TorontoRealEstateBLOG.com

SEASON'S GREETINGS TO All!

 

Kristen, Kathryn and Kyle - our raison d'etres!

WE HOPE THE HOLIDAY SEASON BRINGS YOU JOY AND HAPPINESS!

PLEASE SEE THE LINK BELOW FOR SOME BEAUTIFUL SCENES AND WORDS OF WISDOM! (may take some time to load - left click on your mouse to scroll through the scenes)

Download 45LESONSINLIFE

YARD SALE FOR THE CURE - SATURDAY, MAY 30th

Yard Sale For The Cure is the brainchild of some friends of mine - Rachael Smith nad Andrew Howard.   Click Here to read about how it all began. It's an inspiring story and the fundraising idea is brilliant. I'm proud to say that RE/MAX Hallmark is a founding sponsor of this worthwhile cause.

Yard Sale for the Cure is an organization that raises money for Breast Cancer research and treatment by holding a massive series of Yard Sales in selected neighbourhoods across Canada. In 2005, the inaugural event was held in the Toronto Beaches. It was a huge success, raised $45 000 and brought people together with a great sense of community and purpose. Now a growing number of people from across Canada are taking on this idea and Yard Sale for the Cure will be launched in markets across the country. To date Yard Sale for the Cure has raised over $450,000.

Yard Sale for the Cure will be widely publicized and advertised in each of the communities, so lots of people will be attracted to shop at your Yard Sale. In fact, in 2006, $3.2 million dollars of PR and over $200 thousand in free media was secured to help promote the one event.

For more information about organizing a Yard Sale go to their website at www.yardsaleforthecure.com

 

How Can I Help You Today?

John den Ouden

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage

Email me at jdenouden@trebnet.com

Here We Grow Again! We've Got You Covered!

RE/MAX Hallmark Adds two Offices in Richmond Hill and Oak Ridges.

 

Ken McLachlan, Broker owner of RE/MAX Hallmark, has announced that they have incresed their already strong presence in the Richmond Hill area by acquiring 2 real estate offices. Before the addition of these two offices, RE/MAX Hallmark already attributed to many deals in Richmond Hill. In fact our company is  ranked in the Top 10 of real estate company's in Richmond Hill - without having an office in the community. The new additions to RE/MAX Hallmark of these office will now give us a leading market share in the area.

 

With the additions, RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd now has over 500 of the best real estate agents to serve the real estate community. Here are the locations and contact numbers:

RE/MAX HALLMARK REALTY LTD.  69 Underhill Drive   Toronto	C13	416-444-2144
RE/MAX HALLMARK REALTY LTD.   3434 Yonge Street  Toronto	C04	416-489-3434
RE/MAX HALLMARK REALTY LTD.   8 Weldrick Road West  Richmond Hill	N03	905-883-4922
RE/MAX HALLMARK REALTY LTD.   13321 Yonge Street   Richmond Hill	N05	905-313-8993
RE/MAX HALLMARK REALTY LTD.   724 Pape Avenue   Toronto	E03	416-462-1888
RE/MAX HALLMARK REALTY LTD.   2237 Queen Street East   Toronto	E02	416-699-9292
RE/MAX HALLMARK REALTY LTD  245 Fairview Mall Dr, Ste. 108  Toronto	C15	416-494-7653
RE/MAX HALLMARK REALTY LTD.   697 Mount Pleasant Road  Toronto	C10	416-486-5588

 

 "Our goal has always been and will continue to be, to grow our company in a fiscally responsible manner, with the addition of quality Realtors at key office locations.

Yesterday was a strong fulfillment of that goal and we couldn't be more pleased."

Congratulations Ken and Debra! You lead the real estate industry with your excellence  and committment to your agents.

                            

How Can I Help You Today!                         

John den Ouden

Email me at jdenouden@trebnet.com

The “Scary Times” Success Manual

In my business I talk to a lot of people on a daily basis. For the most part, these days, the conversations revolve around the real estate market and the economy and the theme of uncertainty that seems to soak into our consciousness. It's no wonder when all the media has to talk about is negative news (ex. CNN - Constantly Negative News).

I have said before, I don't dwell on the negatives and like to hang out with people who "default to the positive possibilities in life". That doesn't mean I'm oblivious to the state of the econmy where many people are loosing their jobs and people are struggling to cope financially. People are referring to the "scary times" ahead.

