It has been a tremendous 15 years at Century 21 Miller Real Estate!

Thank you for recognizing my continued success and dedication to my clients for the past 15 years of service at Century 21 Miller Real Estate.

Being awarded as a 2022 Centurion Winner is such an accomplishment. Thank you valued clients for continuing to choose Sue Heddle Homes as your trusted agent!

Working With a Trusted Real Estate Agent

Thinking of buying a home? With 15 years of experience, Sue Heddle Homes has what it takes to help you find your ideal home and location. From sharing key information about specific areas to knowing how to negotiate the best price, Sue is the only experienced realtor you need. If you’re thinking of starting your home search, give us a call at 416-906-7998 and let’s talk.

According to the latest Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) annual forecast the Ontario housing market is making a comeback! 

A rebound is expected by the latter half of 2023, with an increase in home prices and sales after months of declines. 

What does this mean for potential buyers and sellers?

The following are the key takeaways of what to expect going forward:

1. The average home price for the year is expected to reach $1,140,000, which is higher than January's average price of $1,038,668 ( albeit still 4% lower than last year's average).

2. The board forecasts 70,000 sales this year. Still 7% fewer than last year, however, all indicators are predicting it will stabilize and will continue to increase into next year.

3. TRREB cites an Ipsos poll showing that more would-be buyers are considering buying a property this year than last year, and a slightly higher percentage of homeowners planning to put their homes up for sale.

4. Even though TRREB expects activity to remain slow in the first half of the year owing to relatively high mortgage rates, it predicts that rates of fixed-mortgage products will start falling this year, which will increase demand for housing. 

Lastly, the Canadian labour market has remained relatively healthy, adding 150,000 jobs in January, and given that Canada plans to take in another record number of immigrants, will definitely put pressure for more housing, translating into higher prices and sales.

Therefore, before the market gets too hot, would-be-buyers should act now to realize a dream home reality, before it becomes too late.

Working With a Trusted Real Estate Agent

Thinking of buying a home? With 15 years of experience, Sue Heddle Homes has what it takes to help you find your ideal home and location. From sharing key information about specific areas to knowing how to negotiate the best price, Sue is the only experienced realtor you need. If you’re thinking of starting your home search, give us a call at 416-906-7998 and let’s talk.

Change is just about the only thing you can really count on, and the real estate market is no different. As we battle inflation and higher interest rates, the real estate market in Halton and across the GTA has started to cool off. 

Many economists have suggested we are entering a buyer’s market, which means that buyers are in a more advantageous position because the number of listings are greater than the number of buyers. Homes tend to sit on the market longer and there can be a softening of selling prices.

With over a decade of experience in the real estate market, Sue Heddle Homes has successfully supported clients in a buyer or a seller’s market. With award winning marketing tools and expert local knowledge, people wanting to sell their homes can still get good results, as long as they choose the right agent, like Sue Heddle!

Things You Can Do to Help Your Listing Attract Attention

Selling your home with a professional and experienced agent has so many benefits, just one of which is understanding home buyers and knowing what will catch their interest. When you list your home with Sue Heddle Homes, you’ll receive free home staging. Home staging is one of the most effective ways to reduce the number or days your home stays on the market and to help you get the sale price you want.

Sue Heddle Homes only uses professional photography for all listing photos and includes an interactive 3D home tour as part of every listing. It’s these high-quality details that can make all the difference when it comes to attracting buyers.

In addition to listing with the right agent, like Sue Heddle Homes, here are some other ways you can help make sure your listing gets noticed:

1. Declutter before you list your home for sale.
2. Update your home with neutral paint colours before listing.
3. Make your space inviting for viewings and open houses by appealing to the senses.

Sue Heddle Homes – The Only Oakville Real Estate Agent You Need

As the market continues to shift and change, it’s critical to have someone on your side that can help you make the most of the current climate. From providing smart advice on listing your home to helping you prepare your space to be the best it can be, Sue Heddle Homes is a trusted agent that delivers results. To find out more about what your current home is worth and to have any questions answered, contact us at 416-906-7998.

