The Joys of being a Realtor

Many people get into the real estate business thinking that it's easy money.  The concept other people have of realtors is that they make a lot of money and that it comes easy.  Oh My Gosh!!!! What a misconception??? - On both sides.

First of all, like any career, you have to work at it, and I Mean Really Work At It.  And if you worked for someone else before you got into Real Estate, it is definitely a huge adjustment.  Hence the reason so many people leave the business before their being more than two years in the business. 

Second of all, you have to love working with people.  If you are not a people person and genuinely love  people, forget about it.  This is not the career for you.

Thirdly, if you are just looking out for Your interests, clients will see through you and drop you like a hot plate.   Even though you are looking out for the clients' interests, some of them still drop you like a hot plate.

Fourthly, if you are thinking of doing it part-time, FORGET IT!!!  You CAN'T do real estate part-time.  You will never be successful.  It is just the name of the game. 

It can be a disappointing and frustrating business if you don't develop a thick skin.  And fast!!! Otherwise, you will be one of those who left the business before giving yourself a chance to start being successful. 

And the thought of working in Real Estate should make you excited to wake up each day and go to work.  If it does not, DON'T DO IT!!!!

Sincerely,



Radha Diaram (Sales Representative)
Re/Max Real Estate Centre Inc.
(800)461-2686
www.radhadiaram.com  

Designing Your Destiny

As many of you may know, I love motivating others.  I strongly believe that life is meant to be shared and enjoyed with those you love and for me, I learn something new from everyone I meet, therefore, I feel happy to also let those I come across learn something from me.

Many of us go through life satisfied with just being ordinary.  I'm not putting down ordinary, but so many of us do not realize that we have the potential to be extraordinary.  We have the ability to hold destiny in our own hands and create for ourselves what we strongly desire to have in our lives.

What keeps us back??  Fear!!

It's the fear of not being successful, or not believing in ourselves which keep us from achieving the things we seek.   The fear of not having enough love, money, health, happiness or whatever you desire.  Instead of going with the natural flow of the Universe, we go against it.  We fight the very goodness that is in front of us.  If only we would calm ourselves and let the Universe take us on our natural journey, then we will start to understand that we are getting closer to what our hearts desire.  Only then, we can start choosing which avenues to take and which to leave behind.

When we understand that we can design our own future, then we stop fighting and leave everything up to the Universe.  Silence is a very powerful thing.  Start spending time with yourself.  Develop this as part of your daily routine.  Sit every day and relax your body and mind and you will realize that pretty soon you will start connecting with the Universe on an entirely different level.  As time goes by you will see that your wisdom and insight start expanding and you discover new ways and means to realize your dreams. 

Speak to the Universe and ask for what you want.  Then believe that He will bring it to you and just get ready to receive it.  As sure as the sun rises each day and sets, your dreams will start coming true.  Miracles happen every day.  You just have to believe.  Start living your life as though your already have achieved everything you desire and you will be amazed by the outcome.  Feel the joy of already having it and everyday will be a miraculous one.

Love your life and be grateful for everything you have been blessed with.  Forget what dissatisfaction means.  Just enjoy every moment to its fullest.  Wake up every day with the enthusiasm of discovering the miracles of living and miracles will start coming to you. 

Start feeling the joys of just being alive and well and greater joy and happiness will start coming your way. 

So......Start Designing Your Own Destiny!!!  It will blow you away.....to greater love....greater happiness....greater harmony.

Sincerely,

Radha Diaram (Sales Representative)
Re/Max Real Estate Centre Inc.
115 First Street
Orangeville  ON L9W 3J8
Office: 800-461-2686
www.radhadiaram.com

Happy Day!!!!

Today is my 'Happy' Day.  A few days ago, a friend of mine got on my case for not being happy.  He said something to me that I already knew all along, but was not paying much attention to - You are the only one who can make yourself happy, Radha!!!!  So true.  We get so bogged down with daily living that we forget to be excited about just being alive and well.  We expect others to create that happines for us.  My friends, no one can do that for us.  We are in control, not just of our happiness, but our lives. 

Since then, I wake up each day, excited just to see the miracles that the day brings us.  And believe me, there are lots.

