Richard Silver

Archive for December, 2008

Real Estate: The Importance of Photos, Virtual Tours and Video.

[flv]http://thatinterviewguy.com/Richard_Silver_at_2008_Orlando_NAR.flv[/flv] Recently, I was at the National Association Of  REALTORS Conference and was Interviewed by Michael Krisa, A.K.A. "That Interview Guy". He asked me about my thoughts on Virtual Tours, Photos, and Video. Check out the Video above and feel free to comment....but not about my hair..It was the end of a long day.Continue Reading...

A Downturn Is The Best Time To Buy Up!!

If you are committed to benefiting financially from the Real Estate market, it may defy your logic, but the best time to buy UP is when the market is DOWN. I recently sold a listing for $50,000 less than we would have sold it for 6 months ago, but at the same time the Seller was able to buy up to a property that would have cost him over $100,000 more six month's before. He saved $50,000. He was happy when it...Continue Reading...

For Real Estate, This Year’s Colour is “GREEN”.

It seems as if every time I open my mail, emails, newspaper, TV, radio etc. there is more movement on "GREEN" issues. I do support the GREEN movement even though I own an SUV (remember I work from home and my commute is from my bedroom to my office...also small cars look funny with the For Sale Signs hanging out the back window). When we bought our new house, we upgraded the perfectly good 60% efficiency Furnace, washer and dryer, (more...)Continue Reading...

When is The Best Time to Sell Your Home?

Very few Listing Presentations go by that I am not asked, “When is the best time to sell our home?”. My thoughts and the reasoning behind them are an assessment that deals with Selling in Toronto, remembering that Real Estate is a truly local business and is completely different as you travel the world.... (more...)Continue Reading...

A Guide to Selling Privately!

With the market going through a Downturn, it is natural that Sellers would be thinking about selling privately to maximize their profit. This is a tough market and you have to be primed to sell, so here are some suggestions that might help: 1) Make sure that everything in you house, construction-wise is perfect or close to it. 99% of homes in this market will be inspected for flaws, so you need a knowledgeable 3rd party to go through your home...Continue Reading...

Cabbagetown: What Happened at Aberdeen and Parliament?

I am a creature of habit. I get up very early, exercise, respond to emails and head to Johnnie Jet Fuel's for a (you'll get it the way I make it!) Latte'. The early morning music can be a bit too stimulating so I often find myself standing outside and watching the new construction at the south-west corner of Aberdeen and Parliament. Most mornings I end up shaking my head. Sorry, but I don't get it! (more...)Continue Reading...

The Importance of Open Houses in Selling Your Home!

For many Sellers the thought of having someone traipsing through your home with all its keepsakes and memories sends shivers down their spines. However, take a deep breath and keep a few things in mind; First, this is the house you are leaving. Secondly, all the keepsakes should be away from the Buyers eyes in an attempt to de-personalize your home and make it appealing to the widest spectrum of Buyers in the marketplace. (more...)Continue Reading...

Real Estate Contracts: Legalese or Gobbledygook?

I love lawyers, some are great friends and clients…but when they talk “Lawyer Language or Legalese“, they speak in a language that is hard for most to decipher. It sounds more like “Gobbledygook”. (more...)Continue Reading...

Toronto Real Estate: Riverdale…It’s All About The Food!

Almost 30 years ago, I began my Realtor career at an office which Bosley Real Estate owns at 169 Danforth Avenue. In those days it was Terry Martel Real Estate, and my first few years were cutting my teeth in Prime Riverdale and Leslieville, although we called it Cabbagetown II at the time, a tribute to the number of Victorian Houses found south of Gerrard.. (more...)Continue Reading...

Toronto Real Estate: Rosedale…Mystique vs. Reality!

There is a mystique about Rosedale. Just responding "Rosedale" when people ask where you live is tantamount to admitting that you are enormously wealthy, have never worked a day in your life or care for anyone but yourself... You must be anti-anything that smacks of social consciousness.. Rosedale is the media darling in Canada when it comes to discussing the "privileged". (more...)Continue Reading...