Monthly Archives: December 2020

Executives Giving Back

Realty Executives Raises 18,000 for Charity

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Realty Executives First Choice, of Winnipeg, MB, has raised and donated a total of $18,000 this year, for the Manitoba Real Estate Association (MREA) Shelter Foundation. The donations will be used to support various Manitoba shelter-focused non-profits.

The MREA Shelter Foundation was founded in 2007, with the mission to raise money and support for charities helping Manitoba community members receive shelter. Throughout its existence the foundation has raised over $945,000. Realty Executives First Choice became involved with the charity in 2009. All money raised was given directly by brokerage Executives, many donating a percentage of their commission throughout the year. Shona Scappaticci, Broker Associate of First Choice, is a board member of the MREA Shelter Foundation and is thankful for all the support her fellow Executives have shown. 

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Real Estate Agents

Habits of Highly Productive Real Estate Agent

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The real estate market is affected by so many factors, and yet top, elite agents find a way to always grow and thrive in any market.

Sherri Johnson, premier real estate gives her take on how to work like the most productive agents do!

Making the difference

I remember my first manager telling me that I could make it in any market because I went out and “made it happen” and didn’t rely on one particular lead source for all my business. When you truly know how to add value and deliver five-star level service, you can create your own success. It takes grit, dedication, a business plan and a winning mindset.

Here, I share the “uncommon” characteristics of top selling real estate agents that allow them to keep growing their business regardless of outside economic factors.

These atypical but totally necessary behaviors ring true with all top, elite agents. When adopted and implemented fully, these attributes will become the “difference makers” you need to go from good to great and from wishful thinking to potentially doubling or tripling your production and income.

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Homeowners

Preparing Your Home For a Winter Storm

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Do you live somewhere where blizzards are a regular part of your winter life? Many homeowners struggle with having to get ready for a harsh season and harsh conditions hitting their home. Let’s go through a checklist of what you can do to get your home ready for winter.

Stock Up

Now let’s not go toilet paper crazy like we saw in the early months of COVID-19, but it may be a good idea to get a few essential items before being trapped inside because of a blizzard. De-icing salt, shovels, flashlights and batteries are all great items to pick up.  You’ll want flashlights and batteries, just in case the power goes out. The salt is a necessity for many homeowners since oftentimes driveways and walkways get very slick during winter, while the shovel will come in handy once snow starts to build up and you have to dig your doorway or garage out. If you live in an apartment or rented property, the chances are your landlord has hired a service to salt and plow these areas, so you luck out!

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Home Design

2021 Home Design Trends

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The year 2020 has brought highs, lows and a ton of different trends in fashion, retail and home design. But with 2021 on the horizon, interior design experts are predicting some trends stick around while others stay behind. Check out five home design trends that you can expect to see coming into the new year.

1. Making the Old, New Again

This year you can expect that many of the styles seen in interior design are actually styles from other eras that are making a comeback! As many people are looking for a little bit of nostalgia in their homes, Victorian-era and Art Deco have risen in popularity. Although modern design and clean cut interiors still reign supreme, traditional and historical design can be seen in smaller details or pieces throughout the home, such as floral prints and vintage furniture.

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Real Estate

U.S. Housing Market Predictions for 2021

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First, the facts: According to NAR, July 2020 posted the highest monthly total of existing home sales since 2006, jumping 24.7% over June to hit 5.86 million (SAAR). And for the first time in U.S. history, the median existing-home price for all housing types broke a record with the median surpassing $300,000.

According to Zillow, the typical U.S. home sold in just 16 days in September, a typically slow-moving month for real estate.

Still, delinquencies and subsequent distressed property sales could put the brakes on home price growth in the future. If, for instance, CoreLogic Chief Economist Frank Nothaft’s forecast holds true, home price growth could slow to 0.6% in July 2021 with prices declining in 11 states, led by Louisiana, Illinois, Connecticut, Iowa and Arkansas.

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