Check out this wonderful property with a finished basement, fenced yard and double garage for under $300,000!
http://kitchener.kijiji.ca/c-real-estate-houses-for-sale-Detached-home-with-double-garage-in-desirable-Forest-Heights-W0QQAdIdZ317768234
Find relevant information on real estate, from household tips to market conditions and statistics. Contact me for a FREE Home Value Report!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Do you have a forced-air gas furnace? Here are some tips to keep it operating efficiently this Winter...
As the coldest months of the year fall upon us, a furnace may operate for up to 15 hours a day. In order to ensure its safe and efficient operation, proper care and maintenance is your best defense against unsafe conditions or non-performance.
Follow the guidelines below to keep your furnace operating safely and efficiently.
• To reduce fuel consumption by 20 per cent, install a programmable thermostat to allow the furnace to operate at lower temperatures when the home is not occupied or while you are sleeping.
• Clean or replace furnace filters every two months or as required.
• Keep combustible materials or obstructions away from the furnace area.
• Keep cold air returns and heat distribution vents free and clear of obstructions to allow proper flow of air.
• Ensure that an adequate supply of combustion air is available for the appliance to function properly. Combustion air is the air that mixes with fuel to allow combustion to occur.
• Have a professional clean your ducting properly every three to five years.
• Contact a licensed/qualified heating contractor each year to perform routine service and maintenance as per manufacturer’s specifications.
In addition, consider replacing your forced-air gas furnace with a high efficiency model. Did you know that for every $1 that is spent on gas for a conventional forced-air gas furnace, approximately 30 cents goes up the chimney, while every dollar that is spent on gas for a high efficiency furnace results in the loss of 10 cents or less?
Upgrading to a high efficiency furnace can provide a substantial cost savings for a homeowner. A heating contractor will give you the proper advice on whether it is time to upgrade your furnace.
Want tips on what you can do to minimize the impact of an older furnace on home price when selling your property? Contact me and I can take a look and I'll give you all the information you need so you get the best price possible for your property.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Future of Facebook - the changes you noticed are nothing compared to what's coming!
Love it or hate it, the changes to Facebook appear to be here to stay. And there are more changes to come.
This article outlines Facebook's major changes to come and what they hope to accomplish.
Has Facebook gone too far in reinventing the way we share?
Facebook users have noticed some changes rolling out to the social site in recent days, but odds are they aren't prepared for today's biggest social shakeup. At today's F8 Developers Conference, Mark Zuckerberg took the stage (after look-alike Andy Samberg left it) to announce a wide swath of changes that will seek to keep the six year-old social network thriving — and growing.
Foremost among the announcements is the news that the humble profile page is getting a much-needed makeover — one that could steamroll Google+ and Twitter alike: the Timeline. Mashable has called the new feature the "biggest risk since launching the social network in 2004." The Next Web calls the death of the profile page a "bit of a shock" and notes that the "massive makeover might just be a bit too much," especially for less tech-savvy users.
Sweeping changes
Facebook's new direction has a bit of a dual personality. At the dawning of the News Feed, Facebook loosed our status updates into the wild. While we once visited each other's profile pages to trade messages and check in on friends (or acquaintances of interest, for better or worse), the News Feed has since eclipsed our personal pages when it comes to connecting on the world's biggest social network. With today's announcement of the Timeline and the Ticker, Facebook will seek to weave together these two modes into a richer, more immersive social experience than ever.
Two kinds of sharing
The Ticker will handle the Twitter-like real-time updates, which Zuckerberg refers to as our "lightweight" social activity. Recognizing that these micro-updates (the contents of your sandwich or your Words With Friends score, for example) often clog up our profile pages, Facebook is opting to siphon them off into a kind of miniature Twitter which live in a righthand sidebar. The distinction may just seem like housecleaning, but putting these tweet-esque updates on the periphery could mean a return to Facebook's roots — and a very refined one.
Historically, Facebook has faced criticism for its opaque and often convoluted privacy policies. It may have taken the looming threat of Google+ on its turf to light a fire under the social giant, but Facebook is handing users the reins in a big way. In a series of updates that began popping up last month, the company is moving toward a model of selective sharing: rather than mass broadcasts, you can choose who you share with. Because your great aunt doesn't need to know what happened after the fifth drink at Happy Hour, does she?
Choose the story you tell
Now, not only can we share selectively with greater ease than ever, but we can choose what story we want to tell. Facebook's new Timeline feature looks to invigorate the lackluster, cluttered profile pages we've been slogging through for the past few years, replacing them with a dynamic, customizable portrait of our living histories — as told through Facebook of course. While remembering just how much information Facebook has stored over the years will prove unsettling to some, by curating our own past experiences (or their digital footprints, at least), we can better represent ourselves on the social network. In the Timeline, you can choose to star an event, which will give it more real estate on your profile page — or you can hide it entirely with the click of a button.
At today's event, Zuckerberg emphasized a return to the profile page: "We wanted to design a place that feels like your home. You invest a lot of time in it and you curate it." In reinventing the timeline, Facebook will considerably cut down on the site's signal-to-noise ratio, transforming each profile page into what is essentially a blog. In Zuckerberg's words, the Timeline will give you "a nice visceral feel for who this person really is" rather than a messy read-out of their latest Facebook activity.
Apps help tell the story
The other side of the coin is that external apps will have more power than ever. To create a "frictionless experience," Facebook apps will broadcast to Timelines and Tickers separately — and automatically. Like a new song you hear streaming on Spotify? That "Like" will be zapped directly to the Ticker, but in theory your Timeline will feature a summary of your top artists that month. Once you authorize an app, it will fade into the background, collating your personal data like what films you watch on Netflix or Hulu and how many miles you just ran with Nike+.
