For those of you who also like to support your community, please join me in the 2008 Homes for the Holidays event happening this November 14th and 15th. On November 14 and 15, 2008, eight beautiful homes in and around the Markham area will open their doors and showcase their holiday best. Local businesses and designers have teamed up to create holiday cheer inside and out. Get all the ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on October 31, 2008
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
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
As of October 15th, 2008 the government of Canada will no longer be guaranteeing 40 year mortgages in an effort to strengthen and protect the Canadian housing market. Some of the rule changes are:
Fixing the maximum amortization period for new government-backed mortgages to 35 years;
Requiring a minimum down payment of five per cent for new government-backed mortgages;
Establishing ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on September 19, 2008
The asking price you set for your home has a significant determining if you will make a profit, how much profit you will make and how long it will take to get your profit. Your real estate agent's knowledge of the overall market and what's selling - or not selling - will be invaluable in helping you determine the price. The objective is to find a price that the market will bear but won't leave ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on August 11, 2008
When a buyer chooses to place an offer on a home for sale, a deposit is made towards the purchase of the home with the offer. The deposit is not paid directly to the seller but rather it is held in a special account pending the completion of the agreement. This deposit is deducted from the agreed upon sale price thereby reducing the total amount owing to the seller. Since the money ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on May 30, 2008
Absolutely! Receiving Air Miles is just one of the perks available to clients who buy or sell thru me!
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on May 27, 2008
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
The Greater Toronto Area resale housing market saw 3,955 homes change hands in the first half of April, down five per cent from the same time period last year, Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O'Neill announced today.
"The first half of April brought sales activity within five per cent of mid-April 2007," said Ms. O'Neill.
In the City of Toronto sales are down 11 per cent compared to a ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on April 23, 2008
Being a first time home buyer is an exciting and somewhat intimidating process. If you scan the Internet you can find a wealth of information and you can spend hours upon hours reading it all. While this will make you a more informed person it may also make you feel more intimidated as there is a lot of risk that needs to be pointed out however, without risk there is no reward. Below ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on April 19, 2008