Here is a video I did about the keynote that Gary Vaynerchuk did at this years Re/Max Kickstart rally in downtown Toronto. Gary was full of energy and provided us with some great information about how to best use social media for our business.

I came away with that all you need to do to be successful with social media is to be yourself and don’t market to people. People will find you when they need you if you provide them value. You need to be patient!

Be sure to checkout Gary’s new book, “The Thank You Economy”. http://thankyoueconomybook.com/

Thank you GaryVee!!!

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

Here is the excerpt that Re/Max wrote about Kitchener Waterloo.

Changing consumer appetites have supported the most recent evolution in Kitchener-Waterloo’s housing mix, improving the quality of homes and propping up all types of new construction throughout the region. The trend has contributed to rising average price, urban and suburban growth and-most notably-a considerable upswing in the city’s burgeoning condominium segment.

The most significant boost to Kitchener-Waterloo’s housing stock came over the past decade, when renovation and new construction pushed the value of building permits to an unprecedented $6 billion-two and a half times the amount spent just one decade earlier. Incidentally, during the same period, average price-also supported by a number of additional solid fundamentals-climbed 84 per cent, from $167,317 in 2000 to $289,041 in 2010.The upswing in the renovation trend in recent years has improved the quality of listings. Today’s purchasers have higher expectations than in generations past and are driving demand for properties with better finishing’s and features. Renovated homes in mature neighbourhoods, offering the latest bells and whistles, are still generating multiple offers, while the overall market has moderated to some extent.

Builders have also answered the call, with new subdivisions prompting the emergence of up-and coming areas on the peripherals of the city. Immigration and a higher cost of living may impact the evolution of the traditional detached home, as an increasing number of newcomers begin to seek out two-family homes or those offering a separate apartment. Although this type of housing remains hard to come by, it will be a trend to watch going forward.

Young buyers, investors and baby boomers have seriously embraced higher-density residential developments throughout Kitchener-Waterloo. These units have gained so much traction that they may well over take the long sought-after bungalow as the product of choice for both first-time buyers and downsizers in the years ahead. Lifestyle is foremost, with momentum strongest in Downtown Kitchener and Uptown Waterloo. Affordability is one reason, with units starting from $150,000.A tightening vacancy rate and rising rental costs are also playing a role. The city is home to its fair share of exciting developments. Recently completed and ongoing projects in Kitchener include the trendy Kaufman and Arrow Lofts, The Intowns, City Centre Condominiums at the former Centre Block site, as well as Icon condos.

Uptown Waterloo continues to be transformed, with residents drawn by proximity to the hospital, university and major businesses, as well as culture, shopping and festivals may yet be the Barrel Yards development the large stand most ambitious brownfield redevelopment to date, which, when complete, will be home to a luxury hotel, condominiums, townhomes, live-work units, rentals, a senior’s residence, offi ce and retail space, a park and underground parking for 2,400 cars.

Condominium townhomes have also emerged as an increasingly sought-after bridge between condo apartment ownership and the detached home for first-time buyers. Boomers are also looking to townhomes as an alternative to apartment-style living and new product such as quads and brownstones have raised the bar and the appeal. Infill, redevelopment, new construction and renovation will continue to drive the revitalization of the region, supporting intensification efforts, population growth and propping up average price in the years ahead. Currently, year-to-date (September) average price hovers at $295,845 in Kitchener-Waterloo, up about four per cent from 2010, while sales, at 3,670units, are off last year’s pace by approximately five percent.

An influx of new listings is expected to keep prices in check in the short-term, with modest appreciation of three to four per cent projected by year-end 2011.

Source: Re/Max Ontario Atlantic Housing Evolution article

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

Mississauga, ON (May 18, 2011) – Improved financial standing among high net worth individuals is the major factor driving strong sales activity at the top end of Canadian housing markets, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.

RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada and RE/MAX of Western Canada examined 12 major centres from coast-to-coast and found that luxury sales have surged in close to two-thirds of housing markets between January 1 and April 30 of this year, compared to the same period in 2010. Leading in terms of percentage increases over the four-month period were Greater Vancouver (118 per cent) – where foreign investment has also played a major role – Ottawa (59 per cent), Calgary (51 per cent), Halifax-Dartmouth (27 per cent), Winnipeg (24 per cent), Hamilton-Burlington (13 per cent) and Greater Toronto (nine per cent). Six of the seven major cities – with the exception of Calgary – are poised to set new records in top-end activity by year-end. Several are just short of peak levels reported in 2010, such as Victoria, Regina, and London-St. Thomas.

The areas of these homes are, Lincoln Heights(Kiwanis Park), Colonial Acres/Eastbridge, Bridgeport, Stanley Park/Centreville, Grand River North, Idlewood/Lackner Woods, Hidden Valley, Doon/Pioneer/Wyldwoods, Uptown Waterloo, Beechwood, Upper Beechwood and Laurelwood. As you can see there are luxury homes spread right across the city so if you want to be in a particular area, you should be able to find something that suits your taste in the area that you prefer. In addition to the luxury housing there are many luxury condos as well. Some of the new developments are offering condos upwards in the million dollar range. We also have some pretty nice luxury townhomes as well.

Here are a couple of maps showing the locations of all the luxury homes in the different areas around Kitchener Waterloo.