Not too long after that fateful day of September 11th, 2001, a time when economic and political events were making people anxious and fearful about their futures, a guy named Dan Sullivan (the Strategic Coach) developed 10 strategies for transforming the negativity of the current situation into opportunities for growth, progress and achievement. He wrote these strategies with the entrepreneur in mind, but, in my opinion, many of them can apply to the everyday Joe six-pack.

This blog entry is a bit lengthy, but Dan's hopes were that these strategies would support creative thinking, communications and actionsin the times ahead. I think they're worth repeating.

1. Forget about yourself, focus on others.

Uncertainty can drive people into themselves, making them feel isolated and helpless. The best strategy here is to go in the opposite direction, expanding your connection with others — focusing on helping them transform their negatives into positives. The more you contribute in this fashion, the less you will need to worry about your own situation. You will become a source of confidence for everyone else.

2. Forget about your commodity, focus on your relationships.

In uncertain times, people become frightened about the viability of their “commodities” — the things they sell and the jobs they hold. A more strategic response here is to disregard your own commodity and focus on deepening the power and possibility of all your relationships — with family, friends, team members, suppliers, clients, customers, and prospects. Every time you strengthen a relationship, the viability of your commodity will increase.

3. Forget about the sale, focus on creating value.

Most people don’t like being sold at the best of times. When the future is less certain, they turn off, hang up, and slam shut. But what people want at all times is value creation — that is, solutions that help them eliminate their dangers, capture their opportunities, and reinforce their strengths. When you focus on providing these three solutions, the sales will naturally follow.

4. Forget about your losses, focus on your opportunities.

Things you had and may have taken for granted sometimes disappear. Some people never get over this. They keep trying to replay their old games. A better strategy is to start an entirely new game — using new ideas, new energies, new tools, and new resources. As the world changes, opportunities suddenly become available to achieve far more than you ever did in the past.

5. Forget about your difficulties, focus on your progress.

Because of some changes, things may not be as easy as they once were. New difficulties can either defeat you or reveal new strengths. Your body’s muscles always get stronger from working against resistance. The same is true for the “muscles” in your mind, your spirit, and your character. Treat this whole period of challenge as a time when you can make your greatest progress as a human being.

6. Forget about the “future,” focus on today.

The “future” is an abstraction. It doesn’t exist except as an idea. The only future that has any reality is the one that you continually create for yourself through each day’s contributions, achievements, and results. This is an excellent time to ignore all those experts who never saw the present circumstances coming. Focus on what you can do over the course of each 24 hours, and you’ll be the only expert on the future you’ll ever need.

7. Forget about who you were, focus on who you can be.

Many people define themselves by external circumstances. When these abruptly or unexpectedly change, they don’t know who they are, so they keep trying to be who they used to be. From now on, take your cues from the inside — from your dreams, ideals, values, and operating principles. These need never change, regardless of the circumstances. Take advantage of external confusion to become self-directed, self-managed, and self-motivated.

8. Forget about events, focus on your responses.

When things are going well, many people think they are actually in control of events. That’s why they feel so defeated and depressed when things turn bad. They think they’ve lost some fundamental ability. The most consistently successful people in the world know they can’t control events — but continually work toward greater control over their creative responses to events. Any period when things are uncertain is an excellent time to focus all of your attention and energies on being creatively responsive to all of the unpredictable events that lie ahead.

9. Forget about what’s missing, focus on what’s available.

When things change for the worse, many desirable resources are inevitably missing — including information, knowledge, tools, systems, personnel, and capabilities. These deficiencies can paralyze many people, who believe they can’t make decisions and take action. A strategic response is to take advantage of every resource that is immediately available in order to achieve as many small results and make as much daily progress as possible. Work with every resource and opportunity at hand, and your confidence will continually grow.

10. Forget about your complaints, focus on your gratitude.

When times get tough, everyone has to make a fundamental decision: to complain or to be grateful. In an environment where negative sentiment is rampant, the consequences of this decision are much greater. Complaining only attracts negative thoughts and people. Gratitude, on the other hand, creates the opportunity for the best thinking, actions, and results to emerge. Focus on everything that you are grateful for, communicate this, and open yourself each day to the best possible consequences.  

