Monday, October 01, 2007

Home Maintenance

Hello,

The fall market is strong once again. We have yet to see any real impact from the mortgage fraud issues affecting the US market.

If you would like further information on this topic or any other, please let me know.

All the best...Dan


Priority Maintenance for Home Buyers

There are so many home maintenance and repair items that are important; it can be confusing trying to establish which are the most critical. To simplify things, we have compiled a short list of our favorites. These are by no means all-inclusive, nor do they replace any of the information in a home inspection report. They should, however, help you get started on the right foot. Remember, any items marked as priority or safety issues on your home inspection report need immediate attention.

One-Time Tasks

1. Install smoke detectors as necessary (usually one on each level of the home, near any sleeping areas). Install carbon monoxide detectors, according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
2. Make any electrical improvements recommended in the home inspection report.
3. Remove any wood/soil contact to prevent rot and insect damage.
4. Change the locks on all doors. Use a dead bolt for better security and to minimize insurance costs.
5. Correct trip hazards such as broken or uneven walks and driveways, loose or torn carpet or uneven flooring.
6. Correct unsafe stairways and landings. (Railings missing, loose, too low, et cetera.)
7. Have all chimneys inspected before operating any of these appliances.
8. Locate and mark the shut-offs for the heating, electrical and plumbing systems.
9. Label the circuits in electrical panels.
10. If there is a septic system, have the tank pumped and inspected. If the house is on a private water supply (well), set up a regular testing procedure for checking water quality.

Regular Maintenance Items

11. Clean the gutters in the spring and fall.
12. Check for damaged roofing and flashing materials twice a year.
13. Cut back trees and shrubs from the house walls, roof and air conditioning system as needed.
14. Clean the tracks on horizontal sliding windows annually, and ensure the drain holes are clear.
15. Test ground fault circuit interrupters, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors using the test button, monthly.
16. Service furnace or boiler yearly.
17. Check furnace filters, humidifiers and electronic air cleaners monthly.
18. Check the bathtub and shower caulking monthly and improve promptly as needed.
19. If you are in a climate where freezing occurs, shut off outdoor water faucets in the fall.
20. Check reversing mechanism on garage door opener monthly.
21. Check attics for evidence of leaks and condensation and make sure vents are not obstructed, at least twice a year. (Provide access into all attics and crawl spaces.)

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Cottage Property

Hello,

I hope you're enjoying the springtime weather. The market is going strong, so if you're thinking of selling or jumping in, give me a call!


Baby Boomers Living Large in Recreational Property Markets

(May 01, 2007) – Luxury recreational property sales are set to soar in coming months as affluent baby boomers drive demand for upscale product from coast-to-coast, according to a report released by RE/MAX.

The 2007 RE/MAX Recreational Property Report found the top-end of the market stands to gain most from the aging baby boom demographic, as many prepare for their retirement years. Teardowns, custom-builds, and renovation continue unabated as a result, changing the shoreline of lakes and rivers in 34 of the 39 markets surveyed from Newfoundland/Labrador to British Columbia. Upper-end sales have also affected recreational property values across the board, placing upward pressure on prices, particularly in Western Canada. Starting prices have topped $500,000 in 31 per cent of recreational property markets. Only seven offer waterfront properties under the $250,000 price point.

It's been said that money made in stocks and bonds typically works its way into real estate. This year is a prime example, as economic performance and stock market profits have propped up activity in most Canadian markets. The boomer attitude is go big or stay home.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

FIRST TIME BUYERS CONTINUE TO BOOST HOME SALES

Hello all. I hope your enjoying the improving weather! The market is moving along swiflty. Please read below to learn more.

All the best...Dan

Mississauga, ON (March 20, 2007) – Higher housing values, tight inventory levels, and all-out bidding wars have yet to deter first-time buyers in their quest to realize homeownership in major Canadian centers this year, according to a report released today by RE/MAX. “Despite a decade of year-over-year price increases, compounded by challenging market conditions this year, entry-level buyers continue to be a driving force in real estate,” says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President and Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. “Their undaunted enthusiasm is expected to translate into sales at or ahead of last year’s record levels in the Spring.”

The RE/MAX Affordability Report, which highlights first-time buying activity and trends in 13 housing markets across the country, found that substantial price increases have had little impact on buyer intentions. The greatest year-over-year price appreciation occurred in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, and Kelowna, where averages rose 52, 29, 26, and 23 per cent respectively. Average price in the country’s most expensive market – Greater Vancouver – has jumped 11 per cent, topping the half million dollar
mark. While prices in these markets may now seem costly, entry-level product such as
Condominiums can start at half the average price.

“Buyers are finding the means necessary to enter the market, even in the western provinces, where double-digit price gains have been reported and sales to listings ratios hover above the 80 per cent mark,” says Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada. “Purchasers simply refuse to be priced out of the market, even though household income has not kept pace with housing appreciation. Something’s got to give -- and the trends identified in this report show it’s the how, what,
where and when of the equation.”

Case in point is the surge in condominium sales from coast-to-coast. Affordability and accessibility have made the condominium lifestyle a popular choice. Condominiums now represent fewer than one in every two sales in markets like Vancouver and Victoria. In Edmonton, Calgary, and the Greater Toronto Area, close to one in every three sales involve a condominium apartment or town home. In smaller markets like Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg, condominiums are gaining momentum. Condominium sales represent approximately 12 per cent of total residential sales in Halifax-Dartmouth and Ottawa.

