Monday, December 07, 2009

November 2009 Sales volumes in GTA up compared to last year


Sales of single family homes in the GTA are about double what they were back in November of 2008, a refreshing feeling for anyone selling this fall.

Enjoy!

Mark








I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!


All the Best!


Mark


A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate


Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987

(
BUS 905-828-3434
2
FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com



Sunday, December 06, 2009

Active listings on TREB down from previous months


Note how much the active listings are down, this is why the market is fast in the GTA and Mississauga



I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!


All the Best!


Mark


A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate


Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987

(
BUS 905-828-3434
2
FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com



Saturday, December 05, 2009

Fixtures and chattels Agreement of Purchase and Sale Residential Real Estate

This is another good real estate tip regarding fixtures and chattels for your agreement of purchase and sale.
Enjoy!
Mark

Traditionally buyers get five basic chattels and all the home fixtures when buying residential homes. Lately we have noticed a shift from this trend as sellers now either sell with less or sell with a different set from that with which they staged.

Accordingly we must now pay great attention to what is included or excluded in the chattels and fixtures on the agreement of purchase and sale.

When acting for either party, to ensure clarity of the agreement, it is prudent to not only exclude any fixtures that have been agreed to be excluded but to do so in as much detail as reasonably possible and to also include in as much detail as can be gathered the chattels that are included.

For example using Schedule A of the OREA form of Agreement of Purchase and Sale the chattels and fixtures clause would be phrased as follows:

“Chattels included: The refrigerator in the wet bar being a white Kenmore serial # ______________, the refrigerator in the kitchen being a black Frigidaire serial # ___________, the dishwasher in the kitchen being a black Whirlpool serial #______________, the washer and dryer in the laundry room being stacked white Kenmore series with serial #’s ____________ and _________ respectively and the stove in the kitchen being a black Kenmore serial #_____________.

Fixtures Excluded: the dining room chandelier described as a tear drops crystal glass design, the green Alde shrub outside the master bedroom window aged approximately ___________ , and the glass on the family room fire place”

At first glance this clause may appear overloaded with information but as staging is becoming more and more popular buyers are becoming more wary and prone to assume substations in agreed inclusions. This detailed description gives the buyer comfort that he/she got what was bargained for and the detailed exclusion ensures that the buyer is aware of fixtures that do not form part of the agreement.

Remember to reinforce the golden rule to both parties always:

Fixtures stay unless you exclude them and chattels go unless you include them!

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate


Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987

( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

Friday, December 04, 2009

REMAX optimistic on 2010 housing market in light of economic stability in Canadian markets

This is another 'feel good' article from REMAX in Ontario and indicates that the housing market will improve even more in our area and across the country in 2010, let's hope!
Mark

Housing performance expected to accelerate in 2010, as economic stability returns to Canadian markets, says RE/MAX

Mississauga, ON (December 3, 2009) - In the midst of one of the most tumultuous economic periods in recent history, residential real estate has proven to be a safe harbour, with sales and average price expected to post gains in most major Canadian cities in 2009, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.

The RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook for 2010 examined residential real estate trends in 23 markets. The report found that sales are forecast to recover in almost all major centres by year-end 2009, led by an anticipated 45 per cent increase in Greater Vancouver. Two markets -- Ottawa and Quebec City -- are expected to hit historic highs in the number of homes sold. Average price should post new records in 65 per cent of markets surveyed this year. As economic performance ramps up across the country, so too will residential real estate. Eighty-three per cent of markets (19/23) are expecting sales to increase over 2009 levels while housing values are forecast to escalate in 91 per cent (21/23) of Canadian centres in 2010. The remaining markets will match 2009 levels.

Approximately 465,000 homes are expected to change hands nationally in 2009, a seven per cent increase over one year ago. Canadian housing values are forecast to close the year at $318,000, up five per cent from $303,594 in 2008. By year-end 2010, the number of homes sold is predicted to climb another two per cent to 475,000 units. The average price of a home is also expected to experience an uptick, rising two per cent to $325,000 - the highest level in Canadian history.

"2009 was without question the year of the house," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "Real estate not only defied industry and analysts' predictions in 2009 -- it's performance went well beyond the realm of expectation by boosting consumer confidence levels and ultimately kick starting the national economic engine. While low interest rates were a principle factor driving home buying activity, no one can discount the value that Canadians place in owning a home."