While the real estate market in Oakville and across Canada can experience many changes on a typical year, a full year of living in the COVID pandemic meant that there were even more ups and downs to handle!

The Sue Heddle Homes team had another positive year and it was our pleasure to help so many clients with their real estate needs in 2021. Despite uncertainty, price increases, limited supply and COVID restrictions, we were still able to provide top level service and help buyers and sellers navigate real estate during a pandemic.

In addition to working with our clients, we also provide helpful and insightful real estate content on our website blog. It’s always interesting to look back and see which posts resonated with people the most, so without further ado, take a look at our most popular blog posts from 2021.

1. Sue Heddle earns Scott McGillivray Trusted Agent endorsement for Oakville

2. Interior Design Trends Going Away in 2021

3. Top House Hunting Mistakes

4. Sue Heddle Contributes to CBC News Article on Current Rental Market

5. What Features Do First Time Home Buyers Look for in a Home?

6. Wondering How You Can Help Your Child When It Comes to Buying a Home?

7. 3 Things to Ignore When Buying a Home

8. 5 Signs It’s Time to Move to A Bigger House

9. What You Need to Know About the Proposed Changes to The Mortgage Stress Test

10. What You Should Know About the Real Estate Market in 2021

As we head into 2022, we know that there will still be plenty of unknowns thrown our way. Regardless of what the market may do next year, you can count on Sue Heddle Homes to help you navigate through in all with expert knowledge and professionalism. Thinking about buying or selling in 2022? Now’s the time to get organized! Give us a call at 416-906-7998 and let’s talk about how we can help.

Every potential home buyer has a wish list when it comes to what they want in their ideal home. As a seasoned Oakville realtor, Sue Heddle Homes has helped hundreds of clients find homes that meets their needs. While tastes and preferences do differ, there are often similarities when it comes to groups of home buyers.

For example, empty nesters are often looking for a smaller home that has a layout that supports ageing in place. For larger families, storage and multiple bathrooms may top the list. When it comes to first time home buyers, this group also tends to have a common wish list in mind when they begin the search for their first property purchase.

6 Features That Appeal to First Time Buyers

Before you begin any home search, make sure you have a trusted and experienced Oakville realtor that can guide you through the process. You want a realtor that is familiar with the area, knows how to negotiate on your behalf and has the knowledge to make your real estate transaction as stress free as possible. 

Here are some of the most common things first time home buyers are looking for in a home:

1. The kitchen and the family room to be completely or partially open concept.
2. Laundry room on the main floor.
3. Stainless steel kitchen appliances.
4. Hardwood flooring on the main floor.
5. New windows.
6. Outdoor patio or deck.

Are you looking for your first home in the Oakville area? What other features would you add to the list above?  

First Time Home Buyers Need Sue Heddle Homes

With more than a decade of experience in the Oakville area, Sue Heddle Homes has what it takes to help you find your first home. From sharing key information about specific areas, to knowing how to negotiate the best price, Sue is the only experienced realtor you need. If you’re thinking of starting your home search, give us a call at 416-906-7998 and let’s talk.

The process of selling your home starts long before you select a realtor in Oakville and the ‘for sale’ sign goes up. If you’re thinking of selling your Oakville, Burlington or Mississauga home this year, there is no time like the present to start decluttering and make it more appealing for potential buyers. Sue Heddle Homes, offers free home staging to all of our clients, but when you work to clear out unused items and clutter ahead of time, it makes it even easier to showcase all the benefits your home has to offer.

When you're selling your house, know that potential buyers want to see everything. From storage closets to your garage, no space is safe from the eyes of a serious house hunter. Reducing the clutter in your home will enable you to maximize every square inch of your space and help potential buyers really see themselves in the house. 

Where To Focus Your Decluttering 

To help you get started, we're sharing a list of important places to declutter if you’re thinking of selling your home. It can certainly feel like a lot of work, but clearing out the clutter will make it easier to stage your home and to create a listing that will get your property sold quickly. 

