Peggy Hill Barrie Real Estate

Start Saving on your 2013 Taxes

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:21:08 -0700

With the rush of tax season behind us, most people file away their tax return and stop thinking about taxes until March of the following year, but to make sure that you’ll save money on this year’s taxes make yourself aware of all of the savings you may be able to take advantage of this year.

The government has implemented many different initiatives to help you save money in the 2013 tax year, so make sure you take advantage! Below we’ve summarized some of the ways that you’ll be able to save on your 2013 taxes:

Tax Free Savings Account – If you haven’t already opened a tax free savings account you should! This type of account is available to all Canadians age 18 or older and all investment income (including capital gains) earned in your tax free savings account will not be taxed. Instead of a $5,000 per year limit for the tax free savings account, starting in 2013 you can now save $5,500 per year, so get saving!

Medical Expenses – if your medical expenses for 2013 amount to more than $2,109 OR 3% of your net income you can claim them on your 2013 tax return. Eligible expenses include (but aren’t limited to) laser eye surgery, orthopedics, home care and new this year blood coagulation monitors and the associated tools.

Public Transit Credit – If you use public transit on a regular basis, you can claim those expenses on your tax return; you can now claim 15% of the cost of your monthly or yearly transit passes.

Children’s Fitness & Art Tax credit – Let your kids participate and discover! This tax credit allows parents to claim a credit of up to $500 per child under 16 against fees for sports and sports programs and artistic and cultural activities. Keep your receipts!

And last but certainly not least, the government has taken some steps to help ease the transition for First Time Home Buyers:

First Time Home Buyers’ Credit – To help first time buyers cope with the cost of entering the real estate market, the federal government implemented this tax credit in 2009. It allows Canadians to save up to $750 on qualifying home purchases. Ask your mortgage broker for more information!

Home Buyers’ Plan – Many First Time Home Buyers have difficulty saving a large enough down payment, so the government has allowed First Time Home Buyers to withdraw up to $25,000 from their RRSP’s to help them purchase a home.

For more information about all of the tax savings available to you visit www.TFSA.GC.ca or contact your local financial institution. Please pass this information on to any friends or family who may find it useful, and feel free to contact me or my team with any Barrie real estate questions.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill is a Broker & founder of the Peggy Hill Team at Keller Williams Experience Realty, Brokerage. conducting business in the Barrie real estate market. She has many Barrie real estate listings and is an expert in Barrie Homes for sale. Visit her website for more information about Barrie real estate.

RED Day 2013 at Keller Williams Barrie

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:00:30 -0700

The appropriately named RED Day, which stands for Renew, Energize and Donate, is an initiative started by Keller Williams International where Keller Williams Associates across North America can show their commitment to the local community by volunteering with a local charity or community project.

Every year on the second Thursday in May thousands of Keller Williams Associates and their friends and family devote their time to improving their local communities. On Thursday May 9^th The Peggy Hill Team and Keller William’s Experience Realty spent some time with the great people at The Season’s Centre for Grieving Children www.greivingchildren.com at 38 McDonald Street in downtown Barrie.

The Seasons Centre for Grieving Children was established in 1995 in loving memory of Samantha & Jessica Ramey. Modeled after the Dougy Centre in Portland, the centre provides a much needed support system for children ages 4-24 grieving the death or life threatening illness of an immediate family member. Grieving children are provided an opportunity to grieve in a supportive and understanding environment, with other children who have experienced a similar loss. It is really quite remarkable how they have designed their programs to encourage sharing and finding a way to cope positively with the feelings that accompany their grief.

The centre has helped over 3,000 families all throughout Simcoe County and beyond, from Toronto, to Halliburton to Orangeville. Most children who go through their programs are so grateful that they return as adults to return the favor and volunteer.

They are completely not-for-profit with no government support and rely completely on fundraising, donations and volunteers. The Peggy Hill Team and Keller Williams Experience were thrilled to spend the first ever RED Day for Keller Williams Barrie helping the Seasons Centre with spring cleaning of their yard and gardens, cleaning out their basement and completing some repair work. The centre was extremely thankful for the help and turnout of associates was outstanding!

If you know a child who is experiencing grief encourage them to visit The Season’s Centre for Grieving Children, everyone needs support in a time of loss.

Sincerely,

The Peggy Hill Team

Tips for Cleaning & Organizing Your Closet

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:49:25 -0700

Although it might not feel much like Spring here in Barrie today, it is! And that means the time for Spring cleaning is just around the corner! Cleaning out and organizing your closet may seem like a low priority but if you simply want to get more organized or are thinking about selling your home , it’s a good idea and here’s why: when viewing homes many buyers see cluttered closets as an indicator that the home doesn’t have enough storage space.

To help prevent this and to get yourself more organized follow these handy step-by-step tips to help you clean out your closets:

Purge. In all likelihood your closets are filled with many items that you no longer need or use, or things that you have completely forgotten about! Sometimes these items can be useful finds but in most cases they likely need to be tossed. Go through the items and clothes in your closets with ruthless determination. If you haven’t used it or thought about it in over a year, or if it doesn’t fit and you don’t LOVE it, toss it! Or donate it.

Plan. Before buying anything to organize your closet, plan how you will use the space. Use vertical surfaces and the backs of doors to clear floor space, store regularly used items in the most easy to access locations, and keep bulky and seldom used items at the bottom of the closet or in a separate location all together.

Organize. Invest in some storage tools to help your closet become and stay organized. Modular closet organizers, hooks, cleaning caddies, labels, clear storage containers and wall mounted storage solutions are a great way to do this but there are other less obvious items that you can use as well. Over the door racks or clear plastic shoe organizers are great for storing more than just shoes, or use an empty Kleenex box mounted on a wall to hold empty grocery bags. Get creative by re-using items you already have around the house!

Pass this article on to any friends or family who may find it useful and as always please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about buying or selling in the Barrie real estate market.

