Recent Blog Posts by Sara Kareer

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR MARCH 2012 - Tight Market Drives Double-Digit Price Growth

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,690 sales through the TorontoMLS system in March 2012. This result was up by almost eight per cent in comparison to the 8,986 deals reported during the same period in 2011.      “The GTA resale market has not suffered from a lack of willing buyers this year. Buyers have been spurred on by the positive affordability picture brought about ...

Top 10 Odors That Homebuyers Hate

Every home has a predominant smell.  This informative post outlines some "good" and "bad" odors, as perceived by Homebuyers.   During Open Houses, I often bake Chocolate Chip Cookies to create a warm, comfortable feeling with potential Homebuyers walking in the front door.  Works great!  Every home has a predominant smell, what's yours?   Via The Scott ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2012

Tight Market Pushes the Average Price above $500K Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,032 sales in February 2012 – up 16 per cent compared to February 2011. New listings were also up over the same period, but by a lesser 11 per cent to 12,684. It is important to note that 2012 is a leap year, with one more day in February. Over the first 28 days of February, sales and new listings were ...

House for Sale, 9 Linstock Drive, Brampton, Ontario Vales of Castlemore L6P 1E1

Here is a YOUTUBE video of my upcoming listing located within the Vales of Castlemore at 9 Linstock Drive in Brampton, Ontario.   This beautiful home has stunning curb-appeal and is located on a quiet, child-friendly street and is walking distance to Schools, Parks, Transit, and Shopping.     This is the perfect home to entertain your family and friends! ...

Coming Soon!! Exceptional 5 Bedroom Home backing onto Private Ravine Lot, Linstock Drive, Brampton, ON L6P 1E1

Coming Soon!! You've seen the rest ... now own the best!!    Coming Soon!!!    This Exceptionally Beautiful Home with Stone/Brick exterior backs onto a very private Ravine and is the perfect home to entertain your family and friends.    This home is situated on a wide lot and is surrounded by professional ...

Rosedale Village Golf and Country Club -- Make Your Move!

Are you an empty-nester looking to down-size your present home?  Are you looking for a safe place to call home, a place that allows you the freedom to enjoy the lifestyle you want with the amenities you desire?       Nestled in Brampton, Rosedale Village Golf & Country Club is a private, secure, gated community that caters to adults 50+.  It's located ...

For Sale By Owner - FSBO a NO GO

The founder of a website preeching the concept of selling your home without the help of a real estate agent -- failed at selling his own home.   The creator of ForSaleByOwner.com, Colby Sambrotto, failed to do what he preeched.  After 6 months of unsuccessfully trying to sell his own 2 bedroom New York condo, he eventually hired a real estate agent for 6% commission and the ...

Buying a Home: Is that home you’re buying a former "Grow-Op"?

Is that home you’re buying a former "Grow-Op"?      Before you’re sold on the granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, consider that a previous homeowner may have been cooking up a lot more in the basement, bedrooms and even the family room. Prospective buyers need to know that a home, formerly used for a grow-op, may hold a ...

The Importance of a Buyers Representation Agreement

TREB (Toronto Real Estate Board) has produced a series of YouTube videos to help the buying public see the benefits of signing a Buyer Representation Agreement.  It’s important to understand the benefits of signing this agreement as it protects you, the consumer.  Have a look…     Feel free to call me with any questions you have about signing a Buyers Representation ...

Looking to Buy a Home or Condo, Special Promotion with Best Buy Geek Squad!

If you are looking to buy a Home or Condo in Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville, Caledon, Vaughan, or the surrounding Toronto area, I have yet another reason to choose me as your value-added Realtor®.       As another value-added service, I am very excited to offer my clients a special promotion with Best Buy Canada’s “Geek Squad”.     ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2010

Third Best Year for Existing Home Sales   Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,395 existing home sales for the month of December, bringing the 2010 total to 86,170 – down by one per cent compared to 2009. "Market conditions were anything but uniform in 2010. We went from super-charged sales activity during the first four months of the year, to a marked drop-off in transactions ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR AUGUST 2010

August Sales and New Listings Down, Prices Up   Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 6,232 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in August 2010. This represented a 22 per cent decrease compared to the 8,035 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. New listings decreased by one per cent year-over-year to 10,488.    "The prospect of interest rate ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) Mid-Month Resale Housing Figures - AUGUST 2010

