| |
real estate: Vancouver Real Estate Market Update - 10/02/09 05:07 PM
October 2, 2009REBGV September Stats
Buyer demand remains strong while home listings increase
Greater Vancouver home sales remained strong last month, with the second highest number of residential sales ever recorded for the month of September.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,559 in September 2009, an increase of 3.4 per cent from the 3,441 sales recorded in August 2009, and an increase of 124.5 per cent compared to September 2008 when 1,585 sales were recorded.
"As homes sales in Greater Vancouver continued at an elevated pace in September … (0 comments)
|
real estate: Is the Air in Your Home Healthy? - 08/07/09 07:07 PM
Is the Air in Your Home Healthy?
How to Improve Air Quality and Fight Asthma in Your Home
Controlling mold is one way of improving air quality in your home, thus preventing asthma.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting Canadians today. An estimated 2.2
It
Normal activities in your kitchen produce water vapour and odours, but installing an efficient range hood, vented to the exterior, can help minimize the effects on your air quality. As well, when you shower or bathe, use the bathroom fan and allow it to run for 15
To help control … (0 comments)
|
real estate: New Home Renovation Tax Credit Introduced - 08/07/09 06:59 PM
Effective January 29, 2009,any Canadian who spends
money on home renovations will be eligible to receive up to
$1,350 in tax relief thanks to the new Home Renovation Tax Credit proposed in Harper
Governments Economic Action Plan. Every time Canadians investin home renovations, they are
helping to create construction and building-supplies jobs in
their own communities, said the Prime Minister. By providing an incentive for
Canadians to invest in their homes, we are also encouraging them to invest in
local jobs.
To highlight the kind of projects that will be eligible under this plan, the Prime Minister
visited an Ottawa-area home … (0 comments)
|
real estate: Tips for Turning a First Home Into an Income Property - 08/05/09 03:48 PM
For the past ten years, Scott McGillivray, a 30 year old real estate
entrepreneur, has made a living by transforming houses into income
properties. Today, he manages 18 properties with over 100 tenants and here
he shares his top tips for creating legal income suites that will help you offset
your rising mortgage payments.
1. Make sure it’s worth it
The cost of renovations has to be able to pay itself back within two years
rent. Scout out local markets or get a professional opinion.
2. Tag team, if you can
To use a cliché, two heads are better than one, … (0 comments)
|
real estate: The Renovation Contract - 08/05/09 03:41 PM
One of the major reasons for disputes over renovation work is the lack of a
contract. The best way to avoid this is to draw up an agreement describing
the work to be done and the cost of this work. This contract becomes a legal
document, binding both parties once they have signed it. Don’t sign
anything until you are fully satisfied it describes exactly what you want and
contains everything you have agreed upon.
According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC)
About Your House fact sheet, the contract should include:
The correct and complete address of the property … (0 comments)
|
real estate: Home Renovation Financing Options - 08/04/09 04:25 PM
Whether you intend to finance
your renovation yourself or
borrow money, you should talk
to a financial advisor and to
your lender before you make
firm plans. They can help you
understand your options and
advise on how much you can
borrow. This information will
help you plan realistically.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
Your own resources: For
smaller renovation projects,
you may consider self-funding
material costs, especially if
you plan to do the work yourself.
Credit card: Likewise, you can
use your credit card to pay for
materials for smaller renovations.
But be careful not to
carry the balance for too long
… (0 comments)
|
real estate: Five Tips on Selling in a Slow Market - 07/31/09 07:38 PM
1 Know Your Market
Learn your market, the value of your property and your competition. Most sellers operate in the dark, simply offering the property for the price they want, without regard to what other homes have sold for and are currently selling for. Undervaluing or overpricing your home can cost you tens of thousands of dollars. 2 Price Your Home Right
With homes sales slowing and prices plunging, therethat selling for a good price in todaySo if you try to ask as much for your property as your neighbour got a year ago, youyour home … (0 comments)
|
real estate: Costs Associated with Closing a Home - 07/28/09 01:55 PM
Your mortgage isnt your only expense when buying a home. In fact, there
are several closing costs that you must pay before you can take possession
of your house (to take possession means the home is now legally yours).
Many of these costs are listed below:
Appraisal Fee: This is the cost for a professional to come to your
property to assess its value. Your mortgage lender or mortgage
default insurer may require an appraisal to determine whether the
selling price is reasonable for that market.
GST: You must pay the Goods and Service Tax (or Harmonized Sales
Tax) on a … (0 comments)
|
real estate: Buy or Sell First? - 07/24/09 04:36 PM
Buy or Sell First?
If you are considering looking for a new home, and are a current home-owner, then chances are you're wondering what your strategy should be: do you wait to find the perfect new home before you put your current home on the market, or do you sell first and then look around? You have a few options. Use the following as a guide to explore what might be the best move for you.
Sell First:
There are several benefits to selling your current home before searching for your next home. First of all, once you … (0 comments)
|
real estate: 8 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Co-op - 04/22/09 05:21 PM
8 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Co-op
You've been saving for awhile, weighing your options, looking around casually. Now you've finally decided to do it-you're ready to buy your own home. With the escalating market, a Co-op apartment may be an ideal route towards home ownership. The experience of purchasing a new home is exciting, but it can also be a little confusing.
It is essential you do your homework before you begin. Learn from the experiences of others, do some research. Of course, with so many details involved, slip-ups are inevitable. But be careful: learning from your … (0 comments)
|
real estate: Metro Vancouver real estate sales bounce back - 04/05/09 06:16 PM
Metro Vancouver real estate sales bounce back
Numbers down from one year ago, but a strong surge in the month of March across Lower Mainland and the Island
Real estate sales have bounced back in March compared to February, up 53 per cent in Metro Vancouver, 48 per cent in the Fraser Valley and 34 per cent on Vancouver Island.
Moreover, in some areas prices showed signs of recovery as well.
The numbers are still down significantly from last March but are still encouraging, said Paul Penner, president of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, where prices have eked … (0 comments)
|
real estate: 7 Things to Look for in a New Neighbourhood - 04/05/09 05:40 PM
7 Things to Look for in a New Neighbourhood
Whether seeking solace, activity, churches, or green space, every homebuyer looks for a different combination of attributes in a new community. Choosing a neighbourhood that suits your needs and wants is one of the most important decisions you'll make in the home-buying process; your choice of environment will affect the way you experience your new home. This is a very personal decision, influenced by countless unique factors colouring your own lives, but you should always keep the following in mind:
If you're considering buying a home in a community that is … (2 comments)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
;)
;)