Sincerely,

The Peggy Hill Team

5 Fun Ways to Spend Earth Hour

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:01:48 -0700

For 7 years now lights across the globe have been going out in honour of Earth Hour, an initiative that was launched to bring communities across the world together to celebrate our commitment to protecting the planet. Earth Hour asks participants simply to turn off the lights to show their commitment! It’s also used as a platform for people and business’ to showcase all of the ways that they reduce their environmental impact. This year Earth Hour will be held on Saturday March 23^rd from 8:30-9:30 pm in your local time zone.

Although the local Barrie event celebrating Earth Hour was cancelled due to lack of funding, Barrie and area residents can still participate and show their commitment! You may be thinking ‘what am I supposed to do without any lights?’ but there are lots of fun things you can do in the dark! Here are a few ideas that we gathered from the members of The Peggy Hill Team on how you can, not only participate but enjoy Earth Hour this year:

Enjoy a candlelit dinner with friends and family! What better way to celebrate than with good friends and great food? Make Earth Hour a yearly event, and invite some of your closest family and friends over for an intimate candlelight dinner.

Drag out and dust off those Board games! Gather around some candle light and see who still remembers how to play Clue, or Monopoly, or get some exercise and set up a game of Twister.

Go for a walk! Turn out all the lights and appliances and get out of the house. Stretch your legs and take a walk with your family or favorite furry friend! Or make it a leisurely stroll and take a coffee or hot chocolate with you to keep warm.

Take a nap! With no lights, TV or electronics to distract you, settle in for an hour’s nap. You know you deserve it!

Watch the stars! With the sky mostly free of lights, grab some binoculars or a telescope and take a look at the sky the way it was meant to be seen, free of man-made lights and full of stars! Make a game out of it by seeing who can identify the most constellations.

However you choose to spend your Earth Hour, we hope you are able to participate and have some fun! Please pass this article on to any friends or family who may find it interesting and as always feel free to contact us with any questions about Barrie real estate.

Sincerely,

The Peggy Hill Team

Barrie Home Sales Up in January

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:10:10 -0800

Both the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and the Barrie and District Association of REALTORS® released their January statistics at the end of last week. Over-all the outlook for the housing market both nationally and locally is positive for 2013.

National home sales edged up 1.3% for January 2013 over January 2012 and the National Average Sales Price rose 2% compared to January of last year. The number of new listings rose in the Greater Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal areas as well as in the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island.

Although home sales edged up in January the Canadian housing market overall remains firmly balanced. Locally however this is not the case. Here at The Peggy Hill Team we always caution that real estate is local so be sure to consult a local REALTOR® when looking for information about the Barrie real estate market.

Following the national trend, home sales in Barrie also rose in January, an increase of 3% over January last year, “Resale housing activity for the region as a whole had a good start to the year, with activity posting the best month of January in five years” said Wendy Elzner, President of the Barrie and District Association of REALTORS®.

Also following the national trend, the Average Price for all homes sold via the Association’s MLS® System in January of this year edged up 1% from 2012 to $290,781. However the Average Price for homes sales within the City of Barrie declined 1% to $275,667 from 2012.

In contrast to the national trend, the supply level of active home listings remains low compared to historical levels. Active Residential Listings on the Association’s MLS® system were down 12% from the end of January 2012.

What this means is that here in Barrie it has been a great time to sell your home! We are experiencing a Sellers market, where there are more Buyers active in the market than Sellers. Once the Spring market heats up, inventory levels and competition for Sellers will also increase. So if you’ve been thinking of selling now may be the time! Sign up for a FREE no obligation Home Evaluation and see what your home is worth in today’s market. To sign up click here: Barrie Home Evaluation.

Please pass this article onto any family or friends who may find it useful and as always feel free to contact me with any questions about listing your home or the Barrie real estate market.

Sincerely,

Keller Williams Barrie Puts Down New Roots

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:00:12 -0800

Here at The Peggy Hill Team we’ve seen a lot of changes in the past few months. In December we joined forces with a new brokerage in town, Keller Williams, and became The Peggy Hill Team at Keller Williams Experience Realty. Now we’ll be seeing even more change as Keller Williams Barrie opens a brand new office on Bryne Drive.

Keller Williams, North America’s fastest growing real estate company, became the newest brokerage in Barrie as Keller Williams Experience Realty, Brokerage last November. Their home base has temporarily been with us, The Peggy Hill Team at 431 Huronia Road, but as of Monday February 4^th Keller Williams Barrie will be working out of a brand new office at 516 Bryne Drive, unit J! The office space is located right beside the Holiday Inn and across the road from Williams Coffee Pub.

The 5,000+ square foot office space will include client meeting rooms, an internet cafe, offices, a lounge, a kitchen and an amazing training room! Keller Williams focus on training is one of the main reasons The Peggy Hill Team decided to join forces with them. Keller Williams Barrie opened its doors with just a few agents and now, just 2 months later, boasts 25 agents on roster.

The Peggy Hill Team will still continue to operate out of our office at 431 Huronia Road, Unit 13 and all of our numbers and email addresses will remain the same. It took Peggy many years to find a real estate company whose mission, goals and values match her own and we are proud to be part of the Keller Williams family.

If you’d like to visit us or Keller Williams Barrie you can find us here:

The Peggy Hill Team – 431 Huronia Road, Unit 13 Barrie ON

Keller Williams Barrie – 516 Bryne Drive, Unit J Barrie ON

We wish them all the best with the opening of their new office!

Sincerely,

The Peggy Hill Team

6 Tips for Buying a Home in the Winter

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:13:21 -0800

Many Barrie buyers wait for the spring market to start looking for homes. The weather is nice and the kids are almost done the school year, but there are some benefits to buying in the winter! Because most people wait until the Spring to buy, lenders aren’t as busy and can process financing applications more efficiently, and there is less competition, which means fewer bidding wars! Read on for some tips on making a smooth Barrie home purchase this winter:

Inspections & Warranties - If there is anything you can’t inspect because of the winter, like the air-conditioning system or that swimming pool in the backyard, then negotiate an extended warranty in your purchase agreement. The warranty should give you enough time to be able to inspect the part of the property that’s in question and marks the seller responsible for any damages. It’s also a good idea to negotiate a holdback of about $2,000 so there is already a fund in place if a problem does arise.

