February 2011 saw healthy MLS residential sales results in Kitchener Waterloo. Unit sales totalled 373 for a decline of approximately 4% over February 2010 sales of 385. Of note, Kitchener Waterloo homebuilders experienced a 46% surge with 60 new home sales through MLS versus 41 for last February. This left resale properties off by 9% year-over-year(313 vs. ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on March 3, 2011
As we enter March, we look forward to warmer temperatures, melting snow and more daylight. Here is another of the top 10 things I love about living in the Westvale area of Waterloo, Ontario:
#3 Variety of Housing
In contrast to the sameness of new subdivisions like the one pictured above, Westvale has a nice variety of housing styles. Shrinking ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on March 2, 2011
Just finished reading a thought provoking book by Canadian economist Jeff Rubin called Why Your World Is About To Get A Whole Lot Smaller. The book makes a number of predictions including $200/barrel oil, $2/litre gas in Canada($7/gallon in the U.S.), escalating food prices, and the return of some manufacturing jobs as shipping costs rise. The book is well-researched and written ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on February 28, 2011
Another week is behind us and it seemed everywhere you looked, protest and political upheaval dominated the news. This serves to remind Canadians how fortunate we are to live in a democracy. It also brings to mind another thing we sometimes take for granted. Here is another of the top 10 things I love about living in Westvale:
#4 A Safe Neighbourhood ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on February 23, 2011
As the snow melts and it starts to feel like Spring, the neighbourhood comes alive. You begin to see more people out for a walk enjoying the relatively mild weather. I read a blog post last week about a lady who was struggling to clear her driveway of snow with her husband away and 2 small children to care for. It recounted how her neighbour failed to offer ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on February 16, 2011
Strong residential demand and low MLS resale inventory combined to create brisk activity on Kitchener Waterloo power of sale properties in January. Ten properties sold under power of sale for an average of 99% of the asking price with many attracting multiple offers. This equalled the 10 power of sales properties sold in December. The average days on the market ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on February 15, 2011
It's time once again for Westvale Wednesday where I share one of the top 10 things I love about living in Westvale.
#7 The Boardwalk at Ira Needles Blvd.
A recent addition to the Westvale neighbourhood has been the massive 1 million square foot commercial development depicted above. The Boardwalk is located at the end of University Avenue West and Ira Needles ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on February 2, 2011
Another week has flown by and once again, it's Westvale Wednesday. Today's instalment of the top 10 things I love about living in Westvale is:
#8 Great elementary schools
One of the primary components of a vibrant community is its schools. Westvale is very fortunate to have 2 great schools within its boundaries: Westvale Public School and Holy Rosary Catholic ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on January 26, 2011
Buying your first home in Kitchener Waterloo can be confusing enough. Recently, the federal government made 3 changes to mortgage policy through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation(CMHC) that created further confusion. While I read a great deal about the changes, the analysis of the impact of the changes was sorely lacking. So if I'm a first time buyer in ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on January 22, 2011
When I was a kid, I used to read a series of mystery books involving the Hardy Boys. Each book would see the brothers tackle and solve a mystery. Real estate doesn't have many but recently, when a client took possession of their resale home, a mystery ensued.
Remember the excitement of buying your first home? As a Realtor, the experience ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on January 21, 2011