The top areas to focus on are:

1. Front Yard.  

Surprised to see the outside of your house on the list? Prospective buyers love to drive by listings and check out the neighbourhood before attending an open house. It’s very important to keep your front lawn well maintained and your front door area clutter free to make the best first impression, even before anyone walks through the door.

2. Storage Rooms.

Storage rooms are not the spot to stuff your clutter! Buyers are absolutely going to want to see inside your garage, utility closets, and even backyard sheds to get a real sense of how much storage they might have. Clean out those items you never use and think about investing in quality shelving to make the area look spacious and organized.

3. Family Room.

You probably spend a great deal of time in the family room, but it shouldn’t look like a catch all for your family’s interests. Family rooms should be clear of stacks of magazines, and overflowing bookshelves, and don’t forget to pare down throw pillows, blankets and table accessories too.

4. Closets.

People are certainly interested in storage spaces, but they’ll also have a great interest in the everyday spaces that can add to their day to day life. Whether it's a front closet or a master suite walk-in, closets have a big impact on prospective buyers. Pack up off-season clothes and donate items that you haven’t worn in the last 12 months. Remove extra hangers or boxes that make the space look cramped.

5. Bathrooms.

People remember to clean out their closets or kitchen cupboards, but what about those bathroom drawers and counters? Go through all your products and get rid of anything that has expired or that you don’t use. Add some storage units or shelving if you find that you don’t have enough space to properly organize and store your bathroom items.

6. Laundry Room.

A good laundry room is a well sought-after space, so it’s worth it to help yours make a good impression. Organize your products and remove all those random socks that just don’t seem to have a match. If you’ve been using your laundry room as backup storage for clothes, now is the time to box them up and move them into a better space or decide if you really need them at all. 

Ready To Sell Your Oakville Home? 

Sue Heddle Homes understands how big of a decision it is to sell your home. From helping you make smart decisions when preparing your home for sale, to providing home staging services, Sue Heddle Homes will work with you so that you get the results you need. With more than a decade of experience, you can count on us to make your experience as seamless as possible. If you are thinking of selling your Oakville, Burlington, or Mississauga home this year, contact Sue Heddle.

We’ve talked before about the difference between a deposit and a down payment, but those who are in the market to buy a home in Oakville, Milton, Mississauga or Burlington also need to be prepared to handle the many other costs that can come with buying a home. Working with an experienced Oakville realtor can set you up for a smooth buying experience and help you understand what costs may pop up and when. Potential costs when buying a home should be carefully considered ahead of time in order to avoid financial difficulty in the future.

Since buying a home in Oakville or the GTA will have a large impact on your bank account, we’ve laid out potential costs that may also be associated with your purchase. Take the time to explore the costs and do your homework so that you’re well aware of how much funding you will need to add to the purchase price of your home, based on the market you’re in.

Have You Added These Home Buying Costs Into Your Budget? 

As mentioned above, you will need to be prepared to have both a deposit and a down payment. You will need to put down a deposit as a security measure to ensure you don’t lose the house to another interested buyer. The amount of your deposit will become part of your down payment once you have purchased the home. A down payment is required to be at least five percent of the sale price, however, a 20% down payment will help you avoid paying mortgage loan insurance. 

Other costs you need to be prepared for include:

• Land transfer tax. The cost will vary depending on your municipality, the size of the land and other factors. First time home buyers may be eligible for a rebate on land transfer tax up to $4,000. 

• Appraisal fee. An appraisal will typically cost between $200 and $350.  

• Home inspection. A home inspection should be considered a necessary step in your home buying process and will normally cost an average of $350 depending on the size, age, and condition of the home. 

• Property insurance. You may already have property insurance for the home you are currently living in, but it’s important to do your research and find a reasonable quote for your new property, as the cost may increase significantly depending on the difference in property type.

• Mortgage insurance. You can get mortgage life insurance, which would pay the mortgage in the event that anything was to happen to you or your partner. There is also mortgage loan insurance if your down payment is less than 20% of the total house cost. 

