Recent Blog Posts by Constantine Isslamow

Canada's Economy Unexpectedly Stalls in July

Real gross domestic product was unchanged in July after a 0.1 per cent increase in June, according to Statistics Canada. It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!, Constantine Isslamow Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Independently Owned and Operated www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21 CENTUM Core Financial Inc. ...

Easy ways to save valuable time

1. Don't give out your work e-mail address for personal use. If you've already done this, provide your personal e-mail address and advise contacts that you do not check your personal e-mail during business hours. Average Daily Time Savings = 30 minutes per day. 2. Don't give out your business phone number for personal use. If you've already done this, provide your home number and advise contacts ...

Coaching Tips & Strategies #27

LISTING STRATEGIES (8) The critical differences between Features and Benefits: I hear it all the time, “We’re the best or I’m the best because we have the best this and the most advanced that” “So what?” Features are not the piece that excites someone to take action, it’s the Benefit. The consumer wants to know, “What is the benefit of working ...

Coaching Tips & Strategies #26

LISTING STRATEGIES (6) How are you verbalizing your marketing skills? (Example Step 3, - Market Knowledge): What is market knowledge? Is it a simple Market Analysis or is there more to it? Do you know the difference between Median Prices vs. Average Sales price? If so, what does it all really mean? How about days on market? Sales price as a percentage of list prices? Your commitment is ...

U.S. Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged

The U.S. central bank says economic activity has "picked up" but that its key interest rates will remain unchanged at near zero. It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!, Constantine Isslamow Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Independently Owned and Operated www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21 CENTUM Core Financial ...

Coaching Tips & Strategies #25

LISTING STRATEGIES (6) How are you verbalizing your marketing skills? (Example Step 2, - Marketing Skills): “Mr. and Mrs Seller, marketing your home is defined by using cost-effective, results proven strategies to get your home sold....Maximum exposure to the greatest number of potential buyers.... What are your expectations of me in marketing your home?” Sure, you have all the ...

Coaching Tips & Strategies #24

  LISTING STRATEGIES (5) “You know the market, you know how to market and you’re a great negotiator.” But how are you at verbalizing your negotiating skills? (Example, Step One – Negotiating Skills): “Mr. And Mrs. Seller, in your opinion, who do you feel the primary person is that I negotiate with when getting your home sold?” The typical answer ...

Most Affordable Markets in the U.S.

In its annual survey of most- and least-affordable housing markets, BusinessWeek quoted a number of experts who believe that for many people, the current low interest rates and low housing prices have combined to offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy a home. Dennis Torres, executive director of real estate operations at Pepperdine University, says, "People are going to talk about this as 'I ...

Stay Safe at Open Houses

  Open houses can be a great sales tool—but hosting one also exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people for the first time. Take these steps to stay safe: If possible, always try to have at least one other person working with you at the open house. Check your cell phone’s strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial. Upon entering ...

Coaching Tips & Strategies #23

LISTING STRATEGIES (4) Let’s talk about the “Listing Presentation”.  It’s the one time that you have to verbalize your value proposition and someone else gets to measure whether you are worth it or not. Buyers are easy to work with...they call on a sigh, you set an appointment, you ask them if they like the house, they say yes, you fill in the blanks on the contract, ...

CENTUM Mortgage Rates September 9, 2009

Effective September 9, 2009  GET THE MORTGAGE THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS  With unbiased advice, fast, flexible service, competitive rates, and access to many lending sources, I can make sure you get the mortgage that meets YOUR needs.  Call me today and SAVE!           Posted Rate % Best Rate % 1-year           ...

Units Sold January 1, 2009 - August 31, 2009 by Price Points

Peterborough and The Kawarthas Number of Units Sold by Price, Average Days on Market and Sale to List% January 1, 2009 – August 31, 2009 Price Units Sold Average Days Sale to List % <30,000 0 0 0 30000-39999 1 98 80 40000-49999 3 149 83 50000-59999 0 0 ...