Of course, you could disallow these services entirely — but Facebook wants its 800 million users to hand over the keys to third-party apps more willingly than ever. After all, who wants an empty Timeline?From news to movies and music, more apps plugged into the social site means less need to venture elsewhere. You could conceivably keep your browser pointed at your Facebook homepage for an entire day, hopping off only to follow the trail of an interesting link — in fact, many of us already do.
How to find the new features
The Facebook community doesn't take kindly to changes — even minor ones, and this isn't minor by any means. Dedicated Facebookers are already in an uproar about the changes that heralded today's news: annoyed status updates have readily denounced Smart Lists, the Subscribe button, the Ticker, and even the new privacy settings. All of these tweaks are available now to most users, and when they appear, you should notice a pop-up prompt that will walk you through the changes. Can't find the Ticker? It should appear on the right side of any Facebook page, above the chat box.
While many of the new features are now live, the biggest change — the Timeline— will roll out gradually. To be first in line, you can opt in now by clicking "Sign Me Up" at the bottom of Facebook's official Timeline preview page. The first Timelines will be published on September 29, and we can expect to see them pop up for most users thereafter.
This article was written by Talor Hatmaker, Tecca
This article outlines Facebook's major changes to come and what they hope to accomplish.
Has Facebook gone too far in reinventing the way we share?
Facebook users have noticed some changes rolling out to the social site in recent days, but odds are they aren't prepared for today's biggest social shakeup. At today's F8 Developers Conference, Mark Zuckerberg took the stage (after look-alike Andy Samberg left it) to announce a wide swath of changes that will seek to keep the six year-old social network thriving — and growing.
Foremost among the announcements is the news that the humble profile page is getting a much-needed makeover — one that could steamroll Google+ and Twitter alike: the Timeline. Mashable has called the new feature the "biggest risk since launching the social network in 2004." The Next Web calls the death of the profile page a "bit of a shock" and notes that the "massive makeover might just be a bit too much," especially for less tech-savvy users.
Sweeping changes
Facebook's new direction has a bit of a dual personality. At the dawning of the News Feed, Facebook loosed our status updates into the wild. While we once visited each other's profile pages to trade messages and check in on friends (or acquaintances of interest, for better or worse), the News Feed has since eclipsed our personal pages when it comes to connecting on the world's biggest social network. With today's announcement of the Timeline and the Ticker, Facebook will seek to weave together these two modes into a richer, more immersive social experience than ever.
Two kinds of sharing
The Ticker will handle the Twitter-like real-time updates, which Zuckerberg refers to as our "lightweight" social activity. Recognizing that these micro-updates (the contents of your sandwich or your Words With Friends score, for example) often clog up our profile pages, Facebook is opting to siphon them off into a kind of miniature Twitter which live in a righthand sidebar. The distinction may just seem like housecleaning, but putting these tweet-esque updates on the periphery could mean a return to Facebook's roots — and a very refined one.
Historically, Facebook has faced criticism for its opaque and often convoluted privacy policies. It may have taken the looming threat of Google+ on its turf to light a fire under the social giant, but Facebook is handing users the reins in a big way. In a series of updates that began popping up last month, the company is moving toward a model of selective sharing: rather than mass broadcasts, you can choose who you share with. Because your great aunt doesn't need to know what happened after the fifth drink at Happy Hour, does she?
Choose the story you tell
Now, not only can we share selectively with greater ease than ever, but we can choose what story we want to tell. Facebook's new Timeline feature looks to invigorate the lackluster, cluttered profile pages we've been slogging through for the past few years, replacing them with a dynamic, customizable portrait of our living histories — as told through Facebook of course. While remembering just how much information Facebook has stored over the years will prove unsettling to some, by curating our own past experiences (or their digital footprints, at least), we can better represent ourselves on the social network. In the Timeline, you can choose to star an event, which will give it more real estate on your profile page — or you can hide it entirely with the click of a button.
Facebook's new Timeline feature will change the look of your social presence
At today's event, Zuckerberg emphasized a return to the profile page: "We wanted to design a place that feels like your home. You invest a lot of time in it and you curate it." In reinventing the timeline, Facebook will considerably cut down on the site's signal-to-noise ratio, transforming each profile page into what is essentially a blog. In Zuckerberg's words, the Timeline will give you "a nice visceral feel for who this person really is" rather than a messy read-out of their latest Facebook activity.
Apps help tell the story
The other side of the coin is that external apps will have more power than ever. To create a "frictionless experience," Facebook apps will broadcast to Timelines and Tickers separately — and automatically. Like a new song you hear streaming on Spotify? That "Like" will be zapped directly to the Ticker, but in theory your Timeline will feature a summary of your top artists that month. Once you authorize an app, it will fade into the background, collating your personal data like what films you watch on Netflix or Hulu and how many miles you just ran with Nike+.
Of course, you could disallow these services entirely — but Facebook wants its 800 million users to hand over the keys to third-party apps more willingly than ever. After all, who wants an empty Timeline?From news to movies and music, more apps plugged into the social site means less need to venture elsewhere. You could conceivably keep your browser pointed at your Facebook homepage for an entire day, hopping off only to follow the trail of an interesting link — in fact, many of us already do.
