Want to know more about our listing at 47 Pearl St, Tillsonburg? Visit our exclusive property page www.oxfordgraphics.ca/47-pearl for more photos, videos & information! Beautiful 4 Bedroom Home On Oversized Lot. House has been Modernized with Many Updates Including Newly Renovated Kitchen, High-Efficiency Furnace, and New Paint Throughout. This Fully Fenced Backyard Features Inground Pool Ready to Enjoy this Summer! Contact Patricia Gallantry at 519.536.1142/Mike & Caitlyn Russo at 519.280.0100 or reach out through Facebook for more information and to set up your showing today! #Realestate #Tillsonburg #OxfordRealEstate #newyearnewhome #springmarket #tillsonburgrealestate #zolorealty #century21heritagehouse Patricia Gallantry is a sales representative with Century 21 Heritage House Ltd. Woodstock. Michael & Caitlyn Russo are sales representatives with Zolo Realty Photos by: Oxford Graphics Canada

**COMING SOON TO REALTOR.CA!** Beautiful 4 Bedroom Home On Oversized Lot. House has been Modernized with Many Updates Including Newly Renovated Kitchen, High-Efficiency Furnace, and New Paint Throughout. This Fully Fenced Backyard Features Inground Pool Ready to Enjoy this Summer! Contact Mike & Caitlyn Russo at 519.280.0100 or reach out through Facebook for more information! #Realestate #Tillsonburg #OxfordRealEstate #newyearnewhome #springmarket #tillsonburgrealestate #zolorealty Mike & Caitlyn Russo are Sales Representatives with Zolo Realty. Check out Zolo.ca and get your home search started today! Photos by: Oxford Graphics Canada

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Overwhelmed by the idea of listing your home? Worried about the next steps in achieving your real estate goals? Let us help you take control of your next move! We believe friendly advice should come without unnecessary obligations or high-pressure sales tactics. Listing your home with us means you can take full advantage of: - Shorter Contract Terms - Lower Commission Rates - Maximum Online Exposure - No Holdover Periods Not ready to take the next step yet? Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/russorealtors where we post weekly insider tips that will help you make the most of your real estate experience. Feel free to call, email or reach out through Facebook if you have any questions - we're here to help! #realestate #oxfordcounty #oxfordcountyrealestate #realestatetips #newyearnewhome #springmarket #spring2017 #realestateadvice #russorealtors #realestatetipwednesday #zolocanada #woodstock #tillsonburg #ingersoll

