In the dead of winter, it’s easy to get into a funk. You may not be able to spend time outdoors, and depending on where you live, you might be seeing very little sunshine. If the long, dark days and chilly weather are getting to you and you aren’t able to take a vacation somewhere warm anytime soon, here are a few ways to lift your spirits this season.

If you find the dead foliage depressing, bringing some life into your home may help perk you up this winter. Visit a nursery and buy some vibrant plants or beautiful flowers and place them throughout your home. Certain plants even help purify air and remove toxins from your home.

Buy a lamp that’s made to simulate sunlight. These are proven to help treat Seasonal Affective Disorder, though they’re great for anyone who is feeling dull from a lack of sunshine. Sitting in front of one for 20 to 30 minutes every morning while you eat breakfast or read can help reset your circadian rhythm and give your mood a boost. You can find affordable sunlight lamps on Amazon.

During the winter, it’s so easy to want to just curl up and hibernate. But exercise releases endorphins and reduces stress, and it can be a great way to combat the winter blues. You don’t need an expensive gym membership; clear a little space in an area of your home and stream free workouts from YouTube. There are countless exercise videos of all types and lengths, and it’s a free way to get yourself moving and feeling better. Why not make it a family affair?

 

​If you’re looking for a fresh start in a new home this year, I’d love to help.​

​Please reach out anytime!

According to Forbes Magazine, only 8% of New Year’s resolutions last. If you want to be part of those who succeed, we have a few tips to help you do just that, and it is surprisingly simpler than you think. In fact, we’re giving you five simple steps to take to make your resolutions a reality this year.

Writing your goals down is the first step in achieving goals. Consider the difference grocery shopping with or without a list makes. Shopping with a list can allow you to plan and prepare, such as searching circulars for in-store deals, clipping coupons, and meal planning without having to run to the store again. Shopping without a list means relying on your memory – both what you want to get and what you already have. The list simplifies things and allows your mind to not be overwhelmed. Writing your goals does the same.

Keep your eyes on the prize by posting your written goals where you can see them. Some people will even post affirmations or reminders on sticky notes wherever they may see them – on the bathroom mirror, on the fridge, in the car – to keep it top of mind. Visualizing your positive outcomes is something everyone from Napoleon Hill to Tony Robbins encourages for making it a reality. Visualize achieving the goal, including how it will feel and look to be obtained.

 

This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Being specific includes the who, what, when, where, and why of the goal. Measurable means quantifying where you are now and where you want to be with methods in place to track progress.

Attainable means that your goals are able to be met in the timeline. It also asks you to consider what it would take to make it possible. For example, do you need a gym membership? Accountability? To cut up your credit cards? Being realistic doesn’t mean setting your goals low, but rather setting them in a way that stretches you while also being possible. Be honest with yourself and ask if you’re willing and able to do the work required to achieve the goal. If so, it is realistic.

Finally, make it timely by giving yourself a deadline – or multiple deadlines if you break down the goal into building blocks. Deadlines create a sense of urgency that pushes us to get it done.

Getting clear about how to achieve the goal will help you break it down into more manageable, forward-moving steps. Look at what is needed to make your goal attainable. Break your goal down as far as you need to (ie. daily tasks, weekly or quarterly objectives) to systematically reach your long-term goal.

There is a lot to be said about gratitude, fun, and celebration. Sometimes we get so driven and focused on outcomes, we forget to celebrate the small stuff. Make it a regular practice to look for fun in your day, express gratitude for the progress you are making, and celebrate each small achievement on your way to your big goals.

Don’t consider it a failure if something doesn’t quite work. Sometimes goals are made but then life happens – something unexpected and out of your control surfaces. Give yourself time, permission, and grace to re-evaluate and adjust.

This year, if buying a new home or selling your house is part of your resolution, contact me. I’m happy to help.

Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful holiday season. Now it’s resolution season; have you created your goals for 2019? Many of us have vowed to start using the gym more often or start saving more money, but it’s also a great time to think about how you want to improve your home this year. Need a little inspiration for a home resolution for 2019? Here’s a checklist of project ideas, ranging from small to large, to get your wheels turning.

 

If you’re considering buying a new home this year rather than fixing up your current house, please reach out.

Now that a new year has arrived, have you set your 2019 goals? Are they strong enough to keep momentum through the year? This season often has us reflecting on the past 365 days and dreaming about what the next twelve months could contain. With so many people giving up on their resolutions in the first three months, it’s important that our goals have the strength to keep us moving forward.