How to find the new features
The Facebook community doesn't take kindly to changes — even minor ones, and this isn't minor by any means. Dedicated Facebookers are already in an uproar about the changes that heralded today's news: annoyed status updates have readily denounced Smart Lists, the Subscribe button, the Ticker, and even the new privacy settings. All of these tweaks are available now to most users, and when they appear, you should notice a pop-up prompt that will walk you through the changes. Can't find the Ticker? It should appear on the right side of any Facebook page, above the chat box.
While many of the new features are now live, the biggest change — the Timeline— will roll out gradually. To be first in line, you can opt in now by clicking "Sign Me Up" at the bottom of Facebook's official Timeline preview page. The first Timelines will be published on September 29, and we can expect to see them pop up for most users thereafter.
This article was written by Talor Hatmaker, Tecca
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Great Condo close to all amenities and the future Light Rail Transit!
Open house at a great condo this Sunday. Perfect for the first-time home buyer or investor. Check out the link at http://tinyurl.com/43uuynw
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Are You Land-line Free? Nearly 2 Million Canadians are...
Millions of Canadians will have only cellphone service by the end of the year as they increasingly replace their land-line telephones with cheaper wireless, suggests a new study.
About one in seven households — or two million in total — will have just cellphone service by the end of 2011, the Convergence Consulting Group said Tuesday.
"This is happening because prices have come down so radically," said Brahm Eiley, co-founder of the Toronto-based consulting firm.
Established wireless carriers Rogers (TSX:RCI.B), BCE (TSX:BCE) and Telus (TSX:T) starting cutting prices for voice services on their discount-brand cellphones back in 2008 — in some cases by more than 50 per cent — in anticipation of new competition, Eiley said.
New players like Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile, which have all entered the market over the last two years, have also added "all-you-can-eat" voice plans, he said.
"So in effect, it's cheaper to have a wireless phone than it is to have a wireline phone," Eiley said.
"We're actually seeing an acceleration of wireless substitution in 2011, which we did not see previously in Canada."
Such trends are common in Europe, the U.S. and other parts of the world, where many younger consumers choose only wireless service.
Convergence's findings about wireless and landline pricing in Canada appear to be inconsistent with a report from the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, which found earlier this year that the average wireless revenue per user fell just $1 between 2009 and 2010 —from $58.81 to $57.86 per month. It is possible to get landline service for half that price and share it among multiple members of the household — something that is more difficult to do with cellphone service. However, the CRTC report did not include 2011 data.
By the end of 2014, the Convergence Group estimates that 26 per cent of Canadian homes will have only have mobile phone service.
In 2009, just 8.9 per cent of Canadians had ditched their land-lines and cut the cord at home for cellphones, the Convergence study says.
However, the new wireless companies have undercut Rogers, Bell and Telus by more than 58 per cent on combined voice and data plans and by more than 83 per cent on data alone.
Data plans allow consumers to do things such as stream music, watch video and check email and social networks.
The study also estimated that new wireless players like Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile will have four million or 12 per cent of Canadian subscribers by the end of 2014, up five per cent from year-end 2011.
But Eiley expects that only one of the three new wireless carriers will be left standing by 2014. That's expected to mean that Shaw Communications (TSX:SJB.B) will buy up coveted high-value wireless spectrum in the next auction of radio waves and enter the mobile phone market around that time, he said.
"At that point, whoever is left can start raising their prices because they don't have to worry about the competition," he said, adding that Shaw is simply on the sidelines for now.
"Shaw is not out. Chances are there will be less competitors and the prices will be higher."
The Calgary-based company recently announced it will build a Wi-Fi network to allow its tablet and laptops users internet access on the go
- Canadian Press, Sept. 20th -
About one in seven households — or two million in total — will have just cellphone service by the end of 2011, the Convergence Consulting Group said Tuesday.
"This is happening because prices have come down so radically," said Brahm Eiley, co-founder of the Toronto-based consulting firm.
Established wireless carriers Rogers (TSX:RCI.B), BCE (TSX:BCE) and Telus (TSX:T) starting cutting prices for voice services on their discount-brand cellphones back in 2008 — in some cases by more than 50 per cent — in anticipation of new competition, Eiley said.
New players like Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile, which have all entered the market over the last two years, have also added "all-you-can-eat" voice plans, he said.
"So in effect, it's cheaper to have a wireless phone than it is to have a wireline phone," Eiley said.
"We're actually seeing an acceleration of wireless substitution in 2011, which we did not see previously in Canada."
Such trends are common in Europe, the U.S. and other parts of the world, where many younger consumers choose only wireless service.
Convergence's findings about wireless and landline pricing in Canada appear to be inconsistent with a report from the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, which found earlier this year that the average wireless revenue per user fell just $1 between 2009 and 2010 —from $58.81 to $57.86 per month. It is possible to get landline service for half that price and share it among multiple members of the household — something that is more difficult to do with cellphone service. However, the CRTC report did not include 2011 data.
By the end of 2014, the Convergence Group estimates that 26 per cent of Canadian homes will have only have mobile phone service.
In 2009, just 8.9 per cent of Canadians had ditched their land-lines and cut the cord at home for cellphones, the Convergence study says.
1/3 households landline-free in U.S.
In the United States, 31 per cent or about one in three households will have cut the cord on their land-lines for cellphone service by the end of 2011, the study said. Canada won't reach one third of its households only having cellphone service until 2016, Eiley said.However, the new wireless companies have undercut Rogers, Bell and Telus by more than 58 per cent on combined voice and data plans and by more than 83 per cent on data alone.
Data plans allow consumers to do things such as stream music, watch video and check email and social networks.
The study also estimated that new wireless players like Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile will have four million or 12 per cent of Canadian subscribers by the end of 2014, up five per cent from year-end 2011.