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 2,732 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) during the first two weeks of August 2010. This represented a 29 per cent decrease compared to the 3,832 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. New listings, at 4,770 were down eight per cent compared to the first two weeks of August 2009. “Throughout the better part of the ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR JULY 2010

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 6,564 sales in July – a 34 per cent dip from the record 9,967 sales reported in July 2009. New listings, at 10,825, dropped to the lowest level for the month of July since 2002. “The level of July sales remained below the expected long-term trend. The market has become more balanced following record monthly sales through most of the winter and ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR MARCH 2010

Record First Quarter Sales Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,430 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in March, pushing total first quarter 2010 sales to 22,418 - the best result on record under the current Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) boundaries. The average price for March transactions was $434,696. The average price for the first quarter was $427,948.   ...

Houses for Sale, 63 Springhurst Avenue, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1P5, $334,900, Brampton Real Estate

Welcome to 63 Springhurst Avenue, Brampton, Ontario   This lovely 3 Bedroom, 3 Washroom detached home with a Finished Basement is located in a family-friendly neighbourhood within walking distance to Schools and Park.  Shopping, GO Transit, and Highways are just a few short minutes away.   The cozy Open Concept Living/Dining Room has wood flooring and a window seat. ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2010

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,291 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in February, representing a 77 per cent increase over February 2009. The average price for these transactions was up 19 per cent year-over-year to $431,509. Sales and average price increases represent both increased demand for ownership housing and the base year effect, which involves a comparison ...

Research Shows Canadian Mortgage Market can Manage Risks

New research data collected by the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP) suggests that Canadian mortgage lenders and borrowers, including first time homebuyers, are being extremely prudent with their borrowing and lending.   Key findings of CAAMP’s research include: • Eighty-six per cent of homebuyers chose fixed rate mortgages. This share fell late ...

Come On Brampton - GET ON THE BOARD (GAME) -- CAST YOUR VOTE TODAY!!

Brampton residents have an opportunity to "Get Brampton on the Board" and be a part of gaming history. Hasbro, the makers of MONOPOLY, has launched a nation-wide vote to find Canada's 22 favourite cities that will be included on the new MONOPOLY Canada game board in celebration of its 75th Anniversary. "What a great opportunity for Brampton to get a piece of real estate in this Canadian edition ...

Avoid the HST - Buy a Home Now

The following appeared in the Brampton Guardian yesterday, written by Ruth Ballantyne Avoid the HST – Buy a home now The new harmonized sales tax being implemented in Ontario may end up being a friend of business but for consumers buying a new house prepare to be stung. The HST will combine the current GST (5 per cent) and PST (8 per cent) to create one tax, HST at (13 per cent). This ...

Interest Rates are about to start rocketing higher: Article in The Globe and Mail

Here is an article that appeared today, January 5, 2010, in The Globe and Mail. Fasten your seatbelts, home buyers REUTERS Interest rates are about to start rocketing higher. Savers, get ready You now have roughly six to nine months to get a personal plan together for dealing with higher interest rates. After that, the ride begins. Where it ends depends on how smartly the economy ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2009

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2009     GTA Home Sales Remain Strong in November                 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 ...

Who's Caryn Johnson?

Comedienne/Movie Star/TV Host Caryn Johnson has recently moved into her new $2.8 million (USD) luxury home in West Orange, New Jersey.  The mansion, built in 1927, has 8 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms and is situated on 9,486 square feet and is surrounded by lush gardens with a servant’s house, carriage house, and a green house. The home is located just 14 miles west of lower Manhattan. ...

Why Buy a Home or Condo with Sara??

Why Buy a Home or Condo with Sara??  Aside from getting your investment at the BEST possible price....all Buyers receive a FREE 7-Night RESORT GETAWAY when you buy any home or condo ANYWHERE in Ontario with SARA!!!  Call me today!

Market Statistics - BRAMPTON VALES OF CASTLEMORE - HOMES FOR SALE

Market Statistics - BRAMPTON VALES OF CASTLEMORE - HOMES FOR SALE Here are the latest statistics of homes for sale in the BRAMPTON VALES OF CASTLEMORE area as of August 31, 2009: * There are only 9 homes for sale in The VALES OF CASTLEMORE ranging in price from $304,900 to 699,999 * 7 Detached homes * 1 Semi-Detached * The average home in this area is priced at $496,238 * 3 homes ...