No matter what your political leanings are, we are all looking for political stability and solutions to an economic crisis.
And that is what our Canadian Real Estate market needs too. A stable government offering a balanced financial plan for our country which will guide us through the rocky times of a world economic crisis and provide for a healthy real estate market for the future.
It is hard to believe that after an election ending only 6 weeks ago and parliament having only sat for two weeks that we could be facing a government overturned by an unelected Coalition government or a new election. The last election was at a cost of $300 million dollars; I'm sure many of us would like to have that kind of money to put towards the housing market or for that matter any kind of financial stimulus instead of having to go back to the polls again.
Frankly, I am tired of seeing any political campaigns signs. I'd like to see more real estate signs, especially those with the word SOLD on them.
I hope the Governor General is given the wisdom needed to make a decision in the best interest of Canada. I hope this is swift. I hope it creates stability. And, I hope I can get back to my job of helping Canadians buy and sell real estate.
Jennifer
Jennifer O'Malley, Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Status Realty Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905-436-0990 (24 hr paging)
Email: jen@jenniferomalleyrealtor.com
Website: http://www.jenniferomalleyrealtor.com/
Thinking About Selling Your House In The Next 6-12 Months?
Click here to find out how much your home may be worth and to receive valuable tips on what you can and should be doing right now to get top dollar for your home.
Looking To Buy a Home in Durham Region?
Click here to receive Up-to date listings of homes currently available for sale and for information on what to do before you buy your next home.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Sunday, December 16, 2007
First Time Buyer Land Transfer Tax Relief
News Release | December 13, 2007 | Government of Ontario | Ministry of Finance
ONTARIO EXPANDS LAND TRANSFER TAX REFUND PROGRAM
First-time buyers of resale homes to benefit from new tax measure
The McGuinty government is giving all first-time homebuyers a break on land transfer tax by proposing to expand the Land Transfer Tax Refund Program to include purchases of resale homes, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan announced today.
"Expanding this Land Transfer Tax refund is an important part of our government's commitment to helping Ontarians buying their first home," Duncan said.
Effective midnight tonight, first-time buyers of resale homes, as well as newly constructed homes, would be eligible for a refund from the provincial government of up to $2,000 of the Land Transfer Tax paid.
The expanded Land Transfer Tax Refund Program for First-time Homebuyers is part of a package of new tax initiatives announced in the 2007 Fall Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review that would provide $1.4 billion in provincial tax relief for business and people over three years. The government is making strategic investments in people, communities and infrastructure to strengthen Ontario's economic advantage and help manufacturers and other sectors challenged by current economic conditions.
For more information please visit: http://www.gov.on.ca
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This is a great opportunity for first time home buyer's to receive some additional tax relief. So, if you have been considering buying your first home now is a great time to start looking. The hot spring market hasn't started and with this relief in sight you may find that perfect property at a really great price and a little savings to boot. If you aren't a first time buyer the tax relief doesn't apply but the winter season is still a great time to look since the market hasn't heated up with the rush of spring. The gems are still out there with a bit of searching.
Best of Luck with All Your Real Estate and a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Jennifer
For more tips on buying and selling check out http://www.homesforsaledurhamregion.com/
Jennifer O'Malley, Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Status Realty Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905-436-0990 (24 hr paging)
Email: jen@jenniferomalleyrealtor.com
Website: http://www.jenniferomalleyrealtor.com/
Thinking About Selling Your House In The Next 6-12 Months?
Click here to find out how much your home may be worth and to receive valuable tips on what you can and should be doing right now to get top dollar for your home.
Looking To Buy a Home in Durham Region?
Click here to receive Up-to date listings of homes currently available for sale and for information on what to do before you buy your next home.
ONTARIO EXPANDS LAND TRANSFER TAX REFUND PROGRAM
First-time buyers of resale homes to benefit from new tax measure
The McGuinty government is giving all first-time homebuyers a break on land transfer tax by proposing to expand the Land Transfer Tax Refund Program to include purchases of resale homes, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan announced today.
"Expanding this Land Transfer Tax refund is an important part of our government's commitment to helping Ontarians buying their first home," Duncan said.