 

Remebering back 7+ years ago, there were better times ahead! And so to now, there are better times ahead for all of us. Captain James T. Kirk might have said "Sulu, set a course for new heights of success and happiness! To which Sulu would reply "Course set Captain!" ENGAGE!

For more information about Dan Sullivan go to his website at   http://www.thestrategiccoach.com/

Life is Fine in 2009!

           

That line puts a smile on my face! I've always been someone who sees life as a journey. I don't dwell on the negatives and like to hang out with people who "default to the positive possibilities in life". We all have challenges in life and it's important to rise up to them. I'm incredibly lucky and blessed to be surrounded by a family (wife and 3 kids) who believe in me and to have a circle of friends and acquaintances who make me laugh and who engage me with great conversation and the sharing of goods time together.

As much as I don't set New Years resolutions, I do have big and challenging plans for 2009. I'm looking to expand my real estate business dramatically by networking with like minded individuals who have a desire to succeed. After 21+ years in this great profession, I have been blessed with an incredible number of past clients who often refer their friends and family to me - which I am forever greatful. I have surrounded myself with the best professionals in various lines of business who I refer to assist my clients with such things as mortgage financing, home inspections, legal services, contractors, trades people and more.

I turned 50 last spring and, although I am in "resonable shape" - shheeesh, I'm committed to transform my physical condition. I have embarked on an intense workout regime which will have me in the best shape of my life. This will come in handy to keep up with my 3 young kids. Stephanie is on board to do the same. We're excited at the prospect of getting into top physical condition.

In our line of business, I beleive in working hard and playing hard. Working and playing hard requires being in the right frame of mind. To that end, I'd like to share what I call "My Words of Wisdom" which I read often and inspires me to go out and make a difference in the lives I'm fortunate to come in contact with everyday.

Practice random acts of kindness - Daily!

Send out love - it builds your amune system and theirs.

Forgiveness beats anger and hostility - saves your heart.

Find joy by being greatful!

Be a CFF - Chief Fun Fairy!

Kids Love Ta Das! We are all closet Ta Das!

Ask your kids every day: "What's the best thing that happened to you today?" 

There are risks and costs to a problem of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction. - JFK

Accomplishment is as addictive as procrastination. But it pays better.

Every village needs a hero! Be a hero!

Do your to do list - NOW!

Don't Complain! Don't Condemn! Don't Criticize!  Dale Carnegie.

Study the winners.

Take 25 seconds to make a better decision about your response to a stimlus.

Plan your time or somebody else will. Spend 15 minutes planning your next day.

Always think outside the BOX!

Hardship is only temporary - Get over it!

Talk to new people everyday!

Ask buyers and sellers what they envision their real estate goals to be - then go out and accomplish them.

Don't be afraid to fail! You grow from your failures.

Make someone smile!'

Make your future bigger than your past!

Make a genuine contribution!

Make sure everyone knows you're in Real Estate!

Don't make decisions based on the expectations of others.

Be Authentic! Be Present! Be Spontaneous!

Forgive yourself!

SMILE EVERYONE - IT'S A GOOD LIFE!         

Is there anything I can help you with today!

 

Seasons Greetings!

   

Click here for our Special Holiday Greeting (Games for the kids!) 

Earth is Amazing!

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How can I help you today?

Is Apocalyptic Anxiety the new Trend?

The media would have you think so! 

When I walk through the stores and see the crowds in the restaurants and everyone pretty much going about their business as usual, it makes me question (even more than I normally do) the alarmist crap the newspapers spit out each day. 

So, maybe, just maybe there is something to this article.

 

Crisis? What crisis?

MADELAINE DROHAN

Globe and Mail Update

December 4, 2008 at 12:32 PM EST

OTTAWA

Canada may be in a political crisis, but it is not in an economic one. Why do so many people prefer to believe that we are?

In the rancorous debate in the House of Commons last Tuesday, the words “economic crisis” were uttered 51 times by members of all political stripes as they wrestled for control of the country. On Bay Street and Main Street there is constant talk of economic meltdown and frequent references to the Great Depression as if we are poised on the brink of a similar precipice.