“Low interest rates and solid economic performance in most major Canadian centers have also played a substantial role in providing purchasers with the confidence to go out and buy their first home,” explains Polzler. “Yet, in some centers, there are other motivating factors at play. Price increases, for example, area reality in the marketplace. One year can set you back – from location to house size – and your dollar just doesn’t have the same purchasing power.” Yet, buyers have found inventive ways to address that as well. Innovative financing has allowed a growing number of first-time buyers to enter the marketplace. With most prepared to up the ante to realize “the dream of homeownership”, unique new mortgage products with longer amortization periods
are helping to make mortgage payments easier to carry.” The offloading of family wealth and inheritance are also factors influencing the up swell in home-buying activity,” says Ash. “Some first-time buyers are digging into RRSPs and borrowing money from parents, while others are looking to offset carrying costs through in-law suites, now factored into debt service ratios by a growing number of lending institutions.”

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

2007 Market Research

Hello,

Just a short update on how 2007 is starting off. Contact me directly anytime if you have any questions…All the best…Dan



Strong start for 2007TORONTO, February 13, 2007 -- The January resale housing market was the best January ever, registering 13 per cent more transactions than a year ago, Toronto Real Estate Board President Dorothy Mason announced today. The 5,173 sales in the month were six per cent above the previous record set in January 2002.

“Sales have been very solid to start the year,” Mrs. Mason said. “It's a very good sign for the market to see a healthy level of activity carrying over from last year's strong finish.”
Scarborough's Birchmount Park / Cliffside area (E06) saw 55 per cent more overall sales compared to last January, with detached homes accounting for nearly all transactions.In the Islington / Kingsway area of Etobicoke, a jump in condominium transactions helped to push overall sales 42 per cent higher than January 2006
.
An increase in sales of condominiums and semi-detached homes helped lift Forest Hill to an overall increase of 56 per cent over January of last year.
North of the city, in Markham West / Langstaff (N01), 50 per cent more homes changed hands in January than during the same month a year ago.

Ted Tsiakopoulos, CMHC's Ontario regional economist, noted that Toronto's housing market has been a very stable sector of the economy.
“The market remains resilient despite slower job growth, high energy prices, and a loss of migrants to western Canada,” Mr. Tsiakopoulos said. “Historically low interest rates, strong income growth and healthy consumer confidence are important factors keeping January home sales buoyant across the GTA.”

TREB's President added that while the results are preliminary, they should instill confidence in consumers.
“The housing market is healthy and continues to be well supported by strong economic fundamentals,” Mrs. Mason said. “These are ideal conditions, and consumers can feel confident making a switch to another home or realizing their dream of home ownership for the first time.”

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Green Bin Program

This is some interesting information on how the Green Bin works:

http://www.toronto.ca/greenbin/faq.htm#note


How the program works




Where is the organic material going?

A:
Your organic materials are picked up at the curb by collection vehicles and taken to the Dufferin Organics Processing Facility in Toronto, which was built specifically for the Green Bin Organics Program. A biological process that uses bacteria in the absence of oxygen ("anaerobic digestion") converts the organics into organic solid material. This material is taken to another facility where it is turned into compost.

Q:
What will the finished compost be used for?
A:
It will be used as a soil amendment for farmland and parkland.

Q:
Is this program safe and sanitary? What about germs/bacteria from diapers or animal waste?
A:
The Green Bin Program is completely sanitary and safe. All of the materials collected in the green bin were previously collected as garbage, so the common sense precautions you take when handling household waste still apply. Between collection days, store your green bin in a secure location to avoid accidental tipping and animal interference. Keep the lid closed to minimize odours and discourage flies/pests. Just as you would after handling any waste container, wash your hands after handling the green bin.
Materials collected in the Green Bin Program go through a series of processing operations resulting in a clean and safe compost product. Mechanical operations separate organic materials from the film plastic bags used to either line the green bin or the kitchen container and the contaminant materials normally found in such waste. Final processing involves aerobic composting, a biological process that occurs in the presence of oxygen, produces a stabilized organic material called compost. Composting has been used for decades to convert a variety of organic materials, including human and animal waste, into a safe and bacteria-free product.
Through decades of experiment and experience, sanitary engineering practice has developed standards for the composting process that ensure elimination of disease-causing organisms (pathogens). The high temperatures occurring naturally during the composting process destroys pathogens. Maintaining such high temperatures for a minimum time period ensures the final finished compost is pathogen-free.
Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment specifies and regulates processing requirements via the operating permits it issues to composting facilities in the province.

Q:
How have the bins been tested to ensure they are durable?
A:
The containers have been thoroughly tested by the manufacturer and are guaranteed to last five years. The City did additional testing, including drop tests, and involved both collectors and ergonomists to analyze the bins. If your bin cracks or breaks, please call Customer Service at 416-338-2010 to find out where to go to replace it (you will need to bring your broken bin with you).

Q:
Are apartment residents participating in the Green Bin Organics Program?
A:
Not at this time. There are pilot projects being undertaken across the City in apartment buildings to determine the system that would work best there.

Hello,

I hope the cold isn't getting you all down! We were out sledding this past week taking advantage of the good snow!

Below you will find an interesting article about the Green Bin program and how it works...All the best...Dan

The big picture: Diverting waste from landfill

Q:
Is the Green Bin Program really helping Toronto reduce waste from landfill?
A:
Yes. We know by studying results from the Etobicoke and Scarborough communities' participation that, on average, each participating household is diverting 200 kg of organics from landfill - a lot more than the City had hoped for. How much is that exactly? Enough to keep almost 1,500 trucks bound for Michigan landfill off the road each year. And if Toronto, York and East York perform as well as Etobicoke and Scarborough, that will represent an additional 1,800 or more trucks bound for Michigan landfill off the road annually.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Happy New Year

Hello all! I hope you had a nice Holiday. We were off to London to see family and friends. Spent New Years Eve in a friend’s restaurant called “The Tasting Room” in London Ontario on Richmond Street. Check it out if you find yourself in the area. The proprietors, Carl and Pam are sure to show you a great time!