Effective midnight tonight, first-time buyers of resale homes, as well as newly constructed homes, would be eligible for a refund from the provincial government of up to $2,000 of the Land Transfer Tax paid.
The expanded Land Transfer Tax Refund Program for First-time Homebuyers is part of a package of new tax initiatives announced in the 2007 Fall Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review that would provide $1.4 billion in provincial tax relief for business and people over three years. The government is making strategic investments in people, communities and infrastructure to strengthen Ontario's economic advantage and help manufacturers and other sectors challenged by current economic conditions.
For more information please visit: http://www.gov.on.ca
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a great opportunity for first time home buyer's to receive some additional tax relief. So, if you have been considering buying your first home now is a great time to start looking. The hot spring market hasn't started and with this relief in sight you may find that perfect property at a really great price and a little savings to boot. If you aren't a first time buyer the tax relief doesn't apply but the winter season is still a great time to look since the market hasn't heated up with the rush of spring. The gems are still out there with a bit of searching.
Best of Luck with All Your Real Estate and a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Jennifer
For more tips on buying and selling check out http://www.homesforsaledurhamregion.com/
Jennifer O'Malley, Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Status Realty Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905-436-0990 (24 hr paging)
Email: jen@jenniferomalleyrealtor.com
Website: http://www.jenniferomalleyrealtor.com/
Thinking About Selling Your House In The Next 6-12 Months?
Click here to find out how much your home may be worth and to receive valuable tips on what you can and should be doing right now to get top dollar for your home.
Looking To Buy a Home in Durham Region?
Click here to receive Up-to date listings of homes currently available for sale and for information on what to do before you buy your next home.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Is this really "The Perfect" Neighbourhood?
Have you ever looked at a home and thought "Wow that is the perfect home! The schools are close. It is in a quiet and safe neighbourhood. We should definitely put in an offer." Then you discover the quiet little cul-de-sac has a Marijuna Grow op on it or the construction down the street is for a group home for wayward teenage girls and now your wondering which way to catch the next train out of town.
I have had clients that have considered homes in two such neighbourhoods...In fact the very house where the marijuna grow-op (now registered and sold) was the home they were interested in...that was before all the details came out that it was a former grow-op. Just the other day (Oct 31 issue) I read an article in one of our smaller papers "The Oshawa Express" called "Group Home draws fire." It is about a quiet little court that has been turned upside down and the residents are outraged and complaining about rude and rowdy behaviour from teenage girls at this newly established group home. Luckily neither of my client's ended up purchasing in either of those "quiet perfect neighbourhoods"
But, how do you know when you are considering buying a home whether you have picked a good neighbourhood? First off pick a real estate representative who knows the neighbourhood forwards and backwards and is willing and able to do research to help you make your decision. Also, do your own research. Ask neighbours questions. Read the newspapers (including back issues.) Do internet searches. Don't jump at a deal that looks to good to be true...do your due diligence and check it out. The old adage "If it looks too good to be true it probably is" may be a saying you want to remember. Finally, use your instincts if your gut is telling you to stay away from it you probably should this will help you not only to pick a good neighbourhood now, but will minimize picking a neighbourhood that develops into a bad one.
For more tips on buying and selling check out http://www.homesforsaledurhamregion.com/
Jennifer O'Malley, Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Status Realty Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905-436-0990 (24 hr paging)
Email: jen@jenniferomalleyrealtor.com
Website: http://www.jenniferomalleyrealtor.com/
Thinking About Selling Your House In The Next 6-12 Months?
Click here to find out how much your home may be worth and to receive valuable tips on what you can and should be doing right now to get top dollar for your home.
Looking To Buy a Home in Durham Region?
Click here to receive Up-to date listings of homes currently available for sale and for information on what to do before you buy your next home.
