Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Reasons to be very happy we live under the current financial climate in Canada


The Bank of Canada also comments on future circumstances and predictions of what it sees for interest rates in the future.  At each announcment, as they did this morning, they update their forcast.  This is the latest forcast:

"Following an estimated 1.9 per cent in 2012, the Canadian economy is expected to grow by 2.0 per cent in 2013 and 2.7 per cent in 2014, and to reach full  capacity in the second half of 2014, later than anticipated in the October Report."

This indicates that as long at the economy in Canada and globally continues as it is, we can probably expect that interest rates will remain at about 1% well into 2014.  This is good news for people who need to borrow.

The governor of the Bank of Canada is Mark Carney and he made a remark in Decmeber of 2012 and it was:

“Achieving our objective will mean delivering a path of policy that adjusts as economic circumstances evolve…. Our goal, as always, is to ensure that households, firms and investors can make their decisions in a stable macro environment.”

With this type of thinking we have to be very happy to live under this financial climate in Canada

All the Best!
Mark



For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) Average Prices and GraphA. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1
BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

Prime Rate stays at 1% Bank of Canada

The Bank of Canada announcement today stated they overestimated growth in the economy and are keeping the rate at 1% meaning the prime lending rate for public stays at 3%

The next Bank of Canada interest rate announcement is 6 March 2013 and their comments on the economy will be interesting indeed!

All the best
Mark

This is the annoucement from the Bank of Canada

The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1 1/4 per cent and the deposit rate is 3/4 per cent.




The global economic outlook is slightly weaker than the Bank had projected in its October Monetary Policy Report (MPR). At the same time, global tail risks have diminished. The economic expansion in the United States is continuing at a gradual pace, restrained by ongoing public and private deleveraging, global weakness and uncertainty related to fiscal negotiations. Despite a marked improvement in peripheral sovereign debt markets, Europe remains in recession, with a somewhat more protracted downturn now expected than in October. Growth in China is improving, though economic activity has slowed further in some other major emerging economies. Supported by central bank actions and by positive policy developments in Europe, global financial conditions are more stimulative. Commodity prices have remained at historically elevated levels, though temporary disruptions and persistent transportation bottlenecks have led to a record discount on Canadian heavy crude.



In Canada, the slowdown in the second half of 2012 was more pronounced than the Bank had anticipated, owing to weaker business investment and exports. Caution about high debt levels has begun to restrain household spending. The Bank expects economic growth to pick up through 2013. Business investment and exports are projected to rebound as foreign demand strengthens, uncertainty diminishes and the temporary factors that have weighed on resource sector activity are unwound. Nonetheless, exports should remain below their pre-recession peak until the second half of 2014 owing to a lower track for foreign demand and ongoing competitiveness challenges, including the persistent strength of the Canadian dollar. Consumption is expected to grow moderately and residential investment to decline further from historically high levels. The Bank expects trend growth in household credit to moderate further, with the debt-to-income ratio stabilizing near current levels.



Relative to the October MPR, Canadian economic activity is expected to be more restrained. Following an estimated 1.9 per cent in 2012, the economy is expected to grow by 2.0 per cent in 2013 and 2.7 per cent in 2014. The Bank now expects the economy to reach full capacity in the second half of 2014, later than anticipated in the October MPR.



Core inflation has softened by more than the Bank had expected, with more muted price pressures across a wide range of goods and services, consistent with the unexpected increase in excess capacity. Total CPI inflation has also been lower than anticipated, reflecting developments in core inflation and weaker-than-projected gasoline prices. Total CPI inflation is expected to remain around 1 per cent in the near term before rising gradually, along with core inflation, to the 2 per cent target in the second half of 2014 as the economy returns to full capacity and inflation expectations remain well-anchored.



Reflecting all of these factors, the Bank has decided to maintain the target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent. While some modest withdrawal of monetary policy stimulus will likely be required over time, consistent with achieving the 2 per cent inflation target, the more muted inflation outlook and the beginnings of a more constructive evolution of imbalances in the household sector suggest that the timing of any such withdrawal is less imminent than previously anticipated.



Information note:

The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is 6 March 2013. The next full update of the Bank’s outlook for the economy and inflation, including risks to the projection, will be published in the MPR on 17 April 2013.

read more at this page

Monday, January 07, 2013

What are Special Assessments on condominium properties?

