Thursday 29 December 2011
Thursday 15 December 2011
Canadian Housing Market is Resilient
According to statistics released today by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), national resale housing activity rose slightly in November 2011 from the previous month.
Highlights:
· Sales activity rose slightly (+0.5 per cent) from October to November on a seasonally adjusted basis.
· Year-to-date sales remained in line with the 10 year average, but pulled further ahead of last year's levels.
· The number of newly listed homes was down 3.4 per cent from October to November.
· The national housing market remains balanced, but is edging closer to seller's market territory.
· The national average price posted a 4.6 per cent year-over-year gain in November, the smallest increase since January.
Friday 9 December 2011
Housing Sales up 11 % in comparison to November 2010
Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,092 residential transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in November – up 11 per cent in comparison to November 2010. At the same time, the number of new listings was up by 14 per cent in comparison to last year.
"We have seen strong annual sales growth through the 2011 fall market. The increase in transactions has been broad-based, with strong growth across low-rise and high-rise home types throughout the Greater Toronto Area," said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Richard Silver. "The market has also become better supplied, with annual new listings growth outstripping that of sales. As this trend continues into 2012, we will see more balanced market conditions."
The average price for November transactions was $480,421, representing an increase of almost 10 per cent in comparison to $437,494 in November 2010.
"Despite strong price growth this year, the housing market remains affordable in the GTA," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "The correct method of assessing affordability is to consider the share of the average household's income that is dedicated to mortgage principal and interest, property taxes and utilities. Currently, this share remains in line with generally accepted lending guidelines. Given this positive affordability picture, average price growth is forecast to continue in 2012, albeit at a more moderate pace." Summary of TorontoMLS® Sales and Average Price November 1 – 30
| 2011 | 2010 |
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| Sales | Average Price | Sales | Average Price |
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City of Toronto ("416") | 3,027 | $524,805 | 2,742 | $477,092 | |||||||||||||
Rest of GTA ("905") | 4,065 | $447,371 | 3,642 | $407,682 | |||||||||||||
GTA | 7,092 | $480,421 | 6,384 | $437,494 | |||||||||||||
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TorontoMLS® Sales & Average Price By Home Type November 1 - 30, 2011 |
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| Sales | Average Price |
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| 416 | 905 | Total | 416 | 905 | Total |
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Detached | 975 | 2,259 | 3,234 | 776,017 | 540,299 | 611,364 |
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Yr./Yr. % Change | 9% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 10% | 10% |
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Semi-Detached | 333 | 449 | 782 | 562,064 | 370,827 | 452,262 |
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Yr./Yr. % Change | 13% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 8% | 11% |
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Townhouse | 350 | 711 | 1,061 | 418,050 | 342,954 | 367,727 |
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Yr./Yr. % Change | 17% | 4% | 8% | 2% | 11% | 8% |
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Condo Apartment | 1,336 | 546 | 1,882 | 365,131 | 272,479 | 338,251 |
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Yr./Yr. % Change | 9% | 18% | 11% | 8% | 9% | 8% |
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Your Next Door Realtor
Wednesday 7 December 2011
Return On Your Renovations...Are You Interested ?
Tuesday 6 December 2011
Current Interest Rate
Term | Posted Rate | Best Rate |
---|---|---|
6 month | 5.05% | 5.05% |
1 year | 4.50% | 2.74% |
2 year | 4.05% | 2.49% |
3 year | 4.55% | 2.94% |
4 year | 5.14% | 3.09% |
5 year | 5.49% | 3.24% |
7 year | 6.59% | 4.34% |
10 year | 6.99% | 4.69% |
Variable Rate | 2.80% | |
Prime Rate | 3.00% | |
Your Next Door Realtor
Monday 5 December 2011
Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC)
The HRTC is a non-refundable tax credit based on eligible expenditures incurred for work performed for home renovations. The HRTC can be claimed when filing your 2011 tax return.
The HRTC can be claimed for renovations and alterations of an enduring nature and that are integral to the eligible dwelling (such as your home or cottage) or the land that forms part of the eligible dwelling.
How is the HRTC calculated?
The 15% non-refundable tax credit can be claimed on eligible expenditures of more than $1,000 but not more than $10,000. The maximum tax credit that can be claimed to reduce your federal income tax is $1,350. However, if the total of your non-refundable tax credits is more than your federal income tax, you have no federal income tax to pay, and you will not receive a refund for the HRTC.