I have had clients that have considered homes in two such neighbourhoods...In fact the very house where the marijuna grow-op (now registered and sold) was the home they were interested in...that was before all the details came out that it was a former grow-op. Just the other day (Oct 31 issue) I read an article in one of our smaller papers "The Oshawa Express" called "Group Home draws fire." It is about a quiet little court that has been turned upside down and the residents are outraged and complaining about rude and rowdy behaviour from teenage girls at this newly established group home. Luckily neither of my client's ended up purchasing in either of those "quiet perfect neighbourhoods"
But, how do you know when you are considering buying a home whether you have picked a good neighbourhood? First off pick a real estate representative who knows the neighbourhood forwards and backwards and is willing and able to do research to help you make your decision. Also, do your own research. Ask neighbours questions. Read the newspapers (including back issues.) Do internet searches. Don't jump at a deal that looks to good to be true...do your due diligence and check it out. The old adage "If it looks too good to be true it probably is" may be a saying you want to remember. Finally, use your instincts if your gut is telling you to stay away from it you probably should this will help you not only to pick a good neighbourhood now, but will minimize picking a neighbourhood that develops into a bad one.
For more tips on buying and selling check out http://www.homesforsaledurhamregion.com/
Jennifer O'Malley, Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Status Realty Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905-436-0990 (24 hr paging)
Email: jen@jenniferomalleyrealtor.com
Website: http://www.jenniferomalleyrealtor.com/
Thinking About Selling Your House In The Next 6-12 Months?
Click here to find out how much your home may be worth and to receive valuable tips on what you can and should be doing right now to get top dollar for your home.
Looking To Buy a Home in Durham Region?
Click here to receive Up-to date listings of homes currently available for sale and for information on what to do before you buy your next home.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
What Effect Will the New Toronto Land Transfer Tax Have on Real Estate?
Well it is official October 22, 2007 the Toronto City Council voted in favour of the new Toronto Land transfer tax. So as of February 1, 2007 the average Toronto Home of $382,787 is going to cost an additional $4200 in Toronto Land Transfer taxes.
While new home buyers are exempt and rebates are available till the end of the year there is certainly some confusion and buzz in the air about what all of this might mean.
It may very well have an effect on Toronto Real Estate with an expected rise in activity over the next few months and earlier closings in a normally quieter period. Can we expect a trickle down effect to the rest of the GTA? Certainly historically, a rise in prices in one area (which a land transfer is in essence a rise) have generally seen an increase in the demand and price in the surrounding areas.
Durham Region where I predominately do real estate has continued to see overall upward growth in housing sales and prices this past year. And, I see the silver lining to "Toronto's new land transfer tax cloud"and expect it to be a positive effect on real estate in my area...of course it could be because I won't be paying the extra $4200 dollars on an average home, but nevertheless it still is a silver lining!
Jennifer
For more information on the Land Transfer Tax Situation check out these links:
Toronto Star Article
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/226842
Toronto Land Transfer Tax Details
http://www.toronto.ca/finance/revenue_tools.htm
Canadian Mortgage Trends
http://www.canadianmortgagetrends.com/canadian_mortgage_trends/2007/10/torontos-land-t.html
For Assistance with Real Estate in Durham Region: http://www.homesforsaledurhamregion.com/
Jennifer O'Malley, Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Status Realty Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905-436-0990 (24 hr paging)
Email: jen@jenniferomalleyrealtor.com
Website: http://www.jenniferomalleyrealtor.com/
Thinking About Selling Your House In The Next 6-12 Months?
Click here to find out how much your home may be worth and to receive valuable tips on what you can and should be doing right now to get top dollar for your home.
Looking To Buy a Home in Durham Region?
Click here to receive Up-to date listings of homes currently available for sale and for information on what to do before you buy your next home.
While new home buyers are exempt and rebates are available till the end of the year there is certainly some confusion and buzz in the air about what all of this might mean.
It may very well have an effect on Toronto Real Estate with an expected rise in activity over the next few months and earlier closings in a normally quieter period. Can we expect a trickle down effect to the rest of the GTA? Certainly historically, a rise in prices in one area (which a land transfer is in essence a rise) have generally seen an increase in the demand and price in the surrounding areas.
Durham Region where I predominately do real estate has continued to see overall upward growth in housing sales and prices this past year. And, I see the silver lining to "Toronto's new land transfer tax cloud"and expect it to be a positive effect on real estate in my area...of course it could be because I won't be paying the extra $4200 dollars on an average home, but nevertheless it still is a silver lining!
