Have you been searching for your dream home for months, maybe even a year or two or three? Maybe you’ve lost out on a bidding war in which multiple buyers all vied for that exact same piece of the rock. Are you starting to feel a little desperate or doomed?

Don’t even go there.

Multiple offers are pretty much a side effect of a hot seller’s market. But that doesn’t have to mean the seller has Oz-like power and might. As a buyer you can employ certain tactics and strategies that will make you stronger and more competitive. Let’s look at how you can stand out from the crowd:

Clean offers – those with fewer conditions – are best. A clean offer with pre-approved financing, especially in a multiple offer situation, shows the seller that you are serious.  Conditional sales and offers that hinge on financing aren’t acceptable when there are other offers on the table.

Sell your house first.  You don’t want to include selling your house as a condition as this will serve to weaken your offer by making your bid more complicated and less desirable.

Don’t wait for an open house. If a house interests you based on its online photos, make an appointment to see it before the weekend open house. That way your offer can be entertained before the open-house feeding frenzy.

Use a trusted local broker.  The more well-known and respected your agent is, the better odds they have at enticing listing agents. In a bidding war situation, the offer presented by the known broker will be more attractive to the listing agent and increase your odds especially if the two offers are close.

Get a home inspection – quick. The idea here is to signal to the seller that you are prepared to act quickly. Having to wait ten days for a home inspection that might prompt the buyer to drop a deal, isn’t very appealing for the seller so get this done ASAP.

Be flexible. Believe it or not, but this attribute can make or break a deal. If a seller has already purchased and you meet their closing date that could net you the house over a higher competing offer. Also, to stand out from other offers, don’t ask for the moon when it comes to extras such as window coverings and appliances. Simply ask for what is offered in the listing. Also on this point, try not to nit-pick on minor repairs and instead offer to purchase the property as is.

Pull out the big guns.  Offering a large deposit shows the seller you’re serious. Put down as much as you can afford. No need to worry as it goes toward the balance owing on the property or, if the deal falls through, you get it back.

A Wintertime Culinary Celebration

Let your palate take a stroll though the many yummy culinary flavours Toronto has to offer in February as part of the two-week-long Winterlicious festival for foodies.

The 11th annual event sponsored by the city features prix fixe menus from $15 to $45 and reservations are strongly recommended. Winterlicious runs from January 31 to February 13.

While visiting all 200-plus participating restaurants would be an impossible feat, we thought it better to narrow our focus to the Annex and Seaton Village neighbourhoods near Freeman Real Estate. Let’s look at those eateries that are within walking distance. That way, we can either work up an appetite on the way over or burn off a few calories on the way home.

Arisu at 584 Bloor Street West offers patrons a blend of modern and traditional Japanese and Korean cuisines with a vast array of menu choices. Order sushi with your bulgogi and you’ve covered the best of both worlds. Be sure to check out the Korean BBQ, a fun table-top grill that lets you be the chef.

Bistro Tournesol at 406 Dupont is an intimate restaurant, a favourite for Tarragon Theatre goers that serves a prix-fixe menu all year round. Classic French food at good value is what you get in this 30-seat restaurant. Be sure to check out the wine list.

The Corner House at 501 Davenport has been turning on the charm for 15 years in an unpretentious, relaxed atmosphere that combines a cozy French décor with moderate prices and great service. Expect nothing but deliciousness as former Jump chef Herbert Barnsteiner runs the kitchen brigade.

Led by celebrity chef Massimo Capra Mistura at 265 Davenport Road offer patrons upscale contemporary Italian cuisine with ingredients that reflect each changing season. The atmosphere is elegant yet relaxed, perfect for a night out with friends, sweethearts or business associates.

Get a psychic reading while waiting for your chicken gumbo at Southern Accent, a New Orleans inspired establishment that features Cajun, Creole and soul food in the warm hospitable embrace of fun and funky décor. Listen for the strains of zydeco and Louisiana music as you nosh on hush puppies and piquant sauce. Located in Mirvish Village at 595 Markham Street.

