How To Avoid Over Paying For A Condo? Viewing condos online and attending condo tours are a good way to get familiar with condos and different asking prices.  But do you know the true market value of a condo? This is a question faced by most condo buyers, because the asking price of a condo and the final sale price could be worlds apart! So how do you protect yourself from the dreaded over paying syndrome? Just like anything else in life, research and due diligence is strongly recommended. First you need to understand how sellers price their condos. As surprising as this may seem, there are four main pricing strategies used by sellers. Let’s Examine The Four Main Pricing Strategies Used By Sellers: Strategy # 1: Clearly Over Priced. A condo could be over priced by several thousand of d... 07/26/2011

Often some buyers especially first time buyers ask this question. “Should I buy directly from a listing agent?” The listing agent told me I would save money If I bought directly with them. As a buyer a few questions to ask yourself before considering such an offer:1. Do you have that promise to save money in writing?2. Who does the listing agent represents and is obligated to?3. Do you even know the listing agents obligation to the sellers? Could it be to sell the property at the highest price possible?4. If the listing agent is obligated to get the sellers the best price possible, what does that mean for the price you may pay?5. Who will be protecting your best interest? Please see video below from the Toronto Real Estate Board explaining the importance of having a Buyer Representation... 07/25/2011

3361 SCOTCH PINE GATE, MISSISSAUGA Ontario  - HIGHEST SOLD SEMI-DETACHED ON THE STREET!!    You missed it! This stunning three bedroom, 3 washroom semi-detached home at 3361 Scotch Pine Gate, Mississauga, ON has been sold!            3361 Scotch Pine Gate, Mississauga, ON -- Sold in one week with multiple offers!  It is now the HIGHEST SOLD semi-detached on the street! Want similar results?  If you're thinking of Selling, call me today for a FREE Market Evaulation of your home!  I have buyers looking in this terrific area!!     If you are looking to buy, I can show you similar properties, but hurry...before your perfect home becomes someone else's perfect home!  Call me today at 905-450-8300 or 1-888-450-8301   07/25/2011

Mistake # 1. Not knowing how much they can afford to pay for a house before they make an offer. Prevented by: Get pre-qualified for a mortgage from a mortgage broker, so you’ll know in advance exactly how much you can afford Mistake # 2. Not finding out in advance whom a Real Estate Agents represents. Prevented by: Asking your Realtor. Most people think their agent is working for them. But unless the agent is working under a signed buyer representation agreement, he/she represents the seller. Mistake # 3. Not realizing that the wrong mortgage can cost thousands of dollars in unnecessary interest and fees. Prevented by: Consulting with a mortgage consultant, accountant and/or financial planner before making a final decision on which mortgage to choose. CPAs can tell you the long-term eff... 07/25/2011

Simple BUT Powerful Tips That Gets You Results - Tip #7 Now this is easy to do, but easier not to do.You choose, and choose well..... It’s Monday morning and chances are you’ve got a long to do list. Research houses & do CMA for listing appointment….check Put together a marketing plan for listing appointment….check Call buyers to see if they have decided to buy one of the houses we viewed on the weekend….check Prepare marketing ads….check Reply to all phone calls and email queries….check Call mortgage broker to check up on buyer’s pre-approval letter….check Pick up the kids from school…. check Pick up clothes from the dry cleaners …..check Oh dear, the list is getting longer.But hold on…One important thing, did you do anything personal for yourself yet? Did You Know That There Is A Road... 07/25/2011

What Every Condo Buyer Should Know Before Viewing Condos! Believe it or not, before viewing a condo with a Realtor, be sure to ask the Realtor ahead of time who they are working for? If you don’t have a written Buyer Agency Representation Agreement with that Realtor, that Realtor could be working for the sellers. Scary as this may seem, anything and everything you said to that Realtor, could be used against you in the negotiation process. Want To Learn How To Avoid This Pitfall? Watch Video Below From The Toronto Real Estate Board.   07/21/2011

Are you a first time home buyer in the Greater Toronto Area or Durham Region? Did you know that you can receive a $2,000 credit towards your land transfer tax? Watching this video below could save you at least $2,000! For more information: please feel free to contact me via email: WM@Royallepage.ca or Call Directly: 416-356-6305 Happy condo hunting & good luck in your search!   07/21/2011

1. Mortgage Agent/Brokers Fees: Be sure to ask, as some may or may not charge a fee. 2. Mortgage Penalties: When paying out a mortgage before the mortgage term expires, be sure to contact your bank. Ask detailed questions e.g. will fees apply, if so, how much? 3. Down Payment: Typically 5% of purchase price (Zero Down/Cash Back may be available, but special terms or conditions may apply.)  If you would like more information on this program, simply send us an WM@Royallepage.ca to get the information sent to you. 4. Closing Cost: 2-3% of purchase price 5. Deposit: Could either be with an offer or within 24hours of offer acceptance. Deposit typically could be $5,000 - $10,000. Sometimes special conditions or terms exist, e.g. the sellers may stipulate minimum $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 d... 07/21/2011

  Unbelievable as this may seem, it happens and it could happen to you as well, if you're not very careful! So how do you avoid buying the wrong condo? Your best and first steps should be to plan and make two lists. List #1 - Should have all YOUR NEEDS List #2 - Should have all YOUR WANTS/Would Be Nice To Have Making these two lists, saves you time and energy from looking at condos that doesn't match your needs. Sounds simple? It can be simple, but it isn't easy to do. Most condo buyers don't make a needs or would be nice to have list, they simply look at condos randomly until they find what they think is the right condo. Which could really turn out to be the wrong condo, if it doesn't match their needs but instead matches the "would be nice to have list." Here is a typical example of h... 07/21/2011

  Does The Perfect Condo Really Exist? This is a common question asked by most first time condo buyers after viewing a few condos.But finding the perfect condo depends on a number of factors.For example is your budget unlimited? Are you seeking a customized condo designed especially for you? Finding a customized condo can be achieved!But, like most customized things in life, it carries a customized price tag to match as well! If you’re like most first time condo buyers there is a very high probability that you’re on a budget and perhaps a very tight one in fact. So an unlimited budget or a customized condo may not be an option at this time. So what are your options? As most condo owners now realize, sometimes a little compromise maybe necessary or else they would have never achieved the... 07/21/2011

Picture courtesy of Microsoft word clip arts. There is a little trick in understanding dens. This could save you time, energy and more importantly save you from purchasing the wrong condo. Most first time condo buyers aren’t aware of this little trick about dens….. Hence they may get excited when they come across a condo listed for sale with a den. Sadly, most first time condo buyers assume a den means a small enclosed bedroom. At times this may be true, but sometimes not so much….This sometimes lead buyers to make the wrong assumption about a den that’s included with the condo. So, let’s take a look at the three (3) most common types of dens.1. A den could mean a small bedroom to fit a double or single bed. 2. A den could also mean a small office/library 3. A den sometimes is just smal... 07/15/2011

    Fabulous freehold townhome situated on a child friendly cul-de-sac.  This home is over 1,700 square feet and features parquet flooring on main level, open concept kitchen/family room and formal living room.  Family sized eat-in kitchen.  This home has an abundancea of windows making it very bright.  \hardwood staircase to upper level, features huge master bedroom with en-suite and walk-in closet.  Wrap around porch add to the character and charm of this lovely home.            06/23/2011

Market Watch   Sales and Price Increase in MayJune 3, 2011 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,046 sales in May 2011 – up six per cent compared to May 2010. This result was the second best on record for May under the current Toronto Real Estate Board service area. The number of new listings in May, at 16,076, was down 15 per cent compared to last year.   "Positive economic news and low borrowing costs led to strong sales through the first five months of the year, including the increase in May," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston. "At the same time, the market has become much tighter compared to last year, due to a substantial dip in new listings."Homes were on the market for an average of 23 days and sold for an average price of $485,520– up nine per cent compar... 06/19/2011

A Toronto Doctor, Dr. Conrad Sichler, has been giving people a "green" Rx for Stress and/or depression. He has written a prescription, using his prescription pad, encouraging more than a dozen people so far to walk the nature trails near their homes. This should come as "news" to a very few people... I am sure if we have had a chance to walk in solitude in the woods or forests in our pasts, and we think back, we all know this, that the quiet time, absorbing the beauty in the world around us, relieves our stress. In the U.S. parks and conservation areas have combined with health centres encouraging people, both adults and children to get a "dose of the outdoors" by hiking trails, paddling rivers and inhaling the fresh outdoors. Proponents of getting outdoors have suggested that we realiz... 06/07/2011

Tight Market Results in Strong Price Growth in April May 4, 2011 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,041 existing home sales through the TorontoMLS® system in April 2011. This result was down 17 per cent compared April 2010 when sales spiked to a new record of 10,898. While off last year's record result, April 2011 sales were in line with the average April sales level reported over the previous five years."Existing home sales have been strong from a historic perspective through the first four months of 2011. Expect the pace of sales to remain robust through the spring, as the economy expands and home buyers continue to benefit from affordable home ownership opportunities," said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Bill Johnston.Market conditions tightened markedly over the la... 05/10/2011

Britannia/Mavis Real Estate - Britannia/Mavis Homes for Sale. Search Britannia/MavisReal Estate for Sale... Search hundreds of Homes for Sale in Mississauga, Brampton, Milton, Toronto and near by area.  Do want to move to Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto, Etobicoke, Woodbridge, Milton, Caledon area ! Search your next home at www.greatgtahomes.com. Our web site is updated on daily basis for all the MLS listings. You may subscribe to email of listings anytime. However, if you want to have prior access to hot new MLS listings or before you see them anywhere else, we recommend you to become a preferred client. The moment right property comes up, we will inform you right away. You will get the first opportunity at some some of the best properties. Click here what to expect from a Real Estate P... 04/29/2011

808, Britannia Rd. W., Mississauga Ontario, Mavis Road to the W and ... Mavis Road Mississauga Ontario L5V 0A77Britannia Road West. On Saturday, 30th April, I will be at this location from 2Pm to 4 Pm. Full Address: Suite 214, 808 Britannia Rd W, Mississauga GTA, ON L5V0A7 View Suite 214, 808 Britannia Rd W, Mississauga GTA, ON L5V0A7 in a larger map 04/29/2011

Terms Bank Rates Preferred Rates 6 Month 4.45% 4.40% 1 YEAR 3.70% 2.64% 2 YEARS 4.05% 3.40% 3 YEARS 4.55% 3.62% 4 YEARS 5.19% 3.79% 5 YEARS 5.69% 4.19% 7 YEARS 6.49% 4.79% 10 YEARS 6.85% 4.99% Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE Prime Rate is 3.00% Variable rate mortgages from as low as Prime - .75%  If you require a referral to a mortgage broker, then please let me know. 04/18/2011

Maybe this is the "RIght" Time Ontario Real Estate Source Brian Madigan LL.B. Frequently, real estate buyers and sellers wonder whether they have missed the market. Sometimes, they have. So, what would you say about mid April 2011? The market has shown steady growth and sales. The first quarter numbers show that the pace is steady and the more recent March numbers have been the second best on record. And, something which is particularly important for sellers, the sale prices have never, ever been higher. Let's see what percentage of homes have sold in the first quarter of each year since 2004: 2004..........23.22% 2005..........21.67% 2006..........24.13% 2007..........25.69% 2008..........23.19% 2009..........16.69% 2010..........25.69% 2011........yet to be determined The sales in th... 04/18/2011

April 13th, 2011                   Prime Rate: 3.00%                     1yr 2yr 3yr 3yr VIRM 4yr 5yr 5yr VIRM 7yr 10yr Laurentian Bank 2.70 3.35 3.75 Prime-0.55 4.04 4.14 Prime-0.75 5.04 5.29 TD Bank 3.29 3.65 4.00 - 4.14 4.39 Prime-0.65 5.14 5.34 National Bank 3.19 3.55 3.89 - 4.04 4.24 Prime-0.70 5.04 5.24 First Line - 3.95 4.30 - 4.44 4.19 Prime-0.75 5.55 5.64 First National 3.19 3.59 3.69 - 3.79 4.24 Prime-0.75 5.10 5.34 ING 3.19 3.59 3.69 - 3.79 4.34 Prime-0.75 4.79 4.99 Scotia Bank 2.64 3.40 3.99 - 4.14 4.39 Prime 5.29 5.79 DesJardins 3.45 3.65 4.10 - 3.99 4.09 Prime-0.85 - - MCAP 3.19 3.59 3.69 - 3.79 4.04 Prime-0.75 5.10 5.40 Alterna 3.10 3.55 3.65 - 3.94 4.04 - 5.90 6.35 Hometrust 3.99 4.39 4.59 Prime+0.50 4.99 5.09 Prime+0.50 - - Equitable Trust 3.70 4.05 4.30 - 4.94 5.19 - ... 04/13/2011