What are Special Assessments on condominium properties?

A special assessment is an additional payment or a levy that a condo board  has to impose when unexpected shortfalls or unexpected expenditures occur in  the budget, or when an expensive system has to be replaced (i.e., windows,  mechanicals) and there is not enough money in the reserve fund to cover for  it.

Special assessments often occur in condos that were built before 2001, when  reserve fund studies were not mandated by the previous Condo Act. As a  result, developers and boards failed to build up sufficient  reserve funds  for future replacements.

The fact that the owners have paid this already means that you will not have  to assume the additional payments when purchasing this condo, which is  great.

Buying a condo townhome is the same risk as buying a condo apartment -  anytime you buy a condo you are becoming responsible for the debt of the  condo (shared with the other owners). Condo townhomes are less likely to  have special assessments as there are not as many expenses due to less  amenities in the building.

As an agent, we ensure to request a status certificate that your lawyer  would review to make sure the  reserve fund of the condo is in good standing and has sufficient money.

As for the increase in condo fees, they usually increase each year, but the amount varies and it is stated in the status certificate for each particular building. It is usually a small amount (under $20.00) but again, each
situation varies.

If you have any further questions or would like to view this condo please let me know.

Thank you!
Mark Argentino
Mississauga Real Estate

Sunday, January 06, 2013

Average Resale Home price rose 7% to $497,298 in 2012 in GTA

Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) Average Prices and Graph
Average price for last month was $478,739 (it was $485,328 the previous month and $503,479 in October) and this represents almost a 6.5 increase compared to the same month in 2011 - see graph of prices by clicking the graph at the right


Prices were down and sales volumes were 3690 units, down from 4585 in December 2011

Read the full report below:

Average Home Price Up Strongly in 2012


TORONTO, January 4, 2013 –

Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 3,690 sales through the TorontoMLS system in December 2012 – down from 4,585 sales in December 2011. Total sales for 2012 amounted to 85,731 – down from 89,096 transactions in 2011.

“The number of transactions in 2012 was quite strong from a historic perspective. We saw strong year-over-year growth in sales in the first half of the year, but this growth was more than offset by sales declines in the second half.


Stricter mortgage lending guidelines resulted in some households postponing their purchase of a home. In the City of Toronto, the dip in sales was compounded by the additional Land Transfer Tax, which buyers must pay upfront,” said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Ann Hannah.


The average selling price in December 2012 was up by 6.5 per cent year-overyearto $478,739. The average selling price for 2012 as a whole was up by almost seven per cent to $497,298.

“Robust annual rates of price growth were reported through most months of 2012.

Price growth was strongest for low-rise homes, including singles, semis and townhouses. Despite a dip in sales, market conditions remained tight for these home types with substantial competition between buyers,” said TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis Jason Mercer.


For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1
BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Predicting the GTA and Mississauga Real estate market is for fortune tellers and psychics!


Predicting the GTA and Mississauga real estate market future is for fortune tellers and psychics!

All we can really do is analyze the past markets, ascertain trends and historical data and look at what is currently happening to predict what 'may' happen in the future.

I've always said to my clients that I can only accurately predict about 2 to 4 weeks into the future.  That's it, much longer than that time period is more of a best guess.

Volume of sales has continued to be typical and strong, no major drop or trend downward for number of sales - more typcial for this time of year.

Our market average prices have softened since about Labour Day this year and condos seem to be the hardest hit. Prices are still dropping in the market and especially the condo market, not dramatically, but they are dropping.

This is in contrast to the unprecedented growth we have experienced for more than 15 years. The only interruption to that rise in prices was in the fall of 2008

You can clearly see the seasonal trends of prices increasing in the spring and fall at this graph See the Average Price Cycles from January 1995 to Date

The average price fluctuations are shown at this average price graph over the past few months.
Near historic lows for mortgage interest rates have helped.

I don't believe we were in a bubble but our prices were certainly over inflated. The rental market is still very tight. This is good news and indicates that people are working and that there is still a strong need for rental housing. If the rental market softens then our resale market will get hit much harder than it is right now. There are no signs of this happening in the near future and let's hope that our market turns around in the early part of 2013. Only time will tell.

