The Rocca Sisters Team write a weekly article in both the Burlington Post and the Oakville Beaver - watch for our latest article about YOUR community in your local newspaper each and every week!
Below you can also find the Rocca Sisters Team monthly reports that bring great tips for house sellers and buyers as well as articles from Home By Design Magazine
We represent a new age of expertise with traditional values and the highest professionalism. Our skyrocket to success began as top performers in our office and rose up to be a Nationally Ranked Top Producing Team in the Top 1% for Royal LePage in all of Canada. Attaining this success has set the stage for us as trail blazers in the Canadian real estate industry.
Being leaders and innovators in the industry is the key to success for our clients. Taking pride in being genuine, and original, distinguishes ourselves from the competition and is a core value in our day-to day activities including our hands-on approach with clients and community. One of the many areas this can been seen in our business is the STAGED and SOLD system, and brand, that we not only developed but also industry trademarked. This is often imitated by many, new and seasoned, colleagues but often have difficulty delivering on – that is when we’re also called in!
As a result of our core values, we recently, were approached to be featured speakers for the sought-after Richard Robbins industry conference in Toronto, and interviewed on a “Meet the Experts” panel. Joining us was a small, hand-selected group of Top Producing agents from across North America. Our personal interview focused on providing an extraordinary customer service approach.
A new study was just released this month by the RBC-Pembina Institute that is focused on understanding where Greater Toronto Area residents prefer to live. This study helps to back up the statistics released in June from the Toronto real Estate Board that claims Toronto residents are flocking to surrounding ...
[Read more]
A new study was just released this month by the RBC-Pembina Institute that is focused on understanding where Greater Toronto Area residents prefer to live. This study helps to back up the statistics released in June from the Toronto real Estate Board that claims Toronto residents are flocking to surrounding suburbs, such as Oakville & Burlington. This is great news for Oakville and Burlington home owners, adding even more desirability to our already thriving community and housing market.
The Home Location Study reported that affordability is the driving force that influenced where the majority of GTA respondents (79%) purchase their home.* It also stated that nearly half of those surveyed (44%) prefer a more spacious home and yard for a lower home price despite having to drive to most destinations.* The report also confirms that the presence and number of children in a family was one of the strongest influencers of where the family wanted to live. It states that “families with two or more children would prefer more affordable homes in suburban locations with local amenities and requiring longer car commutes.*
With affordability being the driving force in the majority of home buyers decisions, the lack of affordable detached single family homes in Toronto, coupled with the substantial upfront cost of the City of Toronto’s Land Transfer Tax, is driving home buyers to suburbs such as Oakville and Burlington. Home sales in June 2012 for the City of Toronto were down an incredible 13% compared to June 2011, while sales throughout the other markets on the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) remained comparable to last year.** Ann Hannah, president of TREB, stated “Recent polling by TREB suggests that many households are considering home purchases outside the City of Toronto to avoid paying the Land Transfer Tax. This goes a long way in explaining the disproportionate decline in sales in the City versus surrounding regions.”**
These factors help to make our community and housing market even more desirable, opening our buyer pool to an even larger target group. As the #1 Team in Burlington and area for Royal LePage and #5 out of the approximately 14,500 agents across Canada for Royal LePage, you can trust the Rocca Sisters Team to be on top of the current market trends in your neighbourhood, and to get you top dollar for your most valuable asset. For more information about the real estate market in your community, don’t hesitate to call us directly at 905-335-4102 or email us at info@roccasisters.ca.
*RBC-Pembina Home Location Study: Understanding where Greater Toronto residents prefer to live, July 2012
The Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital jsut launched a brand new community publication named "Momentum" that will be published on a bi-monthly basis in the centre spread of the Burlington Post newspaper, Some of the topics covered in the inaugural issue include:
-A cur cover story featuring the Emergency Department and ...
[Read more]
The Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital jsut launched a brand new community publication named "Momentum" that will be published on a bi-monthly basis in the centre spread of the Burlington Post newspaper, Some of the topics covered in the inaugural issue include:
-A cur cover story featuring the Emergency Department and their focus on improving customer service and wait times
-A Redevelopment and Expansion Project Update
-A patient’s positive experience in the COPD program at Wellness House
-Stories about their programs, services and innovative care
-Outreach to the community
-Profiles of some of their exceptional staff
And much more!
