Posts Tagged ‘home ownership’
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.
Home buyers demand smaller, smarter designs
Posted by: soconnor in New home builders, Real estate industry news on February 24th, 2010
The results of Better Homes and Gardens magazine’s Next Home Survey are in, and buyers have spoken.
Prospective new home buyers list energy-efficiency, organization and comfort as their top priorities in considering their next move. Demand for traditional McMansions appears to be waning as more and more people come to value intelligent design over wow factor.
“We continue to see a ‘cents and sensibilities’ approach when it comes to buying or improving a home, said Eliot Nusbaum, Better Homes and Gardens’ executive editor for home design. “Today’s homeowner is also looking for a home that fits the entire family—from a multi-tasking home office, to expanded storage space, to a living room that can adapt to advancements in home entertainment and technology.”
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.
Genworth launches new video series designed to help educate homebuyers
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, Genworth Financial advice on November 19th, 2009
Genworth Mortgage Insurance Company Canada (”Genworth Financial Canada”) introduces a new video series designed to educate homebuyers about the buying process and how to achieve homeownership sooner.
New home sales up 113 per cent in September
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates on October 23rd, 2009
New home sales surged 113 per cent in the Greater Toronto Area in September, with the high-rise condo market finally coming to life to join the rally in low-rise new home sales that began earlier this year, the Building Industry & Land Development Association announced today.
There were 3,883 new homes and condos sold in the GTA in September, according to RealNet Canada Inc., BILD’s official, independent source of new home market intelligence.
Canadians remain passionate about homeownership, Genworth
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, Genworth Financial advice, Real estate industry news on October 22nd, 2009
The desire for homeownership is alive and well in Canada, with many Canadians willing to go to great lengths for it. According to the Genworth Mortgage Insurance Company Canada (”Genworth Financial Canada”) First-Time Homebuyer’s Monitor released today, 68 per cent of renters said they would be willing to delay major purchases and more than half would give up vacations in order to own their own home.
AFFORDABILITY AND JOB SECURITY MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates, Resale homes on October 5th, 2009
Canadians who are considering purchasing their first home are primarily motivated by lower home prices and very low interest rates, but some require confidence in the economy and their employment prospects before they will enter the market, according to a report released by Royal LePage Real Estate Services.
Eighty-six per cent of potential first-time buyers say low interest rates make them more likely to purchase a home; 81 per cent cite lower housing prices as a motivating factor; while 76 per cent cite job security and 64 per cent say a stable economy is an important factor in their decision to buy.
Staging helps sell your home
Posted by: editors note in Home improvement tips, Resale homes, Selling your home on September 15th, 2009
Before listing, consider staging your home to give it a competitive advantage.
“Homes that present as move-in ready have strong buyer appeal in today’s market,” explains Jackie Peifer, a realtor with 20 years experience. “These properties sell more quickly which helps protect them from price reductions.”
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.
Genworth study reveals there’s no place like home
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, Genworth Financial advice, Real estate industry news on June 24th, 2009
The housing market may have experienced some ups and downs this year, but the spirits of potential first-time homebuyers across Canada remain strong. According to Genworth Financial Canada’s First-Time Homebuyer’s Monitor released today, 84 per cent of those surveyed said that owning a home goes beyond its financial value and feel that homeownership pays off in more ways than one.
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.
Gen X to flex new purchasing muscle in recreational property markets across Canada, says RE/MAX
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates on June 12th, 2009
Generation X purchasers are poised to replace aging baby boomers as the major force in recreational property markets across the country, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.
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.”
Canada’s Housing Market: Is now the right time to buy?
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates, Resale homes, Selling your home on April 22nd, 2009
BMO and industry experts shared their insights on the current and future state of Canada’s real estate market at BMO’s Real Estate Forum in Toronto.
The panel discussion is available on video: http://events.snwebcastcenter.com/bmo/20090414/index.php
First quarter new home sales down 62 per cent
Posted by: editors note in First time home buyers, Real estate industry news, Real estate market updates on April 21st, 2009
New home sales in the Greater Toronto Area were down 55 per cent in March, compared with March 2008, contributing to a 62 per cent decline in first quarter new home sales, Stephen Dupuis, President and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) revealed
today.
According to RealNet Canada Inc., there were 1,457 new homes and condos
sold in March versus 3,203 last March. The 55 per cent decrease was driven by a dramatic fall-off in high-rise condominium sales which were down 77 per cent from last March. Low-rise sales (single-detached, semi-detached and townhomes) fared better, relatively speaking, declining 27 per cent from March, 2008
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.
Home renovation tax credit can help save on contractor costs
Posted by: editors note in Bathroom decor, First time home buyers, Home decor, Home improvement tips, Kitchen decor on April 7th, 2009
(NC)—If you’ve ever been interested in renovating your home, but have been hesitant to hire a contractor because of costs, the government now offers a solution to help save Canadians money in this area. Under the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) stimulus proposed in the 2009 federal budget, contractors hired to perform home renovations are eligible expenses covered under the tax credit.
The HRTC is designed to encourage Canadians to renovate their homes and alleviate some of the financial woes that sometimes come with territory. It can help homeowners save up to 15 per cent on eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $1,350, assisting both families and the Canadian economy as it tries to rebound.
First-time buyers driving force in Canada’s residential real estate markets, says RE/MAX
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 March 12th, 2009
A report released today by RE/MAX confirms that entry-level purchasers are now the engine driving home-buying activity in almost every major centre in Canada.
The 2009 RE/MAX First-Time Buyers Report, highlighting first-time buying
activity in 32 residential housing markets across Canada, found that improved affordability is prompting many first-time buyers to get off the fence, out of the rental, and into the market. While a sense of caution still prevails, more and more first-timers are finding it hard to pass up the chance to become homeowners in today’s buyer-centric real estate climate.