Studies have shown writing down your goals is the first step in achieving them – after all, keeping your “eye on the prize” is a natural motivator. Keeping your vision clearly in front of you helps it stay top of mind, something everyone from Napoleon Hill to Tony Robbins encourages for making it a reality. Here are three tips to keep your goals progressing through the year:

This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Being specific includes the who, what, when, where, and why of the goal. Measurable means quantifying where you are now and where you want to be with methods in place to track progress.

Attainable means that your goals can be met in the timeline. It also asks you to consider what it would take to make it possible. For example, do you need a new credential? More administrative support? More contacts in your database? Being realistic doesn’t mean setting your goals low, but rather setting them in a way that stretches you while also being possible. Be honest with yourself and ask if you are willing and able to do the work required to achieve the goal. If so, it is realistic.

Finally, make it timely by giving yourself a deadline – or multiple deadlines if you break down the goal into building blocks. Deadlines create a sense of urgency that pushes us to get it done.

Getting clear about how to achieve the goal will help you break it down into more manageable, forward-moving steps. Look at what is needed to make your goal attainable. Break your goal down as far as you need to (i.e., daily tasks, weekly or quarterly objectives) to systematically reach your long-term goal.

There is a lot to be said about gratitude, fun, and celebration. Sometimes we get so driven and focused on outcomes that we forget to celebrate the small stuff. Make it a regular practice to look for fun in your day, express gratitude for the progress you are making, and celebrate each small achievement on your way to your big goals.

Don’t consider it a failure if something doesn’t quite work. Sometimes goals are made, but then life happens – something unexpected and out of your control surfaces. Give yourself time, permission, and grace to re-evaluate and adjust.

Need guidance on your 2019 business goals? Let me help. Give me a call and I’d be happy to give some feedback and direction. 416-571-2724 (ARCI)

Get Your Post-Holiday Home Under Control

The holidays are behind you and your house is a wreck. Sound familiar? Don’t sweat it. Check out these easy organizational hacks. You’ll have your home whipped into shape in no time!

MAGAZINE HOLDER AS KITCHEN ORGANIZER

Your wraps and foils will stand at attention!

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BREAD TAG YOUR LABELS FOR YOUR PLUGS

Now you can quickly identify which plug is for what and where it goes!

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COLOUR-CODED KEYS

Paint each of your keys with a different colour nail polish. You’ll always grab the right one!

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HANG YOUR SPRAY BOTTLES

Just add a small rod under the sink and instantly create more space.

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ICE CUBES TRAY ORGANIZER

Perfect for jewelry or hardware or all those little junk drawer treasures.

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PLASTIC BAG DISPENSER

Turn a disinfectant wipes container into a plastic bag dispenser. Cute enough to leave out on the counter.

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TOILET TISSUE CORD ORGANIZER

Corral those messy extension cords the easy way. And just for fun, decorate them with colourful tape or markers!

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MAGNETIC STRIP ORGANIZER

Apply a magnetic strip to the inside of your medicine cabinet door. You’ll never search for bobby pins, nail files, or tweezers again!

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CHEESE GRATER EARRING STAND

Paint a cheese grater in a fun colour and hang your favourite earrings on it. Talk about an eye-catching conversation starter!

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SUITCASE SIDE TABLE

Make a memorable nightstand or side table by stacking vintage suitcases. Top with a rustic mirror!

Getting control of your house after the holidays doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Try these fun-to-do shortcuts. You’ll say goodbye to the chaos and hello to the new year!

Guide to Social Media in 2019

Social media is an outlet that lets you expand your sphere of influence and carry on a conversation, just as you would in person.

THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, YOU CAN:

• Create and promote a personal profile that celebrates your successes and defines your niche.
• Give virtual tours.
• Connect with past, current and potential clients.
• Update your audience about market changes and new homes on the market.
• Advertise listings and open houses.
• Provide information that promotes your reputation as a trusted resource.
• Create dialogue with clients.
• Reach clients and prospects wherever they are, through a computer at work, a tablet at home or virtually anywhere else through a mobile device.

PERSONAL VS. PROFESSIONAL PROFILES

It’s standard practice to have dual-purpose profiles on most networking sites, enabling you to share business news and aspects of your personal life in the same place. It’s important to maintain a balance in your content. Users don’t want to see just a constant stream of listings, nor do they want to be barraged by pictures of your kids.

