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remax: 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)
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remax: Finding, Fixing and Flipping Homes - 09/03/09 01:40 PM
Flipping houses is a hot topic these days. Here are 10 tips to help you find the perfect flip from HGTV’s The Big Flip renovator’s John Stassen and Randy Mackay.
1. Find properties that are diamonds in the rough – homes that are rundown in comparison to those around them – as these often have a low list price.
2. Are the surrounding properties well maintained? This can add value and clinch a sale when your house goes back on the market.
3. Scrutinize previous renovations. Poor quality workmanship can mean you have paid a premium for … (0 comments)
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remax: 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)
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remax: 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)
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remax: 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)
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remax: 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)
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remax: Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver July Stats - 08/05/09 02:12 PM
… (0 comments)
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remax: 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)
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remax: Energy-Saving Renovations for Your Home - 08/04/09 04:10 PM
Save Money, Energy - and
the Environment
Improving the energy efficiency
of your home can do
more than reduce your energy
use and help protect the environment.
It can also help you
reduce drafts and noise, fix
moisture and condensation
problems, improve your indoor
air quality and comfort level -
and help save your family
money year round.
Regardless of where you live
or the type of house your
family calls home, Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation
(CMHC) has a number
of energy-saving tips you can
use to help you save money,
save the environment - and
reduce your … (0 comments)
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remax: Create Value in Your Home - 08/01/09 06:05 PM
For investors looking to maximize their return on investment,
heres all you need to know: building an income suite is by far How do I increase the value of my property?
Thats the question on
every homeowners mind. There are two key survival strategies. The
first is to think long term, have a plan and stick to it. History shows
that this plan of action can pay off.
The second tactic is to outperform the market. This means ensuring
your property increases in value at a greater rate than those in
your surrounding market. One way to do that is … (0 comments)
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remax: Golden Rules of Renovation - 07/31/09 07:47 PM
The Canadian Renovator Association offers a number of golden rules to help renovating homeowners achieve their goals.
Know what you want. Take the time you need to explore the possibilities for your home and develop a firm plan. Begins with the fundamentals-what do you need and how you want your
Set a realistic budget. Decide as early as possible how much money you want to spend-this allows you and your renovator to focus on the work that is doable within that budget. Experienced renovators can provide sound cost advice.
Plan for the long term. Thinking ahead avoids short-term renovations that may … (0 comments)
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remax: 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)
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remax: 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)
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remax: 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)
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