Check out this video I did about some new tools that Re/Max is providing us to better market our listings.

The tools are text messaging and QR codes. The text messaging will allow a prospective buyer to drive up to one of our listings and text to request more information about a listing. The details will imediately be sent to the phone of the prospective buyer. The other tool is the use of a QR code.

QR stands for quick response and is a square barcode that makes getting URLs, SMS (text), contact information or location coordinates onto a phone–fast. With a barcode scanner app installed, point your phone’s camera at the code to read its contents.

Here is my QR code, try it out!

I have a Blackberry so the app that I use to read QR codes is called “QR Code Scanner Pro”.  The app is free to use.

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 | 519-498-8118
Connect with us on the following social networks Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamMcNeilRemax
websites: www.TeamMcNeil.com, www.ClickThatHouse.com, www.KitchenerLofts.com, www.ElmiraRealEstate.ca

By Warren McNeil,

One of my favourite things to do is go to the St Jacobs Farmers Market. I like to go there on the weekend. They are open 7:00am-3:30pm Thursday and Saturday. The St Jacobs Farmers market website is http://www.stjacobs.com/html/shopping-farmersmarkets.html

Check out this video I did about the market and surrounding  shops and stores:

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Houzg5Smbr0

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Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 | 519-498-8118
Connect with us on the following social networks Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamMcNeilRemax
websites: www.TeamMcNeil.com, www.ClickThatHouse.com, www.KitchenerLofts.com, www.ElmiraRealEstate.ca

We went to the 2011 Re/Max Kickstart Rally yesterday and had a really good time. We listened to many really good speakers and learned lots of ways that we can improve the relationships with our customers and clients and continue to provide them exceptional service.

Our team has some exciting new tools that we will be rolling out in 2011. Stay tuned! Want a hint, lets just say things are going to be more mobile….

Check out these pictures of the event!

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Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 | 519-498-8118
Connect with us on the following social networks Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamMcNeilRemax
websites: www.TeamMcNeil.com, www.ClickThatHouse.com, www.KitchenerLofts.com, www.ElmiraRealEstate.ca

By Warren McNeil  

The Table below shows the most relevant Kitchener Waterloo real estate data for the year  2010 and compares it with the previous year. This information is for single detached only in all areas.

Single Detached only

The median home price is one of the most common measurements used to compare real estate prices in different markets, areas, and periods. It is said to be less biased than the mean (average) price since it is not as heavily influenced by small number of very highly priced homes.

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (January 6, 2010) –The 6,388 homes sold by REALTORS® through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board (KWREB) last year marked the second highest total annual sales in the association’s history. Last year’s activity was strongest in the first half of the year, particularly March and April when the sale of residential properties were setting monthly records.

According to George Patton, President of the KWREB, a number of factors contributed to the early spring surge. “The federal government announced tighter mortgage rules, buyers were rushing to beat the introduction of the HST, and the central bank was forecasting higher interest rates.”

Dollar volume of all residential real estate sold last year jumped 9.3 percent to $1.8 billion compared with 2009, reflecting continued confidence in the local real estate market. The year finished on a strong note, with 326 home sales last month, a 4.1 percent decrease compared to December 2009, but still well above the previous 10 year average of 225. Sales of homes in all price categories above $250,000 were up in 2010 compared to 2009, with the greatest rise occurring in the number of homes selling above $750,000, which experienced triple-digit increases.

“The explosion of sales in the highest price ranges was reflected by the 9.3% increase in the average sale prices of detached homes,” says Patton. The average sale price of detached homes was $329,797 last year, whereas the average sale price of all residential real estate sold for $289,338, an increase of 8.6 percent.

The 2010 year was marked by continued consumer demand for condominium style homes, with a total of 1,221 sales, an increase of 8.6 percent relative to year-end results in 2009, and representing nearly 20 percent of the overall residential market share in terms of unit sales by type.

Other housing types showed small decreases relative to the previous year: 4,127 detached homes (down 0.3 percent from 2009), 506 semis (down 1.9 percent from 2009), and 474 townhouses (down 6.1 percent from 2009).

As for the year ahead, the president of the KWREB predicts that the first three months of 2011 will be relatively flat with a very busy March, April and May with which to look forward. Continued Patton, “Whatever your real estate plans are in 2011, be sure to consult with your REALTOR® first. A REALTOR® is your best ally in the purchase or sale of real estate.”

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 | 519-498-8118
Connect with us on the following social networks Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamMcNeilRemax
websites: www.TeamMcNeil.com, www.ClickThatHouse.com, www.KitchenerLofts.com, www.ElmiraRealEstate.ca

Mel and I went for a drive today. We ended up at Meaford. Temperatures were -25 degC. Very cold!!!

The pictures here are of Georgian Bay. This is what an Ontario beach looks like in the Winter at -25! Yes those are floting chunks of ice. The Georgian Triangle is a beautiful area and is well know for the ski hills.

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Google Map

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Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 | 519-498-8118
Connect with us on the following social networks Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamMcNeilRemax
websites: www.TeamMcNeil.com, www.ClickThatHouse.com, www.KitchenerLofts.com, www.ElmiraRealEstate.ca