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

Here is what they had to say about the Kitchener Waterloo real estate market specifically

Affordability and a solid belief in homeownership continue to be the primary impetus driving first-time homebuyers into the housing market in Kitchener-Waterloo. Most entry-level buyers are active under the $200,000 price point, accounting for 19 per cent of all sales, up from 18 per cent one year ago (168 vs. 169 in 2010). Although the average price of a home is approaching $285,000, some rookie homebuyers are anteing up more, spending as much as $300,000 on a firsthome, rather than compromise on location. The budget of most, however, seems to top out around $250,000. Given a hold on new construction in the townships, demand currently favours urban/core living. Yet, affordable product is available throughout the city, with new or newer construction considered most desirable. Those seeking detached homes can snap up a 1,200 to 1,300 sq. ft. side-split bungalow starting from $250,000 to $280,000, in older, established areas such as Forest Heights, Stanley Park, Heritage Park, Pioneer Park, Downtown Kitchener or in Waterloo’s Lincoln or Lakeshore Villages. Those on a tighter budget looking to spend approximately two-thirds of average price or $190,000 are embracing the condominium lifestyle, purchasing new 600-700 sq. ft. suites in the Highland Rd. or Glasgow St. areas of Kitchener. Resale offers slightly more elbow room, with 10-to-15-year-old units for a 400 to 500 sq. ft. new apartment-style condo, while resale product is available from $160,000. The most popular areas among entry-level buyers include southeast and southwest Kitchener. With balanced conditions in place, the greatest opportunity for first-time buyers continues to be selection perhaps the best available in years. In general, buyers can take their time making decisions, although most listings will sell within 30 days if priced correctly. Multiple offers, while rare, are still occurring on well-located, well-priced, quality properties. Inventory is expected to remain adequate throughout 2011, while prices and interest rates are expected to remain on the upswing a fact that has some savvy first-time buyers making their moves sooner rather than later. Most continue to enter the market with at least a 10 per cent down payment, a fact that has made new financing guidelines a non-issue. Kitchener-Waterloo’s diversified economy and well-paying, high-tech jobs have buoyed the entry-level segment to date and the outlook remains positive through to year-end.

They have the YTD average price for a home in Kitchener Waterloo as $283,000 and the average for a condominium as $190,000.

Click here to view the entire report about all of the canadian markets.

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

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

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!

[Show as slideshow]

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

The title for this post was an quote from Michael Polzer Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada.

More good news. We all need to hear this stuff so that we can pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and gear up for an amazing year in 2010.

Here is the Re/Max Outlook for 2010 Press Release.

The link below is the press release in pdf format. Requires Adobe Acrobat www.acrobat.com

REMAX Outlook 2010

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil
Re/Max Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 
8 www.TeamMcneil.com, www.LoftStyle.ca, www.ClickThatHouse.com  

The 2009 RE/MAX First-Time Buyers Report highlighting first-time buying activity in 32 residential housing markets across Canada found that improved affordability is prompting many first-time buyers to get off the fence, out of the rental, and into the market. While a sense of caution still prevails, more and more first-timers are finding it hard to pass up the chance to become homeowners in today’s buyer-centric real estate climate. Increased inventory and longer days on market coupled with the lowest lending rates ever are presenting opportunities that have not been seen in almost a decade.

“While the current economic crisis has caused some first-time buyers to either take it slowly or apply the brakes, home ownership remains a top priority for those who are able to take advantage of reduced carrying costs, rock bottom interest rates and lower house prices,” explains Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President and Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. “Affordability has greatly improved and buyers are firmly in the drivers’ seat in just about every market we surveyed. The new reality is that homeownership remains well within reach for most first-time buyers.”

In Waterloo Region we’re seeing a mix of first-time and move-up buyers. Move-up buyers are able to take advantage of better pricing for larger homes. Even though they might take a little less for their existing home. First-time homebuyers are being cautious because of the day-to-day negative media. However, they know that now is a good time to get into the market.

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil | Re/Max Twin City Realty, Brokerage
( 519.579.4110 | * Click Here to Email | 8 www.clickthathouse.com, www.teammcneil.com/blog

According to Re/Max, Kitchener-Waterloo’s real estate market will remain balanced throughout 2009 with supply meeting demand. The number of homes sold will hover around the 6000 unit mark and the average house price will remain stable.

For more details about the Kitchener-Waterloo real estate market see page 12 of the report.

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil | Re/Max Twin City Realty, Brokerage
( 519.579.4110 | * Click Here to Email | 8 www.clickthathouse.com, www.teammcneil.com/blog

“Housing market performance will clearly be contingent on economic performance at a local, provincial, and national level in 2009,” says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President and Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. “Issues affecting the overall economy are impacting housing markets across the country and the situation is not expected to be remedied until consumer confidence is restored. That said, we could see a bounce back as early as spring – if inventory levels remain stable, pent-up demand kicks into gear, and lower interest rates stimulate home-buying activity.”

See full press release
http://www.remaxevents.ca/08/PR/HMOutlook/MarketOutlookRptPR2009_REL.pdf

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil | Re/Max Twin City Realty, Brokerage
( 519.579.4110 | * Click Here to Email | 8 www.clickthathouse.com, www.teammcneil.com/blog