Belle’s Easy and Delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Some of you may already know this but our family are Chocolate Chip nuts. We have tried all sorts of recipe’s but here is our favourite and it is so easy to make. If you are looking for a great way to spend your shelter in place time during Coronavirus, try this very simple recipe.

Mix Together:

2 1/2 cups flour (575 ml)
1 teaspoon salt (5 ml)
1 teaspoon baking soda (5 ml)

Mix together:

1/2 cup butter (115 ml)
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar (17O ml)
1 cup brown sugar (230 ml)
1 teaspoon vanilla (5 ml)

Combine ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Add 2 cups (460 ml) of semi-sweet chocolate chips (you could add variations of Chocolate chips as well: Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate, Butterscotch Chips for example) and 1 cup (230 ml) of nuts if you choose (crushed walnuts are best, I think). Mix well and spoon onto a cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 (190 C) for 16-18 minutes. For best results, shuffle the trays of cookies in the oven at the half time mark.

Remove from oven and place on foil or rack to cool.

This will make 24 soft cookies

If you like your cookies thinner and crisper, when they are on the tray you could flatten them a bit with a fork before baking.

ENJOY!!

Over the past weeks, we have started more and more to connecting with family, friends and colleagues (perhaps even dating) using Zoom.us.

Here are some important tips that you might want to follow to present your self in the best light:

1. Number one is definitely light. Make sure there are NO lights behind you, only in front of you. If you were on stage you would have blinding spotlights in front of you and Zoom should be no different.
2. Remember that although you are on the internet, you are having a face-to-face meeting and similar rules would apply. Hair should be combed and to get full value from both parties in a discussion you need to see the person’s features. Hats are not a good idea as they shade the face and make your features too dark. Pay attention to what is happening on the screen as it is distracting if you do not.
3. In the upper right hand of the Zoom screen, you can see an option between Gallery view or Speaker View. Play with that option until you decide what is more comfortable for you.
4. Keep the computer’s camera at the same height as your face. If you have an iPhone or Android that you are using, buy a tripod from Amazon and make sure you are looking at the camera.
5. Turn every other screen on your computer off, and of course, put your phone in silent mode.
6. If you have a list of points that you want to tackle get that list on the screen near your phone or on a note next to the camera otherwise you are looking down and up. If the camera is at the top of your computer or laptop move the Zoom screen as high up as possible so you are not bobbing your head.
7. Remember at all times that you are on camera, focus on the Zoom conference. Eat and drink before and after but not during. Don’t touch your hair of face and if you are using a Virtual Background stay still and don’t talk with your hands.
8. Are you on the strongest Wi-Fi connection available in your house and are you on the best computer? It might be a good idea to speak to your internet provider or order a better computer. Remember that Zoom or work-from-home options will be a new normal and as your clients and you get more used to it you may find it to be a larger part of your business technology. If your internet is being shared, as everyone else not to stream as it will downgrade the picture and you might lose voice and picture quality on your Zoom conference.
9. If you are using an iPhone or Android make sure it is in horizontal position otherwise in vertical you will have bands that will show up on the sides.
10. You may want to sign up for Zoom as they have free or paid subscriptions and the differences may be an issue for you. Also, there are lots of YouTube how-to’s available to watch. There are a number of Webinars and live training on the Zoom website.
11. You can add Virtual Backgrounds by clicking on the “Settings” wheel and choosing “Virtual Backgrounds”. Across from the “Virtual Backgrounds”,  you will see a plus sign and by clicking on that plus sign you can upload any photo on our computer. A great suggestion is to find something that is indicative of the location that you live in or any high definition photos that you may have on your computer. If you are a Realtor why not add some of the high definition of your listings. Imagine speaking to your clients from their kitchen or living room.
12. If you choose to record the discussion you can do so and as soon as you end the call it will convert the discussion to a file that you can save on your computer or in the Zoom cloud.

Visit the Zoom site as they are reducing some of the restrictions to assist in helping with coronavirus protocols.