• Legal fees. Ensure your lawyer’s quote includes all related expenses related to closing. Legal costs can range depending on the complexity of the transaction.

• Moving costs. Whether you decide to move yourself or higher professional movers, be prepared to cover your moving costs. Even renting a truck for a few days and feeding friends and family is still an expense that shouldn’t take you by surprise.

• Miscellaneous costs. As with any major change, there will be additional costs that you didn’t plan on. When creating your moving budget, it’s a good idea to allocated $500 - $2,000 for miscellaneous costs.

Let Sue Heddle Homes Help You Buy Your Next Home  

Buying a home can be such an exciting time, especially when you have the right realtor on your side. Sue Heddle Homes has more than a decade of experience helping clients find their next home and making the process stress free and transparent. If you’re ready to move forward with your real estate needs, call Sue Heddle at (416)-906-7998. Recognized as a top realtor in Oakville, Halton and the surrounding regions, Sue Heddle Homes has what it takes to help you find the right house for your needs.

From his experience with 100’s of real estate investments over the past 20 years, TV star Scott McGillivray knows first-hand about the value a knowledgeable, connected, and dedicated Real Estate Agent brings to the buying and selling process.  

Sue Heddle is proud to announce her selection as a Scott McGillivray Trusted Agent for Oakville. Real Estate Agents in the Scott McGillivray Trusted Agent program are selected based on a combination of excellence in client satisfaction, depth of experience, marketing expertise, and proven ability to deliver outstanding results. “Selling a home can be a complex process so it’s important to use an experienced agent that knows your market,” advises Scott. 

Top Oakville Realtor Sue Heddle Delivers Excellence

When selling your home, the sole focus at Sue Heddle Homes is to get you RESULTS. We do this by attracting qualified buyers with our industry-leading marketing strategy and offering free home staging, both of which help create maximum exposure for both resale and new sale investments. Our team always offers superior service that gets to the heart of our client’s needs and wants, whether they’re selling or looking to buy a home.

Sue Heddle Homes has been selling real estate in Oakville and delivering exceptional results to clients for over 10 years. Having sold hundreds of properties, we’ve become a dominant name in the Halton area. Some of our awards and accomplishments include Top 25 Elite Women in Real Estate, Centurion award winner for top sales (most recently in 2020), as well as Masters sales achievements at all levels – Diamond, Emerald, Ruby and Silver.

In addition to professional achievements, we’ve also made a commitment to community and reconciliation through the Hockey Cares initiative, founded by Sue Heddle.

Experience and exceptional service define the Sue Heddle Homes difference. Call 416-906-7998 or visit online for your free home evaluation today and see why we’ve earned the McGillivray Trusted Agent endorsement!   

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About Scott McGillivray

Scott McGillivray is North America's go-to expert when it comes to all things real estate and renovation. He’s a contractor, real estate investor and star of the hit TV show, Income Property.  Passionate about helping people learn the ins-and-outs of how to succeed in renovation and real estate, Scott is now sharing his own hard-earned, insider secrets with novice flippers in his newest series Buyers Bootcamp.  McGillivray emphasizes the importance of using a qualified Realtor by recognizing a select few of the best real estate minds in the country through his McGillivray Mark Trusted Agent program.

Find out more at: 

www.ScottMcGillivray.com/Trusted-Realtor

facebook.com/EverythingScottMcGillivray

instagram.com/Scott_McGillivray

pinterest.com/ScottMcG

As a successful Oakville realtor for more than a decade, Sue Heddle Homes has certainly seen changes in the market year over year. When COVID brought the world to a halt in March 2020, the real estate market certainly took a hit and it did leave some people questioning what the future may hold.

However, the 2020 real estate market finished very strong, and in fact, we had some of our busiest sales months ever! But, what does this mean for 2021? If you’re thinking of making a move this year, it’s time to talk to an Oakville realtor right away. An experienced realtor can help you navigate real estate transactions in a COVID environment while ensuring you get the best results possible.