Example
William and his spouse Marie pay $5,000 to purchase an energy-efficient furnace for their home and $3,500 to build a deck at their cottage. They also decide to have the area around the deck landscaped for $2,500, bringing their total costs to $11,000 ($5,000 + $3,500 + $2,500). Marie claims expenses of $9,000 ($10,000 – $1,000), resulting in an HRTC of $1,350.
William and Marie may also be eligible for the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes grant.
For more information about the ecoENERGY program, visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca.
Important things to remember
You do not have to submit your supporting documents with your income tax and benefit return; however, you must ensure this information is available should the Canada Revenue Agency request it.
To avoid problems with your HRTC claim, make sure you:
■ get your contracts in writing; and
■ keep your receipts.
Eligible expenses must be of an enduring nature and be integral to the eligible dwelling. The cost of routine repairs, maintenance, and expenditures not integral to the dwelling are not eligible.
Examples of eligible expenses
■ Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
■ New carpet or hardwood floors
■ Building an addition, garage, deck, garden/storage shed, or fence
■ Re-shingling a roof
■ A new furnace, woodstove, boiler, fireplace, water softener, or water heater
■ A new driveway or resurfacing a driveway
■ Painting the interior or exterior of a house
■ Window coverings directly attached to the window frame and whose removal would alter the nature of the dwelling
■ Laying new sod
■ Swimming pools (permanent – in ground and above ground)
■ Fixtures (e.g., lights, fans, etc.)
■ Associated costs such as permits, professional services, equipment rentals, and incidental expenses
Examples of ineligible expenses
■ Furniture, appliances, and audio and visual electronics
■ Purchasing of tools
■ Carpet cleaning
■ House cleaning
■ Maintenance contracts (e.g., furnace cleaning, snow
removal, lawn care, and pool cleaning)
■ Financing costs
Where can I get more information?
For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/hrtc or
www.hiringacontractor.com, or call us at 1-800-959-8281
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Travel season has started ....What you should know before start your Travel
Fly through the airport — in 8 easy steps
"It's easy to get frustrated at the airport when you're waiting in a long security check lineup — even more so when your bottle of water is intercepted or you have impatient little ones with you. But it doesn't have to be so bad," says Mathieu Larocque, spokersperson for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). "So much of getting through security faster is about packing smart and knowing what to expect."
Follow Mr. Larocque's eight basic tips for speeding your way through airport security:
1. Only bring what you need onboard
Fit everything in your checked luggage unless you need it to get on the plane and during your flight. You also want to have anything you need for when you immediately land. "More things are allowed in checked bags than carry-on," says Mr. Larocque. "Take the minimum onboard and chances are you'll get through security faster."
Expert tip: Before you even pack, check your airline's website to find out the exact dimensions and weight restrictions for carry-on luggage.
2. Get the facts about liquids, aerosols, and gels
"You are allowed to bring onboard only as many 100 ml containers as can fit into a one-litre plastic bag," says Mr. Larocque. "It's important to note that we're talking about the size of the container, not the amount of product found within it." That means you can't bring an almost empty 250 ml bottle of water onboard. How large is a one-litre bag? CATSA estimates they're about 15.24 cm by 22.86 cm (6 inches by 9 inches) or 20 cm by 17.5 cm (8 inches by 7 inches).
Tip for parents: If you're travelling with kids under the age of two, you have some leeway. Generally, you can bring as much baby food and beverage as you need for the duration of your flight.
3. Leave suspicious-looking items behind
"Obviously, firearms and weapons are prohibited onboard," says Mr. Larocque. "But things that may simply look like a weapon (a toy gun or a belt buckle in the shape of a grenade, for example) or sharp items can look suspicious to a security officer — especially through an X-ray machine. This can slow down the screening."
Tip for parents: Check your child's backpack and jacket to see if there's anything tucked into a pocket that may be not allowed.
4. Go through early
Gone are the days when there's nothing to do after security check but sit and wait. Today you'll find shopping, food, and in some cases, entertainment once you pass through security.
5. Check for special screening lines
Major airports in Canada have dedicated screening lanes for passengers with special needs, including families, and they are staffed with specially trained officers. That's a real bonus when you want to bring a stroller or car seat onboard the plane.
6. Be prepared for security
Have your boarding pass ready for the officer to check. Put your jacket and laptop in bins and leave loose change, jewellery, pens, cell phone, and shoes (if you are asked to) in a bin to be X-rayed.