I am sure that points have been missed in the rush to get this posted so use the comments tab below and I will update this list and thank you for your tips.

Interview with Kendra Connelly: The Connelly Group

Here is an interview just completed with Kendra Connelly of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada from the perspective of a 20-year resident of the Upper Beach area. What does she like about living in the area and what are some of the best parts of living there. Please feel free to chime in and add your perspective!

If you have anything to add please comment below and if you would have more information please click here or for the virtual walkthrough please click here.

We would be happy to hear from you in the comments below!

So, it’s time for a job change? Considering Real Estate?

Be aware that it is more likely a lifestyle change than a job change for the 20% of those who succeed. Before you even read further ask yourself if you have family and friends that are supportive and understanding. You will need their support emotionally and perhaps financially. The rule of thumb is that you will need six months to a year’s income in the bank to consider getting your Real Estate License.

In Canada, Real Estate and licensing are handled differently in each Province. If you are considering getting licensed, you should do your search for requirements by looking to the Provincial regulatory bodies.

In Ontario, which has the largest number of licensees in Canada, we are guided by the Real Estate and Business Broker’s Act which is under the Real Estate Council of Ontario. Please note that a “licensee” is anyone, registered with RECO and has completed all the requirements.

 

What’s involved in becoming a REALTOR?

However, to become a REALTOR, you must work for a brokerage that is a member of a Board or Association linked to the Canadian Real Estate Association. The brand REALTOR is licensed for use in Canada by the Canadian Real Estate Association, and of course, for each level of Association, there are costs: Local, Provincial and Federal. This can cost you up to two thousand a year for your membership dues and insurance.

The course is lengthy to become licensed and then in your first two years, you must finish other courses to prepare for your future. The classes have a lot to do with rules, regulations and laws that affect the Real Estate industry however they are not sales training. I suggest that in those first two years you put your head down, take every opportunity possible, work only on your own development and don’t be too hard when you have failures; they make you appreciate your successes. There are a number of companies that offer training for new Agents. Make sure that you shop around and do your due diligence. You are now self-employed, and these decisions are not the same as when you were a salaried employee. You are in charge!

What’s next in your journey?

If you love the business and are a course junkie there is a lot to learn. Some agents take their further studies to the broker level. One must be a Broker to manage a Real Estate Office and if that is your goal or if you want further credibility, then a Broker License is the way to go.  However, if the goal is to increase your income, the designation Broker after your name will have little more effect than Agent or Sales Person. Over the years, however, the title Broker has lost some of its shine in a myriad of confusion. Clients want to know more of your past successes and referrals than care about the courses you have taken. You are as good as your last sales and through Social media, good online reviews will bring more attention than having the title Broker or Salesperson/Agent.

Great Expectations? What lies ahead?

Please know that at the end of the day 20% of the Realtor Community is responsible for 80% of the business. It is a great job but a life changer. You must set boundaries for yourself, your clients, your friends and family. At 10 PM the phone and computer are turned off and not turned on until your morning ritual for you and your family have been completed.

While it is possible to work from home, the home office can be so seductive that you are seldom at rest and you will show the stress that your new venture has invited. This can also affect your success: clients are not enamoured when they see you trying too hard to sell and issues fall through the cracks. If mistakes are made and not handled properly, it can lead to RECO complaints as well as lawsuits and certainly affect your business. Gathering all the documentation after the fact can be gruelling and affect your focus and business.

Why consider a future in Real Estate?

So, ask yourself why you’d consider a future in real estate? If the answer is, “because I’d be my own boss”, shake your head. If you have three sellers and three buyers, you now have six bosses and you will only be successful by going above and beyond your competitors in providing service to your six bosses…

Real Estate is the only business I am aware of that you sit with your competitors every night and try to negotiate an agreement, knowing that you will not get paid till the closing (two to three months later). Until then you are working for free, and there is the chance that even with all your work and a good result, when your clients are about to sign on the dotted line, decisions get reversed. No closing, no payment and not only no payment but you are in the red for services you have agreed to pay for upfront as part of your commission.

