Archive for November 2016
A Better Basement Reno
Basements are coming out of hiding these days. With fewer homes for sale and good returns on remodelling investments, more homeowners are reclaiming their lower levels and renovating their basements. They’re doing it in style, with before-and-after transformations featured everywhere from HGTV to Pinterest and YouTube. A Smart, Affordable Upgrade Updating your lower level is…
Read MoreDo I Have Enough Funds To Close?
Written by Lorne Shuman The one constant in the Toronto real estate market is change. Recently, there were significant changes to the mortgage rules announced by the federal government which may make it more difficult for homebuyers to qualify for a mortgage. In another change, the provincial government announced changes to the provincial Land Transfer…
Read MoreHoliday Entertaining with a Luxurious Living Room
Combining new design concepts with vintage artisanal furniture creates living spaces that are simultaneously more functional and luxurious than ever before. With indoor entertaining season around the corner, it’s the perfect time for a rejuvenation. Update your space with these tips for creating a cozy, well-designed living room from Sharon Grech, colour and design expert…
Read More4 Things To Know About The New Land Transfer Tax Rules
Written by Mark Weisleder The Provincial government just announced changes to the Provincial Land Transfer Tax rates effective January 1, 2017. Here are 4 things you need to know. 1. There is an increase in the first time buyer rebate from $2,000.00 to $4,000.00, effective January 1, 2017 This is the largest benefit to first…
Read MoreMid-November TREB Sales Stats
November 17, 2016 – Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 4,051 home sales through TREB’s MLS® System during the first 14 days of November 2016. This result represented a 13 per cent increase compared to the first two weeks of November 2015, during which time 3,584 sales were reported. Sales were up strongly for all major…
Read MoreTroubleshooting Garage Door Safety
Most homeowners take their garage door for granted. But the garage door is the largest moving component of your home, and when not properly maintained, it can pose a serious safety threat to family and visitors. An annual inspection and a few simple precautions are all that is necessary to keep it operating smoothly. The…
Read MoreUncommon Tips For Making Your Home Show Better
Most people know the basics of preparing a home for a viewing or an open house. But, there are a number of lesser known tips — tips you often don’t hear about — that can make your home even more attractive and desirable to potential buyers. In the kitchen, for example, it’s obvious that the…
Read MoreLengthening Your Amortization Can Allow Financial Flexibility
There are two types of amortizations: the paper, and the effective. The paper amortization is the number written on your initial mortgage payment contract, and the effective amortization is the actual, real-world version of your payments. These two numbers can significantly vary over time. It is worth considering setting, or re-setting at renewal or refinance…
Read MoreGTA Realtors® Release October Housing Market Figures
TORONTO, November 3, 2016 – Toronto Real Estate Board President Larry Cerqua announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported a record 9,768 sales through TREB’s MLS® System in October 2016 – up by 11.5 per cent compared to October 2015. For the TREB market area as a whole, the largest annual rate of sales growth…
Read MoreResidential Mortgage Rates as of November 2, 2016
Term Fixed Closed Rate 6 months 3.95% 1 Year 2.29% 2 Year 2.09% 3 Year 2.34% 4 Year 2.49% 5 Year 2.29% 7 Year 2.98% 10 Year 3.89% Prime = 2.70% Variable Closed (5 yr) = Prime minus 0.50% = 2.20% Variable Open = Prime plus 0.80% = 3.50% Secured Credit Lines = Prime plus…
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