The Deakin Blog

The Value Of Experience

February 13th, 2013

The Value Of Experience

It’s true that as technology advances, there are several ways to find out the approximate value of a home almost instantly. Just recently, I tried out a new feature on a website, where you can enter any home address and get an on-the-spot home evaluation…

Well, that was the plan...

Naturally, I wanted to test the little widget with a couple of recent sales. So I entered the addresses, hit the send button and — voila! The results came up. What I quickly realized was that, instead of giving me an accurate (or semi-accurate) appraisal, the resulting “guesstimate” was overpriced by $200,000, according to my own calculations. That’s not small change we’re talking about…

What am I getting at?

Technology alone is not enough - at least not yet. Just like in proofreading or translating, technology can be incredibly handy but not always incredibly accurate. And when it comes to “correctly” pricing your home, you need more than just numbers and figures taken from a website. A computer can access recent sales in the area, but it takes a real estate professional with market insight to interpret this data and put it in context. Your house can't be accurately priced solely from statistics on a piece of paper. It needs to be seen in person, because the overall value of your home depends on several factors, some of which can't be quantified by a computer. How the house shows "in the flesh" is an important element in putting together an effective pricing strategy for your property.

Ready to have your home appraised? Why not get a free, in-person consultation right now? For pricing strategies and marketing tips to get your home sold for more money, give us a call, send us an email, or drop by our office in Pointe-Claire Village.

Ali Souini

We are so very appreciative of all your efforts in selling our home and finding a new one. The Deakin Realty family is truly professional.
Kathy & Brian

Thank you so much for all your time, help, advice and patience in getting my house sold. I really appreciate it!
Jan

Encore merci pour nous avoir guidés tout au long de ce processus. Vous offrez l'équilibre parfait entre professionnalisme et humanité.
William

In our business, referrals are important to both the referring party and the receiving side. Thanks so much for a job well done. I hope to refer your family more business.
Peter Blanchard, President - Terramont Real Estate Services

Your help & professionalism throughout the buying process, and your ‘words of wisdom’ during our selling process have been greatly appreciated.
Sophie & Mark

Thanks for finding our perfect house. We were out of town and trusted you to make an offer without actually seeing the house. Serious trust and you never let us down.
Brian

Your knowledge of the housing market was critical in helping manage the sale of our condo and the purchase of our new home. The practical and helpful recommendations made things easy on both ends.
Rob & Sonia

Thanks again for your good work. You were right about the price and the timing for the sale! A celebration is in order.
Louis-Robert

You did everything we asked for and more, and talked me off the ledge more than once. We were so impressed, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to others.
Pamela & Doug

I'm not sure we can ever fully express how much we appreciate all you have helped us with. It has been a stressful time but was made much less so through the referrals you gave us.
Sandee

We just wanted to thank you so much for all you've done for us over the last year and a half. We always felt like you were sincerely putting our best interests first throughout this entire process.
James & Amanda

You were understanding, professional and endlessly patient throughout this sometimes challenging process. You went out of your way to make it work out, both for us and for our "perfect" buyer.
Barbara

I was really worried about finding the "right" person to work with my Mom. Your approach, patience and sense of humour won her over right away, and your follow up has given all of us a lot of comfort through this. Jay, I could not imagine a better fit.
Michael

You listened and went far and beyond what any other real estate organization could or would do. We are happy to say that we consider you a friend and look forward to working with you again.
The Adrian Family

Deakin Realty achieved the best possible result: a lease that pleased both landlord and tenant. We were so impressed with Nancy and her team that we asked them to work on another project for our company.
Richard King - Owner – Elm Plaza

Thank you so much for your support and patience during this difficult time with Mom and the sale of her beloved home. I truly appreciate your kindness.
K.

Thanks to you and the Deakin team for everything you did for us. We really appreciate working with knowledgeable and experienced business people.
Fred & Lynn

Merci pour tout! Ça a été un vrai plaisir de vendre par votre intermédiaire!
Catherine

Merci pour tout votre support et votre patience!
Donald

Nancy, thank you for all your hard work and patience, and for not giving up on us during this house hunt.
Stefano, Melissa & Zara

Deakin Realty displayed great professionalism in every aspect of their work and in all cases they made sure the transaction was good for all parties.
Patrick

We realized that we were dealing with a real estate “advisor” - who not only knows the local market and homeowners themselves, but an individual that thinks outside the box and brings creativity and enthusiasm to a profession that he truly loves.
Mark & Kelly

I just wanted to thank you for making all of this as easy and painless as possible. Your professionalism, initiative, positive attitude and willingness to take time to explain the process made the deal unfold very smoothly.
Bob

To the Deakin team - thank you for going above and beyond!
Lynda

You are a true angel in disguise. We can never express our appreciation for the knowledge, service and kindness you have shown.
Jane & Larry

Thanks again for all your help... attention to detail... sanity checks... moral support... hand holding... i.e. the usual wonderful Nancy Deakin service!!
Sandra & Larry

Thanks again for your good work. You were right about the price and the timing for the sale. A celebration is in order!
Louis-Robert

This is just a quick thank-you for all of your wonderful help in finding our first home. We really appreciated your patience, honesty and attentiveness. You may all rest assured that we will recommend Team Deakin.
Sonjali & Devi