So make a concerted effort to be truly happy today.  Sit quietly for just a few minutes and enjoy your blessings.

The Joys Of Having A Pet

I've had my beautiful dog Sammy for almost 10 years now.  When I got him, he was only 5 years.  I can't believe he is almost fifteen (15) years old.  Still up and running and in great shape.  He is a bit deaf now, which I only realized about 6 months ago. 

The joys which a pet brings to our lives can only be understood by another pet owner.  Too many people think having a pet robs them of their time and freedom. If you believe that, don't have one.  You are not ready.  It actually gives us a better temperament and makes us into more peaceful and kinder people.  All pet owners know what I am saying and feeling. 

Sammy is my ten pound pom-a-poo.  He loves me with a passion and like most pets, is always ecstatic when I get home.  He follows me around everywhere and understands my every conversation I have with him.  He is indeed a smart dog, and I love him completely.  He drives my husband crazy sometimes, but I know my husband loves him dearly too. 

That's another thing with pets - they always favour one member of the family the most. 

When we decide to get a pet, we have to find the right one for us.  Some people are 'cat people', others would prefer a dog or hamster or fish.  Make sure you are committed to take great care of that animal.  You are being entrusted with the welfare of a life.  Don't depend on anyone else to care for your pet.  You are the one who wants to have a pet, not necessarily anyone else in your household.  If you are not that committed, you are definite not ready.  Hold off until you are.

Have fun with your pets.  They are there to enjoy and love and life is always better with them.  They become a member of the family and and will love you unconditionally.  Oh!!!! The joys of having a pet.

10 Things I Am Grateful For In My Life

Being grateful every day is an invigorating feeling.  There are thousands of things which we have in our lives that are missing in other peoples'.  Here are 10 things I am Super Grateful For:

1)   Waking up Perfectly Healthy

2)   Having use of All My Senses - Being able to see, hear, smell, taste, talk, walk, laugh, cry,
         experience so many different emotions

3)   Abundance of love, family and friends

4)   Abundance of food, clothing, shelter, warmth

5)   Amazing husband who loves me dearly and whom I love dearly

6)   My Intelligence, Insight, Wisdom and Knowledge

7)   A Job and Career to go to each day

8)   My ability to genuinely love and care for people and animals

9)   God has Blessed me with the ability to motivate and encourage people

10) My Ability to Love Myself which allows me to love others easily

Let us make this day one of feeling grateful.  Let's make it a Super Happy Day for ourselves and those around us.  May you all have a wonderful day today and let it rub off on everyone we come into contact with.

Sincerely

Radha Diaram
Re/max Real Estate Centre Inc.
Direct: (905)703-8677
Office: (800)461-268
www.radhadiaram.com
radhadiaram@remax.net
 

Spring Into Action - Now is the time To Sell

When it comes to selling in spring, many Sellers are reluctant to make the first move. Whether they're holding off to see how well the market is moving or being meticulous in preparing their house for sale, many seem to put the 'For Sale' sign up at the end of spring rather than the beginning.

Perhaps the main reason for trying to sell is that there is less competition from other Sellers.  With fewer properties to choose from, buyers are often keener, and tend to overlook negative aspects of a house, than if there is a lot of choice.

Uusally the best time to put your property on the market,  is when you have the least amount of competition.  Many people who sell during spring also want to buy then. To do both, they should be selling as soon as possible so they can also become buyers later in the season.

 Spring might be a time when sellers get inspired because the weather is warmer, the garden is greener and the house less damp. But it's also when buyers shrug off the gloom of winter and start thinking about a new house.

 If you want to sell this spring,  it is not too late. But you need to act quickly: tidy the garden; consider repainting, or at least give your home a good cleaning; and get rid of excess furniture and odds and ends. 

Vendors who come to the market fairly early in spring actually do pretty well because they tend to get the most motivated buyers. And because buyers in early spring are keen, many early offers on houses are often good ones.

In Canada, the Spring Market has arrived.  Sellers, don't waste time in getting your house on the market.  Now is indeed the Right Time.

Don't hesitate to contact me for a free evaluation.....now!!!!!

Sincerely,

Radha Diaram
Re/Max Real Estate Centre Inc.
www.radhadiaram.com/freeevaluation
Office: (800)461-2686

How About A Little Laugh?????