Conclusion: our real estate market will continue to be healthy, prices will continue to drop in the near term, at least until the middle of January.  Check back in mid January to see what our market is doing at that time!
Thank you to all my current and past clients I wish you a Merry Christmas and All the Best to you and your family in 2013!

Mark






For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1
BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com
Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) Average Prices and Graph

Toronto Real Estate Board has released it's mid month figures for December 2012

Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) Average Prices and Graph
The Toronto Real Estate Board has released it's mid month figures

Prices year over year are up slightly and volume of sales is down

See the full report below

I hope this finds you happy!
Mark

GTA REALTORS® RELEASE MID-MONTH RESALE FIGURES




TORONTO, December 18, 2012 – Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 2,169 transactions through the TorontoMLS system during the first 14 days of December 2012. This number of sales was down by 16 per cent in comparison to the same period in December 2011.



“Stricter mortgage lending guidelines, including a reduced maximum amortization period and a one million dollar purchase price ceiling for government-backed insured mortgages, appear to have had the effect desired by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.


Some home buyers have put their home purchase decision on hold,” said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Ann Hannah.

“In the City of Toronto, sales declines have been more pronounced as the effect of stricter mortgage lending guidelines has been compounded by the City’s additional upfront Land Transfer Tax,” added Hannah.

The average selling price in the first two weeks of December was $471,862, representing a three per cent annual rate of price growth.

“Even with the dip in sales since the spring, tight market conditions in the low-rise segment of the market have driven year-over-year average price growth,” said Jason  Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

“While the average price for detached homes in the City of Toronto was down for the first two weeks of December compared to last year, this dip was due to a different mix of homes sold this year compared to last. There were fewer high-end detached homes sold compared to last year,” continued Mercer.



For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1
BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Average prices for condominium units based upon the number of bedrooms in the Mississauga City Centre breakdown for the 3rd Quarter of 2012


This chart below shows the average prices for condominium units based upon the number of bedrooms in the Mississauga City Centre breakdown for the 3rd Quarter of 2012



 
For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1
Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) Average Prices and GraphBUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

Friday, December 14, 2012

Average price graph for GTA resale homes 2012


Click the image below to see an average price graph for GTA resale homes
Average price graph for GTA resale homes

Average price graph for GTA resale homes
For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1
BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Mississauga and GTA real estate market results for last month are now in the books!

TREB reports that the sales volume of homes is down but prices are up year over year.  In fact prices are down from the previous month about 4% and this is a trend we have seen recently.

It could be the time of year or a trend, nobody can know for sure.  We will need to wait a few more months to determine if it's a longer term trend.

See the full report from TREB below.
Mark

See graphs at this link

Sales Dip in November while Selling Prices Increase


TORONTO, December 5, 2012 – Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 5,793 sales in
November 2012 – down by 16 per cent compared to November 2011.

“Transactions have been down on a year-over-year basis since June, after being up substantially in the last half of 2011 and the first half of 2012. Some buyers pulled forward their decision to purchase, which has impacted sales levels in the second half of 2012,” said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Ann Hannah.


“Stricter mortgage lending guidelines, including a reduced maximum amortization period and a purchase price ceiling of one-million dollars for government insured mortgages, have prompted some buyers to move to the sidelines. This situation has been exacerbated in the City of Toronto because the additional upfront Land Transfer Tax takes money away from buyers that otherwise could be used for a larger down payment,” continued Hannah.

The average selling price was up by 1.6 per cent annually to $485,328. The MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI) Composite Benchmark was up by 4.6 per cent compared to last year.

“The moderate annual rate of price growth compared to previous months was largely due to a different mix in detached home sales this year compared to last, particularly in the City of Toronto. The share of detached homes that sold for over one-million dollars was down substantially, which influenced the overall average price,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

“The MLS® HPI detached benchmark price, which tracks the price for a home with the same attributes over time, was up by almost six per cent in Toronto, suggesting that market conditions for low-rise homes remain quite tight despite a changing mix of sales,” added Mercer
For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1
BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

UPDATE

see the average price and sales volumes each year since 2001 to 2011 in the table below
historical annual price and sales volumes since 2001 to 2011

Saturday, December 01, 2012

More Reasons to Continue to Buy Newspapers, some funny real estate ads!

These are a few newspaper headlines that my sister in law sent me today, some are very humourus, enjoy!


















For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1
BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com