John Zwart, Broker of Record

About John Zwart, Broker of Record:

John is one of the two founding partners of Home and Property Real Estate Ltd. and currently serves the company as President and Broker of Record. A long time resident of Mapleton Township in Wellington County, John has actively sold new homes, condominiums, and leases in the Waterloo-Wellington region since 1989. John was also a leader in condominium property management for almost 20 years. He remains excited about the Real Estate market, and in particularly the consumer oriented changes that Home and Property Real Estate is in the process of implementing. John's unique experience and knowledge provides an important link to the broad range of commercial, residential and agricultural markets in Kitchener Waterloo and Wellington county.

Advanced Search

Ontario Properties For Sale

Nearby

Free Home Evaluation

security code

or to favourite listings, save searches and sign up for automatic email notifications.

sign in

Look at what $1.35 million buys you!

Today I want to take you for a tour around Drayton Ontario and highlight this absolutely amazing home in one of the most sought after neighbourhoods in Mapleton township. Drayton is a picturesque village located in the heart of Wellington County about 45 kilometers from Kitchener Waterloo, and 46 kilometers from the city of Guelph. With a population just over 2,300 people, Drayton is known for its rural charm and family-friendly atmosphere. Situated along the banks of the Conestoga River, only a few kilometers from Conestoga Lake, Drayton offers a rich plethora of sporting and recreational amusements including live entertainment at the Drayton Festival Theatre, skating and ice hockey at its arena complex, soccer and baseball at municipal parks both in town and in nearby Moorefield, and both casual and formal dining options at local eateries including the Drayton Chophouse Restaurant, a-la-mode cafe + ice cream shop, Family Time Pizza, and Drayton Pizza and Thai Food. Drayton offers a peaceful small town rural lifestyle while still providing access to big city amenities just a short drive away. If you're thinking about living in Drayton, or anywhere in the Region of Waterloo, Wellington County, or communities bordering these two regions, give me a call, send me a text message, or an email, or schedule a Zoom call at your convenience. My team and I would love to make your next move a smooth and enjoyable, resounding success.

Rural home prices & their variability !

We sometimes think of the real estate market as a monolithic entity; as if it acts in concert only with itself. But if that's true, why is there such a vast difference in average prices between one community and the next? In Wellington County, for instance, the average price for single detached homes in the Township of Puslinch, as reviewed in this video, was $1,532,253.00. Compare that to the neighboring city of Guelph where the average price showed up at $950,412.00. That's quite a difference. But it gets worse. In the same county, in Minto township, the average price is only $592,936.00. That's almost a million dollars less, on average, than in Puslinch. And that's just in one county. Amazing.

We can analyze the reasons why. And there is certainly merit in doing that. But maybe better questions might be, "What's in it for me?" or, "All things considered, where's the best place to buy a home?"

If you're considering transacting real estate (buying or selling) anywhere in Wellington county, be it in Alma, Drayton, Erin, Elora, Eramosa, Fergus, Guelph, Harriston, Moorefield, Palmerston, Puslinch, Rockwood, or a myriad of other hamlets and villages that dot the rural landscape in this beautiful southern Ontario county, the information in this video is well worth your attention. It will help you formulate a plan to help you achieve the best possible outcome, regardless of what your objective might be. Knowledge is power, as they say. And the information in this video is compelling, to say the least.

Thanks for watching.

The Pros & Cons of Rural Living! You decide!

Rural life in Ontario's rural Heartland is an idyllic dream for many. But is it right for you?  In this video we explore the pro's and con's of living in any of the many towns, hamlets and villages just north of Waterloo. One con in particular might surprise you. Watch to find out.

The upside of downsizing

In business, downsizing isn’t a word that anyone wants to hear, but in real estate it provides homeowners with a wealth of opportunities. Every year, millions of people are electing to purchase a property that’s smaller than the one they currently own. Whether you’re switching to a smaller space because the size of your family is changing, or you want a lower-maintenance home for retirement, there are plenty of upsides to downsizing.

Access your equity

Downsizing is an excellent way to convert your home equity into capital that you can put towards what your family needs (like a vacation home or a better retirement lifestyle). Whatever your goal, don’t forget that in some cases, swapping a 3,500 sq. ft. split-level in the suburbs for a 1,800 sq. ft. space in the heart of downtown may leave you with little financial room to spare. It’s best to assess the value of your home and any desired properties with your REALTOR® first.

Travel more, mow less

One key benefit that attracts homeowners to townhouses and condos is the convenience of maintenance-free living. Less space means less time spent cleaning. Sure, you’ll still have to do laundry, but to permanently cross off outdoor chores from your to do list might be just the incentive you need to include the yard tools in the sale of your property. Plus, you may be inspired to use all your new free time to take a well-deserved holiday. Or two. The best part is, no one will know you’re on vacation by the state of your front yard.

Eliminate empty room syndrome

How many rooms does your home have? Of those, how many of them do you actually use? Take a tour around your home and assess how much space you use on a regular basis. If it’s 100%, stay put; if it’s 65% or less, you could be suffering from empty room syndrome. The average size of a home has almost doubled in the past 30 years, yet the average family size keeps on shrinking. Having too much space creates an imbalance that costs more than just time and money—it also means there’s more stuff to organize and dust.

Location

The size of your new home isn’t the only thing that matters. When you’re planning to scale down your square footage, consider choosing a location that brings you closer to the places you regularly go—family, friends, work, shops—so that you’ll cut back on travel time and expenses. Better still, opt for an area that takes it a step further and places everything within walking distance; your heart will thank you for it.

Think green

Corporations downsize to save money – why not follow their example? A smaller space can mean reduced mortgage payments and taxes. Less square footage requires less heat, light and AC, which means you’ll spend less on energy. It all adds up to savings that can help the environment and keep some cash in your pocket.

Accessibility and comfort

Moving to a smaller home, townhouse or condo can also provide you with the added benefit of stair-free living. In fact, developers are responding to the increased demand for accessible living spaces by building single-level suites and properties with residential elevators so that homebuyers can move into a space that will allow them to age gracefully and comfortably.

Peace of mind

Most people have discovered that the longer downsizing is put off, the harder it gets. Savvy homebuyers start thinking about finding a smaller property long before the last child leaves the nest – or maintenance-free living becomes a necessity. A large number of townhouse and condominium communities offer on-site features that few detached dwellings do. From fitness centres to party rooms to guest parking, you can simplify your surroundings while still enjoying the comforts of living large. Best of all, condos provide the added benefit of entryway video monitoring and, in many cases, a concierge.

Reduce, reuse, rejuvenate

The benefits of reducing your living space increases exponentially when you combine them with clearing out the clutter, opting for multipurpose furnishings and fully exploring what you want out of a home. Many downsizers who dreaded moving into a smaller home are enjoying a freedom they haven’t experienced since long before the kids arrived.

While downsizing can be a daunting task, it can be used successfully to help you increase cash flow and convenience – and enjoy a simpler way of living.

Career Opportunities:

Supporting Your Continuous Growth

At Home and Property Real Estate Ltd., we believe that success in real estate requires a commitment to excellence, hard work, integrity, flexibility and an ability to listen. We are committed to modeling these attributes and creating an environment that supports your continuous growth and positions you for success.

Are you currently working in real estate but looking to make a change so that you can...

Take your business to the next level and reach your professional goals?

Work in a supportive and collaborative environment?

Find more work/life balance while maintaining your business goals?

Increase your overall profitability?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, we invite you to take the next step in the application process below. Apply Now!