Splendido at 88 Harbord Street is a classic Toronto restaurant that mixes modern and traditional cuisines, incorporating fresh locally sourced fruits and veggies in addition to drop-dead gorgeous plate presentations. Consistently ranked as one of the city’s best.

Bon appétit!

You call yourself a tree hugger, perhaps a green activist or super saver of the world, but how well do you really understand eco-issues concerning the planet?

Oftentimes, it’s not until we compare our knowledge to someone else that we realize how little or how much we really do know. So in the spirit of fun and self-improvement, we’ve put together an amusing and informative (and very unscientific) quiz that will help you understand how earth-friendly you really are. Who knows? Maybe your efforts are worthy of a prestigious environmental award. And then again, maybe not.

Let’s begin:

1. When it comes to public transportation you think:

1. The prospect is revolting
2. You’ll consider it when your car breaks  down
3. That’s the only way to go

2. Vehicles are better if:

1. They guzzle gas,  torque and possess every possible bell and whistle
2. They get a moderate rate of fuel efficiency
3. You don’t hop in them for your every move

3. What’s not safe to throw out in your trash?

1. Your mother-in-law
2. Dryer lint
3. Household hazardous waste

4. How do you dry your clothes?

1. I dry clean everything
2. In the dryer
3. On a clothes line or rack

5. Your plastic shopping bags are used as:

1. Fire starters
2. I prefer to use my cloth bags
3. I re-use them for other uses such as garbage bags

6. What does CFL stand for?

1. Crazy For Life
2. Canadian Football League
3. Compact Fluorescent  Light

7. Your showers are:

1. So long we had to install a second hot water tank
2. Twenty minutes followed by electricity guzzlers such as heat lamps, towel warming racks and a blow-dry
3. Ten minutes tops

8. Global warming is:

1. A silly myth perpetuated by over-the-top nature lovers
2. Believed by some to be a threat to the earth
3. A scientifically proven fact

9. What room in the house generates the most household waste?

1. The bathroom – obviously.
2. The garage
3. The kitchen

10. The Slow Food Movement is about:

1. Chewing food more slowly
2. An exercise that slows down your metabolism
3. Enjoying real, healthy food and moving away from fast food

Green Lite:

If you answered mostly As, you’re a pale version of green. You like to profess your love of the environment when others are listening, but in reality you’re affection for green centres mainly on money and ogres. Get a grip. Know that it’s up to each and every one of us to do our part for the planet. Start with baby steps and build up from there.

Getting -There Green:

Mostly B answers nets you this very respectable showing. Getting-There Green means exactly that – you’re on your way to becoming a pillar of the green movement. You understand the issues and you comply with many of the ways that show your solid understanding of green concerns.  Try to deepen your knowledge this year and begin passing your knowhow on to others. There’s nothing like playing an expert to turn you into one.

The Gandhi of Green:

Need we say more? This category means you’re at the pinnacle of eco-consciousness in all you know and do. Being kind to the earth is so innate that you would be wise to spread your gift to those around you, either formally or informally. Consider teaching or writing. As a green master, wasting your ability would be a shame. But you already knew that.

The National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB) provide a Greenbroker and Greenagent certification program to Realtors across Canada. To get more information or to sign up for a course, visit www.nagab.org. Elden Freeman M.E.S., AGB, broker is the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization. 1-877-524-9494 Email elden@nagab.org.

Real Estate is in Her DNA

At 24, Nicole Gay may be Freeman Real Estate’s youngest realtor but in terms of understanding the business you could say she’s as old as the hills.

With two parents who’ve spent a combined 40 years working in real estate, Nicole grew up in the embrace of the business surrounded by conversations about open houses, clients and contracts. By 16, she was working part time at a huge Remax office in Mississauga, inputting offers for realtors, updating website listings and acting as the company liaison between clients and agents.