But Eiley expects that only one of the three new wireless carriers will be left standing by 2014. That's expected to mean that Shaw Communications (TSX:SJB.B) will buy up coveted high-value wireless spectrum in the next auction of radio waves and enter the mobile phone market around that time, he said.
"At that point, whoever is left can start raising their prices because they don't have to worry about the competition," he said, adding that Shaw is simply on the sidelines for now.
"Shaw is not out. Chances are there will be less competitors and the prices will be higher."
The Calgary-based company recently announced it will build a Wi-Fi network to allow its tablet and laptops users internet access on the go
- Canadian Press, Sept. 20th -
Monday, September 19, 2011
How do you know if you will receive good service?
The best way to gauge the service YOU will receive is to find out what past clients think of the service THEY received. There is a great web site that allows people to leave ratings of various professions (doctors, contractors, day care providers, etc....)
Please check out this link http://realestateagents.servicerating.ca/agent/Kim_Louie
to my ratings page and see how I compare to other REALTORs. And thanks to clients who have and who will leave their thoughts and ratings of the service I provided. Ultimate Service is my goal.
Please check out this link http://realestateagents.servicerating.ca/agent/Kim_Louie
to my ratings page and see how I compare to other REALTORs. And thanks to clients who have and who will leave their thoughts and ratings of the service I provided. Ultimate Service is my goal.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Where are Canada's Richest Neighbourhoods?
Everyone grew up knowing where the nicest neighbouhoods were in their home town, but this list, compiled using the Askmen.com survey ranking neighbourhoods based on average household income and home values, lets us know where the Canadian elite live.
There are a couple of surprises in the Askmen.com survey of Canada's Top 10 richest neighbourhoods, one of them being the No. 1 slot doesn't belong to the West Coast.
The website ranked neighbourhoods based on average home value and household income. While Vancouver has two neighbourhoods on the list, and Victoria gets one, Toronto, with three entries, apparently is home to Canada's poshest digs.
One of the list's surprises is that Winnipeg - not considered a particularly monied town - squeaks in at No. 10. The aptly named Tuxedo neighbourhood, a well-established area a few minutes from downtown with lakeside views and lots of green, has seen average selling prices jump to $500,000 from $383,000 in six years.
Still a bargain if you live in Vancouver, where that'll get you a modest condo.
And for a city swimming in oil wealth, it's also surprising Calgary gets only one entry: Upper Mount Royal at No. 9. Like Tuxedo, it's an older treed neighbourhood of homes near the Elbow River overlooking downtown with homes selling for upwards of $1.6 million.
B.C.'s jewel-like capital, Victoria, hits at No. 7 with The Uplands, in the municipality of Oak Bay. The century-old neighbourhood looking across Juan de Fuca Strait to Washington State boasts waterfront homes selling well into six figures. Askmen notes the 2.4-acre "Sweet Pea" ocean-front estate is worth $28.5 million.
West Vancouver, a tony suburb across Burrard Inlet from downtown Vancouver, is considered one of Canada's richest postal codes and that's reflected in the price of homes that climb up from the water's edge. More than 70 per cent of the city's 11,000 homes are worth more than $1 million.
Vancouver's Shaughnessy neighbourhood comes in at No. 6. Developed more than a century ago on CP Rail land, the district just south of downtown has always been an enclave for the wealthy. Homes on sprawling lots run from $3.5 million to $11 million.
Ottawa's Rockliffe Park, across the Ottawa River from downtown, traditionally is home to the capital's diplomatic corps and its political and business elite. Homes that sold for around $200,000 a decade ago now command prices of more than $1 million in Canada's fifth-richest neighbourhood.
Toronto's Forest Hill is ranked No. 4. It's origins go back to 1860 as a summer retreat from the city and Askmen.com says it still retains its "natural beauty and highbrow architecture." The typical Forest Hill house today goes for just over $1 million.
The Bridle Path neighbourhood, No. 3, is one of Toronto's best known posh addresses. Like the name suggests, it's green and peaceful, surrounded by parkland. The average home selling price is well above $2 million. The Bridle Path has been home to big names like TV executive Moses Znaimer, pop star Prince and disgraced newspaper baron Conrad Black, though he's not likely to be living there again anytime soon.
Westmount, No. 2, long has been one of Montreal's exclusive neighbourhoods. In the late 1800s it was an enclave for Quebec's anglophone elite and it's still primarily English-speaking, though more multi-cultural. What hasn't changed is that the homes are relatively expensive, averaging around $1 million.
Toronto's Rosedale neighbourhood tops Askmen.com's list of Canada's richest.
It dates to the 1860s and features Tudor and Georgian-style homes much coveted by Toronto's upwardly mobile. Besides being protected by parkland and ravines, residents benefit from barriers and specialized routes to cut down on traffic. Even six years ago, Rosedale home sales averaged $2 million.
This article was written by Steve Mertl, a Y news blogger.
There are a couple of surprises in the Askmen.com survey of Canada's Top 10 richest neighbourhoods, one of them being the No. 1 slot doesn't belong to the West Coast.
The website ranked neighbourhoods based on average home value and household income. While Vancouver has two neighbourhoods on the list, and Victoria gets one, Toronto, with three entries, apparently is home to Canada's poshest digs.
One of the list's surprises is that Winnipeg - not considered a particularly monied town - squeaks in at No. 10. The aptly named Tuxedo neighbourhood, a well-established area a few minutes from downtown with lakeside views and lots of green, has seen average selling prices jump to $500,000 from $383,000 in six years.