Water Issues - With the amount of snow we’ve seen in Barrie lately the snow accumulation around the base of the home may make it difficult for the home inspector to see whether any grading issues may cause water problems. It might be a good idea to do your own environmental audit to check moisture levels.

Look for Signs of proper Insulation - If the snow on the roof looks like it is evaporating faster than the snow around the house, it is likely a sign that there is not enough insulation in the home.

Heating Costs - Check the last electric/gas bills, to determine how energy efficient the home is in winter.

Insurance - Check with your insurance company early as to whether you will have any difficulty obtaining insurance on the home; for example, by finding out whether there have been claims made in the neighbourhood about water damages or sewage backups.

Get to know the area - People tend to hibernate and stay at home in the winter, so take the opportunity to get to know the neighbours before you finalize your purchase.

By being properly prepared in advance, you can negotiate a stress-free, safe and successful winter home purchase! Please send this article to any friends or family who may find it useful and feel free to contact me with any questions about the Barrie real estate market or this important information.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

6 Tips for Selling Your Home in the Winter

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:08:08 -0800

Traditionally in the Barrie real estate market, most sellers wait until the Spring to list their homes for sale. This presents an opportunity for those sellers who do choose to list their homes in January – less competition! Here are some tips for protecting yourself when selling your home during the winter months:

Nail the First Impression! Step up your curb appeal: use urns with light wood branches to brighten up the exterior of your home.

Stay Current! Get rid of December’s Christmas lights, homes that look dated on the outside give the impression they are probably dated on the inside too.

Project Lifestyle! Make sure your fireplace is working during any showing, that the temperature is comfortable in the home and that interior lighting compensates for the grey outdoors – make them want to come home to your home!

Show off in Every Season! Have pictures of your landscaping available from summer and autumn (if possible) to show how fabulous your home looks year-round.

Get Detailed! Make any inspections that you may have had done on the air-conditioning unit or swimming pool available, as buyers likely won’t be able to inspect these items at this time of year.

Leave No Room for Concern! Consider inviting a company to do an environmental audit on your home in advance, confirming that there is no moisture behind the walls that could lead to mould and that you have sufficient insulation behind the walls.

By being properly prepared in advance you can negotiate and smooth and stress free winter sale! Please send this article to any friends or family who may find it useful and feel free to contact me with any questions about the Barrie real estate market or this important information.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

Peggy Hill Joins Forces with Keller Williams Experience

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 05:35:08 -0800

Peggy Hill, a prominent figure in Barrie real estate, is thrilled to announce some exciting changes! Peggy Hill & Associates has now become The Peggy Hill Team, part of Barrie’s newest real estate brokerage, Keller Williams Experience Realty, Brokerage.

Keller Williams is North America’s fastest growing real estate company. They have started serving the Canadian market with 16 offices in Ontario, 20 Canada wide and they are #2 in the United States.

“It has taken me many years to find a real estate company whose mission, goals and values match my own” says Hill. Peggy and her team have built a reputation for dedication, professionalism, and the highest level of customer service.

“Our location, phone numbers, email and web address will all remain the same, what will change is the exposure we’ll be able to provide for our clients”. Along with increased local exposure for her client’s listings, The Peggy Hill Team will also be able to provide massive national exposure. “I made this key decision with my number one goal in mind: My Clients’ satisfaction”

Hill has been one of the region’s leading real estate professionals for almost a decade*. Peggy’s journey through real estate has seen her grow from a single agent, to successfully running her own brokerage to partnering with North America’s fastest growing real estate company, Keller Williams.

Contact Peggy Hill directly or visit www.PeggyHill.com for more information on the team’s services and to start browsing for real estate in Barrie today.

*Based on ends completed by Peggy Hill in 2011. In 2011 Peggy completed 218 ends compared to the average REALTOR®'s 9 ends. Properties listed by Peggy Hill & Associates in 2011 sold 46.8% faster that the average listing in Barrie and the surrounding area. Independently compiled from IMS Incorporated. Ends can mean a purchase or a sale. Where both buyer & seller are represented 2 ends are counted.

Is Your Furnace Winter Ready?

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:28:28 -0800

Once the fall leaves begin falling off the trees, it’s a sure sign that a Barrie winter won’t be far behind! While most people don’t give much thought to their furnace until it comes time to turn it on, experts actually recommend a few pre-winter maintenance practices that will help to ensure your homes furnace is running safely and efficiently.

But why should you check your furnace now? If annual maintenance is not performed on gas appliances it can result in exposure to carbon monoxide. Which can cause nausea, drowsiness, flu like symptoms and in extreme cases, can be fatal. Annual maintenance also helps to ensure your furnace is running efficiently, which can help save you money on your heating bill this winter.

The experts at Barrie Heating and Cooling and SoCalGas offer the following tips for a safe, warm and energy-efficient winter season:

Have your furnace checked by a professional. It’s a good idea to have your furnace checked by a licensed professional once a year; they can inspect and clean the inside of your furnace.

Vacuum and clean the furnace regularly. Particularly around the burner compartment to prevent dust and lint build up.

Never store items around the appliance that can obstruct air flow.

Change the furnace filter. During the summer months your filter isn’t being used the same way it is in the winter, so it’s best to change the filter before the winter season. It’s also a good idea to check your furnace filter every month during the winter season and to clean or replace the filter where necessary.