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A great first step for first time home buyers is to learn the lingo used in the Real Estate Industry. Being familiar with key terms can make the process a little less overwhelming and give you a well-needed boost of confidence! Here is our quick Real Estate Vocab Cheat Sheet for First Time Home Buyers: Buyer Representation Agreement (BRA) A BRA defines the relationship between the buyer (you) and the real estate brokerage that is working on your behalf. It sets out the property type and geographic location for your potential new home, lists the services to be provided, addresses the issue of the commission that may be payable to the brokerage, and it also specifies the duration of the agreement. Think of it as though a BRA is a wedding band - if you are not comfortable with the terms or the Agent, do not sign the contract! (Find out more here → http://www.reco.on.ca/buyer-seller-news/do-i-have-to-sign-a-buyer-representation-agreement/) Commission As a buyer, there is typically no upfront fee you need to pay to a Realtor helping you look for a home. A buyer’s agent is paid by the seller once their house is sold firm & closes. If a Realtor is asking for an upfront or flat rate fee, ask why and make sure you are comfortable with the reason before paying. Pre-approval Pre-approval refers to the amount that a bank or lending institution is willing to give you for your mortgage. Always speak to a mortgage agent first before going out and looking at homes. Showing A showing is an appointment for you and your Realtor to view a property you're interested in. Remember to bring a notepad and keep track of the pros and cons of each property you see. “As Is” Sometimes you may see a property being sold “As Is”, which typically means the seller is unwilling to remedy any existing issues with the property. Ask your Realtor to find out why the property is being sold “As Is”. As a first time home buyer, be careful when buying an “As Is” property - you may run into issues with financing and insuring the property. Tarion Warranty Tarion is a warranty corporation that warranties new homes in Ontario. All new homes in Ontario are legally required to be registered with Tarion. If you are purchasing a new home, make sure to ask your Realtor or the builder if they are registered with Tarion. Multiple Representations If your agent is also the listing agent or a member of the brokerage representing the seller, you are entering into what is known as multiple representations. Typically, the Realtor will work objectively for both parties but in any case, you will need to sign consent for multiple representations. If you feel uncomfortable with the arrangement, make sure to address your concerns with your Realtor and/or their brokerage. Offer Review Date When the market is hot, sellers may include an offer review date to their listing. This means that no offers will be considered before the specified date. In most offer review date scenarios, your offer will be competing against other offers collected before the offer review date. Conditions A condition is part of an offer contract that protects you as the buyer and allows you to take a specified amount of time to make sure you are ready and able to purchase the property. Standard conditions include Financing, Home Inspection & Home Insurance. Ask your Realtor for more information on these conditions and how they can be used to protect you in a real estate transaction. Conditional Offer If you’ve put in an offer on a property and the offer included requirements to be met before the sale goes through, you’ve submitted a Conditional Offer. A conditional offer gives you the flexibility to tie up a property while taking the time to make sure everything is in order for you to complete the purchase. Firm Offer When you submit an offer on a property without any conditions, you’ve submitted a firm offer. Firm offers are more attractive to sellers as there is no potential for the deal to fall through, however, a firm offer provides no protection to you as a buyer. If you are unable to secure financing or find out there are problems with the property, you will need to go through an extensive and costly process to leave the contract. Possession Possession date refers to a number of days the seller requires to close on the property. Typically, possession days are in increments of 30 days (i.e. 30, 60 or 90 days). Other unique possession requirements will be outlined by your Realtor. Deposit A deposit on an offer is different from the deposit required on your mortgage. The deposit amount on your offer will differ by location. Larger deposits may make your offer look more attractive to the seller. Ask your Realtor what an appropriate deposit would be for the area. Want to get even more information about the home buying process? Reach out to us through Facebook and ask any questions you have! We’re always happy to give free and friendly advice to first time home buyers. Get your home search started by visiting www.zolo.ca! #realestate #oxfordcounty #oxfordcountyrealestate #realestatetips #newyearnewhome #springmarket #spring2017 #realestateadvice #russorealtors #realestatetipwednesday #zolocanada

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Avoid buyer's remorse by looking for warning signs early in your home search. Try to catch major issues before getting to the point of an offer or home inspection to save yourself time, money and heartache. Here are 5 Red Flags to look for when buying a home. #1 - Foundation cracks Large cracks in the foundation can be a sign of structural problems. Take a walk around the perimeter of the house and don't forget to go into the basement to check out the condition of the foundation. If you find large, wide cracks, this can be an indication that there are serious issues with the home and and you may want to pass on putting in an offer. #2 - Amateur repairs In most homes, the previous owners have likely done some amount of work or repairs to the property. This can be a problem if the person was inexperienced and took on a repair beyond their abilities. Keep an eye out for signs of DIY mishaps - dead/scorched outlets, gaps in the flooring, dripping sinks & basically anything held together with duct tape. #3 - Covering up odours Lots of candles or air fresheners can be a sign that the sellers are trying to hide a bad odour. A bad odour can be a sign of a major issue such as water damage or mould. If you see a lot of candles or air fresheners keep an eye out for water stains or mould, especially in bathrooms, the kitchen and the basement. #4 - Stains on walls or ceiling It is always a good idea to be suspicious of any stains in a listed home. If the stain could be easily cleaned, it likely would have been prior to listing. Stains on the ceilings, in particular, can be a sign of a leaking roof. Keep track of any stains on the walls, ceiling or even carpets while visiting the property and inquire with your Realtor about the cause of any stains. #5 - Poor drainage or grading Water should always travel away from the foundation of the home. If the yard slopes towards the house this can be a warning sign for water issues with the property. If you see water pooling on the property, particularly near the foundation of the home, this is an indication that the grading is not directing water properly. Keep these red flags in mind when viewing a property to avoid buying the wrong home. While these red flags are helpful, we always recommended hiring a professional home inspector. Give us a call or reach out through Facebook if you would like more information on red flags and warning signs in a property!. Check out Zolo.ca to get started on your home search! #realestate #oxfordcounty #oxfordcountyrealestate #realestatetips #newyearnewhome #springmarket #spring2017 #realestateadvice #russorealtors #realestatetipwednesday #zolocanada

