Happy Halloween!
If you’re expecting Trick or Treat kids today, my prediction…. you’ll need less candy this year! The weather is looking like a lot of rain and the World Series game with the Toronto Blue Jays vs LA Dodgers #6 is on tonight. But, if you are still preparing for Trick or Treaters here’s a consideration: Over 1 in 10 school-age children in Canada and the United States identify as having one or more disabilities, facing barriers that can prevent them from being included in the joy of trick or treating alongside millions of parents, siblings, caregivers, and friend
REMAX and several other partners are again supporting “Accessible Trick or Treating”. A few simple steps and you’ll be set up to provide Barrier-free access. Here are a few items you can do
- Make sure the path to your trick-or-treat station is well lit
- Clear your driveway and pathways of obstacles
- Park your vehicle in your garage or on the street to allow easy access
- Set up your trick-or-treat station at the end of your driveway or in your garage
Here is a link for more information: https://www.treataccessibly.com/
It’s a little late for this year, but for next year – Put up a sign a week in advance letting neighbours know you have accessible trick-or-treating. Let me know and I’ll get you a sign.
And now… The perfect day for a “Dad Joke” – It’s a scary market!
But for real… this continues to be a stressful market for anyone selling. We are continuing to see prices drop, the market surge anticipated since the Spring and then predicted for September has not happened and we are now moving into the Fall/Winter market.
I am continually looking to keep updated on market events and what the economy both locally and on the world-wide stage is doing and what the predictions are for the Real Estate market. There is no perfect science about this but my overall take-away is that, at best, we are going to see more of the same. Slower markets with a downward pressure on prices. At the worst, we will see a market collapse similar to or worse than 2008.
My advice – this is what I would tell my mom 😉
- Do everything you can to make your home and property look its best
- Revisit the asking price. Leaving a buffer to negotiate is not needed (We currently have an offer on one of our listings that is $2000 over asking!) and I would rather turn down an offer below what you want than not get that offer. The prices are not going to skyrocket in the Spring! Yes, we may see a slight increase of 2,3 or 4% but we also may see a decrease or the same or more.
- Put a game plan together in the event that your home does not sell. If that’s not a viable option – see #2
- Get together with your Realtor (that’s me) and work through some best case and worst case scenarios and adjust/change/adapt as needed to make sure you are moving towards your financial goals
Sorry to be the ‘wet blanket’ today. Everything aside – I am still the ever optimist, the glass is 1/2 full and it all comes full circle. If you are selling and then rebuying in the same market … price is almost irrelevant. If you are buying up – this is the absolutely best time to do that and if you are purchasing a new home and/or are a first time buyer – Wow, the prices and the tax breaks are huge.
We can’t control the wind, but we can adjust our sails.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Martin & the Team