By following these tips you should prevent any furnace breakdowns during the winter and help pro-long the life of your furnace. As always please be sure to pass this blog article onto any friends and family that may find it useful and feel free to contact me with any questions you might have about the Barrie real estate market.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

6 Tips to Save Money on Your Next Move

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:39:58 -0800

Moving can be an expensive and stressful time, but in Barrie it doesn’t have to be! You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make sure your move goes smoothly; all you need is to plan ahead. There are many Barrie companies that can help and many ways to cut moving costs and keep stress levels down during your next move:

1. Trim down your stuff! You can save money and time by moving less stuff. Take a real look at everything you have and toss, sell or giveaway anything you don’t need or haven’t used in the past year. You could hold a garage sale, donate to goodwill or post items on Kijiji. You might even make money!

2. Check your homeowner’s insurance & take photos before disassembling. Many insurance companies will cover your goods while they are in transit for a small fee so make sure you check with yours; and taking photos of your items before you disassemble them will help if you do have any damages during transit. You’ll have proof of what the item looked like before the move in case you do have to make an insurance claim.

3. Get creative in the kitchen! Start using all that canned, packaged and frozen food. Make creative meals and clean out your cupboards. You’ll save money and time by moving less and, you may even discover a new favorite meal!

4. Time your move. If you are planning on using movers, time your move around the off season. Most people move in the summer while he kids are out of school and the weather is nice, but many moving companies offer off-peak rates.

5. Do it yourself! Save the cost of a moving company by packing and moving your things yourself. There are a host of companies out there who can help:

Grocery stores & LCBO’s – Grab old boxes from your local grocery stores or LCBO’s.

Moving supply companies - Gone are the days of searching for boxes, wrapping and moving tape; let your supplies come to you! www.movingboxes.ca is a Canadian company catering to the Barrie area, where you can purchase packages of moving supplies (boxes, wrapping, tape etc.) and have them delivered directly to your door. Their handy packages allow you to estimate how many boxes you’ll need based on the size of your current home. Once you have all the supplies, you can pack everything up yourself, with the help of your family of course!

Truck rental companies – Pack, load and drive yourself to your new home, just be sure to check fuel and mileage charges before selecting a rental company.

Call in some favors – Enlist the help of family and friends to help you make the big move, as long as you provide food and refreshments, you won’t get many complaints!

Portable storage units – There are a handful of companies in the Barrie area who will deliver a portable storage unit right to your front door. You can save money by packing it yourself, and the company will come back and deliver the unit to your new home.

Try: Cube-It, www.cubeit.ca or PODS www.pods.com in the Barrie area.

6. Check if you can deduct. Many people are unaware that you can deduct your moving expenses from your taxes. You may be eligible to deduct packing, transporting and storing costs from next year’s taxes, if you’ve been relocated for work, so make sure you hold on to your receipts!

Please feel free to contact me about the Barrie real estate market or the above information, and be sure to pass this article along to any family or friends who may find it useful.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

Special Report on Barrie Real Estate & Canada’s Real Estate Market

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:25:03 -0700

Real estate and the real estate market has been a hot topic in the media this year, especially in the last few months. The reports can be confusing; one day we’re facing “The burst of the real estate bubble!” and the next “Prices are rising and sales are up!”. Some have even compared Canada’s real estate market to that of the United States before the recession in 2008, so it’s hard not to panic and to know what to believe. Even the ‘experts’ differ on their view of Canada’s real estate market.

With all the stories on the news and in the media, we wanted to make sure that you know a few key points about Canada’s real estate market and more importantly the market right here at home in Barrie and the surrounding area.

First, we’d like to make sure you know that anyone talking about ‘Canada’s real estate market’ is referring mostly to the big 3 markets: Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. When the media refers to ‘over-valued’ markets, they are referring specifically to Toronto and Vancouver where competition in the real estate market is fierce and bidding wars are common. Real estate is such a local industry that you just can’t generalize one market to the next, and that’s what the media is doing in our opinion. What’s happening in Toronto is almost always going to be completely different that what’s happening in Vaughan, Innisfil or Barrie. The average (year over year) price change over the last 6 years in Barrie is 0.18%*, and competition in the Barrie and area real estate market is moderate. It is the exception rather than the rule for a bidding war to occur. To get an accurate picture of your local market, you need to speak to a local Realtor or refer to the local real estate board.

Secondly, there are many key differences between Canada and the United States in terms of the banking, mortgage and real estate industries. With all of the government policies and regulations around lending it is highly unlikely that Canada would face a downturn in the housing market similar to what the States has been going through over the past 4 years. We have the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation or CMHC (a government body) insuring mortgages, we haven’t gotten involved with mortgage backed securities and our banks are very conservative.

It is true that we, as Canadians, have taken advantage of the low interest rates that have come along with the economic recession and the following years of recovery, but many lending limitations have been put in place to prevent the massive amounts of over-spending that we saw in the United States leading up to the recession.

So what is going on in Barrie’s real estate market? All of the negative reports about real estate have people sitting on the fence about entering the market. As a result, sales in the Barrie real estate market for September are down 9%** over last year. The good news is that our economy is healthy and strong and has no choice but to improve.

As always please pass this article on to any family and friends who may find it interesting and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions about Barrie real estate.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill & Associates Realty

*Data from the Barrie & District MLS Board. Sold Properties in Barrie from 2006 to 2012 year to date

**Data from the Barrie & District ML Board. Sold properties in Barrie Sept. 2011 vs. sold properties in Barrie Sept. 2012

Simcoe County Offers Down Payment Assistance with Home Ownership Program

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 06:12:18 -0700

The mortgage rule changes put in place by the Bank of Canada in July has acted as a barrier to entry for many first time home buyers looking to enter the market. The County of Simcoe, with some help from the province, has stepped in to try to overcome this barrier and help first time home buyers become home owners.

On Tuesday, the Simcoe County Council approved an increase in down payment assistance, bringing it up to 10%, under the Home Ownership program in the form of a forgivable loan, so long as you own the home for at least 20 years.

The provincial government, through the Investment in Affordable Housing for Ontario program, has allocated $12.5 million of the $480 million in federal and provincial funds to the County of Simcoe for the creation and repair of affordable housing in Ontario over the next four years.