Still a bargain if you live in Vancouver, where that'll get you a modest condo.
And for a city swimming in oil wealth, it's also surprising Calgary gets only one entry: Upper Mount Royal at No. 9. Like Tuxedo, it's an older treed neighbourhood of homes near the Elbow River overlooking downtown with homes selling for upwards of $1.6 million.
B.C.'s jewel-like capital, Victoria, hits at No. 7 with The Uplands, in the municipality of Oak Bay. The century-old neighbourhood looking across Juan de Fuca Strait to Washington State boasts waterfront homes selling well into six figures. Askmen notes the 2.4-acre "Sweet Pea" ocean-front estate is worth $28.5 million.
West Vancouver, a tony suburb across Burrard Inlet from downtown Vancouver, is considered one of Canada's richest postal codes and that's reflected in the price of homes that climb up from the water's edge. More than 70 per cent of the city's 11,000 homes are worth more than $1 million.
Vancouver's Shaughnessy neighbourhood comes in at No. 6. Developed more than a century ago on CP Rail land, the district just south of downtown has always been an enclave for the wealthy. Homes on sprawling lots run from $3.5 million to $11 million.
Ottawa's Rockliffe Park, across the Ottawa River from downtown, traditionally is home to the capital's diplomatic corps and its political and business elite. Homes that sold for around $200,000 a decade ago now command prices of more than $1 million in Canada's fifth-richest neighbourhood.
Toronto's Forest Hill is ranked No. 4. It's origins go back to 1860 as a summer retreat from the city and Askmen.com says it still retains its "natural beauty and highbrow architecture." The typical Forest Hill house today goes for just over $1 million.
The Bridle Path neighbourhood, No. 3, is one of Toronto's best known posh addresses. Like the name suggests, it's green and peaceful, surrounded by parkland. The average home selling price is well above $2 million. The Bridle Path has been home to big names like TV executive Moses Znaimer, pop star Prince and disgraced newspaper baron Conrad Black, though he's not likely to be living there again anytime soon.
Westmount, No. 2, long has been one of Montreal's exclusive neighbourhoods. In the late 1800s it was an enclave for Quebec's anglophone elite and it's still primarily English-speaking, though more multi-cultural. What hasn't changed is that the homes are relatively expensive, averaging around $1 million.
Toronto's Rosedale neighbourhood tops Askmen.com's list of Canada's richest.
It dates to the 1860s and features Tudor and Georgian-style homes much coveted by Toronto's upwardly mobile. Besides being protected by parkland and ravines, residents benefit from barriers and specialized routes to cut down on traffic. Even six years ago, Rosedale home sales averaged $2 million.
This article was written by Steve Mertl, a Y news blogger.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
10 Tips for Getting the Best Price When Buying a Home
1- Compare Recently Sold Comparable Properties
A comparable property is one that is similar in size, condition, neighbourhood and amenities. One 1,200-square-foot, recently remodelled, one-story home with an attached garage should be listed at roughly the same price as a similar 1,200-square-foot home in the same neighbourhood. That said, you can also gain valuable information by looking at how the property you're interested in compares in price to different properties. Is it considerably less expensive than larger or nicer properties? Is it more expensive than smaller or less attractive properties? Your real estate agent is the best source of accurate, up-to-date information on comparable properties (also known as "comps"). You can also look at comps that are currently in escrow, meaning that the property has a buyer but the sale is not yet complete.
2- Compare Comparable Properties Currently for Sale
In this case, you can actually visit other homes and get a true sense of how their size, condition and amenities compare to the property you're considering buying. Then you can compare prices and see what seems fair. Reasonable sellers know that they must price their properties similarly to market comparables if they want to be competitive.
3- Compare Comparable Properties that Failed to Sell (expired listings)
Even in a seller's market, you can always offer below list price just to see
how the seller reacts. Some sellers list properties for the lowest price they're
willing to take because they don't want to negotiate, while others list their
homes for higher than they expect to earn because they expect to negotiate
downward or they want to see if someone will make an offer at the higher price.
If the seller accepts your price or counteroffer, you'll get an indication
that the property probably wasn't worth what it was listed for and you have a
good chance at getting a fair deal. On the other hand, some sellers may
underprice their properties in the hope of generating lots of interest and
sparking a bidding war. Unlike on eBay, however, the seller doesn't have to
simply sell to the highest bidder: sellers can reject any and all offers that
don't meet their expectations. If you have your heart set on the property, be
warned that some sellers may be offended by lowball offers and refuse to work
with you if you chose to employ such a tactic. Also, when you offer less than
the list price, you may increase your risk of being outbid by another buyer.
9- Get a Home Inspection
A home inspection will give you a way to gauge your offering price. If the home needs many expensive repairs, you'll want to ask the seller to make the repairs for you or discount the purchase price so you can make them yourself.
10- USE A REALTOR
A comparable property is one that is similar in size, condition, neighbourhood and amenities. One 1,200-square-foot, recently remodelled, one-story home with an attached garage should be listed at roughly the same price as a similar 1,200-square-foot home in the same neighbourhood. That said, you can also gain valuable information by looking at how the property you're interested in compares in price to different properties. Is it considerably less expensive than larger or nicer properties? Is it more expensive than smaller or less attractive properties? Your real estate agent is the best source of accurate, up-to-date information on comparable properties (also known as "comps"). You can also look at comps that are currently in escrow, meaning that the property has a buyer but the sale is not yet complete.
2- Compare Comparable Properties Currently for Sale
In this case, you can actually visit other homes and get a true sense of how their size, condition and amenities compare to the property you're considering buying. Then you can compare prices and see what seems fair. Reasonable sellers know that they must price their properties similarly to market comparables if they want to be competitive.