7. Plan to remove your shoes if needed
"If you're flying to any U.S. destination, everyone must remove their shoes and put them through X-ray," Mr. Larocque says. "If you're flying within Canada or internationally, then only shoes that contain metal — like in the toe or heel — must be X-rayed." Not sure? Take them off rather than set off the metal detector.
Tip for parents: This rule applies to kids as well. Simple slip-ons or Velcro closures may be your best option.
8. Know about secondary screenings
"If you're picked for a secondary screening, you'll have a choice between a full body scanner or a physical search," says Mr. Larocque. "Unlike some of the controversial machines being used in some U.S. airports, the full body scanners we use in Canada emit a radio wave and Health Canada has assured us they're completely harmless."
Tip for parents: If your child is chosen for a secondary screening and is under the age of 12, you will be asked to give your consent and must be present during the screening. If your child is 12 to 15 years old, you, a guardian, family member, or a person escorting them may be present for a private physical search.
Would you like more detailed info about what you can and can't bring onboard? Use the interactive CATSA Pack smart online tool.
This article is courtesy of TD Melochemonex.
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Monday 21 November 2011
What is CMA or Market Evaluation ?
After reading it on my website someone asked me other day.. What is a FREE market evaluation and CMA mean ?
The first thing an agent will need to do to provide you with a CMA is to inspect your property. Generally, this inspection won't be overly detailed (she or he is not going to crawl under the house to examine the foundation), nor does the house need to be totally cleaned up and ready for an open house. It should be in such a condition that the agent will be able to make an accurate assessment of its condition and worth. If you plan to make changes before selling, inform the agent at this time.
The next step is for the agent to obtain data on comparable properties. This data is usually available through MLS (Multiple Listing Service), but a qualified agent will also know of properties that are on the market or have sold without being part of the MLS. This will give the agent an idea how much your property is worth in the current market. Please note that the CMA is not an appraisal. An appraisal must be performed by a licensed appraiser.
The CMA process takes place before your home is listed for sale. This is a good assessment of what your house could potentially sell for.
CMAs are not only for prospective sellers. Buyers should consider requesting a CMA for properties they are seriously looking at to determine whether the asking price is a true reflection of the current market. Owners who are upgrading or remodeling can benefit from a CMA when it's used to see if the intended changes will "over-improve" their property compared to others in the neighborhood.
Best regards,Your Next Door Realtor
Friday 18 November 2011
Thursday 17 November 2011
Your homebuying team
Your team will likely include a realtor, a lender or mortgage broker, a lawyer, an insurance broker and a home inspector. Take your time and do some research before choosing any of these professionals.
Realtors
If you are buying a resale home there's a very good chance that you will work with a realtor. Your realtor's job is to help you find the ideal home, write an Offer to Purchase and negotiate on your behalf to get you the best possible deal. Realtors can also provide important information about the community you are considering and help you arrange a home inspection.
When you are ready to select a realtor, don't be afraid to ask questions – especially about possible service charges. Normally the seller pays a commission to the realtor but some realtors charge buyers a fee for their services. To learn more about realtors including their ethical obligations, visit the Canadian Real Estate Association's website at www.crea.ca or contact your local real estate association.
For most people, buying a home means taking out a mortgage. There are many different institutions that lend money for mortgages including banks, trust companies, credit unions, caisses populaires (in Quebec), pension funds, insurance companies and finance companies.
Mortgage brokers don't work for any specific lending institution. Their role is to shop around and find the lender with the terms and rates that are best for the buyer.
To find a lender or mortgage broker you can ask for a referral from your realtor, family members, friends or other professionals. You can also contact the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP) at www.caamp.org.
Lawyers
The lawyer on your homebuying team is there to protect your legal interests by making sure the home you are buying does not have any building or statutory liens (a claim against a property for money owing), charges or work or clean-up orders. Your lawyer will review all contracts before you sign them, especially the Offer (or Agreement) to Purchase.
Lawyer fees range widely and depend on the complexity of the transaction and the lawyer's expertise so be sure to shop around for rates. To find lawyers who specialize in real estate law, check with your local law association.
Insurance Brokers
An insurance broker can help you to shop around for your insurance needs.
Lenders require property insurance because your property is their security for your mortgage loan. Property insurance covers the replacement cost of your home, so the size of your premium depends on the value of your home.
