Yesterday our team had a fabulous lunch at Stone House Restaurant in Burlington, which is conveniently placed right beside our office!

We an amazing first quarter in our 2015 year, so we celebrated with a Mediterranean feast!

Going into May, we have some very exciting announcements to make!

Owned by couple Hanne Olesen-Nahman and Joseph Nahman, who have a combined experience of 75 years in the restaurant industry, the Stone House prides itself on “Quality, quality, quality.” The couple also own the Lake House Restaurant, which is right off the QEW Niagara, on Lake Ontario, in Vineland. Our server, Lisa, entertained a friendly approach to our group and made sure we were well taken care of.

The food was impeccable! Nancy had the scrumptious gourmet chorizo, pesto pizza, myself and Chris tried the lobster dishes, Justin and Amanda enjoyed the massive entree salads, Pam and Erin devoured the  special of the day, a grilled veggie wrap, and Laura attempted the massive homemade brie burger. All of us happily enjoyed each bite!

We look forward to our next visit to the Stone House Restaurant! Thank You!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

Recently, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), conducted a comparison of the price of homes in Canada. They compared 2014 to 2015 and have laid out the average prices for both years across each province.

Not surprisingly, Beautiful British Columbia remained the most expensive (at $639,405), followed by Ontario ($453,646), and Alberta ($385,804). The national average for 2014 was $406,215 and rose in 2015 to $431,812.

The study revealed the average house price in Hamilton-Burlington to be $398,239 in 2014 and jumped 9.8% to be just above the average at $437,386 in 2015.

We thought it would be interesting to see what home buyers could get across Canada for the average Burlington price; here’s what we found with other homes in Canada.

BURLINGTON – $439,000

This downtown condo is located in the heart of downtown Burlington. This condo unit offers a living/dining room, sun room, 2 bedrooms including a master with updated ensuite, custom cabinetry & walk-in closet. Kitchen also recently updated with custom cabinetry, new stainless steel appliance’s & hardwoods. Ensuite laundry, two storage rooms, one underground parking spot, all adds to this convenient living style. Located close to many bike trails, steps to the lake, shops, restaurants ,Spencer Smith Park, the list goes on!

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – $449,000

This detached 3 bedroom, 2 bath Halifax home is located in a prime area close to the Common and a quick walk to Downtown, Schools and the Hospital.(walking score of 89) Beautiful original Pine floors, high ceilings, tons of character throughout and well maintained. The large eat in kitchen is very bright. French doors from the dining room lead to a quiet deck, perfect for a BBQ party. You will love the convenience of the main floor 2pc powder room. The 2 main bedrooms are a very good size and the small front bedroom works well as a nursery or home office. The easy to maintain fenced backyard is private and the driveway can fit at least 2 cars.

MONTREAL, Quebec – $449,000

Charming and spacious apartment in a unique building in the Plateau, the top floor, a very bright space, 1200 square feet, three bedrooms, large living area with fireplace, high ceilings, two balconies, semi open kitchen and dining. 3 minutes from Sherbrooke metro.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – $449,900

Park Like Setting On River in St. Vital.Gorgeous location with view of Red River. Only 5 minutes to downtown. Main floor features hardwood floors throughout. Beautiful 3 tiered fenced backyard overlooking Red River with 2 Heritage stone patios. Upper level features two spacious bedrooms and large 3 piece bath .finished recroom with energy efficient wood stove.

CALGARY, Alberta – $432,000

50 Foot frontage corner lot. Total lot size 306 square meters. House built in 1912 and could be best be described as a very livable tear down with lots of character. Could be a jem for the talented handy man or woman. This a very special corner lot with no alley and up-scale duplexes behind the property. Floors are mainly hardwood. Basement is not developed but it has a 3 piece bathroom. Newer furnace and hot water tank.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – $429,900

You have found the best spot in the heart of Kitsilano! Totally renovated 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom top floor unit with fabulous North Shore mountain views. All top of the line finishings & appliances! There is also a wood burning fireplace. The building has been re-plumbed, a new boiler added, re painted, the parking Garage membrane has been replaced, east wall rainscreened and newly landscaped. 1 Parking space & 1 Storage locker.