3- Compare Comparable Properties that Failed to Sell (expired listings)
If the house you're considering buying is priced
similarly to homes that were taken off the market because they didn't sell, the
property you're considering may be overpriced. Also, if there are a lot of
similar properties on the market, prices should be lower, especially if those
properties are vacant.
4- Consider Market Conditions and Appreciation Rates
Have prices been going up recently or going down? In a seller's market,
properties will probably be somewhat overpriced, and in a buyer's market,
properties are apt to be underpriced. It all depends on where the market
currently sits on the real estate boom-and-bust curve. Even in a seller's
market, properties may not be overpriced if the market is on the upswing and not
near its peak. Conversely, properties can be overpriced even in a buyer's market
if prices have only recently begun to decline. Of course, it can be difficult to
see the peaks and valleys until they're history. Also consider the impact of
mortgage interest rates and the job market on the economy.
5- Is the Property For Sale by Owner (FSBO)?
A for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) property should be discounted to reflect the fact
that there is no seller's agent commission (usually about five to six per cent),
something that many sellers don't take into consideration when setting their
prices. Another potential problem with FSBOs is that the seller may not have had
an agent's guidance in setting a reasonable price in the first place, or may
have been so unhappy with an agent's suggestion as to decide to go it alone. In
any of these situations, the property most likely overpriced.
6- What is the Projected Appreciation for the Area
The future prospects for your chosen neighbourhood can have an impact on price.
If positive development is planned, such as a major mall being built, the
extension of light rail to the neighbourhood, or a large new company moving to
the area, the prospects of future home appreciation look good. Even small
developments like plans to add more roads or build a new school can be a good
sign. On the other hand, if grocery stores and gas stations are closing down,
the home price should be lower to reflect that, and you should probably
reconsider moving to the area. The development of new housing can go either way
— it can mean that the area is hot and is likely to be in high demand in the
future, increasing your home's value, or it can result in a surplus of housing,
which will lower the value of all homes in the area.
7- Do You LIKE the Home?
If you're not happy with the property, the price will never seem fair, even if
you get a bargain. Even if you pay a little over market value for a home you
love, in the end, you won't really care.
8- Test the Waters When Making an Offer
9- Get a Home Inspection
A home inspection will give you a way to gauge your offering price. If the home needs many expensive repairs, you'll want to ask the seller to make the repairs for you or discount the purchase price so you can make them yourself.
10- USE A REALTOR
Your REALTOR has access to all the information required to properly analyze all these factors and provide you with proper guidance in possibly the largest purchase you may ever make.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Home lottery is dream come true for Child Witness Centre
The Rotary Dream Home Lottery officiall kicked off yesterday and this year's beneficiary is the Child Witness Centre.
This article from the Record includes contact information so you can purchase your ticket!
This article from the Record includes contact information so you can purchase your ticket!
dreamhome The 26th annual Rotary Dream Home Lottery kicked off Thursday afternoon, with the grand opening of the Kitchener property.
Philip Walker/Record staff
KITCHENER — With its own gym and steam shower, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and retro stainless steel appliances, it would be anyone’s dream home.
And it could be yours, if you’re lucky.
The 26th annual Rotary Dream Home Lottery kicked off Thursday afternoon, with the grand opening of the property at 10 Watervale Dr., near the Grand River.
Built by Aberdeen Homes and decorated by Michelle Maue of Heer’s Decorating, the three-bedroom home has more than 3,300 square feet of finished space.
“I’ve always wanted to build the dream home,” said Nathan Hallman, managing partner of Aberdeen Homes. “It’s been a lot of hard work, but hard work brings good things.”
Over the years, the lottery, presented by the Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club, has raised nearly $7 million for local charities. This year’s beneficiary will be the Child Witness Centre.
“This is just so significant for us,” said the centre’s executive director, Jack Reynolds. Money raised through the lottery should help to cover about half the cost of the new location they’ve purchased on Duke Street, near the new consolidated courthouse, along with some staffing expenses and other costs.
“It avoids a staggering long-term debt for us,” Reynolds said. For nearly 20 years, the centre has rented space on Lancaster Street.
The centre supports child victims and witnesses as they navigate the criminal justice system. Hundreds of children aged 17 and under are referred to the centre each year; about 80 per cent of them have suffered sexual abuse, domestic violence or other physical assaults.
The dream home and its furnishings are valued at about $650,000. Lottery chair Craig Haney estimated that between $250,000 and $275,000 of labour and materials were donated by the builder, trades and contributors.
About 30,000 people are expected to tour the home before the grand prize draw at 5 p.m. on Dec. 4. A total of 10,000 tickets are printed; between 8,500 and 9,000 tickets are typically sold.
The home is open for tours from 1 to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Early bird draws for more than 100 prizes will occur on Oct. 14, Nov. 4 and Nov. 25. Tickets — $100 each or three for $250 — are available at the home, by phone at 1-866-294-6466 or by email at office@rotary-kc.ca.
And it could be yours, if you’re lucky.
The 26th annual Rotary Dream Home Lottery kicked off Thursday afternoon, with the grand opening of the property at 10 Watervale Dr., near the Grand River.
Built by Aberdeen Homes and decorated by Michelle Maue of Heer’s Decorating, the three-bedroom home has more than 3,300 square feet of finished space.
“I’ve always wanted to build the dream home,” said Nathan Hallman, managing partner of Aberdeen Homes. “It’s been a lot of hard work, but hard work brings good things.”
