| Recent Blog Posts by Robert Atkinson | ||
How many energy upgrades = smaller energy bill?
A new study says home owners won’t see their utility bills drop until they’ve conducted four or more energy upgrades. Here are projects that will give you the greatest bang for your energy buck.
Energy is like saving calories: Small measures add up, until a Thanksgiving pecan pie — or a dazzling holiday light display — wrecks a year’s worth of small though consistent ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on January 4, 2012
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Pricing Your Home - Being overpriced is a bad startIf you're selling your house, one of the first steps you'll take is setting an asking price, a task that requires the ability to find the perfect balance between attracting solid offers and ultimately receiving top dollar.
If you're working with a Realtor, you'll probably hear talk of fair market value, which typically means the highest value an educated buyer will pay. Fair market value is usually ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on October 24, 2010
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Is the market hot, cold or what!Last year no one wanted to talk about the market as the focus was on jobs and economy. For those who were looking for a bargain 2009 was the year to sell and buy or just buy. This year, many of the folks who bought last year in the dip sold this year and made a very nice profit, very nice indeed!
This year started off with a bang as many buyers flocked to the market looking for home, ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on June 10, 2010
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Home, Sweet ... Investment Property?Canada's real estate market is changing faster than ever before. Depending on your province, city - and sometimes even your street - real estate prices may have dropped, increased or remained stable over the past few months.
Due to this variance, real estate sales representatives like to remind folks that all real esate is local and that the national trends you hear in the news can often be ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on January 26, 2010
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GTA Housing Market Rebound Continues in SeptemberOctober 5, 2009 -- In September 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 8,196 sales, up 28 per cent from September 2008. The average price for September transactions was $406,877 – up by 10 per cent compared to the same month last year. “We have experienced an increasing rate of existing home price growth in the GTA as sales have continued outpace 2008 results,” said TREB President ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on October 8, 2009
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Strong Sales Continue In AugustIn August 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 8,035 sales, up 27% per cent from August 2008. The average price for August transactions was $387,921 – up by six per cent compared to the same month last year.
"The increase in demand for existing homes has been widespread across different housing types and price ranges," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "This suggests many categories ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on September 10, 2009
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Save money on your taxes while earning incomeMany people get into real estate as a form of wealth protection or generation but find themselves frustrated when faced with issues of being a landlord.
What if I told you of a way to get all the benefits of being a landlord (ownership of real estate, rental income, tax deductions) without the downside (dealing with tenants, finding tenants, getting them to pay, fixing the property).
There is a ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on July 25, 2009
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GOVERNMENT REBATE$!!!Anyone thinking of doing upgrades to thier home be sure to check out the link below. Here you can find out what upgrades will get you a rebate and which ones won't.
Not only will you feel good about helping the environment you will also be helping your pocket book by reducing your monthly bills and increasing your homes value in the market place.
Call me to find out what your home is worth ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on June 20, 2009
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WOW...the government is helping first time home buyers even more!We all know about the goverments offer where qualified home buyers can use a generous portion of their RRSP money to buy a home but there is a 2nd program available.
The Home Buyers Tax Credit allows qualified home buyers to claim up to $750 in tax credit relief. While it may not sounds like a lot to many, this amount could potentially cover your legal fee's. I don't know about you ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on May 15, 2009
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Spring Market is HoppingBank of Canada dropped the prime lending rate 0.25% and the banks followed. Further assurances were given that the rates are expected to remain low into 2010.
Prices have become more affordable and we are seeing an increase in home sales above what is typical of the spring market. This means that 'serious' buyers are moving fast to scoop the better homes as soon as they hit the market, ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on April 23, 2009
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Invest in real estate AND get a tax break, how is this possible?There is a 'secret' out there that many people are not aware of that allows them to invest in income producing real estate and also get tax deductions for up to 6 years!
Instead of putting a monthly amount into RRSP's and then praying that they are wisely invested (mine slid over 34%!) you can put this same money into an investment plan that has you owing a share of a commercial property with solid ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on March 28, 2009
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Declining market - How to come out aheadEveryone was really excited these past 5 to 7 years as prices were appreciating and getting your home sold was often an experience of multiple offers and short listing periods. It was a sellers market and as a result everyone was selling to realize their gains, great news if you are selling to downsize or to get out of the market. If your home was over priced the market would eventually ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on January 16, 2009
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How are home prices affected by the economy?
Understanding today's real estate market and how the market impacts the home selling process can be confusing. This report is designed help you make the right decisions for your family by helping you understand the market and its impact on the selling process.
The real estate market is a simple function of supply and demand.
In real estate, supply is the total number of homes ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on November 10, 2008
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A Buyers Market is a trading up opportunity??Consider this; you have a home that is currently worth $400,000 and you want to move up to a home that is worth $600,000. You would need $200,000 of extra funds to make this move.
Now, the market begins to move to a buyers market and prices slide 5%, let's re-evaluate our scenario above.
Our $400,000 home now sells for only $380,000 (5% less) and the $600,000 home now sells for $570,000. ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on October 3, 2008
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I want to wait until the spring to sell my home....Seems every where we turn there is news from the US of failed banks and economic uncertainty. Many people are 'wanting' to move to a home that is better suited to them but that if they wait until the spring they will be able to get a better price for their home. Now, I'm not a psychic or able to see the future but I do have good common sense and the market indicators are pretty clear.... ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on October 3, 2008
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Why should I pay a Realtor? I can save money and do it myself....With the increase in today's prices the thought of 'giving' a Realtor a percentage of the sale money doesn't seem to make sense. Before a home for $150,000 with a 6% commission rate means real estate fee's are costing the home owner $9,000. Now with home prices more than double that the fee's are $18,000 and there are no increase in work for the realtor so I'm going to go it alone and save ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on April 23, 2008
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