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The real estate market in Southwestern Ontario has changed drastically this year. We are seeing more buyers entering the market and not enough listing to meet the demand. This is known as a Seller’s market and can put a lot of pressure and stress on you as a buyer. Here are the top 3 tips for buying in a seller’s market: #1 - Price A seller's market is not the time to low-ball an offer. While price isn't always the only factor for a seller, it is definitely an important one. In most cases, you will have to pay at least ask and sometimes over asking in a multiple offer scenario. Ask your Realtor for advice on what price to go in at. Think about adjusting the price range of your home search a little lower to have room in case you need to go in over ask. #2 - Flexibility Try to make your offer as appealing to the seller as possible. Be flexible on the closing date so the seller finds your offer more convenient. A seller's market is not the right time to ask for more on an offer. If you ask for extra furniture, the appliances or request the seller to do work on the house, it could significantly reduce the chances of your offer being accepted. #3 - Timing The early bird gets the worm! Make sure you get in to see properties quickly. If they do not have an offer review date, the home may sell before you have a chance to look at it. Once you find a home you love, get the offer in as quickly as possible. In a seller's market, homes will sell in a matter of days! A seller's market can be tough on buyers, but it’s important not to get discouraged! Be prepared and move quickly once you find the home you love. Give us a call or reach out through Facebook if you would like more information on the current market and tips to get the home you want! Check out Zolo.ca to get started on your home search. #realestate #oxfordcounty #oxfordcountyrealestate #realestatetips #newyearnewhome #springmarket #spring2017 #realestateadvice #russorealtors #realestatetipwednesday #zolocanada

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It’s the season for Spring Cleaning! Whether you are thinking of selling or spending the first Spring season in your new home, here are 5 (easy) spring maintenance tips to up your curb appeal & increase the value of your property! #1 - Entryway The front door has a huge impact on people’s first impression of your house. Keep this area clean and free of clutter. You can also add personal touches by painting the door or changing out the hardware if it is starting to look dated. Recycling bins, ashtrays & piles of newspapers should never be left in your front entryway. #2 - Driveway and Walkway Pressure wash your driveway and walkway to get rid of dirt left over from the Winter. If your walkway is lined with plants, make sure you get rid of old, dead plants from last Summer. Tidy up the area by adding mulch or a few seasonal plants - the less visual clutter, the better! #3 - Lawn When a lawn is not well maintained, it will likely be one of the first things that people notice about your house. An unkempt lawn can create the wrong impression that your house is not well cared for. Keep your grass cut and get rid of weeds to keep your lawn looking its best. Early Spring is the perfect time to spread grass seed on your lawn. #4 - Exterior Keep the outside of your house clean by pressure washing the siding, brick and garage. You can also improve the look of your house by updating the outdoor lighting either with new light fixtures or repainting the existing ones. #5 - Roof Do a sightline check of your roof to look for potential issues. If the shingles are in rough shape, start thinking of a timeline for the repairs. Clean out the gutters to allow water to collect and drain properly. Also, make sure your downspouts carry the water away from the foundation of your home. If they don't, you can buy inexpensive plastic diverters to help direct the water. Take advantage of the nice weather and do some Spring maintenance on your house! These tips will help to improve the curb appeal of your home whether or not you are looking to sell. Give us a call or reach out through Facebook if you are interested in listing your house or for more information on maximizing curb appeal! #realestate #oxfordcounty #oxfordcountyrealestate #realestatetips #newyearnewhome #springmarket #spring2017 #realestateadvice #russorealtors #realestatetipwednesday #zolocanada

