Archive for the ‘New Homes and Condos’ Category
Blank Slate: Keeping your new home clutter free
Posted by: soconnor in Home decor, Home improvement tips, New Homes and Condos, Storage solutions on February 24th, 2010
Moving into a brand new home is an exciting opportunity to start fresh and get organized. By taking a few simple actions now, you can create the relaxing retreat you’ve always dreamed of.
Step One: Purge ruthlessly
Just because you’re moving into a larger space does not mean you need to bring the posters that adorned your college dorm room or the thigh master you never use. Take this opportunity to take stock of your possessions and strip down to the bare minimum. Whether you manage to make a few bucks through a garage sale or simply donate your used duds to those less fortunate, you will be better off without all that stuff cluttering up your life.
Go mad for Midnite Madness event
Posted by: soconnor in Builder events, First time home buyers, New Homes and Condos, New home builders on February 22nd, 2010
Check out the Toronto Star’s NewinHomes.com for all the information on this exciting sales event.
Builders working to reduce impact of HST on new home buyers
Posted by: soconnor in Finance & insurance, First time home buyers, New Homes and Condos, New home builders, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates on February 19th, 2010
The controversial new HST rules have been causing quite a stir as their July 1, 2010 implementation date approaches, and nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of the biggest of big purchases, new home sales.
The good news for most Ontario homebuyers is that because of the way the tax is structured, there will be no significant increase in cost for new homes that are priced below $400,000.
Skylake Homes Presents Single Detached New Homes in Brampton: Only 25 Available
Posted by: soconnor in New Homes and Condos, New home opening, Skylake Homes on February 1st, 2010
Families looking for new homes in Brampton won’t want to miss out on new homes for sale in Ravenscliffe Court, an exciting Ontario new development being built by new home builder Skylake Homes.
Canada home prices may rise 10 per cent in 2010: report
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, New Homes and Condos, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates on December 2nd, 2009
Canadian home-resale prices are likely rise in 2010 at an even faster pace than this year but a dangerous bubble probably won’t develop, TD Economics said in study published on Tuesday.
Homebuilders lining up to become licensed for energy efficiency
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, New Homes and Condos, Tips for Green Living on November 4th, 2009
(NC)—It’s easy being green, at least for builders of new homes in Canada. The trend towards building energy-efficient homes has never been hotter as more and more builders across Canada are calling Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to become licensed builders under their energy-efficient new homes initiatives.
MLS home sales grow stronger in the third quarter
Posted by: editors note in New Homes and Condos, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates, Resale homes on October 16th, 2009
CNW Telbec/ – National resale housing activity climbed to the highest level of any third quarter on record this year.
Actual (not seasonally adjusted) home sales via the Multiple Listing Service Systems of Canadian real estate boards totalled 135,182 units in the third quarter of 2009, according to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). This is the highest level of activity on record for the period from July to September. The number of transactions was up 18 per cent from the third quarter of last year, representing the biggest year-over-year increase since early 2002.
Canadian housing markets buck recession and trend upwards, says RE/MAX
Posted by: editors note in New Homes and Condos on September 24th, 2009
With the worst of the recession over, residential real estate markets in major Canadian centres are poised for growth in the final quarter of 2009, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.
The RE/MAX Bricks and Mortar Report found the bounce back that began in early Spring has made this recession one of the shortest on record for real estate. Low interest rates, pent-up demand, and improved affordability levels have all played a role in the recovery now well-underway. Percentage increases in sales from January to August 2009 were led by Vancouver, (up a substantial 14 per cent to 23,158), Victoria (up 7.4 per cent to 5,266), Edmonton (up 6.2 per cent to 13,691), Regina (up five per cent to 2,597), Ottawa (up 2.4 per cent to 10,830) and Toronto (up 1.8 per cent to 58,421). Housing values are already ahead of record-breaking 2008 levels in seven of the 11 markets surveyed, including Newfoundland-Labrador (18.1 per cent year to $203,584), Regina (6.4 per cent to $244,088), Halifax-Dartmouth (3.5 per cent to $239,633), Winnipeg (3.5 per cent to $207,006), Ottawa (3.3 per cent to $301,684), and Toronto (up 0.3 per cent to $385,978). Nationally, average price hovers at $312,585, up 0.5 per cent over one year ago.
Arista Homes launches new semis – sold out in 5 hours!
Posted by: pmdesign in Arista Homes, New Homes and Condos on September 22nd, 2009
Markham, September 12/09: Arista Homes announced this week that their new release of 48 semi-detached homes released on Saturday, Sept 12th sold out in under 5 hours.
Arista attributes the quick sell-out to great pricing and a highly desirable location.
This is good news for the hundreds of existing homeowners in the community: they’ve made a great investment in one of the GTA’s best neighbourhoods.
Is it real or is it laminate? Only you know for sure
Posted by: editors note in Home decor, Home improvement tips, New Homes and Condos on September 17th, 2009
When internationally famed Scottish design gurus Colin Ryan and Justin McAllister of the TV show Home Heist accept laminate flooring, you know it has come a long way, baby. But that’s precisely what they did in a recent column in the Toronto Star, wherein they noted that Buckingham Palace boasts laminate flooring. And if it’s good enough for the Queen, they admitted, it’s good enough for the discerning duo’s global projects.