Here is a laugh for you.....   Enjoy!!!!



Valentine’s Day Dream:

After she woke up, a woman told her husband, "I just dreamed you gave me a diamond necklace for Valentine’s Day. What do you think it means?"

"You’ll know tonight," he said.

That evening the husband came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it--to find a book entitled “The Meaning of Dreams.”

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Who Should Make the Coffee?

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning.

The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee."

The husband said, "You are in charge of the cooking around here so you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides it says in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."

Husband replies, "I can't believe that! Show me."

So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says, "HEBREWS."

 

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Switching Grooms:

Little Emily was at her first wedding and gaped at the entire ceremony. When it was over, she asked her mother, "Why did the lady change her mind?"

Her mother asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, she went down the aisle with one man and came back with another one."

 

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How Many Women?

A little boy was attending his first wedding. After the service, his cousin asked him, "How many women can a man marry?"

"Sixteen," the boy responded.

His cousin was amazed that he knew the answer so quickly. "How do you know that?"

"Easy," the little boy said.

"All you have to do is add it up, like the Preacher said: 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, 4 poorer."

 

 

Valentine's Day

What does Valentine's Day mean to most of us???????????????

 I am guessing it is a day to show our loved ones how much we love and care for them and to do something special to commemorate the day.  Some of us buy our Valentine a gift or take him/her out for dinner or a play or a romantic movie.  So many things one can do to make the day special.

That's all fine and dandy.  It's great we can take the time to plan something different and special, but do we make that person feel loved every day? 

I am a strong believer that we should always be kind and loving to those closest to us.  Wake up each day and have a smile or kiss waiting for those we love.  Let them know each day how much we appreciate them and tell them so.  Express it in words as well as deeds.  We don't need a day like Valentine's Day to roll around annually, so we can express our love.  Let the love surround us in our daily lives.  We will be so much richer and better for it.

I have always considered myself  'lucky with love', so to speak.  God has blessed me richly with a very loving family.  And again with a husband who loves me and whom I love deeply.  My in-laws who have brought me into their homes and lives and who treat me like one of the family.  I also have friends who are near and dear to me.

They all know who they are and will never doubt my love for them and how special they all are to me.  I never hesitate to let them know how much I love them.  

Let's all be a 'love magnet' and invite that special love into our lives.  If you are feeling like there is a lack of love in your life presently, start by being kind and loving to the next person you come across.  A simple kind word or smile at someone will bring joy and a smile to that person and a chain reaction starts happening.  You yourself will find your spirits lifting from giving of yourself, and the magnet will start attracting a new and different kind of love into your life. 

You will be amazed by the effects of the emotion called LOVE!!!   Go For IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.  Have a great day.  From NOW.   Right NOW.  Forget about starting on February 14th.  Do it NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Warmth Of Community Living - Choices Youth Shelter and Next Choice

Orangeville has a lot to boast about for a small community. I am proud to be associated with 'Choices Youth Shelter'.   Last week I was invited to the Opening Ceremony of 'Next Choice'.  Next Choice is a spin off from 'Choices Youth Shelter' in Orangeville.  It's a resource within Dufferin County that offers youths between 16 and 24 years an alternative to living on the streets and also supports their transition to a productive and brighter future. 
Next Choice was brought about to provide this transition to youths who are commited to making their future better and brighter.

The staff at Choices are amazing individuals who are greatly committed to helping these youths.  It certainly is not an easy challenge, but it is definitely a worthwhile one. Mary Vervoort is Choices' Executive Director and works tirelessly with the other members to see that these youths have a home away from home.

The wonderful thing that keeps this home going is the support of so so many people of Dufferin County.  These residents are committed to helping Choices not just morally but in various ways such as donating their time, money, efforts, manual labour and themselves in doing whatever it takes to providing for these youths who pass through this home.  Mary and her staff see to it that these youths take responsiblity for their own actions and teach them to be aware that they have the choice and ability to improve themselves in ways unimaginable.

May God bless everyone who gives back to their community and may all the youths of Dufferin County and Nationwide know that there is always that  special 'angel' who will be there for them if or when the need arises.