The County is pleased to be able to offer the Home Ownership program, “Home ownership is a dream for many low-to-moderate-income households in Simcoe County, but the reality of saving enough money for a down payment is often out of their grasp,” said Warden Cal Patterson.

Funding is being awarded on a first come, first served basis to a maximum of 10% of the eligible purchase price, which can be no more than $291,814. Homes must be modest in size and be located in Simcoe County. So, who qualifies for the down payment assistance?

· You must be a renter household buying a sole and principal residence

· You cannot currently own or have a vested interest in a residence or any land

· You must show proof of a gross household income at or below $82,600

· You must have assets of no more than $20,000

· You must have no outstanding arrears to social housing in Ontario

· You must be at least 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant or have Refugee status

· You must supply photo ID and a birth certificate

· You must be pre-approved for a mortgage

The Home Ownership program is an excellent way to help get first time buyers into their first home so they can begin to gain equity. Please pass this information along to friends and family who may find it useful, and don’t hesitate to contact me for more information on Barrie real estate or Simcoe County’s Home Ownership Program.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

4 Tips for end of Summer Air Conditioning Savings

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 06:17:42 -0700

Now that we've hit September and the kids are back to school it feels like fall, but there are still a few days of summer left! The Barrie forecast is calling for warm weather for the next few weeks, so you may still need your air conditioner and with the warm weather about to wind down it’s a good idea to make the most efficient use of your air conditioning before you have to turn the furnace on again.

Reliance home comfort is one of Canada’s largest and most innovative home comfort companies. They recommend the following tips for end of summer air conditioning that will help your air conditioner run more efficiently and protect it from unnecessary wear:

Check the air filter for the blower. When the filter collects too much dust and airborne particles, it slows the passage of air through the blower. This makes cooling your home more difficult and it raises your energy bills. Eventually, the dust can collect on the air conditioners evaporator coil, which may cause it to freeze over and waste energy. When the frost melts, it may cause water damage should it flood the drain pan.

Inspect the condition of the outdoor condenser. Bent or dirty fins slow the cooling process. The refrigerant passes through a coil inside the condenser and the fins help dissipate the heat, much like your vehicle’s radiator does. If a summer’s worth of grass clippings have collected on the fins, it’ll take longer for the heat from your home to cool. Hosing off the fins and coil for the air conditioning compressor restores its efficiency.

Remove any vegetation that’s collected near the condenser. You should have two feet of clear space on all sides of the condenser for the best ventilation. Be sure that the top of the condenser has at least five feet of unobstructed space above it. The fan inside the condenser brings air through the fins and coils, and anything that slows the process increases your electric bills.

Checking your air conditioner before its put away for the winter should put you ahead of the game come next summer.

Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about the Barrie real estate market or this important information, and be sure to share this blog article with any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

Rent or Buy? How to Make the Right Decision

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:10:21 -0700

With persistently low interest rates and desirable prices—even bargains in some locations—there are a lot of great reasons to buy a home in the Barrie real estate market. However, deciding whether to buy or rent is a serious, often complicated decision, which should be weighed carefully.

A professional, experienced real estate agent can help guide you through a rent vs. buy analysis based on your particular circumstances. In the meantime, many financial experts suggest that you start asking yourself the following critical questions when considering a home purchase:

1. How much can you afford to put down? Can you afford the monthly payment? A mortgage down payment of 5 - 20 percent of the selling price is typical, but can vary depending on the situation. The size of the down payment will impact the monthly cost. Assess your financial health, determine how large of a down payment you can afford and consider if you can then afford the monthly cost.

2. What other debt do you have? Consider all of your current and expected financial obligations and ensure you are able to make all the payments. Aim to keep total rent or mortgage payments plus other credit obligations less than 35 - 40 percent of your monthly income. If you can't keep payments below that, you may be better off renting for a while or searching for a more affordable home.

3. What is my credit score? Can I qualify for a good interest rate? A high credit score indicates strong creditworthiness, which qualifies you for better interest rates on a mortgage. Maxing out your credit lines and paying bills late will lower your credit score, and the impact of a credit score on interest rates can be significant. For instance, a borrower with a score of 760 could pay nearly 2 percentage points less in interest than someone with a score of 620. That equates to over $3,000 less in mortgage payments each year. If your credit score is low, you may want to delay buying a home and take steps to raise your score.

4. How much will taxes, monthly maintenance or other fees cost? Owning a home means you will have to pay real estate taxes and other costs like insurance and maintenance. However, owning a home can bring tax savings at the end of the year. Remember to factor in these costs and incentives. Renters have neither these costs nor tax advantages.

5. How many years will I stay here? Generally, the longer you plan to live someplace, the more it makes sense to buy. Over time, you can build equity in your house. For renters, there is no equity or investment value. Yet, renters have greater flexibility to move as they don't have to worry about finding new tenants.

If it turns out that it may be better to wait a bit before buying a home, keep in close contact with your real estate agent, who can help you make the move to homeownership as soon as possible.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about that Barrie real estate market or this important information, and be sure to share this blog article with any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

Peggy Hill & Associates Launches New Barrie Real Estate Website

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:26:45 -0700

I'm very excited to announce the launch of my new website, www.PeggyHill.com ! It's been in development for a while and I'm thrilled to share it with all of you! Please read our press release below for more information:

Prominent Barrie real estate brokerage Peggy Hill & Associates Realty Inc. recently launched their new website, PeggyHill.com. Designed to serve as an informational hub on the real estate market in the region, the site provides prospective homebuyers and sellers with a wide array of helpful resources.

“We built our site so that buyers and sellers could have relevant information right at their fingertips,” says Barrie Realtor Peggy Hill, Peggy Hill & Associates’ Broker of Record. “While it’s certainly easy to go online, finding the right data can be a bit more challenging, which is why we’ve designed our site to be as comprehensive as possible.”

PeggyHill.com features extensive listings of Barrie homes for sale, property search tools, open house schedules, a variety of articles and guides on home-buying and selling, and more. It also offers the latest real estate news headlines and mortgage rates as well as a constantly updated blog that provides insights on local market trends and the Barrie lifestyle.

