Home Appraisals are relevant if you wish to sell your house. Generally it is the mortgage lender who pushes for home appraisal values before financing the buyer. Home appraisal values may be useful for the home owner who wishes to apply for refinancing or for arranging a home line of credit. Influences on appraised value will include comparable properties, adjustments for house specific ...
Posted by Laura Silverstein
on December 1, 2009
By doing a few simple steps, you can sell your house faster and make the whole process more pleasant. Most houses that SELL, sell within the first 3 weeks (this in Real Estate is called the Magic Window). You really do want to sell within that time and not become a "stale" listing. After this time frame, many buyers will decide to "wait you out" and hope for a price reduction. ...
Posted by Peter Sigurdson
on November 28, 2009
I was looking after a condo listed in downtown Toronto. All keys were located in lockboxes on a nearby fence at the property line. There were about 30 lockboxes of various styles and colours. The keys and keyfob were obtainable with standard showing instructions. After several days, an agent called to say that our keys no longer worked. We contacted the last two agents that showed ...
Posted by Randy Corcoran
on November 24, 2009
Once deemed to be one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Toronto, today this beautiful space comprises the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian Housing in North America. Located on the east side of Toronto, neighbouring the corner of Parliament St. and Gerrard St., Cabbagetown is one of Toronto’s most popular neighbourhoods. While its residents come from a wide variety of backgrounds, ...
Posted by Alina Pock
on November 19, 2009
All of us have watched HGTV shows about people doing property flipping. Is this something you have considered? Here are a few things to think about!
1. You might pay capital gains tax on your flip property. Always involve your accountant (get one if you don't have one now - your Real Estate agent can make recommendations) from the outset. Living in the place for a while ...
Posted by Peter Sigurdson
on November 18, 2009
Swine Flu Surprise for Insurance Seekers, by Rob Gerlsbeck, Canadian Business Online, Monday, November 9, 2009. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians could come down with the H1N1 flu this season. If you’re among them, and your brush with the deadly bug motivates you to take out life insurance, get ready for a shock. Insurance companies may treat you like you have the plague.
Lorne ...
Posted by Ari Zadegan
on November 11, 2009
A few weeks ago a Home Depot associate recommended Typar as a Vapor Barrier to be used inside basement walls. I went with his recommendation and I installed Typar around the inside of my basement wall, followed by the wood frame, electrical cables and insulation. A couple weeks later I had to remove part of the insulation so that I can run another wire. I was amazed to find excessive ...
Posted by Tibor Ovari
on November 10, 2009
I've taken notice in the last year that agents are opting for faxed offers instead of presenting offers in person. I understand that it's much faster to take the faxed route, and I'm sure many of you would agree that it's much easier on our trees here in Ontario. What concerns me is the lack of client service that we are giving by faxing our offers instead of going to bat for our clients. ...
Posted by Melinda Flokstra
on November 10, 2009
When decorating our homes, we tend to consider things like beauty and comfort, the durability of pieces we might buy or the image they project. But how many of us stop to consider our energy bills? Energy-smart design goes way beyond choosing Energy Star-rated appliances or switching to compact fluorescent bulbs, although both are good ideas. Today's experts see opportunities to conserve energy in ...
Posted by Ari Zadegan
on November 10, 2009
There are so many stories and so much confused chatter, that, with permission of Alyson Fair, Publicist in CREA's Communications Department, I have copied this article so that you have the True Facts.
MEMO TO BOARDS
Summary:
As per our earlier notice regarding various media reports, CREA has been in communication with the Competition Bureau regarding the inquiry by the Commissioner of Competition ...
Posted by Lydia Ingles
on November 9, 2009