Nicole obtained her commerce degree in 2011 from McMaster University and could have explored a myriad of business avenues, but always knew a career in real estate would be her calling.

“Given my age, having an education behind me gives me credibility,” says Nicole. “I didn’t get into real estate by accident. I’ve been with it my whole life. I gained valuable experience from behind the front desk and got the opportunity to see how various realtors built their businesses.”

After earning her realtor’s license, Nicole joined her parents’ real estate team in Mississauga and worked with them for two years before joining Freeman last year.  With her parents planning to retire in the next year, Nicole knew she had to cut loose so she decided a move to Toronto would be wise for both personal and professional reasons.

What appealed to Nicole about working for Freeman was the company’s sophisticated yet personal approach. She was also drawn to the depth of expertise and the lengthy experience the Freemans bring to the table.

“I was looking for a smaller, boutique operation, one that could offer a more personalized mentorship,” says Nicole. “I sense a difference in company values with Freeman. They take care in who they hire. When I first interviewed with the company, it just felt like home.”

Nicole expects 2014 will bring her plenty of interesting opportunities, including an exploration of which niche – say for example freehold Victorians versus condos — she may decide to specialize in.

An avid sports lover, Nicole enjoys sailing, soccer and travel and has sailed extensively in Antigua and the British Virgin Islands. She’s currently considering a two-week sailing trip in Thailand as well.

This year will garner a lot of change for Nicole. In addition to her newish job, she’s also moving to Toronto soon so the ties to her parents and her hometown will be undone. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t appreciate the gifts they’ve given her, not at all.

“The majority of what I know about real estate is from my parents,” Nicole says. “They’ve been the best mentors ever.”

Canada’s largest real estate association is calling for a strong year in sales for 2014.

The Canadian Real Estate Association projects sales to reach 458,200 units across the country for the year. While this represents a slight increase of eight tenths of one per cent over last year, growth in sales projections are looking upward for the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.

“Most housing markets are well balanced, including many large urban centres,” says CREA chief economist Gregory Klump. “Housing price gains are always stronger in places where supply is tight relative to demand, such as we’re seeing in Calgary and in parts of southern Ontarioincluding the low rise market in Toronto.”

In 2014, national activity is forecast to climb to 475,000 units, which represents a hike of 3.7 per cent. Most of the increase reflects the weak start to 2013, which is not expected to happen again in the early part of this year.

In Toronto, where dire predictions of a housing bubble and a pricing collapse have been bandied about for years now, expect the opposite. According to Central 1 Credit Union, the city’s rising population combined with land supply restrictions will see house prices doubling over the next 25 years.

Expect Ontario house prices to rise about four per cent a year through 2016. The credit union says higher mortgage rates over the next three years will hold back housing sales in Ontario
generally, but will not cause a market correction.

It also predicts the Toronto condo market will slow as builders delay new construction in the face of weaker demand. The uncertainty facing the condo market is driven in large part by the
belief that investors own a large chunk of the market and that speculation in condos could halt if investors get scared. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation says about 23 per cent of Toronto condos are rented out, while others say that figure is likely closer to 50 per cent.

Central 1 also predicts Ontario’s overall rental apartment vacancy will hold steady at 2.6 per cent through 2014, before declining to less than two per cent in 2016.

In terms of the national picture, British Columbia is expected to post a strong increase in sales at 8.4 per cent for 2014, most provinces will show gains of two to four per cent.

CREA says the national average home price is set to rise by 5.2 per cent to $382,200 with similar gains in the Prairie provinces, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador. Smaller gains are
projected for the other provinces.

In Toronto, where the average selling price for December 2013 sales was $520,398 – up by nearly nine per cent compared to the average of $477,756 in December 2012, expect smaller gains of about 1.5 per cent, says CMHC.

When you live in a community and you earn your livelihood from those within it, supporting its causes, its interests and its charitable organizations simply makes good common sense.

That’s the philosophy that underlies the Freeman Real Estate approach as the company continues to reach out to the neighbourhoods it has served for more than 40 years.