Located on the shores of Lake Simcoe in Simcoe County, the fast-growing city of Barrie is just about an hour’s drive north from Downtown Toronto. “Barrie is the gateway to cottage country and is a great place to raise a family,” says Hill. “It is a small-town community with big-city amenities, plenty of recreational opportunities, great shopping and restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. It’s really no surprise why homes for sale in Barrie are so appealing to all kinds of homebuyers.”

Nominated numerous times for the Barrie Business Woman of the Year award, Hill has been one of the region’s leading real estate professionals for almost a decade. She was named one of Prudential Realty's Top 100 Realtors in North America in 2007 and 2008* and won the Pinnacle Award in 2009** for being among the top ten in residential sales in North America. In 2010 Peggy decided to open her own brokerage, Peggy Hill & Associates Realty Inc. Brokerage.She and her team at Peggy Hill & Associates have built a reputation for dedication, professionalism, and the highest level of customer service.

Contact Peggy Hill directly or visit www.PeggyHill.com for more information on the firm’s services and to start browsing for real estate in Barrie today.

*Based on residential units sold. Units can mean a purchase or a sale. Where both seller and buyer are represented two ends are counted

**Based on residential units sold. Units can mean a purchase or a sale. Where both buyer and seller are represented two ends are counted.

Click here for the original version of the press release: Peggy Hill & Associates Launches New Barrie Real Estate Website

Barrie Homes: Barrie Real Estate Outlook – Third Quarter of 2012

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:35:45 -0700

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, CMHC, just released their third quarter outlook for the Barrie real estate market. So far this year total starts in the New Home market are down and Resale Home sales have decreased slightly but still remain above the quarterly average.

Looking to buy from the builder?

Compared to last year, total starts (new homes being built) are down quite a bit. This is due mainly to the decrease in apartment starts. Apartments have become more common in Barrie over the last few years mainly because of the declining household sizes of an aging population and space constraints due to population growth. Though apartments are in demand, they take longer to construct. Some apartments which started being built in the second quarter of 2011 are still in construction, which leaves fewer resources for any new buildings to go into construction.

Starts of all other types of homes are actually above last year’s levels. The median price for recently completed single-detached homes has been relatively flat over the last year between $300-399,000. Both the low mortgage rates and rising employment are supporting this housing demand.

What about from the Resale Home market?

Existing home sales decreased slightly from the previous quarter (just over 1%) but still remain above the quarterly average. The average price of a resale home has decreased significantly from the first quarter to around $290,000 from $300,000+. Lower mortgage rates may have pulled some buyers into the market early during the first quarter but people are still attracted to the existing homes market.

This is due largely to the growth in Barrie’s employment market and interest rates remaining low. Since the first quarter of 2012 employment in Barrie has increased by about 1,500 jobs, 60% of those being full time.

It seems that the real estate frenzy Barrie has been experiencing so far this year is starting to wind down to a more regular level of activity. Interest rates may be remaining low but the recent mortgage rules which decreased the maximum amortization period to 25 years and flat price growth are now leaving people on the fence. Both sellers and buyers seem to be taking a “wait and see” attitude towards getting into the market. For sellers the relatively flat price growth has them on the fence while buyers are in no hurry because interest rates are predicted to remain low until at least next year.

What does this mean for you?

The Barrie real estate market is still very strong. Buyers have become immune to low interest rates so no one is jumping, but there are still many serious buyers out there. If your thinking of selling contact us for a free, no obligation home evaluation.

Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about the Barrie real estate market or this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

How to Shop for an Energy-Efficient Appliance

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 10:59:14 -0700

Buying a major appliance can take a big bite out of your savings, making it tempting to choose the lowest-priced item possible. However, the true cost of owning a home appliance is actually based on three components: the initial purchase price, the cost of repairs and maintenance, and the cost to operate it. So don’t make your selection based on the price tag alone - it could end up costing you more in the long run.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the appliance with the lowest initial purchase price, or even the one with the best repair record, isn't necessarily the one that costs the least to operate. You can learn about the energy efficiency of an appliance that you're thinking about buying through the yellow-and-black EnergyGuide label it displays. The FTC’s Appliance Labeling Rule requires appliance manufacturers to put these labels on:

Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers
Water heaters, furnaces, boilers
Central air conditioners, room air conditioners, heat pumps
Pool heaters

When you shop for one of these appliances in a dealer's showroom, you should find the labels hanging on the inside of an appliance or secured to the outside. The law requires that the labels specify:

The capacity of the particular model
For refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and water heaters, the estimated annual energy consumption of the model
For air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers and pool heaters, the energy efficiency rating
The range of estimated annual energy consumption, or energy efficiency ratings, of comparable appliances.

Some appliances may also feature the EnergyStar logo, which means that the appliance is significantly more energy efficient than the average comparable model.

When shopping for an appliance, keep the following in mind:

Select the size and style. Measure the space the appliance will occupy to be sure your new purchase will fit. Make sure that you'll have enough room to open the door or lid fully and enough clearance for ventilation.
Know where to shop. Appliance outlets, electronics stores and local retailers carry different brands and models. Dealers also sell appliances through print catalogs and the Internet.
Compare. Ask to see the manufacturer's product literature. Decide which features are important to you. Ask questions about how the different models operate: Are they noisy? What safety features do they have? What about repair histories? How much water do they use? How energy efficient are they?
Estimate how much the appliance will cost to operate. The more energy an appliance uses, the more it will cost to run. Consult the EnergyGuide label to compare the energy use of different models. The difference on your monthly utility bill can be significant.
Ask about special energy efficiency offers. Ask your salesperson or local utility about cash rebates, low-interest loans or other incentive programs in your area for energy-efficient product purchases - and how you can qualify.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

Bank of Canada leaves Interest Rates with Under-performing Economy

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 07:17:34 -0700

The Bank of Canada announced on Tuesday that the overnight lending rate will remain at 1% at least until the next policy meeting on September 5th. The overnight target interest rate has now set a new record for remaining unchanged a total of 678 days.