You are incredibly professional even in the throes of an emotional and stressful decision. Thanks for your patience - we are thrilled with our new purchase!
Namta & Sara

Thank you once again for guiding us through this process. Your ability to balance professionalism and the human aspect of this process is top drawer.
Bill

Thanks again for all your help with everything! You were fantastic, and Stef and I are thrilled that we were able to have you as our broker.
Matt

We would like to thank you again for helping us find a great home and for all of your advice over the past couple of months. We'll definitely recommend you to our friends...
Christina & Rob

You truly could not have handled this tricky sale better and we will sing your praises to everyone we know.
Jen & Dave

Thanks for treating us like family!
The Halls

Deakin Realty met all of our objectives and helped make our condo project a success. They are proactive, highly professional and capable of adjusting to changing conditions.
Marc-Andre Legault - Developer - Les Cours Sherbrooke

The Deakin team made our relocation from Halifax a pleasurable experience. Their professionalism and knowledge of the real estate market helped us find the perfect home.
Jason & Shannon

Thank you Jay & the Team for your professionalism and patience. Your market knowledge and detail work helped bring our situation to the next level.
Serge & Elaine

The whole experience dealing with you was efficient, seamless and painless. You are a true professional and a good advisor. I felt I was the only client you were dealing with.
Janice

Thank you for a job well done. We’re both so excited to have clinched the deal of the year in Beaconsfield.
Denise & Gary

Thanks for understanding our needs and finding our family a great home! We would highly recommend Deakin Realty to anyone who is interested in buying or selling.
The Brown Family

Thank you very much for all your help in our transactions ... it was a delight working with such a professional!
Patrick Ducharme - Banque Nationale du Canada

Merci beaucoup Nancy pour ton dévouement et ta patience. Nous sommes très heureux d'avoir fait cette très belle acquisition!
Carl

As a non-profit agency, our survival is linked to those people in our community who have the kind of dedication & commitment shown by Deakin Realty. Keep up the good work.
Amcal Family Services

I want to thank you for the amazing work done at selling and purchasing my homes. Your dedication, hard work and professionalism are very much appreciated.
Shere

I couldn't have imagined this going any smoother than it did. Thanks for a well thought out plan and execution.
Marcel & Liz

Thanks again for all your help, advice and patience during the purchase process. You really went above and beyond the average real estate broker's duty.
Matt & Anita

I appreciated your expertise, competence and advice. These confirmed that my insistence on having you as the sole agent for my property was the right decision.
Clara

You have a way of treating your clients as they are you only client. You always responded within hours of a call. That is what I call great customer service.
Dawn

We would like to thank you so much for all your hard work in finding our first home. Your patience, professionalism, friendship and perseverance was greatly appreciated.
Christina & Kevin

We appreciate all the efforts, dedication and patience you are putting into finding us a house. Thank you for everything that you are doing for us.
Martin, Natalie & the girls

Merci d'avoir pris soin de ma mère et ce plus que votre travail ne l'exigeait.
Kim

Having such a well organized group looking after us made our house hunting trip all the easier…those added touches you do really make all the difference between ‘good’ and ‘the best’.
Laura & Daniel

As a first time buyer, I had a lot of questions and you took the time with me. Not all agents would have done this - I know, since I dealt with others before meeting you.
Dawn

Thank you for everything John. You have been so dedicated and helpful throughout our journey!
Amanda

We really wanted to take the time to properly thank you. You were always there for us, and put alot of time into our home with all the advice and visits. We really appreciate it! You'll always come highly recommended by us.
Jason

You are a marvel as Mom is so very comfortable with you and John. You are stars and much appreciated.
Cydney & Les

Thank you for your prompt advice and help. It was nice to feel welcome to call you and have your support.
Eric & Janice

Thank you Jay, Nancy and Alexa for all your work! I really appreciate the attention to detail and your thoughtfulness throughout the selling process.
Patti

Thanks for everything you have done. It has truly been a pleasure selling through you.
Catherine

I would not consider making a sale or purchase in the West Island without involving Deakin Realty
Gerry

Nancy, thank you for all your help and invaluable guidance!
Katy & Kevin

Thanks ever so much! It was our lucky day when we met you. You can always count on us as reference for your future clients.
Serguei

Thank you for everything you have done. It was a wonderful experience selling my house with your help.
Camille

Thanks for everything, as you can imagine we have every reason to be grateful for your help.
George & Martha

Thank you for your sensitivity and kindness. We also appreciated your level of professionalism and knowledge in the handling of our file.
Bruce & Lillian

I know you did a lot of hard negotiating to arrive at a mutually satisfactory solution and we need to congratulate you for that. Thanks for your very significant effort.
Mike & Anna

You thought of every detail inside and out - a job well done to you and your team!
Maureen

You are truly awesome. Pointe-Claire is a very lucky place to have you guys at the heart of it.
Katy

Deakin Realty provides their clients with total professional, businesslike, and enthusiastic care. They talk to you. They get results. What more could you look for in a real estate firm?
Walter & Pamela

Thanks again for everything you have done to help us through this difficult (more difficult than normal in this case) process, and for your patience with me.
A & M

Thank you for taking care of my mother ‘above and beyond the call of duty’
Kim