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Buying a new home is exciting and can be a great way to make a property truly your own. If you are going to purchase a new home, there are some unique factors to be aware of. Here are the top 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a New Home! #1 - Tarion Warranty Make sure to ask any Home Builder or a Realtor selling new homes if the property is covered under the Tarion New Home Warranty Program. Tarion provides a warranty to new homes in Ontario & all Ontario builders MUST be registered with Tarion to build and sell homes legally. You can search the Ontario Builder Directory to see whether your builder is registered (http://www.tarion.com/_layouts/15/buildersearch/builder_search.aspx). If the builder is not registered with Tarion, the home may have been built illegally and is likely not enrolled in Tarion's warranty program. Buying a new home without Warranty is as good as buying a Lemon. #2 - Reputation Once you have confirmed the builder is registered and the home is covered by Tarion, you should get more information about the builder's previous projects. Take an afternoon and visit some of the builder's previous sites. Are there visible defects common throughout multiple properties? If possible, try to speak to a current resident and ask them for their opinion on the builder. #3 - Upgrades Most builders charge a premium for upgrades. In some cases, it may save money to tackle some of the upgrades yourself after the house is built. Figure out what you can live without and how much money you would like to spend before splurging on upgrades. Keep in mind that the upgrades you put in yourself may not be covered under warranty. #4 - Timing A completion date on a new home is only an estimate. Many factors can affect how quickly a home is built, including weather and availability of tradespeople. This can make things complicated if you need to sell your current home or give notice to a landlord. Be conservative about a realistic completion date for your home and figure out a backup plan in case your home isn't ready in time. #5 - Construction Zone If you are buying a new build, it is likely that there are more lots to be developed on your street. You may be looking at years of construction as the street is completed. This will impact the resale value of your home until the street is finished. Just make sure you are comfortable with this rather than purchasing a resale home in an established neighbourhood. Want to know more about new homes and the Tarion Warranty Program? Give us a call or reach out through Facebook and we'll get back to you ASAP! #realestate #oxfordcounty #oxfordcountyrealestate #realestatetips #newyearnewhome #springmarket #spring2017 #realestateadvice #russorealtors #realestatetipwednesday #zolocanada

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You found the perfect house, the offer was accepted and it is time to get moving! Don't let the stress of moving take the fun out of your new home! Here are 5 easy ways to keep your next move stress-free! #1 - Keep the Essentials Accessible The items you need on a daily basis should be packed last and should be in a spot that is easy to get to. Try keeping these essential items in an overnight bag to avoid digging through boxes to find them. Another idea is to use a clear plastic bin for items you know you will need first. #2 - Label Everything The boxes will add up and it will be difficult to remember what went in which boxes. Label everything you pack away to make it easier. You can even add the room you would like each box to end up in or try colour coding boxes to make sure everything ends up in the right spot. #3 - Pack Early You won't have a lot of time on moving day to keep packing and it will cause confusion for your helpers if things are not packed yet. The best use of time is to have everything packed before the big day so you can focus on getting everything moved. #4 - Save on Moving Supplies Try stocking up on free boxes in the days leading up to your move. You can find free boxes at certain grocery or liquor stores or you can try an online post for used boxes. You can also make use of your bags and luggage to avoid paying for new boxes. #5 - Update your Address Don't forget to update your address. Let your friends and family know your new information and also make sure to update your Bank, Driver's Licence and any other services that might be sending you mail. You can also have Canada Post forward mail to your new address to make sure that you don't miss any mail while your address is updated. Moving to a new home is an exciting time! With a little planning, you can take away some of the stress of moving and focus on getting settled in your new place! If you are still looking for your next home, give us a call or reach out through Facebook to get started on your home search. You can also check out Zolo.ca to take a look at what is on the market. #realestate #oxfordcounty #oxfordcountyrealestate #realestatetips #newyearnewhome #springmarket #spring2017 #realestateadvice #russorealtors #realestatetipwednesday #zolocanada

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Infographic #2 - 5 Things To Know Before Buying A Fixer-Upper! Thinking about starting a fixer-upper project? Give us a call or reach out through Facebook and we'll help you get started! #realestate #oxfordcounty #oxfordcountyrealestate #realestatetips #newyearnewhome #springmarket #spring2017 #sellyourhome #forsale #advice #realestateadvice #russorealtors #realestatetipwednesday