At the end of the day…

With all that being said, forty years ago, I decided to get my Real Estate License and it has been an amazing ride. Don’t get me wrong: it is a wonderful life which has afforded me a lifestyle and business that is a rarity. I wake up everyday in abundance to see what the rest of the day holds and am seldom bored. I consider myself one of the lucky ones to have survived and succeeded.

Knowing the journey over the past years, would I make that decision again? At the time that I started my career, I was convinced that I could not go back to my previous life. Having no other option is a big driver of success in newer salespeople. When your only option is moving forward you can accomplish more than you ever expected and be comforted by your success.

And in the end.

Closings become your applause and like all performers, the achievement is a drug that drives you to the next deal, and it all starts with the piece of paper called a Real Estate License.

You can also find information about Silver Burtnick & Associates on our website on Facebook

If you have more questions contact me directly at

With more than 24 years of experience in residential property transactions and real estate Petrus Engelbrecht brings a unique blend of talents to his clients, particularly in the area of negotiation. Thanks to his legal background, attention to detail, and commitment to guiding his clients towards finding their dream home, he has a proven track record of showing the highest possible level of service.

What inspired you to pursue a career in real estate?

I’ve always been in real estate. In my previous life I was a property lawyer in South Africa. My first job articling post law school was at a real estate firm in 1993. Later I started my own property law firm and by the end of my tenure we were handling as many as 1,000 closings each month. I felt extremely comfortable in real estate, so when I came to Canada moving into real estate was a natural fit.

What aspects of the real estate business excite you most? Why?

As a property lawyer who was working more as a property developer towards the end of my time in South Africa, I enjoyed all the procedural aspects of making sure my team was doing a great job. As I enter the next chapter of my career, I feel the same way, enjoying all the procedural aspects of marketing and negotiating.  I love marketing, negotiating, and getting the sale.

What is the most rewarding thing about working in real estate?

Giving a client advice and having that advice followed. I see myself more as an advisor than an agent and property is all about the options I lay out, and helping my client pick the best option for them. Whether its on the sale or the buying side it’s always very rewarding to see that come to fruition.

What is the most challenging thing about working in real estate?

I have never worried about working hard, but it doesn’t matter how hard you’re working when you run out of time. You need to gear up to get things done, implement procedures to help lighten the load, and appoint a good team to assist you. At the same time, I enjoy the challenge of it.  I am certain many agents struggle with their success, since the more successful you become, the more people need your time.

What’s the best way for someone to explore a potential neighbourhood?

There is no better way than to have someone hop in the car with their realtor to guide them around the neighbourhood. Each neighbourhood has enclaves, often by geographical markers like a river or a park. Every enclave within an area has unique attributes that you can’t pick up looking online; instead you need to physically explore it and show why this area is something that they want to look at, or why it may not be a good fit. Together you can make a list of pros and cons that will help guide their final decision.

It’s very important as an agent to be an expert in a neighbourhood.  I believe no one can be an expert on all areas. My specialty is Oakville, Mississauga, and Burlington. On the occasions when I can’t educate myself on a neighbourhood sufficiently for a client, to give the best possible services, I would refer that client to another Sotheby’s agent to make sure they have access to all the ins and outs of this area.

Where do you live and what do you love most about living there?

I live in an area called South East Oakville. This area has been established for over 100 years since the first century homes were built. My area is demarcated by the QEW to the North, Lake Ontario to the south, 16 Mile Creek to the west border, and downtown Oakville is the east border, with close proximity to Mississauga. This is an established area with big trees, is close to the lake, with big lots, big homes, and a vibrant community. Downtown Oakville has a nice small-town feel. People love being close to the lake and it’s wonderful to walk by the lake with an ice cream cone in the summer.  The area is known to have the best schooling in all of Oakville. Not only is this a huge draw for buyers with children in school, it’s also important for resale value.

Watch Petrus’ video guides to life in Oakville on his Instagram account!

