Have you ever wondered why so many people are relocating to Peterborough? There are many reasons, from upgrading to a larger property, escaping the traffic of the big city or moving from the rural areas to be closer to modern conveniences.
For Alison Carey, she relocated from Thornbury to Peterborough for a different reason. She received a job opportunity that was too good to pass up.
We love Peterborough for so many reasons! Think it might be the right place for you to call home? These other articles might help you decide:
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Moving away was still a difficult decision. Alison didn’t want to be far away from her elderly mother, who she visited daily. Plus, she had never even been to Peterborough before, so she didn’t have a clue what to expect. However, after sitting down and weighing the pros and cons, she made her decision.
Peterborough is Conveniently Located
“My mother lives in Thornbury, and my son lives in Ottawa. I decided that the move to Peterborough made sense because it’s the perfect halfway point between the two. Now I can still visit them both often,” Alison said.
With the decision made, she listed her Thornbury home for sale.
Alison knew the real estate market was hot everywhere. Still, nothing prepared her for what a rollercoaster ride she was in for. Buyers flocked to her home with multiple bids, and before she knew it, her house was sold.
Now, Alison Faced a New Problem
It was time to look for a new home in Peterborough, so she could be closer to her new workplace. And she discovered that buying a home isn’t anywhere near as easy as selling one. The real estate market is highly competitive, with many GTA residents moving to the area as Toronto housing prices soar.
Since Alison had never even been to Peterborough before, her journey was even more challenging.
“I wondered what I had gotten myself into. I looked Peterborough up online and found out about the trails and how beautiful the city was. But you never know what a new city is like until you’re actually there,” Alison said. She decided to wait until she arrived to begin the search for her new home.
The trouble was, she had no idea how to start. As the days ticked down to her closing date, she realized she was running out of time.
Luckily, she had an exceptional real estate team in Thornbury who came through for her once again. They recommended two agents in Peterborough that might be able to help her buy her new forever home. She called the first team but found herself feeling disappointed. “They just didn’t seem very engaged in the process,” she said.
Her next call was to Jeff and Katie, the second real estate team on the list. And the difference was night and day.
Why are residents singing the praises of Peterborough? Find out more in our Relocation Guide, which you can download right here.
How Two “Rock Star Realtors®” Made Alison’s Dream Come True
Alison described Jeff and Katie as “Rock Star Realtors®” who go way above and beyond.
“Jeff and Katie were so awesome. They are unbelievable. My challenge was that here I was, working every day, staying at a bed and breakfast in a town I don’t know,” she explained. “I needed someone to take me on as a project. Jeff and Katie listened to what I was looking for.”
They walked her through the different areas around the city and the various price points available. However, the process was incredibly difficult and draining. Every time she found a house she liked, there was so much competition and multiple bids that pushed the property out of Alison’s budget.
She started feeling discouraged, but Jeff and Katie repeatedly talked her down from the ledge. They pressed on, responding to her questions and concerns no matter what time of day it was.
Finally, Alison found another house she loved.
Was Her Luck About to Change?
She wasn’t the highest bidder, but Jeff and Katie stopped at nothing to help their client succeed. Jeff talked to the seller and found out what was important to her. It turns out he wasn’t concerned about getting the highest bid. What he wanted was a long closing date, and Alison could give her that.
This small detail helped Alison succeed in buying the right house for her in a highly competitive market without going over her budget.
It is still a strong seller’s market, and houses are selling fast in Peterborough. Here are 5 More Tips to Help Buyers in Multiple Offer Scenarios.
Moving Day Finally Arrived
Her move-in day was set for January 15, a day she will never forget. “The high temperature was -25 degrees. It was FREEZING!” But it was all worth it in the end, especially when the warm weather rolled around.
“I wanted a house with a backyard after living in a condo. I got a beautiful back garden that my dog can run around in. Lots of beautiful flowers. I’m so pleased,” Alison reports.
The Best Part About Living in Peterborough
She had read online that Peterborough was a beautiful place with lots of parks and green space, but now she could see it with her own eyes.
“I love that Peterborough has a lot of older neighbourhoods with lots of green trees, nature, trail networks, rivers, parks. I love that everything is right outside my door.”
Alison also loves that Peterborough is not a huge city, but has the conveniences, with a Chapters store and other shops nearby.
The sale was over, and Alison settled happily into her new home.
However, The Story Doesn’t End Here
Jeff and Katie continued to provide exemplary service even after she got the keys.
Being new to Peterborough, she didn’t know who to call to find a plumber, electrician or other contractors. Luckily, Jeff has his little black book of contacts for everything. It became a joke between them. Every time Alison thought she would stump him with something, Jeff always responded by saying, “I know someone!”
One thing is certain from this point on. “If I ever decide to sell this home, there’s no question about who I will hire. Why look for anyone else when I already have the best?”
Learn more about relocating to Peterborough in this client video right here:
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