Let us help you find your new Home in Canada! Contact Us today!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

There is confidence in the Canadian Condo Market. Genworth Canada, the second largest private insurer of mortgages in Canada, second to CMHC has just released their views on the condo outlook for 2015.

According to the report that Genworth released: The Winter 2015 Metropolitan Condo Outlook forecasts positive condominium price appreciation in most major cities, with the exception of Calgary and Edmonton which are expected to experience some softening as a result of lower oil prices.

“From a national perspective, these findings support an overall balanced outlook on Canada’s condo market for 2015, with the exception of certain oil-exposed regions,” said Stuart Levings, President and CEO of Genworth Canada. “We continue to see evidence that population growth and employment remain key drivers of demand for condos in urban centres.”

The report carries on to state that Toronto and Vancouver will see the strongest GDP advances, while economic growth will be weakest in Calgary and Edmonton. This uneven economic backdrop, combined with growing inventories in some markets, is expected to trim starts in all but Quebec City, Ottawa, Vancouver and Victoria. Still, all eight cities are predicted to experience decent population growth over the forecast period, providing continued support for condominiums.

“While the health of apartment condominium markets varies significantly by region, nowhere do we see a bubble about to burst,” said Robin Wiebe, Senior Economist at the Centre for Municipal Studies at The Conference Board of Canada.

Resale prices for condominiums are expected to rise modestly in most of the eight cities during 2015, but drop in Calgary and Edmonton. British Columbia is poised to do well with resale price increases of 2.1% and 4.5% projected for Vancouver and Victoria respectively.

Contact us to find you a dream condo!
Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

34 % of Canadians are prepared to enter into a bidding war, according to a recent BMO report. That number jumps in the countries hottest markets to 44% of Torontonians and 41% of Vancouverites. Desired Real Estate, combined with a sellers market means buyers are often one of many fighting for a home.

The good thing is the Ontario government is introducing new rules to crack down on unethical deals that try to pump up housing prices.

“It’s all in the context of these bidding wars, and the idea is a potential buyer knowing ‘am I in competition, and how many people am I in competition with?’” says Bruce Matthews, deputy registrar of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), which oversees real estate agents and is responsible for enforcing the new rules.

Here are a few things you can do to better your chances of winning a bidding war!

Timing is everything

Do your homework first. Organize an appraisal, shop around and be ready to act fast once the house hits the market. If you know exactly what you are buying into, a firm offer can hold a lot of weight. This certainty to the seller may get you the home.

Secure Financing

Get pre-approved from multiple lenders. Sellers are attracted to buyers who don’t have less conditions on offers. Cash sales can hold more weight, so if this is not the case for you, proving your financing is key. Having at least a 20% downpayment on hand is helpful.

The Offer

Put forth your highest and best offer from the start. This will show your commitment and you’ll know you tried your best. The conditions in your offer (or lack of) give the seller confidence to know what they are dealing with. Being flexible on closing dates, inspections, financing and being accommodating to the seller make you very attractive.

Contact us to help you get the home you want!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

I have seen a lot of thing evolve in real estate since I entered this profession in the 1970’s, but the advancement of technology is by far the most exciting!

It is so exciting that in today’s world we can find a recipe, a map and even consumer reviews on products, with the touch of a screen.

Social Media and the Internet are forever progressing at the speed of light and we are proud to be part of it!

We are happy to announce:

We have just launched our newest addition: AN APP!

Reasons why you should get this real estate app

• Extremely user friendly 
• Offers unique ways to help you buy and sell your home
• Keep track of open houses in your area
• Extreme organization in the real estate process
• Stay up to date. The information comes to you
• Simplified contact settings for direct access to your agent
• It’s FREE and current
• Available on Android, iPhone and iPad

Please view our real estate app here. Have a look around and let us know what you think.

We take our clients suggestions very seriously to ensure we provide the best service.

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

Gorgeous views, surrounded by nature, green space and water behind your home and knowing the fact you’ll have no new houses going up in your backyard are among the desirable bonuses to living on a golf course. 

In Burlington, we are blessed to be surrounded by dozens of golf courses, three of which are right within our city limits. It is no surprise that golf course real estate is highly sought after and within our gorgeous city, this is no exception.

Before you jump into owning your golf course home, you should determine if this is the right choice for you.

4 thing to consider if you are thinking of moving to a golf course home.

1) Do you golf?