“We think local,” says Dan Freeman, who with his brother Elden Freeman are the owner-operators of the 35-member real estate office. “We’re both cognizant of the fact that the community has given us a lot over the years. Many of our clients and friends live in the neighbourhood. It feels nice to give back a little.”

The value of payback is something the Freemans learned from their mother Nancy and their father Barry, who started the real estate business on Bathurst Street in 1971. An old-school businessman, Barry was the first to lend a hand if a person was courageous and desperate enough to express the need for help. That kind of goodwill trickles from one generation to the next and from one sibling to another and it helps the Freemans appreciate where they came from and where they’re heading, says Dan.

In fact, it was under Barry’s direction that Freeman began staging live musical celebrations in Vermont Square Park as a thank you to the community he served. The park is the public crown jewel of the Seaton Village neighbourhood and home to St. Alban’s Boys and Girls Club, an amazing organization set up to offer programming to children and youth to help them overcome barriers and develop confidence. The Freemans support the club and their children have enjoyed various programs and activities, which today cover all ages from newborns to adults in everything from swimming to computer labs.

Vermont Park is home to many of the events the Freemans put on. To wish the community a Merry Christmas this year, Freeman Real Estate is sponsoring a free skate on December 21st from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Bill Bolton Arena in Vermont Park.

For the past few years the Freemans have also hosted free historic tours in and around Seaton Village and the Annex. The tours are led by historians adept at bringing the past to life by telling the cultural, economic and political story of an area through its buildings, homes and landscapes. Tours have included the Tollkeeper’s Cottage, Seaton Village and Tarragon Village.

When they can, the Freemans try to employ local talent for their events. David Beadle, a local moth expert, hosted an interactive evening in the park replete with moths and refreshments. Bill the Bat Boy was brought in to edify people about bats and to help them with any problems they might be having.

Both events were big hits. The company’s social consciousness also extends to its staff, many of whom volunteer their time to help
at the various events hosted by the Freemans. In fact, Dan is already lining up ideas for next year.

“Because we’re a very dog oriented office, I’m thinking of having some sort of dog show in the park,” says Dan. “I imagine the community would really love that.”

For some, it may be the most over-the-top thing you’ve ever done. But that’s according to your friends whose idea of overdoing it is using one per cent milk in their decaf.

Don’t listen to them. Listen to your heart. Because when all is said and done buying a house for your son or granddaughter this Christmas is one of the greatest tangible ways to show how much you love them.

Think of the looks on their faces when you tell them what Santa is bringing this year. Not only will you earn heaps of brownie points with the kids and grandkids, you’re sure to cement a stronger bond with them as well. If not stronger, than at least you’re opening the door to closer ties. Just be careful not to use and abuse the privilege as that only builds resentment and bitterness.

As for that sense of entitlement naysayers say you’ll foster in your kids, that’s all up to you. Ungrateful children who expect too much from their parents behave that way because parents have permitted the unbecoming behaviour.

Besides, there may also be somewhat of an ulterior motive involved in this special gift. Providing a roof for your children allows you, quite frankly, to rest easier knowing they are free from the financial constraints of rent or mortgage payments. Maybe now they can pursuit that MBA they’ve always dreamed of or travel to Africa to do mission work or become a master sommelier. The point is you’re buying them freedom and yourself peace of mind.

You won’t be alone. According to a 2011 national survey out of the U.S. more and more baby boomers are giving their kids or grandkids the gift of home ownership.

Commissioned by Better Homes and Garden Real Estate, the survey said that 20 per cent of baby boomers have already gifted, loaned, or co-signed a loan to support their children or grandchildren in purchasing a home. It also indicated that 70 per cent of baby boomers want to provide this financial support in the future.

The boomers in the survey said that love was the main reason they are willing to provide funding for a house and that they hoped their gift would allow their children and grandchildren to reach the American dream.