Home inspectors
In order to avoid costly surprises, consider having the home you are thinking of buying inspected by an experienced home inspector. The home inspector's role is to inform you if something is not functioning properly, needs to be changed or repaired, is unsafe or maybe even identify where there were problems in the past. In most areas of Canada there are no licensing or certification requirements for home inspectors, so look for one who belongs to a provincial or industry association.
by Mark Salerno of CMHC
Tuesday 8 November 2011
Sunday 6 November 2011
Canada introduces new 'super visa' for families - Yahoo! News
Friday 4 November 2011
Mortgage Interest Rate Changes
Variable Rates:
- the prime rate has stayed the same at 3.00% and is likely to remain as is for the next year.
- however, the "prime minus" has reduced from an average of minus 0.75% to minus 0.20% or less resulting in a variable rate increase, up from 2.25% to 2.80% or higher.
- fixed rates have also increased a little.
- however, fixed rates are still at a historic low
- the current difference in rate between variable and fixed rates is about 0.64% .
- previously the difference was about 1.25%
- with the fixed rate you know your rate for the next 5 years and fixed rates are not likely to go down much further.
- with the variable rate the prime could go up in the next year or so and although you can convert to fixed at anytime without penalty fixed rates will have gone up when you decide to convert or you wouldn't have decided to convert.
- so the answer is there is very little difference whether you take variable or fixed rates right now. The variable rate will save you about $1,600 per year ($133.33 per month) on a $250,000 mortgage "if" the prime rate doesn't go up early in the 5 year term.
Thursday 3 November 2011
Tuesday 1 November 2011
Make Your House Winter Ready
It's again Time To Clock Back to Standard Time, This Saturday Nov 5th Don't Forget to Change the time.
With the clock back make your house winter ready.
- Shut-off water valves - Locate water valves for backyard and garage (usually in the basement) and turn off, open outside valve and drain them. This will protect you pipe from bursting.
- Add weatherstripping to doors and windows. Don't let your heat escape through small cracks and gaps-seal drafty spaces using weatherstripping or caulk. Here are more helpful tips on sealing up air leaks in your home.
- Check your insulation. If you're in an older home, you may want to supplement the insulation that's already there, or add insulation to uninsulated walls. This will help keep heat in and moisture out.
- Clean your dryer vent. Inside and out. If you have a gas dryer, unplug it and shut off the gas supply at the appliance shut-off valve. Unhook the tube that leads to the vent and clean out as much lint as you can. If you have a wet/dry vac, tackle your exterior vent as well.
- Inspect your roof and chimney, and do any repairs that are needed. Look for cracked shingles, crumbling masonry and damaged or missing flashing. While you're looking at your chimney, take a look at your fireplace as well—make sure the damper opens and closes easily, and get the chimney cleaned if you haven't already this year.
Monday 31 October 2011
Appraisals Vs. Home Inspections
Appraisals Vs. Home Inspections – Do You Know the Difference?
A home is one of life's most important purchases. Before committing to a purchase it makes sense to learn as much as possible about any property you wish to acquire. Understanding the important differences between an appraisal and a home inspection will help you to obtain detailed information about the home's value and condition.
An Appraisal
An appraisal allows the lending institution to determine if the property being purchased is suitable as security for a mortgage. For conventional mortgages, a lender will in most cases require that a professional third party assess the property to ascertain its current market value. In the case of a "high-ratio" mortgage (with a down payment of less than 20 per cent), the mortgage insurer will go through its own internal appraisal process. In particular, lenders and insurers are concerned that the property (in terms of its age, condition, and remaining economic life) constitutes a good match with the borrower and their ability to repay the mortgage. An appraisal does not usually include a detailed property inspection.
A Home Inspection
A home inspection is not used to determine property value, but will provide an assessment of the physical condition of a property. A well-trained home inspector will perform a comprehensive visual inspection to determine the condition of the building and all of its major systems (for example the roof, structural, heating, plumbing and electrical systems). While an appraisal is intended to provide the lender with sufficient information to decide on mortgage financing, a home inspection will hopefully reveal to a potential homebuyer whether the building and its systems are in sound working order. If there are outstanding issues, a good inspector will provide the potential purchaser with a schedule outlining the estimated costs and when these repairs will need to be completed.
Your Next Door Realtor
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 3,477 transactions through the TorontoMLS® system during the first 14 days of October 2011.
Saturday 15 October 2011
Canada’s housing ‘like the fountain of youth’ — for now --Says Financial Post
Click link below to read whole article.