Jennifer
For more information on the Land Transfer Tax Situation check out these links:
Toronto Star Article
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/226842
Toronto Land Transfer Tax Details
http://www.toronto.ca/finance/revenue_tools.htm
Canadian Mortgage Trends
http://www.canadianmortgagetrends.com/canadian_mortgage_trends/2007/10/torontos-land-t.html
For Assistance with Real Estate in Durham Region: http://www.homesforsaledurhamregion.com/
Jennifer O'Malley, Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Status Realty Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905-436-0990 (24 hr paging)
Email: jen@jenniferomalleyrealtor.com
Website: http://www.jenniferomalleyrealtor.com/
Thinking About Selling Your House In The Next 6-12 Months?
Click here to find out how much your home may be worth and to receive valuable tips on what you can and should be doing right now to get top dollar for your home.
Looking To Buy a Home in Durham Region?
Click here to receive Up-to date listings of homes currently available for sale and for information on what to do before you buy your next home.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Seeing Your Home in Its Best Light
Did you know that changing a few lightbulbs can make a huge difference on what price you can get for your home? Now before you rush out and change all your lightbulbs...here is what I mean.
I was showing a potential buyer a well priced home with lots of space, beautiful pool, extra bedrooms, hardwood floors, etc. etc. and every light I turned on (correction...TRIED to turn on) would have at least one lightbulb burnt out or seemed to be connected to nowhere. In one fixture there was only two out of the four lightbulbs and only ONE actually worked. The home looked dimly lit and poorly maintained by something so simple. My client decided not to put an offer in...lighting was certainly one of the contributing factor.
It is also important to consider the brightness, this is not the time to scrimp to save a few pennies, but an opportunity to leave your home well lit and appealing. If it is dim the potential buyers may be wondering what you are hiding in the dark corners and brightly lit homes can actually improve the level of motivation a buyer is feeling. At the same time, make sure you are not exceeding the recommended wattage for your fixtures. (We don't want lamps overheating...We want them to brighten your home not set it on fire.)
All the best, Jennifer
For a copy of the Newsletter "Lighting is for Living" contact:
Jennifer O'Malley, Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Status Realty Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905-436-0990 (24 hr paging)
Email: jen@jenniferomalleyrealtor.com
Website: http://www.jenniferomalleyrealtor.com/
Thinking About Selling Your House In The Next 6-12 Months?
Click here to find out how much your home may be worth and to receive valuable tips on what you can and should be doing right now to get top dollar for your home.
Looking To Buy a Home in Durham Region?
Click here to receive Up-to date listings of homes currently available for sale and for information on what to do before you buy your next home.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Bad Curb Appeal - They may not even slow down...let alone come in.
Have you ever been looking at homes with your real estate agent and as the car approaches the For Sale sign, you tell your agent to push the gas and get to the next home as fast as possible.Well, as a real estate representative I've been told almost exactly that...it was more like "please don't slow down, can we just go to the next one?" When the curb appeal is so bad that your client tells you not to even slow down, you know this is not going to be "The One."
So...if you are selling your home or planning to in the near future it is time to start looking at your home from the outside in. While curb appeal isn't everything, it is one of the first things a potential buyer sees and often what they base everything else on. If it is dirty, overgrown, cluttered and otherwise badly maintained on the outside...they will assume the inside is the same (even if it is not.) Now, it doesn't have to cost a fortune to add charm and class to the exterior. Cut the grass, weed the garden, add a bit of colour with flowers or something seasonal i.e. For Christmas add lights or poinsettias (artificial, we are talking outside), wipe the mailbox, clean the windows and please please please NO broken down cars, garbage, or dog doodoo on the front lawn. :)
All the best in Selling Your Home, Jennifer
Jennifer O'Malley, Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Status Realty Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905-436-0990 (24 hr paging)
Email: jen@jenniferomalleyrealtor.com
Website: www.jenniferomalleyrealtor.com
Thinking About Selling Your House In The Next 6-12 Months?
Click here to find out how much your home may be worth and to receive valuable tips on what you can and should be doing right now to get top dollar for your home.
Looking To Buy a Home in Durham Region?
Click here to receive Up-to date listings of homes currently available for sale and for information on what to do before you buy your next home.
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