With almost 15 years experience in real estate in Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga and all across the GTA, Sue Heddle has seen her fair share of ups and downs. In addition to buying and selling homes, Sue has assisted many clients lease out their properties as well. And while bidding wars have been typically reserved for those purchasing property, the recent spike in the demand for rental homes has resulted in the leasing market mirroring the frantic pace of GTA housing sales.

Sue Heddle was recently asked to contribute to a CBC News article that addresses the bidding wars happening for those looking to rent a house. 

Read the full article here.

Listen to the discussion on AM 640.

Watch her Global News interview.

Get The Most Out of Real Estate Transactions With Sue Heddle Homes

The changes in the state of the rental market are just another reason why you need a professional, experienced realtor on your side. Renting, purchasing or selling a home can be stressful, but with Sue's help you'll receive guidance and support every step of the way. 

If you have a rental property and are looking for tenants, contact us. Not only can we help you get the best price, but we'll also:

• take professional photos for your rental listing.
• take care of scheduling and managing all showings.
• market your property to our wide network, increasing the chances of finding a great tenant.
• handle paperwork and negotiations that can be time consuming and overwhelming.

Thinking this might be the year to move or make a housing change? Contact Sue Heddle Homes. With many years of proven success and an unparalleled commitment to our clients, we're ready to help you and your family find the right home for your needs.

Whether you chose a newer home or a home in a more matureneighbourhood, when you bought your current home, you did so based on it having features you love and enough space inside and out to accommodate your family and your lifestyle. However, over time, things change.

Undoubtedly, there will most likely come a time when you start to feel like moving to a bigger home in Oakville or Halton is the next logical step. If you’re still not sure and want more information before you take the leap, Sue Heddle Homes is sharing five signs that it’s time to buy a bigger house.

1. A Growing Family.

New baby on the way? Whether it’s the need for a nursery or you have aging parents or other family members moving into your home, adding more people generally means you’ll need more space. When there are more people in a home, you’ll need space for more stuff and you’ll certainly notice a bigger demand on bathroom space. Expanding families are one of the most popular reasons to move to a bigger home.

2. Desire To Change Neighbourhoods Or Schools.

If you bought your first home in Oakville, Milton or Burlington you may not have been familiar with all the neighbourhoods, but wanted to get into the market so you bought a home that worked with your budget. Now that you know more about your community, it’s time to upgrade your living by choosing a neighbourhood or community that better suits your lifestyle, preferences, and needs. If you have kids about to start school, now can be a great time to upgrade and get into the school zone you want. 

3. Increased Income.

More money in the bank is another great reason to invest in a bigger house. Whether you’re after a larger yard with a pool or more living space for your family, increased income will allow you to be a little more selective about the home you buy. Take the time to consider what you wish were different about your existing home, and make a list of priorities. Working with a professional Oakville real estate agent can really help you create a wish list that will ensure you find a larger home that meets all your needs.

4. Your Current Home No Longer Supports Your Lifestyle.

From hobbies that need more space, to starting a business to welcoming visiting friends and family on a regular basis, if your happiness at home is limited due to your house being too small, it might be time to do something about it. 

5. Is Renovating Really The Best Option?

If you’ve already been thinking about renovation, you really have become aware that your current house may no longer be working for you. Depending on the condition and layout of your current home, undertaking a renovation to create more space can actually be more costly than selling and moving to a larger existing house. In addition, when it comes to a renovation, you also have to think about either living in a construction zone or finding temporary accommodation while the work in being done. Doesn’t sound like something you want to deal with? You efforts may be better used going real estate shopping instead.

Buy A Home In Oakville With Sue Heddle Homes

Sue Heddle Homes knows how important the purchase of a new home is. With more than a decade of experience as a top Oakville realtor, working with Sue means that you’ll get expert advice and knowledge that can make all the difference when it comes to finding your next dream home. And when you find your next home? Sue Heddle Homes can also help you sell your current property quickly as all listings get free home staging and are marketed using effective online tools. Ready to start touring new homes and attending open houses? Create your new home wish list and then contact Sue Heddle Homes at 416-906-7998 to get started.

House hunting can be a very exciting time, but it can also be a stressful time – especially if you're completely unprepared!  When you decide you are ready to start touring homes, make sure you start the process with a plan in hand.  By taking the time to get organized before you start, you will save yourself time and money and make the process much more enjoyable.