Over the years, the lottery, presented by the Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club, has raised nearly $7 million for local charities. This year’s beneficiary will be the Child Witness Centre.
“This is just so significant for us,” said the centre’s executive director, Jack Reynolds. Money raised through the lottery should help to cover about half the cost of the new location they’ve purchased on Duke Street, near the new consolidated courthouse, along with some staffing expenses and other costs.
“It avoids a staggering long-term debt for us,” Reynolds said. For nearly 20 years, the centre has rented space on Lancaster Street.
The centre supports child victims and witnesses as they navigate the criminal justice system. Hundreds of children aged 17 and under are referred to the centre each year; about 80 per cent of them have suffered sexual abuse, domestic violence or other physical assaults.
The dream home and its furnishings are valued at about $650,000. Lottery chair Craig Haney estimated that between $250,000 and $275,000 of labour and materials were donated by the builder, trades and contributors.
About 30,000 people are expected to tour the home before the grand prize draw at 5 p.m. on Dec. 4. A total of 10,000 tickets are printed; between 8,500 and 9,000 tickets are typically sold.
The home is open for tours from 1 to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Early bird draws for more than 100 prizes will occur on Oct. 14, Nov. 4 and Nov. 25. Tickets — $100 each or three for $250 — are available at the home, by phone at 1-866-294-6466 or by email at office@rotary-kc.ca.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Sales Stats for August are Out
Here is the link to the MLS stats for August in Kitchener-Waterloo
http://www.kwar.ca/stats/August_2011_Media_Release.pdf
http://www.kwar.ca/stats/August_2011_Media_Release.pdf
Bank of Canada Rate Keeps Key Lending Rate Unchanged Today
The Bank of Canada on Wednesday kept its key lending rate on hold but warned the slowing global economy and growing financial uncertainty means monetary stimulus will need to continue for the time being.
The central bank said the European debt crisis "has intensified" and financial market volatility "has increased sharply" amid slower global economic growth.
"Reflecting all these factors, the bank has decided to maintain the target for the overnight rate at one per cent," it said in a statement.
Many economists have now ruled out a move on rates until the second quarter of 2012 or even later.
"In light of slowing global economic momentum and heightened financial uncertainty, the need to withdraw monetary policy stimulus has diminished. The bank will continue to monitor carefully economic and financial developments in the Canadian and global economies, together with the evolution of risk, and set monetary policy consistent with achieving the (bank's) two per cent inflation target over the medium term."
The Canadian economy contracted by 0.4 per cent in the second quarter of this year, which the Bank of Canada said was "largely due to temporary factors."
During an appearance last month before the House of Commons finance committee, Bank of Canada head Mark Carney acknowledged the economy was slowing but said he did not expect that to lead to a recession.
He also said it was unlikely that Europe and the United States would see a major economic downturn.
The bank had earlier projected growth of 2.9 per cent in 2011 and 2.6 per cent in 2012.
On Wednesday, the central bank said that although the Canadian economy stalled in the second quarter, it still expects "growth will resume in the second half of this year."
That growth will be led by business investment and household spending, "although lower wealth and incomes will likely moderate the pace of investment and consumption growth," the bank said.
It said financial conditions in Canada have "tightened somewhat and could tighten further" if global financial conditions "continue to deteriorate."
Also, the bank said Canadian exports are "expected to remain a major source of weakness, reflecting more modest global demand and ongoing competitiveness challenges, in particular the persistent strength of the Canadian dollar."
The central bank said the European debt crisis "has intensified" and financial market volatility "has increased sharply" amid slower global economic growth.
"Reflecting all these factors, the bank has decided to maintain the target for the overnight rate at one per cent," it said in a statement.
Many economists have now ruled out a move on rates until the second quarter of 2012 or even later.
"In light of slowing global economic momentum and heightened financial uncertainty, the need to withdraw monetary policy stimulus has diminished. The bank will continue to monitor carefully economic and financial developments in the Canadian and global economies, together with the evolution of risk, and set monetary policy consistent with achieving the (bank's) two per cent inflation target over the medium term."
The Canadian economy contracted by 0.4 per cent in the second quarter of this year, which the Bank of Canada said was "largely due to temporary factors."
During an appearance last month before the House of Commons finance committee, Bank of Canada head Mark Carney acknowledged the economy was slowing but said he did not expect that to lead to a recession.
He also said it was unlikely that Europe and the United States would see a major economic downturn.
The bank had earlier projected growth of 2.9 per cent in 2011 and 2.6 per cent in 2012.
On Wednesday, the central bank said that although the Canadian economy stalled in the second quarter, it still expects "growth will resume in the second half of this year."
That growth will be led by business investment and household spending, "although lower wealth and incomes will likely moderate the pace of investment and consumption growth," the bank said.
It said financial conditions in Canada have "tightened somewhat and could tighten further" if global financial conditions "continue to deteriorate."
Also, the bank said Canadian exports are "expected to remain a major source of weakness, reflecting more modest global demand and ongoing competitiveness challenges, in particular the persistent strength of the Canadian dollar."
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Interest Rate Announcement from Bank of Canada Tomorrow - What to Expect
With all the economic upheaval and discussions regarding debt, mortgage and lending rates, stock markets and the value of the looney, tomorrow's Bank of Canada rate announcement is expected to be anything but a surprise.
This article from propertywire.ca indicates that everything is pointing to an unchanged rate from the Bank of CanadaA famous bard once said, “All the World’s a Stage.” That, as it turns out, is very much the case in terms of global economics and the ensuing drama that has unfolded since the Bank of Canada’s last rate announcement in July.