 

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On this edition of Faces of Downtown Oakville, I sat down with Visit Oakville’s ‘Best Brunch’ winners Ana and Eduardo from The Crepe Kitchen.They chat about how the restaurant came to be, their famous salad dressing and what they are excited about for the future of downtown Oakville! #Brunch #DTOakville #RevtializeDowntown #SupportLocal #petrus #thepetrusgroup #oakville #oakvillerealtor #sothebysrealty #success #canada_sir #sold #buy #oakville #luxuryrealestate #sothebys #sothebysrealtycanada #forsale #lifestyle #milliondollarlisting #oakvillerealestate #oakvillelifestyle #sellers #buyers

A post shared by Petrus Engelbrecht (@petrusgroup) on Jul 14, 2019 at 3:55pm PDT

Why did you decide to be a part of the EAN?

I appreciate the like-mindedness of all the members as it’s a very giving community with people who are happy to be sharing their wealth of knowledge, as experts in specific fields. I was recently in a panel with Richard, and it’s quite enjoyable to be able to enlighten my peers and to be the quality of agent who people turn to for their expertise. I feel very honoured to be a part of the group.

How does your law background help you as a real estate professional?

The fact that I’ve done literally thousands of negotiations on property transactions translates well to real estate. I feel so comfortable and natural in my day-to-day negotiations because of it.

What would you say are some of the most important things a person should consider when buying a home?

Finding the right agent. Now more than ever in the GTA in 2020 it’s clear that literally the first thing you need to look for when purchasing a home is getting an agent with a ton of experience, and who has your best interest at heart. It is a lively market and seems to have a similar look and feel to the market of 2017, and if you don’t have a good agent you won’t do well, particularly on the buying side.

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What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

I went from being a new agent, with Sotheby’s being my first firm, to a Senior Vice President of Sales within a year and a half of starting in the industry. I am very proud of this title and that I became one quite quickly.

If you need good advice in other locales please contact us. Here is a map of our Exceptional Agent Network of Sotheby’s Agents and we will make sure you are referred to the best!

EAN map

When most people think about yoga, they likely envision a group of adults practicing in a quiet room, with flowing poses. Michelle Faber’s classes at Little Yogis embody mindfulness for children, with sessions that are loud, playful, and brimming with stories and songs. As someone who has been practicing yoga for 20 years, and is a mother of two boys, Michelle understands how beneficial yoga and mindfulness can be for developing minds.

Little kids face big stresses, even from a young age, and Michelle sees the magic within the practice of yoga helping kids develop a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Classes like these can help spark a life-long love of the practice.

When did you first discover your love of yoga?

I first started practicing yoga in high school. My mom bought a VHS tape of a yoga class like she always did with her workout videos. I would workout every night in my parent’s bedroom and after I decided to try it myself, I was hooked. I have always been an anxious person and it really took a toll on me during my student years. The constant stress and pressure really affected me physically and mentally. Yoga became the tool to get me through these hard times.

What led you towards teaching?

I spent years in marketing in the wine industry, and while I enjoyed it, it always felt like something was missing. I didn’t feel fulfilled and, most importantly, happy at the end of the day. I always dreamed of being a teacher but never pursued it until I decided to become certified in children’s yoga during my second maternity leave. I volunteered at my son’s daycare and knew it was the right path for me.

How has parenting changed your yoga practice? What new perspective has it offered?

As a mother, the mental and physical exhaustion I feel at the end of the day is intense. Being a business owner on top of that means I am often opening my computer again once the kids are in bed. I now need to prioritize my yoga practice as a form of self care to ensure I don’t experience burn out and can stay focused on what truly matters.

What new challenges do kids today face? How can yoga and mindfulness help combat that?

When I look at kids today, I see an incredible amount of stress and anxiety caused by the busy world around them. They are exposed to too much screen time, bullying and cyber-bullying, creating stress and a negative self-image, which can lead to emotional and behavioural issues. Yoga and Mindfulness are excellent practices that help combat stress and anxiety, providing resilience tools that will help them through their adolescent years and beyond.

