Century21.ca - Blog

CENTURY 21 Office Inspired to Send Kids to Camp

aliza.fung@century21.ca — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

For over 30 years CENTURY 21 Canada has been encouraging their System members to support Easter Seals and help send kids with disabilities to Camps where they can experience something truly special. When we hear about how an office who’s been inspired to make a difference, it’s nice to share their story.

Stephen Chow, owner of CENTURY 21 Atria Realty Inc., was lucky enough to attend summer camps throughout his childhood. He remembers his time at camp with fondness, but as a kid, he took it for granted that going to camp was just “something you did.”

He realized how lucky he actually was after meeting the Easter Seals Youth Ambassador, Melissa, during the CENTURY 21 Canadian Conference in September 2011. Melissa attended the Conference with her mother to share her story about how Easter Seals Summer Camps had made a difference in her life. Loving to share her joy with hugs, she was inspiration to all who met her.

Inspired by the courage Melissa has, Stephen hoped to try and make a difference for at least one child with disabilities in 2011. He brought the challenge to his team at CENTURY 21 Atria Realty, and a fundraising committee, made up of sales professionals and support staff, was created. They’ve been tasked to come up with ways they could fundraise for Easter Seals.

A silent auction and raffle was planned for their 2011 Christmas party. Held at the Shangri-la Banquet Hall & Convention Centre in Markham, the event was well attended by staff and various business partners along with a special guest, an Easter Seals Youth Ambassador. Stephen and his team raised $3677.08 for Easter Seals and one lucky raffle winner, Scott Nguyen went home an extra bit of cash.

CENTURY 21 Atria Realty has set a goal of raising $5000 in 2012. Their first fundraising event is coming up on Valentine’s Day.

We wish Stephen and his team at CENTURY 21 Atria Realty the best of luck in raising funds for Easter Seals. It’s truly a cause worth championing.

15 Tips on How to Best Prepare a Home for Real Estate Photography

aliza.fung@century21.ca — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

I’m often shocked at some of the photos that end up on Realtor.ca. I’ve seen photos of dirty clothes piled on the floor or toys littered across a living room. I wouldn’t want my friends to see my place like that, let alone having sellers view my listing publicly. Having good listing photos is very important in marketing a home to sell. This is why we’ve enlisted photography specialists, Obeo to help us write a piece on what you can do to make sure your listing is presented in the best light possible.

15 Tips on How to Best Prepare a Home for Real Estate Photography

Homes that show professional, high quality photographs have proven to sell for more money. In a post on our blog, ObeoSphere, a study done by the Redfin Corporation discovered that listings marketed with photos from a high end DSLR camera gained anywhere from $1000 to $100,000 more at closing! Given this information, it’s pretty shocking that only 15% of luxury properties in the United States are marketed with DSLR photos.

“How should I prepare the home for the photo shoot?” you might ask. To ensure your listing photos come out gorgeous, here is a list of things to think about. Below you will find the many tips we have accumulated through the years. Be sure to consider these if you’re thinking about listing your home or if you have a client who wants to sell!

Have the lawn mowed, leaves raked, bushes trimmed.
When in season, flowers can add a gorgeous pop of color.
Remove all vehicles from the driveway and front of the house.
Make sure all garbage cans, hoses, garden tools etc. are put away.
If you will be doing any twilight photos, be sure to check all outdoor lights. Change out dim or broken lights.
Remove your “cute” yard decorations like garden gnomes and animals.
Remove any “clutter” inside the home, and put away toys, clothing, dishes, towels, etc.
Make the beds.
The counter tops in the bathrooms and kitchen should be as clean and as empty as possible.
Make sure the kitchen sink is empty and all dishes are put away.
Hide the trash cans.
Hide personal photos.
Replace any light bulbs that are out.
Remove any decorations or magnets that are on the fridge.
Before the photographer arrives, turn on all lights and open all blinds in rooms to be photographed.

If you’re considering hiring a professional to photograph your home, make sure you do some research. Your Realtor may have recommendations on someone in your area. At Obeo, most of our photography packages consist of both still photos and panoramic images. These can be in any area of the home. Common panoramic shots may include: kitchen, master bedroom, family room, living room, exterior (front or back), or any special feature of the home that cannot be adequately captured with a still photo.