Canada's Housing "like the fountain of youth" says FINANCIAL POST
Tuesday 11 October 2011
Get Your Whole Home Ready for Winter
The leaves are falling, there's a nip in the air—which means that winter's not far away. Before the snow flies, use our checklist to make sure your house is winter-ready.- Shut-off water valves - Locate water valves for backyard and garage (usually in the basement) and turn off, open outside valve and drain them. This will protect you pipe from bursting.
- Add weatherstripping to doors and windows. Don't let your heat escape through small cracks and gaps-seal drafty spaces using weatherstripping or caulk. Here are more helpful tips on sealing up air leaks in your home.
- Check your insulation. If you're in an older home, you may want to supplement the insulation that's already there, or add insulation to uninsulated walls. This will help keep heat in and moisture out.
- Clean your dryer vent. Inside and out. If you have a gas dryer, unplug it and shut off the gas supply at the appliance shut-off valve. Unhook the tube that leads to the vent and clean out as much lint as you can. If you have a wet/dry vac, tackle your exterior vent as well.
- Inspect your roof and chimney, and do any repairs that are needed. Look for cracked shingles, crumbling masonry and damaged or missing flashing. While you're looking at your chimney, take a look at your fireplace as well—make sure the damper opens and closes easily, and get the chimney cleaned if you haven't already this year.
Monday 3 October 2011
Monday 26 September 2011
Sunday 25 September 2011
Accelerated Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments CHECK IT OUT and Please leave comment
Hello Everyone!!!
Last week I had discussion with my colleagues about the confusion about prevails among our client regarding Monthly, Semi-monthly and Bi-weekly mortgage payment.
So I was thinking there must be so many people out there who may have the same questions roaming in their minds…..here is the explanation……
So you've got you're mortgage approval, now the lender gives you the choice of several repayment options. You've heard about the standard monthly payments but what's semi-monthly or accelerated bi-weekly? Which one can save you the most amount in interest and which one can pay your mortgage off sooner?
Here's the down and dirty on the differences..
- Lets use this example:
Mortgage Amount $100,000 Interest Rate 5 Amortization Period 25 years Mortgage Payment $581.60 Monthly payments are just that, payments made once per month or 12 payments per year. Based on our example, the total annual mortgage payments are $6,979.20 ($581.60 x 12). Under this repayment option, it will take 25 years to pay off the mortgage in our example.
Monthly Mortgage Payments
Semi-monthly means payments are made on the first and the fifteenth of the month. You are making a total of 24 payments in the year. To calculate semi-monthly payments, you take the monthly payment and divide it by 2 ($581.60 / 2 = $290.80). At the end of the year semi-monthly payments still only add up to $6,979.20. ($290.80 x 24), the same as if you made monthly payments of $581.60.
Semi-Monthly Mortgage Payments
Are there any savings making payments this way? Yes, but very little. The savings come from the fact that your paying down the principal quicker because your making payments twice per month as opposed to once per month.Accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments are a bit different. The difference between semi-monthly payments and accelerated bi-weekly payments is that semi-monthly payments have 24 payments per year while accelerated bi-weekly payments have 26 payments per year. You are now making payments every two weeks (26 weeks per year) and not twice per month (24 payments per year).
Accelerated Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments
To calculate your accelerated bi-weekly payment, take the monthly mortgage payment, divide it by 2 and multiply it by 26 (every 2 weeks). Using the example, you're total annual mortgage payment is $7,560.80 (($581.60 / 2 = $290.80) x 26)
Essentially you're making one more payment per year ($7,560.80 - $6,979.20 = $581.60). By making accelerated bi-weekly payments, you will be saving money on interest and reducing you're amortization period.The following chart shows the impact on you're mortgage between monthly payments, semi-monthly payments and accelerated bi-weekly payments.
What happens to my mortgage?
Monthly Payment Semi-monthly Accelerated
Bi-WeeklyMortgage Amount $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 Interest Rate 5.00% 5.00% 5.00% Amortization Period 25 years 25 years 21.43 years Mortgage Payment $581.60 $290.80 $290.80 Interest Paid $74,481.49 $74,301.97 62,044.18 Savings $179.52 $12,437.31
The saving between monthly payments and semi-monthly payments over 25 years is only $179.52. The largest benefit comes from accelerated bi-weekly payments. In the example, you save $12,437.31 in interest costs and reduce your amortization period from 25 years to 21.43 years.
If you think this has answered your questions…please leave the feedback and question you have about real estate…I would be more than happy to answer you….
YOU CAN REACH ME AT ritesh.realtor@gmail.com…..