All Of The Above - Duncan's Blog

Signed, Sealed, Delivered..and don't forget the deposit

In order for a contract to be firm and binding, so we were taught at real estate school, it must be signed by the parties, sealed (whatever that means) and delivered (acknowledged in writing that a copy was given to... Read more →

Hot Market Ideal for Lazy Agents

He's at it again! Last time we were in a boom market with multiple offers being the norm, my associate across town developed a reputation for selling lots of houses by underpricing everything he listed, often with unforeseen consequences. I've... Read more →

Bargains in Florida, Bargains in North Bay but No Bargains in downtown Toronto

There's a Realtor flogging recreational and rural properties that oft times sends me properties he has listed. They sound like impressive opportunities. Such as... "Beautiful waterfront resort on South River leading to lake Nippising. 7 years new 1324 sf 3... Read more →

"Don't let the bed bugs bite!"

My mother used to say that before bed each night when I was a child. In fact, I've used it many times myself over the years. Perhaps that can explain one of my kid's complexes. I assume I'm responsible for... Read more →

Our plates overflow

For a 6-8 week period each year, the Ontario food basket is overflowing with goodness. Farmer's Markets are busy busy busy and the choices and colours are simply too much to bear. These markets must be avoided. This is a... Read more →

You want me to eat what?

Maybe it's because I spent much of my early life on a farm but I have this thing about wanting to know something about the food I put in my mouth and where it came from. Yes, my cousins and... Read more →

We Eat Our Young!

There was yet another article in the news about how "the rest of Canada" hates Toronto. This is my favourite recurring news story and believe me, it's been recurring for as long as I can remember. I'm not as old... Read more →

Price Range Fraught With Disappointment

For some buyers in today's red hot market, there is an OK supply of homes to consider at any given time. For example, if you are a gazzilionaire. For the rest of us smucks, it's tough slogging. Case in point:... Read more →

Bureaucratic Hurdles? Hymie Not Programed to Help.

Have you had trouble dealing with "head office" types? You know who I'm talking about. These are people trained to think in a straight line. If you offer "alternative solutions", you are denied your right to exist. You cease to... Read more →

Melt down continued

Yes, I had a melt down. I wrote about copyright violations surrounding the downloading of CD's and DVD's and the like and in that short essay, I confessed to shooting someone. Let it be known, I didn't shoot him because... Read more →

Fiduciary Duties are why I exist as a Realtor!

The Ontario Real Estate Association publishes a monthly Newsletter called Realtor Edge. One of the features I "always" read is called Legalbeat. Mervin Burgard, Q.C. writes about a legal issue relating to Realtor's duties and it's often frightening and always... Read more →

Listening and Buying Good - Downloading Bad

Where the heck was I the other night? Darn this memory thing. Let's see now. I remember standing next to someone ......and there was talk about a CD ..........mmm.......and I asked this person if they had the CD.............. and they... Read more →

There's No Business Like Show Business

For the past few weeks, I've been negotiating with the Northern Ontario Country Music Association. They're keen to host a Whiskey Jack concert in their area and we're keen to oblige. The fellow who is the energy and brains behind... Read more →

It's never how it is..it's how it looks!

There are a couple of politicians this week who are not having an easy go of it. They're being raked over the coals by the press and consequently by the sheep-like public over issues that are complicated and difficult to... Read more →

Woodstock Anniversary Again?

Each year at this time, the newspapers are all abuzz over the music festival to end all music festivals, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Apparently, everyone I know from that era were in attendance that weekend but I would... Read more →