SOCIAL NETWORKING: 11 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

1. IDENTIFY YOURSELF. Let people know you’re with RE/MAX when responding to work-related social media posts.
2. SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY. You’re not a robot. Your personality can be a powerful tool for building relationships – but not if you bury it in business-speak. Be conversational and professional.
3. ENGAGE WITH PURPOSE. Go beyond simply hitting the Facebook “Like” button in response to someone’s post – at LEAST give them a reaction such as “Love” or “Wow.” Take advantage of the opportunity to share your knowledge and establish yourself as a real estate expert. Add a fact, or point out an interesting related article.
4. DISCUSS IDEAS, NOT PEOPLE. Feel free to constructively argue over ideas, but not personalities. And never question anyone’s motives online.
5. THINK BEFORE POSTING. In a heated discussion on social media, it can be helpful to take a few breaths and consider your comment before hitting “Post.” It’s incredibly easy to type something you might regret.
6. KNOW YOUR STUFF — AND SHOW IT. When making claims, always refer to your sources using hyperlinks when you can. Always give proper attribution.
7. DEAL WITH MISTAKES. We all make them. Admit it when you do, and do what you can to correct them.
8. KNOW YOU’RE ALWAYS “ON THE RECORD.” Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say in person in front of other people. Never use profanity or demeaning language. Once your comments are out there, they can always be used against you in the court of public opinion – a comment can easily be screenshotted and reused against you, even if you delete it.
9. LISTEN AS MUCH AS YOU SHARE. Social media is not a soapbox. That wouldn’t be very social. Keep it a two-way conversation.
10. IF YOU RESPOND TO A PROBLEM, OWN IT. If you become the point of contact for the media, a client or colleague, stay with the issue until it is resolved.
11. ASK FOR HELP. A social media encounter have you flustered? Reach out to socialmedia@remax.com. We’re happy to help.

There’s much more to social media. To learn more about various social platforms and how to use them, download the RE/MAX Social Media Best Practices Guide.

The Disruptors Are Knocking. Here’s Why the Real Estate Industry Needs to Open Up!

Technology has disrupted virtually every service industry, from banking and retail, to taxis and travel. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t used Uber, Amazon or Airbnb in the past week – if not in the last 24 hours. So, what’s the difference between these trailblazers and others offering similar services? Quite simply, their customer experience strategy is all about being convenient, user-friendly and easy-access.

Change is also bubbling beneath the surface of Canada’s real estate industry, and big data is the catalyst. With the arrival of Zillow and Purplebricks in Canada, and most recently, the public release of sold data, you can be sure that our industry will look different one year from now.

Change is often accompanied by fear, and in this case, the fear is that publicly available sold data will spell the end of the real estate industry as we know it. Instead of fighting the inevitable, I encourage agents and brokers to see this as an opportunity.

Let’s get real – people who are active in the housing market already know what the house down the street sold for. The fact is, sold data has always been available at public land registry offices and from agents directly. Now, it will also be accessible through password-protected web-based brokerages. With this information in hand, consumers will be better equipped to do their own research – and I’m a firm believer that a well-informed consumer is the best kind.

Realtor.ca is already Canada’s most-comprehensive real estate listings site. When coupled with sold data, it will be a powerhouse. Similarly, the websites that offer more information will get more traffic and generate more leads. The real estate businesses that don’t give consumers what they want (recall: convenient, user-friendly and easy-access), will fall off the radar.

So, if real estate agents are no longer the gatekeepers of sold data, what’s their value proposition?

KNOW YOUR VALUE

Sold data has been publicly accessible to consumers in the U.S. for more than a decade, and FSBOs represent a small fraction of sales – just eight per cent, according to this 2016 National Association of Realtors study. The study also found that the typical FSBO home sold for $190,000, versus $249,000 for agent-assisted home sales. How’s that for customer value? Other FSBO challenges – and agent benefits – include:

• Setting the right price

• Selling within the planned

• Understanding and performing paperwork

• Preparing/fixing up home for sale

• Having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale

In real estate, customer service and consumer experience is everything. Members of this industry who perform sub-par work are only serving to tip the consumer’s scale in favour of alternative services to buy or sell a home.

The key takeaway: it’s time to up your game.

This column was written by Christopher Alexander, Executive Vice President and Regional Director, RE/MAX INTEGRA Ontario-Atlantic Canada Region