Make sure to look in TODAY's Burlington Post (July 19th, 2012) for all the great information available in this fantastic new resource!
The Rocca Sisters Team is proud to lend our support to the Carpenter Hospice’s 3rd Annual Burlington Garden Tour. This is a very special year for the Carpenter Hospice, marking its tenth anniversary in our community bringing physical, emotional and spiritual comfort to those in palliative care.
The Rocca Sisters Team is proud to lend our support to the Carpenter Hospice’s 3rd Annual Burlington Garden Tour. This is a very special year for the Carpenter Hospice, marking its tenth anniversary in our community bringing physical, emotional and spiritual comfort to those in palliative care.
The Burlington Garden Tour will be taking place on Sunday, July 15th, 2012 from 10am until 5pm. Enjoy the beautiful sunshine by visiting the 8 spectacular gardens showcased in the North Shore Boulevard and Lakeshore Road area. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased in advance at Cudmore’s Garden Centre (3171 Lakeshore Rd W., Oakville), Holland Park Garden Gallery (2243 Fairview St., Burlington), and Euro Style Flower Market (3015 New St., Burlington).
The Carpenter Hospice is a 10 bedroom, 7,500 square foot home built in a quiet setting in the heart of Burlington. It was built entirely from donations from local residents and businesses and opened on May 25, 2002. Since opening, the Hospice has served hundreds of families. The opportunity to come and live at The Carpenter Hospice is not based on financial ability and there is no user fee. The hospice is dependent on the generosity of the community and fundraising for the majority of its operation revenue. Fundraising events such as the Garden Tour ensures the facility can continue offering support to terminal patients and their family members.
The Carpenter Hospice holds a spot very near and dear to our hearts. In 2004, our Mother was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, and after fighting hard for five years she succumbed to the disease. The work that the Carpenter Hospice provides is invaluable to terminally ill patients and their families, providing much needed physical, emotional and mental support. We cannot speak highly enough of the members of the Carpenter Hospice and the help they provide. As part of our Ovarian Cancer Initiative, “Creating Sanctuaries in Our Community”, we have been had the honour of visiting patients at the Carpenter Hospice to help make their journey more comfortable. To watch the video on our Ovarian Cancer Initiative, please visit our webTV channel, www.RoccaSistersTV.ca.
For more information about the Carpenter Hospice Burlington Garden Tour, please visit the events section of “Our Community” on our interactive website, www.RoccaSisters.ca. We hope to see you there!
The name "Canada" comes from the Huron-Iroquois language and means settlement or village. For us, this holds a great deal of meaning. Our family, like most Canadians, is 1st generation Canadian. Our Father was born in Italy and came to settle in Canada when he was only 15 years old ...
[Read more]
The name "Canada" comes from the Huron-Iroquois language and means settlement or village. For us, this holds a great deal of meaning. Our family, like most Canadians, is 1st generation Canadian. Our Father was born in Italy and came to settle in Canada when he was only 15 years old in search of a better life...and this is where our story begins.
Embracing the opportunity this free life gave him, our father started in the development side of business which launched our family into real estate in the early 1950's, making a lasting imprint on Atlantic Maritime provinces that is still felt today. Our family has enjoyed over a quarter of a century growth in construction and real estate development. This has instilled in us the value of hard work and the importance of a hands-on business approach. We are thankful for the opportunity Canada has given us and continues to give us, and we are proud to be Canadian, where the opportunities are endless and the cultural diversity is empowering.
The Canada Day long weekend offers a variety of activities to enjoy around our community. Visit the big Canada Day Celebrations at Spencer Smith Park where there will be children’s activities, food, a marketplace, and live bands including headliner Ashley MacIsaac. The night will end at 10pm with a spectacular fireworks show.
This Canada Day weekend, we hope that you will reflect on what makes you proud to be Canadian and we wish you, your family and your friends great memories and a safe holiday weekend. For great recipes & entertaining tips for Canada Day, visit our Rocca Sisters Pinterest Board!
Take advantage of a fantastic program for children between the ages of 6-10 at the Brant Hills Public Library! Children can improve thier reading skills and increase thier confidence by reading to a furry friend on Tuesday evenings from July 3rd to August 14th.
