Current Residential Mortgage Rates as of March 27, 2014

Term Rate 6 months 3.95% 1 Year 2.89% 2 Year 2.64% 3 Year 2.79% 4 Year 2.94% 5 Year 2.99% 7 Year 3.79% 10 Year 4.39% Prime = 3.00% Variable Closed (5 yr) = Prime minus 0.55% = 2.45% Variable Open = Prime plus 0.80% = 3.80% Courtesy of John Chrisanthidis, Mortgage Intelligence

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How To Fix Your Credit Score

Canada’s household debt continues to hit extreme levels, but for some people the damage may have already been dealt. Tom Higgins, vice-president of analytics and decision services for TransUnion, one of the two credit bureaus in Canada, says the average credit score for Canadians dropped during the recession with residents forced to rely on more credit.…

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Evidence of a Previous Fire

One item that ranks high on purchasers’ lists of concerns is damage from a previous fire, whether they voice it or not.  The damage from a fire can be severe enough to render the structure unsafe if not properly repaired – a surprise no one needs! There are some signs we watch for since unfortunately not…

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A Checklist for Buyers or Sellers

By Lorne Shuman: The closing of a sale or purchase is the culmination of all of the hard work, time, preparation and excitement of buying or selling a property. To ensure that it goes smoothly, the following steps should be considered. For Purchasers: 1)     Choose an experienced lawyer who specializes in real estate. 2)     Have your financing…

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GTA Realtors® Report Mid-March Resale Figures

TORONTO, March 19, 2014 – Toronto Real Estate Board President Dianne Usher announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 3,459 transactions through the TorontoMLS system during the first two weeks of March 2014. This result for the TREB market area as a whole was virtually unchanged in comparison to 3,464 transactions completed during the same…

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The Front Porch is Making a Comeback

The front porch is making a comeback in home designs. Builders recently said the front porch is one of the most popular amenities in 2014, according to the National Association of Home Builders. The rebirth of the front porch in the past decade may be in partial nod to younger generations who have shown recent preferences…

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Small Scale Luxury

While your dream bath may be a sprawling space, the reality is that the typical bathroom is 100 square feet or less.  But, a large bathroom footprint isn’t always the answer to a better bath. Focusing on quality products can create a luxurious look, even in a small space. Free-up space You may not be…

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Protect Your Home

Statistics indicate that almost 70 percent of all burglaries involve forced entry through a window or door. Many homeowners unwittingly lure thieves by placing valuable items, such as computers in home offices, within easy reach of a window. Patio doors also tempt burglars – with the toss of a brick, they can be inside in…

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Why Use a Realtor?

Occasionally, one can see “For Sale By Owner” signs, and some owners think that selling their own home will not only save them money, but believe they have an advantage over the sellers that have their home listed on the MLS by a Realtor©. However, before you decide to take on this very important and…

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Toronto Neighbourhoods Under The Scope: Feb 2014 vs Feb 2013

Find your neighbourhood below and see how February’s sales stats stacked up to last year’s. C02 (Annex, Wychwood, Casa Loma, Yonge-St.Clair) Feb 2013 Feb 2014 % Change Active Listings 224 204 –  8.9% Sales 50 49 –  2.0% Average Price $961,018 $1,094,870 + 13.9% Days on Market 22 25 + 13.6% Avg % of List Price…

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