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate


Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987

(
BUS 905-828-3434
2
FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Current Housing Market Indicators for the GTA real estate market

This chart is a nice summary of the current housing market indicators and shows that our market is more than double the sales volume compared to a year ago.


As well, the number of new listings coming on the market is about the same, but the total amount of listings is down about 50%, a huge drop.


The days on the market is also down about 37% indicating we are in a much faster market compared to November of 2008


Enjoy

Mark








I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!


All the Best!


Mark


A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate


Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987

(
BUS 905-828-3434
2
FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com



TREB Report November Resale Residential Homes Sales Market Figures

this is the latest report from the Toronto Real Estate Board and it indicates that the market is doing very well compared to the same time last year. If you recall, our market was slumping in the last 3 months of 2008, certainly a huge change this year.


All the best!

Mark





GTA REALTORS® Report November Resale Housing Market Figures


TORONTO, December 3, 2009 - Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,446 sales in November


– slightly more than double the November 2008 result when GTA home sales had dipped markedly due to the economic downturn. Year-to-date sales were up 14 per cent compared to the first 11 months of 2008.


“This year in the GTA home sales will be in line with the healthy levels experienced between 2004 and 2006,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour.


“Increased resale home transactions in the Toronto area and country-wide played a key role in pushing the Canadian economy out of recession in the third quarter.”


The average price for November transactions was up 14 per cent year-over-year to $418,460.


The average price year-to-date was up four per cent to $394,464.


“Very strong annual growth rates for sales and average price should be expected through the first quarter of 2010, because we will be comparing the current recovery to the housing market decline experienced last winter," according to Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “As we move into the spring, growth rates will move to more sustainable levels.”


Summary Of November Sales And Average Price


November


2009 2008


Sales Average Price Sales Average Price


City of Toronto ("416") 3,212 $450,079 1,523 $390,225


Rest of GTA ("905") 4,234 $394,474 2,117 $353,012


GTA 7,446 $418,460 3,640 $368,582


Source: Toronto Real Estate Board


I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!


All the Best!


Mark


A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate


Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987

(
BUS 905-828-3434
2
FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com




Facts about Dubai's debt problems

Dubai's debt
Here are some interesting facts on Dubai's debt

Property prices in Dubai are half of what they were a couple of years ago

Enjoy!
Mark

Ben Thompson, business reporter, DubaiFinancial markets and businesses are closed here for the Eid holiday - some suggest that's why the announcement was made when it was.

It's sparked real shock that things have come to this. Just 12 months ago, few could have believed the city would find itself asking for this lifeline.

It seems Dubai is now paying the price for living on borrowed money.Of course, everyone knew the boom couldn't last forever, but no-one expected it to collapse when, or as suddenly, as it did.

Property prices have more than halved over the past year and investors have fled.The official figure for Dubai's debt is $80bn, but talk to anyone here and the feeling is the figure is much higher. Unpaid bills, abandoned cars and empty buildings are all too obvious. Some analysts put the real figure at close to $160bn.

Wow!
Mark

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

3, 4, 5, 7 & 10 FIXED RATES HAVE DROPPED

Did you hear the news yet?
Residential Mortgage Rates have dropped!
Effective December 1, 2009*
Term6 Month1 Year2 Year3 Year5 Year10 YearVar
Rate
Prime
Rate
Posted Rates5.10%4.10%4.25%5.05%5.85%6.90%
Best Rates4.59%2.75%3.05%3.49%3.99%5.34%2.15%2.25%

GREAT NEWS!!

3, 4, 5, 7 & 10 FIXED RATES HAVE DROPPED

ALSO---VRM rate is now 2.15%...( P-.10% )

see the current rates:

http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Rates-Current-Posted-Mortage-Interest-Rate.htm

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate


Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987

(
BUS 905-828-3434
2
FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

When is the Spring Market in Mississauga and Toronto?


Do you think that it is better to purchase a home now or in the spring?


This article will discuss the pros and cons to doing either, this article will go into detail for both options.

Enjoy!