Take advantage of a fantastic program for children between the ages of 6-10 at the Brant Hills Public Library! Children can improve thier reading skills and increase thier confidence by reading to a furry friend on Tuesday evenings from July 3rd to August 14th.
Meet Cowboy, a Brant Hills Resident (pictured above) and his other furry friends. Every Paws 4 Stories dog is specially trained to sit quietly and listen while your child reads aloud to it.
Our relationships with our friends, family and clients mean the world to us. We were contacted by a client and friend and told the news that her son was recently diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. The news turned her family’s life upside down, like the families of nearly 12,000 other people ...
[Read more]
Our relationships with our friends, family and clients mean the world to us. We were contacted by a client and friend and told the news that her son was recently diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. The news turned her family’s life upside down, like the families of nearly 12,000 other people in Ontario diagnosed with muscular disorders, and we knew we wanted to help her in any way we could to gain support and raise awareness for the cause.
In April, we held an Easter giveaway at FreshCo where we handed out 1000 potted flowers to the community. We had volunteers on hand, including our dear friend, to represent Muscular Dystrophy, collect donations and spread awareness for their up-and-coming Ontario Walk for Muscular Dystrophy.
The Walk for Muscular Dystrophy includes over 55 community events throughout the country, including 15 throughout Ontario. On Sunday, June 10th people will gather together at Bayfront Park in Hamilton in high spirits to work towards the goal of finding a cure. Funds raised from this walk will go not only to vital research, but to providing ongoing support and resources to Canadians living with neuromuscular disorders to make their lives richer and more rewarding.*
We encourage you to come out on June 10th to enjoy the beautiful weather and help make a difference! For more information about the walk or to make a donation, please visit Our Community on our interactive website, www.RoccaSisters.ca .
Along with the beautiful weather comes the start of yard maintenance. With the start of the garden and landscaping season well underway, it is important to consider the landscaping of your home - especially if you are considering a move in the near future.
Landscaping that has been properly installed ...
[Read more]
Along with the beautiful weather comes the start of yard maintenance. With the start of the garden and landscaping season well underway, it is important to consider the landscaping of your home - especially if you are considering a move in the near future.
Landscaping that has been properly installed and well maintained has been shown to increase a home's value and achieve a 100-200% return on investment at resale*. A well maintained and attractive exterior is so vital when selling a home, as the exterior is the first impression that is made on a potential buyer. The curb appeal of your home can make the difference of a buyer getting out of their car, or continuing on to the next property.
Landscaping is not only for people looking to sell their home in the near future. It is also a very valuable tool for those who are looking to remain in their home in the future. As mentioned in our interactive gardening seminar held on May 7th and hosted by HGTV's Charlie Dobbin, landscaping can also improve the efficiency of your home & impact your monthly bills. By choosing the correct placement on your property for a tree, the shading or insulation provided can cut back on your heating costs in the winter and your air conditioning costs in the summer. We also can't forget the enjoyment value that a beautiful garden brings.
For more landscaping tips and ideas, watch the video from our Interactive Gardening Seminar featuring HGTV's Charlie Dobbin on our webTV channel by clicking the following link, www.RoccaSistersTV.ca . For more information on how to prepare your home's exterior for sale, don't hesitate to call us directly at 905-335-4102 or email us at info@roccasisters.ca. Let the Rocca Sisters Team set the stage from the outside-in for a successful sale!
The Victoria Day long weekend is upon us, and is widely celebrated as the first sign that summer is on its way! Canada has been celebrating the birthday of Queen Victoria since it was declared a holiday in 1845. Since 1957, Victoria Day was permanently appointed as the official day ...
[Read more]
The Victoria Day long weekend is upon us, and is widely celebrated as the first sign that summer is on its way! Canada has been celebrating the birthday of Queen Victoria since it was declared a holiday in 1845. Since 1957, Victoria Day was permanently appointed as the official day to celebrate the Queen's birthday, and so Queen Elizabeth II is also celebrated on this day. There are endless opportunities to have some family fun around our community over the long weekend. Enjoy the beautiful Spring weather participating in one of the local outdoor activities available for all ages.
Visit your favorite farm animals or enjoy hiking along a nature trail at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. On Victoria Day, Bronte Provincial Park will be hosting their annual "Thyme on the Farm" event where families can enjoy a multitude of Victorian games and activities, as well as tour a Victorian Farmhouse.