That sounds about right for Canadians as well. At Christmas, and any time really, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Real estate television shows such as Income Property, Property Virgins and House Hunters might appeal to our vicarious need for entertaining quick-fixes. But when it comes to reflecting the real-world of real estate, they’re something of a stretch.

“Real estate shows do a disservice to the real estate industry,” says Doug Freeman, a sales rep at Freeman Real Estate. “I just think they promote a perception that it is so easy and in one hour they’re done. Watching those programs doesn’t show the depth of work or the commitment realtors perform when they are buying and selling properties for their clients. It’s entertainment, really, and not at all based in reality.”

A good deal of finesse, skill and knowledge goes into ushering clients through the sometimes intricate ins and outs of buying and selling real estate. “This is a business in which clients need to be guided by their agents so the property they buy or sell leaves them feeling confident that their decision was correct,” says Doug.

Doug has been selling real estate for 15 years, in what has been mainly a seller’s market. He says success against that backdrop means guiding clients who win in a multi-offer situation and preventing clients from paying too much given the fierce competition at hand. While that’s clearly challenging, the rewards can be great.

“It’s rewarding when your client is successful,” says the 63-year-old. “I was involved in a bidding war last night that had 13 offers coming in. Buyers complain because it’s like bidding on a blind auction and I understand exactly how they feel.  When the market turns into a buyer’s market the onus will shift onto the sellers.”

Doug is part of a team that includes his son Trevor Freeman, 33, who is a broker. The pair works well together not only because they’re father and son, but because they complement each other in dealing with a vast and varied set of clientele, which include everything from first-time buyers to more mature, more experienced ones. Having that dual perspective is helpful as it instills clients with the confidence in knowing they’ve made the right decision in what is likely to be the biggest sale or purchase of their lives. Trevor’s natural ability with social media and the world of computers is a big plus as well.

Doug got into real estate after a lengthy career in children’s wear, in which he initially owned and operated his own company and then worked as a corporate executive for Disney licenses, travelling often to Asia to inspect the operations of clothing manufacturers contracted by the multinational.

The highs and lows of working with the public are clearly different than in his former career. But his earlier career laid a foundation in delivery, value and excellent customer service. The challenge in real estate, he says, is developing a strong client base.

“Client referrals along with clients returning for their next property are the ultimate compliment.”

In her nine-year career as a mortgage agent, Amisha Mistry has heard some pretty strange stories. Among those outlandish yarns, she’s also heard tales involving mischief, sad and horrific accounts of people’s lives and anecdotes so hilarious professional comics would pay just to retell the joke.

“There are not many secrets that I haven’t heard over the years,” says Amisha, “I hear a lot about people’s indiscretions. They sometimes feel the need to disclose their secrets when divulging their financial information to me.”

Fortunately for Amisha, that’s the favourite part of her job – the people, not the transgressions. Each person has his or her individual personality and a story to share.

“Learning about people, what makes them tick, warts and all, makes me a better-rounded person,” says the married Toronto resident. “I think it makes you grow as a human being.”

In the process of joining the Sherwood Mortgage Group, Amisha’s job, simply put, is to customize financial plans for clients that line up with their short- and long-term financial goals.

A partner with Freeman Real Estate, Amisha classifies herself as a conservative mortgage lender who prefers to under promise and over deliver rather than the reverse.

The first step in the world of mortgages is to pre-approve a client. Liabilities are measured against assets to arrive at an acceptable loan amount, which for Amisha, who works mainly in the GTA, averages in the neighbourhood of $600,000 to $800,000. Amisha recommends clients stick to a 40 per cent total debt-service ratio, which means all debts – credit cards, lease payments, student loans – should be no more than 40 per cent of your total income.

Mortgage borrowers often make the mistake of seeking a mortgage with too many different lenders. That is so not necessary, says Amisha. Besides, a borrower can actually miss out on the lowest rate by doing so. In addition, using several lenders can hurt your credit rating as credit rating agencies view too much credit-seeking activity as a red flag.