Economists feel that the announcement comes as no surprise with the current state of the economy. Since the last policy meeting in April global financial conditions have deteriorated, national housing activity is forecasted to slow, Canadian exports are projected to remain below the pre-recession peak into 2014 and not surprisingly our economy has not rebounded as much as previously thought and is not predicted to return to full capacity until the second half of 2013, 6 months later than what was forecasted in April.

What did surprise economists was the Bank of Canada’s continued bias towards tightening monetary policy in the future, “To the extent that the economic expansion continues and the current excess supply in the economy is gradually absorbed, some modest withdrawal of the present considerable monetary policy stimulus may become appropriate”. BMO’s Doug Porter told Reuters, “I think part of what’s behind the bank’s language is that they simply do not want the market pricing in rate cuts”

What does this mean for mortgage rates?

Mortgage holders can likely expect the current 3.00% prime rate to remain for a number of months. And as for any ‘monetary tightening the Bank of Canada talked about, “we’d likely have to see surprisingly strong economic performance for 3 -4 months in a row before that happened” says CIBC mortgage advisor Tim Shwed.

So expect mortgage rates to remain low for a little while yet, there is still time to get into the market at these low interest rates. As always feel free to contact me any time to learn more about mortgage rates, the Barrie real estate market or interest rates, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

Barrie Homes: Mortgage Changes from the Department of Finance

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 09:41:18 -0700

On Wednesday night the Bank of Canada made an un-expected announcement about some major changes to mortgage policy in Canada. The changes are viewed by CIBC economist Benjamin Tal as a "gentle push" to cool down the housing market.

What are the changes?

The 2 major changes announced are (1) a reduction in the maximum allowed amortization from 30 to 25 years on government backed mortgages and (2) a limit on the amount of equity that can be borrowed against a home from 85 to 80%.

Since the economy shows very little signs of a strong recovery The Bank of Canada is expected to keep interest rates low for quite some time. Tightening mortgage rules is one way for Ottawa to ensure that Canadian's don't take on too much debt during the pro-longed period of low interest rates.

More changes are expec ted to be announced today.

How will you be effected?

The changes announced so far will mean a higher monthly payment for home buyers but will also mean that your loan will be paid off faster.

It is more imprtant than ever, with these policy changes, to be sure that you are finacially ready to become a home buyer. Before you start looking we recommend that you sit down and take a detailed look at your finances and what you can afford and if you have questions speak with a mortgage professional. We strongly recommend getting pre-approved, it will take alot of the stress out of the home buying experience and will allow you to be totally realistic during the buying process.

Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about the Barrie real estate market or this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or fasmily that my be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

Barrie Homes: 5 Important Tips for a Summer Renovation Project

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:56:10 -0700

With favorable weather conditions and an easing up on the demands of everyday life, summer is a popular time for Barrie homeowners to embark on a renovation project. With the plethora of information available from do-it-yourself websites, television programs and magazines, you might even be tempted to take on a home improvement project yourself, depending on the scope of your plans.

Consider the following important tips from author and remodeling expert Dan Fritschen when considering a summer renovation project:

Figure out if your project is worth it

. It’s never a good idea to start a project—big or small—without having an accurate idea of how much it will cost. Especially in today’s economic environment, it’s crucial to consider where home values are right now. Will your proposed remodel add enough value to your property to offset the cost? Fortunately, thanks to technology, you can get remodel cost estimates instantly.

Look for deals

. While the economy is slowly getting better, it’s nowhere near the remodeling heyday of 2007, so contractors and retailers are working hard to win your business, says Fritschen. You may be able to find discounts of 10 percent or more on many materials and appliances for your remodel. Plus, even though summer is a busy season, many contractors are bidding their best prices in an attempt to get back to the business levels they had prior to the economic slow-down.

Consider saving money and power

. If you’ve been considering adding solar panels to your home, now’s the time. According to Fritschen, solar panels are currently available at great prices—as little as $1 per watt for 200-watt panels—so for $2,000 you can buy panels that can generate 2 kw of power during peak sunshine periods (like summer).

Tackle a winter-centric project

. Summer is the perfect time to take on a winter-oriented renovation, such as replacing a furnace, adding insulation, or installing more efficient windows or siding. Most homeowners aren’t focused on these types of projects during the summer, so you’ll have a better chance to get a good deal and to schedule the work at your preferred time.

Consider the timing.

If it turns out that this summer is not the best time to start your renovation project, you should still start preparing for it, says Fritschen. Keep an eye out for sales on the materials you need. If you start buying and storing bath and kitchen fixtures, windows, and tile now—that you bought on sale, for example—you can significantly cut down on the cost of the overall project.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about the Barrie real estate market or this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

Barrie Homes: 5 Tips for a Stress-Free Vacation

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:27:28 -0700

With the end of the school year right around the corner her in Barrie, families across Simcoe County are preparing for a fun-filled summer season. Whether you’re planning a road trip or taking to the skies, the following tips will put you in vacation mode while taking the stress out of the equation.

1. Plan ahead. There are some things that can be done way ahead of your trip, like making reservations, taking the car for a tune up, and letting neighbors know you will be away. Even packing can be done earlier than most people think. For instance, getting your bag ready on Tuesday for your weekend at the lake will be less stressful than packing it on Friday, with your family in the car honking the horn.

2. Delegate. Scrambling around to get everything ready for your trip? Dole out tasks to lighten your load. Tell your kids to clean out the car before piling in for that road trip. Ask your teenager to look up good restaurants in the area you’re staying. Have your husband or wife contact the kennel to make reservations for your four-legged friend.

3. Unplug—everything! Leave your laptop at home, turn off your BlackBerry and stow away your iPod. Designate 20 minutes a day for catching up with work related emails only if necessary. We are so focused on technology today we forget what it’s like to be away from it. After a few hours of connecting with your family, friends, or just nature, you will feel liberated and care-free.