Another fantastic family outing is the Halton Hills Fireworks Festival - the longest running Victoria Day festival in all of Ontario. This fun festival is held all weekend long at the Milton Fairgrounds and includes a midway, petting zoo, demolition derby & so much more. Enjoy the spectacular professional firework display on Sunday evening at dusk.
We would like to remind everyone to use caution and proper safety measures this weekend if taking part in informal firework displays. Below is one of our family's favorite summer recipes that we hope you will enjoy. From our family to yours, we wish you a safe and happy long weekend!
Balsamic Chicken Kabobs
* 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs or 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
* 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2
* 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 2
* 2 tbsp maple syrup
* 1 tbsp lemon juice
* 2 cloves garlic , minced
* 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
* 1 sweet green pepper , cut into 1 inch (2.5 cm) pieces
Combine all ingredients & refrigerate for 4 hours. Place on skewers and grill on medium-high heat until fully cooked.
*www.canadianliving.com
Support for Earth Day 2012- BURLINGTON Earth Day is on Sunday, April 22nd and takes place all around the planet. We are asking you to take part this year and help to bring Earth Day awareness home to our own community. Earth day is about appreciating the Earth’s natural ...
[Read more]
Support for Earth Day 2012- BURLINGTON
Earth Day is on Sunday, April 22nd and takes place all around the planet. We are asking you to take part this year and help to bring Earth Day awareness home to our own community. Earth day is about appreciating the Earth’s natural beauty and bringing about positive change for our planet's future. You can visit Royal Botanical Gardens on April 29th for their Rain Barrel Sale. A portion of their sales will go towards Earth Day Hamilton-Burlington and the various environmental events they throw throughout the year.* A fun way to help kids learn about the importance of our planet is to visit the Toronto Zoo's "Party for the Planet" event on April 21st and 22nd. This event is in cooperation with Earth Day Canada and is designed to help teach children about the importance of living in a more environmentally friendly way.
We would like to acknowledge the many Burlington residents who will be taking part in the "Community Clean Up Green Up Day" presented by BurlingtonGreen and the City of Burlington. These generous members of the community will be donating their time and efforts towards cleaning up the trails, parks and shores of Burlington to make our home a better place.
We challenge you to join in and help make a change this year. This change can be as small or large as you would like, from switching off your lights, to committing to public transportation use or carpooling. The members of the Rocca Sisters Team will all be making our pledges for Earth Day 2012, we hope that you will too. Visit us at Facebook.com/RoccaSisters and share what your 2012 Earth Day pledge will be!
*www.earthday.ca
Some very strong economic factors lead us to believe that the housing market will likely reach equilibrium in 2012 and that is great news for first-time home buyers and move up buyers alike!
Low interest rates and the loosening of credit will make borrowing easier – especially for first time ...
[Read more]
Some very strong economic factors lead us to believe that the housing market will likely reach equilibrium in 2012 and that is great news for first-time home buyers and move up buyers alike!
Low interest rates and the loosening of credit will make borrowing easier – especially for first time buyers. Interest rates are expected to remain low for this year and perhaps into the early part of next year. With five-year fixed mortgage rates available at under five per cent and six-month to four-year rates ranging well below that, the time seems right to be taking advantage of those low rates to buy a home.
Relatively low unemployment, good employment prospects and business growth are good signs for the housing market, and they are all present in our local markets. Unemployment figures for the Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville areas indicate our rate is lower than the national average and compare even better to the Ontario average. We have seen new employers bringing successful and active business to this area recently and we are seeing local jobs maintained as well. Employment stability will increase consumer confidence in our local economies and more confidence in the housing market.
Increased Activity in the Renovation Sector – you may be noticing a lot more construction bins sitting outside of homes lately. It’s not your imagination! Home renovation is on the rise in our markets and renovations are very often followed by a For Sale sign. Burlington, Oakville and Hamilton have a significant number of baby boomers that will very likely be planning to downsize in the coming months, freeing up much need move up inventory.
Our area provides the stability home buyers should be looking for when they are purchasing a home, and a wide range of housing options and opportunities. It looks like 2012 will prove to be a very good year to buy a home! If you have any questions or would like more information on market conditions in your community, don't hesitate to contact us at The Rocca Sisters Team office. We would be more than happy to help you find your dream home!