In the last six weeks, there has been a bi-partisan showdown, nervous hours in advance of the raising of the US debt ceiling, a consequent debt downgrade, renewed fears of financial collapse in various areas of Europe- and a roller coaster ride up and down on world markets, with peaks and valleys sharp and swift enough to rival an amusement park ride.
There has been released several sets of data- most recently Stats Can reporting that the Canadian economy has actually retracted for the first time in several months, suggesting that the hold on economic recovery, that seemingly has kept the engines of commerce for the past months, may be more tenuous than once thought.It had seemed an absolute certainty- not very long ago, that rates would be raised this fall, after having been so low for such an extended period of time.What a difference a few weeks makes, especially on the stage of global economics.
If history is any guide at all, the Bank of Canada will have little choice but to hold their current position come Wednesday in the next rate announcement.
A recent economist poll done by Reuters suggests overwhelmingly that there will be no big surprises in the next interest rate announcement.
The surprises have come in the form of sustained blows as one major economic event took swings at global economic stability. 95% of those polled indicate that they feel that the Bank of Canada will not do much of anything on Wednesday.In fact, many have indicated that it may be as long as Q2 2012 before the rates start their ascent again.
Good news for consumers? Perhaps- as this seemingly time-limited offer for low cost borrowing seems to have been extended.
This will, no doubt be well received by the housing industry- that is seeing a slow and steady climb in both sales activity and prices across the country- and will likely continue to be buoyed by consistent affordability.
Some members of our Propertywire.ca community echo the sentiment reflected by many of the economists.
Newmarket Realtor Mike Cartwright points out that despite our good fortune here at home, world economies are intricately interconnected- and that Canada is not an economic island: “I believe that the Bank of Canada will keep rates the same. Canada seems to be weathering the Global economic climate quite well with a strong housing market and our banks making record profits. But we cannot ignore the environment of slower growth in the U.S. and Euro zone....Based on the Global Economy we will keep our rates the same to create higher growth.”
Adam Hawryluk, Mortgage Advisor, Canadian Mortgage Experts DLC, supports the majority opinion “As you'll probably hear from almost everyone, I believe the overnight rate will stay the same from BoC.”“As far as rates from lenders, I feel rates are going remain relatively stable, then eventually sluggishly move up.
We've seen the discount on variable rates being reeled in a bit recently, but with no huge gains for either the Canadian or US economy recently, we should be spoiled with low fixed rates for a while still.”
So then, the question of “not if, but when,” that has been a thematic thread for several of the last rate announcements has been replaced with “why and how- and what will be the impact?”
Stay tuned for Wednesday’s Bank of Canada interest rate announcement.
This article from propertywire.ca indicates that everything is pointing to an unchanged rate from the Bank of CanadaA famous bard once said, “All the World’s a Stage.” That, as it turns out, is very much the case in terms of global economics and the ensuing drama that has unfolded since the Bank of Canada’s last rate announcement in July.
In the last six weeks, there has been a bi-partisan showdown, nervous hours in advance of the raising of the US debt ceiling, a consequent debt downgrade, renewed fears of financial collapse in various areas of Europe- and a roller coaster ride up and down on world markets, with peaks and valleys sharp and swift enough to rival an amusement park ride.
There has been released several sets of data- most recently Stats Can reporting that the Canadian economy has actually retracted for the first time in several months, suggesting that the hold on economic recovery, that seemingly has kept the engines of commerce for the past months, may be more tenuous than once thought.It had seemed an absolute certainty- not very long ago, that rates would be raised this fall, after having been so low for such an extended period of time.What a difference a few weeks makes, especially on the stage of global economics.
If history is any guide at all, the Bank of Canada will have little choice but to hold their current position come Wednesday in the next rate announcement.
A recent economist poll done by Reuters suggests overwhelmingly that there will be no big surprises in the next interest rate announcement.
The surprises have come in the form of sustained blows as one major economic event took swings at global economic stability. 95% of those polled indicate that they feel that the Bank of Canada will not do much of anything on Wednesday.In fact, many have indicated that it may be as long as Q2 2012 before the rates start their ascent again.
Good news for consumers? Perhaps- as this seemingly time-limited offer for low cost borrowing seems to have been extended.
This will, no doubt be well received by the housing industry- that is seeing a slow and steady climb in both sales activity and prices across the country- and will likely continue to be buoyed by consistent affordability.
Some members of our Propertywire.ca community echo the sentiment reflected by many of the economists.
Newmarket Realtor Mike Cartwright points out that despite our good fortune here at home, world economies are intricately interconnected- and that Canada is not an economic island: “I believe that the Bank of Canada will keep rates the same. Canada seems to be weathering the Global economic climate quite well with a strong housing market and our banks making record profits. But we cannot ignore the environment of slower growth in the U.S. and Euro zone....Based on the Global Economy we will keep our rates the same to create higher growth.”
Adam Hawryluk, Mortgage Advisor, Canadian Mortgage Experts DLC, supports the majority opinion “As you'll probably hear from almost everyone, I believe the overnight rate will stay the same from BoC.”“As far as rates from lenders, I feel rates are going remain relatively stable, then eventually sluggishly move up.
We've seen the discount on variable rates being reeled in a bit recently, but with no huge gains for either the Canadian or US economy recently, we should be spoiled with low fixed rates for a while still.”
So then, the question of “not if, but when,” that has been a thematic thread for several of the last rate announcements has been replaced with “why and how- and what will be the impact?”
Stay tuned for Wednesday’s Bank of Canada interest rate announcement.
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