RE/MAX Performance Realty
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What People Want in Downtown Living |
Sitting outside the Fixx, Bill Thiessen and his clients sip gourmet brews and share laughs in the shade of an Exchange Oak tree. Everyone is undisturbed by the scruffy looking man who approaches them off the street to ask for change. They don't flinch when a passing motorist repeatedly blows his horn and shouts obscenities at the car in front of him.
Many would probably run for cover. But these clients are part of a growing middle-class population that has fled the manicured lawns and strip malls of Winnipeg’s suburbia for downtown living.
“I think what we're seeing now is the beginning of a trend. That's not saying that people are going to stop moving to the suburbs but I think the tide has been stemmed a little bit," real estate broker Bill Thiessen said.
Bill’s clients and other ex-suburbanites say city living allows them to escape the humdrum of the burbs and puts them closer to museums, parks, theaters and nightlife.
Vacant lots and abandoned buildings still dot our city's landscape, but are farther and fewer between.
Bill’s efforts to revive Winnipeg’s downtown - dominated by an office district that is usually nearly empty by 6 p.m. each day - began over 6 years ago when Bill joined CentreVentre. Since then, he decided to join the private sector, knowing he could do more for downtown’s residential issues. Bill has established himself as downtown’s expert on residential sales and marketing. He is often heard on CJOB and quoted in the City’s papers about the many misconceptions about downtown.
Bill states “Most people, including many realtors, are unaware of amenities in our downtown. The Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten in the East Exchange, or even the great Chinese supermarkets and grocery stores.
“Most of those moving into downtown are singles or couples. I would be generalizing to say that no families are moving to the area, but they are a minority”, said Bill. “Others include people relocating from other urban environments and recent college graduates who don't want to move back to their parents' neighborhood.
"The don't want to be out in the suburbs where there are families, they want to be in a more energized environment where they can meet people,"
Back at the Fixx, the clients say moving downtown has helped them develop a bond with locals. Among this group, there's no longing to return back to the green yards of suburbia.
"Every once in a while I have this nostalgia for cutting the grass," said Bill’s clients who is a 50-year-old art gallery owner. "But I sit quietly and it always passes." |
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From Pioneer Building to Matriarch Project |
There was a time when moving downtown was seen as a “pioneeresque” undertaking. Then in the late 80’s came The Ashdown Warehouse Condo project. People were curious, but sales were slow, only the brave of heart, independent thinkers dared to forge ahead with the paperwork of buying one of these units.
Throughout the 90’s sales at the project took time and returns for people were scant.
During the past few years, a change has taken place. People have recognized the downtown area as a viable, stylish alternative to suburban living. Developers have come into the area and taken a chance on building out old, unused warehouses. They have turned these old structures into some of the most elegant living spaces in the city.
The Ashdown, in turn, has become the matriarch of all that has come to pass in our central neighborhood. To many, it is now seen as the most established and dependable warehouse/condo project in the city.
As a result, we are now seeing record sales in the building. Most recently were the building’s first 3 sales of 2008, which were biding wars.
It’s a new real estate day everyone. Enjoy your foresight.
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Preparing your Condo For Marketing |
One condo will sell within days and another will remain on the market for months... Why?? In today's real estate market, too many sellers watch prospective buyers leave their homes without making an offer. As a seller, you must learn the secrets of making your condo more saleable. More important, the longer a condo is on the market, the less likely the seller is to receive a high offer. It's human nature to suspect the quality of merchandise that has been on the shelf for a long time. A slow-selling condo makes prospective buyers nervous. Selling your condo can be a painless and profitable experience - if you follow these tried-and-true guidelines.
Put yourself in the buyer's shoes!
When buyers arrive at your front door they are hoping to fall in love with your home. If you've prepared well, every room in your home will greet the customer with a pleasant surprise.
Understand your target audience.
Being downtown makes your home unique. It is not for everyone. You need to have a profile of the kind of lifestyle purchasers are looking for in your area, and demonstrate how your living space fits in.
Eliminate the Negative
You can eliminate many of your home's negative features by transforming them into something visually pleasant. Inexpensive and creative disguises will minimize those drawbacks. Remember, no home is perfect, not even yours. List the negative features you can find. Be honest! Them discuss with your agent what you can do to overcome them. You’ll be surprised about the quality of professional advise can be regarding these issues.
Make Those Minor Repairs
All those little flaws in your otherwise beautifully maintained condo will add up to one thing to the observant buyer: owner neglect. All signs of owner neglect must be eliminated.
Spring Cleaning - Any Time of Year
Those hours spent thoroughly cleaning your home will be hours well spent when the results pay off in an early and profitable sale. Clean windows downtown are important –including the window frames! Pay particular attention to your kitchen and bathrooms - they involve personal health and hygiene and are areas buyers scrutinize closely.
To be continued next month |
