It’s not a great revelation that we are in a real estate market that we have not experienced in quite some time. A nation wide real estate market change is in full swing in November of 2006. It appears as if market pricing and activity peaked locally in August 2004, and the US apparently peaked about one year later in 2005.

The current climate with Buyers sitting on the sidelines and properties not selling is reminiscent of post September 11th. People are watching over their shoulders wondering what is going to happen next, or hoping for a sudden resurgence in Buyers appearing to buy properties.

We’ve experienced significant real estate value appreciation over the past several years - the Georgian Triangle is experiencing unprecedented new development. However, we also know that markets change, and with it, so does our strategy.

How we react to the changing market is as important as understanding how we got here. While market indicators may forewarn a market change, in a market such as ours a slowdown will take longer to be recognized. From the time a slow down begins, to acknowledging it and responding can take several months - usually a minimum of six.

When Cindy and Ian first became realtors in the late 1980’s, the Royal LePage office in Collingwood had just acquired its first fax machine. Remember the thermal paper faxes that revolutionized the way we transmitted information? It quickly changed the way we did business, and that change is still occurring daily via the internet.

Consumers now have easy access to considerably more information than they used to. Buyers have greater market intelligence and are very astute at determining property values, and the time from the beginning to end of a real estate sale is shorter than ever.

This change in the business changes our role in real estate transactions. When asked to assist in a sale or purchase, our role becomes that of a partner with a client or customer and that partnership continues until completion.

Our job is to provide accurate market information, clear analysis of opportunities, and sound strategic advice. Our goal is to help you make the best decision, with the most accurate information available anywhere. Your real estate deal is our real estate deal, and we prove it every day.

Commission cutting. One fee for service. No fees. Discount real estate fees. Whatever the popular phrase, the days of 6% commission are over. By not charging a higher fee than absolutely necessary, we save our clients and customers money. We look at each relationship and transaction as unique.

One of the tools available for anyone is to search online for what properties have sold for. It is a misconception that this information is private, as realty sales become public as soon as the transaction is registered.

An astute Buyer will request this information from their agent and it is the agents duty to provide this information if requested. We are bound by privacy legislation and must be cautious as to an individual's rights of privacy; we also must provide relevant market information. For the latest market information or sales history for any particular segment please contact us at any time.