Stats You Should Know August, 2009

Here is a recap of activity for the Peterborough Kawartha Association of REALTORS®. Total active listings 2,127 Compared to last year at this time 2,442 Average list price $236,759 Average market time 81 Days Compared to last year at this time 69 Days List price vs. sales price ratio 96% Compared ...

Unemployment rate in U.S. on the rise

U.S. jobless rate rises to 9.7%, economy sheds 216,000 jobs The U.S. economy sheds 216,000 jobs in August. The unemployment rate rises to 9.7 per cent, the highest level in about 26 years. It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!, Constantine Isslamow Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Independently Owned and Operated ...

Canadian Unemployment rate on the rise.

27,100 job gains in August, but unemployment rate rises to 8.7% Canada's unemployment rate rose to 8.7 per cent in August, from 8.6 per cent the previous month. The economy created 27,100 new jobs. It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!, Constantine Isslamow Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Independently Owned ...

Bank Prime Lending Rate

  June 5, 2009 2.25% July 22, 2009 2.25% September 11, 2009 Next meeting date It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!, Constantine Isslamow Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Independently Owned and Operated www.Twitter.com/ConstantineC21 CENTUM Core ...

US Federal Reserve

US Federal Reserve Board Discount Rate June 24, 2009 0.00% – 0.25% August 11, 2009 0.00% – 0.25% September 22, 2009 Next meeting date It's Your Career - I'm Here To Support YOU!, Constantine Isslamow Real Estate Broker/Mortgage Broker/Manager Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage/CENTUM Core Financial Inc. Independently ...

Canada Bond Rate

Government of Canada Bonds Bond Type July 29, 2009 August 12, 2009 August 26, 2009 1 year Treasury Bill 0.59% 0.57% 0.53% 3 year Benchmark Bond Yield 1.94% 1.80% 1.79% 5 year Benchmark Bond Yield 2.66% 2.62% 2.65% 10 year Benchmark Bond Yield 3.53% 3.52% 3.39% ...

Housing Starts

Total New Housing Starts (Seasonable adjusted and annualized) Province May 2009 May 2008 June 2009 June 2008 July 2009 July 2008 Newfoundland/Labrador 2,800 2,900 2,900 2,800 2,900 1,800 PEI 800 700 1,000 600 600 400 Nova Scotia 2,900 3,800 2,700 ...

Resale prices

Average MLS resale price for local markets City July 2008 July 2009 Halifax $236,514 $243,524 Saint John, NB $154,273 $156,010 Montréal $272,039 $280,890 Ottawa $295,134 $300,635 Toronto $371,410 $395,414 Hamilton/Burlington $281,580 $296,591 ...

Affordability Index Detached Bungalow

Housing Affordability Index Detached Bungalow   Average Price Qualifying Income Affordability Measure Province Q1 2009 Y/Y % ch. Q1 2009 Q4 2008 Q1 2009 British Columbia 480,700 -6.4 97,200 65.0 59.0 Alberta 336,100 -9.1 74,200 37.8 33.2 ...

Affordability Index Standard Two Storey

Housing Affordability Index Standard Two-Storey   Average Price Qualifying Income Affordability Measure Province Q1 2009 Y/Y % ch. Q1 2009 Q4 2008 Q1 2009 British Columbia 530,500 -6.3 107,600 72.7 65.3 Alberta 358,800 -9.7 80,900 42.3 36.2 ...

Coaching Tips & Strategies #21

Tip #21 LISTING STRATEGIES (2) What “benefits” does the seller want from the home-selling experience? It’s not that complicated however, it is very important that you stay keenly focused around this at the listing presentation. To sell the house. The highest price. The least amount of inconveniences, and The least amount of hassle. How do you communicate to a seller ...

Coaching Tips and Strategies #22

Tip #22 LISTING STRATEGIES (3) Getting listings will be one of your toughest objectives to overcome and learn.  You will face learning “new” skill sets for any of the following in all your daily activities and in your career.  So why then is getting listings tougher? You have to be more skilled!  Here are the critical steps to getting listings. You have to prospect ...