Sincerely

Radha Diaram
ReMax Real Estate Centre Inc.
(800)461-2686
www.radhadiaram.com

Getting You Home Ready For The Spring Real Estate Market

If you’re thinking of selling your home in the spring market, you should start early to get it sale-ready. Depending on the upgrades your home needs, it could become very time consuming to complete them especially if you try to do the work in between your day job and family activities.

Major overhauls like redoing bathrooms and kitchens aren’t necessary in order to sell your home. If your bathrooms and kitchen could use updating you should consider whether spending the money to do it will result in a good return on your investment. The most conservative approach to selling an outdated home is to price it accordingly. Don’t expect to list it at the same price as the other homes for sale that have had upgrades.

Even if yours doesn’t need updating there are a few minor changes you can make that will have a good return on your real estate investment. The most significant changes you can make include:

Updating the flooring

Adding a fresh coat of paint

De-cluttering

Cleaning like there’s no tomorrow



These sound easy to accomplish on paper but getting them done is another matter. You can begin by assessing what needs to be done and doing so early in the year. Consult with your Realtor and seek her advice on considering a professional home stager.

If you plan on re-carpeting or having other flooring changed, you will need to allow plenty of time to do so before listing your home for sale. Changing the flooring will require moving the clutter first and it is better to paint before redoing the flooring. That means you’ll need to hire a painter and flooring professional or set aside a significant amount of time to do these chores yourself.

Updating Flooring
You will need to allow time for choosing a flooring specialist to work with. Aside from visiting their gallery to see samples, you will need to allow time for measuring, time to choose the flooring, and time for them to get a written quotation back to you. If you plan to compare quotes, you will need more time for extra appointments.

Flooring professionals need lead time to order your product and to book their service crew. Some flooring experts will book you within a couple of weeks while others will need several weeks’ notice. Set a target date for your flooring installation with a goal to have it completed a week or two before you want to show your home. You won’t want to leave time for the new flooring to become soiled or for pets to damage it before showing your house.

Re-Carpeting

Re-carpeting is a good option if you already have carpet. It is less costly and you will get a better return on your investment than if you replace all your floors with hardwood. Hardwood floors are the modern trend and may help your home to sell quicker, but the amount you'll be able to raise your asking price to is usually marginal compared to the exorbitant cost of laying the hardwood. A carpet professional can help you choose something current and inexpensive that is suitable for showcasing your home for sale.

Painting
If you’re hiring a professional painter, allow time to get estimates. It can be frustrating when a painter you’ve booked for an estimate cancels his visit because he’s taken on a bigger job. It is important to allow time for problems like this.

Choosing the paint colours themselves can become very time consuming when trying to find a happy medium between neutralizing your home’s colours, keeping them modern, and complementing existing or new furniture and fixtures.

Once you’ve chosen your colours and are ready for the painting to begin you will need time to pick up the paint and supplies and do prep work unless a painter will be doing it for you.

A professional may also notice things you should repair such as cracks in ceilings or walls. It is important to repair cracks, drywall tape that may be lifting, and to repaint any ceilings marred by smokers. Drywall repair compound or similar products will need drying and sanding time. Priming and repainting ceilings is very time consuming.

As you can see, a good paint job means more than slapping a new paint colour on.

De-Cluttering

Once the walls are painted and the flooring laid you will need a day or two to finish de-cluttering closets, crawl spaces, the garage and so forth. You may want to rent a portable storage unit to temporarily remove items from view. You’ll need a day or even a week of lead-time for delivery of the bin, a day or two to load it, and another appointment to have it taken away to the storage facility.

Cleaning
The more you can clean the better. You may want to consider hiring a cleaning service to clean specific areas like your appliances or washrooms and kitchen in order to conserve your energy.

A professional window washer that cleans both the indoors and outdoors will bring that extra sparkle to your home making it look fresh and new.

Setting Deadlines
In order to achieve the best results in a timely way, it is important to draw up a schedule outlining deadlines:

Start by choosing what you feel is an ideal listing date. Then work backwards.

Allow a couple of weeks to clean your home and stage your furniture just before showing it and for an appointment with your realtor to finalize your contract.

