It's time to pack up the pumpkins and bring out the winter coats — November's here!

With the weather getting colder, moving houses might be the last thing on your mind but hear me out! There are clear advantages to purchasing a home when fewer people are looking. Turn to page 2 to find out why you might want to take advantage of the Real Estate low(er) season.

Know someone who is wanting to sell or buy a house? Then don't miss out on the chance to help both them and SickKids! A portion of the commission of every referral is donated to SickKids to help kids like Evelyn. You can read her inspiring story on page 3.

Don't let the chilly weather keep you home! Join us on November 25 at Black Lab Brewing — the food is on us! Grab a beer, make great connections or reconnect with old ones. Head to our Facebook page to RSVP.

Regards,

Claude Boiron
Broker

5 Reasons to Buy a House in the Winter



Have you ever wondered what is the best season to buy a house? Everyone knows spring and summer are the regular seasons for buying homes and winter is for sure a slower season for Real Estate. No one wants to walk through the snow to get to an open house or to shuffle around a ton of boxes in freezing temperatures. But the slower season can also mean better deals. Here are 5 reasons why you might want to consider buying a house in the winter.

1. Less competition and lower prices

Not everyone wants to go house shopping in the cold, which means that there will be fewer buyers on the market. Since demand is low that means you can be pickier with which house to get and there’s also a better chance of getting a good deal.

2. Motivated sellers

If a seller is listing a house in the winter then there might be circumstances causing them to be motivated to make a sale. Perhaps a job offer has dictated a winter move, or there are personal issues like divorce or a difficult financial situation. Motivated sellers are more willing to negotiate, whether it is on selling price, closing costs, closing date or even terms of the sale, including what household appliances and items are included in the sale.

3. You can put the house through its paces

Winter puts stress on the home which gives you the perfect opportunity to evaluate the property under the worst conditions possible. Is the insulation good? Is that driveway going to be a pain to shovel? Do you spot ice dams on the roof? How does the home look with barren trees and shrubs? A home that might seem perfect during the warm months could look completely different in the winter.

4. Hiring movers is usually easier

Granted, packing all your belongings and moving them in freezing weather is not easier than in the spring. But hiring movers is. Since you won’t be competing with tons of other households, you’ll be able to book your movers on a convenient schedule and you might even be able to negotiate a lower price.

5. Get your loan approved faster

Mortgage brokers aren’t as busy as they are in the spring and summer months so if you apply for a loan now you’ll be able to close faster.




Meet Evelyn

At less than 3 months old, Evelyn was admitted to SickKids. Her complexion was yellow, which told doctors her liver wasn’t working properly. SickKids doctors diagnosed biliary atresia, a rare liver disorder that affects babies soon after birth.

Her first treatment was a surgery to help her liver function. But then she developed an infection. Soon, Evelyn’s bloodwork showed her condition was worsening – she would need a liver transplant within six months. 

In the fight against liver disease, SickKids is a leader. So it was the right place for Evelyn to be. On April 4, 2014, SickKids surgeons gave Evelyn her transplant. Soon after, she began to meet all her baby milestones.




Why We Give to SickKids

Born, grew up, and now raising my own daughter right here in Toronto, I have so many lasting memories of SickKids Hospital.

As one of the best children's hospitals in the world, SickKids has been fighting for kid's health since 1875. With over 80,000 emergency visits and more than 12,000 operations a year, so many families and lives have been touched upon by SickKids. On top of that, SickKids is also a leading research institute in children's health. The invention of Pablum. The first successful separation of conjoined twins. The first kidney transplant from a living donor. Discovering the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis.