| Recent Blog Posts by Joann Visaretis | ||
Discount Real Estate comes at a price Some aren't willing to Pay!HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
As a professional realtor, I see a lot of DIY listings or discount brokerages putting properties on MLS where the seller pays the discount broker up front for this service.
Then the seller is left with arranging appointments, marketing and exposing the listing, as well as being provided with a website for bargin hunters to view their property. All negotiations are between the seller ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on January 12, 2012
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APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS?We’ve all heard that April showers bring May flowers – but it could also bring potential water damage to your home, which can get costly. Many people presume their home is fully covered for water damage, only to find out that they’re not; that’s because not all home insurance policies are the same.
Home insurance coverage for water damage depends on a number of things: like ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on March 26, 2011
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HST and Your ReSale Homehttp://www.youtube.com/trebchannel
Want to know more about how the HST effects your purchase?
Check out the video & call me to discuss your needs.
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on March 22, 2011
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The 4 Crucial Reasons You Don’t Want To Wait On Interest RatesThe changes will be implemented in stages, with adjustments on amortization and refinancing limits coming into force on March 18.
Government backing on HELOCs will be removed as of April 18. The government said exceptions would be allowed after the new measures come into force when needed to satisfy a home purchase or sale and financing agreement struck before the March and April in-force dates. ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on January 19, 2011
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Benifits of Signing a Buyer Representation Agreementhttp://www.youtube.com/trebchannel#p/u/6/g15BaodM6M8
Call TODAY for your FREE one on one consultation. 416.464.1200
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on December 29, 2010
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Home Operating CostsThese are the costs associated with the day to day running of a home, keeping it comfortable year-round. These costs include hydro, water and natural gas, or any other fuel source that you might use, such as propane or oil. To calculate home operating costs, tally up the monthly bills for these over the course of a year. The total will be the home's yearly operating costs.
Call today for your FREE ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on December 27, 2010
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Increasing costs? Did you know?• Provincial programs also provide grant and rebate opportunities. Before making any updates to your home, consult http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/incentives.cfm?attr=4 to see the list of your provinces programs.
• Ontario is introducing a blended tax in 2010 that will see gas, natural gas and electricity prices increase by 8%; taking measures now to improve energy efficiency will ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on December 22, 2010
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What is the Energy Conservation Kit?The residential real estate market is a diverse and ever-changing component of both our national economy and our day to day life. This is due to the development of inmproved building practices, availability of better building materials, adoption of new building standards, and implementation of evolving government polices. Greater consumer awareness of environmental issues, and concern over rising energy ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on December 21, 2010
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BANK OF CANADA RAISES KEY RATE TODAY!The Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate by a quarter of a per cent today, for the third consecutive time.
The Bank noted in its announcement that it “now expects the economic recovery in Canada to be slightly more gradual” than it predicted at the time of its last rate hike in July, citing weaker economic activity in the U.S. However, the Bank also stated today that consumption ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on September 8, 2010
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How to have a Healthier LawnMowing Methods For a Greener Pickering, Durham, Whitb, Ajax, Brooklin, Claremont Lawn
Click photo to watch video
There is a knack to cutting grass properly. Done properly, mowing can reduce the necessity of using any additional pesticides in your Toronto, GTA, Scarborough, North York, East York yard. Growing a good stand of healthy grass makes it more difficult for weeds to get started. Mowing ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on May 31, 2010
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What you should do when hiring a Building ContractorSo you're finally going to do that major home improvement project. You're going to build an addition, add a swimming pool, replace the roof, or any of the hundreds of renovation projects people do every year to their Pickering, Durham, Whitb, Ajax, Brooklin, Claremont houses. With a major renovation that requires a number of vendors, when you have to pick who you will hire you will usually hire a general ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on May 11, 2010
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Bubble market?
Click photo to watch video
Watch this interview with economist Will Dunning where the discussion focuses on the question whether the hot real estate market in many parts of Canada is a "housing bubble".
According to this economist a bubble has several prominent features including: - Rapidly rising house prices - Significant growth of mortgage debt on the part of home owners - Many buyers adopting ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on May 4, 2010
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Are new mortgage rules costing Canadians more?April 26, 2010 -
New mortgage rules coming into effect this month make it necessary for some home buyers to lock into five year fixed rate mortgages in order to secure the amount they need. Some claim this is forcing them to pay more than they have to. The irony is that the new rules are supposed to protect vulnerable borrowers from over-extending themselves. But locking into a fixed rate for five ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on April 28, 2010
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Rates up and still raising??Warning:
Royal Bank has just announced another increase in posted rates, apparently by 15 basis points across all terms. Once again the discounted rates should move too and other lenders will likely follow over the next few days. The Bank of Canada qualifying rate will likely increase to 6.25% sometime next week.
1. If you are thinking of buying you should lock a rate with a Pre Approval to protect ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on April 27, 2010
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Luxury Home Sales break Records across Canada!Luxury home sales hit new highs in 9 or 13 regions across Canada, according to a recent ReMax Canada report. The report was based on information from brokers.
A luxury home is usually thought of as one falling within the top 1% to 5% of sales. The luxury price range varies across Canada from $400,000 in St. Johns to $2-million in greater Vancouver.
The most expensive home sold in Q1 in Canada was ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on April 26, 2010
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Why not put a rental apartment in your house???Why not put a rental apartment in your Etobicoke, Downtown Toronto, Central Toronto, North Toronto house?
Many homeowners have wondered if they should convert part of their home into a rental unit.
It goes without saying the objective is to cut down your monthly payments by getting rent every month. This can give you a healthy amount of extra income, or sometimes even make it feasible to make ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on April 24, 2010
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Do Major Toronto, GTA, Scarborough, North York or East York home reno projects boost selling price?Home renovation projects almost always cost more than they return in increased home value. According to the NAR (National Association of Realtors} for every $1,000 homeowners spend on reno projects they get back $638. Here is the average return per $1000 on typical reno projects:
- Heavy insulated steel entry door - $1,289
- Finish an attic bedroom - $831
- Remodel kitchen or bathroom - $710-$720 ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on April 23, 2010
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New Government Mortgage Qualifications.What do rental property owners need to know about the recent changes? As of April 19, borrowers applying for a variable-rate mortgage or a fixed-rate mortgage with a term of less than 5 years must qualify based on the Bank of Canada’s five-year fixed posted mortgage rate. Note that 5 year terms can be qualified at the contract rate, or at the Lenders discounted rate as it is often called.
• ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on March 25, 2010
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What a GREAT START to January 2010!!GTA REALTORS® REPORTING JANUARY MID-MONTH HOUSING STATISTICS TORONTO
January 18, 2010 -
Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 1,749 existing home sales on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) during the first two weeks of January. This result was almost double the 888 sales reported for the same period in 2009, when sales had dipped to a recessionary low.
“We have had a strong ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on January 19, 2010
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OWNING A HOME Vs. RENTING....If you’ve recently decided to make the transition from renter to homeowner, you are about to make an important investment in your long-term financial wellbeing. Still on the fence? Consider the following benefits. Owning your own home can allow you to:
Build equity When you purchase your own home and make mortgage payments, you accumulate equity in the property. You may borrow against this ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on November 23, 2009
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Resale records in July 2009!!In July 2009,, Greater Toronto Realtors repoted a record 9,967 sales, up 28 % from July 2008!! The average price for July transactions was $395,414 - up 6% compared to the same month last year. Report from TREB Market Watch.
The real estate sector has been one of the sectors making a positive contribution to the economic growth.
What are your needs for real estate? Call me to discuss. 416-464-1200
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on August 10, 2009
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Are Luxury home sales hitting a record?May was the strongest month ever for sales of luxury homes in the Greater Toronto Area.
In that month, 273 homes were SOLD for more than $1 million each, compared to 258 sold in the same month one year earlier. This is a difference of 6%!
There is a stortage of inventory and there is pent-up demand, so that is the current market conditions.
There is confidence returning to the marketplace.
It ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on June 20, 2009
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Hot market, Hot property, staging still a MUST!!"Do you need to stage your home when the Market is hot?"
Most definitely YES! Staged homes sell faster and for more money. Whether the market is hot or not. Staging your home will make it more marketable and competitive. Hiring a professional stager is key to successfully staging your home. You may watch the shows but reality is, Staging is more than just de-cluttering. Investing in painting, furniture ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on June 9, 2009
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Time To Buy Is NOW!Moderated housing prices combined with low interest rates could present excellent long-term investment and homeownership opportunities in the GTA housing market,(TREB). REALTORS can help potential home buyers and investors identify value in today's market.
TREB Members reported 2,670 sales in January from the 5,075 sales reported in the first month of 2008. Of these, 1,106 transactions took place ...
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on February 5, 2009
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HOW IS THE REAL ESTATE MARKET?It is the best time to build your wealth. Buying homes & holding on to them till the next boom is the answer! We have a healthy market for all buyers with good credit & savings. Why wait to buy?
Buy when no one else is!! Call me today to discuss, this will be the best call of your future!
Posted by Joann Visaretis
on January 31, 2009
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