Friday, July 18, 2008

Congratulations Gitta, from our Thornhill Office

Pamela Prescott, owner of Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd.,with offices in Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Newmarket and Schomberg, is pleased to announce that Gitta Levi has been inducted to the Century 21 Canada"HALL OF FAME'. Congratulations Gitta!
Afters years of being a successful Realtor, specializing in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) including North Toronto,Thornhill, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, and Newmarket, Gitta has consistenly achieved every top producer award in the Century 21 System, putting her in the top 15% of the Century 21 Agents WORLDWIDE!!

What The Thornhill Seller Sells, What The Thornhill Buyer Buys

Putting your house on the market in Thornhill? Fine. But, for a few good reasons, be sure to engage the "right" real estate agent. First, one needs to put some distance between the prospective Thornhill buyer and Thornhill seller. When prospective buyers come to see your property, they're not looking at YOUR house. What the see is THEIR home; what THEY can make of it... how THEIR furniture will fit and how THEIR family will use the space. That would-be buyer isn't really interested in how you live in your Thornhill home but in how HIS or HER family will.
Gitta Levi, as a top selling Thornhill real estate professional, qualifies each prospect before she shows your home. Gitta does not show the house to just anyone who calls. She meets the prosective purchasers in her Thornhill office and qualifies them as to their interest and ability to purchase. You'll only see those prospective buyers who really need and want a Thornhill house or condo like yours. And Gitta knows how to show the property, emphasizing the features the buyer wants, not those the seller thinks are important. Part of the qualifying process is communication; the ability of the agent to separate what the Thornhill purchaser expresses from what he/she actually means. It's the skill, experience and talent of Gitta Levi to communicate effectively and get precise insight into what the Thornhill buyer is actually looking for that will determine how quickly and effectively a match can be achieved.
A sad truth that experts can point to regarding real estate advertising in Thornhill is that only about three percent of the people who call to inquire about a property are really interested in it. Some can't afford it. Some really want something else. And some are "just looking".
Other than the technical know-how required in selling real estate: marketing, financing, legal matters, etc., its "people skills", the understanding that Thornhill sellers and Thornhill buyers are individuals with their own specific needs and aspirations, that deifferentiate one agent from the next. And, while it may appear that all agents can deliver the same service and performance, it is that undefinable quality of being sensitive to and astute in "reading people" that makes Gitta Levi a more effective go-between than another.

Century 21 How to Get Top Dollar from Your Thornhill Home or Condo--ask Gitta Levi!

Every Thornhill property owner wants to receive the maximum profit from a home or condo sale. Although your property may already look great and represent a super offer to potential buyers, here are a few tips from Gitta Levi , one of Century 21's top Thornhill Broker, that can help to bring out its best features.
1. Emphasize your Thornhill property's curb appeal, as you work on your home’s external appearance. Trim the lawn and eliminate weeds. Dress up the porch or front door with a fresh coat of paint and hanging plants or a wreath. Set out a couple of cozy chairs, and pick up all the kids’ toys around the yard. Your Thornhill property's front entrance will welcome or repel guests, setting the tone for their overall basic impression.2. De-clutter the interior. Remove junk like stacks of newspapers or magazines, pet toys, and stray blankets or mail. Store unused furniture in the attic or basement of your Thornhill home. Your rooms should look comfortable and lived in without feeling crowded. Cover worn spots in furniture with a nice "throw". Vacuum draperies for a fresh feel. Have the beds made, and decorated with throw cushions, and all clothes put away or out of view. Leave plenty of walking space within each room, and when possible, open drapes and blinds to let in sunshine and provide an overall open feeling.3. Clean your property thoroughly before the Thornhill Open House. Dust furniture, scrub floors, polish wood, sweep steps, and do whatever else it takes to show your house at its best. Trim dead leaves from plants, replace burned-out light bulbs, and keep counters clear of dishes or debris. Try to remove spots on the carpet.4. Make it smell nice. Open the windows and air out your home. Burn potpourri or candles before potential Thornhill buyers come to see your house, which will help to reduce unpleasant cooking or pet odors. Clean the bathrooms, and run the whole-house fan or air conditioner to circulate air and enhance ventilation. Put ferns in some rooms, as they help to absorb odors and add a natural green touch.5. Keep animals out of the way. Some Thornhill homebuyers don’t like the idea of purchasing property from pet owners. They worry about fleas, stains, shedding, and odors. Make sure none of this is evident, if you have pets. In fact, keep your pet locked up, crated, or out of view during an open house or when potential buyers in Thornhill come through.Many of us take our property for granted. But like anything else, when it goes on the market, a house or condo needs to look its best. Take a couple of hours to put your property in its best light before Thornhill buyers come calling. Gitta Levi has "dressed" many a house and condo in Thornhill, and uses these successful techniques, for maximum selling price for her sellers. She can do the same for you!

