Tourism Clarington

Tourism Clarington has a Facebook page!  If you're wondering what to do this week-end around town, check this out, and have fun! 

 

https://www.facebook.com/TourismClarington

 

Where are people looking for Real Estate Online? RE/MAX!

Those of you who have known me over the past decade or so, know that I have worked at a few different real estate brokerages.  All had their benefits at the time, but there was always something about Re/Max that I was drawn to.  Now, to be honest - I was like many consumers in the marketplace, and felt that working for Re/Max was going to be too expensive - that all brokerages were pretty much the same, and that the services I was able to offer my clients were a direct reflection of me - what I had to offer - and the brokerage was just a facilitator.  Kinda true....but kinda naive.  Yes, I'm proud to say that Robin and I offer the absolute best we possibly can to our clients, and that would be the same no matter where we worked, but why not combine that with some turbo power?  Since joining Re/Max last year, I have noticed a HUGE jump in the attention my listings and my websites have received.  I was just looking at the Google Analytics report for my sites and was blown away to see that the pageviews for my main site alone (www.HouseValuesDurham.com) are in excess of 30,000 for 2013 (that's over 30,000 pageviews in less than two months as we're Feb.16th today).  Now, it's true that I have always worked incredibly hard at my sites - I knew early on in my career that a strong online presence was probably going to be a smart thing to create - and this was at a time when a majority of my colleagues didn't think they needed a website at all.  So, nerdy me worked away at my sites (and those of you in the business know that when you first start out, you have a LOT of time on your hands...not the case anymore, so I'm glad I put the work in way back then! LOL) and it paid off.  I thought that was it - I built a name, SEO'd the hell out of it, and that was that.  What I didn't anticipate was how much aligning my own presence with the worldwide branding and recognizition of a company like Re/Max would actually pay off.  I know this sounds a little like a cheesy commercial endorsement for Re/Max, but honest to goodness, it's true.  I LOVE this company.  I love that people see the name Re/Max as synonymous with Real Estate.  I love that when I post my new listings online I know, without a doubt, that they are getting the BEST expsosure possible.  I love that I can tell my clients "You have an awesome hard working Realtor working for you, and an absolutely kickass worldwide network of awesome hard working Realtors working with her!"  And here's the data to back it up - I'm going to attach a realtime screenshot of Google Trends specifically comparing a bunch of the local real estate companies here in Durham - Re/Max, Royal Lepage, Royal Service, Century 21 and Keller Williams - for the past twelve months, in Canada, within the category "real estate" and you can see for yourselves why I think it's pretty nifty to be aligned with Re/Max folks!

Win your downpayment Contest!

The awesome folks at Re/Max are running a "Win Your Downpayment" contest.  It's very easy to enter, and while you're there, check out the video with Mark Weisleder, one of my personal favourite people to learn from - talking about how buyers benefit from using their very own Buyer Agent.

http://www.fittobuy.ca/Contest.asp



10 Low Cost Decorating Ideas

If you're like me, you may experience a little sadness with the taking down of holiday decor and merriment at this time of year (I'm actually a little embarrassed to say that a great majority of my bobbles are still up....dusty...but up...).  That corner in the family room that once glowed with the sparkle of all that's good and lovely about Christmas is now just a sad dark abyss.  Not to worry!!  Here's a link to a great article on HGTV's website entitled "10 Inexpensive Decorating Ideas" because let's get real people - you're probably still paying for all that holiday fluff - you gotta get this done on a budget!  Happy decorating! :) HGTV 10 Inexpensive Decorating Ideas

Buying Local in Newcastle Ontario Rocks

Our sister-in-law got great news this week in the form of a full time position with the Durham Region YMCA - like all events and news in our family, this was to be celebrated, and we decided on a roast beef dinner.  Robin bought a roast from our local butcher shop, Clark Meats, here in Newcastle, and I just have to say how great it was.  Not only because of the fantastic service and fair prices we receive in their shop, but the knowledge that our dinner came from a farm not more than 10 minutes away from our homes made it so much better.  We adore shopping and supporting the local merchants, shop owners, restaurants, business owners of Newcastle Ontario - if you are in the area, we encourage you to explore what our village has to offer - you'll be pleasantly surprised!

YMCA of Greater Toronto

Clark Meats, Newcastle Ontario

Home Buyer's Road Map

The Canadian Real Estate Association has a great publication called the Home Buyer's Road Map - it's a very easy to read and understand explanation of the home buying process, and it has links to some great resources including government grants for first time home buyers.  If you're thinking of buying a home in Clarington, this is a great place to start...and of course, calling the Solowka Sisters next! :) http://crea.ca/sites/default/files/Homebuyers_Road_Map_EN.pdf

Video of Newcastle Ontario in the snow

A few mornings ago, Robin and I took a drive around our hometown of Newcastle Ontario, through a blanket of freshly fallen snow (finally, the white stuff!).  We both feel so priveledged to be able to not only work but live in such an amazing community.  Here is a link to a video that we put together of the photos we took along the way...we hope you think Newcastle is a great as we do!

http://animoto.com/play/mGsIZFlp0X1eigKVGpWoNA