You do not need to be as dedicated as Tiger and the answer does not need to be a definitive yes, but understanding the game will really help you if you choose to live on a golf course. It will help you decide if your family would better suit living on the tee box, the fairway or nearer to the green. Also, sometimes golf courses offer discounted rates to people who live  on the course, which is always a bonus!

2) Do you mind backyard foot traffic?

You must remember that for 6 months of the year (the months when you will want to be outside) that you will have a daily stream of golfers walking by your home. There are of course fences and shrubbery that you can erect to gain more privacy, but that will not always stop a golf ball from winding up in your yard. The good thing is, unlike backyard neighbours, the traffic of people is always changing.

3) Flying golf balls

You need to check with the golf course and your insurance company in terms of what’s covered on your policy if a golf ball breaks a window, or winds up damaging something else on your property. All families are at differing stages of life, which is why it is important to know where on the course you feel comfortable living. If you want a swimming pool and have young children for example, you may want to be nearer the green or tee box, where the golf ball not be sailing 300 yards through the air.

4) Do you crave beautifully landscaped views?

One thing is for certain; in season, golf courses will always look beautiful. Golfers pay big money to play, so the courses must be kept to a pristine daily standard. Th water and excess tree hazards add to the natural beauty and attract an abundance of wildlife. If you value having a backyard that overlooks green space and you don’t like dealing with backyard neighbours, this may be the right choice for you!

Contact us to help you find your new golf course home in Millcroft, Tyandaga or near Burlington Golf and Country Club

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

Today I led my team through a full day retreat-style conference. I asked them to bring forth their vision boards, plans and goals for 2015. We had a great day of sharing, laughing and of course talking business.

One of the biggest things I stress with my team is for each of them to be themselves wholeheartedly. I just love when I see clients and agents be the “right match” for each other!

It makes the whole home buying / selling process much for enjoyable and smooth for everyone involved.

One of the best ways I like to keep my team motivated is by asking them questions and getting them to step outside of themselves and take a look at why they do what they do; how they get motivated!

Here is a top ten list I adopted from
Denise Hart of The Motivation Mojo System

1. Read personal development books | Spend at least 15 minutes daily reading something that will help develop your potential
2.  Discover your creative wellspring | Do something each week that you designate as being creative for you (maybe singing in the shower!)
3. Be honest with yourself (& others)
4.  Believe in your capacity to create and THRIVE!? | You must believe you are entitles to thrive in your life! Believe it and it will come true!
5.  Listen to Inspiring music | Keep music that moves you nearby to keep your mood on a high note
6. Create a motivating Community | You are the average of the 5 people around you. Take command of who they are
7. Keep your agreements with yourself and others
8. Trust Yourself | If you don’t trust yourself, others won’t either
9. Define you purpose | Ask yourself: What do you feel you were meant to do in life?
10. Practice Reciprocity | What you give out is what you will receive back

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

Choosing what city you want to live in can be a task in itself, but once that has been decided, how do you narrow your focus and zero in on the perfect neighbourhood to suit you?

Where we live is a reflection of who we are and in essence, who we will grow into. Location, aesthetics, surroundings and community all play a huge role in determining our experience.

So, how do you choose in a sea of so many options and neighbourhoods?
Where do you start?

1) Buy a house right outside of a cool neighbourhood

Great areas often have a halo effect; meaning it will soon develop into the land around it. The houses directly in your preferred neighbourhood have already appreciated and buying a home just beyond those borders will most likely follow suit. You will get most of the same benefits without the top price tag.

2) Buy a home nearby a plaza/shopping area

This will not only make your life easier, but will be a great feature to highlight when you are looking to move in the future.
Convenient access to shopping or bus routes is very beneficial especially if you are ever considering renting out your house.

3) Choose a neighbourhood and house you can grow into

Where you decide to live must suit you and your family at the time. If you have young kids then moving into a retirement neighbourhood isn’t the best idea. People thrive when they are surrounded by others who match common beliefs and stages in life. Chances are if move your young family into a kid-friendly neighbourhood, the children on the street will grow up together and you’ll remain living amongst families who resemble yours for year to come.

4) Choose a home that is near highway/GO train access

Traffic volumes are ever-increasing. Whether you leave your city much or not, having nearby access to get into and out is a big plus. With the vast majority of people commuting to work, a huge bonus when selling your home is to advertise how conveniently located you are in terms of travel.