Still photography may include secondary bedrooms, study, office, loft, and will include all main areas of the home. Our real estate photographers will choose shots that they feel best show off the home, but will be happy to take any photos you are the homeowner request.

Obeo’s real estate photographers all shoot with DSLR cameras, wide angle lens, and extra lighting. The cost of Obeo’s professional real estate photography varies across the county so get your Realtor to contact our local representatives for pricing. If you have any questions, please call one of our amazing customer service reps at 800-729-6236 or visit our website at www.obeo.com.

Check Your Fortunes for 2012

nadege.parent@century21.ca — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, bringing in the year of the Dragon on January 23, 2012. In Chinese tradition the dragon is a highly regarded being. It’s believed to stand for power, luck, success and happiness, but it’s also thought of as mysterious and unpredictable, bringing unexpected happenings throughout the year.

If you’re superstitious, your luck will depend on your zodiac sign and how it fairs with the Dragon. No matter what, 2012 is looking like a very exciting year in real estate, but I know I can always use a little more luck along the way.

In preparation for Chinese New Year, here are certain superstitions that are supposed to help bring luck to you during the rest of the year.

Cleaning out the Old

Cleaning the entire house before New Year’s Eve is very important. The act represents the clearing out of the old to make room for the new. This ensures that the old misfortunes are cleared out to allow for a clean start to a new year. This means every inch and corner of a home is dusted, washed and wiped down.

All cleaning materials are put away on New Year’s Eve and should not be used at all on New Year’s Day. At the stroke of midnight, windows and doors are opened to allow the old year to escape. There is no cleaning on New Year’s Day so put up your feet and relax. Chinese superstitions believed that cleaning your home will sweep away the good luck of the family, especially if you sweep things out your front door.

Decorating for Luck

Homes are decorated with symbols of luck and good fortune. Bright reds and golds are often used, symbolizing wealth and happiness. Tangerines (with the leaves intact), persimmons, and oranges are placed in the home along with red packets of candy.

Family members gather for a feast on New Year’s Eve. They’ll often eat foods that play on words of wealth and fortune. For example, the word for “dried oysters” in Chinese sounds like “good tidings” and black moss seaweed represents wealth.

Looking Forward

If you’re in the Chinatowns across Canada during this time, you’ll most likely hear firecrackers being set off. It is believed the loud noise scares the bad spirits away so that you can start a clean slate in the New Year.

During the 15 days of celebration, people are encouraged to visit one another and put aside past grudges. Children will receive red packets from their elders to bring them luck and prosperity. Other gifts include fresh flowers, representing rebirth and new growth.

Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate change so enjoy the ride ahead. May the year of the dragon bring you great luck and prosperity.

Mold Prevention and Control

angela.slager@century21.ca — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Mold is a common occurrence in homes, but it can potentially cause health problems as well as damage to structures and surfaces if it is not controlled. Mold begins growing indoors when spores come in contact with wet surfaces or substances. Once established, mold can be very difficult to remove successfully - so prevention is the key.

MOLD PREVENTION
Mold cannot grow in the absence of moisture. Moisture can take the form of leaks, spills, condensation, and humidity, so controlling sources of moisture is the most important step in mold prevention. Here are some ways to avoid creating conditions in which mold will thrive:

Look for signs of leaks in supply and waste lines for bathrooms, kitchens, utility sinks, and laundry areas. Have any leaks fixed and dry the area thoroughly.
Check the condition of grout and tile on shower walls, floors, and around bathtubs. Repair damaged grout, and seal it to prevent mold from being absorbed.
Increase ventilation to the outside by using exhaust fans, attic ventilation.
Regularly empty and clean drain pans and hoses for air conditioning units and dehumidifiers.
Check for roof leaks that allow water to enter attic spaces or build up under roof shingles.
If possible, lower the overall humidity in the home to decrease condensation and create a less mold-friendly environment.

Places that tend to stay damp, such as showers, may be more difficult to keep entirely free of mold but it can be minimized. Diligent cleaning, opening a window or using a ventilation fan are often enough to keep mold at bay.

MOLD REMOVAL
Once mold has become established in the home it can be difficult to eradicate. Depending on the location and severity of the mold problem, a homeowner may need to engage a professional certified in mold remediation to remove it. A qualified professional will also take preventive measures to lessen the likelihood of recurrences.

Angela Slager is with CENTURY 21 Heritage House Ltd. in Woodstock, ON.