So, let’s take a look at what NOT to do!

1.     Not having your financing in order.

How can you really know what price you can afford without being pre-approved for a mortgage?  Sellers may actually be scared away by your offer without pre-approval as they will assume you aren’t really a serious contender. There were some big changes to mortgages recently, so be sure you know where you stand before you start shopping for your next home.

2.     House hunting on your own.

If you are serious about buying a house, you should be working with a professional real estate agent. An Oakville realtor like Sue Heddle will be able to monitor new listings, price changes and other market information that can help you find the house you want. We'll also decipher any listing nuances, help you prepare an offer and negotiate the best price.

3.     Be short sighted.

While it does happen, the chance of you finding the perfect house that has everything on your wish list is not likely.  Focus on your top priorities and be willing to look at the bigger picture. If the house fills most of your criteria, it is worth taking a long and hard look at the property and determining if it will work for your needs.

4.     Ignore the home.

Love the neighbourhood and the décor inside? Don’t let that fool you!  Remember that you are buying the structure on the property and unless you take the time to really inspect it, you might miss some obvious signs that things aren’t what they seem. Take your time and look at the windows, how the flooring is installed, if closet doors open properly and the paint job. 

House Hunting Can Be Enjoyable With Sue Heddle Homes 

With just a few simple steps, house hunting can become an enjoyable experience.  The right realtor can take a lot of the stress and confusion out of the process, so don’t be afraid to reach out to a local real estate agent in your area.  Sue Heddle Homes, an experienced Oakville realtor, has been supporting clients in the Oakville, Mississauga and Burlington area for more than 10 years and would be pleased to help you find your next home.  Contact us to find out how we can help.

Ready to buy or sell a home in Oakville? While you may be tempted to try and tackle the process on your own, know that an experienced real estate agent can provide you with invaluable expertise and support. Below you’ll find five reasons why it’s essential to work with a professional real estate agent for any type of real estate transaction.

1.  A Good Realtor Will Educate You, Not Sell To You.

Obviously, a real estate agent wants to help clients buy and sell homes. However, a good agent is dedicated to much more than just selling. They will also help you understand the entire process so you know what to expect. A quality agent wants to make sure you make a smart and educated decision.

For example, if you want to list your home, an experienced Oakville realtor will help you navigate through the following areas:

• Determining if your property is ready for the market.
• Having professional home staging done.
• Deciding on a fair price.
• Providing you with helpful information on associated costs for selling a home.

If you are a buyer and are ready to find a new home, an experienced Oakville realtor will make sure you are ready by working with you to ensure the following questions have been answered.

• Have you been pre-approved by a lender? 
• Do you know what you can realistically afford? 
• Do you know what goes into a strong offer?

If you’re not prepared for your real estate transaction, then buying or selling a home can turn into a stressful and seemingly impossible situation. By working with the right agent, you’ll transform the way you think about real estate and feel less overwhelmed about the whole process.

2. Qualified Real Estate Agents Know How To Market Your Property.

When buyers walk into a poorly presented open house, it’s pretty impossible for them to imagine wanting to live there. You can also count on reduced open house traffic if the listing includes poor images and incomplete details. It really is essential to prepare a home for being sold the right way. Some of the most important aspects of a good real estate marketing plan include:

• Home Staging.
• Professional photography.
• Video footage.
• 3D house tour.
• Online marketing tools. 

Do all of those things really sound like something you can tackle on your own? You’ll certainly save time, money, and frustration by having a real estate agent help you present your property.

3. A Realtor Knows Local Market Conditions.

Real estate agents are in-tune with the conditions in your local market. As such, they will have insight into things like:

• Type of audience for your home.
• Where to advertise to buyers.
• Where most buyers are coming from to see your home.
• Average number of days it takes to sell a home.
• Average asking price versus sales price.
• Trends in real estate in your area.
• Whether or not sellers pay closing costs.
• Challenges you could face due to factors such as layout or location.

In-depth knowledge of your market and the real estate conditions in your area, means that your agent will have the ability to get you the best price for your home, even when taking into account every realistic challenge or obstacle that may impact your listing.