Set a deadline for having the flooring completed allowing a six-week period to get the process going.

Set a two to four week period before that for painting.

Often floor baseboards need removing prior to flooring changes. Removing, touching them up and reinstalling them will gobble up another day or two.

Allow several days to de-clutter and complete other repairs.



As you can see, to accomplish even a minor overhaul needs several weeks or months of lead-time. The spring market is a hot selling time you won’t want to miss. Getting your home into sale condition early is very important if you want to capitalize on the rush of buyers hunting down their perfect home.

In today’s competitive real estate market, it pays to be prepared. When you make minor changes to your home, you will have more peace of mind, you will receive more traffic, and you will get better results. Allow plenty of time by starting early in the New Year.

To find out what your home is worth, go to: www.radhadiaram.com/homeevaluation
For more informative blogs and other interesting features, visit me at: www.radhadiaram.com/radhasblog



Sincerely

Radha Diaram
Remax Real Estate Centre Inc.
www.radhadiaram.com
radhadiaram@remax.net
(800)461-2686

How To Win At The Game Of Credit

This Blog is a little different from most of my other writings. 

Today I am inviting you, your family and friends to a Credit Seminar.  The details are as follows:

WHEN: January 23, 2013

WHERE: Re/Max Real Estate Centre Inc.
                115 First Street
                Orangeville  ON  L9W 3J8

TIME:    7.00 p.m.

TOPIC: How to Win at the Game of Credit!!!!
FEATURING.........
10 Questions that DEMAND an Answer!!

1. What the Banks DO NOT want us to know!
2. Why was I turned down for a credit card or loan?
3. What is a Beacon Score?
4. How is credit effected by Marriage/Divorce or Death?
5. I am embarrassed about my credit, how can I improve it?
6. How do I get a credit card without a credit rating?
7. What do I pay when there is more month than money?
8. What is better, bankruptcy or consumer proposal?
9. Should I cut up my credit cards and work with cash only?
10. What should I do next?

To book your place for this informative session, please email me at: radhadiaram@remax.net

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Radha Diaram

Re/Max Real Estate Centre Inc.

(800)461-2686

www.radhadiaram.com

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!

Hope 2013 brings you and your family the best of good health, happiness and harmony.

I had a lot of time to think deeply during this holiday season.  It is not unusual for my husband and I to spend Christmas quietly.  We use this time to relax and spend time with each other and if I can help it, I don't even go on the computer, so we had about 10 days of just doing whatever our hearts desired.
I found that all my Christmas and New Year wishes to my friends, family and clients were pretty much the same thing -  happiness, good health, harmony and prosperity.  When you think about it, happiness and harmony is really the key to life.  If we are happy, everything else falls into place.  Like a complex puzzle, after a while, everything starts making sense, one piece at a time. 
I called my big brother Christmas day and he said something that I had never really thought of in that light.  He said I am very contented and as long as I am contented, I am happy.  I thought of that statement for a long time and realized that that is exactly what happiness is.  If one is contented, one will always be happy.
The big question is, 'How do we become contented?'
It is a simple answer: Be grateful for what we have TODAY. 

I'll Explain:  We all have dreams and want more things in life.  That is perfectly normal and okay.  That's what we live for.  We as human beings want to improve our quality of life constantly, but in order to do that, we must be grateful to the Universe for providing us with all the positive things in our lives.  That brings us contentment and along comes our happiness.  Then everything else we want start falling in place.  Like the puzzle I talked about earlier.

Let's start being grateful for everything.  Let's look at the sun rising each day and know that that in itself is a miracle from God.  One he has provided us with to keep us warm.  Look at your family and friends and know that that is a miracle He has given us to keep us loved and appreciated.   Be grateful each day that you can get out of bed and walk, and see and hear and talk and laugh and cry and experience all the emotions he has bestowed upon us.  Tell him how grateful to Him you are and little by little you will find your contentment.....you will find your happiness and joy.

Let's look at this new year as a new beginning.  Let's make a few adjustments in how and what we think.  We all have the power.  But that will follow in another one of my blogs.

Sincerely

Radha Diaram
ReMax Real Estate Centre Inc.
(800)461-2686
www.radhadiaram.com
radhadiaram@remax.net