Is 2021 A Good Time to Buy and Sell? 

Are you thinking of moving in 2021? Here are some things to think about:

• Experts forecast that buyers from other cities and provinces will continue to support a strong market in 2021, particularly in suburban and rural markets.
• People looking to 'move-up' are also forecasted to be a primary driver of the housing market demand in 2021, thanks to very low mortgage rates.
• Most Canadians feel confident that Canada’s housing markets will remain steady in the next 12 months and that real estate will remain one of the best investment options in 2021.
• The strength of demand for larger single-family properties, will drive the average price higher as potential buyers compete for desirable properties.

Sue Heddle Homes – An Oakville Realtor That Gets Results 

What does this all mean for those looking to buy or sell in 2021? It means that now is the time to get ready and be well prepared for when the market picks up, which will happen very soon. Sue Heddle Homes can help you get your home ready to sell, making sure your listing stays at the top and attracts lots of interest to help you get the best price. From free home staging to 3D virtual tours and professional listing photos, there is no better Oakville realtor to help you get the results you want.

For those looking to buy a home, our experience and area expertise means you can count on Sue Heddle to give you all the information needed to find your next dream home. Now's the time to get started so you're ready to actively be in the market when the time is right. Call Sue Heddle Homes today and let's chat about how we can help - (416) 906-7998.

There are so many things to consider when searching for a new home, including finding the best Oakville realtor who will listen to your needs and help you make the right purchase for you and your family. However, how do you know what type of neighbourhood you’re looking for without doing a bit of research first?

When you're trying to find the best places to live, choosing a neighbourhood ranks right up there with making sure you get the number of bedrooms you need or whether or not you need to have an attached garage. The size and layout of the house will certainly add to your family’s enjoyment of living in a new space, but the specific neighbourhood will also directly impact a potential buyer’s decision to make an offer or not.

4 Tips to Help You Choose Your Ideal Neighbourhood

When you’re looking to make a home purchase, keep in mind that you're not just buying a house, you're investing in a neighborhood too. As such, be sure to take some time to learn more about specific areas you might be considering to help you learn more about the pros and cons of each one. To help you get started, keep reading for some helpful tips.

1. Narrow down your most important features.

What makes a neighbourhood ideal in your mind? Remember that you need to think about your own preferences but also about all the members of your family. Do you prefer a quiet street or a more active area? Does an older neighbourhood appeal to you or do you want a newer development?How important is it to have a park or green space nearby? Do you need easy access to public transportation? Do you want to be able to walk to a café or restaurant?

2. Spend time in the areas you’re considering.

It’s important to both drive and walk around the neighbourhoods you’re considering, ideally at different times of day. You can get a sense of the condition of the houses and the yards, how friendly people seem to be and what the typical traffic might be like during busy rush hours and on weekends.

3. Learn about local schools.

The sign of a good neighbourhood is a well-kept school. If you have children, looking at the neighbourhood school is probably one of the first considerations you’ll have when looking for the right home. Since most schools now have their own website, be sure to check them out and get a sense of what kind of school community there may be. Many schools are even on social media now which is also a great way to learn more about each school.

4. Ask about current value of housing.

Ask your Oakville realtor about what houses in each neighbourhood your considering are currently valued at, and how that compares to the average value both five and 10 years earlier. How much has the property increased? Are there any signs of future developments that may either increase or decrease the value of the area?

Find Your Ideal Home With Oakville Realtor Sue Heddle 

For more than ten years, Sue Heddle Homes has been helping people find the perfect home for their family. With an in depth knowledge of Oakville and surrounding communities, Sue can help answer your area specific questions and assist you in narrowing down the neighbourhoods that will work best for your family’s needs. 

It’s so important to choose an Oakville realtor that has local experience as well as a commitment to providing top level customer service to clients. When you work with Sue Heddle Homes you’ll get all of that and so much more. If you have any questions or would like to talk about your real estate needs, give us a call at (416) 906-7998.