At what age can children begin the practice of yoga?  How do you recommend a family get started in practicing yoga together?

Children can start practicing yoga as young as 18 months old. Try a class! We offer family yoga classes on weekends at Club Kidnasium. Many parents are surprised at how receptive their children are to yoga. It’s a great way to bond with your children while doing something active together.

How do you make yoga engaging for children?

Our curriculum focuses on making yoga fun and engaging for children by using stories and doing yoga poses along the way. We also use many props and tactile items during the class like parachutes, breathing balls, juggling scarves, feathers, and more. For older children we like to do partner poses and yoga flows to fun pop music.

How is practicing yoga with children different when compared to adults? What are some of the most important lessons your students have taught you?

Our classes are non-traditional yoga classes. Many parents are concerned that their child will be participating in an adult style yoga class. This is not the case! We use stories and games for the little ones. For example, we may go on a special mission to the moon and do yoga poses along the way! We may pass Mr. Avocado (our mascot) around the circle with JUST our feet, how fun! Our tween and teen yoga classes start to resemble more of an adult style class using yoga “flows,” however we make it fun by flowing to Taylor Swift and doing partner poses to encourage teamwork.

What are the most challenging and rewarding things about being an entrepreneur?

Being an entrepreneur means you must wear many hats; finance, admin, business development, sales, payroll, management, etc. It has certainly been a deeply rewarding experience and a steep learning curve, however I wouldn’t change a thing. The smiles I see on the children’s faces when they enter the room and realize that it is yoga time has been deeply rewarding. I am also able to employ 12 wonderful and passionate teachers who get to live their dream of becoming a children’s yoga teacher.

How has the community/business changed since you first started?

When I started my business, it was a team of one with just me teaching and volunteering my time at schools and daycares in my neighbourhood. Flash forward six months and we now have a team of twelve including my wonderful business partner Nikki and are at over 40 schools and daycares in the city.

Tell me about your volunteer work of yoga services during the UCC Terry Fox Run?

The UCC Terry Fox committee approached me to offer my services during the annual Terry Fox Run and I immediately jumped at the chance! I was able to lead the warmup family yoga for over 1,000 participants and it was certainly an amazing experience.

Do you think Terry Fox should be the next face on our five-dollar bill?

Absolutely! Terry Fox inspired the nation and the world through his courageous struggle against cancer and his determination to raise funds for cancer research; he deserves that recognition.

What are you reading, watching, or listening to right now?

I am a self-proclaimed lifelong learner so I am always choosing books that help me grow in my personal and professional life. Right now I am reading Gabriel Bernstein’s, Super Attractor, Methods for Manifesting a Life beyond Your Wildest Dreams which lays out the essential steps for living in alignment with the Universe. I am a true believer that you can create the life you want by leaning into your intuition, and this book outlines the steps to do just that.

Who inspires you?

My mother has always been an inspiration to me; not only in work but in life. She was always in senior managerial roles while I was growing up and she taught me a lot about being professional and having a strong work ethic. Now that she is retired her main goal is to make everyone around her happy. The way she makes so much effort to make everything perfect for her family, and especially her grandchildren is truly admirable.

Can you share something about yourself that most people don’t know?

I used to be an actor and hosted my own sports broadcast television show on GolTV, then I had a decade long career in corporate marketing which turned into a career in wine where I travelled Europe and the US tasting and analyzing wine. I truly live by the motto ‘you only live once’ and if something interests me, I will always shift my path in order to be fulfilled and happy.

What are you currently working on improving in your life?

My goal for 2020 is to be kinder to myself. In the last five years, I got married, had two children, and started my own business. It has been busy, exciting, exhausting and I think it is time for some self-care. I need to work more on work-life balance and taking time to ensure my mental and physical health are in check.

What upcoming projects are you most excited about?

I am focusing on projects that help youth become educated on various issues like poverty and mental health, and allow them the chance to volunteer their time to help others. A large element of living as a yogi is to serve others, and I want to ensure that I am giving back to the community that helped me grow and nurture my business. I am excited for all that lies ahead.