“My advice is to stay in touch with your mortgage professional throughout the whole process. We have the knowledge if rates are going to drop or jump. One mortgage agent can do the job. They will look after your best interest.”

In today’s mortgage market there are a whole range of mortgage products available for nearly every lender. If, for instance, your credit rating is not the best, there are options available. Or perhaps you’re just looking to finance a long-awaited nose job or tummy tuck? Amisha has managed to find loan solutions for nearly every wish, even – ouch — plastic surgery.

To contact Amisha, call 647-203-1607.

As temperatures drop and the autumn leaves begin to blanket the earth we collectively embark on our migration to the warmth, comfort and protection of our indoor spaces.

According to Health Canada, we spend about 90 per cent of our time indoors, at home, at work or in recreational settings such as shopping malls, restaurants and gyms. We often talk about outdoor air quality and pollution but what do we know about indoor air quality?

Given that fall is the prime time for sealing up our homes in an effort to make them more energy efficient, a look at the health of our indoor air is fitting.

Mould lives in damp environments. It might look like a stain and appear in different colours. Sometimes, though, mould is not apparent and instead there is a musty smell. High concentrations of mould spores inside your house can lead to adverse health effects such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

If the amount of mould isn’t too large, consider fixing the problem yourself. Health Canada recommends using water and dish detergent. Bleach isn’t necessary. Once that’s done, you’ll need to address the cause. There are other ways to prevent mould growth such as ensuring that your clothes dryer hose is properly vented outdoors or by repairing basement, roof and pipe leaks immediately.

Radon, which is a radioactive gas created in nature, is often found in basements and crawl spaces, where there is poor ventilation. These locations also tend to be closer to the source of radon, which is created by decaying uranium found in soil, rock and water. Radon can enter a house through cracks in the foundation or gaps around pipes. Because radon is invisible, odourless and has no taste, the only way to know for sure if you have it is to do a DIY test or call in a professional.

Formaldehyde is a colourless gas that at high levels emits a sharp smell and irritates eyes, nose, and throat and can worsen asthma in children. Low levels of this gas are extremely common indoors. Formaldehyde comes from cigarette smoke, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves; paper products such as wallpaper and cardboard;  paints, adhesives and floor finishes and pressed wood products used in home construction projects, furniture and cabinets.

The best way to control formaldehyde in your home is by not smoking indoors, ensuring your fireplace and woodstove are in good working order and by letting products containing formaldehyde air out before bringing them into your home.

Carbon Monoxide is odorless, tasteless and colourless. Encountering low levels over long periods of time can be dangerous, but high levels can lead to death. Low-level exposure might feel like the flu. More extreme exposure can result in chest pain, confused thinking and dizziness. It’s essential that you keep fuel-burning mechanisms and appliances well vented.

It’s important to maintain your fuel-burning devices, never idle vehicles in your garage and don’t smoke indoors. Invest in a carbon monoxide detector.

The following are general ways to bump up your indoor air quality, according to Health Canada:

• Don’t smoke in your home
• Maintain and inspect fuel-burning appliances yearly
• Keep adequate ventilation, especially in rooms with excess water such as bathrooms
• Monitor and control humidity levels
• Fix leaks and cracks in walls, floors, roofs and basements
• Immediately clean any mould found growing in your home
• Keep your home clean by dusting and vacuuming regularly
• Don’t idle your car or run other fuel-burning engines in an attached garage
• Keep the door between your garage and home closed
• Do not store paints, solvents or varnishes inside your home
• Coat or seal furnishings made from particle-board or medium density fibre-board

Learning about the condition of the air inside your home might just be the perfect winter project. There are plenty of great online sources from which to obtain more information. For starters, try Health Canada, www.lung.ca and the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Elden Freeman B.A., M.E.S, broker is the founder and executive director of the non-profit National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB). Freeman says he believes that Realtors across Canada can play an important role in educating their clients on increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (877) 524-9494; www.nagab.org; elden@nagab.org.