Avoid home upgrading mistakes
Posted by: editors note in Home improvement tips, New Homes and Condos, Selling your home on September 15th, 2009
More and more homeowners are upgrading their properties with an eye to sell quickly and for top dollar. “Today’s buyers are attracted to move-in ready homes – especially those who lead hectic lives and are accustomed to upgrades. The days of buying a home to fix up have faded,” explains Greater Toronto Area realtor, Jackie Peifer.
Is your income at risk? Your home doesn’t have to be
Posted by: editors note in Finance & insurance, First time home buyers, Genworth Financial advice, Mortgage questions, New Homes and Condos, Real estate industry news on August 6th, 2009
When life delivers an unexpected blow – like a serious illness, a marital separation or loss of employment – it can be difficult to stay on track. Sometimes, it can even put your ability to make your mortgage payments at serious risk.
Arista Homes launches semi’s perfect for first timers – register today
Posted by: pmdesign in Arista Homes, First time home buyers, New Homes and Condos, New home opening on July 29th, 2009
Markham, ON – July 27/09
Arista Homes is now taking pre-registrations for their limited release of semi detached homes at Boxgrove starting at $289,990. This established community is home to a collection of large detached homes as well, and features parks, playgrounds and shopping / living amenities and is close to the 407, 404 and downtown Markham.
The price and great location will make this release sell out fast. Pre-register to ensure you get a preview opportunity to see our new homes, before they’re all gone!
What’s in the area:
GTA Resale Housing Sales Up 19 Per Cent in the First Half of June
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, New Homes and Condos, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates, Resale homes, Selling your home on June 19th, 2009
Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 5,185 transactions in the first half of June – an increase of 19 per cent compared to the same period last year.
“Households in the GTA have become more confident in purchasing a home over the past three months,” said TREB President Maureen O’Neill. “Affordability, due in part to very low borrowing costs, has played a key role.”
The average price for MLS® sales was $407,716, up by two per cent compared to last year.
Housing activity will moderate in 2009, improve in 2010
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, New Homes and Condos, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates on May 28th, 2009
Housing starts are expected to decline to 141,900 for 2009, but increase to 150,300 for 2010, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) second quarter Housing Market Outlook, Canada Edition(*) report.
Canadian Housing market shows some spring in its step
Posted by: editors note in New Homes and Condos on May 12th, 2009
Canada’s housing market is showing signs of emerging from its winter hibernation, according to the latest Real Estate Trends report released today by Scotia Economics. Nationally, home sales strengthened in both February and March, and preliminary reports suggest this
firming trend continued in April.
TD Canada Trust 2009 Condo Poll Shows Canadians Believe It’s a Buyer’s Market
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, New Homes and Condos, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates on May 5th, 2009
In a buyer’s market, if you can’t go it alone, find a good friend. The results of the 2009 TD Canada Trust Condo Poll show that the perceptions of the condo market have improved significantly over 2008 with 44% of urban Canadians believing the current conditions have improved for buying a condo as an investment (versus 21% in 2008).
Why? Respondents say it is a buyer’s market and condo prices are declining. If they can’t afford to buy one on their own, 43% are willing to consider a joint purchase with a friend or relative to make the condo purchase possible.
“For Canadians looking to purchase their first residence or make a
long-term investment, condos offer a lower maintenance and lower-cost
alternative to houses,” says Joan Dal Bianco, Vice President, Real Estate
Secured Lending, TD Canada Trust. “This is a good time to explore a condo
purchase given that mortgage rates are very attractive right now and many
condos have dropped significantly in price.”
HST squeezes middle-class homebuyers, hits GTA hardest, new report finds
Posted by: editors note in Finance & insurance, First time home buyers, New Homes and Condos, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates on May 5th, 2009
Greater Toronto Area homebuyers will absorb an exorbitant share of the whopping $800 million tax increase on new homebuyers across the province under the Provincial government’s harmonized sales tax (HST), which could threaten up to 21,200 jobs, a new report released by the Building Industry & Land Development Association (BILD) revealed today.
The report, titled “Big Hit on GTA Middle-Class Homebuyers with the Ontario Budget’s HST Proposals,” reveals that GTA new homebuyers will absorb $575 million or nearly three quarters (72%) of the $800 million tax increase while accounting for less than half (45%) of new home sales in Ontario.
New Blanco Metra corner kitchen sink saves space, adds style
Posted by: editors note in Home decor, Home improvement tips, Kitchen decor, New Homes and Condos on April 15th, 2009
The new Metra corner model will add to the the more than 100 sink models
currently available in Silgranit and will initially be available in the
company’s most popular Silgranit colour, Anthracite as well as the newest
colour, Silk grey. It will also expand the company’s offering of corner sink
models which includes corner sinks in both premium stainless steel and
Silgranit natural stone.
“When designing a kitchen, most consumers and many designers are not
aware of the wide range of possible sink placements or styles available,” says Alexandra Marshall, director of marketing with Blanco Canada. “Corner sinks are great space-savers in the kitchen, using countertop space that otherwise might be unused. This reserves longer straight-runs of countertop for other tasks. They are also less commonly seen in kitchens and therefore can make even the most standard kitchen look custom-designed.”
First ever “Canadian Green Home Index” reveals room for improvement in homes across Canada
Posted by: editors note in New Homes and Condos, Real estate industry news, Tips for Green Living on April 14th, 2009
The road to environmental consciousness is paved with green intentions, but a first-of-its kind index gives Canadians a moderate rating when it comes to ‘greening’ their homes.