4. Real Estate Agents Are Skilled Negotiators.

Real estate negotiations are complex. From making counter offers to dealing with conditions and arranging an appropriate deposit – ask yourself, would you really know how to handle those situations with the right knowledge and protocols? By working with an agent you’ll be able to create a strategy, negotiate, and manage the situation as effectively as possible. 

In addition, your realtor can assist you with stressful events such as when a home inspection reveals a problem with the roof, electrical or finds mould. These discoveries can send people back to the negotiating table and your Oakville realtor will be ready to make sure you are properly represented, and with your best interest in mind.

5. An Agent Is More Than Just A One Time Resource.

Real estate agents are well connected in the community and can help you find the resources you might need once you’ve bought or sold a home. From a recommended moving company to a home renovator and even the best local restaurants – ask your realtor for their suggestions! A great realtor really does want to help you get settled into your new home and are happy to help.

And don’t forget to keep in touch! Your realtor can help you get a home evaluation a few years down the road, help keep you updated on real estate happenings in your neighbourhood, and of course, help you or any of your friends or family with any future real estate transactions.

Trust Sue Heddle Homes With Your Real Estate Needs 

Walking into the real estate process without the expertise of a qualified and experienced real estate agent will most likely not produce the outcome you want. With a top real estate agent, like Sue Heddle Homes, on your side, you can let go of common worries and relax knowing that you have an experienced professional, eager and ready to help you. By hiring a realtor, you’ll be able to look forward to the good things that are about to come and enjoy the process along the way. Ready to move forward? Contact Sue Heddle at (416) 906-7998.

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!   

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Purchasing a condo in Oakville can be a great option for those looking to get into the real estate market or for those looking to downsize. Condo ownership means you don’t have to worry about the upkeep that comes with a traditional semi-detached or detached home. In addition, condos also typically have a selection of shared amenities that are paid for by condo fees and can be used by residents.

If you think a condo could be the right purchase for you, Sue Heddle Homes can help. With more than a decade of experience as an Oakville realtor, she knows how to help clients narrow down their search to ensure they find exactly what they’re looking for.

What to Consider Before Buying A Condo

Not all condos are the same, of course, so it’s best to figure out what your specific needs are before you dive head first into your search. While location and design matter, many people are unware of how much condo fees can vary, so be sure to factor those into your budget so you have a clear picture of what you can afford.

To help you determine if condo living is right for you, let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

Pros

• Lower maintenance. No grass to cut, snow to shovel or roof that needs repair. This is a huge plus for many people.
• More affordable with lower property taxes.
• Better sense of security. Even if the building doesn’t come with security staff, having many other people around can be comforting, especially to older adults. 
• Opportunities to be social. Some condo communities organize social events like pool parties, barbecues and even playdates for dogs or young children.
• Access to amenities. Depending on which building you select, there is the opportunity to have access to a variety of amenities such as a BBQ area, shared business centre, pool, gym, outdoor space and covered parking.
• Walkability. Condos are often located close to downtown areas or areas with lots of walkable amenities such as restaurants, grocery stores, hair salons, etc.

Cons

• Investment risk. Even though you own your own unit, you are relying on other condo owners to keep up with their dues and with their mortgage payments. Failure to do so can lower everyone else’s property value.
• Less privacy. Sharing walls, floors and ceilings with your neighbours means that noise can sometimes become an issue. It’s also worth noting that some buildings have many renters who may not be as considerate as a condo owner would be.
• Parking. If you don’t get an assigned spot, you may get stuck lugging groceries or other heavy bags a long way.
• Storage constraints. Condo storage is often limited to a small locker and there may be no outdoor storage space to use at all.
• Rules. As a condo owner, you’ll be expected to follow the condo association’s rules and some people can find them too restricting. 

Ready to Find a Condo in Oakville?

Your Oakville realtor will advise you that condo living is best suited for people who don’t want to have to handle a lot of maintenance and upkeep. It’s also best for those who think they’ll find great value in the amenities but wouldn’t want to spend money for them all on their own. Condo living in Oakville can be right for just about anyone including, individuals, families, empty nesters and seniors.

If you think the low stress condo lifestyle might be right for you, reach out to Sue Heddle Homes. With proven experience and local knowledge, Sue can help you navigate the process of buying a condo and ensure you get the best value based on your budget. To start your search, call Sue Heddle Homes at (416) 906-7998.