Mark


The spring market in the Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area is almost a legendary time. It's the time when all sellers and buyers come out of hibernation and transact real estate. But if you wait for Spring to sell your house, it may be too late.

Right Timing the Sale

If you are thinking about selling your house, you may want to do some planning now before you are ready to get your house listed on the market. This way, you can know what to expect and how long it will take. You will also have knowledge of when the best time to sell your house will be.

When interviewing Real Estate Agents in the GTA and Mississauga in order to decide who you should hire, make sure to ask them when the best time to sell is. If you have no time constraints, you may want to target the Spring Real Estate Market. However, be sure that you know when that is.

When is Spring in Mississauga Real Estate?

Good question. When you think of Spring, you think of April showers and May flowers. But in real estate, the spring Market is half over by then. Will you have missed your buyer if you list your house in April or May? Are you still going to get the best traffic, and therefore the best offers, through your house?

Well, maybe. If you are thinking of putting your house up for sale in the Spring, you should think February. February? Yes, February. Actually, the landmark date that you should think of as the beginning of the Spring Real Estate Market is the Super Bowl. That seems to be the time when most people venture out of their houses, are settled back in after the holidays and are starting to get stir crazy. It's also a great time to start getting your house on the market for sale.


Browse to this graph to see the upswing in the marketplace in February: http://www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBavg1995date.htm


Why is February the best month to sell?

Think about if for a minute. These days, the
real estate market is slowing down in many areas. Your house may take several months to sell. Most people want to find a house buy the end of June at the latest so that they can move over the summer when work loads are lighter and kids are not in school.



If you list your house in May and it takes three months to sell, you will find your self in July and in a very quiet market. However, if you list your house in February and it takes three months to sell, you will find yourself in April, with a month or two left in the busiest real estate time of the year. No worries, no pressure.

What time of year are the Buyers Buying?

I sell real estate
in Mississauga, Ontario and in my area, we find that the most agreements are written in the months of March and April. You can be sure that the buyers have been looking before they were ready to sign contracts to purchase a home, so that backs us right up to February.

When are the Market Slowdowns?

You have nothing to loose by listing your house for sale in February. In fact, if prices are steady in your area, you can be sure that there are many, many houses for sale. If you get a jump on some of the new listings that will surely be coming on the market for Spring, you may find yourself ahead of falling prices and get more money for your house.

Additionally, w
hen do you think the owners of those houses are waiting for to relist their houses for sale? Spring, of course. Don't you think it will be a good idea to get your house on to the market before there is so much more inventory added to the mix?

Must I sell My House in the Spring?

No. of course not. There are many reasons why other times of the year are great times to sell as well. For example; only serious buyers are house hunting in the winter time, fall market is busy because people want to move during holiday vacation and there is less inventory for sale during the summer months so you may choose this time as a better time to sell

You may find that you can not wait until Spring market and that you have to sell your house at a particular time of year. Don't worry. Find a great realtor and you should get the most that the
real estate
market has to offer.

Bottom Line, Don't Miss the Spring Real Estate Market

If you are targeting Spring market because you want to make the most out of the sale of your house, or if you are waiting for Spring to put your house on the market for sale, don't wait too long. You may just find out that the Spring
real estate market has sprung without you.


I hope you have found this article helpful


Mark

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

CMHC on the New Home Market


This is the latest news from CMHC on the New Home Market


Housing Starts Continue to Rise in October


Total housing starts in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) reached 3,606 in October, the highest level so far this year. Despite the rise in October, year-to-date housing starts are off 42 per cent compared to the same period last year.


Housing starts spiked in 2008 thanks to strong demand for condominium apartments in the 2005- 2007 period, which dampens annual growth comparisons for total starts this year.


Semi-detached homes have proved most resilient in 2009, with year-to-date starts down by a much more moderate 14 per cent.


Housing starts have risen for the third consecutive month in the GTA.


Gains in the apartment segment – both condominium and rental – have led the increase in recent months.


Rental apartment starts this year are nearly twice the level reached in 2008. On the condominium side, improving economic and credit market conditions are beginning to help larger projects get off the ground.


Strong sales levels in the new home market over the past few months will add momentum to housing starts in the GTA going forward.


I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!


All the Best!


Mark


A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate


Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987

(
BUS 905-828-3434
2
FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com