale involves an historic mansion, rural estate, commercial property, or the disposition of real estate owned (REO is bank owned) property.
Take a look through our website for information about how to market your items to the world via the auction method, or contact us, we'd be pleased to help. 1-888-891-6591
Just What Is a Real Estate Auction? - by Shawn Gannaw
The current definition being used with the National Association of Auctioneers is "The firm and time defined sale of Real Property by competitive bid."
If you would like to add to this or ask me for further information please call me at Prudential at 705-735-2525 or toll free 1-877-636-5399 or e-mail shawn@LeClairRealty.com