5) Know what suits you

Whether you love the countryside, or the downtown core, try to picture your life in the area you re looking. Knowing what type of surroundings and conveniences you value willkeep you focussed during your home search. Thinking about how the area could develop in the future and if that changes how the place currently is. Ie. if the countryside is developed or the downtown erects all highrises.
Let us help you find your ideal neighbourhood!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

1. Looking for a new home.
2. Finding an agent that puts your needs first.
3. Packing up all your belongings.
4. Trying to choose the right: city, house, neighbourhood, school catchment area.
5. Saying goodbye to your old house. Remembering the fun you had there; the laughs, the good times, the memories.

There are so many layers to moving and if they are not dealt with in an effective manner, your exciting move to a beautiful new home could turn out to be troublesome!

1. Take your time to get organized

Once you decide it is time to move your family, allow yourself plenty of time to figure things out. Start looking at new homes as soon as you can. Whether it is on HGTV, MLS or in person, start looking at homes. Make yourself a list of must haves and know what you are after so when you hire an agent there is no time wasted. If allowing for extra time isn’t a possibility, organize your timelines accordingly and stick to them as much as you can.

2. De-clutter and throw stuff away! 

So many people these days seem to hold onto an onslaught of boxes full of things they don’t need. There is no sense in bringing stuff you don’t use to your new home. Hire a bin, or better yet, pack it all up and donate it to the salvation army or local church. You’ll feel much lighter in your move and you wont have as much to pack. Moving to a new home is a fresh slate, taking the bare minimum with you is the best way to make new memories and start fresh.

3. Eat well and get enough sleep

Ordering take-out every night may be the easy way out, but eating the right nutrients to help combat stress and short tempers is imperative. Stress also dehydrates us, so guzzling extra H20 is a must. With moving there is ALWAYS TO MUCH TO DO! But here’s a tip we all know, but seem to forget; Getting a good nights sleep or even taking a quick nap will make us feel more energized, allowing us to be more efficient and get more done! Take it easy on yourself. There is lots to do but it can actually be enjoyable if you stress less and learn to go with the flow.

4. Involve the whole family

If you have kids, it is important to answer their questions about the move honestly. Help them plan their goodbyes to their old friends and the familiarity you are leaving behind. Show them their new school, the new house, the new neighbourhood. Once you are settled in the new house, help your kids meet some of the neighbours and get them acquainted with their surroundings. Find new local stores to frequent, discover new nature walks nearby and put your family’s touch on your house to make it feel like home.

5. Get people to help you move

Ask friends or family who live near you to help you move. Most people don’t move too many times in their life, so asking for a helping hand isn’t usually the end of the world. If friends and family are not available to help, hiring a moving company is a great way to help ease the stress. Usually the movers do all the heavy lifting and you act as an organizer directing the crew where to deposit your things.

Work with us and we’ll help ease your stress of moving!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

My team and I are so excited to announce that we have introduced a fabulous new technology!

Karen Paul & Associates are the first agent team in Burlington to offer this amazing feature!

We have teamed up with SilverHouse who provides exclusive 3D Walkthrough Real Estate videos.

The full motion video is shot on state-of-the-art HD Matterport cameras and digitally edited to give the viewer an extremely realistic home tour.

It’s like Google Maps’ Street view technology, but inside the home.

Take a tour of our first 3D Walkthrough home

This revolutionary 3D video will assist both buyers and sellers and vastly change the digital home tour process.

Andre McKenzie, who is the owner of SilverHouse, a boutique digital marketing firm, is one of the early adopters of Matterport Technology. 

“We are always staying ontop of the current technology trends so we can service our clients better every year. In 2014, we added a drone and now this. We always like to be one step ahead,” says McKenzie.

Since SilverHouse first launched the 3D digital technology last month, they are already in high demand.

“We have got people calling from Florida, from all over the U.S. and pockets all over GTA wanting to book us for work,” says McKenzie.

This revolutionary 3D technology is shifting how people can showcase the best their home has to offer, with viewers interacting from the comfort of their own homes.

First developed in California, SilverHouse is one of the first companies in Canada to offer this technology.

Technology is forever advancing and we love that we can offer our clients great new new features like this 3D home tour!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.