The facts don't back this up. There are trouble spots, certainly, especially in the North American auto industry and the forestry sector, both of which were already in decline long before banks started toppling on Wall Street. And there is no denying that the U.S. economy is in bad shape, which will eventually have some as yet undefined impact here.

But the latest figures show the Canadian economy was still growing through the end of September, unemployment remains low and most forecasters are calling for a modest contraction next year, which while unpleasant is hardly a nightmare scenario.

Clearly there is something to be gained from saying we are in a crisis, even if we aren't.

The political motivation is easiest to identify. The Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Québécois could hardly say they wanted to topple the Harper government because it intended to cut their funding. That would look too self-serving to voters. Blaming the government for not reacting to a non-existent crisis is a much easier sell.

The Conservatives, meanwhile, started out dealing with the facts, insisting that the current situation did not call for extraordinary measures. This message was somewhat spoiled when they also tried to argue that hard times called for partisan cuts. By mid-week they'd given up all pretense of defending reality and were invoking the non-existent crisis as a reason that the country needed the stability only they could provide.

The only consensus among the warring politicians was on the supposedly dire state of the economy. There was a competition to outdo each other in misleading and irresponsible statements about where the economy was heading.

John F. Kennedy, the late  U.S. president, once said that the Chinese character for crisis had two elements – danger and opportunity. It is the latter that explains why many companies and indeed whole sectors are backing the crisis theory now.

The banks were in there early, calling for extraordinary government aid because of the impact on Canada of the global economic crisis. The Harper government is in the process of borrowing $75-billion dollars, ratcheting up interest-bearing debt in the process, in order to buy mortgages from the banks. Somehow this generous gesture on the part of Canadian taxpayers, who might well have wanted to spend the borrowed money on other things, has slipped below the radar.

The North American car makers also have their hands out, claiming they need help to survive the crisis, even though it has been clear for some time that they were in deep trouble of their own making. “Help us out of the hole we dug,” is not a winning argument when it comes to prying loose government money. So the crisis is invoked yet again, in both the U.S. and Canada 

The car makers are far from the only ones who gain from a crisis atmosphere. All those infrastructure projects that the federal and provincial governments have vowed to speed up mean extra work for engineering firms, designers, suppliers and builders. Who among them would dare mention at this delicate juncture that things really aren't that bad?

Then there are the media. Alarmist headlines and stories are so much more fun to publish or broadcast, regardless whether they reflect the facts. Bad news sells, is the maxim. Journalists don't like to think that they are selling a product, but their corporate owners are keenly focused on the bottom line.

That may not mean there is overt pressure to consciously slant coverage towards the negative. But every journalist worth his or her salt knows subconsciously that a crisis story is more likely to hit the front page or lead the broadcast than some namby-pamby item about things going better than expected.

This deluge of bad news and catastrophic predictions eventually seeps into the public consciousness, frightening people into spending less and saving more, thus helping to create a real crisis. That said, it was heartening to see an Ipsos-Reid poll this week in which 56 per cent of respondents said they thought doomsday predictions of severe recession in Canada were exaggerations.

There is still common sense to be found in Canada, just not among our political, business or opinion leaders.

Canada's Most Giving Real Estate Office!

The December issue of Real Estate Marketing Magazine (REM) published an article about our company -  RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage. I'm proud to say that I have been associated with this real estate company for almost 20 years. The article speaks for itself!

Click here to Download REM Dec '08 Canada's most giving real estate office

John den Ouden

How can I Help You Today?

    

 

30 Years of Time Magazine Covers

At times like this, that is, times of declining

stock markets prompted by an economic

downturn and/or recession, the media play a

significant role in creating fear in the minds of

investors. Unfortunately, they are so successful

at doing this that many investors are driven to

make the wrong investment decisions (i.e. to

invest more conservatively or to not invest at all

until "things get better"). To highlight this fact,

someone went to the TIME magazine website and

looked back 30 years for all the cover stories

which illustrated worries (many of which

warned of doom and gloom) about the economy

or the stock market. They also looked at how much

a $1,000 investment in the stock market*on the

day the "doom and gloom"issue hit the stands,

would be worth ten years later. I think you will

find the results very interesting.

Click here to Download 30_years_of_time_magazine_covers.pdf

I have no verification that the statements in the presentation are true.

Is there anything I can help you with today?