4. Do nothing. Pencil in time to do nothing. Whether this is two days on your weeklong vacation, or an afternoon during a long weekend, section off a block of time where you have nothing planned. This will allow you to plan your activities based on how you feel at that moment—a true luxury in this fast paced world.

5. Smile. This may seem like a given, but often we get hung up on the small stuff - even while on vacation. Don’t get upset if a friend bails last minute, or your hotel room is smaller than it seemed in the picture, or you forgot to pack your kid’s bathing suit. When you look back on your trip, these inconveniences will be forgotten, so don’t let them ruin your time in the moment, either.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about The Barrie real estate market or this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

Barrie Homes for Sale: Tips for First Time Home Buyers

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:06:00 -0700

I watched an interview recently on Global's morning show with Real Estate lawyer Mark Weisleder where he explained why he thinks it's a good time to buy a home. Mark also gave some advice to help first time home buyers make the right decisions when buying a home. I agree with Mark's advice, I often share the same tips with my clients and thought I would share them with you as well:

1. Crunch some numbers - Before you even start to look at homes, talk to mortgage broker or even a REALTOR® you need to get an idea of what you can afford. This way you avoid the disappointment of falling in love with a home that's over your budget. If the numbers don't look so good then you have the opportunity to create a savings plan and work towards homeownership.

2. Research the neighbourhood - This is an area where you'll be spending a lot of time so make sure it fits your lifestyle.

3. Do a Home Inspection - I always recommend that buyers do a home inspection because you never know what you'll find out. A home inspection will allow you to be fully informed about the state of your possible new home. If repairs are needed (and some are usually expected) it gives you the opportunity to either walk away or plan for the repairs.

4. Focus on the Home and NOT the finishing’s - Nice finishing’s often grab buyer's attention and pull their focus away from the home itself. Focus on what it is about the home that you CAN'T change i.e. location, the size of the yard etc. You have the ability to change the finishing’s in your home but not the location for example, so make sure you still love the home regardless of the finishing’s.

If you follow this advice you can hopefully avoid unnecessary stress and disappointment while buying your first home. It should be an exciting time! Click here to watch Mark's interview. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about the Barrie real estate market or this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

Barrie Homes: Saving for Retirement - It's Never Too Late

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:20:38 -0800

The difficult economic environment of the past few years may have stalled your retirement savings plan—or maybe you haven’t even gotten around to creating a plan. And you’re not alone—43 percent of Americans had less than $10,000 saved in 2010.

The good news is that it’s never too late and with the right planning, you can retire comfortably no matter what your age. According to retirement planning specialist Derrick Kinney of Derrick Kinney & Associates, never think that you’re too old to start saving for retirement. As he explains, the years between your 40s and 60s represent a timeframe when many of the financial obligations associated with raising a family have decreased, allowing you to put retirement savings into overdrive.

Kinney offers the following tips for speeding up the process:

Create a detailed catch-up plan

. Determining the amount of money you will need in retirement can be difficult. You must factor in the inflation rate, your retirement age, the longevity of your retirement and your expected expenses, including your increased medical costs. For obvious reasons, calculating retirement income can get complex fast, but there are online calculators that can provide an estimate. Plus, there are some widely accepted guidelines you can use as a baseline such as planning to live on 80 percent of your pre-retirement income. After you have determined the estimated amount of money you will need to save, use that number to create realistic, yearly goals.

Redirect spending to build your savings.

Buy the appropriate insurance. Statistics show that nearly 2/3 of retirees will need long-term care either at home or through an assisted living facility and the cost can be upwards of $50,000 annually. To ensure skyrocketing medical costs won't destroy their financial security, retirees should consider purchasing long-term care insurance as well as health insurance, says Kinney. It's important to realize long-term care insurance does not cover the same day-to-day medical expenses that health insurance covers and if you retire at 59.5 you are on your own when it comes to providing health insurance. Retirees may also want to consider buying life insurance if they have dependents.

Following the above three steps can put anyone on the path to a more secure retirement, even if you're in your 40s, 50s or 60s.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about the Barrie real estate market or this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill

Barrie Homes: Barrie Housing Market Remained Balanced in 2011

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:44:39 -0800

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recently released their first quarter 2012 publication which gives us some insight into the state of the market at the end of 2011 and some shifts in the market which indicate changes to come in 2012 for the Barrie real estate market.

There are three main conclusions that the CMHC has drawn from the close of business in 2011. (1) New home starts shifting from single-detached to higher density dwellings, (2) An increase in existing home sales and (3) Barrie's real estate market continued to remain balanced.

(1) Higher Density Home Starts Increase

New constructions has shifted away from single-detached homes and towards higher density dwellings such as rows or apartments. According to CMHC the ratio of single-detached homes to total starts has been trending down since 2007. This downward trend indicates that Barrie is becoming more urban. It is also due to an increase in demand from both aging baby boomers and cost-conscious younger buyers for more affordable high density homes. This is not the case however in Innisfil and Springwater Township whose markets have only seen a slight decrease in the ratio of single-detached starts to total starts.

(2) Existing Home Sales Increase

The price gap between new home sales and existing home sales continued to widen in 2011. The average price of a new single-detached home in 2011 was $418,000 and the average price of an existing home in 2011 was in the range of $282,000 to $249,000. Because of this price gap some buyers looked to the existing homes in order to save on cost.

(3) Barrie Market Remains Balanced

As a whole in 2011 the Barrie market saw steady sales activity and flat new listings. This pushed the sales to new listings ratio higher but still within that of a balanced market. Homebuyers in 2011 remained cautious and most focused on homes with lower price tags. Mortgage rates remained low and full time jobs continued to increase giving buyers the security they needed to enter the market. Sales increased faster than new listings which indicates that first time buyers also returned to the market.

Please feel free to contact me any time to learn more about the Barrie real estate market and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Sincerely,

Peggy Hill