Century 21 FIND THE PERFECT POOL IN THORNHILL TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

A swimming pool in Thornhill is the perfect way to entertain the kids and spend quality time with your family or just to relax and enjoy the outdoors. But before you head out the door to your Thornhill pool store, take the time to learn about the different types of pools available. Here is an overview of what you can choose for your Thornhill backyard.
Vinyl-lined pools are the most popular type of pool in Thornhill,Canada. Constructed of steel walled panels supported by steel braces, this type of pool features a vinyl liner placed over the steel panels and the pool floor and is held in place by coping around the pool perimeter.
Poured-in-place concrete pools use concrete that is poured over a rebar grid (steel rods for reinforcement) between prepared forms, while wet mix shotcrete uses pre-mixed concrete that is sprayed onto a steel reinforced grid through a hose nozzle. The walls of the pool are then finished in plaster or other coating products and then painted and decorated with tile or stone accents. Concrete pools are more labour-intensive than vinyl-lined pools and can take several weeks to build - but they do offer unlimited design potential for your Thornhill pool.
Another option is a fiberglass pool. This type of pool is prefabricated and is shipped to the site on a trailer and lowered into the ground by a crane. The fiberglass shell is then plumbed and backfilled, with installation taking about one week.
The most affordable of all pool types is the above-ground pool, which consists of a vinyl liner attached to an above-ground metal or resin frame in a round or oval shape. Above-ground pools average 1.2m - 1.3m (4 - 4.5 ft.) in height and offer contemporary colours and accents on the outside walls and uprights that allow them to complement any Thornhill home or landscaping design.
Onground pools - also called semi-inground pools - are made of rigid steel or aluminum walls that are partially lowered into the ground. Ideal for Thornhill backyards with uneven terrain, onground pools are also perfect for yards with limited space and come in round and oval shapes.
More information on this topic is available online at www.poolcouncil.ca or toll-free at 1-800-879-7066.

Century 21 Final Touches Before Showings your Thornhill property--ask Gitta Levi

So your Thornhill house is on the market… You’ve painted, pruned the grounds, cleaned the closets, basement and garage. You are now ready for a buyer to come along and fall in love with your house in Thornhill. But, there are a few more details you can take care of, according to Gitta Levi, one of Century 21's top Thornhill Broker, which will put the final touches on the picture, before the prospective buyer shows up.


ü Keep as many lights on as possible, in and outside of your Thornhill home.

ü Remove all notes, artwork and collectibles from your fridge.

ü Put large glass containers of pretty soaps or small towels, in the bathroom, and remove all personal items from the counters

ü Remove small appliances such as toaster, mixer, etc. from your Thornhill home/condo's kitchen counters.

ü Keep your pet at a friend’s home during showings of your Thornhill property

ü Keep your curtains shut, if the view is not great.

ü Turn off the television and turn on the radio to a nice FM station.

Century 21 Basic Home Selling Tips for Thornhill, from Gitta Levi

Century 21 Basic Home Selling Tips for Thornhill, from Gitta Levi

Often, when selling real estate in Thornhill,people will base their asking price on how much they paid for or invested in their home. This is a mistake. Overpriced Thornhill listings make other homes for sale (the competition) look like good buys and only help to sell those other properties. An over priced home in Thornhill will not sell unless the price is reduced sometimes little by little until it reaches what the Thornhill market will bear, wasting time and causing stress to the owners. In fact, a listing that shaves the price down over a period of time can end up being "stale" and ultimately fetch less money for the Thornhill owners .

CHOOSING YOUR THORNHILL REPRESENTATIVE: It's a natural reaction. Many homeowners in Thornhill list their home for sale with an agent that suggests the highest asking price. Or, they will choose an agent from a large, high profile company or a friend or relative in the business.If a Thornhill homeowner wants to ensure that his/her best interests are served, it's best to choose an agent that will analyze your area, and then can justify the recommended asking price with a proper Thornhill Market Analysis .
SHOW YOUR THORNHILL HOME AT ITS BEST: First impressions are critical. Few Thornhill buyers are able to see a home's potential...They buy what they see, not what you think they should see. Make sure your Thornhill home looks as bright, cheery, spacious and well maintained as possible. Do not invest in repairs or cosmetic changes before you talk to Gitta Levi, one of the top Century 21 Thornhill agents. You may be doing all the wrong things, even if they are for the right reasons.